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• Australian Politics

  • Federal Politics 18 Mar 2010

    Is Abbott Really Catching Up?

    by Ben Eltham

    The media has turned from talk of Rudd's honeymoon to Abbott's — and they're wrong. The polls show just how tough it will be for Abbott to win an election, writes Ben Eltham

    Read the full article

  • Immigration 18 Mar 2010

    Would You Trust Them With Your Life?

    by Rimi Khan

    With notes that she took during an interview between an immigration official and an asylum seeker in 2002, Rimi Khan exposes our Immigration Department as unqualified to be making life and death decisions

    Read the full article

  • Sa Politics 18 Mar 2010

    Rann Very Close To The Edge

    by Luke Walladge

    If you think Labor should hold on in South Australia on Saturday, you could be in for a rude shock. SA's odd electoral system and the effect of one rolled-up magazine mean it's neck and neck, writes Luke Walladge

    Read the full article

  • Defence 16 Mar 2010

    Our Arms Budget Has No Legs

    by Ben Eltham

    Forget cliches about welfare profligacy, when it comes to overspending and bureaucratic bungling, the Defence Department has no rivals, writes Ben Eltham

    Read the full article

  • Tasmanian Politics 15 Mar 2010

    Tassie Parliament Ready For Hanging

    by Kevin Bonham

    As this Saturday's Tasmanian election approaches, the chance of its producing an outright winner has faded. Kevin Bonham explains why

    Read the full article

  • Federal Politics 12 Mar 2010

    Ah, 2003, The Good Old Days

    by Jack Campbell

    He might be a lot more experienced than Latham was, but after a shocking week for the Coalition, Abbott just needs to punch a cabbie to seal the comparison, writes Jack Campbell

    Read the full article

  • Federal Politics 11 Mar 2010

    Tony The Flip Flopper

    by Jeff Sparrow

    Quad bike adventures, triathlons, family barbecues at home: Abbott's been getting a great run in the media. So why aren't they asking any hard questions about his political inconsistency?

    Read the full article

  • South Australia 11 Mar 2010

    Still No Cigar Likely For The Libs In S.A.

    by Clem Macintyre

    The Libs are looking stronger as South Australia heads to the polls, but it probably won't be enough to get them into power, writes Clem Macintyre

    Read the full article

• Business & Consumerism

  • Rugby League 12 Mar 2010

    Why Melbourne Can't Make Money

    by Jason Wilson

    They have the most successful rugby league team of the decade — so why is the Melbourne league franchise losing money? Jason Wilson tells a story of missed opportunities

    Read the full article

  • Food 11 Mar 2010

    Diet French Fries And A Slimmer's Cheesecake, Please

    by Belinda Thomson

    How did Weight Watchers and McDonald's get so friendly? The lines between food marketing and nutritional information are becoming increasingly blurred, writes Belinda Thomson

    Read the full article

  • Toyota 9 Mar 2010

    Now THAT Is A Smart Car

    by Glen Fuller

    Cars that drive themselves? The Toyota recall has revealed drivers to be highly anxious about the future direction of automobile technology, writes Glen Fuller

    Read the full article

  • Poverty Eradication 8 Mar 2010

    Off To Meet The Wizard

    by Mark Swivel

    As Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus visits this country, Mark Swivel tells the story of what it's like to shake hands with a walking financial phenomenon

    Read the full article

  • Animal Rights 23 Feb 2010

    Animal Rights Enters The Mainstream

    by Nick Pendergrast

    After decades of animal welfare campaigns and very little real change, the movement to end animal use completely is gathering speed, writes Nick Pendergrast

    Read the full article

  • Financial Reform 17 Feb 2010

    A Bankster's Paradise

    by Troy Henderson

    More than a year since the GFC hit, crucial reforms designed to prevent it recurring have stalled in the US. Troy Henderson explains why

    Read the full article

  • Green Economy 8 Feb 2010

    Another Rudd Green Plan Bites The Dust?

    by Nick Perry

    The Green Loans initiative looked good: it would reduce our emissions and build a whole new industry but six months later and it's in danger of total collapse, writes Nick Perry

    Read the full article

  • Investment 18 Jan 2010

    Sorry, We're Sending Your Money To The Arms Dealers

    by Nicholas Taylor

    This week over a million Australians lost the choice to prevent their super being invested in things like cluster bombs and cigarettes, writes Nicholas Taylor

    Read the full article

• Civil Society

  • Education 18 Mar 2010

    This Policy Will Need Special Consideration To Pass, Kevin

    by Nick Irving and Rashmi Kumar

    Deregulation, mission-based compacts and yes, a website, are the stuff of Rudd's education revolution but he's not planning to inject much-needed funds into higher education

