5 Jan 2009
- More cartoons by Bill Leak
- Recent cartoons by all contributors
Australian Politics
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Nsw Politics 3 Jul 2009
Democracy Dies At The Wheel
by John Pitt
The NSW Government is so keen to host a lucrative world rally car championship that it has broken all of its own rules to secure the deal, writes John Pitt
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Defence 2 Jul 2009
Guns Still More Important Than Mums
by Ben Eltham
The massive spending promised in yesterday's Defence Capability Plan is astonishing given the budget pressures the Rudd Government is already facing, writes Ben Eltham
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Federal Politics 29 Jun 2009
Not Everybody Loves Malcolm
by Annabel Crabb
The voters might have lost faith in Malcolm Turnbull, but as Annabel Crabb writes in this extract from the Quarterly Essay, it will take more than bad polls to shake Turnbull's confidence in himself
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Merauke Five 25 Jun 2009
Why Were The Merauke Five Ignored?
by Mark Bousen
Five Australians detained in West Papua for nine months have been released — no thanks to the Australian Government and large parts of the Australian media, writes Mark Bousen
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Utegate 24 Jun 2009
Turnbull Plays Hard-Ball
by Ben Eltham
A closer look at Malcolm Turnbull's former life as a barrister sheds light on his recent actions, writes Ben Eltham. The Opposition leader has form in making claims that he can't substantiate
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Utegate 23 Jun 2009
These Empty Scandals Are The Real Scandal
by Ben Eltham
The 'Utegate' affair wasted our time, robbed real issues of oxygen, and further eroded faith in our system. Now, while Turnbull's paying for it, many others are guilty too, writes Ben Eltham
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Australian Politics 23 Jun 2009
In Search Of Rank And File
by Aron Paul
The non-Labor parties are looking to democratic reform as a means of boosting their decreasing membership, writes Aron Paul
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Federal Politics 22 Jun 2009
Who's Afraid Of A Double Dissolution?
by Andrew Bartlett
When the CPRS fails in the Senate this week, will the Government set a course for a double dissolution? Andrew Bartlett looks at the DD issue from Rudd's point of view
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Business & Consumerism
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Nanotechnology 22 Jun 2009
Australia Risks Repeat Of Asbestos Tragedy
by Georgia Miller
Although scientists and insurers are very worried that unregulated nanomaterials could be the next asbestos, our government seems blithely unconcerned, writes Georgia Miller
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Sustainable Economy 16 Jun 2009
The Unavoidable Green Future
by Ben Eltham
Yesterday, we published an extract from Ben McNeil's book 'The Clean Industrial Revolution'. Today, Ben Eltham speaks with McNeil about the economic opportunities of climate change
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Blogwatch 27 May 2009
Hey! Farmer! Leave Those Pigs Alone
by Newmatilda.com
Hold your nose because this blogwatch stinks. The real snoutrage behind swine flu is the industrialisation of animal farming — and the mounting evidence of its connection to pandemics
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Wiwa V Shell 22 May 2009
Shell On Trial
by Jess Hill
Next week, Shell will appear before a US federal court on charges of torture, extra-judicial killing and crimes against humanity. Will it be the first multinational found guilty of human rights abuses?
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Economics 20 May 2009
Why Do We Hate Paying Tax?
by Joseph Heath
Paying tax is no different to paying for a gym membership, writes Joseph Heath. It enables collective, cross-subsidised ownership
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Superannuation 1 May 2009
Thanks For Nothing, Boss
by Jess Hill
The tax office knows that thousands of Australian companies still don't pay compulsory super to their employees, writes Jess Hill. So why do they keep getting away with it?
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Global Economic Crisis 29 Apr 2009
Don't Ask Me, I'm Lost
by Scott Mitchell
Why are Fairfax journalists — and our Treasurer — treating the IMF's forecasts like fact and using them to peddle false economic optimism?
