TANYA PLIBERSEK
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR SYDNEY
From January 2026, our legislation guarantees all families will be eligible for three days of subsidised early childhood education each week. It abolishes the Coalition’s failed activity test for parents and carers.
Families earning between $50,000 to $100,000 will save on average $1,460 per year.
This provides cost of living relief to families and helps ensure that children can access the benefits of high-quality early education and care.
This is good for families, good for children and good for the Australian economy.
A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will also establish a $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, which is the next step in creating universal childcare system in Australia. More centres will be built and expanded in areas of need, including in the outer suburbs and regional Australia where there are shortages of childcare places.
This will include a focus on co-locating services on school sites and on supporting the growth of high-quality not-for-profit providers.
Helping Australia’s most vulnerable
The Albanese Labor Government is strengthening the financial futures of Australia’s most vulnerable people.
We’re investing $51.5 million to ensure the successful Saver Plus program continues to support Australians experiencing disadvantage to improve their financial literacy and better navigate financial crises.
It will ensure that the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, in partnership with ANZ and supported by The Smith Family and Berry Street, will continue to deliver Saver Plus until 2030.
Saver Plus will match savings of up to $500 for lower-income families who set aside funds for their children’s education. This is another way Labor is helping with cost of living pressures in addition to:
Higher wages.
Lower taxes.
One million new jobs. Cheaper medicines. Cheaper childcare.
Building more homes.
Cutting uni debts.
Helping students with paid prac.
Free TAFE.
Stronger Communities grants
Stronger Communities grants are open for expressions of interest. Please contact my electorate office to obtain a form.
Completed applications are due Friday 21 February at 5pm.
As always, contact my office if you need assistance with any Federal issues.
Is Sydney likely to see more mammoth train strikes?
(See p.10)
HUBARTS: QTOPIA SYDNEY
Qtopia opens 6 news exhibits in time for Mardi Gras
(See p.20)
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HubNEWS
BY LYDIA JUPP
News and journalism as an industry has radically shifted over the 30 years City Hub has been operating.
When the publication was founded in 1995, the public received news from television, radio, physical newspapers, and magazines. Local and regional publications thrived, left relatively to their own devices, and social media was barely a twinkle in Mark Zuckerberg’s eye.
In 2025, things couldn’t be more different. Today, preserving independent, grassroots journalism has become more important than ever.
In an age where news is often behind a paywall, it’s vital that free, accessible journalism is there to provide the public with stories that matter to them.
City Hub journalists are part of the community they’re writing about, with the stories they cover reflecting local values, concerns, and ideas in a way many larger publications don’t have.
“In an age of globalised media, it is vital to have local voices covering local concerns and City Hub has been doing this for the inner city,” said Independent MP Alex Greenwich. “Putting this history online will help make sure it remains accessible into the future as a resource for the innercity community.”
“City Hub is a fantastic local institution,” said Green Member for Balmain, Kobi Shetty. “They help keep our community informed and connected by sharing news that matters to them.”
“Independent local news outlets like City Hub are so important for transparency and accountability. I hope to see them continue for many years to come.”
In delving through the City Hub archives, a wealth of reminders about the importance of the publication has
been unearthed.
City Hub is important to keep local councils and governments to account, but it also plays a role in holding the media to account, too.
Digitising its work from 1995-2008 has allowed us to preserve those incidents, keeping them a matter of public interest.
of his used needles. Trotsky’s owner had seen a “huge positive impact” in the area since the safe injecting rooms were introduced, and was horrified to discover his needles had been weaponised against an important public health creation.
Stories that may have slipped under the radar of the national mastheads find a place in City Hub’s pages, and the preservation of those grassroots stories is vital for community accountability.
In 2006, the Daily Telegraph published photos of used needles spilling from a public bin in Kings Cross, seemingly from one of the new safe injecting rooms. They argued for its closure, with politicians and other media commentators like Alan Jones seizing the opportunity to unfairly target drug users.
Two months after the story broke, City Hub discovered that the needles had in fact belonged to a diabetic cat called Trotsky, after his owner lost a container
Journalist and UTS professor, Wendy Bacon said City Hub’s lost issues were “invaluable because in them, you will find many stories that were not covered by any other media.”
Similarly, former Labor Councillor Linda Scott from the City of Sydney said, “City Hub records our city’s stories in a way that no other local paper does. From our harbour to those who harbour for more power, City Hub
“Thank you for being our truth teller in all tales of Sydney.”
In digitising 13 years of City Hub, Meta and the Walkleys have allowed Alt Media to keep the spirit of local journalism alive. It’s something that is rarely fostered in this day and age, and being given this opportunity is not something to take for granted.
This year, as City Hub celebrates its 30th anniversary, we’ll not only celebrate three decades of putting our local community first – we’ll celebrate doing the same for the next 30 years.
Minns government proposes hate speech reforms
BY LYDIA JUPP
The New South Wales government is proposing new legislation to address racial hatred, that could see protests outside of places of worship criminalised.
This follows months of increased incidents of racism across the state, specifically arson attacks and antisemitic graffiti concentrated in Sydney.
“We have seen disgusting acts of racial hatred and antisemitism,” said Premier Chris Minns on February 6. “These are strong new laws, and they need to be because these attacks have to stop.”
The Minns government discussed an extension of the hate speech and protest laws at a press conference last month, with the Premier calling for “urgent” reform around protests outside of places of worship following a rally outside of the city’s Great Synagogue in December.
It could become a criminal offence for intentionally inciting racial hatred, also carrying a proposed maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.
REFORMS NOT BACKED BY EXPERTS
However, the proposals are facing criticism from human and civil rights groups, who cite concerns around the lack of protection for LGBTQIA+ groups, and expanded restrictions on protest.
The laws fail to protect faith groups and the LGBTQIA+ community, with Minns admitting that he didn’t have time to make extensive changes to anti-
Paddington community rally around at-risk boarding house tenants
BY LYDIA JUPP
Community groups, housing activists and unions are rallying around the tenants of a Paddington boarding house who are at risk of homelessness within the a month.
RESIDENTS HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO
vilification legislation. The government moved instead to only outlaw intentionally incited race-base hate, in order to quickly address rising levels of antisemitism in Sydney.
“We were faced with a situation where we’re looking at naked racism on our streets today,” he said.
“I made a decision that I wanted to progress the hate speech laws as it applies to race immediately.”
Queer and human rights groups say the laws risk the over-criminalisation of vulnerable minorities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and young people.
