Bill Hayden’s five years as foreign minister have received some attention in the week since his death. However, there’s more to say about his contribution… Read More »Vale Bill Hayden, a dedicated foreign minister
Here is my review of Lessons from history: leading historians tackle Australia’s greatest challenges, eds. Carolyn Holbrook, Lyndon Megarrity, David Lowe, UNSW Press, 2022 The… Read More »History and policy
I wrote a piece this week, explaining why I grieve for Russia and for diplomacy: I grieve for Russia, which is not the same as… Read More »Russia and Ukraine: we must strive for talks
Are larrikins what we really need as political leaders? Lech Blaine’s recent essay, Top Blokes, (Quarterly Essay, 83/2021) explored the persona, and Jack Waterford recently… Read More »Time to end larrikinism as a political ploy
by Francesca Beddie
In early January, the leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese, suggested the first sitting day of Federal Parliament for 2020 be devoted to marking the unprecedented bushfire crisis. That got me thinking about Australia Day. Read More »Australia Day: occasion for collective mourning
I follow migration matters closely, so Tim Watt’s survey of the White Australia Policy and subsequent immigration policy was familiar territory. For those who don’t, there is much to recommend in the story he tells and his demonstration of the economic benefits of skilled migration. But his analysis has flaws.Read More »The Golden Country: review
I watched Ken Loach’s film I, Daniel Blake again recently. Again, I cried. A sick bloke with talent and decency ends up dead before he can argue… Read More »Wanted: politicians who inspire and creative public policy
In the new world of work, which heralds machines doing routine tasks and people solving problems, learning the how without the why is not enough.… Read More »Teaching + research = tertiary education