RK Crosby says right wing populist simple slogans and cheap lines are cognitively easy to process, deliver a nice dopamine hit, and make scared people feel safe. And we have to fight it.
Political
Opinion: We either believe in Human Rights for all or we don’t
Annabel Doherty from Armidale writes: An act of terrorism occurred on Noongar Country in Boorloo on 26 January 2026. The people targeted were supporting a First Nations Invasion Day event.
Opinion: Ableism is the ism we refuse to see
RK Crosby says the ableism hides in plain sight, including in the NDIS.
A major overhaul of NZ’s local government is underway – will it really fix what’s broken?
New Zealand’s “Simplifying Local Government” proposal aims to abolish regional councils for efficiency. However, the plan risks reducing democratic representation, eliminating Māori constituencies, and failing to fix underlying funding issues.
Australia needs to get real about Trump’s changing America
Mark Carney’s Davos speech warns American leadership is no longer a reliable anchor for the US-Australia alliance. Australia must now move beyond comforting myths, hedge with regional partners, and invest in independent capabilities to ensure security.
Opinion: Nationals can now really represent bush
Mal Peters argues the Nationals split is a welcome move, freeing them from the Liberal “handbrake” to truly represent the bush. He backs David Littleproud to lead a strong opposition while criticizing Barnaby Joyce’s superficial politics.
Opinion: Is it too late for the National Party?
Annabel Doherty from Armidale argues the National Party should have split from the Liberals earlier to stop the drift to One Nation. She questions if it is now too late for their survival or if they will bank on a One Nation implosion.
Opinion: Morality, Law and the Question of Gun Ownership
Patrick Carr from Hillvue writes that the question of gun ownership is not just a legal issue – it’s a moral one.
Opinion: One hard truth and one simple message
NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Atchison writes that someone is dying on the roads in our state almost every day, and the message of how to fix it is clear.
Governments are hiding data, threatening democracy. Here’s how it affects you
From being custodians of public knowledge, governments are turning to architects of manufactured ignorance. Amid disappearing evidence, citizens are struggling to hold power to account
