Month: September 2018

  • The Weekly Notebook – two coups

    Two coups, two victims – what’s going on? Two major public figures have been executed in recent coups in Australia – Malcolm Turnbull was despatched as prime minister on August 24 and Michelle Guthrie as ABC managing director on September 24. In subsequent media coverage the executioners could not, or would not, explain why Turnbull…

  • The Weekly Notebook – conservative basket cases

    Why conservative parties have become basket cases A common feature of today’s political environment is the identity crisis in conservative parties that have ruled much of the Western world in the post-war years. For example, Christian Democratic parties that blossomed in Europe and Latin America after World War Two are now struggling for survival. In Australia…

  • The Weekly Notebook – White Armband history

    Scott Morrison’s plan for a White Armband history of Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the Federal MP for Cook in southern Sydney, is planning to elevate James Cook to a status beyond the wildest dreams of the humble 18th century Royal Navy lieutenant. Morrison wants to turn Cook into the “Father of Australia” with the…

  • The Weekly Notebook – happy clapper in the Lodge

    Scott Morrison: happy clapper in The Lodge On entering Federal Parliament in 2008, Scott Morrison, the newly-elected Member for Cook in southern Sydney, delivered his inaugural speech on February 14 (St Valentine’s Day). He chose to discuss at length his deep devotion to his Christian religion and paid tribute to his mentors in the born-again…