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Jack Waterford

Jack Waterford

The Sydney Morning Herald

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Albo stumbles with the hard sell

Albo stumbles with the hard sell

Of all the things which most frustrate about the Albanese government is the tendency of ministers to fall into a form of paralysis the moment it meets...

latest 8

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

Albanese stumbles with the budget hard sell

Albanese stumbles with the budget hard sell

Of all the things which most frustrate the Albanese government is the tendency of ministers to fall into a form of paralysis the moment it meets any...

friday 10

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

Albanese stumbles with the budget hard sell

Albanese stumbles with the budget hard sell

Of all the things which most frustrate the Albanese government is the tendency of ministers to fall into a form of paralysis the moment it meets any...

friday 10

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

A small but definite step for a timid prime minister, a tiny jump for Labor

A small but definite step for a timid prime minister, a tiny jump for Labor

The 2026 Budget marks a rare moment where Labor showed some willingness to confront inequality and tax reform, but the government still shrank from...

18.05.2026 20

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

A small but definite step for a timid PM, but a tiny jump for Labor

A small but definite step for a timid PM, but a tiny jump for Labor

I have so often criticised the Albanese government for timidity and gutlessness that I feel honour-bound to admit that neither of these words are at...

16.05.2026 20

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

A small but definite step for a timid PM, but a tiny jump for Labor

A small but definite step for a timid PM, but a tiny jump for Labor

I have so often criticised the Albanese government for timidity and gutlessness that I feel honour-bound to admit that neither of these words are at...

16.05.2026 20

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Time to rob old relics to bring up new generations

The principle that those who are best off should be paying more tax as a proportion than those of more modest income is a fundamental one. That...

11.05.2026 10

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

Don't blame me and the Boomers. Here's who cooked it for younger generations

The federal budget we are soon to see will be dedicated in part to the idea of generational equity, the idea that older Australians own too much at...

09.05.2026 20

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Let’s hope Bell looks for real antisemitism, not being anti-Israel

04.05.2026 20

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

The Bondi royal commission's most difficult and crucial task

Here's hoping that the royal commission into the Bondi massacre of last December does not turn into partisan point-scoring, least of all over...

02.05.2026 20

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

The NDIS reform is a real test of Labor’s courage

27.04.2026 20

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

We know Albanese's government is gutless. But one minister is bucking the trend

New National Disability Insurance Scheme reforms pose a novel test of character for the Albanese government. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Login...

24.04.2026 30

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

We know Albanese's government is gutless. But one minister is bucking the trend

New National Disability Insurance Scheme reforms pose a novel test of character for the Albanese government. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Login...

24.04.2026 30

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

It takes two to make alliances and the US may run away first

20.04.2026 20

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

Why our 'special relationship' with the US is a one-way street

US President Donald Trump is letting it be known that he is considering pulling the United States from NATO, and perhaps some of America's...

18.04.2026 20

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

Why our 'special relationship' with the US is a one-way street

US President Donald Trump is letting it be known that he is considering pulling the United States from NATO, and perhaps some of America's...

18.04.2026 30

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Albo’s signature secrecy will ultimately bring him down

13.04.2026 20

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

Sunshine on secrecy: why the Pezzullo report release is a win for the public

Good government won despite the Albanese government losing a court case recently. Given the money and the effort that it put into losing its case, and...

11.04.2026 30

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

Sunshine on secrecy: why the Pezzullo report release is a win for the public

Good government won despite the Albanese government losing a court case recently. Given the money and the effort that it put into losing its case, and...

11.04.2026 30

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Pope trumps Hegseth and his doomed crusade

Clashes between church leaders and Trump highlight tensions over religion, power and the justification of war. This holy week saw the Catholic Pope,...

07.04.2026 30

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

The ICE experiment and the gospel: A theological rupture in the MAGA camp

This holy week saw the Catholic Pope, Leo XIV, clash sharply with the American Secretary of War, Peter Hegseth, and by implication his master, Donald...

04.04.2026 40

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

The ICE experiment and the gospel: A theological rupture in the MAGA camp

This holy week saw the Catholic Pope, Leo XIV, clash sharply with the American Secretary of War, Peter Hegseth, and by implication his master, Donald...

04.04.2026 30

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Mickey J: an Australian always, quietly, making a big difference

At a time of diminished political leadership, the legacy of Fred Hollows and Michael Johnson shows what practical, principled internationalism can...

