Letters to the Editor
Rights and liberties
February 26, 2026
Stella Yee's article is very good. However, it has the same fault as nearly all media interest in this subject and Gaza, Palestine, the West Bank, and Israel. Anyone reading or watching the usual pieces could be forgiven for believing that these trouble started on 7 October 2023, or with the Bondi outrage. It started almost 100 years ago when Zionist terrorist gangs fought against the British Mandate for Palestine, and terrorised the Palestinians living there since before the Romans evicted most of the Jewish population around AD70. In 1947, following the Balfour Declaration of 1915 proposing a...
Terry Stanton from PORT MACQUARIE
In response to: Whose Rights and Liberties I respect by Stella Yee
Serving ISIS or IDF: no moral equivalence?
February 26, 2026
Refaat Ibrahim's article provides all the information and asks all the necessary questions. It should not be necessary to repeat the data nor the commentary. And yet, we have not only the repugnant usual suspects of the RWNJ political coterie but the conscientiously-excised PM Albanese casting the entire families of the radicalised ISIS expatriate idiots into the pit of Hell. Fair enough treatment for the patriarchs who took their families into the depths of harm's way. All 35 of them. But where is the equivalent condemnation of the more than 600 Australian Jews who joined the IDF?...
Richard Llewellyn from Colo Vale
In response to: Globalisation of occupation: when genocide becomes an international project
Deja vu re Palestine
February 26, 2026
Refaat Ibrahim does well to point out how the “ceasefire” in Palestine has reduced the world’s attention to the plight of the Palestinians. But 400 Palestinian villages were emptied of 720,000 Palestinians in the Nakba, and now after the latest war, they live in a country of widespread destruction. Northeast Palestine is being eaten up by Israeli settlers. There is a Board of Peace but without Palestinian government involvement. The area within the Yellow Line in Southwest Palestine keeps shrinking. Why the title deja vu? Well, we have habit of forgetting easily, even events in Palestine twelve years ago. I...
Geoff Taylor from Borlu (Perth)
In response to: The ceasefire as a weapon: the genocide in Gaza continues in silence
It’s all too easy with Albanese
February 26, 2026
To hear Mark Carney speak at Davos and to follow his actions in the name of world order and Canadian sovereignty fills one with hope. To compare the political timidity – and that’s putting it mildly – of the Albanese government should fill Australians with envy and shame. Let’s hope the Canadian prime minister’s visit triggers a damascene moment in our indolent government and waken the nation’s electorate from its apathy. From its acquiesce to the shameful Morrison AUKUS sham to its indulgence of the Canberra lobbyist regime, this current administration has abdicated regard for and responsibility to the national...
John Mosig from Kew, Victoria
In response to: Carney and Albanese and the collapse of global order?
What was Albanese thinking?
February 26, 2026
Stella Yee, in her article on the aftermath of the Bondi shootings, exposes how wrong it was to invite the Israeli president to Australia. It has led to greater hostility between sections of our community and consequential restriction of our freedoms. By calling Herzog the Jewish community's head of state, Albanese has not only insulted a large portion of Australian Jews, but he has played into the hands of antisemites who view Jews as one entity. Many prominent Australian Jews have voiced their opposition to the Israeli government and the devastation and death it has wrought in Gaza. And many...
Al Turley from Doncaster Vic.
In response to: Whose Rights and Liberties I Respect
Never stop digging, Albo
February 26, 2026
And right on cue, Albo continues digging hole(s) that Waterford mentions, with added chocolate sprinkles. Just today he continues his attack on the women and children trying to escape ISIS incarceration and misery, still without the slightest recognition of the now estimated 80,000 deaths by genocide in Gaza – of which around 40 per cent are now estimated to be women, children and the elderly. and that does not include the many, many thousands whose lives are now and for the future, severely crippled/shortened. Brave, Brave Sir Albo. Who has now attacked David Pocock for daring to raise...
Richard Llewellyn from Colo Vale
In response to: Albanese’s real opponent is not Angus Taylor
Not all brown people are Muslim
February 26, 2026
I am getting tired of having to say I'm Buddhist to everyone. I was born in Sri Lanka which is a Buddhist country and I've extensively studied Buddhist and Hindu scripture. I'm tired of people telling me that they like Muslims, before ascertaining my religion. I quickly correct that I'm Buddhist and they never acknowledge this but continue their rant. I have Muslim friends in Australia and UK, but I object to being put into their bucket. I won't hold out hope that you'll do an article pointing out that not all brown people are Muslim,...
Dan Wild from Sydney
In response to: errorism – a blow back from western violence in Muslim countrieshttps://johnmena
The gift that keeps on giving
February 26, 2026
Never forget he also gave Australia Tony Abbott.
Bob Pearce from Adelaide SA
In response to: how-john-howard-reshaped-australia-not-for-
Naming the guilty
February 26, 2026
John's article has the temerity to name western responsibility for the vast growth of terrorism around the planet. Both that terrorism committed directly by the west, which incidentally has a long and bloody pedigree stretching back to the creation of those western colonial empires, and the terrorism created in the Islamic world by our hubris, greed and sheer stupidity, are direct consequences of a western racism and insidious belief in Caucasion superiority over the rest of humanity. These are all markers of an empire in terminal decline. At several isolated historical points we could reasonably have claimed to have...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Terrorism – a blow back from western violence in Muslim countries
Mid-century fundamentalist Methodism in practice
February 26, 2026
One thing is clear about John Howard – his approach to the world was shaped by a childhood exposed to a narrow fundamentalist Methodism. Even the rare good he did in response to the Port Arthur shootings, came out of that rigid moralism that brooked no opposition. His rule reflected a hearkening back to a mythical past that was ill-suited to the twentieth century, let alone the twenty-first. Twenty-first century Australians will continue to pay for that mythologizing of a 19th century religious certitude.
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: How John Howard reshaped Australia – and not for the better
A better fix for CGT
February 26, 2026
Realised capital gains should be taxed at similar rates to wages, with the CGT discount abolished. Modern digital record-keeping makes this feasible. For individuals, the government could declare an annual inflation rate (using CPI or AWE) to calculate the real gain. The tax payable would then be based on the taxpayer’s average tax rate over the previous five years – a figure easily recorded on annual assessments. Companies and discretionary trusts should pay the company rate, which should not be cut. Negative gearing on residential property should be abolished. Where expenses, including interest, exceed income, these losses...
John Curr from MANLY
In response to: How Australia should fix capital gains tax
How to fix CGT
February 26, 2026
Bob McMullan’s fix for capital gains means for example an investor who makes say $100,000 capital gain over some period of time (lets say 2-3 years) may pay up to 49 per cent in tax less a 25 per cent discount= $35,000 in tax. And if real inflation (higher than the unrealistic narrow basket of goods in the inflation index) runs around say 5 per cent, that leaves capital at perhaps real value of $0000 when sold less $35000 equals $55000. Perhaps one million dollars was used to buy the property which could have earned 10 per cent plus elsewhere...
Alan Pinsker from Rochedale South, Logan 4123
In response to: How to fix cgt
The Australian community is more mature than politicians think
February 26, 2026
Dr Jamal Rifi is one of the few talking sense in the debate about the return of women and children from the Syrian camps. Politicians are running in all directions hiding from their fears of a community backlash but it seems the Australian community is more mature than politicians think it is. It is obvious that Australia will be safer if these women and children are returned. Leaving the children there to breed up as future terrorists is insane. We have already had at least two cohorts return to Australia and there is no evidence that any of them have...
