Perspectives

To Critique, Inform, Challenge and Entertain

Author: Daniel Stepniak

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS / OPINION

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Towards a More Direct Democracy

Reading Time: 7 minutesThe outcome and events leading up to the federal election, when considered alongside the escalating conflict between the US President and Congress, suggest that it’s time to evaluate the nature of our representative democracy. An infusion of direct democracy would provide the means for great involvement by the people, many of whom feel alienated from politics. Direct involvement by the people in place of reliance on disappointing parliamentary representatives has the potential to reinvigorate Australian democracy. Such direct democracy would in particular benefit the initiation of constitutional amendments and enactment of legislation. It also has great potential in resolving deadlocks between the Houses of Parliament and reforming the behaviour of politicians as well as the nature of increasingly undignified and unruly parliamentary procedure.

SMALL SCREEN REVIEWS

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Dead to Me

Reading Time: 2 minutesThis excellent ten-episode first series of black drama/comedy is thoroughly enjoyable and consequently highly addictive. Judy and Jen are very likeable, larger than life characters. Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are perfectly cast as characters who are alike, yet very different to each other. This series is a breath of fresh air. It is not bleak, crude or violent. While the language is very colourful, it is not gratuitously crude.

CURRENT ISSUES / RELIGION

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The right to tell others how to live v’s The right to be left alone to live life as one chooses

Reading Time: 2 minutesA multi religious society, like ours, relies on mutual respect for other religions and the non religious sector. Publicly denigrating others as an expression of religious belief has to be minimised, if not eliminated, if we are to remain a harmonious society. The only respect shown in this saga appears to be the public’s respect of Folau’s right to believe whatever he chooses to believe. What is being asked of him in return is that he respect the life choices of others, and not publicly condemn and offer unsolicited advice as to how they should live.

FILM REVIEWS

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The Chaperone

Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Chaperone is a much more profound film than its promotion suggests. It loosely tells the early story of flapper era film star and socialite Louise Brooks. But her story makes way for more significant developments and themes. So many films seem to run out of ideas after the first hour. The Chaperone, on the other hand, moves from strength to strength.

A satisfying experience, very well acted and thankfully not a lightweight period costume drama

BOOK REVIEWS / Fiction

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Ian McEwan’s ‘Machines Like Me’

Reading Time: 3 minutesA book that is is a delightfully easy and quick read, yet offers much to savour. It is not science-fiction because its historical what-if fiction is not the book’s primary focus. Instead it facilitates, elaborates and freshens the book’s contemporary themes, through its comparative nature and novelty.