    Read the full article

  • Transport 11 Mar 2010

    Getting Two Wheels On The Road

    by Anais Moutot

    Paris has managed to get bike infrastructure right and Melbourne is on the way. Why is it taking Sydney so long to adopt cycle-friendly initiatives, asks Anais Moutot

    Read the full article

  • Homophobia 10 Mar 2010

    If He Could Turn Back Time

    by James West

    Tony Abbott might feel threatened by gay people, but even if he wanted to roll back progress on gay rights, it's unlikely he could do so, writes James West

    Read the full article

  • Higher Education 3 Mar 2010

    All Aboard The Education Revolution

    by Nick Irving and Rashmi Kumar

    Why are Australian unis turning bachelor's degrees into post-grad ones? Effectively, local students are being asked to make up budget shortfalls, write Nick Irving and Rashmi Kumar

    Read the full article

  • Law And Order 3 Mar 2010

    NSW: The Prison State

    by Paul Farrell

    Forget Underbelly. When it comes to being tough on crime, Sydney beats Melbourne hands down

    Read the full article

  • Law And Order 3 Mar 2010

    Should Policy Makers Listen To The Experts Or To The Public?

    by Jonathan Jackson and Murray Lee

    In NSW, the gap between public perceptions of crime and punishment and the evidence is producing poor policies and poor outcomes, write Murray Lee and Jonathan Jackson

    Read the full article

  • Homophobic Violence 2 Mar 2010

    So Gay Is The New Black, Right?

    by James Arvanitakis

    Everyone loves Mardi Gras. But away from the bright lights and sparkly outfits, homophobic violence is still a real problem in Sydney, writes James Arvanitakis

    Read the full article

  • Education 1 Mar 2010

    So Many Dates, So Little Time

    by Annabel Astbury

    Forget about kids not learning enough history — today's draft national curriculum looks like it's trying to cover so much that it won't be workable, writes history teacher Annabel Astbury

    Read the full article

• Editorial

  • Editorial 19 Feb 2010

    And There's 100 More Where They Came From

    by Ben Pobjie

    When Ben Pobjie asked whether he could write a self-indulgent piece celebrating his 100th column for newmatilda.com we said: why not?

    Read the full article

  • Local Produce 22 Dec 2009

    What's On The Menu For Summer?

    by Catriona Menzies-Pike

    newmatilda.com will be delivering fresh cultural commentary direct to your Internets all summer. Here's a taste of what's in store

    Read the full article

  • Editorial 22 Dec 2009

    We Told You So

    by Marni Cordell

    In a huge year for new media, NM continued to grow fast by focusing on the issues that matter. As we begin our special Summer Series, it's time for a quick look back at how we did ...

    Read the full article

  • Countdown To Copenhagen 28 Oct 2009

    The Countdown To Copenhagen Begins

    by Newmatilda.com

    With less than six weeks until the COP15 summit, our 'Countdown to Copenhagen' series will guide you through the scientific detail, the apocalyptic imagery and the brinkmanship

    Read the full article

  • Editorial 27 Aug 2009

    We're Five: Bring On The Media Apocalypse!

    by Marni Cordell

    It's our 5th birthday, and before we get messy, we'd like to have a quick word with you about that thing that lots of people are calling 'the death of quality journalism'...

    Read the full article

  • Editorial 7 Jul 2009

    This Debate Needs To Take A Look In The Mirror

    by Newmatilda.com

    The Israel/Palestine issue is muddied by hate-filled comments online and partisan pressure behind the scenes. Now those responsible need to ask themselves if their tactics are really helping anything

    Read the full article

  • 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?

    Read the full article

  • 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

    Read the full article

• Global Footprint

  • Pollution 19 Mar 2010

    Will Garrett Push The Button?

    by Cam Mackellar

    Dive businesses are thrilled that the NSW Government plans to scuttle a frigate off Avoca Beach, but local residents like Cam MacKellar aren't happy. The final go-ahead is in Peter Garrett's hands

    Read the full article

  • Environment Movement 22 Feb 2010

    Without Trees There Would Be No Forest

    by Concerned Members Of The Wilderness Society

    Members of the Wilderness Society explain why they went public about the organisation's internal dispute

    Read the full article

  • Environment Movement 18 Feb 2010

    When Greenies Can't See The Forest For The Trees

    by Heidi Douglas

    Environmentalists in the Wilderness Society are at war with themselves at a time when they should be sharpening their focus on the great task ahead, writes Heidi Douglas