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Corporate Responsibility 27 Apr 2009
The Rotten Elite
by Ben Eltham
The (now hopefully dead) corporate career of former James Hardie director Meredith Hellicar shows just how morally bankrupt Australia's business elite has become, writes Ben Eltham
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Civil Society
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Human Rights Act 2 Jul 2009
Don't Let Them Kill The Bill
by Tanja Kovac
Campaigners for a human rights act should have known they'd face stiff opposition. Now their failure to engage ordinary people has put the whole thing at risk, writes Tanja Kovac
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Abortion 2 Jul 2009
You Can't Be Just A Little Bit Pro-Choice
by Anna Greer
Were Anna Bligh's public comments on an abortion case in Queensland deliberately misleading, or just an honest mistake?
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Privatisation 1 Jul 2009
Should Punishment Be Profitable?
by Clair MacDougall
The furore about prison privatisation in NSW raises important questions about who should be permitted to enforce punishment, writes Clair MacDougall
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Women In War 19 Jun 2009
Australia Slow To Act On Sexual Violence
by Jasmine-Kim Westendorf
A year ago the UN passed an important measure to protect women from sexual violence in conflicts, but Australia still hasn't acted on it, writes Jasmine-Kim Westendorf
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Racism 16 Jun 2009
...Surely That's Not Racist?
by Jon Stratton and Suvendrini Perera
There is a direct link between the 'harmless' little gag which we often let slide and the appalling racist violence which we quickly condemn, write Suvendrini Perera and Jon Stratton
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Race Relations 12 Jun 2009
The Hole In Our Racial Debate
by David Ingram
Reactions to attacks on Indian students show how far our discussion on race has deteriorated, with ethnic lobby groups themselves among the guilty, writes David Ingram
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Wiwa V Shell 11 Jun 2009
Shell Pays The Money And Runs
by Jess Hill
Shell has dodged the court case over Ogoni deaths in Nigeria, but its cash settlement is still a big win in the fight against corporate human rights abuses, writes Jess Hill
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Free Speech 3 Jun 2009
Even Bigots Deserve Freedom Of Opinion
by Michael Brull
It's inconsistent to call for Holocaust deniers to be jailed while remaining silent about the denial of the historical sufferings of other peoples, writes Michael Brull
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Editorial
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Editorial 16 Feb 2009
How Should The Fires Be Reported?
by Marni Cordell
The Victorian bushfires have raised important questions about the role of the media during tragedy. How should the media behave, and where does newmatilda.com fit in?
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Editorial 22 Dec 2008
Australia, (Not The Film) The Culture
by Catriona Menzies-Pike
What is the state of the cultural nation? We asked leading practitioners of the arts to answer this question and more in newmatilda.com's Summer series
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Reader Survey 19 Dec 2008
You Told Us Where To Go
by Newmatilda.com
Thanks to everyone who completed our recent reader survey. This is what you said - the good, the bad and the brutally honest
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Editorial 11 Nov 2008
It's Your ABC, Literally
by Marni Cordell
Mark Scott wants the ABC to be Australia's "town square", where any Joe Plumber can take part in the conversation. But is that really the best role for a national broadcaster — or will it come at the expense of quality, specialist journalism?
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Editorial 5 Nov 2008
It's Official: He's the First Black Man in the White House
by Newmatilda.com
He has pledged to change the world. Is Obama up to the massive task ahead?
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Editorial 14 Oct 2008
Can We Get it Right This Time?
by Marni Cordell
The report of Rudd's review into the NT Intervention will come as no surprise to many. So why did Labor back the slap-dash policy in the first place?