These are strong new laws… because these attacks have to stop
The findings from a review into section 93Z of the Crimes Act handed to the government last year ruled against the laws, and warned that provisions like those suggested by the Minns Government are imprecise and subjective.
The review also emphasised that the reforms go against the advice of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which stipulates that restrictions on freedom of speech should not be ‘broad or vague’.”
NSW Council for Civil Liberties President, Timothy Roberts, said the proposed laws were “another knee jerk reaction from the Premier to a complex and sensitive area of law that does not survive a moment’s scrutiny.”
More than 20 boarding house tenants at 58-64 Selwyn Street are resisting eviction and the dissolution of their community at the hands of property developer LFD Developments, who specialise in “boutique high-end residential and commercial projects”.
Residents were told before
The four terraces on Selwyn Street were bought by LFD in 2023, who intend to demolish the existing structures and build four luxury villas in its place. The current residents, many of whom are elderly and have lived there for decades, pay $150$200 in rent per week. With houses in Paddington being sold for millions of dollars, residents are being forced to leave the community they know and love in order to find housing.
Of the 32 residents, 17 have been unable to find secure housing, despite searching for more than 16 weeks.
Christmas to vacate their homes by February 1, but a last-minute decision by developers gave some residents an extra month before eviction. They now have until March 3 until they’ll be forced to leave.
Residents are being forced to leave the community they know and love
The City of Sydney Council has declined two of LFD’s development applications, and local councillors are pushing for the City to buy the properties, with NSW Labor agreeing to partially fund and restore the boarding houses if they do. However, LFD would have to agree to part with the properties. The matter is scheduled to be heard by the Land and Environment Court in May.
“Poorer, vulnerable older people and low paid workers and families are being priced out of housing and communities,” said Andrew Chuter, spokesperson for Action for Public Housing.
“The campaign to save Selwyn Street is emblematic of what we need the government to do to solve the housing crisis. They need to take a leaf out of former ALP Minister Tom Uren’s handbook and buy private housing in the 1970s, like they did in Glebe, Woolloomooloo and Redfern, and reinvest in beautiful public housing.”
The local community are rallying around the residents, and have organised letterboxing, barbecues, and had MPs meet with the tenants. On the evening of 31 January, they took to the streets to demand action from the government.
Photo: Steven Saphore / AAP
Photo: Action 4 Public Housing / Facebook
Accor Stadium’s stunning new Matildas mural unveiled
BY LYDIA JUPP
The Minns Government has revealed the stunning artwork that will be projected onto Accor Stadium to celebrate the Matildas’ game-changing campaign at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The mural is the first in a new series that will commemorate the best moments in sport and entertainment at Accor Stadium, which is celebrating 25 years since the 2000 Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It’s long overdue that our nation’s inspirational female athletes are provided with recognition
Contemporary artist Kirthana Selvaraj has created a piece that encapsulates the players who sparked 2023’s huge increase in interest in women’s football in Australia.
“I hope this artwork stands as a permanent reminder of the impact women have made – and continue
Ph: (02) 9517 2800
E: newtown@parliament.nsw.gov.au
W: jennyleong.org 383 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
to make – not just on the field but in shaping the broader public’s connection to sport,” said Selvaraj.
“It’s a tribute to the trailblazers who came before, the athletes who shine today, and the young people who will carry their legacy forward.”
“It’s long overdue that our nation’s inspirational female athletes are provided with recognition of some of the greatest sporting achievements in
our nation’s history,” said NSW Premier Chris Minns.
“Their game-changing tournament will be perfectly honoured with this mural which will be fittingly projected onto the exterior of the Cathy Freeman Stand – the first grandstand in a major Australian stadium to be named after a female athlete.”
Depicted in the mural is Tillies’ captain Sam Kerr’s strike and celebration against
England, Mackenzie Arnold’s glittering prowess in the goal, as well as Courtney Vine, moments before she kicked the winning penalty goal against France in the quarter-final.
NO ROOM FOR KERR SLANDER
Premier Chris Minns made it absolutely clear that Sam Kerr’s current court case in London was not going to have any impact on the mural.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that we love Sam Kerr. She is absolutely fantastic,” Minns said to the media at the unveiling event.
“No matter what happens, her image will be right here in Accor Stadium for future generations. She has acted like an absolute inspiration to the next generation. And let’s face it, she put a smile on all of our faces during that World Cup,” continued the Premier. “So we love Sam.”
The public will have the opportunity to see the mural in person in early April, just in time for the Matildas’ upcoming games at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium.
Public education should be publicly funded - no exceptions
But with the Federal and State Labor Governments continuing to cut funding for public educationwhile handing out massive funds to elite private schools - the costs are starting to add up for families in our community who are expected to cover the funding gaps.
We know that this month parents have already started making difficult decisions about how to pay for their children’s public education in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
That’s why, throughout January, our office was pleased to be able to provide free school supplies packs to parents in our electorate. But this is not a permanent solution.
This Government could fully fund public education today by taxing the 1 in 3 corporations that pay little to
no tax, and by ending the massive handouts to private schools.
Until then, we’re collecting feedback from parents of schoolaged children in our community to better understand the pressures they’re facing.
We know that many people in our community can afford to contribute to the cost of schooling for their children, but for others these so-called 'hidden' or 'voluntary' costs can add further pressure to struggles with the rising cost of living.
We want to hear from you about the hidden costs you’re expecting to pay for your child’s public education - from ‘voluntary’ contributions, to equipment, stationery, and excursions.
We’ll use this information to continue to advocate for parents in our electorate both in and out of Parliament.
Visit jennyleong.org/schoolsurvey2025 or scan the QR code below to take part, and be sure to share the five-minute survey with your networks to help spread the word.
Jenny Leong MP Greens Member for Newtown
Photo: Jane Dempster / AAP
Qtopia founder & HIV activist
DAVID ‘POLLY’ POLSON passes away
BY CHLOE SARGEANT
David “Polly” Polson AM, veteran LGBTQIA+ and HIV activist and founder of Qtopia Sydney, has sadly passed away.
Polson’s passing was confirmed by Qtopia Sydney on February 10.
“Qtopia Sydney is deeply saddened to announce the passing of David Polson AM, our Emeritus Founding Chair,” read Qtopia’s social media post.
“A debt of gratitude is owed to David for his life of service, for his courage, bravery and contribution over almost four decades, enduring 28 drug trials, toward the advancement of a medical response to HIV and AIDS in this country and across the world.
“He died as he lived, fighting valiantly until the end, in the care of St Vincent’s Hospital, where he had spent so much time. He was surrounded by those who knew and loved him best.”
Polson celebrated his 70th birthday at the end of last year.
