Lainie Anderson
In between being a mum to young twin boys, a freelance writer and running her own business, Lainie Anderson somehow finds the time to write a provocative weekly column in Adelaide’s Sunday Mail. She’s a former state political reporter for Melbourne’s Herald Sun and also spent a couple of years at The Times in London. Her favourite question is: “Did you know I’ve run three marathons?”
Articles by Lainie Anderson
This toxic asylum debate is poisoning everyone’s chances
Recently I wrote about Mike Osborne, a respected British immigrant who yearns to be a true Aussie, but can’t because…... Read more
Real life according to MKR
David Attenborough teaches us about the birds and the bees, Four Corners reveals what’s happening in the world, but for…... Read more
Would you trust these people to teach your children values?
Within hours of the drug scandal engulfing Essendon this week, I received an email with the subject heading: “Bomber’s new…... Read more
Hey Liberals, how about a bit of opposition?
“Worn down, cut off and out of ideas.” That was Friday’s headline on the resignation of Liberal leader Isobel Redmond,…... Read more
Taking endless selfies in the big cafe of life
We’ve all been there: relaxing over Sunday coffee in a lovely little cafe, only to have the peace pierced by…... Read more
Thanks holidays, for showing me how things have changed
The kids still look miserable when a cold wind blows. The car still fills with sand on the way home.…... Read more
Such a private thing as grief for some is eased in public
Roadside memorials: ugly eyesores or acceptable tributes? It’s a question I’ve often asked myself when driving past faded flowers, bleached…... Read more
A story of love, betrayal, and burnt sausages
A few months ago, when Max was safely out of the country, I did something so shocking that it’s turned…... Read more
Your survival guide for the school holidays
Only 37 days to go. Never mind the countdown to Christmas. It’s the five weeks stretching out between now and…... Read more
Obama has nothing to lose from a gun lobby fight
For hours, I’ve been arguing with my husband about how to start this column. I want to begin as a…... Read more
Supermarkets are no place for girls, either
This week we learned the painful truth that men don’t like to spend too much time in supermarkets. In a…... Read more
“No advantage” is a cruel understatement Mr Bowen
A one-way Qantas flight from Darwin to Jakarta costs as little as $441. That’s worth bearing in mind as the…... Read more
We all lie, but some lies are much worse than others
When I was 14 I told my mum a shocking lie. I promised her I wouldn’t get my hair permed,…... Read more
Wanted: A leader who’s actually up to the job
Watching Prince Charles potter around Australia this week, it struck me that he’s got quite a bit in common with…... Read more
This week’s appalling act of misogyny. Wasn’t. This.
The most appalling act of misogyny took place this week. It wasn’t in Australia. It most definitely wasn’t against Prime…... Read more
This helicopter parenting is really taking off
I was travelling interstate a couple of weeks back and rang home to speak to Max and our nine-year-old twins.…... Read more
Slaves to our devices, and it’s beginning to fry our brains
Admit it. You’ve already checked your emails today, right? Even on a Sunday, we’re enslaved by two little words, 11…... Read more
Some sobering thoughts on how to tackle boozing
In mid-2011, amid a spate of violent attacks in the city, the State Government proposed a 4am curfew in Hindley…... Read more
A celebrity who has always been on our level
This week I spent two days at a mining conference with Beaconsfield mine survivor Brant Webb, quickly discovering why he’s…... Read more
Our Olympians learned from a bad example at home
Tears! Tantrums! Bad sportsmanship! Olympics? Not a bit of it. I’m talking junior sports – one of the most tempestuous,…... Read more
Child exploitation: The horror, the horror
Back in January, SA Police established a special internet child exploitation unit to tackle the rise in internet predators and…... Read more
Ladies, don’t put all your eggs in a frozen basket
The New York Times ran an article recently with the rather fascinating headline: “Eager for Grandchildren, and Wanting Daughters’ Eggs…... Read more
Cry me a river, pollies, then show me a solution
Heartening to see our Canberra pollies moved to tears this week on the plight of asylum seekers. With around 100…... Read more
Vein thoughts on getting older and bedside manners
My eight-year-old son Harry was giving me a cuddle recently, and he looked up into my eyes and said: “Don’t…... Read more
Gun toting pair swimming in the shallow end of stupidity
On Monday night, FIVEaa radio host Bob Francis used his forum as one of Adelaide’s most popular radio celebrities to…... Read more
The nature of love and unnatural chastity
That wonderful institution called marriage has been in the media a lot this week – and for two very different…... Read more
Australia’s unspeakable indigenous tragedy
Niina marni. That’s “hello” in the Kaurna language of the Adelaide Plains. And isn’t it a travesty that none of…... Read more
So, this parenting thing. Anyone mastered it yet?