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Editorial 7 Oct 2008
On the Road: Introducing Our US Election Correspondents
by Newmatilda.com
We'll be covering the final weeks of the US election campaign from the ground
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Editorial 16 Sep 2008
Malcolm the Inevitable
by Brendan Phelan
The sideshow is over. With Malcolm Turnbull as leader of the Opposition, the Rudd Government is going to have to step up its performance
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Global Footprint
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Carbon Trading 2 Jul 2009
Dirty Light Bulbs And Hot Air
by Dan Bishton
Remember all those people handing out free power-saver light bulbs? Dan Bishton was one of them. Now he hates the things — and he explains why
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Climate Change 30 Jun 2009
Steve's Diabolical Challenge
by David Brewster
Steve Fielding's one-man effort to understand climate change reflects one of the fundamental problems of modern life: the individual's inability to comprehend so much stuff
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Energy 22 Jun 2009
Polar Politics
by Sam Vincent
Greenland could be home to some of the world's largest untapped oil and natural gas reserves, and the prospect of resource riches is fuelling an independence movement, reports Sam Vincent
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Climate Change 18 Jun 2009
Non-Violent But Determined
by John Hepburn
Local green groups reject violence, but are set to make life a lot harder for governments out of touch on climate change, writes Greenpeace's John Hepburn
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Climate Change 15 Jun 2009
The Myth of Economy Versus Environment
by Ben McNeil
Not even the driest conservative will be able to ignore the economic risks of climate change much longer, writes Ben McNeil
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Pacific Politics 10 Jun 2009
The Sharp End Of Climate Change
by Nic Maclellan
The threat of extinction has island nations demanding stronger climate action. But Kevin Rudd will be trying to ignore them at the upcoming Pacific Nations Forum, writes Nic Maclellan
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Climate Policy 27 May 2009
Will There Be Brown Jobs In A Green Future?
by Ben Eltham
Responding to climate change will mean that some people will lose their jobs, writes Ben Eltham. The Rudd Government needs to stop pretending that it ain't so
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Renewable Energy 25 May 2009
Leading A Dumb Horse To Water
by Nick Toscano
If you invented a revolutionary source of renewable energy, you'd think Australian authorities would be very interested. But you'd be wrong, writes Nick Toscano
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International Affairs
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Honduras Coup 30 Jun 2009
Does The US Really Like Democracy?
by Michael Brull
Watch closely the US reaction to the coup in Honduras, writes Michael Brull. Despite obvious leverage in the country, the Obama Administration is treading very cautiously
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Pakistan 29 Jun 2009
Bigger Than Bin Laden
by Mustafa Qadri
Beitullah Mehsud, the man analysts describe as more dangerous than Osama bin Laden, continues to evade death in Pakistan, writes Mustafa Qadri
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Israel/palestine 25 Jun 2009
Camp Life
by Daz Chandler
Daz Chandler spent three months working in a Palestinian refugee camp in Bethlehem and found vibrant communities struggling to make their lifestyles bearable against the odds
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Israel/palestine 24 Jun 2009
Palestine Is Our Home
by Amin Abbas
In all the speculation over what the US and Israel will do with Palestine, the perspective of Palestinians themselves tends to be overlooked completely. Here, Diaspora Palestinian Amin Abbas presents his view
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Israel/palestine 24 Jun 2009
Where To Now For Jewish America?
by Antony Loewenstein
In the US, moderate Jewish voices on the Middle East are gaining strength, but many American Jews are still reluctant to criticise Israel, writes Antony Loewenstein
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Iran 19 Jun 2009
Iranians Want Democracy, Not US Power
by Michael Brull
Reports on Iran's protests use the same political cliches we saw with the Tiananmen movement. They are rubbish, writes Michael Brull, and the protesters know it
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Pacific Politics 18 Jun 2009
Trade Winds to Blow Pacific Away
by Adam Wolfenden
When he meets with Pacific nations today, Simon Crean can choose to help them develop — or he can keep pushing Australia's free trade agreement onto them, writes Adam Wolfenden
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Peace 18 Jun 2009
Giving Peace A Chance
by Stuart Rees
The new Global Peace Index shows how countries gain huge benefits by promoting peace. Now we should be using the Index to shape economic and foreign policies, writes Stuart Rees
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Media and Culture
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Blogwatch 1 Jul 2009
The Sound Of One White Glove Typing
by Newmatilda.com
Where were you when Jacko died? How do you feel about all those unkind jokes? Was he really a fiddler? The blogs can't stop till they get enough ...
