Politics
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Virus a political vaccine for the incumbent premiers?
Most of the commentators seem to expect that Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Labor premier of Queensland will be comfortably returned to power on Saturday night. Continue reading »
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Abetz committee shuts down critics
A top Chinese community leader Dr Tony Pun, who was highly critical of Eric Abetz was silenced by the Senate committee looking into diaspora communities, while a pro-Trump Chinese media outlet was welcomed to make public comment. Editor’s note: After publication of this article on the APAC.News website yesterday, the Senate released a transcript of evidence Continue reading »
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Our ‘extended’ state’s most powerful mandarin (SMH Oct 30, 2020)
Michael Pezzullo is by far the most powerful public servant in Australia. He created and runs the ever-expanding Home Affairs Department, he oversees a ceaseless avalanche of draconian new laws and he gives public speeches about what he sees as the global ‘‘duality of good and evil’’. Continue reading »
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The Royal Commission bushfire report must lead to a national Climate Adaptation Policy
The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (Bushfire RC) report is eagerly awaited not only by eminent fire fighter Greg Mullins who hopes it will lead to action to reduce climate change emissions but by all anxious Australians who recognise our government’s negligence by not preparing a national climate adaptation plan. Hopefully the Bushfire Continue reading »
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Charlie Hebdo: free speech or provocation?
Terrible events in France – a teacher beheaded, stabbings of innocent bystanders, and the shooting of a Greek orthodox priest – are recent examples of a clash of cultural identity systems that remain stubbornly alien to each other. Continue reading »
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Dissident Liberal senators poised to allow Whitlam’s budget to pass when Sir John Kerr struck
In this extract from her new book, The Palace Letters, Professor Jenny Hocking reveals key entries from dissident Liberal Senator Alan Missen’s ‘highly confidential diary on the 1975 constitutional crisis’. Five Liberal senators had resolved to abstain from a direct vote on the government’s supply bills, which would have enabled the bills to pass, just Continue reading »
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Queenslanders are different
Annastacia Palaszczuk had an extraordinary victory at the Queensland election. While the (very few) polls suggested Labor might cling on to government for an unlikely third consecutive term, she managed not only to win seats but increase Labor’s primary vote by about 5 per cent for its highest primary vote since 2009. Continue reading »
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Trump. The mendacious wheeler-dealer
A crunch day for Australia on Tuesday – and not just for the Melbourne Cup, vital as that is for the nation’s well-being. November 4 will determine whether the United States of America regains its sanity or embarks on another quadrennium of demented Trumpery. Continue reading »
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Slaughter in France, abusive power, the significance of satire
Slaughter in Paris and Nice by Islamist extremists raises the issue whether it is worth risking discussion of actions taken in the name of a religion, let alone re-asserting the value of satire. Continue reading »
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What if climate change is merely seen as ‘God’s will’?
The line between faith and fatalism can be blurry, but it raises an important question for a Pentecostal prime minister leading a nation that is fast becoming a global outlier on the subject of energy policy. Continue reading »
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Unaccountable national cabinet not a natural model for economic recovery
As premiers and chief ministers have worked to contain their pandemics, in the national cabinet as much as with their own administrations there have been no noticeable alliances of the Labor leaders against the conservatives, or the other way around. Continue reading »
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Australia’s anti-China witch hunt isn’t just harmful, it turns people against each other as governments escape scrutiny (SCMP Nov 1, 2020)
This isn’t banter or trolling – this is cancel culture that seeks to extinguish the opinions of those who don’t conform to the view of certain politicians or media outlets. It is a phenomenon that has the ironic and harmful effect of undermining democratic values, including the right to free speech. Continue reading »
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Donald Trump’s Political Program, an Epic Deceit
Donald Trump has managed to bring together all the nastier aspects of many citizens of the United States: nativism, misogyny and racism, and to corral their incipient resentments for a program that is all about himself. He is a genius – an evil genius. Continue reading »
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Shoot to thrill: the night operation to Shina village
Friday morning in Brisbane. Everything seems normal expect for that gleaming black Toyota Crew Van brooding across the street. Before time allows a second look, BAM!! Members of the Queensland Police Service’s Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) burst like shrapnel from the back of the unit. Continue reading »
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Data Retention – An act of blindness
A Parliamentary Joint Committee on Security and Intelligence (PJCIS) report into the Data Retention Act has made 22 recommendations that, if accepted, would lead to increased transparency, raise the threshold for when data can be accessed, and reduce overall access to our telecommunications data. Continue reading »
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Is it time for Federal Integrity Body or should we just turn off the life support machine for integrity in the federal public sector?
