![Andie Patchett, the driving force behind Greeves St. Recycled.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/8/k/r/i/image.related.landscape.460x307.gy8puv.png/1504929950375.jpg)
![Michael Short](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/z/v/q/1/image.imgtype.columnistThumbnail.90x90.png/1503119691138.png)
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Michael Short
Michael Short is The Age's chief editorial writer, as well as a columnist. He is a board member and ambassador of a number of organisations, and is a frequent public speaker and moderator. He is generally bemused, and is thus particularly grateful to his wife Sophie and their three children Edie, Tom and Clem for trying patiently and tenderly to help him through the whole thing. He quite likes open fires, walking his dog and sitting for long periods in the bath.
![Andie Patchett, the driving force behind Greeves St. Recycled.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/8/k/r/i/image.related.landscape.460x307.gy8puv.png/1504929950375.jpg)
![Ahmed Fahour will receive $10.8 million final pay from Australia Post.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/m/f/u/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gy4jns.png/1503839798791.jpg)
Dear Australia Post, please can I have a job?
here please.
![Australian actress Rachel Griffiths (left) and Hagar CEO Jo Pride appear before a Modern Slavery Inquiry at Parliament ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/n/m/m/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.gxok5k.png/1501818507889.jpg)
There's more than one way to run a business
Ethical investment funds outperform mainstream competitors, year after year. Economically and socially, investors, managers, employees, customers and suppliers benefit.
![Former prime minister Tony Abbott wants to undermine the Coalition government and convince his colleagues to reverse ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/a/6/j/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gxf00g.png/1500715793083.jpg)
We can no longer tell our left from our right
We've had a decade dominated by a revolving door on the prime ministerial suite.
![Illustration: Matt Davidson.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/x/y/j/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwvo8h.png/1498378830878.jpg)
Four laws that have to change. Immediately
People know when the law has become an ass. The collective wisdom and wit of the crowd winnows well. It is the citizenry rather than the polity that tends to lead cultural and legislative change.
![The Foster family in January 1988. From left: Emma, 6, Aimee, 2, Chrissie, Katie, 4, and Anthony.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/e/e/w/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwo1hb.png/1497111661534.jpg)
Why happiness is overrated - and why contentment is a better measure
In recent days, a great Australian man was farewelled, some of the most despicable Australian men were prevented from leaving our land and a disgraced Melbourne (former) teacher who induced his nine-year-old students to massage him and told them tales of incest, violence and cruelty lost his ridiculous case for unfair dismissal in the Fair Work Commission.
![Rich Bartlett came out publicly as gay in a speech to his entire school.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/e/h/g/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwdttb.png/1495899199921.jpg)
Coming out and showing the way
There are uplifting narratives alleviating the bleakness. This is one of them. It's about guts, kindness and authentic leadership, writes Michael Short.
![Alan Joyce hit with a pie during an event in Perth.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/1/n/7/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw30nr.png/1499402976107.jpg)
Don't even try to argue that Australia is the land of the fair go
Until we have marriage equality, the notion Australia is the land of the fair go is delusional, argues Michael Short.
![Illustration: Matt Davidson](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/q/0/p/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvpbcb.png/1493011501738.jpg)
A fair go for all (except for women)
We say we believe in equality, but the gender pay gap shows we have a long way to go.
![THE QUEEN'S FUND LOGO SUPPLIED by Michael Short for THE AGE NEWS 24th March 2017](http://web.archive.org./web/20170910062517im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/5/m/i/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvez31.png/1491694112459.jpg)
'We are all but a few bad decisions away from catastrophe'
In response to an earlier column, others have shared their experiences as it might help raise awareness of just how precarious life can be for so many in our nation.
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