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Social issues

GenderPolitics

Call it what it really is

We need a national male aggression summit not a women's safety summit. If we started saying: "a man raped a woman" rather than "a woman was raped", it would be clear this is a male problem that needs to be fixed by men. First published as a letter to The Age on…
Sarah Russell
April 10, 2021
Politics

Try negotiation first

Apart from showing off my vegetable garden, beach box and Asha Barky (my dog named in honour of Ash Barty), the main reason I am on Facebook is to share articles with members of the 'Aged Care Matters' Facebook group. I tried to share the Age article informing the group…
Sarah Russell
February 19, 2021
Aged CareMy story

Social media and defamation

During the coronavirus lockdown, many of us are spending more time on social media. It is a golden era for lawyers to scroll though Facebook and Twitter looking for even the most mildly offensive comments. Suing people for making ‘defamatory’ comments on Facebook is becoming an industry. While some lawyers…
Sarah Russell
June 2, 2020

And another thing

JobKeeper The government blaming businesses for completing the JobKeeper form incorrectly is like students blaming the dog for eating their homework. First published as "And another thing" in The Age 0n 27 May 2020 Social distancing We need physical distancing, not social. We all need to stay connected. First published…
Sarah Russell
May 27, 2020

Preserve our beaches, not our beach boxes

My family has had a beach box on Mt Martha North Beach since 1935. However, I do not expect the government to save my beach box. There are many were the issues competing for government funding. A bunch of us privilege people who own a beach box is not one…
Sarah Russell
August 19, 2019
Politics

Refugee policies

I acknowledge the Wurunjeri people of the Kulin Nation and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I acknowledge that I am standing on stolen land and sovereignty has never been ceded. I also pay respect to…
Sarah Russell
May 10, 2019
Environment

Look to the trees

A fire has destroyed the 850 year old Gothic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. Macron says it will be rebuilt. Our state government plans to destroy 800-year-old Djab Wurrung trees to extend the western freeway near Ararat. Daniel Andrews won’t be able to rebuild them. No one will. When will…
Sarah Russell
April 18, 2019