Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
Excellent essay on Americanisation of Australian politics. Change has accelerated recently "especially in regard to the quality and rancour of public debate". Now ultra-partisan with high, and rising, levels of public disaffection
Extraordinary story from outback Australia of two-man attempt to join the First World War. On the German-Turkish side. It ended badly, of course. A fascinating slice of Australian history, not without resonance today
Is hosting the rugby World Cup a well-timed Keynesian stimulus for New Zealand or an ill-advised boondoggle in a time of austerity? Fans need hotels, and more than 7 million sausages will be sold. But opportunities have been missed
"Comfortable world" that allowed Australia to be prosperous is changing. The rise of China and India, combined with competing political systems and "rivalrous interdependence" means tougher decisions, greater unpredictability
Superb series of reports from aboriginal community in Australia's Northern Territory, taken over by federal government three years ago after collapse into violence, alcoholism
Prime minister Kevin Rudd similar to Barack Obama: "smart and worldly as well as perhaps a bit rude and arrogant". In his Labor party, as among Democrats, liberal elite has triumphed over blue-collar base
