Originally published in The Australian As Prime Minister, I regularly affirmed that: climate does change, mankind does make a contribution, and we should do whatever we reasonably can to reduce our emissions. I’d normally add, though, that there was little point reducing emissions in ways that drove up our cost of living or just sent…
This funeral, is less a sad farewell to a great friend; and more, a joyous tribute to a great hero. It’s the celebration of a wonderful life; a once-in-a-generation gathering, of the people of faith; to re-dedicate ourselves to the ideals, George Pell lived for; and to draw strength, from each other, for the struggles…
23 January 2023 E&OE……………………….…………………………………………………………………………… Originally published in The Telegraph It is easy to be so consumed by day-to-day international events that you miss a major development. Some days ago, one such development occurred. The treaty, signed at the Tower of London, allowing British forces to be stationed in Japan, and vice-versa, marks a new phase…
Originally published in The Australian The best way to honour the dead is less to elaborate on their human decency than to take seriously the causes that mattered to them. Of course, it was hard to find a better man than the late Senator Jim Molan who was utterly dedicated to his family and to…
The passing of George Pell leaves a large, eclectic and global circle of friends and admirers bereft of a mentor. The Church has lost a servant and a teacher who came much closer than most to the imitation of Christ. And Australia has lost its greatest religious leader, at least since the redoubtable Archbishop Danny…
Originally published in The Daily Telegraph Goodwill towards Aboriginal people has never been greater and there is all-but-universal support for recognising indigenous people in the constitution. But this proposal for a constitutionally entrenched indigenous voice to the government and to the parliament is way beyond recognition. It’s a special body for some, but not all,…
In my retirement from day to day politics, I enjoy a spacious office on the 65th floor of a classic Sydney skyscraper, with panoramic views over the world’s finest harbour. Sometimes, my enjoyment of this vista is darkened by the thought of such peace and plenty being turned into something resembling Mariupol. If that’s an…
In the final chapter of his latest book, John Howard gives his view on why the Morrison government lost this year’s election. Of course, there was the “it’s time” factor after nine years. But the government didn’t help itself, he said, by lacking a strong fourth term agenda and refraining from fight on lots of…
Recognising indigenous people in the constitution is well worth doing but only if it’s done in ways that don’t damage our system of government and don’t compromise our national unity. Done well, recognition would complete our constitution rather than change it. Done badly, recognition would entrench race-based separatism and make the business of government even…
When you’re prevented by law from having large gatherings, for the best part of three years, these surely have been dispiriting times. Certainly, it’s been hard to practice freedom and enterprise, locked up in your house, and with your business closed on account of a virus. And with our country, two hundred years on, from…