Robodebt revelations

Saturday Feb 4

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The robodebt royal commission spoke to several high-profile figures this week, such as former Coalition minister Alan Tudge, who joined several ex-ministers in absolving himself of any responsibility for the unlawful scheme. John Buckley delved into the details, as well as what former attorney-general Christian Porter had to say.

Meanwhile the media storm around the Voice to Parliament continued, but what if the media is actually the problem? Christopher Warren thought so. And what’s the likelihood of Peter Dutton backing the No campaign? Pretty high, wrote Dennis Atkins, as the opposition leader appears to have little to lose and much to gain.

Elsewhere Maeve McGregor asked a pressing question: why do New Zealanders hate Australia? The answer isn’t a mere friendly rivalry. And Charlie Lewis checked in on the Trump problem afflicting Republicans, and whether some are hoping the situation “resolves itself naturally”.

Plus Julia Bergin attended an anti-climate conference and uncovered a particularly Orwellian nightmare.

Thanks for reading,

Gina Rushton,
News editor

Robodebt commission

Tudge’s office used News Corp to ‘shut down’ robodebt media crisis, royal commission hears

JOHN BUCKLEY

The media strategy saw Alan Tudge's media adviser plant stories with sympathetic 'right-wing' outlets and release personal details of victims.

Rachelle Miller (Image: AAP/Supplied)

A third ex-minister denies robodebt responsibility, as Christian Porter to take witness stand

ANTON NILSSON

Alan Tudge has joined former Coalition government colleagues in denying knowledge that robodebt was illegal, claiming he was powerless to stop it either way.

Rachelle Miller’s robodebt evidence is an indictment of the government’s media collaborators

DAVID HARDAKER

The former Coalition staffer's robodebt royal commission evidence shows how the Coalition led the media on the illegal scheme.

George Pell leaves behind an empty church and a cathedral full of moral losses

DAVID HARDAKER

The dead cardinal has left the Catholic Church in Australia in terrible shape, and there are no signs it has any chance of getting well again.

George Pell's casket is carried into St Mary's Cathedral (Image: AAP/Dean Lewins)

Are Trump’s colleagues sort of hoping he’ll die before the next election?

CHARLIE LEWIS

According to reporting from The Atlantic, Trump's friends in the Republican Party are hoping his situation 'resolves itself naturally'.

Former US President Donald Trump (Image: AAP/AP/Michael Conroy)

The Liberals have a women problem, but I’m still voting for them. Here’s why

CHARLOTTE MORTLOCK

Winning a fourth term in NSW could be a major step on the road to redemption for the Liberal Party — and may stop the teal wave.

Charlotte Mortlock and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (Image: AAP/Bianca De Marchi)

Voice to Parliament

The Voice is going fine. It’s the media that’s the problem

CHRISTOPHER WARREN

The brouhaha by journalists over the Voice to Parliament reflects the media's craving for conflict. It’s not called the silly season for nothing.

(Image: Zennie/Private Media)

Peter Dutton will surely vote No on the Voice — he has nothing to lose

DENNIS ATKINS

If the opposition leader beats Anthony Albanese in this fight it will give him the political oxygen he's been gasping for.

I believe in the Voice but I’m still listening, as should we all

MICHAEL BRADLEY

I think the Voice is the best next step for Australia. But it's important to listen to First Nations arguments for and against the proposal.

Aussie companies rush to help Clive Palmer after US ticket agency pulls out of anti-vax events

ANTON NILSSON

Two Australian ticketing platforms, Ticketek and Ivvy, have stepped up and agreed to sell tickets for shows featuring a US vaccine sceptic.

Clive Palmer (Image: AAP/Glenn Campbell)

‘Professional misconduct’: the latest in the Lehrmann saga

MAEVE MCGREGOR

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has filed a letter of complaint against Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold.

Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas)

Tony Abbott’s eulogy for George Pell is a masterclass in sycophancy

CHARLIE LEWIS

The former prime minister's speech exhibited traits that characterise his time in public life: obsequience to power and a strange, callous humour.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott speaking during funeral mass for cardinal George Pell (Image: AAP/ Archdiocese of Sydney, Giovanni Portelli)

The real reason New Zealanders hate Australia

MAEVE MCGREGOR

It's not a friendly rivalry — there's a good reason for New Zealander ire towards Australia, and most Australians won't even notice.

(Image: Gorkie/Private Media)

Media outlets missing in action on damning political donations data

STEPHEN MAYNE

The AEC's tranche of political donations information was largely shrugged off by the mainstream media outlets, despite significant revelations.

(Image: Gorkie/Private Media)

‘Goldilocks gases’: attendees at conservative climate forum encouraged to watch their words

JULIA BERGIN

Experts in climate denialism are declaring a war on climate related words. What do they want erased from the vernacular?

A list of new terms suggested at the Climate & Energy Forum (Image: Supplied)

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