Plus: inside Australia’s MDMA decision.
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Saturday Feb 11
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Over the past week the Crikey team offered readers a wide range of reportage and analysis after a surprising political move from newly independent Senator Lidia Thorpe. John Buckley reported on how the crossbench responded, Guy Rundle dug into what it means for the Greens, and Michael Bradley reflected on Thorpe’s political strategy.

Also this week Maeve McGregor considered why China would use obsolete espionage when it operates advanced satellites, Julia Bergin went deep on Australia approving MDMA for prescription, and Cam Wilson filled us in on the fringe history of an increasingly mainstream political figure.

Plus a former Opus Dei student explained to the premier of NSW how shame works, and plenty more.

Thanks for your support and have a lovely weekend.
Gina Rushton Gina Rushton,
News editor
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Is Thorpe the underarm bowler of Australian politics, or a dead-set warrior?
MICHAEL BRADLEY

The senator's decision to cut ties with her party could be seen as a legitimate exercise in counter-sovereignty.

Senator Lidia Thorpe takes her seat on the Senate crossbench (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas)
A paler shade of Green: what will the party do in the Senate without Lidia Thorpe?
GUY RUNDLE

The Greens have now lost much of their influence in the upper house. The Albanese government will find life a bit tougher too.

New-look Senate threatens Labor’s agenda as crossbench welcomes Thorpe
JOHN BUCKLEY

Alliances are being formed in the Senate after newly independent Senator Lidia Thorpe took her seat on the crossbench this week.

 
Premier, I went to an Opus Dei school and experienced shame’s silencing power
CLAIRE J HARRIS

Dominic Perrottet said no one complained about the Opus Dei Sydney schools. But children don’t understand abuse until it is years too late.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (Image: AAP/Dan Himbrechts)
Why would China use obsolete espionage when it operates advanced satellites?
MAEVE MCGREGOR

The shooting down of a Chinese balloon over American soil has raised lots of questions over its purpose — and sheer undisguised audacity.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning (Image: AAP/EPA/Mark R Cristino)
Chalmers’ plan isn’t radical. Labor needs an alternative to the rule of capital
GUY RUNDLE

The treasurer's unimpressive essay is an announcement of a strategy of political control as much as it is of economic planning.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas)
How an anti-vaccine Port Arthur sceptic came to rub shoulders with federal MPs
CAM WILSON

Joel Jammal has gone from co-host with one of Australia's most extreme conspiracy theorists to hobnobbing with federal politicians.

Turning Point Australia's Joel Jammal (Image: Joel Jammal)
MDMA and psilocybin are now approved for medical use. Problem is, experts don’t know how to use them
JULIA BERGIN

Australia's regulatory agency says only trained psychiatrists can prescribe the drugs, but the nation currently lacks accredited training programs.

(Image: Zennie/Private Media)
‘Jobs for the boys’: damning report slams Perrottet government over John Barilaro’s NYC trade position
ANTON NILSSON

A report into the hiring process of the former NSW deputy premier points to a 'pattern of ministerial interference and a lack of transparency'.

Former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro (Image: AAP/Dan Himbrechts)
Big four consultancies, which get $1.5b in government contracts, donated $850k to Labor and Libs last year
DENHAM SADLER

The figures raise concerns about the big four continuing to land lucrative contracts despite limited evidence of their work's actual value.

Peter Dutton, Anthony Albanese (Images: AAP)
It’s not fiction: Ron DeSantis and the right’s culture war on kindness
CHRISTOPHER WARREN

Prohibiting works of fiction from being taught in US schools is an attack on empathy and understanding. And it's not confined to America.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (Image: AAP/Paul Hennessy/ SOPA Images/Sipa USA)
Cyclists’ road deaths are a national health emergency. Where’s the outcry?
ROBERT LECHTE

The tragic road death of cyclist Angus Collins has forced a light on Australia's car-first mentality — a mentality that's harming motorists and cyclists alike.

A cyclist on Bourke Street in Melbourne (Image: AAP/James Ross)
Bruce Lehrmann launches defamation lawsuits against Network Ten and News Corp
JULIA BERGIN

The former Liberal staffer has lodged a statement of claim with the Federal Court online registry. Here's what we know so far.

Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas)
The teals want to outlaw jobs for mates. Major parties will vote it down at their peril
MICHAEL BRADLEY

The teal independents were elected on a platform of stamping out corruption. Now Mackellar's Sophie Scamps is taking steps to do just that.

Independent member for Mackellar Sophie Scamps (Image: AAP/Dan Himbrechts)