Features Australia
The worst of friends
Go back three or four years and try to remember what your honest answer to the question, ‘What do you think of coalition governments?’ would have been. Certainly there were… Read more
The freedom wars
One of the most alarming political developments during the period of the current Labor government is the multi-front war it has waged, both directly and through its surrogates and apologists,… Read more
Ich bin ein Berliner
It was dazzling prospect, but it was also as exotic and unexpected as you could imagine: Barry Humphries narrating the story of his enthusiasm for the music of the Weimar… Read more
Harry Seidler’s umbrella
It has been seven years since the death of Sydney architect Harry Seidler, who left a legacy of some great buildings in Australia and around the world, a reputation as… Read more
Big-government Liberals
Much of the recent commentary surrounding the death of Margaret Thatcher reminded us that it wasn’t the Tory party her tumultuous decade in power changed forever, but rather the British… Read more
The deed that dare not speak its name
I picked up a cigarette packet the other day (not my own, of course) and was struck by a health warning I hadn’t seen before. None of the usual photos… Read more
A Pom’s Notebook
I confess to feeling a special thrill when, at the unveiling of the Australian squad for the Ashes, I discover I am on the only Englishman in the room. Needless… Read more
In praise of our politicians
Hardly a day goes by without someone somewhere — from talkback radio and writers’ festivals to Twitter and letters pages — fretting and wailing about Australian political life. But the… Read more
Welcome to Uglytopia
When Barack Obama, the ‘Hope-and-change demigod’, the surefooted darling of progressives, is humbled by political correctness, you know the concept has become self-cannibalising. In the President’s case, it was feminism… Read more
The South rises again
When the news broke a couple of years ago that James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave were to do Driving Miss Daisy (that quaint old tear-jerker directed on film by… Read more
Senator Assange
Earl Grey, famous for his family’s tea, has another claim to fame in Australia. He was the first person to achieve Julian Assange’s ambition: to be elected to an Australian… Read more
Farewell, fellow warrior
In October 1979, as Treasurer in the Fraser government, I attended the Annual Conference of the British Conservative Party in Blackpool. For the Tories, it was a rousing occasion. Margaret… Read more
Maggie! Maggie! Maggie! Oy! Oy! Oy!
There was a loud blare of a taxi’s horn and I nearly jumped out of my frozen skin. I was running down the middle of Old Compton Street, my fingers… Read more
Across the aisle
The Mark Latham/Chris Kenny spat on Sky News has received plenty of inside-the-beltway attention. In our many interviews, I have always found the Australian’s chief leader writer a respectful and… Read more
Desert storm is true oasis
It’s funny that Brett Sheehy, who as director of the Melbourne Festival paraded a swag of uninspiring offerings, should have brought to the city, as head of the Melbourne Theatre… Read more
Truthers of the world unite: your time has come
I’ve spent the past few months reacquainting myself with and then attempting to flog the truth. That’s not to say I used to be a liar — even if I… Read more
How does Julia sleep?
The year is 1999 and the Labor caucus is debating whether to support a Howard government amendment to capital gains taxation. The Victorian Right faction is in favour, and one… Read more
Playing to the gallery
Born out of confusion and controversy, the new Mordant Wing of the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay in Sydney stands as a reminder of what cities get when… Read more
A get-out clause for Heavie Kev
“There are no circumstances under which I will return to the leadership of the Australian Labor Party.” As far as definitive statements go they don’t come much more, er, definitive… Read more
Latest blogs
- Sally Bercow libelled Lord McAlpine, High Court rules Steerpike
- The British paedophile who’s still on the run James Kirchick
- Revive the Snooper’s Charter? It’s already obsolete David Blackburn
- Jesse Norman interview: Edmund Burke, our chief of men JP O'Malley
- Lee Rigby named as victim of Woolwich attack Sebastian Payne
- The friendless Help-to-Buy scheme Isabel Hardman
- Nothing to do with Islam? Douglas Murray