Jennifer Haines from Glossodia
In response to: AUSTRALIAS MORAL FAILURE OVER WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN SYRIA
Continued puerility!
February 19, 2026
One cannot help but continue to wish that the Coalition's ongoing yearning for a return to the glory of Nineteenth Century Australia where there was a place for everyone and everyone knew their place, does not change. That will guarantee their continued occupation of the Opposition benches for the foreseeable future. Then the only problem will be how to neuter the attractiveness of the imbecility of Pauline to the diminishing band of older Australians whose most in-depth of thoughts centres around the feudal monarchy, empty nationalism and unrestrained racism!
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Scapegoating migrants is as old as history itself
Vastly expensive but a failure in reality
February 19, 2026
A great article by Warwick that sets out the gigantic resources devoted to the most unproductive economic activities imaginable. Given that vast expenditure one would normally expect a military covered in glory. But what do we see? Stalemate in Korea, defeat in Vietnam, defeat in Afghanistan, defeat in Iraq, defeat in Ukraine. Major triumphs for that military – Panama with a population of a few hundred thousand, Granada with a population of a few hundred thousand, Haiti with a population of a few million. The only major win was the first gulf war. The wins were against...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: How the United States built the world’s biggest military machine
History is not conditional
February 18, 2026
Conditional history. What a fearful prospect. Amplified by media control of the narrative, the possibility of digging down into the issues underlying the conflicts currently raging across our world now hinges on conditions. These are often imposed by one or more of the main actors in any given conflict making it difficult if not impossible to rationally discuss just how we got into such a pickle. Why did Russia feel it necessary to attack Ukraine? Why does China bristle at the mention of an independent Taiwan? Why does Iran feel it necessary to arm itself with a fearsome array of missiles? Why did...
Hal Duell from Alice Springs
In response to: Whose rights and liberties I respect
Is it the regime or the west that must change?
February 18, 2026
Mehmet Ozalp's article helps inform readers who know little about the history of Western interference in Iran's affairs, but he leaves out some key information, which leads his article to be biased toward the west, favouring as it does 'regime change', but not being clear how that will come about. If a bigger picture were told, we might favour a 'regime change' in the west, too. Being cognisant of more of the relevant details would help. These would include: - the west supplying Iraq with chemical weapons to use against Iranian forces in the 80s - the 1996...
Susan Dirgham from Viewbank
In response to: How Iran’s current unrest can be traced back to the 1979 revolution
Do not go gentle into that good night
February 18, 2026
The late Dylan Thomas liked a cold beer or two on a hot day and once described an alcoholic as someone you don't like that drinks more than you do.
Bernard Corden from Spring Hill QLD 4000
In response to: Sobriety, friendship and the quiet power of Alcoholics Anonymous
Robert Reich keeps me sane
February 18, 2026
About a year ago, I ran into a friend who asked how I was. Donald Trump is driving me insane I replied. You should read Robert Reich, she said. And ever since then I have read Reich's daily blogs on Substack about the sheer awfulness of the Trump Administration. This article about the appalling Kristi Noem and her Department of Homeland Security was particularly therapeutic because the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of ICE still make me weep. It's not just their deaths but the unconstitutional manner in which they act. As Reich writes:...
Jenny Goldie from Cooma NSW
In response to: ‘It’s my government’: Robert Reich's short note to Kristi NoemAngus Taylor looks
Fairer tax for a fairer society
February 18, 2026
Cutting taxes is an easy road to popularity; increasing taxes requires a convincing presentation framework to demonstrate taxpayer value. Labor must promote taxation reform as a program for social benefit: reducing the income tax burden for those who need support (eg wage-earners, particularly the younger taxpayers and the lower paid who struggle with cost of living pressures) while adding or increasing contributions from those who currently receive favourable treatment. These reforms would not be introduced simply to raise more funds, but to create greater tax equity and thus strengthen social cohesion. Possibilities include reducing those concessions seen as overly-generous, such...
Chris Young from Surrey Hills, Vic
In response to: When both sides chant 'lower tax', the country pays in division
Doyle’s warning: Japan’s defensive shift
February 18, 2026
The recent analysis regarding Japan’s departure from its pacifist equilibrium raises vital concerns about regional stability. At first glance, the critique of Tokyo’s Five-Year Plan – aiming to elevate defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP by 2027 – might seem alarmist. Doubling a budget that traditionally hovered around 1 per cent represents a seismic shift in Japan’s post-war identity. However, while the transition is jarring, the author’s underlying apprehension regarding the risk of entrapment is ultimately justified when viewed through the lens of sonritsu kiki jitai. This philosophy of survival-threatening situations allows Japan to exercise collective self-defence...
Ravin Nair from Canberra, ACT
In response to: Will Japan’s remilitarisation drag us into a war?
Applying Capital Gains Tax to our homes won't change things much
February 16, 2026
In discussions I too have often proposed that giving home buyers the same tax settings as property investors would negate the leveraging advantage investors have that lets them bid higher. Except with Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Extending that idea to taxing Capital Gains on the sale of one’s private residence, as suggested by the authors here, ignores one very important cause of the current market failure in providing housing. That factor is the lack of new housing. The ALP proposal during their 2019 election campaign was to limit CGT tax discounts to new builds. That was the most...
Terry Constanti from Sydney
In response to: Capital gains tax reform could reshape Australia’s housing market
Navigating the complexity of contemporary democracy
February 16, 2026
The observation regarding the current administration’s strategic approach to shifting political currents invites a deeper analysis of the multifaceted challenges facing modern governance. Rather than viewing the perceived gap between rhetoric and policy as a systemic failure, it is perhaps more instructive to consider it as a reflection of the inherent complexities involved in maintaining social cohesion within a pluralistic society. As global political landscapes undergo rapid transformations, the task of crafting a unified response becomes increasingly intricate, requiring a delicate balance between immediate legislative action and long-term ideological stability. The difficulties mentioned are not unique to any single...
Ravin Nair from Canberra, ACT
In response to: Best of 2025 - Australia’s fragile multicultural consensus under threat
Thoughtful article with important insights
February 16, 2026
I wanted to share my thoughts on this article. The author presents a compelling analysis of recent events. The contrast between Melbourne and Sydney responses is particularly insightful. This piece shows that the perfect combo can make pixels feel alive. The nuanced discussion about democratic rights and peaceful protest really resonates with readers who value civil discourse. Thank you for publishing such thoughtful content on these important matters.
gamehome.biz biz from wuhan
In response to: When peaceful protest is allowed to work, democracy works
Social coersion
February 16, 2026
The term 'social cohesion' is a misnomer. It has been written the USA believes in human rights but limits who it recognises as human. In the same way social cohesion has become a definition to recognise who is Australian. If you agree with the government, you are Australian (with various qualifiers and hierarchy). Cohesion is an attempt to force conformity or to deny identity. In effect the political mob are asking the right to vote for who they represent. It is an admission of failure of government, of media, of the economic structures and a denial of responsibilities. Australia's...
M Bulluss from UnAustralian
In response to: Do we really need a Minister for Social Cohesion?
