Category: Uncategorized

ITS term is fixed. It collects the garbage and it is the most democratic of all the Parliaments in Australia. Yes, this is the Parliament which the people of the ACT are electing today, in the eighth ACT self-government election. Continue reading “ACT election extra articles”

ONE of Australia’s leading constitutional experts, Professor George Williams, called this week for a firm timetable for a referendum to recognise Indigenous people in the Constitution and to rid the Constitution of its remaining racist clauses. Continue reading “Why the 1967 referendum went wrong”

ALAN Jones makes it very difficult for us Voltairians who find merit in the precept: “I disagree with what you say but I will defend to the utmost your right to say it.” Continue reading “Jones makes it hard for Voltairians”

THESE days they call it trivial pursuit. Forty years ago this week it was general knowledge and, for me, the pursuit was not trivial. Continue reading “”

QUEENSLAND joined Western Australia and Victoria in a resounding piece of hypocrisy this week by increasing its mining royalties. It also joins Western Australia and Victoria in a resounding under-estimation of the Commonwealth’s taxation power. Continue reading “Qld Govt hypocritical on over mining tax”

WHAT on earth is the Gillard Government doing wasting so many taxpayers’ dollars on dental health for children, education, and support for the disabled. Continue reading “Government waste on teeth and disabled”

WILL the ACT be next? Last Saturday Labor lost in the Northern Territory with a six per cent swing against it. It follows losses in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia. Continue reading “Will ACT be next to fall to Libs?”

wHERE’S the Money Coming From has been the classic political riposte against governments with big-spending promises. In the past week or so, several well-placed non-politicians have been giving similar warnings. Continue reading “Higher taxes or stable population”

ANGUS Houston’s basic decency and humanity were obvious every time, as head of the Australian Defence Force, he had to announce the death of another soldier in Afghanistan. His fundamental integrity was apparent when he refused to economise with the truth during the inquiry into the children overboard affair. Continue reading “Military mindset mars refugee plans”

THE controversial elevation of ACT barrister Stuart Pilkinton to the ranks of Senior Counsel invites questioning of the whole process. The public has a strong interest in the regulation of the professions, particularly law and medicine. Continue reading “More open system for SCs needed”