Morrison’s Mixed Messages About Anti-Lockdown Protests
“What we saw in Sydney yesterday. Of course, it was selfish. It was also self-defeating. It achieves no purpose,” said prime minister Scott Morrison in response to a question about Sydney’s 24 July anti-lockdown protest. “It will not end...
Growing Discontent and the Politics of Lockdown
In this country, the supporters of the right side of politics don’t often take to the streets to protest. Most often, that’s the domain of the left. So, when around 7,000 Sydneysiders breached COVID-19 lockdown restrictions to march through the...
“There is Greater Need for an Australian Bill of Rights Now, More Than Ever,” Says Wilkie
The second wave of COVID-19 with its accompanying lockdowns is causing widespread confusion throughout the community. Restrictions on movement, association, and on our ability to continue with our regular lives are leading to questions about whether citizens’ rights are being...
Federal Freedom of Information Laws Enhance Government Secrecy
The federal freedom of information (FOI) regime is ostensibly about providing Australian citizens with an avenue to obtain information in the possession of government, with the recognition that the public has a right to access such information. The Freedom of...
Australia Has Been Degrading and Torturing Innocent Refugees Offshore for Eight Years
Last Monday marked the eight year anniversary of the implementation of Australia’s mandatory offshore detention regime. On 19 July 2013, then PM Kevin Rudd announced all asylum seekers arriving by boat would be sent to Manus Island, with this policy...
“A War for Money”: Peace Activist Greg Rolles on the Australian Abandonment of Afghanistan
Right now, the US is fixing to pull all of its troops out of Afghanistan by 11 September. Whilst Australia withdrew its remaining troops by 18 June. And as the invasion commenced in October 2001, this conflict marks our nation’s...
The Criminalisation of Whistleblowers: An Interview With Professor A J Brown
Under the Morrison government, whistleblower prosecutions are all the rage. Witness K was recently given a three month suspended sentence for his part in revealing the 2004 ASIS bugging of the Timor-Leste cabinet office, while Bernard Collaery is continuing to...
Fairfield: A Diverse Southwest Sydney Community Under Siege
Over the past three weeks of lockdown, NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian’s 11 am COVID press conference has become an everyday part of life for Sydneysiders. Although, the tone has grown graver as the “out in the community” case numbers continue...
In a Time of Mounting Crises, Billionaires Are Holding a Tourism Space Race
The globe is currently facing multiple crises. Not only is the COVID pandemic entering its third delta-driven wave, but the planet is in the midst of a climate emergency, with leading scientists now stating that the Paris Agreement target of...
In National Security State Australia, Press Freedom Is Just a Nice Idea
Hong Kong police raided the office of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily on 17 June and arrested its five chief directors on national security grounds, while local authorities froze its assets, effectively shutting it down. Beijing has been increasing its grip...