Defining antisemitism
February 16, 2026
In referring to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, Peter Hooton points out that “Defining what, for the purposes of the inquiry, constitutes antisemitism, will be a crucial first step.” Agreed! My critique of the IHRA working definition and its so-called ‘examples’ has been published by Independent Australia. The following alternative definition, the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, is concise, less open to ambiguity and misuse than the IHRA definition, and likely to be more effective in identifying genuine antisemitism: “Antisemitism is discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish)”.
Mark Diesendorf from BEROWRA HEIGHTS
In response to: The Herzog visit and the Israelisation of antisemitism
Restraint on excess
February 16, 2026
Stuart displays admirable restraint in his response to the fascist thuggery displayed by Police at the Anti-Israel protest that accompanied the shameful visit of the Israeli President, at Australia's invitation. It is difficult to accept the supine satrapy and moral vacuity of the Australian and NSW governments, in blithely ignoring the vast genocide and grotesque criminality of the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. The clear racism involved in the actions of both governments will come back to haunt therm and hopefully soon. As the Australian government has cravenly refused to obey international law just to please the tangerine Daddy...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Cowardice dressed up as authority on Sydney’s streets
Civilised but strong and direct
February 16, 2026
It is really difficult to summarise in a few words the outstanding contribution of John to public life in Australia. Not the least of those achievements has been the creation of Pearls and Irritations as the most respected Geo-political journal in Australia. For someone who has learned so much from P&I over the years I say thank you John, and look forward to many more years of your thoughtful and penetrating insights into this area of vital interest to the future of humanity.
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Message from the Editor-in-Chief
Extending Stuart Rees assessment
February 16, 2026
In agreeing completely with Stuart Rees’ assessment, it is also worth mentioning Tasmanian senator Nick McKim’s suggestion that inviting Herzog to Australia was “deliberately inflammatory”. While it is now beyond doubt that Albanese’s slogan of “social cohesion” is a euphemism to close down all opposition to genocide in Gaza, the means has now escalated beyond criminalisation of non-violent civil disobedience to violent state action against young and old Australian citizens. It is also significant that Herzog’s presence in Australia coincides with Netanyahu’s presence in Washington at a time where Netanyahu is applying maximum pressure on Washington to destroy...
Peter Henning from Melbourne
In response to: Cowardice dressed up as authority on Sydney’s streets
Congratulations
February 16, 2026
It is with great pleasure that I note the appointment of Mr David Armstrong, a distinguished media personality with a stronghold in Asia, as the new editor-in-chief of Pearls and Irritations, the only newsletter that still keeps me sane. Many thanks to Mr John Menadue, a pioneer in reactionary and independent journalism, whose career and achievements in serving the national interest I have admired for years. Your journey in public policy has been incredible. We will continue to wait eagerly for the end-of-the week pearls of wisdom (and occasional irritation, which is the pearl's Raison d'être) to come from...
Eveline Goy from TEWANTIN
In response to: New editor
Reason against chaos
February 15, 2026
As always with Jeffrey and Sybil this article is a paean to common sense, intelligence, non-aggression and compassion for humanity. Their unflinching and coruscating layout of the US criminality and abuse of international law bears the hallmark of a truth that the western MSM buried decades ago. Increasingly the world is coming together around these views and in the process isolating the tiny but violent and aggressive proportion of humanity that is the dying Western empire. As so often with dying empires near their end the empire begins to strike out destructively and in all directions in a last...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Iran’s comprehensive peace proposal to the United States
A guaranteed consignment to irrelevance
February 15, 2026
If the Libs select Taylor it will be the last important thing they do before the descent into utter irrelevance. His views are Neo-liberal and globalist when both have been proven to be utter failures as the part of the world that has adopted them as holy writ, itself descends into economic, Geo-political and social irrelevance. I say bring it on!!!
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Angus Taylor looks like a leader on paper – but the job is bigger than that
Albanese needs courage on climate
February 15, 2026
As Noel Turnbull reports, the numbers show climate denial in Australia is a loud minority, not a majority view. Research from the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub and Ipsos confirms most Australians accept climate change is real and support stronger action. Yet public debate often feels skewed. That distortion is not accidental. Fossil fuel lobby groups such as the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (now Australian Energy Producers) and the Minerals Council of Australia have long campaigned against stronger emissions policies. The Grattan Institute and the Centre for Public Integrity have documented how opaque political donation laws...
Ray Peck from Hawthorn
In response to: Climate sceptics dominate the noise, not the numbers
A proud Australian no longer
February 15, 2026
Australia's position to the south of pretty much everywhere that's populated should give the country a certain objectivity with respect to world affairs, but once again the country's elected representatives seem eager to position Australia somewhere to the right of everywhere else. Why? I hope that Albanese and others are taking the opportunity in private to explore with Herzog and his retinue how Israel might survive because right now they are sowing generational fear and hatred that will make it very difficult for Israel to survive long-term.
Dave Gardner from Sligo, Ireland
In response to: Genocide is the Story, not antisemitism
Taylor's approach to climate disastrous
February 15, 2026
Angus Taylor's weathervane approach to climate is potentially disastrous. In his first speech as Opposition leader, he reasserted the party's no net zero policy. Yet, almost to the day, a scientific paper by top climate scientists, including William Ripple, Johan Rockström and Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, warned that we are close to crossing critical temperature thresholds that will make global warming even worse. They said precaution was essential. Crossing these temperature thresholds could commit the planet to “a hothouse trajectory with long-lasting and potentially irreversible consequences”. Not having a net zero policy gives a green light to the fossil fuel...
Jenny Goldie from Cooma NSW
In response to: Angus Taylor looks like a leader on paper – but the job is bigger than that
Supporting Palestinians – here and there
February 15, 2026
No honest person could disagree with what John Menadue has written in the wake of Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia. However, I think we should stop using the word 'war'. Usually it is used as war 'in' Gaza or war 'between' Israel and Palestine. In contrast, Palestinian Lutheran Pastor Munther Isaac in his book Christ in the Rubble refers to the war 'on' Gaza, pointing out just how unequal this fighting is. So maybe only ever genocide or, if that's a step to far for some (it shouldn't be), ethnic cleansing? My thoughts during this time have increasingly turned...
Margaret Callinan from Hawthorn VIC 3122
In response to: Genocide is the story, not antisemitism
Prepare for a nuclear re-run
February 15, 2026
Peter Sainsbury’s piece on nuclear is timely. Wealthy players on the right are no doubt ready to ramp up opposition to our transition to renewables. Angus Taylor’s official page states he was “the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction in the former Coalition Government…played a key role in reducing energy prices…lowering Australia’s emissions to record lows”. Will nuclear be the debate we have to have, again? It is likely the Coalition’s past ‘energy policies’ will be recycled, no matter how many times Taylor now says he will move “forward”. We will be told that nuclear is essential, especially given...
Fiona Colin from Melbourne
In response to: Environment: The energy is underway - nuclear is not part of it.
What's in a name?
February 15, 2026
I should paraphrase Bill Shakespeare; What's in a phrase? Greg Barns' 13 February timely article should be a wake-up call to those of us in the sunny state of Queensland as two phrases are about to be banned by the LNP led government. The publishing or public utterance of these could see one landed in jail for two years. It is incomprehensible to me that from the river to the sea for example is deemed by seemingly naive politicians to be hate speech – a phrase by the way that has peppered the Israeli prime minister's own political party. It...