“It’s an important year for me,” David
diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Australia, less than 30 of which are still alive.
Polson educated people on HIV/ AIDS for nearly four decades. He was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to community health through HIV education and advocacy roles, saying he “felt deeply honoured and humbled”.
WHY DAVID POLSON FOUNDED QTOPIA SYDNEY
Polson explained that the loss of a friend was a major reason behind his determination to create a LGBTQIA+ museum.
A debt of gratitude is owed to David for his life of service…
During Polson’s treatment, he was introduced to HIV/AIDS researchers and physician, Professor David Cooper.
“I went through 28 drug trials with him and we became very close friends,” Polson said. After Cooper passed away in 2018, his wife, Dorrie, shared Cooper’s vision for a Sydney AIDS museum with Polson.
“That’s literally how [Qtopia Sydney] started,” Polson shared.
In November 2024, Qtopia honoured Polson and his milestone 70th birthday with a celebration at NSW Parliament House. The museum launched The Wall of Love Remembrance Garden project in Polson’s
The team at City Hub and Star will always remember and honour David ‘Polly’ Polson and his incredible legacy. Our staff offer their deep condolences to Polly’s family, friends, colleagues and anyone whose life was touched by this extraordinary, incomparable man and his life-changing
Vale, David Polson –you will never be gotten.
Jo Haylen resigns as transport minister
BY WILL THORPE
Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen resigned the transport ministry on the morning of 4 February following a scandal over her taxpayerfunded personal trip to the Hunter Valley on the Australia Day long weekend.
In an afternoon statement to the media, Haylen acknowledged that using public funds to attend a luncheon with friends “was an error of judgement” which was causing the government damage.
“Politics is difficult. Expectations are high, and I know that from the very minute I was appointed a minister, I have worked my arse off,” Haylen said.
Premier Chris Minns also criticised the action, but refused to sack the minister.
SPRUIKS SUCCESSES IN OFFICE
“Government is a collective effort, and our agenda is more important than one individual,” Haylen told reporters, expressing her belief that the public transportation system is in a better state now than when she assumed the ministry following Labor’s 2023 electoral victory.
“When we came to government, we inherited a public transport system that was on its knees. I’m incredibly proud that we’ve managed to make public transport exciting again,” the former minister remarked.
On 25 January, the day before Australia Day, Haylen made use of her access to government-subsidised transport to attend a long lunch in the Hunter Valley.
A government driver ferried her and several friends, including mental health minister Rose Jackson, to the private event, first travelling from Sydney to the transport minister’s Caves Beach holiday home near Newcastle before going to the Brokenwood Estate winery.
The round trip was 13 hours in length and took the government vehicle 446 kilometres.
Following the scandal, Haylen committed to pay back the $750 cost of the trip, but was unable to escape criticism and calls for her resignation, with opposition leader Mark Speakman saying the use of public funds for the trip “shows a contempt for the taxpayer.”
Haylen spoke of the personal challenges of being a minister and of attaining the public’s confidence.
“You don’t clock out from being a minister. You work every single minute of the day, just like you don’t clock out from being a mum,” she said.
I’m incredibly proud that we’ve managed to make public transport exciting again
“I’m lucky to serve, treating people with respect and acting with integrity, and that I am loyal and always will be. It kills me right now that some people might think otherwise of me.”
Haylen thanked her staff and family for their service and support.
Photo: Jo Haylen / Facebook
Billionaire donates $100m to USyd to promote women in STEM
BY LYDIA JUPP
The University of Sydney has become the beneficiary of the largest act of philanthropy in the state, following a donation of $100 million toward addressing the underrepresentation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
The money, donated by tech founder Robin Khuda, will fund a two-decade STEM program for girls, and highlights the need for more engagement from girls and women in Western Sydney.
The donation is the largest single philanthropic donation in the university’s history, and across the state.
Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott said Khuda had been consulting with the university on the program for two years.
“I want to give back and make a long term positive societal impact because of my belief in the importance of diversity in STEM,” said Khuda.
“My vision, shared with the University of Sydney, is that this program that we’ve created will become a gamechanging template that others can leverage and scale in the future.”
KHUDA’S HISTORY OF PHILANTHROPY IN THE NAME OF STEM
Robin Khuda is the founder of the datacentre business AirTrunk.
Khuda lived in Western Sydney, after he moved to Australia from Bangladesh when he was 18. He opened his first datacentre in 2017, when he was living in Western Sydney.
Khuda made headlines in 2024, after a $24 billion acquisition of AirTrunk by
Paddington locals say “fugly” new public toilet belongs in Blacktown
BY LYDIA JUPP
Paddington residents are voicing their displeasure at a new public toilet installed on Oxford Street.
Sitting on the corner of a car park between the Mitre 10 and Telstra communications building, the toilet was installed to dissuade sports fans from Allianz Stadium from urinating on the streets.
But locals aren’t happy, with one woman telling the Sydney Morning Herald that it was an “abomination” and didn’t match the “heritage” look of the area.
“You can put it in Blacktown or something, but not in Paddington,” local woman Mary Langley told 9 News. “It’s just an eyesore … If you’re going to design something for Paddington, surely you’d design something more sensitive.”
Residents also mentioned concerns about the toilet attracting drug users.
The council says the toilet will be cleaned twice a day, has automated self-cleaning mechanisms, and has a door that will open automatically after 15 minutes, limiting anti-social behaviour.
Blackstone, a US-based private equity firm — he gave bonuses to over 300 employees, totalling $22 million.
He began his philanthropy foundation in 2020 with the aim of increasing the number of women in technology.
Although an alum of Western Sydney University, Khuda said he chose to work with the University of Sydney because of their shared interest in the growth of Western Sydney.
“Western Sydney, compared to other areas of Sydney, hasn’t had the same level of educational support for students to pursue an early interest in science and technology,” said Khuda.
“A leader in STEM education, the University has an outstanding academic, research and teaching reputation and the flexibility and agility to deliver and evolve this program.
I want to give back… because of my belief in the importance of diversity in STEM
“The women who graduate from this program will have attended one of the best universities in the world, ready to make a game-changing impact on our future.”
The program will reach students beginning in year 7, and offers a pipeline to an undergraduate degree through specialisations in STEM subjects.
The outreach stage will commence with six schools, with the first pilot cohort scholars expected to enrol at the university in 2027.
“The site selected was strategically well-placed and facilitated convenient access for pedestrians, cyclists and people with disability,” said a council spokesperson. “We always balance the need for these facilities against any community concerns.”
