‘A heap of hypocrisy’: Why Allegra Spender says the Helen Haines attack must change politics

You can see it in the drawn faces of the politicians lining up to speak about Helen Haines this week – Canberra has been shaken to its core. ASIO and the Australian Federal Police have been liaising with parliamentarians – some of whom say they no longer feel safe after the alleged attack, which l…

Arrests and curfews: The French protest crackdown

In France, thousands of arrests have been made and partial curfews imposed across the country, after a weekend of protests that spiralled into violence and looting.   The protest movement, which began four weeks ago with students demanding better conditions at high schools, culminated in half a mi…

The Helen Haines attack: Why ‘we have no right to be surprised’

Yesterday afternoon Independent MP Helen Haines was returning to her electorate office in the regional Victorian town of Wangaratta, when she was struck by a white Toyota LandCruiser.  Witnesses described seeing the car make a u-turn, and then ram Haines against a vehicle, before reversing and hit…

Lying, misconduct and coverup claims: The Greens in crisis

The Greens are in crisis mode after one of their senators was accused of inappropriate conduct towards women.  On Monday the party held an emergency meeting after an explosive statement from Jordon Steele-John, denying the allegations and accusing the new party leader of lying. An internal Greens…

The Herzog protest inquiry police wanted kept private

On February 9, thousands of people gathered at Sydney Town Hall to protest the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog. They wanted to march to state parliament, but police were blocking their way. The scenes that followed were shocking: 10 officers and dozens of protesters – some in their 70s an…

The fake orphans trafficked to Australia

For decades, thousands of South Korean children were adopted into families overseas, including here in Australia. Many grew up believing they were orphans, only to discover years later that their identities had been falsified, their biological families were still alive and, in some cases, they wer…

Is Josh Frydenberg coming for Angus Taylor?

In politics, there’s nothing quite like a book launch to remind everyone you’re here if they need.  Josh Frydenberg is back, with a new book, some pointed criticism of his party, and perhaps an eye on a return to Canberra. Meanwhile, Angus Taylor is steering the Liberals firmly to the right, altho…

Could Trump wage another war in the Middle East?

After a decade of fighting and billions spent on American weapons, Saudi Arabia still hasn’t defeated the Houthis.   Instead, the Iranian-backed armed movement from Yemen, one of the Middle East’s poorest countries, is breaching Saudi defences with cheap drones and missiles, striking airports and …

The productivity problem driving up interest rates

For generations, Australians could reasonably expect that their lives would be more prosperous than their parents.  But over recent years, that bargain has started to break down.  Productivity growth has barely moved for a decade. We’re working more hours, without producing much more for each hou…

Execution TV: Is this a turning point for Trump’s America?

In 2009, US Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan opened fire on fellow soldiers and civilians at the Fort Hood military base in Texas, killing 13 people and wounding 32. He was sentenced to death in 2013 for the attack, which he described as an act of jihad. Now the Trump administration has scheduled his…