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| The moral bankruptcy of the Olympics, those Eddie McGuire comments and the truth behind a scare campaign | Good morning,
Here's a collection of some of the best analysis and opinion pieces published by our friends at The Drum this week:
WE NEED ACTION TO GET MORE WOMEN INTO POLITICS (OH, AND IT'S 2016)
By Rae Cooper and Sally Hanna-Osborne
Women's representation in the parliaments of Australia - state and federal and across the houses - has reached a high water mark of 32 per cent. It's a significant improvement from the 20 per cent figure of the late 1990s, but hasn't yet hit the widely-recognised level for critical mass for influence and impact, one third.
We don't medal in any international comparison; in fact, we're slipping down the table.
We lag considerably behind Germany and also the UK and have been lapped by a country we wouldn't normally see as being in our league - Rwanda, whose female share of parliamentary representation is double ours.
It's time the women of Australia had their fair share of representation in the parliaments.
RIO'S FINANCIAL CRISIS REVEALS THE MORAL BANKRUPTCY OF THE OLYMPICS
By Chris Berg
The mayor of Rio de Janeiro would like the world to know that the economic crisis engulfing Brazil "in no way delays the delivery of Olympic projects and the promises assumed by the city of Rio".
Other non-Olympic promises are in jeopardy.
The city faces "a total collapse in public security, health, education, transport and environmental management" if it does not receive funding from the federal government of Brazil.
What a contrast. On the one hand, Rio's politicians have absolute confidence they will deliver this year's summer Olympic Games, which begin on August 5.
On the other hand, they have almost no confidence they will be able to provide their citizens with the basic functions of government.
The Olympic movement likes to affect an image of sporting valour and nobility. But it is the epitome of government waste, almost always doing great harm to its host and taking a real human toll.
MCGUIRE'S COMMENTS REEK OF THE AFL BOYS CLUB OF OLD
By Kate Tozer
No-one believes Eddie McGuire's comments about journalist Caroline Wilson were a direct threat to a woman he and his colleagues all know and work alongside, but that's irrelevant.
A man dunking a woman under water, holding her head down while people jump on her, describes an act of violence. It is no joke.
Just as society no longer accepts casual racism, we must not tolerate flippant sexism or allow boys to believe a conversation like this between adult men and those in positions of power, is normal banter.
The AFL missed an important opportunity to support its own women's policy agenda.
A statement condemning the abuse should have been blunt and unequivocal. Instead, CEO Gillon McLachlan said the men were "seeking to be light-hearted". It's a shame.
THE SCARY INEVITABILITY OF THE FEAR CAMPAIGN
By Barrie Cassidy
If the Coalition is elected - according to Labor - Medicare will be privatised and you'll pay more for just about everything related to health.
And if Labor wins - according to the Coalition - you'll be hit with "a great big thumping electricity tax," and a housing tax - and the boats will be back.
Tough choice.
Except of course it's not. None of that will happen.
The major parties are able to run these campaigns because even though the policies are broadly the same, the level of commitment is not.
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