John Lewis

Congrats to Denise for this tireless effort in collating and making available all the progressives news and views fit to print each weekday. Looking forward to the next 500.

For royal commissions to work, the public has to believe in it. In Bondi, that trust is hanging by a thread A royal commission can only succeed if the public believes in its process, integrity and outcomes. An early problem with the Bondi royal commission is ringing alarm bells.

A royal commission can only succeed if the public believes in its process, integrity and outcomes. An early problem with the Bondi royal commission is ringing alarm bells, writes Michael Bradley.

www.crikey.com.au/2026/03/13/d...

For Albanese, joining a global atrocity is far less “difficult” than Grace Tame - The Shot Lack of widespread accountability has always protected horrible men. This layer of protection has lasted so long and grown so...

For Albanese, joining a global atrocity is far less “difficult” than Grace Tame theshot.net.au/uncategorize...

The difficult truth Writing exclusively for Crikey, Grace Tame reflects on the prime minister calling her 'difficult', the media storm following her pro-Palestine chant, and which social causes do and don't ignite public...

The difficult truth www.crikey.com.au/2026/03/13/g...

The NACC robodebt report: A heartbreaking work of staggering incompetence Rick Morton wrote the book on robodebt. He delivers a damning verdict on the NACC's long-awaited robodebt report, which exonerated Scott Morrison and Kathryn Campbell.

The NACC robodebt report: A heartbreaking work of staggering incompetence www.crikey.com.au/2026/03/13/n...

ifloz.substack.com/p/the-pump-p...

The Kyle and Jackie O theory of international law In other words, the rules apply until they don’t.

The Kyle and Jackie O theory of international law www.crikey.com.au/2026/03/13/t...

Trump Removes Sanctions on Russia to Help Oil Flow Amid Iran Conflict

1. Donald Trump starts a war with Iran, deeply unpopular with the American people, that causes oil prices to spike.

2. Trump allows Russia to sell its oil at those inflated prices, giving Russia far more money for its war with Ukraine.

3. Trump is Russia First.
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/12/u...

Highlighting Husic pointed to research from The Australia Institute, Ed Husic showed Parliament that roughly 30% of Australia’s gas exports are not required to meet existing contracts.

“These facts will stun Australians,” Husic said.

Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4blZWUO

Single frame. Title: “Meanwhile, in a Syrian refugee camp”. Scene is refugee camp in washed out colour with tents, adult and child carrying babs in background. Foreground: woman in robe and hijab holding a soccer ball speaks to three young children saying, “Pay attention kids. This could be our only hope.”

Game of hope.
My @smh @theage cartoon.

They Lied About The School Bombing In Iran, And They're Going To Keep On Lying And Other Notes

They Lied About The School Bombing In Iran, And They're Going To Keep On Lying
open.substack.com/pub/caitlinj...

Medicare for All - "That's socialism!"

Social Security - "That's socialism!"

Debt free education - "That's socialism!"

Universal childcare - "That's socialism!"

$1 billion per day on a war in the Middle East that no one wants, while millions of people at home struggle.

"That's just how it is."

More rumors are going around Netanyahu is preparing to use nukes against Iran to stop the war. This would be a war crime and a stain the the American people that will never wash off.

Israel minister praises Penny Wong on Iran, Queensland speech ban - Michael West Israeli minister tells Zionist leaders that Australia's support for the Iran War is right, exhorts states to pursue Queensland's speech bans.

Obtained footage of Zionist meet with Israel FM:
Leibler - "Australia most Zionist community in world"
Sa'ar - "I want to praise .. Queensland" other states should follow Israel speech bans
#auspol @sstephanietrann.bsky.social
michaelwest.com.au/israel-minis...

NAPLAN is being used by some schools as an entrance exam. This isn’t what it’s designed to do NAPLAN’s boss says it’s ‘horrendous’ some schools are using the test to determine school entry.

NAPLAN is being used by some schools as an entrance exam. This isn’t what it’s designed to do
theconversation.com/naplan-is-be...

