IPA Review – Spring 2021

Zachary Gorman’s study of Magna Carta explains the historical context for societies defending their freedoms, writes historian Adam Wakeling. On 13 November 1945, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee assured the US Congress not to fear his recently-elected Labour Government. “We, in the Labour Party, declare that we are in line with those who fought for Magna Carta, habeas corpus, with

A Canon of Australia’s greatest works of literature and arts will bring forth our best, urges IPA Review Editor Scott Hargreaves. Australia needs a Canon of our great works of literature and the creative arts. We need to define and transmit “the best that has been thought, uploaded, downloaded, and/or streamed”, as the English cultural critic, Matthew Arnold, might have

The many new borders drawn recently make a mockery of rhetoric about a world without boundaries, argues theologian Phillip Tolliday. ‘Papers, please.’ In my imagination I connect this request to a scene from one of those Cold War movies. A long line of people, some anxious, many cold and shivering—because the scene in my mind is always cold and drizzly—all

Real science rather than ‘The Science’ would provide a more accurate perspective of climate change, writes scientist and nuclear power advocate Ian Hore-Lacy. In a sense, the title and strapline says it all! This book stresses the importance of rigorous and ethical science which is scrutinised and challenged rather than being allowed to furbish a narrative of ‘The Science’ of

Even in Liberal-led South Australia, COVID-19 is becoming an excuse to usher in Orwellian controls, warns journalist Paul Mitchell. Never mind that COVID-lite South Australia is currently trialling an SA government-developed facial recognition app, aimed at returning travellers who are quarantining at home. Disregard the fact this app—marketed as the “safe, sustainable and cost-effective alternative to medi-hotel quarantine” it may

History shows the West would be wise to prioritise strategic interests while upholding cultural values, argues IPA Senior Fellow Sherry Sufi. In a world that is becoming more volatile, now is a good time to reflect on the nature of political conflicts. Such an analysis is necessary because we have long been told that our conflicts are over clashing values.

Vaccine Passports are a dangerous step towards totalitarian control that must be resisted, argues philosophy lecturer Martin Black. The Morrison Government has departed from its own stated principles that vaccination is a matter of free and informed consent, and encouraged the States to implement COVID-19 Passports. Our State governments are keen to create a society in which part of the

As COVID vaccination targets are reached, there is much talk by politicians and media of freedoms being ‘returned’ to citizens. There are two problems with this type of phrase. First, freedoms belong to the people. They are not a gift from government. Second, while lockdowns, curfews and border restrictions are eased, new kinds of restrictions are being created. In Adam