How should we allocate housing targets to local areas of a growing city? Over the past few months I've been working with YIMBY Melbourne on evidence-based housing targets for local government areas in Melbourne....
theguardian.com/australia-news…

One of my last assignments in Japan was interviewing Jake Adelstein/中本哲史 for AFR Magazine I've always been fascinated by the Tokyo Vice author's time on the beat exposing Japan's crime gangs. He will be in Australia in June to launch his new book. afr.com/world/asia/the…

“I think we saw some confected outrage from Senator McKim. He does what he does for the cameras and we what we do for for the consumers' Jim Chalmers MP afr.com/politics/feder… #auspol

Fresh of the Lehrmann judgement, Australia’s foremost defamation enforcer Rebekah Giles picks up Ben Cohen, the uni student misidentified by Seven as the Bondi murderer. Seven is staying in the ugly spotlight.

Tomorrow’s column:

afr.com/rear-window/po…

This weekend’s Financial Times Life & Arts front page is an essay from me on how my family came to the UK, my forthcoming book (link in bio!), and the untold human stories of China’s economic boom - plus some 90s baby pics for good measure 📸 on.ft.com/3U00uHo

'Having escaped the lion's den, #BruceLehrmann made the mistake of coming back for his hat,' said Justice Michael Lee, referring to the abandonment of Lehrmann's rape trial, due to juror misconduct, followed by his subsequent disastrous decision to sue for defamation.

Melbourne architect Michael Smith has waited almost 840 days to get his application for four townhouses approved afr.com/property/resid… #springst #auspol #housingcrisis

Australian politicians have called an end to the era of ‘invisible’ trips to Taiwan.

“There’s nothing to be shy about,' Julian Hill MP told me.

'You can’t talk about open democracy and then try and come over here under the shadows,' said Andrew Wallace theaustralian.com.au/nation/politic…

The data that reveals the truth about Australia’s China ties afr.com/world/asia/aus…

The YIMBY movement adopting what seems to be a generalised No Heritage in My Back Yard (NHIMBY) stance (and with 1950s 'asphalt virtuous circle' undertones), is quite the twist.

theguardian.com/australia-news…

“Condescending” and “nothing short of frantic”: 2022 document shows Tonga’s officials were sharply critical of Australia and NZ’s response to the China-Solomon Islands security pact (even while acknowledging Beijing’s growing presence presents challenges) abc.net.au/news/2024-04-0…

My article on accountability for Israel's killing of seven aid workers in Gaza - and for many more violations of international law against Palestinians smh.com.au/world/middle-e…

I spent the weekend in Qiushan Valley, Shandong, visiting wineries featured in a piece I wrote on the perils of investing in Chinese wine.

An agricultural heartland, Shandong was home to the first commercial winery founded in the Qing Dynasty.

ft.com/content/8576ec…

Some smiling 🇦🇺 parliamentarians arriving in 🇹🇼 on a bipartisan delegation.

Meetings w/ President Tsai Ing-wen, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu & other senior 🇹🇼 gov. figures/officials are on the agenda.

🇨🇳 won't be happy, but its objections are likely to be pretty boilerplate.

The behaviour of Japan’s hostile neighbours — China, North Korea and Russia — are driving a dramatic rethink of the country’s place in the world afr.com/world/asia/jap… by Michael Smith

Today we interviewed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida one-on-one, ahead of his state visit to Washington this week. Digital write here with the stars ⁦Simone McCarthy⁩ and Junko Ogura. TV piece coming soon🚨 cnn.com/2024/04/07/asi…

I profiled John Garnaut, the former China journalist-cum-Australian government official who contributed to a global China policy shift. Now, he is teaming up with Matt Pottinger & reinventing himself as a China whisperer for the private sector:

thewirechina.com/2024/04/07/the…

In today’s Financial Review, questions to answer for Aus Gov as Kurt Campbell says AUKUS boats are for Taiwan straits, that AUKUS is not a “jobs” project and “more money” will be required. Campbell has effectively countermanded PM and Marles on Aust sovereignty. 1/2

Terrific sign off piece from my Beijing Olympics bubble buddy/The Sydney Morning Herald North Asia correspondent Eryk Bagshaw

Beijing never gave him a long term visa — but, wow, he just got on with it, reporting on China in the region and beyond. What an innings! smh.com.au/world/asia/chi…

In her final interview, outgoing Ombudsman Deborah Glass has accused former Premier Daniel Andrews of not respecting her or her office.

“It did feel personal… I think I got under his skin”

#springst abc.net.au/news/2024-04-0…