PRIME Minister Julia Gillard described it as a Government that had “lost its way”. This week Climate Change Minister Greg Combet used slightly different words. He said the Australian Labor Party had failed ”to make sure that people grasped what drives us, what our values are”. The difference is significant. Continue reading “Can the Greens replace Labor?”
Category: Uncategorized
Grateful for Qantas, Telstra, NAB bastardry
SOME big corporations – Qantas, Telstra and the National Australia Bank – have infuriated me recently. But I am grateful for the experience. Continue reading “Grateful for Qantas, Telstra, NAB bastardry”
Presumption of bail should be tightened
EARLIER this month one of the ACT Supreme Court’s acting justices, Justice John Nield, dismissed as appeal against a three-year sentence imposed in the Magistrates Court on Gavin Massey. Massey is 28 and had 57 convictions before the 10 new offences. Continue reading “Presumption of bail should be tightened”
Miracles should be treated as corporate spin
EXPECT more assertions of miracles in the lead up to, and aftermath of, the canonisation of Mary MacKillop. Let’s hope we also have some rigorous debunking of this nonsense. Continue reading “Miracles should be treated as corporate spin”
The blather of ‘progress’ in Afghanistan
Forum for Saturday 09 October 2010 afghan debate
By CRISPIN HULL
THIS month’s parliamentary debate on Afghanistan will not be as easily dismissed as Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s address to the troops there suggests. Continue reading “The blather of ‘progress’ in Afghanistan”
Wrong defendants in Afghan case
MAYBE some good will come out of the charging this week of an Australian soldier with manslaughter over a botched raid in Afghanistan.
“Not though the soldier knew
Someone had blundered.
Into the Valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.”
MAYBE some good will come out of the charging this week of an Australian soldier with manslaughter over a botched raid in Afghanistan. Continue reading “Wrong defendants in Afghan case”
Constitutionally, marriage not all it’s cracked up to be
MARRIAGE and death are among the most important things humans have to deal with. After the Howard and Rudd Governments did their best to take them off the Federal Parliament’s agenda permanently, the Greens are to use their new-found position of power to put them back on. Continue reading “Constitutionally, marriage not all it’s cracked up to be”
Ask and its shall be given unto thee
THAT excellent documentary series, “Yes, Minister”, has resulted in at least two truisms in public administration, one on surveys and the other on inquiries. Continue reading “Ask and its shall be given unto thee”
Election reveals constitutional flaws
A TIED result of 75 seats to each side has been averted. At least for now. A by-election or defection could change things. The narrowness of the election shows some of the defects in our Constitution. It is plainly a defect that the Constitution permits an even number of members in the House of Representatives. Continue reading “Election reveals constitutional flaws”
‘Sustainable city’ an oxymoron
I HATE to point out the obvious, but . . . . Sorry, I actually like to point out the obvious, especially when few others are willing to do so. Have you noticed the rise and rise of the buzz word “sustainability”? Continue reading “‘Sustainable city’ an oxymoron”