    Read the full article

  • Population Policy 11 Feb 2010

    Right Room, Wrong Elephant

    by James Arvanitakis

    The real 'elephant in the room' is not population growth. Rather, Australia needs to solve its sustainability problems whatever size population we have, writes James Arvanitakis

    Read the full article

  • Cuba 4 Feb 2010

    Cuba: A Red And Green Utopia?

    by Aron Paul

    Whether the lights will shine brightly over Havana again is not only a political question, but an environmental one, writes Aron Paul

    Read the full article

  • Climate Change 4 Feb 2010

    Where To Now For The Climate Movement?

    by Jonathan Hiskes

    Post-Copenhagen, as climate groups in the US regroup, some are arguing it's time for a new set of priorities and strategies, writes Jonathan Hiskes

    Read the full article

  • Transport 22 Jan 2010

    Has Anyone Told The Transport Planners About Climate Change?

    by Elliot Fishman

    More Melbournians are riding to work now than ever before. It's not just individuals who need to change their transport habits, writes Elliot Fishman

    Read the full article

  • Carbon Trading 22 Jan 2010

    How Carbon Offsets Will Change The World As We Know It

    by Mark Schapiro

    There is a vexing question inherent in turning trees into carbon credits, writes Mark Schapiro. What happens to the people who live in the forests?

    Read the full article

• International Affairs

  • Nuclear Weapons 17 Mar 2010

    Disarmament Is A DOING Word

    by Tim Wright

    Obama talked a good game on abolishing nuclear weapons, but now we need to see meaningful steps towards ending the dangerous US nuclear habit, argues Tim Wright

    Read the full article

  • Australia-indonesia Relations 10 Mar 2010

    Don't Mention The War

    by Angela Dewan

    They made very positive noises at their press conference today, but in closed-door talks, Rudd and Yudhoyono will be treading carefully around some tricky issues in their mutual future, writes Angela Dewan

    Read the full article

  • Afghan War 9 Mar 2010

    Way To Go, NATO

    by Jacinda Woodhead

    Western soldiers seem a lot better at killing Afghan hearts and minds than they are at winning them. Locals won't be forgetting — or forgiving — these recent operations anytime soon, writes Jacinda Woodhead

    Read the full article

  • Interview 2 Mar 2010

    Violence Is A Means And An End

    by Antony Loewenstein

    Leading US journalist Mark Danner calls a spade a spade and examines the political value of violence in this exclusive interview with Antony Loewenstein

    Read the full article

  • Canada 2 Mar 2010

    Who's Afraid Of The Queen's Head Honcho?

    by Liam McHugh-Russell

    Recent constitutional hiccups in Canada raise questions about the role of the Governor General which Australians must also consider, writes Liam McHugh-Russell

    Read the full article

  • Israel/palestine 26 Feb 2010

    Has Israel Finally Gone Too Far?

    by Mustafa Qadri

    It's not the first time foreign passports have been used by Israeli assassins but the Dubai murder may push the limits of international goodwill, writes Mustafa Qadri

    Read the full article

  • Israel/palestine 25 Feb 2010

    Passport Fraud 'Not The Act Of A Friend'

    by Mark Steven

    Stephen Smith has called in the Israeli ambassador to discuss passport fraud in the wake of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh's murder. Why has this Hamas death so rankled world leaders, asks Mark Steven

    Read the full article

  • East Timor 24 Feb 2010

    Are We Really East Timor's Heroes?

    by Clinton Fernandes

    Why do Australians cling to the belief that we have protected East Timor? Clinton Fernandes examines the first Australian intervention in what was then Portuguese Timor

    Read the full article

• Media and Culture

  • Tourism 19 Mar 2010

    Straight Outta The Tour Bus

    by Mark Chou

    "Poorism" is on the rise, offering tourists tickets to see violence and squalor up close, writes Mark Chou

    Read the full article

  • Celebrity Scandals 17 Mar 2010

    Only Some Bygones Are Bygones

    by Mel Campbell

    Brace yourselves: Matty Johns returns to the small screen next week. Why is it that only some celebs graduate from reputation rehab, wonders Mel Campbell

    Read the full article

  • Sbs 16 Mar 2010

    Not Happy At The Network

    by David Ingram

    The controversial direction taken by SBS has been met with serious staff dissatisfaction, according to an internal survey that management would rather you didn't read, writes David Ingram

    Read the full article

  • Culture 16 Mar 2010

    Flea Market Ethics

    by Ann Deslandes

    Vintage is more popular than ever. Ann Deslandes takes a break from cake-baking and op-shopping to consider the politics of vintage aesthetics and the reclamation of 50s femininity

