http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/matthew-di-leo/ Following a Masters in International Politics, Matthew is now slowly drifting along the calm blue sea of post-studial life.  After an eventful undergrad at Curtin, he joined the growing horde of West Aussies escaping the Barnett/Grylls regime by hitching a ride over to Australia’s cultural capital. Melbourne Uni took him under its wing and let him write a thesis on the republic which at least three people (including his mother) have read. He now lives in the inner-north and enjoys long macs because lattes are old hat. In between long sessions at the bar debating the finer points of constructivism, republicanism, or countless other isms he writes the occasional opinion piece and house blog. One day he’ll be forced to join the real world but for the moment he’s happy stalling for time. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-real-city-rivalry-melbourne-perth/ Returning home for summer is a continuing novelty for me. This may be explained in part by the fact the Melburnian summer exists only in myth, much like the unicorn or Dennis Lillee. Compared to the glorious and endless parade of 35-degree days in Perth, the southern capital is a pale and moody slouch.  Yes, it may be the cultural, sporting, and nightlife epicentre of the nation, but not even Events Victoria could poach a decent summer. Rain outside of winter does not make for happy tidings. As Thom Yorke croaked: “everything in its right place”. And that means, Melbourne, keep the damp in July and open up the summer goody bag sometime around December. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Matthew Di Leo) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-real-city-rivalry-melbourne-perth/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-real-city-rivalry-melbourne-perth/#item5002 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:35:25 +0000 Matthew Di Leo | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/how-to-start-worrying-and-love-disarmament/ Nuclear warfare isn’t as popular as it used to be. There was a time when it was on everybody’s lips, from the cheery family man stocking up a bomb shelter to fresh-faced children learning to crouch under desks. That old-fashioned pine was the best defence against hydrogen bombs was a bone of contention between engineers and education departments for years. The Cold War was a time when the world was an uncomplicated place. Red was bad.  Smoking was good. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Matthew Di Leo) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/how-to-start-worrying-and-love-disarmament/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/how-to-start-worrying-and-love-disarmament/#item2750 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:50:57 +0000 Matthew Di Leo | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/dont-be-distracted-by-the-balding-royal/ The arrival of young Willie Windsor in the Antipodes has brought renewed attention to the white elephant sitting in Australia’s lounge-room. The republic has stirred, goaded by the media frenzy surrounding the Prince and the cheap point-scoring by monarchists heralding Willie as the man to save them from well-deserved irreverence. It is nice to see him out there in Redfern, a slight change of pace from the official welcoming at Admiralty House. It is nice to see him mixing with the kids at Kirribili for lunch (Michael Clarke’s timely ton just snuck him onto the list). feedback@thepunch.com.au (Matthew Di Leo) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/dont-be-distracted-by-the-balding-royal/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/dont-be-distracted-by-the-balding-royal/#item2192 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:40:07 +0000 Matthew Di Leo | Author bios | The Punch