This week's best stories

Saturday Aug 17

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Paul Keating's swipe at former US speaker of the house Nancy Pelosi (“recklessly indulgent”) had us reminiscing about his most brilliant, brutal sledges. The brand-new Paul Keating Sledge-O-Meter ranked his best from “warm lettuce” to “gone troppo” — don't forget to read the comments, where subscribers picked up some gems we missed.

Also this week, Scott Morrison took to the stand to give evidence in Linda Reynolds' defamation case against Brittany Higgins… and somehow managed to make himself the victim. Again.

Plus the latest in our series on Labor's half-hearted gambling advertising reforms explores how online betting hijacks the brain to achieve unprecedented levels of addictiveness.

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend.

Crystal Andrews,
Readers' Editor

Warm lettuce to desiccated coconut: Paul Keating’s greatest hits ranked on our Sledge-O-Meter™

CHARLIE LEWIS

Is it just warm lettuce, or are they being done slowly? Enjoy Crikey's definitive ranking of Paul Keating's slams.

The Paul Keating Sledge-O-Meter™ (Image: Private Media/Zennie)

Dear Scott Morrison, you are NOT the victim in the ordeal of Brittany Higgins

BERNARD KEANE

Scott Morrison claims the rape of Brittany Higgins was 'weaponised' against him. It seems even when he was the most powerful man in the country, Morrison was a victim.

Linda Reynolds and Scott Morrison (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas)

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra joins the list of arts organisations erasing Palestine

MAX KAISER

By attempting to avoid controversy, the MSO has instead made a profound political statement.

Pianist Jayson Gillham (Image: Jayson Gillham/Supplied)

Matt Kean’s cosy new job and Labor’s tattered climate credentials

NICK FEIK

When did the Albanese government know this appointment was on the cards? Why isn’t it concerned?

Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean (Image: AAP/Steven Markham)

The Olympics doesn’t just mirror geopolitics; it is geopolitics

WANNING SUN

To any keen observers of the political rivalry between the United States and China, the symbolism of their tied Olympic gold medal tally cannot be overstated.

(Image: Private Media/Zennie)

No, the Democrats don’t ‘got this’

CHARLIE LEWIS

If we look at numbers and history, rather than vibes, things look a lot less rosy for the Democrats.

(Image: Zennie/Private Media)

Yes — the Democrats could win this

AVA KALINAUSKAS

'It’s difficult to understate just how much Harris is energising the Democratic base.'

(Image: Zennie/Private Media)

‘Lost in the product’: How the gambling industry creates problem gamblers

CHARLIE LEWIS

The gambling industry has been perfecting ways to manipulate and disorient you for decades. Online gambling is just an easily accessible extension of that.

(Image: Private Media/Zennie)

Ideological attack or deluded defence? Wieambilla ‘terrorism’ label questioned

CAM WILSON

'If this was a Salafi-Jihadist case, I don't think we'd be having a lot of these questions asked,’ said extremism expert Josh Roose.

Associate Professor Josh Roose after giving evidence during the inquest into the Wieambilla shooting (Image: AAP/Jono Seale)

AI Steph Catley introduces herself as… Catby. For Matilda fans, this doesn’t cut it

VERONICA LENARD

Is it okay for a national sporting body to ask a star player such as the Matildas' Steph Catley to consent to an AI voice clone?

The Matildas' Steph Catley, centre (Image: AAP/Noe Llamas)

Vilification of international students hides the real problem in universities

SOPHIE COTTON

Cutting international student numbers or jacking up their application fees will not do anything for the students and staff stuck between management policy and government underfunding.