John Devaney from Townsville
In response to: Grace Tame Free Speech by Greg Barns
Don't mention the root causes
February 11, 2026
The deadly explosion from Gaza of Palestinians was the predictable blowing of a pressure cooker. For years the roughly two million Palestinians in Gaza had been living under a full air, land and sea blockade imposed by Israel. Israel also had its hand on the taps controlling water, fuel, medicine, food and movement. Occasionally they would dial a tap down a bit. They called it cutting the grass. To preface the litany of Israeli atrocities in Gaza with a reference to the events of October 7 as the monstrous Hamas-led attack is an attempt to seize and shade the narrative....
Hal Duell from Alice Springs
In response to: Don't mention the war
Increase taxes
February 11, 2026
In 2026 we will be faced with both state and federal elections. Here in SA the theme among some of the parties is that they will cut taxation; a theme that will no doubt frame much of the narrative for most opposition parties. It is time that we called this out. The real debate should centre on who pays the taxes and what do we use those tax dollars for. The aim should be to shift the tax burden on those most able to pay - the top 10 per cent of society be they individuals or corporations...
John tons from adelaide
In response to: Why higher taxes make more sense than higher interest rates
AUKUS vs India: a strategy and cost critique
February 11, 2026
John Queripel's critique of AUKUS offers a powerful fiscal warning, but his comparison to India’s Project 75(I) deal rests on a false equivalence. Comparing a $10 billion conventional fleet to a $368 billion nuclear one ignores the immutable geographic realities Australia faces. India’s German-designed diesel-electric boats are excellent littoral assets for regional two-front threats. However, they lack the endurance required for Australia’s vast maritime approaches. As ASPI notes, nuclear propulsion (SSN) provides the persistent, high-speed range that conventional boats – limited by battery and fuel – cannot match. For Australia, a conventional fleet would be exhausted before even...
Ravin Nair from Canberra, ACT
In response to: India’s submarine deal shows what due diligence looks like
Menadue understands power of lobbyists
February 11, 2026
John Menadue understands better than most the power of foreign lobbyists on Australian governments. From the alleged cover up by Prime Minister Whitlam of the Balibo 5, to Australian government's refusal to recognise the Armenian genocide, or the way they seemingly won't prevent a powerful trading ally from spying on activists in Australia, this country has long been captive to foreign pressures. Why Israel is seen as different to Indonesia, Turkey, China, India or US, or held to a different standard, isn't surprising in the current environment.
Simon Tatz from Melbourne
In response to: The Zionist lobby, antisemitism and Herzog
It’s supply of affordable housing that is key
February 11, 2026
Surely Michael Keating you meant that the key to raising living standards is the supply of affordable housing, where people want to live, with accessible, efficient infrastructure, including pubic transport and public green spaces. Living standards and quality of life will increase with an increased supply of housing that creates and sustains socio-economically diverse, livable cities. Supply of housing without discussion about type, where and how, sounds like trickle-down economics, which we know works for only a few (and not the poorest). And surely Michael you would take issue with state governments that are preparing to sell off public land,...
Leah Nichles from Brisbane
In response to: Why higher taxes make more sense than higher interest rates
Chandran Nair and global silent voices
February 11, 2026
I’ve heard Chandran Nair on radio, in person and have started reading his work. He wrote a brilliant piece describing Davos as a true mirror of world order and global white privilege. It’s a beautiful piece of writing, and the type of thing that I would ask students to read in a social science course to understand – silenced voices, alternative perspectives. So pleased to come upon his article in Pearls and Irritations. Thank you.
Michele Davis from Launceston
In response to: Davos and the myth of a global conversationFebruary 5, 2026
Cheers for Chandran Nair
February 9, 2026
Chandran Nair writes of the hegemony of western bloc agendas in the priorities and presentations at the most recent Davos meeting of the World Economic Forum; he also cites the potential of alliances like the BRICS coalition to more effectively represent the needs and priorities of the rest of the world’s population. Health systems are in dire need of such approach, with new models targeting individual and collective good, developed and operated free of vested interests such as Pharma and Vaccine developers, and independent of control by external bodies like the WHO, in which they have little representation or...
Wendy Hoy from Brisbane, Queensland
In response to: Davos and the myth of a global conversation r
Herzog visit a monstrous misjudgement of policy
February 9, 2026
When you were first elected PM, Mr Albanese, you declared that 'people have always underestimated me'. Quite wrong: we overestimated you, thinking that you would step up to the crease and go into bat to correct the entrenched poisoning of a decent society that has taken place over years of LNP government. You have done no such thing; you have passed on to the keeper every hardball launched by 'interest groups' from mining, gambling, environmental, the military/industrial complex, the USA, and now, the genocidal extremist Zionist Israeli /IDF /Settler triumvirate that is trampling every aspect of human decency...
Richard Llewellyn from Colo Vale
In response to: Why is the Australian government hosting the President of Israel?
A National Day to unite, not divide
February 9, 2026
What or who in our history would have Australians up on their feet cheering. I offer Matthew Flinders and his circumnavigation of Australia as that event and that man. He was the first man to circumnavigate Australia, with a special, separate circumnavigation of Tasmania, together with his colleague George Bass, thrown in for good measure. He was the first to refer to the continent, previously known as Terra Australis, as Australia, and to lobby vigorously with the British Admiralty for its formal adoption as the name of this continent. Importantly he had two indigenous men, Bungaree and Nanbaree,...
Mary Edwards from KILSYTH
In response to: If we’re choosing a national day, there are better options
Tactical voting by Labor voters
February 9, 2026
John Small writes that he voted Teal 1, Albo 2, not because I wanted the Teal candidate to be elected but because I support stronger environmental and conservation policies than those of the government. Surely that objective would be best served by voting Green? Maybe that's what Mr Small did, and voted for Hannah Thomas, unless he was of the view that David Bradbury counted as a teal. The only other candidates were Liberal, One Nation and Trumpet of Patriots.
Gilbert Elliott from Canterbury NSW
In response to: Tactical voting by Labor voters
Do Australians reject White Australia?
February 9, 2026
Dennis Altman deludes himself if he thinks that, except for a few far right activists, Australians reject the idea of a White Australia. No one should doubt that if, instead of the current 4 per cent, First Nations people numbered 50 per cent of our population, roughly the percentage of Palestinians in Palestine/Israel, they would demand the return of their homeland as vigorously as Palestinian do theirs. In that event, we white settler Australians would show ourselves to be every bit as brutal as Israelis are. We’ve done it before and we’d do it again if we thought that...
Paul Vellacott from Ipswich, Qld.
In response to: What Australia’s past might teach Israel about its future
The western hall of mirrors again!
February 9, 2026
An excellent article displaying the far greater subtlety of the Chinese culture than the obtuse and aggressive one inherited from the warring tribes or Europe. It highlights the propensity of the West both to view its governance model as the end of history and its similarly self centred view that all of humanity will be the same as them: devious, exploitative and power hungry. They treat the extraordinarily different historical, political, economic and cultural development of other civilisations as being of lesser value than ours as the pinnacle of human achievement. A brief and even cursory look at our blood-soaked...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Confucianism, not coercion – China’s long export of a governance philosophy
West v east – lies v lies
February 9, 2026
“Arguing that an emphasis on moral leadership could become an excuse for weak legal institutions and, in turn, corruption” All this while this while as we speak the loss of freedoms we once had in Australia are being challenged in the courts on behalf of migrants who fled oppression to a country once known for its freedom and fair play. Then there is the USA proving to have the most corrupt courts system in the western world openly discussing is lifetime appointments of justices by biased Presidents tolerated until a exceptionally bad President comes along.