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Film 26 Jun 2009
Slaves To The Story?
by Yvette Andrews
The documentary Stolen created a storm at its Sydney screening when the central character arrived and claimed she had been falsely portrayed as a slave. Now, a UNHCR spokeswoman says her interview for the film was also manipulated
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Internet Censorship 25 Jun 2009
Lessons On Censorship From China And Iran
by Mark Newton
If our Government is smart, it will have just learned some lessons from China and Iran on how NOT to regulate the internet. Mark Newton explains exactly what those lessons are
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Cartooning 24 Jun 2009
Don't Laugh, This Is Serious
by Lindsay Foyle
Australian newspaper publishers have a rotten track record when it comes to preserving the original artwork they commissioned, writes cartoonist Lindsay Foyle
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Blogwatch 18 Jun 2009
Close Your Eyes And Write A Cheque
by Newmatilda.com
The financial crisis has pushed motivational speakers to the edge, driving them to new heights in gibberish. Now Anthony Robbins and your inner dolphin have something to tell you
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The Media Ate My Brain 16 Jun 2009
Has KAK Joined The K.K.K.?
by Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith
Catch up on everything you missed in the media this week (or hoped was just a bad dream) with Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith
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Future Of Journalism 16 Jun 2009
Twitter's Difficult Gift To Journalism
by Julie Posetti
Twitter is becoming an essential tool for journalists, but it comes with some pretty tricky ethical and professional problems too, writes Julie Posetti
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Podcasts 9 Jun 2009
The Media Ate My Brain
by Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith
A wrap-up of the week in media from Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith
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Satire
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Satire 3 Jul 2009
Did Richard Wilkins Cause The GFC?
by Ben Pobjie
As we write off, reconcile our losses and roll over into a new financial year, Ben Pobjie attempts to answer the big questions of 2008-09
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The Media Ate My Brain 1 Jul 2009
Would You Call That "Blanket" Coverage?
by Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith
In this week's podcast, Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith don their rose-tinted glasses to take a look at the issue of celebrity death
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Satire 26 Jun 2009
Has Kevin Lost His Load?
by Ben Pobjie
As Parliament enters its long winter break, Ben Pobjie takes a moment to ponder what the 'utegate' affair says about our priorities as a society
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Prize For Political Cartooning 26 Jun 2009
The Winner Is...
by Newmatilda.com
The 2009 Prize For Political Cartooning has gone to Sydney cartoonist Fiona Katauskas
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The Media Ate My Brain 23 Jun 2009
History's Greatest Gates
by Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith
In this time of political crisis, Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith ask whether it's wrong to call a political scandal "Utegate"
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Satire 19 Jun 2009
Costello Mounts Leadership Challenge
by Ben Pobjie
Sorry — wrong headline, but this one's been ready for years and now it'll never get used otherwise. Like Ben Pobjie, we're all dealing with Costello's passing in our own way ...
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Satire 12 Jun 2009
Evidence-Based Policy Versus An Ugly Old Pig
by Ben Pobjie
Now that Kevin Rudd is using his tomato sauce bottle to make policy, the only sensible leader we have left is climate realist Steve Fielding
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Satire 4 Jun 2009
Racism Is The Worst Bad Thing Ever
by Ben Pobjie
In fact it's so bad we might need to lock up darkies and muzzos to stop ourselves feeling its horribleness, writes Ben Pobjie
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Bill Leak suffered his first attack of culture shock in 1956 when, having fully expected to be born in Madrid, his birth took place in Adelaide. Predictably, he drifted into cartooning and painting. He has been drawing for The Australian since 1994.
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What's Hot
- Utegate: These Empty Scandals Are The Real Scandal
- Climate Change: Steve's Diabolical Challenge
- Utegate: Turnbull Plays Hard-Ball
- Internet Censorship: Lessons On Censorship From China And Iran
- Honduras Coup: Does The US Really Like Democracy?
- Film: Slaves To The Story?
- Federal Politics: Who's Afraid Of A Double Dissolution?
- Satire: Has Kevin Lost His Load?
Recent Articles
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- Carbon Trading: Dirty Light Bulbs And Hot Air
- Abortion: You Can't Be Just A Little Bit Pro-Choice
- Blogwatch: The Sound Of One White Glove Typing
- The Media Ate My Brain: Would You Call That "Blanket" Coverage?
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