The defence of dual citizens in Parliament is absurd
If the current furore engulfing Federal Parliament was about politicians' travel expenses, and not dual nationality, the media would be baying for the blood of those who had done the wrong thing.
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Bill O'Chee
Bill O'Chee writes regularly for Fairfax Media.
The Ekka is needed now more than ever
I recall the trouble my parents went to when I was a kid to ensure I went on the rides, got some sample bags, saw the ring show, and ate far too many dagwood dogs than good for me.
School children have a right to discuss their religious beliefs
Recent attempts by Queensland's Education Department to ban students talking about Jesus with other students are absurd, and frankly disturbing. However, closer examination of the policy documents used by the Department shows that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The real problem is that the Education Department is on a dunderheaded crusade that puts it in breach of at least two international human rights treaties. At the core is the idea the Department will tell pupils what they can and cannot say or think. This is contrary to every tenet of Australian political freedom. To be sure, there is no such thing as absolute freedom of speech in Australia. We do have libel laws, and for good reason. However, restrictions on freedom of speech are generally kept to an absolute minimum. This is in line with the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, Article 18 of which provides: "Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom… to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching." Article 19 goes even further. It states: "Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference." Instead, the Education Department has developed a concept of "inclusive education" which deems a student talking about their religious beliefs as some form "discrimination". Let's be honest here: this is rubbish.
Why train services are worse when QR claims they are better
It is clear that train schedules are being dictated by staff availability, instead of the needs of the travelling public.
The great Senate electoral fraud: The voters have been duped
In the last two weeks, the Greens have lost both co-deputy leaders in the Senate because they were dual nationals. Their personal tears would have us believe that Waters and Ludlam have somehow been victims of some sort of injustice, because they didn't know they were still citizens of Canada and New Zealand.
The one tennis lesson Tomic never learnt
Tomic's problem is that he thinks money equals respect.
Is Catholicism facing an existential crisis?
Do last week's charges against Cardinal Pell over historical sex abuse allegations represent an existential crisis for the Catholic Church and its many millions of members in Australia?:
With voices of hate all around, I'm glad Australia is not England
The events of the past few weeks make me wonder what has gone wrong in our Motherland.
A story for three mates lost too young
Six men take their lives each day, so why don't we care?
The Queensland town that refuses to die a mining death
On the rich agricultural land of the Darling Downs is the tiny town of Acland. Acland is quite simply the Queensland town that will not die.
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