⏱️This edition of the National Account’s newsletter is a five-minute read.
👋 G’day everyone, Archie here.
I’ve got two pretty cracker yarns for you today.
First, we take a look at one of Australia’s most controversial video games: Escape from Woomera. The name might sound familiar to you: it sent the immigration minister into a spin way back in 2003.
Then, who is behind a group running ads in Victoria depicting Melbourne as a flooded mess? And what is their association with conservative think tank, the Institute of Public Affairs?
Let’s dive into it 🗞️
The decision [to fund the development of the Escape from Woomera video game] reflects poorly upon the Australia Council and its judgement, that the organisation should lend its name to the promotion of unlawful behaviour
🗣️ Why did he say that?
In 2003, a group of anonymous Australian developers made a video game about escaping an immigration detention centre.
Federal arts funding body, the Australia Council, gave the developers $25,000 to do it.
Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock was not pleased. Neither was a refugee advocacy group, who called the whole thing insensitive.
This is the story of Escape from Woomera, arguably Australia's most controversial video game.
For my full rundown check out today’s video:
Fixing Victoria? 🌊
A new group called Fix Victoria is running ads about the state's debt ahead of the November election.
Its front man is a former IPA policy director and “longstanding friend” of Victorian Opposition leader Jess Wilson.
Its organisational representative is a former IPA deputy director.
What’s going on?
Watch my rundown below:
Thanks for catching up with me. I hope you enjoyed this issue, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Just reply to this email and I’ll be on the other side 👋
I’ll be back on Friday.
Cheers, Archie