Michael Taylor, Author at The Australian Independent Media Network

Anti-genocide poster over historical attack engraving

Genocide Ordained

11 July 2026 Michael Taylor 22

Was the total extermination of Australia’s Indigenous people deliberately intended? I would argue that it was. For much of Australia’s colonial history, it was considered acceptable to shoot Aboriginal people. Many colonists believed God had […]

Man speaking at presidential podium with American flag

The World’s Most Admired Nation (According to One Man)

8 July 2026 Michael Taylor 10

President Trump assures the faithful, with unwavering confidence, that the United States is now “the hottest country in the world.” The crowds cheer enthusiastically. One suspects that, before long, someone will suggest engraving it on […]

Red-haired woman pointing while speaking in chamber

Pauline Hanson: Too easy to dismiss, too late to ignore

29 June 2026 Michael Taylor 12

For thirty years, Pauline Hanson has occupied a peculiar place in Australian politics. She has been impossible to ignore, impossible to silence, yet often easy to dismiss. Since first entering Parliament in 1996, Hanson has […]

Four musicians at press conference with quote

The Day the Beatles Said No to Racism

26 June 2026 Michael Taylor 3

In September 1964, Beatlemania was sweeping the United States. Everywhere they went, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were greeted by screaming fans, packed stadiums and unprecedented media attention. The Beatles could […]

Collage of logos, male portraits, and pearl

Independent Media: Democracy’s Last Line of Defense

22 June 2026 Michael Taylor 14

Author’s note: This article first appeared on our old site in 2013. It has been updated to include the discussion on algorithms. Democracy does not begin at the ballot box Long before a vote is […]

Collage of international political leaders and landmarks

Pauline Hanson and the Global Populist Wave: Lessons for Australia

18 June 2026 Michael Taylor 4

Pauline Hanson is not an isolated Australian figure. She forms part of an international pattern of right-wing populist politics that has reshaped debate in many Western democracies. Leaders like Trump in the United States, Farage […]

Red-haired woman pointing and speaking passionately

Hansonism: Politics Built on Grievance and Confrontation

16 June 2026 Michael Taylor 12

For Australians who lived through decades of relatively civil politics, many of us watch with dismay as respectful debate gives way to personal attacks and tribal shouting matches. Pauline Hanson and her One Nation supporters […]

Side-by-side portraits of elderly man and woman

The politics of division: the masters

9 June 2026 Michael Taylor 8

In more than four decades of following Australian politics, two names stand out when I think about division: Pauline Hanson and John Howard. That is not because they were the most extreme politicians Australia has […]

Serious man beside missile and fiery explosion

How do you justify a war?

27 May 2026 Michael Taylor 16

There comes a point when the language of war stops matching the reality of it: Bombed apartment blocks become “targets” Dead children become “collateral damage” Starving civilians become “human shields” And anyone who questions the […]

Family angrily blaming elderly couple near street

The generation that apparently ruined everything

14 May 2026 Michael Taylor 16

The modern stereotype of the Baby Boomer has become so familiar that people barely question it anymore. Apparently we Boomers are all wealthy, own multiple investment properties, and of course vote conservative. We selfishly hoarded […]

If chooks could kill

4 May 2026 Michael Taylor 2

I’m delighted that my previous stories about life as a young lad on a Kangaroo Island farm were so warmly received. In many of those tales, the real stars were mischievous or seemingly innocent youngsters […]

When “data” becomes “danger”

3 May 2026 Michael Taylor 4

There’s a quiet sleight of hand happening in parts of Australian media – and once you see it, it sticks. The first screenshot shows the relatively neutral introduction to an article on realestate.com.au. It reports […]

Three people in NASA spacesuits giving thumbs-up

Ground Control to Major Donald

30 April 2026 Michael Taylor 16

There are moments in public life when satire simply gives up, packs a small bag, and leaves town without a forwarding address. This may be one of them. In a recent reflection on his own […]

Man in suit interview with quote overlay

The arsonist complains about the smoke

27 April 2026 Michael Taylor 7

I nearly choked on my vanilla slice. There was Donald Trump, sitting down with 60 Minutes, solemnly warning that America has become more violent because of the language used by Democrats. For a moment, I […]

Man in tuxedo speaking at presidential podium

A strange honour

26 April 2026 Michael Taylor 11

The shooting that disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was a stark reminder of how quickly public life can turn volatile – gunfire, confusion, and the swift evacuation of Donald Trump and other officials. […]

The Australian Independent Media Network

The AIMN is an online platform that provides a space for citizen and public interest journalists to engage in and contribute to independent media, focusing on politics, democracy, environment, and identity.

Articles by Michael Taylor