It was a big week for public figures trying to keep a straight face. Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg continued to tell us that the economy is just fine, thanks (despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary), while former PM Tony Abbott was snapped visiting convicted paedophile George Pell in prison.

Elsewhere, we had a look into the airline making bank deporting asylum seekers for Home Affairs, the messy image of journalists going after their own sources, a giant payday for a certain cricketing icon, and the eternal debate of religious freedom

As always, we’d love to know what you thought of the week’s news by writing to boss@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name if you’d like to be considered for publication.

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BERNARD KEANE and GLENN DYER 3 minute read

A torrent of economic data emerged yesterday to suggest the stagnating economy is at risk of turning into something worse.

JUSTINE LANDIS-HANLEY 2 minute read

Australia has two high-profile international figures in jail. So why is the convicted paedophile being treated better than the whistleblower?

BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

Labor's claim that the Greens ruined the chance for effective climate action ignores the fact that Kevin Rudd's climate scheme was terrible policy.

MICHAEL BRADLEY 3 minute read

Critical medical care decisions are now back in the hands of bureaucrats. Those suffering on Manus Island and Nauru will not be surprised.

BEN ELTHAM 4 minute read

The reshuffling of the bureaucratic deckchairs doesn’t really mean the end of the Arts ministry. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be worried.

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 2 minute read

Taking action against a source is something of a journalistic cardinal sin. But that's not to say it doesn't happen.

BERNARD KEANE 2 minute read

A federal Labor MP has finally spoken out about the government's malicious campaign of intimidation against Witness K and Bernard Collaery.

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

Scott Morrison's public service changes restore management practices of previous decades, while failing to address core problems in the APS.

BERNARD KEANE and GLENN DYER 4 minute read

Australia's economic growth rate declined in the September quarter, with only government spending and good fortune on iron ore prices propping us up.

MICHAEL BRADLEY 4 minute read

Sarah Hanson-Young's win against David Leyonhjelm was the right result (but for the wrong reasons).

BENJAMIN CLARK 4 minute read

There’s been plenty written about recent boycott campaigns against Alan Jones, but we’ve heard little from the organisers behind them. Crikey spoke with the online activists.

CHARLIE LEWIS 2 minute read

All politicians walk a fine line between effective political speech and incomprehensible garbage. Some Australian lawmakers excel at both.

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

How much support are intelligence agencies giving their officers? Growing pressures on our intelligence officials may well harm our national security.