The City of Sydney identified the need for a toilet in the area in 2014, as part of a plan to provide toilets within 400m of any point within the CBD.
A development application to erect one in the current spot was lodged in 2018, but a former councillor on South Sydney Council led a petition against the design, saying it didn’t fit the look of nearby buildings.
WESTERN SYDNEY POLLIES HIT BACK
Member for McMahon Chris Bowen took to social media to call out the resident’s comment about Blacktown.
“Blacktown isn’t a derogatory term. It’s a vibrant, exciting community that I’m proud to represent,” he said.
Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone was also quick to respond.
“Some people in Paddington believe that when nature calls in the East, they are too posh to pee or poo in public toilets, in the sight of their heritage buildings and instead a public toilet belongs in the West,” he wrote on Facebook.
“We will take more public toilets, but I got news for you, when nature calls, it’s the same in Paddington as it is out West.”
He also added that the resident behind the comment “might not know that when the west flushes, it all ends up in the east anyway,” referencing that much of Sydney sewage goes to sewage treatment plants in Bondi, Malabar and North Head.
Photo: University of Sydney
Photo: Woollahra Village / Facebook
Photo: City of Sydney
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Revitalising Our Beloved Norton Street
Norton Street is so important to our community. Known by many of us as ‘Little Italy’, this beautiful part of Leichhardt has kept the warm and welcoming vibe Italy is renowned for. There’s already a lot to be proud of, but by working together, we can make it even better.
Unfortunately, Norton Street has suffered recently due to a lack of planning and investment from Inner West Council. More action is needed to ensure Norton Street is a thriving hub for our community and local businesses.
Inner West Council promised to deliver the Norton Street Masterplan last year. This deadline has come and gone, with no progress and no meaningful opportunities for community input.
We are calling on Inner West Council to prioritise the delivery of this Masterplan alongside dedicated investment.
As part of the Masterplan process, there should be a focus on:
Creating shared spaces for pedestrians and cyclists
Planting additional street trees
Reviewing the use of parking meters to address affordability concerns for shoppers
Activating the Italian Forum
Working with the State Government to impose a levy on long-term vacant commercial properties.
These are simple improvements that could help take what is already great about Norton Street, and make it even better.
If you want Norton Street restored to its former glory, please add your name to our petition. And if you have a suggestion to help revitalise Norton Street, please let me know by emailing balmain@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Together, we can help create a vibrant shared space for our community and local businesses to thrive.
Kobi Shetty MP Member for Balmain
SCAN HERE
After ongoing disruptions, is Sydney likely to see more mammoth train strikes?
BY WILL THORPE
Over December and January, years of chronic industrial dispute on Sydney’s railways came to a head with a spate of rail strikes.
Sydneysiders held their breath at the indelicate dance, or perhaps became resigned to disruption. At one point, Sydney was unsure if Sydney Trains services would stop completely and the city’s iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks would go ahead.
At last, 5.5 million beleaguered residents found that the worst had passed, with the main union in January pledging not to use the same disruptive methods – and also significantly reducing the size of its requested pay rise.
There can be no doubt that Sydneysiders are relieved. Though the worst potentialities of the recent upset never came to pass, high-level talk of such occurrences rattled the city and its newspapers. Further, there can be no doubt that the public, the government, and indeed the unions, would prefer that such disruption not be repeated. So, will Sydney see the same kind of turmoil again?
The past few years have not been the first period of industrial disruption on the railways, with the eighties seeing considerable turmoil affecting passengers in Sydney and beyond.
If you look across [Australia’s] industrial landscape, the levels of strikes… are the lowest they’ve been
Numerous strikes interrupted train services in that decade, beginning in February 1980 with a wage claim by track maintenance workers, followed in November of that year with a drivers’ wage dispute, and seven more by the end of January 1985.
Much has changed in the industrial landscape since, with the establishment of the Fair Work Commission and the Fair Work Ombudsman, the introduction of automated trains on metro lines, and a national decline in union membership,
although railway union membership remains strong.
More broadly, the 1980s and 90s saw a sea-change in the bipartisan consensus on economic policy as was also seen in Britain and America.
MORE WIDESPREAD STRIKE ACTION “UNLIKELY”
Bradon Ellem, Professor of Employment Relations at the University of Sydney Business School, forecasts that the chance of another long, disruptive spate of strikes is small.
“I hate saying things like this, because you’re almost certainly setting yourself up to get proven wrong. I think that really widespread strike action like this is probably still unlikely,” Ellem told City Hub
“One of the main reasons for saying that is that the procedures to take socalled protected industrial action – in other words, lawful strikes – are extraordinarily complex and time-consuming.”
Ellem said that the overall level of strike action in Australia is low, and that this needs to be taken into account.
“What you’ve got here, really, is something of an anomaly. If you look across the industrial landscape in
Australia, the levels of strikes and any other forms of disputation are the lowest they’ve been.”
It may still be wondered whether the disruptions may spur legislative action from a government seeking to avoid a repeat. Ellem says any such efforts would be “quite difficult” as a result of the judicial and legislative complexities surrounding protected industrial action.
“The main obvious problem would be a state government that would be trying to drive such a legislative change. These disputes are actually being heard in the federal system through the Fair Work Commission,” Ellem points out.
“So it would probably need to be a Commonwealth government that would change the legislation. That’s a really interesting issue, because after the next election it could be on the cards. It could be on the cards at the federal level.”
It has not been lost on observers that the strikes have occurred whilst Labor has held government, but Ellem says that some of the most bitter industrial disputes have occurred under Labor governments.
“Some people would say Labor governments get away with fighting back
more than a Liberal government … there are plenty of precedents.”
REPRIEVE FROM RAIL STRIKES FOR TRAVELLERS
At a press conference in late January, then-Transport Minister Jo Haylen – who has since resigned – was triumphant following the Rail, Tram and Bus Union’s withdrawal of industrial action.
“As a result of the government’s legal action, today the rail unions have withdrawn their industrial actions,” the Transport Minister said on 22 January.
“Now we have certainty for the travelling public. Passengers will no longer be caught in the middle while this dispute is negotiated, because of the strong action the government took.”
“There is no longer any disruption to our network. There is no industrial action in place and as a result, people will be able to get to work, get home to their families.”
The Electrical Trades Union did not follow the lead of other unions at the time in agreeing to rescind strike action. It did, however, state certain limits on the extent of industrial action it could take. And with that, Sydney could breathe.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE AN OPTUS AND VODAFONE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION
Redfern Railway Station, Lawson Street, Eveleigh NSW 2015 Site Ref: S0457, www.rfnsa.com.au/2016002
1. The proposal consists of upgrading the Optus and Vodafone coverage within the Redfern Railway Station. The works include:
• Reconfiguration of rack equipment within the mobiles room on the station mezzanine level.
