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Author: Tony Smith

  • AUSTRALIA

    The questionable ethics of Australia's defence

    • Tony Smith
    • 05 May 2009
    6 Comments

    It is enouraging that the Government's Defence White Paper de-emphasises the US alliance in favour of self-reliance. However, we still desperately need community debate about the ways in which a military force can be used morally.

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  • ARTS AND CULTURE

    Living with Australia's beauty and terror

    • Tony Smith
    • 20 February 2009

    In contrast to tabloid television coverage of fires, Lohrey's writing explains much of our relationship to the bush. Like plaques in town halls honouring fallen soldiers, the task of rebuilding devastated communities is embedded in the national psyche.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    How lax commentary is failing cricket

    • Tony Smith
    • 27 January 2009
    20 Comments

    Today's commentators seem determined to speak about anything but the cricket — their lunches, last night's frivolities, films, politics and, most of all, themselves. Much more than the Australian players, Test cricket commentators are in crisis.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Overworked Aussies' imperfect match

    • Tony Smith
    • 23 October 2008

    The creed of Roy Slaven and H. G. Nelson is that too much sport is barely enough. While Ricky Ponting has denied talk of a falling out with his chief 'quick' Brett Lee, the plight of the Australian team in India proves there is such a thing as too much cricket. 

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Opposition tips for 'green' Liberal leader

    • Tony Smith
    • 30 September 2008
    2 Comments

    Not all Malcolm Turnbull's Coalition colleages wish him success. Influential Liberals from Melbourne will have their doubts following Turnbull's failure to realise that the Roosters rugby league team do not play AFL.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Protesters not to blame for Viet vets neglect

    • Tony Smith
    • 22 August 2008
    11 Comments

    Vietnam War supporters have been silent since creating the moral disaster faced by returning soldiers. These veterans were judged as failing mythical standards set by previous generations of warriors, and have suffered ever since.

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  • ARTS AND CULTURE

    Murder sequel has charm galore

    • Tony Smith
    • 18 July 2008

    Marion Halligan has a fine appreciation of the literary process linking author and reader. In Murder on the Apricot Coast she teases with a critique of sequels and argues that only the reader's imagination can extend the lives of literary characters.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Democrats' bastard demise

    • Tony Smith
    • 27 June 2008
    6 Comments

    At their best, the Democrats refused legislative trade-offs, viewing compromise as a step towards cynicism. Should deadlocks beset parliament in the months ahead, people may regret the departure of the party that tried to keep the bastards honest.

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  • ENVIRONMENT

    Kangaroo cull echoes colonial shame

    • Tony Smith
    • 23 May 2008
    14 Comments

    One of the most devastating effects of European settlement upon Aboriginal people was caused by fencing. Fences have also disrupted normal behaviour of kangaroos, which have come to be regarded as enemies by landowners.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    APEC echoes in World Youth Day idealism

    • Tony Smith
    • 18 April 2008
    2 Comments

    In both the Olympic Games and the Catholic Church's World Youth Day, young people advance ideals that could benefit the world. It should not surprise if people committed to international understanding are also committed to universal human rights.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Conscientious athletes need support, not gag

    • Tony Smith
    • 25 March 2008
    1 Comment

    The great hope for the Beijing Olympics was that it would persuade China's government that human rights protection is good diplomacy and good business. The power of persuasion would be lost if conscience-bound competitors are prevented from commenting.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Citizenship test is no joke

    • Tony Smith
    • 11 February 2008
    3 Comments

    The Minister for Immigration insists Labor will retain the citizenship test. Prime Minister Rudd jokes about the need to retain questions on mid-20th century cricket. The new government's credibility on issues of social inclusion is damaged.

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