The Australian is fascinated by many subjects: climate change, indigenous policy, the Gillard government, the Australia-US alliance …

But there is no subject that obsesses The Australian more than the subject of The Australian itself.

Giving new meaning to the notion of self-love, today it begins an orgy of self-analysis/self-defence/self-admiration in response to a Quarterly Essay about the newspaper, written by Robert Manne.

The love-in starts with Paul Kelly’s 1870-word piece today … but that was just showing a little leg. Roll on Saturday, we’re sure readers are saying. And what a treat they’re in for over morning coffee — here’s the s-xy strip tease that appeared slap bang in the middle of Kelly’s item today. More salacious than a Cleo centrefold, the wait is over dear readers, finally, The Oz will reveal all on every subject you never cared about:

There is a normal process for responding to a Quarterly Essay. As it reads in front:

Correspondence should be addressed to:

The Editor, Quarterly Essay
37-39 Langridge Street
Collingwood VIC 3066 Australia
or email: quarterlyessay@blackincbooks.com

In the meantime, we assume a special-lift out will be created in tandem with CORRECTING THE RECORD — one that contains actual news.