AUSTRALIA will spend $440 million on next week’s census. The census will ask about 55 questions, making it about $8 million a question. That is a lot more useful and a lot cheaper than the proposed $160m plebiscite on marriage equality. The plebiscite will get an answer to only one question, and we already know what that answer is. Moreover, the answer is completely useless because MPs will not be bound by it and nor will the question contain any exact legislative words. Continue reading “Plebiscite: an expensive and divisive gathering of statistics”
Destroying liberty in order to save it
DO WE have to destroy liberty and the rule of law in order to preserve it? In the quest to deal with terrorism, Australia has passed ever more draconian and privacy-infringing laws. Now Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is proposing indefinite detention for people convicted of terrorism offences after they have served their sentences. Continue reading “Destroying liberty in order to save it”
Reaching for high fruit in domestic solar generation
IN THE summer of my Year 10, 11 and 12, I worked cherry-picking during the two frenetic weeks when the fruit ripened in the Beechworth orchards. It was low-paid, hard work and the horticulture was not well-advanced. The trees were allowed to grow too high. Continue reading “Reaching for high fruit in domestic solar generation”
Right-wing Libs lose biggest chunk of seats
THE major losses by the Coalition this election have had people thinking that Malcolm Turnbull’s authority in his own party and in the country at large is weakened. Well, with some good decision-making, based on the evidence, it need not be. Continue reading “Right-wing Libs lose biggest chunk of seats”
Lessons from a hung Parliament
I WOULD like to draw to Senator Nick Xenophon’s attention to the 1892 English Court of Appeal case Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Company. The company had advertised a 100 pound reward for anyone who took its carbolic smoke ball as instructed and subsequently contracted the flu. Continue reading “Lessons from a hung Parliament”
Why a hung Parliament would be good for us
THE following is why I hope there is a hung Parliament. And perhaps it is why there may well be one. On each of the following policies or issues (in no particular order) one or both the parties have a position that significant majorities oppose. Continue reading “Why a hung Parliament would be good for us”
The negative sides on poor policy on gearing
LABOR has clarified its policy on negative gearing after claims by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that it would stultify the start up of new businesses. Continue reading “The negative sides on poor policy on gearing”
Turnbull’s seat by no means completely safe
BE SURPRISED but not totally gob-smacked if Malcolm Turnbull loses his seat of Wentworth at next Saturday’s election – even if the Coalition wins. Look at this way. One of the main reasons for the dramatic fall-off in Coalition support since the heady days of its huge winning margin shortly after Turnbull assumed the prime ministership has been the large disappointment in Turnbull himself. Continue reading “Turnbull’s seat by no means completely safe”
Anglophone experience says use power well or lose it
US political scientist Francis Fukuyama wonders why it didn’t happen a whole lot sooner. He was referring to the rise of the protest candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Fukuyama argues that the people who support these two are disaffected with mainstream politics. Trump supporters, who are mainly white, middle-aged, male and less well-off, are disaffected by what they see as a political elite that has sold out American jobs with free trade agreements. Continue reading “Anglophone experience says use power well or lose it”
Major parties lose ground because of growth mantra, lobbies
LEADERS and former leaders of major parties have been attacking the minor parties and independents almost as forcefully as each other this election, especially in the past week. The Coalition has been especially vociferous against Nick Xenophon’s party. Continue reading “Major parties lose ground because of growth mantra, lobbies”