Pearls and Irritations
P&I — independent commentary on public policy, politics, and Australia's place in the world
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Latest posts
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Tungsten in Gaza and Tasmania
A proposed tungsten mine in Tasmania’s Takayna rainforest would feed a soaring global weapons market. Bob Brown cannot understand why we would contemplate both an attack on the ancient ecosystem at Mt Lindsay, and on the lives of innocent children.
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Why we need a national summit on democratic renewal
Trust is a precious commodity, essential to democracy. Our 'leaders' need to work much harder to re-earn our trust, and retain it.
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Israel's lessons for Victoria
The Israeli election has some lessons for Australia. Especially for the Victorian election in four weeks' time.
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'Most bigoted campaign ever' - US midterms
Republican attacks on Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed – from Ted Cruz's 'jihadist leprechaun' slur to Donald Trump's smears – mark one of the most openly bigoted US campaigns in decades.
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Europe's young deserve more than vague promises
Across France and the wider EU, young people are demanding what their elders took for granted: secure jobs, affordable homes and competitive industries. Europe's leaders are failing to deliver.
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'Ecological thinning’ or logging by another name
In 2024, the Victorian and Western Australian governments announced they had ended commercial logging in native forests. But did they?
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Adelaide festival back in action for 2027
Next year's Adelaide Festival will include the weird and the uncanny, and seeks absolution after the cancellation of Adelaide Writers Week this year.
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AUKUS and the delusion of progressive patriotism
Pat Conroy presents AUKUS as an expression of Labor values and Australian sovereignty. But its enormous costs, troubled procurement record and dependence on Washington tell a different story.
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AUKUS and the delusion of progressive patriotism
Pat Conroy presents AUKUS as an expression of Labor values and Australian sovereignty. But its enormous costs, troubled procurement record and dependence on Washington tell a different story.
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As COP31 approaches, a stark warning: Climate change is killing us
A major Lancet report has found heat-related deaths are rising as climate action falls behind. Its 146 authors want climate change formally recognised as a global health emergency.
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As COP31 approaches, a stark warning: Climate change is killing us
A major Lancet report has found heat-related deaths are rising as climate action falls behind. Its 146 authors want climate change formally recognised as a global health emergency.
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US should spy on Chinese firms to maintain edge in tech race: ex-CIA official
A former CIA deputy director wants US intelligence agencies to steal foreign commercial secrets for American tech firms.
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US should spy on Chinese firms to maintain edge in tech race: ex-CIA official
A former CIA deputy director wants US intelligence agencies to steal foreign commercial secrets for American tech firms.
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China is Tesla’s greatest asset, not a liability
Separating Tesla's Chinese operations might satisfy US security concerns, but it won't undo decades of industrial interdependence. China's manufacturing expertise extends far beyond the Shanghai factory.
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China is Tesla’s greatest asset, not a liability
Separating Tesla's Chinese operations might satisfy US security concerns, but it won't undo decades of industrial interdependence. China's manufacturing expertise extends far beyond the Shanghai factory.
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The missing investment in Australia's housing crisis
Australia is investing billions in community housing, but smaller regional providers struggle to access funding. Without investment in their capacity, communities risk missing out on desperately needed homes.
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The missing investment in Australia's housing crisis
Australia is investing billions in community housing, but smaller regional providers struggle to access funding. Without investment in their capacity, communities risk missing out on desperately needed homes.
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AI war fakes are spreading faster than X can correct them
AI-generated war footage can reach millions before anyone checks it. Paid verification, engagement incentives and slow corrections are making X a dangerous place for wartime misinformation.
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AI war fakes are spreading faster than X can correct them
AI-generated war footage can reach millions before anyone checks it. Paid verification, engagement incentives and slow corrections are making X a dangerous place for wartime misinformation.
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Australia knows what's wrong with innovation. So why can't it fix it?
Decades of innovation reviews have identified the same problems and proposed similar solutions. But without the expertise and institutions to implement them, little changes.