Natasha Stott Despoja
Articles by Natasha Stott Despoja
Both sides agree - but will a referendum happen?
Last week we witnessed a rare sight: bipartisan agreement on a national issue. Leaders of the major parties spoke movingly…... Read more
Politics: where women are still second-class citizens
Women seem to be the expendables in Australia politics. Yet, even I was surprised how Senator Trish Crossin was treated…... Read more
A postcard from Washington, where 24/7 media rules
A whirlwind trip to Washington DC highlights the differences, and increasing similarities, between our systems. My congressional friends spoke of…... Read more
Kids are no prerequisite to empathy
Babies have been at the forefront of politics lately. Politicians kissing babies is never a bad thing if it serves…... Read more
Where are the healers in this fractured parliament?
It’s rare for a Senator to visit the House of Representatives chamber. During my time in Parliament, I occupied the…... Read more
Gillard reshuffles the deck chairs without conscience
Prime Minister Gillard’s reshuffle tops off her year of living dangerously. She went out on a limb with carbon pricing,…... Read more
Dust off your cucumber sandwiches, it’s time for a republic
It wasn’t hard to get into the pageantry and fun of the royal nuptials. We even made cupcakes with crowns…... Read more
A belated, qualified victory for working mothers
One positive feature of the dying days of the Howard Government was the cross party work among female MPs. Sisters…... 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