Bob Pearce from Adelaide SA
In response to: confucianism-not-coercion-chinas-long-expor
The propaganda of American might
February 2, 2026
Americans' belief in their exceptionalism is deeply grounded in their culture. As a boy I loved American movies where the main character overcame great odds to win. This theme continued being depicted in western movies and action movies whether decimating foreigners, terrorist or aliens from space. I have not watched these for years turned off by the constant propaganda that might is right, regardless of laws. What triggered my dislike is the constant presence of the American flag in scene after scene. The flag appears on mastheads, on walls, on desks, on shoulder flashes, on badges - every one impressing...
Ian Bowrey from Hamilton South
In response to: The United States is a lawless and dangerous ally. What is Australi's Plan B?
Tactical voting by Labor voters
February 2, 2026
David Solomon's article doesn't mention the possibility of a different kind of tactical voting by Labor voters. I'm a lifelong ALP supporter living in Grayndler, the PM's ultra-safe electorate, and I voted Teal 1, Albo 2, not because I wanted the Teal candidate to be elected but because I support stronger environmental and conservation policies than those of the government.
John Small from Marrickville, NSW
In response to: What Labor’s review reveals about tactical voting and the Teals
But what about Pine Gap?
February 2, 2026
A good article. We certainly need to pay attention to what other Middle Power nations are saying and doing. We could all do with watching Mark Carney's speech more than once and letting its truths sink in. But what about Australia's elephant in the room? Pine Gap and other military establishments under the control of a foreign power? Canada apparently has no US military bases and very few military personnel stationed there. How many active military personnel are based in Australia? Non-alignment will always be impossible while foreign powers control strategic infrastructure or operate out of our country.
Penny Lee from Western Australia
In response to: A declining empire – and how Australia should adapt
Translation problems
February 2, 2026
I note with approval Ramzy Baroud’s article. It seems we have serious truth or translation problems. Take the Hebrew phrase describing events over the weekend “Yisral harga od 31 bani adam be'eza.” An Israeli government translation would be “Israel continues to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza.” But the translation outside Israel (unless maybe it was being processed by Trump’s White House) would be “Israel kills another 31 people in Gaza.”
Geoff Taylor from Borlu (Perth)
In response to: A war without headlines
A passive electorate may revolt
January 27, 2026
Anthony Albanese is a 20 year survivor in politics. He has learned to alter his opinions to suit the political environment. He gained the chalice cup as PM and wants to retain it. He covers his actions in secret cabinet meetings and controls what is disclosed to the public. He is afraid of voter opposition. He must diffuse critics. He wants the voters to be passive recipients of his legislation. So he legislates hate speech laws to give him the power to disrupt free speech that might cause him upset. (Rather Trumpian?) So if I stand on the roadside...
Ian Bowrey from Hamilton South
In response to: Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny – and this one ticks every box - Greg Bar
Future industries – a question mark?
January 27, 2026
Back in the 1950s, the wool industry provided wealth for the nation. It employed shearers and stockmen and other farm workers to build shearing shed s and fence lines. And the property owners paid taxes. Then synthetics became in vogue and the wool industry crashed. We built factories and built cars then removed tariffs and they crashed. We discovered iron ore, gas and coal and they provided funds for governments while avoiding to pay taxes. In a generation or two that extraction racket will collapse as countries respond to climate change. What will replace them? Who is making plans...
Ian Bowrey from Hamilton South
In response to: Australia looks like a winner – but we’re losing where it counts by Stewart Swee
The courage to join Canada
January 27, 2026
Australia should sign up to Canada's third way trading block which has 1.5 billion people. At the same time withdraw from AUKUS and never sign up to the Board of Peace. But I doubt Albanese has the courage and leadership skills to do so.
Tony Simons from Balmain NSW
In response to: “Take the sign out of the window” – Carney on power, coercion and middle states
Could you imagine
January 27, 2026
Profound thanks are in order. This is an inspiring article. Simple truth so often is. And the question, Could you imagine the Nakba being taught in our schools? That Jepke Goudsmit’s hauntingly beautiful Lament is not included as a preamble to our new hate speech laws is an opportunity missed. Pearls and Irritations, you are a beacon on our media horizon.
Hal Duell from Alice Springs
In response to: Reflections of an Arab Australian on the new 'hate speech' laws
Target too wide?
January 27, 2026
The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism laws establish a highly politicised administrative process for declaring Prohibited Hate Groups without judicial oversight. Organisations which advocate engaging in conduct constituting a hate crime, including hate crime conduct engaged in outside Australia, may be declared a Prohibited Hate Group Offences of directing, recruiting for, funding or even supporting such a group carry 7-10 year prison sentences. A UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) found Israel has committed acts that amount to genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Gaza. Major Australian Jewish organisations like the Executive Council of Australian Jewry actively...
John Curr from MANLY
In response to: Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny – and this one ticks every box
Australia’s climate action still falls short
January 27, 2026
Peter Sainsbury’s overview of Australia’s climate risk in the decade since the Paris Agreement is timely and helpful. The obvious question, however, is how Australia’s response compares with that of similar countries. Our decarbonisation record is mixed. Australia leads the world in rooftop solar uptake, and some states have achieved exceptionally high shares of renewable electricity. Nationally, emissions targets of net zero by 2050 and a stronger 2035 goal are now legislated. Yet compared with our OECD and G20 peers, Australia still ranks among the highest for per-capita emissions, remains heavily dependent on coal and gas, and lacks a...
Ray Peck from Hawthorn
In response to: Environment: It’s official - Australia’s extreme weather events will get more se
Trump's promotion of fossil fuels
January 23, 2026
This was the most confronting article by Julian Cribb I have read, and there have been a few. Clive Hamilton once wrote of his Oh Shit moment with regards to climate change. I had mine in Vietnam last year travelling around the vast Mekong delta, a massive rice-growing area, when I found it was only 84cm above current sea-level, but seas are expected to rise by that amount or more before the end of the century. There are huge implications for food security and displacement of people. In this context, US President Trump's systematic dismantling of the Inflation Reduction...
Jenny Goldie from Cooma NSW
In response to: De-icing the Earth: a fatal decision
In defence of Rudd
January 23, 2026
Nowhere in the press has it been made explicit: Kevin Rudd was sent to Washington, precisely because he is the leading expert on the US-China relationship. 40 years’ experience on China, including as a professional diplomat, with a doctorate from Oxford on Xi Jingping’s worldview, isn’t coincidental. It points directly to why he was chosen to represent Australia to the United States at a time where they still claimed to respect the rules-based international order. His status as a ‘Labor mate’ was a nice bonus for his posting, not the rationale. Yes, Trump’s new worldview makes that all irrelevant...
Mark Wilson from Canberra
In response to: Greenland is why Rudd’s DC replacement must be a diplomat
Great article, however...
