THE Australian Crime Commission and the Australian Federal Police had a lucky day. Kevin Rudd and an Abbott staffer did not. The ACC and AFP, like all bureaucracies, desire to widen their powers and wealth. 
No bureaucracy ever says, “Our task is smaller now. We need less money and fewer people.” Continue reading “AFP “manages” a lucky break. Not so Rudd.”
Drop this one, even the Yes referendums were dud
THE Government should abandon its referendum to recognise local government. It should learn the lessons of history. This week, it failed to get unqualified support from the Opposition, so the proposition is doomed. Continue reading “Drop this one, even the Yes referendums were dud”
Big Lib-Lab gap now but not for long
Australian elections are usually too close to worry about an aberrant Labor wipe-out. Also, a study tells of the definitive conclusion about cycle helmets.
AUSTRALIAN elections are always close run things. But September’s election could easily be one of the very unusual outriders. In the 24 elections since Menzies came to power in 1949 in only two was the two-party-preferred split greater than 45-55. 
Those were in 1966 — the All the Way with LBJ victory of Harold Holt — and the 1975 post-dismissal victory of Malcolm Fraser. (Cycle helmets stuff is below.) Continue reading “Big Lib-Lab gap now but not for long”
Diability scheme has economic benefit
NEARLY all major reforms in Australia are done by Labor Governments. From aged and widows pensions and the PBS in the 1940s, through to Medicare and racial-discrimination laws in the 1970s, economic liberalisation and universal superannuation in the 1980s and now the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Continue reading “Diability scheme has economic benefit”
Who will I vote for — just ask
This article was published in the CT in March and did not make the web page till now.
I AM a Tony Abbott groupie. I love the Liberal Party. Economically, I think everyone should be allowed to do what they like – to be rich and stay rich. Socially, I think women should be barefoot and pregnant and do what they are told. And refos and gays should be put in their place and George Pell should be Pope. Continue reading “Who will I vote for — just ask”
Debt OK if spent well — ask a home-owner
THE Grattan Institute is the latest in a long line of conservative or independent think tanks to warble on about public debt. Well, yes, it is higher than it has been for a while. But government debt (federal, state and local) is historically low at the moment. Private debt is historically high. Continue reading “Debt OK if spent well — ask a home-owner”
Do not dwell on bursting housing bubble
AUSTRALIA’S madly over-priced housing market seems to be holding up despite various economists’ analyses that dwellings in Australia are 30 to 40 per cent over-priced. Continue reading “Do not dwell on bursting housing bubble”
THERE is more than a technological difference between the Coalition’s new broadband policy and Labor’s National Broadband Network.
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Why media change and republic crashed
STEPHEN Conroy and Malcolm Turnbull have something in common. The Communications Minister and his Opposition counterpart are each responsible for destroying worthwhile changes in Australian society by adopting the crash-or-crash through approach. Continue reading “Why media change and republic crashed”
Disturbance in the ranks
MAJOR Ting Li has created a disturbance. Well, that is at least according to three of five Federal Court judges. Continue reading “Disturbance in the ranks”