30.03.2026 30

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

The Australian always, quietly, making a big difference

Thirty-four years ago, celebrated eye doctor Fred Hollows established a partnership with millions of Australians to set in place an international...

28.03.2026 30

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

The Australian always, quietly, making a big difference

Thirty-four years ago, celebrated eye doctor Fred Hollows established a partnership with millions of Australians to set in place an international...

28.03.2026 30

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Albanese risks losing the voters who put him there

From foreign policy to domestic reform, Labor risks alienating key supporters and wasting a moment of political opportunity in a volatile landscape....

23.03.2026 30

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

The Prime Minister and the US President need some space

No good crisis should ever be wasted, as Rahm Emanuel, a one-time chief of staff to Barack Obama, used to say. Donald Trump is in trouble with both...

21.03.2026 20

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

The Prime Minister and the US President need some space

No good crisis should ever be wasted, as Rahm Emanuel, a one-time chief of staff to Barack Obama, used to say. Donald Trump is in trouble with both...

21.03.2026 50

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Freedom at last for the Robodebt Six, thanks to the NACC

New findings from the anti-corruption commission clear several figures of corruption over Robodebt, but the affair still exposes profound failures in...

16.03.2026 30

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

Freedom at last for the Robodebt Six, thanks to the NACC

The Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Oliver Cromwell, is not one of my favourite figures of history, but once gave one of my favourite...

14.03.2026 40

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

Freedom at last for the Robodebt Six, thanks to the NACC

The Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Oliver Cromwell, is not one of my favourite figures of history, but once gave one of my favourite...

14.03.2026 40

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Cowardice and kowtowing risk Australia becoming the fall guy in Trump’s wars and deals

As the US–Israeli war on Iran unfolds, Australia faces the danger of being drawn into American power politics while sacrificing its independence and...

09.03.2026 30

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

Albo should not sign Trump's dance card

The suggestion that Australia, or the Australian Labor government, nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, though one coming from a senior...

07.03.2026 60

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

Albo should not sign Trump's dance card

The suggestion that Australia, or the Australian Labor government, nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, though one coming from a senior...

07.03.2026 90

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Albanese’s decision will follow him into the history books – and define us too

Anthony Albanese’s refusal to assist Australian women and children in Syrian detention camps may prove to be the defining act of his prime...

02.03.2026 30

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

Albanese's standards will be his legacy, but will define us as well

Anthony Albanese has finally said something by which he will be remembered - far beyond his feat of winning office, and then of triumphantly securing...

27.02.2026 30

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

Albanese's standards will be his legacy, but will define us as well

Anthony Albanese has finally said something by which he will be remembered - far beyond his feat of winning office, and then of triumphantly securing...

27.02.2026 30

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Albanese’s real opponent is not Angus Taylor

23.02.2026 250

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

Albanese has time and space to address his own problems

The Coalition leadership changes and tumults have given Anthony Albanese a potential boon that few of his predecessors, Labor or Liberal, have ever...

20.02.2026 30

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

Albanese has time and space to address his own problems

The Coalition leadership changes and tumults have given Anthony Albanese a potential boon that few of his predecessors, Labor or Liberal, have ever...

20.02.2026 30

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

A government without an effective opposition is a danger to democracy

The Coalition’s internal decay has left Australia without an effective opposition at a time when scrutiny, debate and accountability are more...

16.02.2026 60

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

The public tragedy of a vanishing opposition: Why Albo is getting a free ride

13.02.2026 40

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

The public tragedy of a vanishing opposition: Why Albo is getting a free ride

13.02.2026 30

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Cruelty as policy only works until the public recoils

09.02.2026 30

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

From robodebt to ICE: How governments use cruelty to send a message

06.02.2026 30

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

From robodebt to ICE: How governments use cruelty to send a message

06.02.2026 30

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Trump’s tariffs and threats are pushing the world to look elsewhere

02.02.2026 20

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford

Is the Trumpism tide turning? The nations distancing themselves from the US

30.01.2026 30

The Examiner

Jack Waterford

Is the Trumpism tide turning? The nations distancing themselves from the US

30.01.2026 20

Canberra Times

Jack Waterford

Trump fills the great Albo silence

26.01.2026 30

Pearls and Irritations

Jack Waterford