• Installation of wall-mounted and cabinet equipment within several locations within the station and surrounding tunnels.
• Replacement of two ceiling-mounted antennas within the station tunnels.
• Reconfiguration of rack equipment within equipment cabinets behind the Eveleigh Precinct site office (off Railway Parade).
• Ancillary equipment and works, or any other necessary activity for the installation. The proposal will modernise the existing equipment to add Optus 4G (LTE700) and 5G (NR900), together with Vodafont 5G (NR700, NR2100) to the Redfern Station concourse, platforms and tunnels.
2. Optus and Vodafone regard the proposed installation as exempt development in accordance with State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 based on the description above.
3. Notification is being undertaken in accordance with Section 7 of Industry Code C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment.
4. Members of the public may obtain further information on the proposed work, and we invite you to provide written comments about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to the carrier representative c/- Elliot Nelson, Catalyst ONE Pty Ltd; phone: 02 4022 9533; email: c1-consultation@bsa.com.au and post: PO Box 1119, Crows Nest NSW 1585 by 5:00pm 28 February 2025.
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toys, food, litter and so much more.
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT SYDNEY INCLUDING 5G
Optus and Vodafone plan to upgrade the telecommunications facilities at the below mentioned address with the addition of new 5G equipment: 377-383 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (RFNSA: 2000649)
The proposed 5G upgrade will consists of:
• Installation of six (6) new Optus 5G panel antennas (each not more than 2.8m in length);
• Installation of three (3) new Vodafone 5G panel antennas (each not more than 2.8m in length);
• Replacement of three (3) existing Optus panel antennas with three (3) new Optus panel antennas (each not more than 2.8m in length);
• Replacement of three (3) existing Vodafone panel antennas with three (3) new Vodafone panel antennas (each not more than 2.8m in length);
• Replacement of existing Remote Radio Units (RRUs) with eighteen (18) new RRUs;
• Installation, relocation and removal of ancillary equipment, including GPS antennas, mounts, feeders, cabling, combiners, and other associated equipment; and
• Internal works within existing equipment shelter.
Optus and Vodafone regard the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”), the based on the description above. The proposed infrastructure will comply with ACMA EME regulatory arrangements.
In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code 2020, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal.
Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Vanessa Wan at Service Stream Limited, 0447 240 015, Optus.Submissions@servicestream.com.au or Zenith Tower B, Level 3, 821 Pacific Hwy, Chatswood NSW 2067 by 5pm, Friday 28 February 2025
If you would like to know more about the site, further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/2000649
Cat Of The Month
Name: ELTON, Age: 8 years (est)
Sex & Colour: Male Ginger DSH
Elton is ready to rocket his way to the number one spot in your heart and cuddle with you for a long, long time! As an older gentleman Elton requires some extra care, but his Osteoarthritis can easily be managed with regular injections, vet checks and joint supplements plus daily playtime to help keep him agile. Elton appreciates a calm atmosphere and isn’t a fan of dogs. He would prefer his forever home to be free of young children, so you are available to lavish him with your attention. When he’s not snuggled up at your side, this charming fellow can be found curled up in a cosy cat bed, but he’s likely to claim your bed as well so be ready to relinquish some of your sleeping space.
INTERESTED IN ADOPTING?
visit www.catprotection.org.au
Rehoming Organisation Number: R251000224
COFFIN ED’S NAKED CITY
ETRAN DE L’AÏR: WELCOME TO THE WEDDING PARTY, PAL!
Contemporary African music has long captured the interest of Australian music fans. The numbers of devotees might be small when compared to mass pop audiences but the passion of its supporters is undeniable.
For the true diehards like Sydney local Annette Carter, the annual concert in Mali, in the Sahara Desert around 65 kilometres from Timbuktu, was an essential pilgrimage. She vividly remembers visits camping in a basic Tuareg tent against a backdrop of empty sand dunes and the superb roster of African musicians.
The festival was based on a centuriesold tradition where the Tuareg tribes of the region met once a year to share music. Sadly the festival came to an end in 2012 when Tuareg rebels took control of Northern Mali, and were overrun by Islamic separatist groups.
The annual Womadelaide Festival, was a huge catalyst in the promotion of African music in Australia in its
NEWCASTLE
formative years. Today it still continues to champion African artists – but without the really big names of a decade or more ago.
One of Africa’s latest remarkable surprises is the Nigerien guitar band Etran de l’Aïr. The group of brothers and cousins, have actually been around
since the early 1990s, beginning had a very humble start.
“We only had one acoustic guitar and for percussion, we hit a calabash with a sandal. It was difficult. We would walk to gigs by foot, lugging all our equipment, carrying a small PA and guitars on our backs, 25 kilometres into the bush, to
play for free…there’s nowhere in Agadez we haven’t played.”
It was on the local wedding circuit that the guys found a dedicated local following.
Many ethnomusicologists will tell you that blues music is rooted in Africa, with artists like Ali Farka Toure cited as a modern link in that tradition.
Etran are very much part of that legacy, with bluesy guitar melded into a broader pan-African style. It’s a sound that is easily absorbed by Western ears, propelled by an energy that equates to Anglo guitar-driven rock bands.
The guitar-based sound of Etran is raw and uncompromising. It locks you into a mesmerising groove and you either ride with it, or miss out on the party altogether.
Judging on the reaction of audiences worldwide it will be one non-stop celebration, like a wedding in Agadez, when the band plays two shows at the Opera House next month.
Etran de L’Air play the Utzon Room on 6 March.
Everything you need to check out when visiting Newcastle
If you’re planning to attend the Newcastle Fringe Festival in 2025, you’re in for a treat. Just a two-hour jaunt north from Sydney, Newcastle is a vibrant city that’s grown significantly in recent years, and is brimming with culture, culinary delights, and a nightlife that pulses with energy.
Here’s a guide to some of the city’s must-visit spots.
FOOD
Newcastle’s food scene is a tapestry of flavours, weaving together traditional and contemporary influences.
Alfie’s Italian is one of the city’s best lunch spots, offering a cozy retreat with its menu of classic dishes.
As evening falls, the city transforms into a culinary playground. Thermidor Oyster Bar and Brasserie offers up the freshest seafood, Humbug has a fantastically modern twist on a homey pasta joint, dyed-in-the-wool carnivores will adore Meet, Bistro Penny brings French classics, and Âpé Yakitori Bar presents the best flame-grilled Japanese food around.