It is not a pretty picture. Bernard Keane writing in Crikey said recently: “Everywhere you look in the Morrison government, you see sleaze and self-interest, if not outright corruption. Merely itemising the current scandals on foot is an arduous task.” Continue reading »
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Around the world it is the lack of caution among 19-29 year olds that disproportionally puts infection control at risk
The Victorian ‘lockdown’ was necessary, brutal and successful. But any COVID complacency could be literally fatal. We must ask a lot of our younger Australians who understandably chafe at restrictions placed on their social interactions. Continue reading »
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Cartier watches and Morrison’s pet rock.
Morrison’s stalwart declaration of independence on climate changer sounded more like a petulant plea: “stop the world, I want to get off.” Continue reading »
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Australia must have a strong corruption watchdog, but the Coalition shows little interest.
It is now obvious that Australia needs, and most of the community is demanding, a strong national integrity commission. Not, however, the Coalition. Continue reading »
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The US electoral system is a shambles. They could learn a lot from Australia. (The Guardian Oct 29, 2020)
Systemic voter suppression and rules still being set for an election within days – this is American exceptionalism. Continue reading »
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Sunday environmental round up, 1 November 2020
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing presents a major threat to security and fish stocks. Seagrasses and snow leopards suffering from environmental destruction. Aussie coal companies turning to the Canadian Rockies. Insights into what might be influencing American votes on Tuesday. Continue reading »
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Company director is the one job where pay and performance don’t matter (ABC Oct 27, 2020)
For generations, it has been the nation’s most exclusive club. Entry is strictly invitation only. And while acceptance is difficult, once you’re in, you’re in for the long haul. Continue reading »
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The attorney general exemplifies the growing influence of right-wing Catholicism under Trump.(NYRB November 5, 2020 )
The logic is not just that their votes are outside the rightful order of the American state but that they are the malign means to undermine it. To suppress those votes would be to uphold the authority not just of Donald Trump, but of God.The attorney general exemplifies the growing influence of right-wing Catholicism under Continue reading »
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The Australian Honours System: Abolition or Reform?
In the last few years, each six months when the office of the Governor-General reveals the names of new recipients of Honours under the Australian system, now 45 years old, widespread criticism erupts briefly but is soon forgotten. Now, halfway towards the next set of announcements might be the time to re-start a longer debate. Continue reading »
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Saturday’s good reading and listening for the weekend
What people in other forums are saying about public policy Continue reading »
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Susan Ryan. A formidable and compassionate advocate on human rights.
Susan Ryan, the minister for education in the Hawke Government and the pioneer who brought Australia its Sex Discrimination Act, died very recently. This is a remembrance from a friend. Continue reading »
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Premier kept his side of the bargain but the media didn’t want to know
An easing of restrictions in Victoria was predicated on two criteria: a rolling 14-day average of fewer than five cases per day; and fewer than five mystery cases over the preceding two weeks. Continue reading »
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Australia should show leadership on the nuclear ban-treaty
If Australia is committed to a rules-based order underpinned by international law, as it frequently claims to be, Canberra must sign the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Continue reading »
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Yes Minister: Another day, another aged care scandal
The Morrison government has redefined Westminster ministerial responsibility. No longer does a minister bear ultimate responsibility for the actions of its ministry or department. Continue reading »
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ASPI’s Broadcasting Corporation?
Is ABC management complicit in letting senior on-air talent promote the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and its sponsors, without declaring conflicts of interest? Continue reading »