Sushi, pets and sleeping rough

Average wages have flatlined, yet corporate bosses pay themselves obscene amounts.

Scots College in Sydney's east is undergoing $25.1 million major upgrade of its library building, including a ‘complete recladding of the exterior in a Scottish Baronial architectural style’ complete with castellations, a tower, a turret, and ‘grand bay windows’. Other private schools boast of auditoriums with adjustable orchestra pits, on-site baristas and Olympic standard sporting facilities. It’s the parents who choose to pay the exorbitant fees. But when a public school in Sydney's west is now 80 per cent demountables and more than 500 students are having to spend their lunchtimes lining up to use the ten available toilets, something isn’t right.

We boast that Australia is a successful multicultural nation. We all nod and agree there is no place for racism in Australia. But watch the documentary about the racism faced by Australian of the Year and former Swans star Adam Goodes and hang your head in shame. Check out the video Indigenous Australian actress and writer Nakkiah Lui recently shared of a racist encounter she had with a woman. At a supermarket. Remember the Cronulla Beach riots in 2005 where a large group of white thugs targeted men of ‘Middle Eastern appearance’? Sun and surf indeed.

There will always be cracks, there will always be a divide. But it’s getting bigger, and we have to call it out for what it is. To notice it, to talk about it. To push for change.

And if I did have a dog, it wouldn’t be allowed to watch a plasma TV.