WHAT a contrast. I used to think that state and territory level governments were inept, prone to corruption, stupid, and generally worse than the Feds every time. I used to think that the smaller the government, the worse it got. Continue reading “Secrecy has its political cost”
Category: Uncategorized
Do we need to know we are going 240km/h?
SOMETIME in the mid-1970s I wrote an article about taking my ancient Holden car to the Dickson Motor Registry for its annual registration check-up. Continue reading “Do we need to know we are going 240km/h?”
Cyclone not god-made freak but man-made warming
THE destructive energy from a cyclone comes as water evaporates from the ocean and the saturated air rises. As it condenses it releases energy, some of it in the form of wind. Continue reading “Cyclone not god-made freak but man-made warming”
Triangle of religious fundamentalism stops peace
THIS week’s leaks to The Guardian and Al-Jazeera show more clearly than ever the fundamentalist religious triangle which prevents peace in the Middle East. Continue reading “Triangle of religious fundamentalism stops peace”
Walk away to avenge insurance companies
HERE are some misconceptions highlighted by the Queensland floods. First to insurance. Continue reading “Walk away to avenge insurance companies”
Power to publish comes with cost
NOT many people would like to be on the receiving end of a verbal slanging from the actress and rock singer Courtney Love. She has described her fashion designer Dawn Simorangkir as a “drug-pushing prostitute”. Continue reading “Power to publish comes with cost”
Tax reform for popular consumption
IN THE In the season of conspicuous consumption, consumption taxes are in the news again this week. Continue reading “Tax reform for popular consumption”
Making unwanted Xmas presents wanted
THE first email I got on Boxing Day was a suggestion from e-Bay, the online buying and selling site, that I sell any unwanted Christmas presents using its services, for which it gets a small cut.
[Find and purchase perfect Christmas gifts & presents at http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/christmas-shopping-guide/]
Continue reading “Making unwanted Xmas presents wanted”
Joining up the dots of stress
A SECOND major defect has emerged in Australia’s federal system.
This is the population policy imbalance. The first, of course, was the vertical fiscal imbalance – a fancy way of saying the Feds raised most of the money but the states had the job to spend it, instead of each government being responsible for raising the money it spends. Continue reading “Joining up the dots of stress”
Diplomat in service of military-industrial complex
SORRY, Ike. You warned us 50 years ago but your warning was not heard, or if heard not heeded. Continue reading “Diplomat in service of military-industrial complex”