January 23, 2026
The IHRA definition of antisemitism will cause a lot of angst for those offering opinions to and then the conclusions of the Royal Commission. Opinions offered to the Royal Commission will be judged in accordance with levels of education and understanding of the histories of Zionism, Israel, Palestine, Balfour Declaration, Sykes-Picot Agreement, different religious perspectives together with the actions of the Israeli Parliament, the Likud Party and the Israeli IDF and settlers whose primary objective, a Palestine free of ALL Palestinians, and any action carried out by them to achieve this objective is acceptable, no matter how inhumane or ethically...
Bill Morris from Western Australia
In response to: Gory sausage making at the Labor knackery
Why we think Manichean
January 23, 2026
Eugene Doyle is on the money with the outing of Manichean thinking. But why is it so prevalent and so unchallenged? Born Bad by James Boyce traces the influence of Manicheanism on Augustine and so on the western world via the notion of Original Sin. Augustine won the theological politics of the day over Pelagius. A win for a conservative, controlling church and the rest is a western world history believing as a matter of faith that all descendants of Adam must be regarded as being of a 'perverted' or 'depraved' nature. Boyce traces this corrosive, destructive doctrine throughout western...
Michael Breen from Robertson NSW
In response to: Why the "good vs evil" keeps failing us
Carney’s courage ignores most of the world
January 23, 2026
Congratulations to Mark Carney for his stirring Davos speech. It's difficult to disagree with anything he said but, as frequently occurs with me, it's what isn't said that causes me problems. Carney talks repeatedly about 'great powers' (US and China presumably, Russia is hardly a great power at present) and 'middle powers', the rest of the wealthy, western, capitalist regime, I assume; the ones that have to greater and lesser degrees benefited from the structures and processes of the system of international relations established since world war two. There is not a single mention by Carney of the...
Peter Sainsbury from Darling Point
In response to: “Take the sign out of the window” – Carney on power, coercion and middle states
The infamous Rowland law
January 23, 2026
Thank you Greg Barns. This Rowland law was passed with utter contempt for the parliamentary committee system which is there to allow public input. She was asked three times on ABC TV to elaborate and obfuscated. Only a handful of the reported 7000 submissions were published by the PJCIS. Although all federal legislation is supposed to pass through a human rights filter, not this time it seems. Both the IGIS and the HRC made submissions, yet I don’t believe their views were actioned; still, I have asked them. S.114.4A (5) is bad law as they and I pointed out in...
Geoff Taylor from Borlu (Perth)
In response to: Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny – and this on
Trump – a third term is not enough
January 23, 2026
While U.S. citizens and the rest of the world were speculating about how Donald Trump would circumvent the U.S. constitution which unequivocally denies him a third Presidential term, Donald Trump was cobbling together the “Board of Peace” with himself named in its constitution as chairman for life (or until he resigns). He has enlisted 30 countries to the Board of Peace. Trump has expressly eschewed International Law and disregards United Nations resolutions and principles with alacrity. It seems plain to me that this is Trump’s move to retain power as emperor of a US empire with the support...
John Curr from MANLY
In response to: The man who puts his name on everything
On the other hand
January 20, 2026
The other comment that could be made about both Eastwood and Wayne is that their impressive domination of the violent western style film industry could well be seen as re-enforcing the gun culture that now takes 50,000 Americans mostly children, every year. Promoting a violent male approach to masculinity may well be the source of US dysfunction today. Just a thought!!
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: "Go ahead – make my book list": slings and arrows, and Eastwood
Climate crisis is real; the doubt is manufactured
January 20, 2026
Climate scientists have sounded the alarm for decades, yet some still choose to ignore, the danger. Former Deputy Director of the NSW Emergency Service and member of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action, Chas Keys notes that there is even resistance to the “catastrophic” fire danger warning introduced after the devastating 2009 Black Saturday fires. Those warnings were pushed by the emergency leaders who fought those fires. Many were shocked at the ferocity and behaviour of fires in recent years. They understood the risk, recognised the influence of a changing climate, and chose language carefully to cut through scepticism and...
Ray Peck from Hawthorn
In response to: Heatwaves, bushfires, and the words that save lives
Obesity isn't just about junk food
January 20, 2026
Before the 1990s, Australia had neither an obesity nor a diabetes problem. That should prompt the concerned to ask what changed? Maybe our food regulators have been asleep at the wheel, maybe there there is more high processed and junk food available today. But how does anybody know if they don't consider just how much sugar and other questionable foods we ate back then? We definitely didn't go to the gym every day. Obesity is also a side-effect of antidepressants and psychotropics, which Australia also consumes phenomenal numbers of. Why, exactly? It is also a stress reaction. Why...
Stephen Lake from Moss Vale NSW
In response to: Britain has banned junk food advertising to kids. There are big lessons for Aust
Some honesty about "globalise the intifada", please
January 20, 2026
Chris Minns repeatedly accused protesters of chanting “globalise the intifada”. A woman said on television that protesters chant “gas the Jews”. I have attended the Palestine Action Group’s protests dozens of times, and I have never chanted “globalise the intifada” (or heaven forbid, “gas the Jews”), or heard anyone else chant them. The most I ever heard of “globalise the intifada” came from the lips of the Premier, who has greatly succeeded in popularising it. Anyone attending these rallies will find that protesters are mostly seniors, families with prams and small children, nurses, Jews, teachers, union members, students,...
C Wong from Edgecliff
In response to: Some honesty about "globalise the intifada", please
Treaties are not deals
January 20, 2026
It's good that James Curren's advice is in the aether as Government and its Prime Minister ponder a replacement in Washington. But what he writes about the US change suggests that the Prime Minister is now in an extremely awkward position. I refer to Trump's invitation to him (and to the NZ PM as well) to be part of the delusionary riviera Peace Team for Gaza. No, it might just be worthwhile for the Australian Government and our PM not to bother too much about a Washington replacement at this time. Let it be a low priority task that...
Bruce Wearne from BALLARAT CENTRAL
In response to: Greenland is why Rudd’s DC replacement must be a diplomat
A parallel invitation
January 16, 2026
It seems only fair – I have asked the government of Palestine through its embassy to extend an invitation to our vice head of state, Sam Mostyn, to visit Palestine.
Geoff Taylor from Borlu (Perth)
In response to: Australians for Humanity – Demand that the invitation to the President of Israe
Pendulums swing. It's what they do.
January 16, 2026
The Palestinians living in Gaza have been subjected to a two-year military assault on men, women and children, denial of food (starvation), denial of basic medical care, insufficient water supply, inadequate emergency shelter to replace the destroyed buildings, and a relentless barrage of excuses attempting to justify these crimes. (I cannot be party to silencing writers, P&I 15 Jan) To say these things is not antisemitic. It is simply pointing out the glaringly obvious. It is impossible in our connected world to livestream genocide and pretend it's not happening. Free speech is one of the pillars supporting our Australian...
Hal Duell from AliceSprings
In response to: I cannot be party to silencing writers, which is why I resigned as director of A
The people and the common good
December 17, 2025
Today’s capitalism may have a more benign face than in past centuries, but there remain global corporations of great power and rapacious attitudes; major fossil fuel corporations exemplify this. For them ecocide – whether from environmental destruction, or from the poisonous prevalence of plastics – seems a necessary, if unfortunate, by-product if they are to continue powering the world with their gas, oil and coal. These corporations must know that they will not survive at scale without radically changing their outputs to fit a world centred on sustainability but, rather than urgently redirecting their substantial reserves to embrace the...
