Brendan Brown
Brendan Brown is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in the National Times, The Punch and The Humanist magazine.
He has an Arts/Law degree, is a former economic policy adviser in Canberra and given the current state of Australian cricket, wishes he was a half-decent leg spin bowler.
Articles by Brendan Brown
RIP to the Paul Keating legacy
My political bubble recently burst when I realised this is a quintessential Labor government. I was convinced the Labor Party…... Read more
Stop groupthink: A blanket ban will stop the boats
The government’s failure to “stop the boats” is an albatross around its neck and the issue is driving the political…... Read more
Abbott’s dirty economic secret: he’s just like Labor
Tony Abbott’s left-wing instincts are destroying the economic credibility of the Liberal Party. Although he’s an effective opposition leader, it’s…... Read more
Hey God, reveal thyself!
Another day, another non-appearance by a religious prophet. As this article goes to press, neither Jesus, the Hidden Imam or…... Read more
Big Government talking down to big Australians
The Australian government is bent on making fat people slim in the most condescending way possible. Last month, an incredibly…... Read more
Punch: It’s no biggie if Julia doesn’t like foreign affairs
It’s been a tough few weeks for Julia Gillard. She was accused of pre-election lying over carbon pricing, demonised at…... Read more
Cory Bernardi is our very own Charlie Sheen
American celebrity culture and Australian politics don’t often make for useful comparisons - but then, it’s not every day that…... Read more
Gillard: From policy dud to economic hero
Gillard is becoming a very good Prime Minister. History doesn’t judge a Prime Minister by the quality of Australia’s education…... Read more
Kevin Rudd is in exactly the right place
Kevin Rudd might be egotistical, self-serving, mistake prone and a control freak but he is perfectly suited to the foreign…... Read more
Labor’s big grab for the economic right
After the indignity of having its then leader declare himself an ideological social democrat in a culture magazine, it’s the…... Read more
Why an atheist Prime Minister is better
Julia Gillard’s atheism and Tony Abbott’s catholicism were virtually non-issues in the 2010 election, even though Gillard’s godlessness may have…... Read more
Howard was good, but Keating was better
With the coming release of John Howard’s autobiography, Lazarus Rising, it’s worth considering Howard’s standing in Australia’s political history, and…... Read more
Left-wing Greens grapple with economics
At the start of this year, the Greens were huddled in a little cottage in the Tasmanian wilderness, admiring some…... Read more
My road to iDamascus with Steve Jobs as a prophet
After reading up on Jesus and Mohammed on the Wikipedia app on my iPhone 3GS, I was struck by how…... Read more
Let’s not overreact to Mossad’s hit on a terrorist
In the latest development in the fake passport controversy, Britain has expelled a senior Israeli diplomat and demanded a public…... Read more
Signs you may have a political ideology disorder
The first draft of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders was released last month by the American Psychiatric…... Read more
All ready to go to the election with no-one to vote for
With an election to be held sometime this year, it’s time to start pondering that important but not necessarily easy…... Read more
To my English teacher who said I couldn’t write
Since my year 12 English teacher said I was not much of a writer, I have always wanted to publish…... Read more
Tax reform: It’s a lot like 24, only in years
Taxation reform as a political issue may not float many people’s boat but in an election year it promises to…... Read more
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The Punch is moving house
Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…
Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?
I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”
In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go
Tim says:
They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go
Kel says:
If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
Superman needs saving
Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more
