Views on the news from Canberra’s top columnists
Columnist HUGH SELBY again finds his political imagination eavesdropping: he's observing the Civic meeting room of the Officers of the Perpetual Opposition, where its members have gathered for morning tea and sticky buns.
Nothing like an election debate to get people thinking, says cartoonist PAUL DORIN.
Reader JANINE HASKINS, of Cook, says the use of cannabis makes a person feel mellow, relaxed and often extremely happy and wonders what the fuss around its use is all about.
"We can’t thank Auntie for giving space to those schools on Canberra Avenue using the running down of two non-voters to press for changes to protect other non-voters as they cross the road..." HUGH SELBY finds his imagination eavesdropping.
Alcoholics Anonymous in Australia is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a national convention in Sydney this month. ROSS FITZGERALD, who has been sober for 55 years, looks at the organisation's history.
"Often the kindest thing that people do day in and out involves hidden efforts and invisible love, hidden from – especially from – the beneficiaries," writes Kindness columnist ANTONIO DI DIO.
"Is it true that drowning could be pleasurable? It seems not. Drowning is in fact a terrifying and life-threatening experience," writes Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
"Our media is replete with examples of sloppy English," bemoans reader PAUL VARSANYI, who has some to share.
"Not only did Albanese oversee a disastrous campaign for the Voice, in its wake he didn’t even put Aboriginal advancement on the back burner; he took it off the stove altogether," writes The Gadfly columnist ROBERT MACKLIN.
"To see useful change in government service, then articles and letters must start by recognising the apathy most of us have to politicians and their indifference to us." HUGH SELBY despairs at an electorate seduced by political illusions.
KEEPING UP THE ACT listens in to a top-level briefing from the prime minister about a mission that could affect the future of our nation.
"A bureaucratic jungle faces the applicant, who needs to have endless patience, the fortitude to resist the many obstacles, much time to spare, and either a lot of money or no money at all." HUGH SELBY grades the FOI system a fail.
"I am in my 80s, next to my property there is a huge government gumtree that drops leaves and nuts on to my drive. The hundreds of nuts are dangerous because I slip on them." But no-one in the bureaucracy is listening to RIA VAN DE ZANDT.
In Australia, as in other countries, cigarette smokers span the socioeconomic spectrum, but the poor are vastly over-represented, writes, Prof ROSS FITZGERALD.
Flattery through impersonation? Maybe Labor should enjoy the Liberal campaign a little more, says cartoonist PAUL DORIN.
Wake us when it's over... here's KEEPING UP THE ACT's return to Labor's loyal Just Us League.
"We have seen an upsurge in far-right politics that has been heavily based on the refugee and immigration issue, but it will affect many people other than refugees," writes JOHN MINNS.
Keep an eye on the Senate, says ZAREH GHAZARIAN, the people elected to it this year will have immense power for years to come.
Legal columnist HUGH SELBY says the nub of the problem with indigenisation is that in the Australian legal system that governs us all, it lacks the substance and the relevance to be given the role of “significant”.
