WHILE Federal Parliament debated the ACT’s right the legislate about euthanasia this week, another, perhaps more important, ACT matter also remains under federal control: the size of our Parliament. The two questions highlight the need for a bit of tweaking of what is, in effect, the ACT’s Constitution – the Commonwealth Australian Capital Territory Self-Government Act. Continue reading “ACT deserves its own Constitution”
Category: Uncategorized
In the dark on National Broadband Network
THE back-of-the-envelope figures for the National Broadband Network have always been line-ball. The business plan, whose release has been squabbled over this week, cost $25 million to produce. But you don’t need $25 million to see the difficulty. Continue reading “In the dark on National Broadband Network”
What about the other constitutional changes?
THE referendum to recognise Indigenous people in the Constitution announced this week is all very well, but there are equally deserving symbolic and practical changes which deserve at least equal billing. Continue reading “What about the other constitutional changes?”
Can the Greens replace Labor?
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?”
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”