Why has Gladys allowed the cricket to have spectators? Was she pushed into that decision by Tony Shepherd and the other old white men of the SCG Trust?
Another thing about the cricket – the media and every politician in NSW keeps blathering on about 24,000 people, half the normal 48,000 capacity of the SCG. That’s just for one day. The 3rd test goes for five days with the last day being the main fundraiser for the McGrath Foundation. Not everyone wants to or can afford to attend every day of a test .Do the maths. Work out the potential audience. It could well be a huge super-spreader event. No wonder Gladys has taken the week off.
That’s not all. There are two BBL series at the SCG and the Showground Stadium scheduled for January 13- 26. It has not yet been decided if spectators will be allowed.
This is a yet another flagrant example of Gladeyes’ preferencing her own political career over the well-being of New South Wales AND the rest of Australia.
Despicable doesn’t even begin to describe her behaviour.
Have I looked at the Leak cartoon wrongly? It appears he is putting the onus on our idiot pm for the tennis stuff? Have to give him a gold star if he has finally got something right.
OMG !! Johannes Leak does a cartoon skewering Scrott. Scotty in trouble with Mordor Media or an ‘accident’ ? 🙂
The Murdoch media has been anti-Morrison for a while now, so you have to wonder why and ask who has Rupert chosen to replace him. You can bet it’s no-one from Labor.
Where does this leave our Trump worshipping, climate change denying government?
Marvellous black-and-white photos
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/20/inauguration-washington-preparation-photo-essay
Now, there’s irony!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/jan/21/coronavirus-tennis-dead-students-hecs-covid-19-nsw-queensland-australian-open-victoria#comment-146861900
and a lot of bastardy.
UN Human Rights commission currently investigating Australia’s treatment of refugees?
That would be the reason.
They only have TPVs which last for only three years. Once a TPV has expired the refugee must apply for a new one.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-protection-785#About
Seth Meyers –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Rachel Maddow et al –
Today the CrimeMinister blathered on about the First Fleet and as usual he got it all wrong.
He said “When those twelve ships turned up in Sydney……”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-21/big-bash-league-indigenous-strips-australia-day/13077082
Er – CrimeMinister – there were eleven ships. Here, count them.
Two naval escorts -Sirius and Supply.
Three merchant ships carrying supplies and equipment – Borrowdale, Golden Grove, Fishburn.
Six merchant ships carrying convicts and marines – Alexander, Friendship, Charlotte, Lady Penrhyn, Prince of Wales and Scarborough.
A mistake illustrating once again the CrimeMinister’s complete lack of knowledge about Australian history. Add it to his claim Cook circumnavigated Australia, which he corrected after a lot of mocking. These are things I learned at age 8, in primary school.
The media have so far failed to catch this mistake. The CrimeMinister loves to rave on about Australian history but reveals every time he opens that ugly mouth how little he actually knows and how little he cares.
But “Australia Day” is wonderful
And, for good measure, Dutton and Gladys, shove their oars in too.
Jimmy Kimmel –
Stephen Colbert –
Just watched 7.5. It was excellent.
Laura interviewed James Comey
(James Comey said it would be difficult to change the minds of people “who have been lied to for so long”
Mr Comey said the “Republican Party has to be burned to the ground” and rebuilt
He believed trust in institutions could be restored if the new President picked the right leaders to run them
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-21/trump-was-a-demagogue-president-and-sociopath-says-comey/13079186)
Then part of Amanda Gorman’s speech
(https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/55745795)
It is right up there with “I have a dream.”
I’ll admit that today has been a day in politics that I’ve felt has been the best since Obama was inaugurated in 2009. The past 12 years really has been the dumps. The only time I felt good about it was the period between the defeat of John Howard in 2007 and Kevin Rudd backing down on climate change after Copenhagen in late 2009.
