En Passant

I watched Morrison and Shorten in their first election debate. I might be lesser evil biased but I thought Shorten won. Why? Because Shorten talked about policy, about policies, and about fixing problems that touch us all in our lives, like low wages, health care, dental care, even climate change. All Morrison offered was ‘Labor […]

It is now 17 days into the election campaign and the offerings today (Sunday) highlight the differences between the Coalition and the Labor Party. The Prime Minister offered more fear of refugees; the ALP offered cheaper childcare, better wages for childcare workers and free dental treatment (up to $1000 over two years) for seniors and […]

Liberal Party Prime Minister Scott Morrison and billionaire wannabe re-minted politician Clive Palmer have struck a preference deal. The Liberals will preference Clive Palmer’s aptly named United Australia Party, ahead of Labor. It is aptly named because it is a return to the 1930s, when the UAP was the party of Lyon and Menzies. In […]

It looks as if the government is in a bit of hot water thanks to Barnaby Joyce. If you listen to Barnaby explain the water buy back issue, the problem was and is not him but ‘Labor, Labor, Labor, Labor, Labor. ‘ The government has a water buy-back scheme to help save the Murray-Darling Basin. […]

At first I thought all the hallelujahs were for the risen Christ. Not so. I mistook the relief people felt for the election campaigns going quiet for the joy of Christians celebrating the resurrection of their Lord and Saviour. In the secular but not really secular society that is Australia it is an easy mistake […]

Whose Broken is This? CD and book launch 27 April Smith’s Alternative 76 Alinga ST Civic, Canberra. Tickets $25 from Smith’s Alternative website. Click here. Two of Australia’s highly-regarded creative talents have joined forces to collaborate on a unique album of songs, Whose Broken Is This? Poet John Passant, who is currently receiving treatment for […]

It has been five days since Scott Morrison called the election. Already I feel underwhelmed. First there is the bullshit. For example, according to senior government Minister Michaelia Cash, Labor with its electronic vehicle policy, one that looks suspiciously like the Government’s, is going to steal tradies’ utes. I mean, seriously, is this the calibre […]

[My apologies for the formatting, but transferring material from a file to this new WordPress seems to produce very odd results.] Julian Assange has exposed US war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq. For that we must thank him.  His release of information, much of it via Chelsea Manning, deserves praise and support for showing us […]

Whose Broken Is This ? CD and Book launch review by Leanne Wicks published poet, artist and historian. “Through the bookcase door of Beyond Q on Saturday 30th March flourished a provoking fusion of poetry and music. Canberra poet, John Passant and Mallacoota duo Jim Horvath and Milena Cifali aka ‘The Awesome’, launched their book […]

John Passant has packed 58 remarkable poems into the 108 pages of his second volume of poems, Whose broken is this? and other poems, writes Paul Burger in Independent Australia. On the one hand, this heroic anthology reveals great contemplation of his personal life. On the other hand, it is an outspoken anthology which reveals […]