Climate policy’s house of cards
There are the pragmatists willing to compromise to get at least something, and then there are the idealists who stick to their principles and end up with nothing. Or so the argument goes.
Latest commentary
Shine the light this Christmas, and into the dark past
People power achieved a royal commission into sexual abuse. We need to shine the light again.
A mandate, a mandate, my kingdom for a mandate
With this clamour of clashing claims to mandates, can the Turnbull government hope to achieve anything?
Obituary: tireless community worker Ruth Fagg dies, aged 94
After a long life, defying medical odds, Ruth Fagg has died aged 94.
A number plate slogan that signifies Canberra? Let's add them up
How could I proclaim my love for Canberra in 30 characters or less? "ACT - Roundabout Territory," and "Canberra - more than Parliament House" are just two tongue-in-cheek ideas floated by Canberrans for our new number plate slogan after an open call from our Chief Minister Andrew Barr.
The plebiscite problem: it all boils down to politics
Among the real risks of the marriage equality vote is the possibility it might fail, says Peter Brent
A redistributive agenda will not fix income inequality
It is no foregone conclusion that simply giving government more power and money will fix income inequality.
I wasn't supposed to like The Bachelor. But I did
How I could be so invested in something so clearly cruel? My answer surprises even me.
Has Turnbull finally succeeded in killing the plebiscite?
Why do something yourself if you can get the opposition to do your job for you?
Number every box or waste your vote
The ACT has a far more democratic voting system than any other in Australia.
Aussie warriors mark their own homework
When British officials cock up, at least they eventually discuss and acknowledge their errors.
Discrimination and vilification: know your rights
The proposed plebiscite on same-sex marriage has caused concerns the $15 million publicly funded debate will spark vilification of the LGBTIQ community – so what is vilification? What is considered discrimination?
Be a good egg and make dinner for everyone
"Bad egg" was always a metaphor, taken from the kind of biological rot that provided literature with the brimstone aromas of hell. Now it's more literal. The bad egg is one whose moral content is on the nose; an egg produced with cruelty.
In Passing
Prince Buster, Jutta Limbach, Jack Hofsiss, Ken Higgs
Arsonist who started New York club fire killing 87 people
Fire started by arsonist which claimed 87 lives was commemorated in the song 'Sin of the City' by Duran Duran
As Rattenbury stumbles, Barr cosies up to Fitzharris
Shane Rattenbury should have known better than to invest in a new apartment block on Northbourne Avenue last year.
Was Robert Menzies better on gender equality than John Howard?
I won't be holding my breath, but it would be nice if John Howard paid tribute to his hero and mentor Sir Robert Menzies' initiatives to promote women in public life in his television series Howard on Menzies: Building Modern Australia, which debuts tomorrow night on the ABC.
A tale of two speeches: one a cut above the other
You only get one crack at a maiden speech, so you've got to make it count.
What you may have missed this week
It's been a big week for breaking news. Here's some of what you missed...
Thank God I finished school before screens took over
I started university at a time when lecturers were first making fruitless attempts at an 'engaging', 'cutting-edge' curriculum through tech.
'People like you show people like me what's needed'
It felt horribly unfair. She'd lost after leading all the way.
Queensland continues Australia's misguided war on bikies
Queensland’s new laws propose to ban the wearing of gang colours in public.
Football's white male elite struggling to make sense of a world gone mad
When a player finally outs himself, it will be "a great story". Football will marvel at its own magnificence.
To walk or not to walk?
What happens when we realise that the people we so viscerally oppose aren't going anywhere?
Handling of workers compensation claims has been devastating
Worksafe must ensure that its insurers treat injured workers and their health practitioners with dignity and respect.
David Browne: pioneer of Canberra's punk scene
David John Delamore Browne, born October 16, 1957; died August 25, 2016.
Remembering Zoltan Lloyd, the actor who played the parts nobody else would touch
Vale Zoltan, king of the hideous close-up.
Victoria closer to becoming first state to legalise euthanasia
Odds-on, Victoria will make history as the first state in the nation to legalise euthanasia.
Senate walkouts only strengthen the hand of the Hansonites
Sections 18C/D read like they were written by a parent who wants to be seen as stern yet laidback.
Plebiscite gives "permission" to promote hateful views
The concept of having your civil rights validated by popular vote is not a comfortable one.