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This week’s column: In the face of a bushfire catastrophe, our national conversation is still run by politics abc.net.au/news/2020-01-1…

Grand sale, grand sale ... Last chance to bid #AuthorsForFireys Here's the leader board at the moment: $600 for the mega set of five books @Bock4Nicholls $250 for The Football Solution Craig Nelson $50 for Balancing Act Trish Lynch Auction closes 11pm tonight.

Late mail: Top bid for the mega set is now $650 Ben Auction closes at 11pm. #AuthorsforFireys

Now at $700 with @louise_wuz

And $300 for Australia's Second Chance @SoulaPapadopo Thank you again to all who have replied so far. Keep the bids coming for the set of five books, or any individual title. Just over half an hour to go.

And $200 for The Australian Moment Simon Topper

New leader for the set $1000 sscensored One more minute to go ...

Thank you Sharon. It was my pleasure. And thank you Emily Gale for inspiring us all. #AuthorsForFireys

I'll be in conversation with former Reserve Bank governor and first-time author Ian Macfarlane on Tuesday, 10 March at 6.30pm Readings Hawthorn. readings.com.au/event/ian-macf…

I filmed an episode of SBS’s Mastermind. It will air THIS TUESDAY April 7 at 6pm around Australia. My special subject was: Mark Latham: Labor Leadership Years. I went on the show to highlight the fact that people with disabilities can be smart and articulate. Tune in.

RIP Ted. One of the truly great public servants of the past half century. Wonderful tributes in this piece from those who worked with him, including Paul Keating and Peter Costello.

A reminder that Australia dodged a bullet. Our coronavirus case load was on the same trajectory as the UK's before we closed the borders, and locked down the economy in late March. But that new spike in cases from Victoria is a worry. Graph via Financial Times

Compared to the charnel houses of the USA and UK, Australia has so far done well. This is down to good luck, random chance and, after about mid-March, much improved management and above all the common sense & commitment of the Australian people. But plenty of bullets struck home:

Finally got to read this the other day. You should too. It's magnificent.

Being thoroughly confused about the idea of cabinet government seems to be very 2020 as well.

Queensland: Beautiful one day, Richmond the next.

Btw, this is the tweet of 2020 #gotiges