WHAT follows is a quite radical idea following Carrie Bickmore’s Logie-award plea for more money for brain cancer research. Cancer research consumes a huge amount of money but we are going to have to raise it if we are to get better results. One way is to see if spending in other health areas can be reduced, to free up money for research. Continue reading “Up here for brains down there for kidneys”
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The case for more sound public-sector activity
A NEW “fightback” is emerging in Australia. The publication of two books in Australia yesterday exemplify the trend.
Government cannot refreeze the Greenland icesheet
IT HAS been a week of government and communal effort to come to the rescue of people and private property affected by storms and floods. Continue reading “Government cannot refreeze the Greenland icesheet”
St Peter of the three smirks betrays Budget purity
OH THE rank hypocrisy of Saint Peter of the Three Smirks. It was he who betrayed the creed of budget prudence by cutting capital gains tax in half; by cutting tax on superannuation for those over 60; and by squandering the fruits of the mining boom on tax cuts for the rich. Continue reading “St Peter of the three smirks betrays Budget purity”
Legal system too slow for copyright solution
THE legal system has rarely been able to keep up with technology. And so it has been with the question of the illegal downloading of music and movies from the internet. This week much has been made of the legal victory of the copyright owners of the Dallas Buyers Club in the Federal Court. They successfully sought an order for six internet services providers to disclose the names and addresses of people suspected of illegal downloading. But this was more a technological victory than a legal one. Continue reading “Legal system too slow for copyright solution”
Not being Abbott is not enough for Labor
LABOR should now stop repaying Tony Abbott for the six years of obstructionist bastardry during the time Labor was last in Government – for Labor’s own sake and the sake of the nation. Continue reading “Not being Abbott is not enough for Labor”
The broad church accepts high debt
THE broad church, as John Howard has put it, that is the Liberal Party has accommodated many views, but it always has had one article of faith – fiscal rectitude. Continue reading “The broad church accepts high debt”
Double dissolution favour majors not minors
THE Greens would be the biggest losers in a double dissolution. Perhaps that is why there was a bit of muttering about the possibility among Ministers in the past week. But the talk was quickly dismissed. Undermining Green power is one matter, losing government in the process is another. Continue reading “Double dissolution favour majors not minors”
Thought bubble or super idea?
THE special interests came out in force during the week at the suggestion by Treasurer Joe Hockey that young people be allowed to dip into their superannuation to help buy their first home. Continue reading “Thought bubble or super idea?”
Being fair to the next generation
GOVERNMENT debt in Australia has fluctuated furiously in all the time we have had public finance, so it should not be a big item in an intergenerational report. Other things are much more important. When you look at them, future generations would much prefer a pile of debt and those things protected than no debt and those things lost. Continue reading “Being fair to the next generation”