The best part of it is that the universally malicious entity of Trump is no longer relevant to my life. He’s no longer on social media, he no longer has any power, he’s just gone. While this effect has yet to effect Australian politics because we still have an openly corrupt government that wants the worst for everyone except themselves with little effective opposition led by a smug lying prick that still enjoys the approval of most of Australia, I’m hoping that this will be a turning point.
Any suggestions as to why the bustards are acting so far out of character ?
.
Coalition begins to quietly reverse deep foreign aid cuts
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/coalition-begins-to-quietly-reverse-deep-foreign-aid-cuts-20210120-p56vn9.html
Election 2021.
The SMH chose an excellent frame as the still for their video of Wee Hunt’s presser today..

TLBD
If it was for votes Scotty would be shouting from the roof tops to all and sundry what a fantastic guy he was for doing it.On the other hand he’d also want to keep it quiet so as to not upset the Hanson/2GB demographic. I wonder how much of the aid is indirect and delivered via contracted maaaates ?
Report on last night’s UN review of Australia – we came out as racist bastards for our treatment of indigenous Australians..
https://mailchi.mp/d34882db9567/united-nations-slams-australias-treatment-of-first-nations-people
The full UN report is due tomorrow.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
David Crowe tosses around the arguments surrounding the opening up of our international borders.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/bordering-on-self-harm-a-closed-australia-has-proctected-us-but-our-door-must-open-sooner-or-later-20210121-p56vxi.html
Another excellent contribution from John Hewson here in which he explains how the growing abuse of political labels is a real problem.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7094489/growing-abuse-of-political-labels-is-a-real-problem/?cs=14329
Paul Kelly begins this article with, “The repudiation of Donald Trump is dramatic. Biden seeks a restoration of American virtue where Trump’s inaugural pledge was to fight American carnage. Where Trump left the nation mired in chaos and outrage, Biden seeks to resurrect dignity and respect among the citizenry.”
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/biden-inauguration-new-leaders-bid-to-restore-americas-soul/news-story/a0e37c43a8ce80a8de1edbf2add59706
With a nod to John F Kennedy’s famous inauguration speech, Joe Biden yesterday gave voice to an enduring American mission, writes Troy Bramston.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/biden-inauguration-sincerity-and-truth-in-a-speech-for-the-ages/news-story/be7d1aefa84d8c8ad945452e2c6d769f
The Biden Presidency is expected to undo much of the damage caused by Trump’s time in office and will hopefully inspire our own government, says Professor John Quiggin.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-biden-presidency-will-usher-in-a-time-for-change-and-australia-should-follow,14722
The AFR tells us that Jane Hume is casting doubt on boosting super to 12pc.
https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/hume-casts-doubt-on-boosting-super-to-12pc-20210121-p56vt8
While this Coalition Government is at the helm, debts and deficits are no longer regarded as disasters, and money seems not an issue — as long as you know how to play the game, explains Michelle Pini who gives us seven ways to make millions with the Morrison Government.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/7-ways-to-make-millions-with-the-morrison-government,14720
Liam Mannix reports that safety experts have called for an overhaul of Australia’s “trust-based” mask regulations after hundreds of masks had their registration pulled.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/national-stockpile-masks-deemed-defective-by-medical-watchdog-20210121-p56vri.html
Media companies and tech giants Google and Facebook will front a Senate inquiry today into proposed laws to force the tech giants to pay for news content. They will say that their organisations are running out of time.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/time-is-running-out-nine-news-lead-push-for-parliament-to-make-tech-giants-pay-20210121-p56vua.html
Is Government intervention viable, or just a favour for Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and Peter Costello’s Nine Entertainment? Opposition is growing both locally and globally to media laws introduced by the Coalition Government requiring tech giants Google and Facebook to pay for displaying news content. Kim Wingerei delves into the numbers.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/internets-founder-us-officials-slap-down-news-and-nines-crusade-on-google/
Morrison has been lambasted for saying January 26 “wasn’t a particularly flash day” for British convicts either as they arrived on the First Fleet to colonise Australia. And so he should have been!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/wasn-t-a-particularly-flash-day-pm-lashed-over-australia-day-convicts-comment-20210121-p56vx7.html
All Australians, but especially Scott Morrison, must tell the truth about our violent history trumpets Lidia Thorpe.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/21/all-australians-but-especially-scott-morrison-must-tell-the-truth-about-our-violent-history
Trumpism wreaked destruction in the US – and made its way into Australian political culture warns Tim Soutphommasane in a pointed contribution.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/21/trumpism-wreaked-destruction-in-the-us-and-made-its-way-into-australian-political-culture
“Is Scott Morrison guilty of cloning Donald Trump?”, asks John Lord.
