The Cryptic: Mungo MacCallum

2020-10-17 - Mungo MacCallum is a political journalist and commentator and the author of several books. He is The Saturday Paper’s crossword writer.

ACROSS

1. One thousand travelling in automobiles – Coronas, perhaps ( 6 )

4. Those of immense self-worth – so it gets muddled! ( 8 )

9. Locks in rest break with rescue workers ( 7 )

11. Alternative age returns – no, Herb! ( 7 )

12. Outcast – drive back, back! ( 5 )

13. Very strong evidence follows – balls! ( 9 )

14. Princess Motionless with the queen. Why, you ask? It produces spirits (10)

16. Very small, soft cry ( 4 )

19. Bloody – like Al? ( 4 )

20. English princess with court cases about ring leaders ( 10 )

22. It stays in rhythm with wild monotreme ( 9 )

23. Take legal action about, for instance, transition ( 5 )

25. Sound the horn for president and alien ( 7 )

26. Bets over wild ride – could be the Redbacks ( 7 )

27. People in Lhasa live among giants ( 8 )

28. Estimate boss, suggested Spooner, expressing loathing ( 6 ) DOWN

1. Outlet among two animals (traditional enemies) and a kelpie (6,3)

2. Report ease in raising of a small dog and encouragement for a horse (3-2)

3. Hold back about the tune ( 8 )

5. Celebrity basketballers, jetsetters (13)

6. Worthless human beings – the weakest ever really produced, silly start ( 6 )

7. Like a long time including each daytime TV series (4,5)

8. Mock science dismissed ( 5 )

10. Seriously overprotected and cosseted to rent (7,6)

15. Awful others bum – people say it really sticks out! (4,5)

17. Got ensorcelled ( 9 )

18. Top military in charge of Australian Greens ( 8 )

21. Cleaner, favourite, appealing child ( 6 )

22. French word, English time for a musical work ( 5 )

24. Feminist backs meagre ergonomic input ( 5 )