DON’T QUOTE ME
The Albanese government misrepresented the anti-gas stance of The Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation and should take its quotes out of the Future Gas Strategy document, chair Samuel Sandy told Guardian Australia. The quotes include the corp saying energy security is a “pressing issue” and without it, the storage of medicine and food, as well as school attendance, suffers. But its submission went on to say: “The answer for the problems of energy security in our communities is not gas but solar energy which is free, plentiful and does not cause further damage to the climate”. Instead, the strategy touts filthy fossil fuel gas as an energy source to net zero and beyond. It’s “wrong and upsetting” that the government has “not listened to what we’re saying”, Sandy said.
Meanwhile, opposition Indigenous spokesperson Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says $27 million of federal money for truth-telling, Treaty and Voice should go towards stopping violence in Alice Springs and remote Indigenous communities instead, The Australian ($) reports. Price added that the vote against the Voice last year was a vote against the entire Uluru Statement of the Heart, including the Makarrata Commission — it would oversee Treaty and truth-telling. It comes as Whadjuk Noongar woman and Channel 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs shared an email from a viewer that read “cleavage is for the nightclub”, The National Indigenous Times reports. Jacobs said the feedback went to the entire newsroom and was intended to shame and humiliate her.
PRO-TESTING TIMES
Greens leader Adam Bandt says Israel ignored the International Court of Justice’s calls to prevent harming Palestinian civilians, the ABC reports, calling for the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon as a consequence. Bandt said Labor, including Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, keep showing concern about Rafah’s looming invasion but isn’t doing enough to prevent it. Meanwhile, Greens Senator Dorinda Cox says she has chanted “from the river to the sea [Palestine will be free]” at protests and said the slogan is “grounded in peace and freedom”. Sky News Australia pressed her to condemn October 7 — Cox said the focus needed to be “ending the destruction … of the lives of women, children and communities in Gaza”. Around 1,200 Israelis were killed that day, and Al Jazeera says over 34,000 Palestinians have been killed since.
It comes as Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said people can make a complaint under the Racial Discrimination Act about slogans that worry them, like “intifada” and “from the river to the sea”, The Age reports. University leaders from Sydney and Monash had written to him to get advice on the legality of the phrases, to which he responded that, as attorney-general, he does not provide legal advice. In Canberra, ANU is investigating allegations a student held her finger beneath her nose in an apparent mimic of Adolf Hitler — she was kicked out of the meeting. It’s not clear if she actually meant to do so, The Australian notes. In SA now and student protesters at Adelaide University’s Gaza solidarity encampment were attacked with homemade firecrackers twice in three days, The Advertiser reports. No-one was injured in the attack and the SA Police are investigating.
LINE ‘EM UP
There are at least 12 public servants that make nearly double Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s salary, which at $586,950 makes him at least in the top five highest-paid leaders worldwide. The Daily Telegraph reports they include the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Glyn Davis on $977,200; Treasury’s Steven Kennedy on $952,770; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Adam Fennessy on $928,340; the Attorney-General Department’s Katherine Jones on $928,340; and Defence’s Greg Moriarty on $928,340. It comes as a budget night event at the National Press Club has sold out even though it’s a stand-up event with nibbles and tickets set one back $1,500 a pop, the SMH reports.
Meanwhile to a very different list now and the ABC has revealed its new content lineup this year, The New Daily reports. Among the new shows: former 7.30 host Leigh Sales will follow student journalists living with autism, breakfast host Lisa Millar will explore where muster dogs end up, and breakfast radio host Sammy J will co-host Secret Science. Rock singer Jimmy Barnes‘ daughter Elly–May Barnes will host a show about musicians living with disability, while comedian Tom Gleeson will run a Hard Quiz series for kids. Speaking of kids — Treasurer Jim Chalmers wants us to have more, even though he knows it’s expensive. The SMH reports natural population growth (births minus deaths) is 14% lower than in 2019, and the fertility rate is 20% lower (!) than during the GFC in 2008. Chalmers also said those on income support payments and pensions would get more cost of living relief in this budget, Guardian Australia reports.
ON A LIGHTER NOTE
As a chef, there was plenty of creativity in Jimmi Buscombe’s bread-and-butter. But there was something about the fine arts that called to him, calling him to the side of the Otway Road train bridge in Warrnambool, where he stood one Friday in 2018 and illustrated a wombat emerging from a cave. He didn’t have council permission but it was just chalk, he figured, and would wash away the next rainy day. But when a former graffiti removalist turned landscaper Phil Hoy noticed the artwork, he was so impressed that he grabbed a can of automotive clear coat and immortalised it onto the wall instead. Wait a minute, Buscombe realised days later. Why hadn’t it washed off? He tried water, then metho, then acetone, but the wombat wouldn’t budge. Uh-oh, he thought. When he met Hoy and heard what he’d done, the pair cracked up.
ABC journalist Emily Bissland had noticed the artwork on the train for months and finally asked Buscombe the story behind it. Next minute, the little wombat — christened Gutsy — had gone viral in a fantastically humorous video. “Although it’s art, it’s graffiti,” a sombre Buscombe says, before it cuts to an animated Hoy saying “It’s not graffiti, it’s art!”. Bissland says there was something so “essentially Australian” about the whole story — the civil disobedience, the humour, Hoy and his zany headwear, and the unlikely friendship between the pair. In a world where so much of the news is negative, it’s a salve to see the power of the human spirit, whether it’s through comedy, coincidence, courage, creativity, or curiosity. And that’s what I hope I’ve brought to you, dear Worm reader, in this section during the past three years. So — thanks for having me.