A few weeks back we got the note home from school that every parent fears: “Please come in for a…... Read more
There’s no such thing as the bogeyman, just a scapegoat
Remember when you were a kid and the bogeyman kept you awake at night? No matter how many times mum…... Read more
There’s nothing common about state funerals
Jason Akermanis – former footballer and king of indelicate comments – caused an unseemly furore in the AFL world this…... Read more
Mounting a defence of our armed forces
When Rod Stewart rocked Adelaide last month, he dedicated Rhythm of My Heart to the servicemen and women of Australia…... Read more
Knives are out and I wish they’d chop chop
I really wanted to write about My Kitchen Rules this week, but it turns out there’s even more distasteful backstabbing,…... Read more
Ideas from the University of the Bleeding Obvious
As politicians reconvened in Canberra this week, Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull was asked how he’d managed to shed 14kg over…... Read more
Pokies farce is Gillard’s biggest stumble yet
I was sorry to see Julia Gillard fall on Australia Day – it’s strangely unsettling to see an adult stumble,…... Read more
The tennis is awesome but I don’t love all
In between promos for Revenge, My Kitchen Rules and Please Marry My Boy, tennis star Marcos Baghdatis had a wee…... Read more
Mmmm whale steak. Sweet, sweet whale steak
Nothing makes me yearn for a whale steak like the sight of Aussie extremists acting all macho on the high…... Read more
Branding Anzac Day: Ostraya and the art of cringe
So the Federal Government is planning to create some kind of Anzac Day brand or motif for the 2015 centenary…... Read more
Think you can’t keep that resolution? Think again.
I caught up with a group of old workmates just before Christmas and couldn’t believe my eyes. In the 12…... Read more
There is an escape from the clutches of a hawker
“Hello, is that Mrs Brooks?” “No sorry – she hasn’t lived here for about nine years.” “That’s OK, this isn’t…... Read more
Time to junk the junkets
When I was working at Melbourne’s Herald Sun, I reported on an MP who’d used taxpayer funds to fly herself…... Read more
I’m absolutely fuming about smoking hypocrisy
Out of nowhere, my friend Robyn contracted pneumonia this week and ended up in hospital, gasping for breath and coughing…... Read more
Let’s tell these bloody street preachers where to go
In the name of God, why should anyone be force-fed the word of the Lord while they’re shopping? That swarthy…... Read more
My name is Lainie and I enjoy the pokies
I don’t have any huge vested interest, but I do enjoy a $20 flutter with Mum every couple of months.…... Read more
The real miracle of pregnancy isn’t childbirth
Nothing on this earth would entice me to have a baby at home. Call me old fashioned, but I’m all…... Read more
No kidding, gay couples make great parents
If we ever needed proof that politicians should respectfully butt out of moral issues like gay marriage, we got it…... Read more
The Kuta Kid deserves all the help in the world
This week a 14-year-old boy became the youngest Australian ever to face drug charges in Indonesia after being arrested for…... Read more
Houston wee have a problem
Four friends were dining over lunch in a swish Adelaide restaurant last weekend when a woman at the next table…... Read more
They’re not faring well and the answer’s not welfare
Teenage mums in Adelaide’s northern suburbs will soon lose their welfare payments if they don’t go back to school. Local…... Read more
This is one of the hardest columns I’ve ever written
“Good grief!” said the goose. “Well, well!” said the pig. “Who cares?” said the sheep. “So what?” said the horse.…... Read more
An early election might bring us some peace
Few people are more loathing of Tony Abbott than my amicable husband, Max. An Australia under Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm…... Read more
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Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”
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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
