THE hogwash delivered last week by the US National Rifle Association in response to the Connecticut shootings can be fairly quickly dismissed by a comparison with Australia. Continue reading “Gunning for donation reform”
Category: Uncategorized
Court’s drowsy procrastination goes on
A LARGE sign spelling AON atop a 12-storey office block glares over the ACT Supreme Court building on the other side of London Circuit. 
It should act as a reminder and warning. But the lesson has been forgotten and the warning ignored. Continue reading “Court’s drowsy procrastination goes on”
Seven-year wait for justice
SEVEN years after the loss at sea of two Australian immigration officers and three others, the search for accountability for the families appears to be whimpering to an end after a Court of Appeal decision last week. Continue reading “Seven-year wait for justice”
States should not have environment role
STATE and territory governments in Australia are too inept, tainted by corruption and compromised for anyone to have any confidence in their capacity to make decisions on whether developments are environmentally acceptable.
In the 19th century a local stream could be dealt with locally. But now environmental issues are becoming more national and international. Continue reading “States should not have environment role”
How to save us from climate-change doomsayers
“WE’RE doomed; we’re all doomed,” as Private Fraser of “Dad’s Army” fame would have it. Continue reading “How to save us from climate-change doomsayers”
Inquiry will need access to confessional secrets
THE Royal Commission into child sex abuse is going to face a major evidentiary and constitutional problems. In announcing the commission, Prime Minister Julia Gillard stressed the evil not only of the abuse itself, but also the cover-up. Indeed, in her eyes, the cover-up seems to be the core reason for the commission. Continue reading “Inquiry will need access to confessional secrets”
Indigenous not helped by speech ban
IT IS taking quite a long time to break down the misconception that people who are not dark-skinned cannot possibly be Indigenous or Aboriginal. Continue reading “Indigenous not helped by speech ban”
Frighteners put on ratings agencies
AT LAST some come uppance for the ratings agencies that caused so much damage in the global financial crisis.
IN THE the big wash-up of the global financial crisis, we did not see the demise of too many big financial corporations. Some were too big to be allowed to fail and so were bailed out by the US Government. Continue reading “Frighteners put on ratings agencies”
Engaging with Asia not a language matter
DO NOT feel guilty if English is your first language. Feel blessed. It obviates the need for you to learn English. Continue reading “Engaging with Asia not a language matter”
Females preferred in ACT election
THE final figures are not in, but a pro-female swing is clearly discernable in last weekend’s ACT election. Maybe the general political environment of Julia Gillard’s denunciation of Tony Abbott for being what she called misogynist might have rallied female voters. Continue reading “Females preferred in ACT election”