CAFÉS AND BARS
Newcastle’s café culture is a blend of laid-back charm and sophisticated flair. The Kiosk, nestled in the Newcastle Memorial Walk, offers panoramic ocean views alongside its artisanal coffee and light bites. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunrise over the Pacific. Or head to Arno Deli for one of the best sandwiches you’ll ever have in your life, as well topnotch coffee and cannoli.
Other hot coffee spots are Cakeboi, Floozy, The Press Bookhouse, Goldbergs
Coffee House and Good Brother Espresso Shop.
As the sun sets Newcastle’s nightlife awakens, and the city’s laneways invite exploration. The Edwards is a speakeasy-style bar that transports you to another era with its dim lighting and jazz-infused ambiance. Granddad Jack’s Bar Experience is a haven for cocktail enthusiasts that exudes old-world charm. Also check out Vecina, Customs House Hotel, Styx Brewery, and the Prohibitionera speakeasy Coal and Cedar.
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Art aficionados will find their zen with Newy’s rich cultural offerings. The Newcastle Art Gallery houses an impressive collection of Australian art within stunning modernist architecture. For a taste of local history, the Newcastle Museum delves into the city’s industrial past and maritime heritage. The museum’s hands-on displays make it a hit with visitors of all ages.
SHOPPING AND MARKETS
Newcastle’s shopping scene is a delightful mix of eclectic and chic. Darby Street offers plenty of boutique stores and quirky retailers. On weekends, the Newcastle City Farmers Market is a testament to the region’s agricultural bounty, with stalls brimming with fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and baked goods.
Whether you’re savouring a meal, sipping a cocktail, or immersing yourself in culture or community, Newcastle offers a symphony of experiences that will linger long after your visit.
Photo: Sydney Opera House / Supplied
Photo: City of Newcastle
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In the heart of Newcastle, where the sea meets the city and creativity runs deep, a cultural storm is brewing. The 2025 Newcastle Fringe Festival is set to be the biggest and boldest yet, bringing ten electrifying days of theatre, music, comedy, cabaret, and more to the city’s buzzing arts scene.
BY CHLOE SARGEANT
Newcastle Fringe has always been a celebration of the bold, the brave, and the bizarre, but 2025 promises to be something extraordinary. This year’s program is a testament to the festival’s ever-growing stature, boasting a staggering 235 shows of 97 acts, and 612 artists performing at 15 venues over ten days, from Australia and beyond.
Founded by Phil Aughey in 2016, what began as an ambitious platform for local talent has evolved into an internationally recognised event that showcases the best of independent performance art.
With each passing year, it has grown larger and more dynamic, drawing visitors from across Australia and the world. NFF has evolved tremendously over the last nine years.
“The Newcastle Fringe Festival has experienced double digit growth in attendance every year since its inception, which is something to be proud of in a global and local environment where many festivals are not nearly as successful or being cancelled,” says Newcastle Fringe Chair Brooke Twyford.
But still, the festival retains its grassroots heart and remains true to the spirit of fringe, where you are just as likely to see an emerging artist as an award-winning celebrity trying out new material.
““It’s a true open access festival. This means that anyone can perform. Fringe is all about discovery… it’s a great way to see independent artists in action, supporting the creative community and encouraging the next generation of performers,” Newcastle Fringe Board Director & Vice-Chair Rebecca Fitzgibbons.
MADAM MARTHA’S PARISIAN CABARET A SHINING STAR OF 2025
One of the shining stars of this year’s program is Madam Martha’s Parisian Cabaret (MMPC), an intoxicating blend of Moulin Rouge glamour and Berlin underground grit. This award-winning spectacle, crowned Best Cabaret at
the 2024 Melbourne Fringe, promises a dazzling fusion of burlesque, drag, and live music as audiences are transported to a smoky, candlelit world of decadence and delight.
SOME OF THE AUSSIE ACTS TO NAB TICKETS FOR INCLUDE:
• musical satire Gladys – A Musical Affair about Gladys Berejiklian, which has been sold out everywhere it’s been staged
• Rob Carlton (Boy Swallows Universe) in five-star Adelaide Fringe hit Willing Participant
• the queer, camp, R-rated Barbie Burlesque by Adelaide’s Lyra la Belle
• Newcastle’s own seven-piece cabaret punk band Ruffians
There’s also a strong community and family element to Newcastle Fringe, with a diverse array of family-friendly events on the roster.
there’s something magical about wandering from one hidden venue to another, discovering unexpected gems along the way.
For those traveling from Sydney or elsewhere in Australia, Newcastle’s Fringe offers the perfect excuse for a getaway. Just a two-hour train ride from Sydney, the city boasts stunning beaches, a thriving dining scene, and a relaxed, welcoming vibe that makes it a dream destination.
With affordable ticket prices ranging from $10 to $43, Newcastle Fringe is an accessible, budget-friendly way to experience world-class performances in a city that knows how to put on a show.
Fringe is all about discovery: it’s a great way to see independent artists in action
Plus, the show has homegrown roots:
“I grew up in Maitland, just outside of Newcastle,” says MMPC’s Lachlan Bartlett, aka Iva Rosebud. “I’ve always wanted to bring something special back home, to the place where it all began.”
Despite also having a strong international lineup, the festival prides itself on providing a platform for Australian and local artists, with a huge chunk of its program dedicated to homegrown talent. Whether it’s cuttingedge theatre, laugh-out-loud comedy, experimental dance, or soul-stirring live music—each event offers something fresh, unique, and unfiltered.
“While Newcastle Fringe has a reputation for bold and boundarypushing performances, we’re also incredibly proud of the diverse familyfriendly shows in our program. This year, we have an exciting lineup of children’s theatre, comedy, magic, science and interactive performances designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young minds,” says Fitzgibbons.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRAVEL TO NEWCASTLE FOR FRINGE
Newcastle Fringe offers something else: an experience. The city itself becomes a stage, with intimate venues scattered across the streets, inviting audiences to explore and discover. Newcastle’s charm lies in its effortless blend of coastal beauty and urban culture, making it the perfect setting for a festival that thrives on connection and creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or a curious first-timer,
The 2025 festival is shaping up to be something far beyond a simple celebration of the arts—it’s a space where intrepid, out-of-the-box ideas come to life, where audiences are challenged and entertained in equal measure, and where every performance, big or small, is infused with the electric energy of artistic expression.
So, whether you’re a lover of the avant-garde, a seeker of the spectacular, or simply someone looking for a reason to escape the everyday, Newcastle Fringe is calling. Newy is ready. Are you?
