Politics
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Socialism, Language and Values for Post Corona World.
New words and phrases, lockdown, self-isolation, flattening the curve, have been coined to explain ways to cope with Covid-19. Language to promote the traits of a post corona society is also needed. Continue reading »
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PERCY ALLAN. Central banks must print money for nation rebuilding (AFR 15.4.20)
An idea from 1930s Germany could now give voters hope that there is a growth plan after the virus passes. Continue reading »
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MIKE SCRAFTON. Blinded by ‘the science’: COVID-19 and the authority of science in public policy
Governments should not be able to avoid scrutiny and accountability for their actions by leaning on the authority of science. Continue reading »
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PETER SAINSBURY. Corona-myths: shifting the blame to preserve privilege. Part 2 of 2.
In Part 1 I explored seven myths about coronavirus that are being used to obscure the truth, shift responsibility and perpetuate existing power and privilege. In Part 2 I examine the failure over the last twenty years of governments and corporations to fulfil their risk management responsibilities to prevent and prepare for a viral pandemic. Continue reading »
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ALEX MITCHELL: NSW prisoner release in chaos
Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s Government has begun releasing minimum security prisoners as a health measure to ease overcrowding as the COVID-19 pandemic presents an alarming threat. But is prisoner release driven by health concerns or budget blow-outs? Continue reading »
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ROY GREEN. Australia’s Manufacturing Future. Part 2 of 2
The framework for a national industrial strategy can draw with great benefit from the experience of other countries, but it is important to recognise that such a strategy should also be adapted to the specific conditions and prospects of the Australian economy. Continue reading »
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OWEN BARDER. Time for a “Love Actually” moment
There is a precedent. One of George W. Bush’s first acts as president in 2006 was to reinstate the “global gag rule” which withdrew US aid from organisations that counsel women about abortions or to advocate for liberalized abortion laws in their countries. In response, the UK Government offered to make up the funding to Continue reading »
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JENNY HOCKING. ‘If I were to terminate his commission’: Sir John Kerr’s secret ‘Palace letters on Whitlam’s dismissal
The final act in the landmark ‘Palace letters’ case seeking access to the Queen’s secret correspondence with the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, relating to Kerr’s dismissal of the Whitlam government will play out in the High Court later this month. Continue reading »
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PETER SAINSBURY. Corona-myths: shifting the blame to preserve privilege. Part 1 of 2.
Myths about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, who is to blame and characteristics of the global response abound. In Part 1 I explore seven myths, the most significant being that the pandemic could not have been predicted. These myths are being used to obscure the truth, shift responsibility and perpetuate existing power and privilege. Continue reading »
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ROY GREEN. Australia’s Manufacturing Future. Part 1 of 2
Every crisis provides an opportunity and Covid-19 is no exception. Not only has it exposed the gaps in Australia’s manufacturing supply chains, but it has also more broadly demonstrated the vulnerability of a commodity-based economy to external shocks and the need to reverse the now all too apparent hollowing out of manufacturing capability. Continue reading »
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ABUL RIZVI. The plight of temporary entrants
For Sujith, Priyanga and their two children, winter is coming as it is for so many temporary residents. Continue reading »
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BRIAN COYNE: The Bolt-Pell interview: It was “vintage Murdoch”
Stir up the emotions of Benny-Ratz’s little people Continue reading »
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A Wake-Up Call
With the world in the grip of the Covid19 virus, there are lessons to be learnt and changes to consider. The pandemic has brought nations together who were eschewing the value of international co-operation. It has highlighted the need for reform. Continue reading »
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ALLAN PATIENCE. The Future is global.