Chris Young from Surrey Hills, Vic
In response to: Degrowing the economy for people and planet
Can we discuss degrowth without the ideology?
December 17, 2025
It may well be that imperialism, colonialism, racism and ecocide are the four horsemen of capitalism's apocalypse, but all this ideology is clouding the issue. What we need is degrowth, both of the economy (certainly in industrialised countries) and of population. If you degrow the economy but the population continues to grow, then people get poorer. We need degrowth because the world is in overshoot. We have consumed too many resources and produced too many wastes. This is reflected in climate change and plummeting biodiversity. We have to restore balance, though that might not be possible until the population...
Jenny Goldie from Cooma NSW
In response to: Degrowing the economy for people and planetAustralia’s cost-of-living crisis has
Getting submarines, or funding the US to get them
December 17, 2025
US nuclear submarines are phenomenally complex machines. Their advanced technology (reactor plants, sonar arrays, combat systems) requires intensive and meticulous maintenance. The public shipyards responsible for major overhauls and refuelling (Norfolk, Portsmouth, Puget Sound, Pearl Harbor) have been plagued by ageing infrastructure and equipment, critical skilled labor shortages and a massive backlog of deferred maintenance. This has dramatically extended maintenance periods. It's not uncommon for planned availabilities to run years over schedule, drastically lowering the operational availability rate. In the last decade, this rate has been devastatingly low for attack submarines. Add to that new construction delays (Virginia...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: AUKUS meets reality – what's not in the AUSMIN Media Release (Part 1)
Vast educational inequality
December 17, 2025
As the parent of a teacher in an underprivileged public school I could not agree more with Allan. One of the fundamental characteristics that distinguishes a civilised and vibrant society is the extent to which it prioritises the education of its children. On that metric Australia is one of the biggest dunces on the planet. We not only deliberately entrench a vast educational inequality by massive funding to private schools, but guarantee a low standard of educational achievement for the bulk of our population by vast under-funding of our most needy public schools. This has, and continues to create,...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Australia’s teachers – undervalued and overburdened
Thank you, George Browning
December 17, 2025
Thank you, George Browning, for your courage in articulating what many of us are thinking but too reticent to express. There has been a rise in antisemitism in Australia over the past two years. Of that there is no doubt. Our hearts go out to our Jewish Australians who have been the targets. Australian Jews are suffering horrifically and so unjustly by the rise of an antisemitism which has its genesis not in the policies of the Albanese Government as Netanyahu asserts. Its the genocidal actions of the Israeli Government under Netanyahu's Presidency against innocent Palestinians which have precipitated...
Judy Henderson from Repton
In response to: Blame, grief and responsibility after Bondi
The standard you walk past is the standard you accept
December 15, 2025
Re the contradictions Stuart Rees notes: How many Australians enjoyed the spectacle of Richard Marles standing alongside US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington this week. I guess he had to do it for the sake of Aukus, and to “preposition” (meaning what?) US troops in Australia. But the US military has just been alleged by some senior US figures to be complicit in the murder of Colombian fisherman Alejandro Carranza, and the killing of 93 other civilians on the high seas including two survivors of a US Navy strike. Who gave the orders and the rules of engagement...
Geoffh Taylor from Borlu (Perth)
In response to: 2025 in Review: Bullies and sycophants, cowardice on high, courage from below
Why ignore the historical context of the war in Ukraine?
December 15, 2025
The historical contexts of the current war in Ukraine are simply ignored in this article as if they don’t exist. First, there is a complex web of centuries-old shared cultural, linguistic, religious, social, economic and strategic interests between Russia and Ukraine. Second, Russia will never forget that Operation Barbarossa by German forces against the Soviet Union in 1941 targeted Ukraine as a major strategic objective. Third, the US, France, UK and Germany made security assurances throughout 1990-91 to Gorbachev that NATO would not expand “one inch” further after the USSR endorsed German reunification, which led Gorbachev to...
Peter Henning from Melbourne
In response to: Trump’s Ukraine peace deal would leave the country vulnerable to future Russian
Hard Times
December 15, 2025
Les Macdonald's recent letter covering the Wang Fuk Court tragedy in Honk Kong entitled 'Let the facts speak for themselves' left me reflecting on Thomas Gradgrind, the fictional character and notorious school board superintendent in Hard Times by Charles Dickens. The rigid and persistent pedagogue was obsessed with cold facts and numbers, and his adolescent pupils were treated as machines, or pitchers which were to be filled to the brim with facts. Replication and transfer of data is not learning. It is merely indoctrination, and the conundrum is discussed extensively by Henry Giroux and the late Paulo Freire....
Bernartd Corden from Spring Hill QLD 4000
In response to: Beijing warns foreign media in Hong Kong over crossing ‘red lines’
Australia is over-governed
December 15, 2025
I agree with Allan Patience. Australia is over-governed. Abolishing upper houses in the states would save an enormous amount of money. And Tasmania should become a federal territory. Norway’s sovereign wealth fund shows how Australia fails to follow the example of successful countries. Expertise should be pooled to take advantage of experienced people nation-wide. This would benefit the whole country. Melbourne needs the expensive infrastructure Patience criticises, but not funded by cutting other essential services. Funds would be available by implementing Patience’s ideas. The revision of the federation is urgent.
Elizabeth Sprigg from Melbourne
In response to: Too many states, too little nation: time to fix the federation
Sometimes a cool head is needed
December 15, 2025
Just a word to commend and thank Terry Fewtrell for his clearly argued and cool response to the Vatican's recent release on the ordination of women to the deaconate. My response was less cool and rational. More like a shaking of the head and a grimace bordering on cynicism at such facile arguments put forward in the Vatican statement, I too paused over the reference to “a rupture of the nuptial meaning of salvation.” Risible indeed. Ridiculous. It seems that only the male species was created in God's likeness, God who is neither male, nor female, etc. etc. Funny,...
Anne Benjamin from Dharug Country, Toongabbie NSW
In response to: Why the Vatican’s latest word on women deacons has angered reformers
All power to the climate litigators
December 15, 2025
Ernst Willheim, honorary professor in the ANU College of Law, asks whether Australia has grasped the implications of the International Court of Justice’s ruling that States have an international duty to prevent climate harm. It was a rare unanimous decision by the ICJ and a remarkable achievement for the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change. Dr Liz Hicks, University of Melbourne environmental-law lecturer, warns the ruling creates significant liability risks for Australia because it is one of the world’s largest fossil-fuel exporters. After the ICJ opinion, the UN intervened as amicus curiae in an Australian case for...
Ray Peck from Hawthorn
In response to: What the ICJ’s climate law decision means for Australia
We have a bludger crisis
December 15, 2025
What we have is a non productive bludger crisis. No matter where you scratch you will find that those making the big money are doing it off the backs of those most in need. It's the developers who are benefiting from the shortage of affordable housing getting unsuitable (flood prone etc) land rezoned, building regulations altered, complain when they have to contribute to the upgrade of infrastructure all the time, vilifying anyone who opposes them because they have too big a property, likes trees, is too old living in a big house, is a tradie who wants a little...
