Plus: what makes a good royal commission?
View in browser
Saturday Jul 8
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Youtube
%%=v(@salutation)=%%
“Some politicians rise and fall. The scandals of others are simply never done.” This week Maeve McGregor wrote an early political obituary for Stuart Robert.

Elsewhere Ben Eltham riled up readers by commending a Greens politician on his efficacy in the housing debate, Bernard Keane brought you a three-part series on royal commissions, and Cam Wilson revealed the AFP secretly met with Clearview AI months after it was told not to use it.

All that and more in this wrap-up of the week in Crikey.

We hope you're having a wonderful weekend.
Gina Rushton Gina Rushton,
Editor
Advertisement
Ad
An unfinished political obituary for Stuart Robert, a flat circle
MAEVE MCGREGOR

Some politicians rise and fall. The scandals of others are simply never done.

Former Coalition minister Stuart Robert (Image: AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
 
‘They are torturing us. We cannot breathe’: A Kurdish refugee’s tweets and a nation damned
MAEVE MCGREGOR

In Australia, many refugees like Mostafa Azimitabar are still deemed unworthy of their humanity and what’s theirs under international law.

Mostafa Azimitabar speaks outside the Federal Court in Melbourne (Image: AAP/Joel Carrett)
 
Robodebt: illegal, unfair, cruel and the product of Morrison falsehoods
BERNARD KEANE

The robodebt royal commission report has been released and it reveals a shocking tale of deception within the public service and cabinet.

Scott Morrison at the robodebt royal commission in December 2022 (Image: AAP/Jono Searle)
Advertisement
Ad
You can be guilty of corrupt conduct but not be successfully criminally prosecuted
MICHAEL BRADLEY

Senior Liberals such as Matt Kean and Peter Dutton undermining the legitimacy of ICAC is shameless deception.

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (Images: AAP)
 
The pernicious long shadow of Scott Morrison 
MAEVE MCGREGOR

The political reaction to Gladys Berejiklian’s fall from grace reveals something sinister about Morrison’s enduring legacy.

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and former prime minister Scott Morrison (Images: AAP)
 
Robodebt’s human toll is an indictment of unfettered AI ambitions
CARLA WILSHIRE

To unleash a powerful technology such as robodebt without consequence to the implications for human life is beyond irresponsible. It is a callous and calamitous failure of public administration.

(Image: Zennie/Private Media)
 
Nine-owned Future Women awaits independent evaluation despite $17m government cash splash
JOHN BUCKLEY

The company has been the recipient of considerable government spending over the past 12 months. But just how effective its program is remains to be seen.

A screenshot of the Future Women website (Image: Supplied)
 
Peak AFR: in a single day paper launches ‘prestige’ watch fair and argues CEOs aren’t paid enough
CHARLIE LEWIS

It wasn't enough to argue CEOs should be paid more while Australia struggles with a cost-of-living crisis, the Fin also wants to sell us some 80 grand watches.

A man in a suit wearing an expensive watch (Image: Adobe)
 
Memo to public companies: you can’t kill off the physical AGM
STEPHEN MAYNE

Many public companies fear the physical AGM, whether due to protesters or angry shareholders. The pandemic offered a forced solution: hold them online.

(Image: Gorkie/Private Media)
 
Conservatives are mad (again) about IR reform. What happened last time?
CHARLIE LEWIS

Are we about to see a flurry of legal action and union thuggery in Aussie workplaces over industrial relations changes? Don't hold your breath.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (Image: AAP/Morgan Sette)
 
Max Chandler-Mather, publicity hound with a nose for the kill, is winning on housing
BEN ELTHAM

The Greens housing spokesman has rattled the PM and his government, but the newbie shows no signs of being overawed.

Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather (Image: AAP/Lukas Coch)
 
Indonesia decries AUKUS, yet is open to a defence pact with Australia. What gives?
ANTON NILSSON

'Indonesia has a very proud tradition of non-alignment,' an expert says.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Australian PM Anthony Albanese (Image: AP/AAP/Rick Rycroft)
 
How to make a royal commission effective enough to go after the Murdochs
BERNARD KEANE

What makes a good royal commission? There are ways to ensure they are not simply political props for politicians in a crisis.

Rupert Murdoch in London on June 22 2023 (Image: PA via AP/Victoria Jones)
 
Guns, God and bigotry: Australians grow cool on the US
CHRISTOPHER WARREN

Two recent polls reveal what Australians really think about America: we're cautious and sceptical.

US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Image: AP/Jonathan Ernst)
 
Diplomats convinced ICAC to censor nations where Maguire schemed. It didn’t work
ANTON NILSSON

At DFAT's request, ICAC de-identified several nations in its report on the 'corrupt conduct' of Gladys Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire. Figuring them out, however, isn't hard.

Disgraced former MP for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire (Image: AAP/Bianca De Marchi)
 
AFP secretly met with Clearview AI months after being told to not use it, emails reveal
CAM WILSON

Greens Senator David Shoebridge wants to know what legitimate reason the AFP could have to meet with the controversial company.

(Image: Adobe)
 
‘Not listening’: Traditional Owners ask Plibersek to hear them on water rights
JULIA BERGIN

The NT government has handed out the nation's biggest water licence to big business. Traditional Owners say it will leave them with no water.

Maureen Nampijinpa O’Keefe in Karlu Karlu, 100km north of Ali Curung (Image: Water Justice Project)
 
ABC taps David Speers for top political news job after showing Andrew Probyn the door
JOHN BUCKLEY

The broadcaster wouldn't be drawn on possible crossover between the new role and the recently scratched political editor position left by Probyn.

Insiders host David Speers and former ABC political editor Andrew Probyn (Images: ABC)