Photo: Supplied
Madam Martha’s Parisian Cabaret. Photo: I Got Shot By Charlie
The Giant Balloon Show Photo: Supplied
The Grand Hotel Crowd Newcastle Fringe 2024. Photo: Supplied
HubARTS
BY JOSH KERWICK
The tragic tale of Violetta Valéry returns to the Opera House with a new revival season of La Traviata The performances, orchestration and set design of this production make it easy to see why this is one of the most performed operas in history.
Violetta (Samantha Clarke) is a Parisian noblewoman with an affinity for the party life who has been suffering from tuberculosis. When Alfredo (Ji-Min Park) professes his love for her, the two move to the countryside and are madly in love. However, Alfredo’s father Giorgio (José Carbó) soon comes knocking, threatening to end their passionate love affair.
Samantha Clarke returns from the 2024 season of La Traviata as Violetta. She takes full advantage of the way the show centres her character with a remarkable performance on both the vocal and physical fronts. As a remarkable soprano, the tragedy of Violetta is both seen and felt every moment she’s on stage, made all the more bittersweet by her single moment of happiness.
Ji-Min Park is similarly excellent as Alfredo, Violetta’s love. Park has played the role numerous times before, and
his experience shines through. He perfectly conveys the boundless love and heartbreak that Alfredo experiences, flawlessly slotting into Clarke’s vision of Violetta.
Giorgio is portrayed with similar gusto by José Carbó, an excellent performance that is surprisingly sympathetic given what the character asks of Violetta. Carbó makes Giorgio feel genuinely apologetic for what he’s asking of his son’s lover. It’s certainly no surprise when Giorgio
QUEER
Daniel Craig offer career-best performance in Burroughs' famous story
(See p. 22)
eventually feels remorseful, but you do feel his sincere anguish thanks to Carbó.
The ensemble cast are expectedly incredible also, and the sheer level of coordination on display during this production consistently impressed me. It should also come as no surprise to say that the orchestra under conductor Johannes Fritzsch is in top shape here, embracing the show’s moments of whimsy and tragedy with equal vigour.
The stagecraft that’s gone into this production of La Traviata also conveys Violetta’s euphoria and isolation. Despite the centuries-old setting, the show still feels relatable to the modern day.
This revival production of La Traviata will be highly appealing to both uninitiated and experienced opera enjoyers. It's a delightful way to experience the story of Violetta with a top-notch cast, orchestra and sense of craft that live up to a highly prestigious history of performance.
La Traviata is playing at the Opera House until March 27.
'LA TRAVIATA': A BRILLIANTLY REALISED PRODUCTION OF A CLASSIC Samuel Mariño
The sopranista returns
The voice that stunned Australia is back! Trailblazing Venezuelan soprano Samuel Mariño returns this month performing Handel’s finest arias alongside the Brandenburg.
SPECIAL OFFER
30% off Premium, A and B Reserve tickets using code SAMUEL30 at checkout
Photo: Guy Davies / Opera Australia
QTOPIA
DEBUTS SIX NEW EXHIBITIONS IN TIME FOR MARDI
BY JOSH KERWICK
Curatorial Director George Savoulis and his team are about to open six new exhibitions at Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ history and culture museum, Qtopia Sydney.
George says it’s been deeply rewarding.
“It’s been a long time in the works. We’ve waited until 2025 to have some exhibitions that run parallel to Mardi Gras and celebrate the community!” Each exhibition highlights different aspects of the queer community. You can see the history of Mardi Gras iconic costuming, or the life story of drag icon Joyce Maynge. You can experience Hung, about Archibald finalist Jason Jowett’s relationship with online dating, or explore the LGBTQIA+ community’s relationship to Kylie Minogue. Take a look at Qtopia’s selection of lesbians who have left an impact on society, or celebrate 25 years of DNA Magazine with a video montage about the male body.
For George, having a wide range of exhibitions is essential to the function of Qtopia. “It’s incredibly important to what we do. I view my job as providing a platform for the community to tell their stories, and it’s really difficult because we can’t do them all at once. Our community is as diverse as society itself,
GRAS
and there are thousands of stories to tell.”
He explains it best with the feedback to the Kylie Minogue & Queer Devotion exhibition, which is less about Kylie herself and more the unique relationship her fans have with her.
The exhibition features a huge array of Kylie memorabilia. But according to George, that’s just a smattering of what they received from the community: “I put out a call for the Kylie exhibition and we got so many offerings that I had too much to put into the exhibition space!”
Similar work has gone into exhibits like the Mardi Gras outfits exhibition, which features clothing worn at the original Mardi Gras to iconic fixtures of the parade, like the Lemonheads. It all ties into Qtopia’s mission statement: to be an inclusive platform for Australia’s LGBTQIA+ history.
Given increased hostilities towards queer folks globally right now, George says it makes now an important moment for these exhibitions to debut: “We’ve used glitter, flamboyance and sparkle as weapons in our activism.
“It shows that we stand proud with our drag family… It shows that we’re going to stay alive, and that we’re not going to disappear.”
The new exhibitions open on February 9th at Qtopia Sydney.
CHALLENGE YOUR OWN AWARENESS AT MOUTHS OF ILLUSION: BEYOND THE MACHINE
TThis mesmerising, immersive installation delves into the complexities of each of our personal identities, and how they’ve been shaped in our modern, technology-driven world.
Conceived over nine years by Sydney-based artist Nick Frost and New Zealand's Nick Kealey, Beyond the Machine first premiered at the 2020 New Zealand Fringe Festival.
The works in this installation are the result of profound experiences for both Frost and Kealey. This includes Frost’s forty-year journey with yoga and meditation, and a near-death experience in 2000 due to paralysis.
The complex personal and artistic journey of Kealey was tragically cut short – the talented artist passed away just one week before the 2020 NZ production of this show. Frost recently collaborated with leading Australian designer Dan Potra, to develop the installation ever further.
The installation critiques the relentless pursuit of manufactured optimism in contemporary society, where identities are often shaped by commodified narratives and instant gratification.
Mouths of Illusion: Beyond The Machine asks ‘who is the actual experiencer?’, aiming to uncover the borderless, timeless presence of our awareness – our true and lasting identity.
Through a fusion of postmodern
deconstruction, lyrical poetry, satiric pop art and more, it challenges viewers to confront the superficial constructs of modern rationalism and the pervasive influence of media.