Friday essay: ‘epic fury’ – the men of MAGA might be the most emotional US leaders ever The emotional outbursts of MAGA men can seem spontaneous and even silly – but we should take them seriously, especially when they apply to war.

Friday essay: ‘epic fury’ – the men of MAGA might be the most emotional US leaders ever
theconversation.com/friday-essay...

Grattan on Friday: Dennis Richardson’s exit puts antisemitism royal commissioner under more pressure Dennis Richardson leaving the Royal Commission has raised eyebrows and raised more questions about the commission and it’s scope.

Grattan on Friday: Dennis Richardson’s exit puts antisemitism royal commissioner under more pressure
theconversation.com/grattan-on-f...

Nations will release an extra 400 million barrels of oil to the market. All we need to do now is not panic at the pump Governments in Australia and New Zealand aren’t sitting idle in the face of spiking fuel prices. Here’s what they’re doing – and what might make a difference

Nations will release an extra 400 million barrels of oil to the market. All we need to do now is not panic at the pump
theconversation.com/nations-will...

The term 'Social Cohesion' is far more damaging than 'From the river to the Sea' or 'Globalise the Intifada' because it can and is being weaponised by more people of consequence.

We can’t coerce our way to social cohesion. Here’s what else governments should be doing Can we really create more cohesive societies by banning everything we deem to be not cohesive? It can be part of the approach, but there’s more work to do.

We can’t coerce our way to social cohesion. Here’s what else governments should be doing
theconversation.com/we-cant-coer...

'I won't remove it': Dee Madigan ruled in contempt of Parliament over Bleijie 'tantrum' tweet Ad executive and Labor strategist Dee Madigan is deemed in contempt of Queensland Parliament for using parliamentary video in a tweet that ridiculed LNP MP Jarrod Bleijie, but says she's still not del...

You don't have to be a Queensland citizen for the Qld LNP to come after you in some fashion. The 2018 case in which Jarrod Bleijie was ridiculed.

Given the criminalisation of speech situation in Qld, we have to be prepared across Australia's borders. #qldpol www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12...

I had long wondered what will happen after the sick, indulged and precocious little boy in Trump discovered the taste of blood-lust on a grand scale, I fear we may be on the cusp of finding out, my fearful guess is tactical nuclear war may be about to debut on the world stage.

Armageddon politics and the danger of religious war rhetoric Reports that US commanders have framed the war on Iran as part of a divine plan highlight the dangerous intersection of religious prophecy and modern military power.

Armageddon politics and the danger of religious war rhetoric johnmenadue.com/post/2026/03...

Louis Theroux’s Inside the Manosphere exposes the business model of misogyny Louis Theroux's new documentary highlights how online influencers are repackaging misogyny, anti-feminism and male grievance as self-improvement – building profitable digital communities that shape ho...

Louis Theroux’s Inside the Manosphere exposes the business model of misogyny johnmenadue.com/post/2026/03...

Illegal tariffs, tax cuts for the wealthy, and an unauthorised war - Part 2 Cuts to healthcare and foreign aid, combined with an unauthorised war, reveal the human consequences of fiscal and political choices now measured in lives.

Illegal tariffs, tax cuts for the wealthy, and an unauthorised war - Part 2 johnmenadue.com/post/2026/03...

Former defence leaders say oil wars threaten our security, and climate change deepens the danger In full-page statements in the national media today, 19 Australian security practitioners and former Defence leaders have published an Open Letter on why Australia’s dependence on fossil fuels is a cr...

Former defence leaders say oil wars threaten our security, and climate change deepens the danger johnmenadue.com/post/2026/03...

Treatment of Iranian asylum seekers reeks of contradictions Australia quickly offered protection to Iranian women footballers who drew global attention. At the same time, new migration laws aim to prevent other Iranian visa holders from even reaching Australia...

Treatment of Iranian asylum seekers reeks of contradictions johnmenadue.com/post/2026/03...