This is my last newsletter. The Worm will be taking a short break while our new recruit gets their feet under the desk. In the meantime, look out for a snack from the Crikey team in your inbox to add to your daily media diet. And stay in touch with me if you’d like — e.elsworthy@gmail.com.
Hoping you always look for the light, no matter how dark it is. Bye now.
SAY WHAT?
How can we come back from this in a way that’s fair to President [sic] Trump?
Todd Blanche
Trump’s lawyer, who incorrectly referred to him as president in what one might hope is not accurate foreshadowing come November, is worried about Stormy Daniels‘ under-oath statements being unfair. She testified about harassment and ostracism, not to mention the infamy, after the alleged hush money deal went public.
CRIKEY RECAP
“So, what’s the difference between a leak and a drop? Crikey’s federal political reporter Anton Nilsson says a drop is when the information in question is ‘in the government’s strategic interest’ to release, whereas a leak is not. In 1980, The Age’s Laurie Oakes famously had the entire budget leaked to him and reported its contents before then treasurer John Howard could announce it himself.
“Leaks are increasingly rare these days while drops become more common, with much of the budget revealed before budget night. Last week, an embargoed media release was put out by Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth’s office, explicitly titled ‘PRE-BUDGET DROP’.”
“None of those experts have ever claimed that all men are violent. Many have said that all men need to be part of the solution, but I’ve not seen anyone suggest the way to do this is for all men to take the blame for violent men. Rather, men have been asked to take responsibility for themselves and participate in community action.
“This is not an unusual or controversial request. Men have no difficulty with this concept during a hot summer when fire danger is high. They don’t sit about complaining that the old man down the road couldn’t manage all his fuel reduction; they turn up with a ute and a chainsaw and get it done.”
“Remember, this is the sector that played a role in the way the Coalition lost control of Australia’s borders to visa scammers and fake refugee applicants. It should have been under intense scrutiny.
“But there is literally no aspect of OMARA’s operations that was done properly: the framework within which it was supposed to operate didn’t exist or was outdated; it didn’t use its powers to investigate complaints; it didn’t vet applicants; it didn’t use its powers to monitor agents; it didn’t use its powers to sanction agents; it didn’t report properly; and it misled its minister.”
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Russia’s Putin says ‘arrogant’ West risking global conflict (Al Jazeera)
Venezuela may be first nation to lose all its glaciers (BBC)
How Rupert Murdoch quietly helped Mike Johnson survive Marjorie Taylor Greene’s ouster attempt (CNN)
‘You wanted money, right?’: Trump team tries to dent Stormy Daniels’ testimony (The Guardian)
Canada’s foreign student push ‘mismatched’ job market, data shows (CBC)
What is behind the Malta hospital scandal that has led to charges against former PM Joseph Muscat? (euronews)
Deaths in Brazil floods rise to 107, horse rescued from rooftop (Reuters)
What happens when a happening place becomes too hot (The New York Times) ($)
THE COMMENTARIAT
By cancelling Mother’s Day, this school is so inclusive it excludes mums — Brad Emery (The SMH): “By the same token, not everyone has someone in their family who has served their country in the military. By the logic of the cancel cadres, should we therefore change ANZAC Day to Thanks Day, where we celebrate all our loved ones who have done something for the country at some stage? In any given year, it would no doubt be the case that not everyone has a ‘special someone’ in their lives. Should Valentine’s Day therefore be renamed Cheap Gift Day — a day when we ‘celebrate the commercialisation of society by purchasing something that tastes nice, smells nice or looks nice for someone we know’? Preferably something so cheap that it can be either re-gifted or thrown out the next day.
“Not everyone is Irish, or Roman Catholic, or has a particular dislike of snakes. Should St Patrick’s Day therefore be renamed Green Day? Oh, wait, that’s already taken. The banality of the cancel movement in all its forms can be summed up as the vain pursuit of making everyone feel special so that eventually no one does. A watery, bland, beige society where no one is celebrated in case any single person feels left out and — heaven forbid — someone needs to feel a negative emotion and work through it, perhaps enlightening themselves in the process.”
Why was a radicalised student, on a watch list, given access to a prayer room at school? — Basil Zempilas (The West Australian) ($): “1. You tell me if this makes sense. Two years ago a 14-year-old student set off a lithium bomb in a toilet block at Rossmoyne Senior High School. That action and what the director general of education described as other ‘unusual behaviour’ led the school to refer the young man, known as James, to police. He was placed on a watch list, referred to Australian Federal Police and was enrolled in a national de-radicalisation program. He had been radicalised and was on a pathway to Islamic extremism. Yet despite all of that, the education department allowed a prayer room to be set up and used by the young man at school, during school hours.
“I’ll say it again, the kid had been radicalised, and he was given access to a prayer room. What was James doing in there and what influence was he having on other students? And how could anyone have thought that was a good idea? 2. You might think the tragic and disturbing circumstances of the last week would be the Education minister’s sole focus, but no, not for Minister Buti. Somehow he managed to move on from the events referred to above with breathtaking speed and used Parliament to continue his ill-advised attacks on the City of Perth for not falling at his feet over the land for an East Perth Primary School. You sure this is the week, Minister? 3. But given he brought it back up, let’s go through it one more time for the minister I’m close to renaming Sleeping Buti.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Yuggera and Turrbal Country (also known as Brisbane)
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Book lovers including Fiona Stager, Jaclyn Knight, Laura Sweeney, and Michaela Walsh will talk classics at Avid Reader bookshop.
