“All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why.” – James Thurber
The Latest
Climate Change
Climate change denial is on the rise, encouraged no doubt by the example of that great intellectual President Donald Trump. That other intellectual giant Andrew Bolt had a crack at me recently for what I thought was the modest suggestion that we need to listen to... read moreGeorge Brandis QC A-G
Q&A on Monday 20 February 2017 included Attorney-General George Brandis QC. Brandis showed rather unhappy aspects of himself, as he sought to justify enormous and extravagant expense allowances for Federal parliamentarians while justifying the meanness of NDIS... read moreThe Apology, 9 years on
On 13 February 2008, Kevin Rudd apologised to the stolen generations. It was not great rhetoric, but it was a fine moment, because (for once) we heard a Federal Politician who sounded sincere. 9 years later, here is a message from Liberty Victoria: Yesterday marked... read moreWhat’s wrong with politics today
It is blindingly obvious that something is seriously wrong with politics at present. In the West, at least. Barry Jones wrote a great piece on that theme for The Saturday Paper. The article included the following observations: “Lincoln’s views, published on... read moreWhat has happened to this country?
A concerned member of the public recently sent me a letter which, in my opinion, captures a large part of the problem Australia is still wrestling with: the problem of how we respond to people who are not the same as us. Her letter includes this: “Despite the... read moreLorengau hospital: your taxes at work (?!)
The Australian government donated a new hospital to PNG at Lorengau on Manus, so the men held on Manus would receive “world-class treatment”. It was funded by AusAid. See this photo claiming credit – but make sure to scroll down and see the photos... read moreThe dodgy US refugee deal
When the agreement with the US was announced, the details were so meagre that it was hard to place much reliance on it. Then Donald Trump was elected President of the USA and the deal looked even more speculative. But now the realities of it are becoming apparent: it... read moreClimate change
I gave a speech for 350.org.au just recently. Here is the substance of what I said. And before you read it (because it’s a bit depressing) cheer yourself up with First Dog on The Moon’s recent excoriation of our “Leader” Malcolm Turnbull on... read moreMore on anti-Islamic rants
A recent email I received included this: “…we must get back to the debate on what a crock of shit is the “human rights movement” that allows invaders into your country without being shot at the boarder [sic].” Wow! What do you say to... read moreDishonest Dutton: at it again
The following news item appeared in The Australian on 21 November 2016, under the caption ‘I won’t be bullied’ (if you follow the link, you have to scroll down for the piece): Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has crossed swords with Bill Shorten in a fiery question... read moreBorder Force making it harder to visit detention centres
[Since first posting this, there have been more developments: see at the foot of the post] I have received a number of reports about how absurdly difficult it is to visit people in immigration detention in Melbourne. Bear in mind that the people held in immigration... read moreBig Deal
Australia has announced an agreement with the US in relation to refugees presently held on Nauru and Manus. In announcing the agreement, Prime Minister Turnbull and Immigration Minister Dutton were careful to avoid giving any significant detail of the arrangement. ... read moreNews from Manus
I have just received another report from Manus. Here it is, in edited form to preserve the anonymity of people involved: “In addition to declining mental health-we had an attempted suicide by hanging in October-a number of refugees suffering from serious... read moreRemember the war poets on Remembrance Day
Lest we forget. The first World War produced remarkable poetry. In earlier times, war poetry tended to valourise war. Not so between 1914-1918. The lacerating poetry of the First World War showed just how powerfully the truth can be told. Wilfred Owen in... read moreComplaint to International Criminal Court names Abbott, Morrison, Dutton, Turnbull
A consortium of international lawyers, led from England, has asked the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court to take action against Australia for crimes arising out of its policy towards asylum seekers. The Consortium has issued a 52-page Communiqué which... read moreHuman Rights & Social Justice
- The National Pro Bono Resource Centre is an independent organisation that supports and promotes pro bono legal services in Australia.
- JusticeConnect: working to provide effective means for people and organisations in need to access justice
The Arts
Jewellery
- Kate Durham’s jewellery: a small sample
- Kate Durham exhibition of jewellery at fortyfive downstairs: Show ran from 17 Sept to 11 Oct
- A VIDEO showing some of Kate’s work and a few photos: here and here
Art, music and theatre
- what’s on at fortyfive downstairs (45 Flinders Lane Melbourne)
- Wolfgang Sievers photographs for sale
- Fine chamber music: Musica Viva Australia
- Look at this remarkable example of art in cut paper: truly amazing
Asylum Seekers
- Australian Human Rights Commission: Facts about asylum seekers and refugees
- Andrew and Renata Kaldor Centre at UNSW: debunking myths about refugees
- New website: Compassion Without Borders
- And find various refugee support groups across Australia here
- Doctors for Refugees
Julian on Twitter
Videos
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