Bob Pearce from Adelaide SA
In response to: https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/12/reflections-on-the-cost-of-living/?utm_sour
Contrasting approaches
December 15, 2025
In his '2025 in Review', Professor Stuart Rees begins with an attack on President Trump, an easy – and albeit often legitimate – target. Most of his article relates to the genocide in Gaza. Professor Rees rightly refers to the cowardice of western leaders in not calling it out. However, he appears to place the blame for the crimes of the Israeli government on 'religious zealots' who 'have undue influence in the Israeli cabinet'. He is not critical of Zionism itself, which is ultimately responsible for the genocide and wider wars in the Middle East. Reference to the...
Susan Dirgham from Viewbank
In response to: 2025 in Review: Bullies and sycophants, cowardice on high, courage from below
Ignoring WA's disproportionate contribution
December 15, 2025
Mr Eslake’s recent critique of Western Australia's GST arrangements exemplifies (yet again) Mark Twain's famous observation about statistics being used to mislead rather than inform. The author selectively focuses on GST growth rates while ignoring the fundamental issue: Western Australia's disproportionate contribution to national wealth. Whether WA is a “powerhouse” or not, is merely a device to generate soundbites from NSW pollies and Murdoch commentators. The real issue is whether the GST distribution system should penalise states for resource endowments and economic efficiency. The 2018 reforms simply addressed a system that had become punitive to the point...
Chris picard from Perth
In response to: Western Australia is rich, but it's not the economic powerhouse it claims to be
Capitalism is irreparable
December 15, 2025
Jason Hickel is right to excoriate the capitalist system, and Peter Sainsbury is right to quote Hickel at length. Capitalism has delivered riches to the wealthy of the world, but only through 500 years of unconscionable colonial exploitation of most human beings on the planet and a century of massive exploitation of the planet's resources. The wealthier each of us is, the greater the legacy of ruin we and our forebears have created. Without erecting massive psychological barriers, we would be overwhelmed by the dissonance between who we are and what we have done. Can the capitalist beast...
Richard Barnes from Naarm / Melbourne
In response to: Degrowing the economy for people and planet
It's not "a Vatican document"
December 15, 2025
The seven-page letter by retired Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi is not an official document from the Vatican. It is a report of anonymous votes by unnamed members of a commission established by Pope Francis in 2020 that met twice in 2021 and 2022 met again in February 2025 with reviewing documents submitted in response to synodal considerations of women deacons. It affirms the magisterial fact that the restoration of women to the ordained diaconate is a matter for continued synodal discussion.
Phyllis Zagano from Hempstead, NY, USA
In response to: Vatican document
A sane government would listen
December 15, 2025
A government that truly cares about our aged and recognises that its current path is one directed largely by unaware bureaucrats and significant provider interests, would listen to someone with Kathy's expertise in aged care funding. But I guess that is a vain hope!!
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: A beginners guide to Australian aged care policy in 2025
Let the facts speak for themselves
December 11, 2025
There is a simple solution to the conundrum of free speech versus the spreading of lies. All reportage must use as its base established facts. The problem for the West in its untrammelled pursuit of a freedom to spread whatever nonsense the western elites wish to see accepted by the bewildered herd, is that the public space in that West is saturated by lies, distortions, fabrications, mendacities and deceit spread deliberately by the mainstream media to keep them confused and afraid. That has worked brilliantly for those elites for the last 80 years and they see no reason to...
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Beijing warns foreign media in Hong Kong over crossing ‘red lines’
And have a guess who is responsible?
December 11, 2025
No prizes for guessing which part of the world is responsible for the overwhelming majority of the illegal sanctions imposed and therefore the vast majority of the deaths and suffering of the rest of the world's children. You guessed it! It is the West that so values human rights, justice and compassion!!
Les Macdonald from Balmain NSW 2041
In response to: Sanctions kill like wars – and children pay the price
Memo to Albanese: still a little left to destroy
December 10, 2025
I suppose we all should pity our PM Albanese – with so much of the founding DNA of Labor left shattered, there is still much to do to obliterate every trace of decency, fairness, ethical conduct, socially responsible legislation, international relations and intelligent defence procurement strategy by his government. Busy, busy, busy. Defending egregious travel expenditure by Anika Wells is just a stool sample from the sullage pit that encompasses the current legislative program of our current government. Increased mining approvals, gas extraction boondoggles, gambling reduction side-hustles, socially decent protest restrictions, sidestepping our signed-up-to responsibilities to combat genocide...
Richard Llewellyn from Colo Vale
In response to: Australia’s trust deficit is a failure of governance
Climate and the pursuit of capital
December 10, 2025
Peter Sainsbury, who generously credits Bill Gates with “unlimited access to information and experts” is right to conclude with a ‘fail’ for Gates “for your faith in the market and capitalism (even though you never use the word) as the routes to salvation”. After basing a decade-long warning of climate disaster on that same access to information and experts, Gates now says “we should measure success by our impact on human welfare more than our impact on the global temperature.” As Peter says, why not do both? No doubt the impact on human welfare through his global vaccination...
Fiona Colin from Melbourne
In response to: Bill Gates knows the climate and poverty facts but misses the politics
What about property investment rates?
December 10, 2025
Keating states that population growth has been no faster in the last six years than previously over the last several decades, so the pressure of demand for new dwellings is no higher than we were readily able to accommodate in the past. This ignores the fantastic growth in property investment rates (a demand side issue). In the 1999-2000 FY there were 1.16 million Australians who owned at least one investment property. By 2021-22 that number had doubled to 2.26 million, far outstripping the population growth rate. A recent AIHW report supports this, stating: Over the past two...
Jaron Sutton from Melbourne
In response to: Australia’s cost-of-living crisis has a housing problem
Housing: you can't ignore the demand factor
December 10, 2025
Michael Keating, in arguing that our housing problem is about supply and not demand, writes that Australian population growth has been no faster in the last six years than previously over the last several decades, so the pressure of demand for new dwellings is no higher than we were readily able to accommodate in the past. It may be true that the average population growth rate of the last six years is more or less in line with the average of the last three decades or more. However, because there is an ever-bigger base, the actual numbers grow, if...
Jenny Goldie from Cooma NSW
In response to: Australia’s cost-of-living crisis has a housing problem
Debt and disregard
December 10, 2025
While here in SA Party Pete racks up the debt on innumerable sporting events and festivals with complete disregard for debt, taxes, emissions, the parklands, traffic congestion / inconvenience (almost half a year set up /down for a car race that is more attended for the nightly rock concerts than the race) etc – all very reminiscent of Caesar who built the colosseum to distract the masses and promote class warfare and war in general . Meanwhile the other almost half of our elected representatives are so wedded to opposition that they have decided that opposing themselves is the main...
Bob Pearce from Adelaide SA
In response to: victoria-government-unfussed-by-gp-debt/?ut
Seeking the truth about the war in Ukraine
December 10, 2025
On the war in Ukraine, Canadian academic James Horncastle writes much as almost all western mainstream commentator might: Ukraine good; Russia bad. Like so many others given a mainstream platform, he appears to support an ongoing war until a Ukrainian victory and the destruction of Russia. But does he have genuine concerns for Ukraine, its citizens, and the truth? I'd urge Pearls and Irritations readers to consider US ambassador Chas Freeman's address on the war that he presented to the 'East Bay Citizens for Peace' in September 2023. It's lengthy; it challenges mainstream western thinking on the war, but...
Susan Dirgham from Viewbank
In response to: Trump’s Ukraine peace deal would leave the country vulnerable to future Russian