The closing of borders because of the coronavirus pandemic has inflamed opinion around the world that the era of globalisation is coming to an end. Governments are raising the sovereignty flag, hunkering down behind their borders. Continue reading »
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MICHAEL PASCOE. The CEOs, MBAs and private equiteers undermining our resilience (THE NEW DAILY 08.04.20)
Corporate Australia is in serious trouble thanks to COVID-19, but it’s trouble that has been made worse by a generation of CEOs, directors, MBA-badged management consultants and private equiteers undermining our resilience – grabbing short-term profits and ramping up share prices at the cost of sustainability. Continue reading »
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STEPHEN LEEDER: The public health discipline after Covid-19
The Coronavirus pandemic draws our attention to the importance of public health in maintaining global human health. Public health as a discipline is distinguished by taking the entire community into account rather than individual patients, and seeking out what can be done to protect and promote human flourishing for all in that community. Continue reading »
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MICHAEL JAMES KELLY. An Old Mans Gripe
It is a paradox: in the midst of suffering and dying, there is an unfamiliar human warmth. I have encountered it at several levels. Continue reading »
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JAMES CURRAN. COVID-19 triggers a reset of domestic and international institutions
As governments try to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, they must have a view of the immediate future if they are to act rationally. Continue reading »
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MUNGO MACCALLUM. Snapback
Well, that should be out of the way for the next four months. Having shrugged off the minor and temporary distraction of parliament, Scott Morrison can resume doing what he is best at – marketing himself and his often dubious achievements. Continue reading »
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STEPHEN LEEDER.We’ve flattened the curve, but the nation’s health is still in danger
2020 is not panning out to be the Year of Tranquillity in Australia. Continue reading »
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NOEL TURNBULL.What a difference a change of government makes – to the Murdoch media
It is frequently asserted that if you change the government you change the country. But perhaps the assertion that if you change the government you also change the way the media – particularly the Murdoch media – reports on a government’s policies might be more apposite in Australia. Continue reading »
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MICHAEL WEST. Virgin Australia: buy the business, don’t bail out the shareholders (MWM 02.04.20)
Virgin Australia is pleading for a bail-out twice what its shares a worth. Its wealthy foreign shareholders can afford to pay. They’ve scampered. What is the answer? Continue reading »
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ROSS GITTINS.Scott Morrison,Easter and the pandemic(SMH 13.4.2020)
Since it’s Easter, let me tell you about something that’s long puzzled me: how can an out-and-proud Pentecostalist such as Prime Minister Scott Morrison be leading the most un-Christian government I can remember? Fortunately, however, the virus crisis seems to be bringing out his more caring side. Continue reading »
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MUNGO MACCALLUM. Science and modelling.
In the modelling for COVID-19, the real world evidence is too immediate, too stark to be wished away by nitpicking. Continue reading »
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DUNCAN GRAHAM But the dead are many
Indonesia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic makes a train wreck seem structured. The fourth most populous nation has next to no testing, no info, no direction – and most important of all – no trust. Such is the legacy of authoritarianism. Continue reading »
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RICHARD HAASS.The Pandemic will accelerate history rather than reshape it(Foreign Affairs 7.4.2020)
We are going through what by every measure is a great crisis, so it is natural to assume that it will prove to be a turning point in modern history. Continue reading »
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GARY MOORHEAD. CSL- It Could Have Been Worse; Can It Be Better?
Back in 2010, Australia’s privatised Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (now CSL) was being tempted to move its vaccine research facilities to Switzerland, where it had been promised a better tax deal. Continue reading »
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LAURIE PATTON. Public administration accountability is not what it used to be!
Blame shifting between state and federal government agencies over how a cruise ship carrying people suspected to have the Coronavirus was allowed into the port of Sydney has shown up, yet again, the lack of public administration accountability in this country. Continue reading »
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ROGER SCOTT. Queensland votes despite the virus: results predictable, process chaotic
Two by-elections and the state-wide local government elections went ahead last month with outcomes that returned most major party candidates but encouraged only the Greens and One Nation. The process was abysmally managed, with chaos and uncertainty on the day and results still not finalised. Continue reading »
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NEVE GORDON. For Us in the West, the Lockdown Is Meant to Save Lives. In Gaza It Will Kill Many (07.04.2020 HAARETZ)
When people started to share the Facebook post “Dear world: How is the lockdown? – Gaza,” I felt uncomfortable. Though the posters sought to generate empathy for the 2 million Palestinians trapped in the Gaza Strip, the attempt to compare the closure that free citizens of the West are experiencing to the 13-year siege on the Continue reading »