THE last Newspoll for 2016 reinforced the basic political conundrum of this decade: Voters crying: “Me; me; me,” But also demanding governments make sure they address all of the important national-interest matters: budget deficit, economic growth, education, health care and infrastructure. Continue reading “Doing nothing pays. Paralysis sets in”
International disorder and dashed democracy
LIBERAL democracy and the rules-based international order received the biggest set-back in 2016 in any year since before the Berlin Wall came down. The only year that comes close is 2003, the year of the illegal invasion of Iraq based on concocted intelligence. Continue reading “International disorder and dashed democracy”
The inagile emptiness of our Prime Minister
WHEN I attempted to transfer everything from my iPhone 6 to my new iPhone 7 this week, and what is supposed to be the gold standard software for music and media management – iTunes – deleted nearly all my music, and then the back-up external hard drive also failed, a bucketload of Anglo-Saxon nouns and adjectives emanated from the home office. Continue reading “The inagile emptiness of our Prime Minister”
$15,000 a year a fair payment for everyone, especially the disaffected
IN THE wake of Brexit, One Nation, Trump and the general alienation of those who have lost their jobs, wages growth and sense of purpose to globalisation, Australia should join Finland in considering a minimum-payment scheme. Continue reading “$15,000 a year a fair payment for everyone, especially the disaffected”
Court document shows how Qld stole $500m in Indigenous wages
IN 1964, Hans Pearson – an Aboriginal man with a wife, Anna, and eight children – was granted an exemption from the legislative scheme under which wages earned by Indigenous people (mainly stockmen) in Queensland were paid into a state-run fund. Continue reading “Court document shows how Qld stole $500m in Indigenous wages”
When think tanks shine over democracy
THE dysfunction in our democracy has been no better exemplified than this week’s publication of two very sound tax policies by the independent public-interest organisation the Grattan Institute. They were on the case for a tax on sugary drinks and an end to tax concessions for people over 65. They come after a Grattan reports earlier this year on capital-gains tax, negative gearing and superannuation. Continue reading “When think tanks shine over democracy”
Fairness trumps money in voters’ eyes
THE principle that humans will act “rationally” was part of the bedrock of economics, at least until the 1980s when behavioural psychology started to infiltrate the dismal science. Continue reading “Fairness trumps money in voters’ eyes”
Trump victory shows hate speech should be unlawful
WHEN the parliamentary Human Rights Committee inquires into Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act it should recall the quote from President-elect Donald Trump about Mexicans. Continue reading “Trump victory shows hate speech should be unlawful”
Disqualification clause gets its Day in court
TWENTY years ago the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs began inquiring into the section of the Constitution under which two senators are now facing disqualification. Continue reading “Disqualification clause gets its Day in court”
Federal demand push causes housing crisis
TREASURER Scott Morrison’s address to Urban Development Institute of Australia this week highlights much of what is has been wrong with Australian politics in the 21 st century. Having identified a “housing affordability” problem (wow!), Morrison did what every federal politician has done since the 1990s – refused to acknowledge the nasty political conundrum by resorting to opaque language; ignored the obvious; and blamed someone else.
TREASURER Scott Morrison’s address to Urban Development Institute of Australia this week highlights much of what is has been wrong with Australian politics in the 21 st century. Having identified a “housing affordability” problem (wow!), Morrison did what every federal politician has done since the 1990s – refused to acknowledge the nasty political conundrum by resorting to opaque language; ignored the obvious; and blamed someone else. Continue reading “Federal demand push causes housing crisis”