Christmas again
Monday, December 24, 2018, 11:00 pm
Winding down at year’s end is bringing the traditional mix of devotional observances, silly season and anxiety about what’s likely to come next.
Lee Duffield writes.
‘Queenslander’ Scott Morrison misses the bus on the bushfires
Wednesday, December 5, 2018, 1:37 pm
The Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called on Queenslanders to obey bushfire warnings — from the G20 conference in Argentina.
Lee Duffield looks at how government leaders managed on the communication front during Queensland’s week of flames.
More pressure on embattled Board members at ABC
Tuesday, December 4, 2018, 10:35 pm
The national media union, the MEAA, wants a shake-up of the ABC to try and proof it against political interference, including a Board with more “independent, accountable and experienced” directors.
Lee Duffield says the call for more “transparency” is contained in a submission to a Senate inquiry – one of three announced investigations.
Victoria votes: Liberals with a lot to learn
Tuesday, November 27, 2018, 12:02 am
Lee Duffield looks at the 5% swing to Labor in the Victorian state election — moving from 45 to maybe 56 out of the 88 seats – and possible reasons. He says some main answers will be in long-term changes going on within the Liberal Party.
APEC Wars: No communique of idiocy
Monday, November 26, 2018, 11:23 pm
People of the Pacific states got money out of this month’s summit of the APEC organisation – Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation – but might have felt walked-over in the scrum for power. Lee Duffield reports the Pacific is a new discovery of the 21-member inter-governmental free trade forum.
The Armistice: “Ancient demons coming to the surface”
Tuesday, November 13, 2018, 11:24 pm
It came to France, scene of the epic battles of the Great War (1914-18), to host the celebration of its centenary on 11 November. Lee Duffield says it also fell to the French President, Emmanuel Macron, to post a reminder about the ideal of civilisation which the savagery of that war had jeopardised. VICTORY, PEACE, […]
New Caledonia: Referendum signals start of a new campaign
Monday, November 5, 2018, 11:14 pm
The no vote on Sunday’s independence referendum in New Caledonia came close enough for Kanak independence leaders to say they can fight again. Lee Duffield says that result might also be sweet enough both to damp down anger in the Kanak community, and cut down bravado and cockiness on the other side.
New Caledonia: “Vivre Ensemble” versus “Chez Nous”
Saturday, November 3, 2018, 11:15 am
Voters in this weekend’s independence referendum in New Caledonia are choosing between two radically different ideas of the future, despite decades of negotiation intended to create one common ground. Lee Duffield reports that among strong indications of a resounding “no” vote the territory is approaching the poll with fears of a violent aftermath…
Leader Profile: Ralph Regenvanu, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu
Wednesday, August 1, 2018, 10:24 pm
Lee Duffield interviewed the Foreign Minister at Port Vila in Vanuatu on 23 July 2018. He found a frank and open, and informing account of current issues in Vanuatu.
Are the Liberals really done for?
Sunday, December 23, 2018, 2:03 pm
Reported by Lee Duffield
As soon as the Labor Party won easily in the Victorian elections on 24 November commentators country-wide shut things down, saying the federal Liberals have no chance of re-election next year.
Lee Duffield assesses that, asking what is making voters tick, and what kind of new messages will get communicated in the coming months as Liberals campaign in panic.