At this free exhibition, visitors have the unique opportunity to experience a rich, dynamic tapestry of poetic and provocative texts, large-scale videos, sculptures, and immersive soundscapes. These elements collectively evoke the dominance of language and imagery in shaping our perceptions, urging a deeper reflection on the nature of identity and the societal forces that mold it.
‘A random item or phrase or gesture may spark enquiry into the presence of a hidden Real: that is, ‘ourself as borderless wholeness’,’ the event describes. ‘We thereby sift a bit of gold... letting the installation become an unlikely temple for communication.’
Open Door Productions has been instrumental in bringing the artists’ vision to life. Under the direction of Gabrielle Gazal, the team has ensured that the installation remains accessible to a wide audience, offering a space for contemplation and dialogue.
Mouths of Illusion: Beyond the Machine is more than an exhibition; it is an invitation to embark on a journey of introspection and discovery. Visitors are encouraged to question the narratives that define them, and to seek a deeper understanding of who they truly are, beyond the constructs of modern society.
his March, the Bondi Pavilion will host Mouths of Illusion: Beyond the Machine.
Photo: Gabrielle Gazal
Photo: Josh Kerwick
HubARTS
INAYA DAY & GREG GOULD HONOUR QUINCY JONES IN ONE-NIGHT-ONLY SHOW
BY MICHAEL JAMES
International dance icon and pop singer Inaya Day returns to Sydney for one night only soon, joining Australian singing sensation Greg Gould for The Quincy Jones Experience
Inaya Day is an internationally bestselling artist who many may be familiar with – particularly from the 90s smash hit, Horny ‘98. The cheeky song went on to top the Billboard Dance Charts and dominate dance floors around the world. Since then Day has worked on countless hit songs around the world including Can't Stop Dancing, Nasty Girl and her follow-up song Hold Your Head Up High
She joins Australia's Got Talent alumni and vocal powerhouse Greg Gould, who recently saw his album Strings Attached debut at number four on the ARIA Australian Albums chart.
Together, these two incredible talents will join their six-piece all-star band to pay tribute to one of the music all-time greats: Emmy, Oscar, Tony and Grammy award-winning producer and composer Quincy Jones.
Jones is known for working with some of the biggest names in the world including Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Aretha Franklin, and working on films like The Wiz and The Color Purple
Inaya and Greg will take audiences through his extraordinary body of work, from Thriller through to Fly Me To The Moon, It’s My Party, Stomp, Give Me The Night and much more.
"Performing with Inaya is always so special but this time it’s even more special it’s with our amazing live band," said Gould. "Quincy Jones was a genius and changed the world of music. We created this show a few years back but it’s gonna hit different this time. It’s gonna be an honest tribute to a great man of music."
Inaya is equally excited to be returning to Australia and performing with Greg.
"I love performing with my friend, the dynamic Greg Gould. It’s gonna be a fabulous night," she says. "We were planning these shows months before the great Quincy Jones’s passing and it means so much more now to be able to pay homage to him now. What a legacy!"
"So thrilled to be coming back to Australia to make some beautiful music and celebrate with you all!"
The Quincy Jones Experience, featuring Inaya Day and Greg Gould, is on at Sydney’s The Camelot Lounge on March 6, before heading to Melbourne to perform at The Toff on March 7.
Photo: Supplied
QUEER
BY JOSH KERWICK
APhoto: IMdB
ustralian audiences are finally getting the chance to see Queer, and I'm pleased to report that this is a wonderfully aesthetic movie. It follows the story of a fictionalised version of William S. Burroughs, played by a career-best Daniel Craig.
This surreal, slow-paced romance is practically everything that Guadagnino’s propulsive, electric Challengers is not. It can be a difficult film at times, but one worth sinking your teeth into if you meaningfully engage with it.
Queer tells the tale of William Lee, an American expat struggling with drug addiction in 1950s Mexico, who becomes highly interested in a much younger man called Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey). Eugene is elusive and
REVIEW
unknowable, and despite the pair having vastly different conceptions of queer identity and love, they strike up a fiery, albeit unusual relationship.
Daniel Craig's performance as Lee is alone worth seeing Queer for. The character exudes a ceaseless charisma and liveliness, and even in Lee's worst moments I often found myself charmed by him.
Additionally, Drew Starkey is great as the fresh-faced Eugene. His performance is less 'big' than Craig's, owing to the character's own elusiveness, but the huge pull from Lee and relatively lax push from Eugene defines their relationship.
Guadagnino and company make the bold choice for Queer to be less a fully accurate period drama, but more of a
PRESENCE
BY JOSH KERWICK
Presence, from Steven Soderbergh, is not a horror movie. It’s really a dark suburban supernatural drama, about a family who move into a new house with a ghost.
The gimmick of the film, though, is that the ghost is portrayed entirely by the camera. This imbues Presence with a sense of voyeurism that makes the viewer feel invasive upon this family’s life. However, I think Presence would be much stronger as a straight horror flick.
Chris Sullivan gives the best performance as the fraying father, while
mood piece, prioritising ‘feeling’ above all else. There are blatantly anachronistic music cues from artists like Nirvana and Prince — but this enhances the film, adding to its dreamy, timeless aesthetic. And yes, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the sex scenes in Queer are of an equally beautiful calibre. Each of them is a remarkably sensual expression of queer desire, made all the more transgressive by its 1950s setting.
Frankly, Queer would not be the same film without them.
The film can be a little difficult to bolt down at times, but I'd argue its bottomless well of ideas and themes is precisely the point - and as long as you're willing to dive into them, you'll find watching cinematic experience.
1/2 Queer hits cinemas from February 6.
THE LAST SHOWGIRL
BY MARK MORELLINI
Directed by Gia Coppola, Showgirl is a dark, heartbreaking story about the degradation of women in showbiz as they get older.
It centres on Shelley (Pamela Anderson), a hardworking and dedicated 50-something-year-old showgirl who learns the show she’s been performing in for over 30 years is ending.
Lucy Liu feels underutilised. But the film most heavily rests on the three young actors: Callina Liang, Eddy Maday and West Mulholland. I appreciate Soderbergh’s willingness to cast young actors, but this is a dicey project for even highly experienced actors. Still, that style decision is enough to carry Presence to some success, as an acclaimed director’s stab at something fresh – even if its overall results are mixed.
1/2 Presence is in cinemas from February 6.
“Our show is legendary,” she states, after learning the shocking news. “It’s a dinosaur!” somebody responds. Times have changed and so have people’s tastes in entertainment.
The Last Showgirl explores ageing and fading dreams. How does a seasoned showgirl, who has been stagnant in one production for so many years, plan her future? Will she ever perform in another production? Is she
Photo:
Photo: IMdB