    Read the full article

  • Therapy For News Junkies 15 Mar 2010

    Why Is Offshore Detention Popular?

    by Zoe Krupka

    It's not just politicians who like keeping problems out of sight — voters prefer to ignore difficult realities too, writes newmatilda.com's resident psychotherapist Zoe Krupka

    Read the full article

  • 20 Questions 15 Mar 2010

    Putting The Affairs Back Into Current Affairs

    by Newmatilda.com

    Sex sells, yes — and it also makes great journalism, just like fat people and foreigners who are probably terrorists. It's knowledge like this that makes Victoria Dynamite such a great reporter

    Read the full article

  • Media 12 Mar 2010

    The ABC Of Climate Denial

    by Ben Eltham

    Maurice Newman's attack on the ABC's editorial standards shows he is unfit to remain chair of the national broadcaster, writes Ben Eltham

    Read the full article

  • 20 Questions 8 Mar 2010

    Draw Your Own Conclusions

    by Newmatilda.com

    Regular newmatilda.com cartoonist Fiona Katauskas put down her pencils long enough to take the 20 Questions Challenge

    Read the full article

• Podcasts

  • Federal Politics 1 Mar 2010

    Will 'Sorry' Work?

    by Ben Eltham

    Will Garrett's demotion and Rudd's mea culpa stem the damage from the home insulation scandal? Ben Eltham is not so sure

    Read the full article

  • The Media Ate My Brain 28 Aug 2009

    Are Suri Cruise's Spews News?

    by Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith

    In this week's podcast, Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith wonder how interesting the daily life of a toddler can really be to the readers of Melbourne's Herald Sun

    Read the full article

  • The Media Ate My Brain 13 Aug 2009

    Sam The Koala Can Get Stuffed

    by Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith

    News that everyone's favourite Clap-afflicted marsupial will be kept alongside Phar Lap at the Melbourne Museum was almost too much for our resident podcasters

    Read the full article

  • The Media Ate My Brain 3 Aug 2009

    This One Goes Out To You, Kyle

    by Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith

    As Kyle Sandilands reveals he's unable to perform his duties as the nation's biggest nob for at least another week, Ben Pobjie and Cam Smith ask: who's really to blame for the 'incident'?

    Read the full article

• Satire

  • Satire 19 Mar 2010

    Peter Costello: Up Close And Very Personal

    by Tim Roberts

    Whose strings Tim Roberts had to pull to get hold of this transcript, we'll never know. What we do know is that it will change the way you think about Australian politics

    Read the full article

  • Satire 17 Mar 2010

    Hell Is An Atheist Convention

    by Ben Pobjie

    When Ben Pobjie saw what atheists do when they get together in a consensual environment, he was shocked. What's so great about eternal damnation?

    Read the full article

  • Satire 12 Mar 2010

    Waiting To Exhale

    by Tim Roberts

    Things got a little loose at a recent Coalition meeting. Tim Roberts saw the good times and then watched it all come crashing down to Earth

    Read the full article

  • Satire 10 Mar 2010

    Women: Is There Anywhere They Aren't?

    by Ben Pobjie

    Louis Nowra isn't the only chap who knows a thing or two about women. This week, Ben Pobjie got his vajazzle on to celebrate International Women's Day

    Read the full article

  • Satire 5 Mar 2010

    Texting The Void

    by Tim Roberts

    Tony Abbott made it back from the outback alive, thank the stars. But what really happened out there? It took surveillance footage, an army of lip-readers and Tim Roberts to uncover the truth

    Read the full article

  • Satire 3 Mar 2010

    The Purple Cravat View Of History

    by Ben Pobjie

    Christopher Pyne is right: black armbands are just not stylish enough to serve as a decent view of Australian History in our new national curriculum, writes Ben Pobjie

    Read the full article

  • Satire 25 Feb 2010

    What The Truckie Told Kevin

    by Tim Roberts

    Strange things happen behind closed doors. We don't know what Tim Roberts had to do to get hold of this material but we owe it to you, readers, to share it. You read it here first

    Read the full article

  • Satire 24 Feb 2010

    Beware Of The Shonky Operator

    by Ben Pobjie

    Don't know a pink batt from a flying fox? Ben Pobjie can tell you everything you need to know about insulation and why Peter Garrett is responsible for anything that goes wrong with it

    Read the full article

Andrew M. Potts

Andrew M. Potts is the lead columnist at the Sydney Star Observer newspaper.

Articles by Andrew M. Potts on newmatilda.com:

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