Vol 33 No 8

01 May 2023

AUSTRALIA

Speaking in tongues: In conversation with Father Bob Maguire
- Michael McVeigh
- 12 May 2023
3 Comments
In January 2006, I interviewed Father Bob Maguire. Father Bob was gracious enough to give me an hour of his time one afternoon in a conversation that was memorable, enlightening and entertaining at the same time. Here, published for the first time, is that interview in full.
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AUSTRALIA

The moral grammar of budgets
- Max Jeganathan
- 11 May 2023
In the midst of budget season, a question lingers: Are we mere self-interested individuals, exclusive tribespeople, or true citizens committed to the common good? As the Treasurer unveils new allocations, the focus remains on headlines while overlooking the moral essence of budgetary decisions.
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INTERNATIONAL

Hidrellez: The green saint who straddles faiths and cultures
- William Gourlay
- 11 May 2023
2 Comments
The celebration of Hıdrellez in Turkey unites secular, urbanized communities to honor the arrival of spring on 6 May. Marked by rituals rooted in diverse traditions, the mythical figure of Hıdrellez blends Islamic and Old Testament influences fusing cultures, religions, and customs in yearly observance.
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INTERNATIONAL

Is Artificial Intelligence human?
- Andrew Hamilton
- 11 May 2023
3 Comments
Both the resignation of Google AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton and Pope Francis' recent address on technology highlight concerns about unrestricted technological development and the urgent need for informed discourse on the potential of AI to reshape communication, governance, and self-understanding.
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AUSTRALIA

Voices beyond Yes and No
- Celeste Liddle
- 10 May 2023
17 Comments
Later this year, Australians will vote on a referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, but many Indigenous Australians remain undecided, reflecting the complexities of the issue. The debate over the Voice to Parliament extends beyond the referendum question to encompass broader concerns about the constitution, treaties, and achieving true equality.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

Crowned with many crowns
- Juliette Hughes
- 09 May 2023
6 Comments
It didn’t bother me to watch the coronation. I was always going to, not least because I remember the last one. Despite astrologers' claims that the date of the coronation of King Charles III was a bad omen, the day was a moment of celebration for many; a chance to watch some history and hear some pretty decent music.
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AUSTRALIA

The end of the dream job
- David Halliday
- 08 May 2023
1 Comment
When chief film critic for The New York Times left his dream job after 23 years, he blamed the lack of original and imaginative work in an industry dominated by conglomerates. While many are lamenting the state of film, the question remains: what does it mean for an art form to diminish?
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AUSTRALIA

‘A spiritual notion’: The Voice and the yearnings of our hearts
- Michael McVeigh
- 05 May 2023
1 Comment
Recent books Statements from the Soul and An Indigenous Voice to Parliament explore different perspectives on the Uluru Statement, including the relationship between the land and Indigenous people and the legal impact of the proposed constitutional change, while demonstrating the need to appeal to hearts and minds in rallying support for an Indigenous Voice.
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AUSTRALIA

Frank Brennan and an Indigenous Voice to Parliament
- John Warhurst
- 04 May 2023
20 Comments
Frank Brennan's book An Indigenous Voice to Parliament: Considering a constitutional bridge is an urgent contribution to this important national debate around the shaping of the Voice and the referendum question. It is a book concerned with what’s likely to be successful rather than a manual on how to vote.
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AUSTRALIA

Labor takes ownership: What to expect from Chalmers' second budget
- James Massola
- 04 May 2023
2 Comments
Jim Chalmers’ second budget marks the moment the federal Labor government takes full ownership of the national economy. This budget shapes as a more ambitious document and a more authentically Labor one, too. Chalmers is seeking to look after those who are less well-off, while balancing that against the need to avoid overspending.
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AUSTRALIA

Spare the child
- Andrew Hamilton
- 04 May 2023
1 Comment
When is a child fully responsible for their actions? The State Attorneys General have met to seek agreement on raising the age of criminal responsibility to 12, provoking questions around whether children can be held fully accountable for their actions at such a young age, and whether the criminal justice system needs to focus on rehabilitation over punishment.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

In praise of libraries
- Andrew Hamilton
- 01 May 2023
2 Comments
As the world moves towards digitalisation, the importance of physical libraries is increasingly being questioned. But as local libraries struggle with underfunding and centralisation, the question remains: where else have we found their equivalent today?
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ARTS AND CULTURE

That other coronation
- Gillian Bouras
- 01 May 2023
5 Comments
As the UK prepares for the coronation of King Charles, ideas about national pride and loyalty to the crown have been revolutionised since Queen Elizabeth's coronation, as attitudes towards the British monarchy continue to change both at home and abroad.
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ECONOMICS

When transactions mask reality
- David James
- 01 May 2023
As the economy becomes more focused on monetary exchange, we overlook underlying realities that are hidden from plain sight. Largely invisible aspects of our economic life such as transactionalisation and industrial efficiency are transforming our society and can shape our future in unexpected ways. So what does this mean for the future of capitalism and our society?
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Vol 33 No 8