In their debut issue, editors NATHAN HOLLIER and KATHERINE WILSON strike out against commercially-funded think-tanks that have growing and disproportionate influence over public debate and policy. This issue features:
• HUMPHREY McQUEEN examining the “ratcheting up” of the pace of life and work• stories by the working poor: often spoken about but rarely heard. Essays about this sector by FRANK STILWELL, TONY EARDLEY and PHILIP MENDES
• a profile by LINDA JAIVIN of the Villawood prisoners who developed remarkable artistic resourcefulness
• an essay by LAUREN VAN DYKE exposing corporate–government palm-greasing
• the parliamentary debate we didn’t have: PETER HOLDING detailing the argument against Australia’s involvement in the war on Iraq
• an essay on fraud and Aboriginality by STEPHEN GRAY
• an essay by TOM BAXTER, the ‘thief’ in possession of Ned Kelly’s skull
• a parodic poem by GEOFF GOODFELLOW that takes an irreverent swipe at the ‘Jackson Pollock’ school of Australian poetry.

This issue contains Overland’s regular serving of literary essays, poetry, fiction, and reviews of books published in Australia. It also features the work of Australian artists and cartoonists and introduces comment and opinion sections.