https://theaimn.com/is-scott-morrison-guilty-of-cloning-donald-trump/
Michael Pascoe offers a simple change to heal our deepest wound – the January 26th Australia Day celebration.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2021/01/22/fourth-monday-of-january-michael-pascoe/
A former Queensland crown prosecutor who has boasted of a client list that included senior Papua New Guinea government figures has been arrested in Port Moresby on fraud charges.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/australian-lawyer-greg-sheppard-arrested-in-png-over-mining-fund-20210121-p56vy9.html
A summary of the inquiry report on the shredding of key documents in Berejiklian’s office is “it was OK – but don’t do it again”.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-premier-s-office-cleared-of-breach-after-shredding-documents-20210121-p56vzt.html
The government has inked a deal with LNG exporters to offer gas to the domestic market first, but manufacturers say it won’t deliver the cheap gas needed. Writes Mike Foley
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/more-needs-to-be-done-morrison-s-gas-deal-fails-to-ignite-manufacturers-support-20210121-p56vvm.html
A NSW mayor is concerned that the arm of government closest to the people is powerless to act for them. He points squarely at Berejiklian’s stewardship of the Local Government Act and says the government has gone about systematically removing the power of communities to influence how councils operate.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/our-enfeebled-councils-the-arm-of-government-closest-to-the-people-is-powerless-to-act-for-them-20210121-p56vzb.html
Jennifer Duke writes that economists and social services groups are warning the end of government supports like JobKeeper will challenge the nation’s revival.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nine-out-of-10-jobs-lost-during-the-pandemic-recovered-by-christmas-abs-20210121-p56vrt.html
Sally Whyte reports that the legal firm Gordon Legal is set to get $16 million of the $112 million government payout to victims of Centrelink’s robodebt program, as more details have been revealed about how the money will be divided among victims.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7095427/how-will-the-robodebt-payout-be-divided/?cs=14350
The government is approaching the last exit ramp for the troubled $90 billion Future Submarines project, but will it take it asks Andrew Tillett.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/morrison-left-to-utter-sacre-bleu-amid-french-subs-snafu-20210121-p56vq9
Sarah Danckert tells us how Qantas has forged ahead with signing contracts to outsource 2000 baggage handling and cleaning jobs despite facing a union court challenge over the redundancies.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/appalling-qantas-steels-for-union-fight-after-outsourcing-2-000-jobs-20210121-p56vyo.html
Bushfires caused by climate change had a significant impact on the survival of koalas while the Government continues to ignore warnings, writes Sue Arnold.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/governments-continue-to-ignore-climate-change-as-a-cause-of-koala-extinction,14717
The Conversation tells us how wetlands have saved Australia $27 billion in storm damage over the past five decades.
https://theconversation.com/wetlands-have-saved-australia-27-billion-in-storm-damage-over-the-past-five-decades-153638
Cat Woods opines that when it comes to creating fearless TV dramas that probe the dark heart of corruption, Australia needs to take a leaf out of Scandinavia’s book. She’s not wrong!
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/australian-tv-needs-a-dose-of-nordic-courage-20210121-p56vtx.html
The London Telegraph’s Oliver Brown asks, “What is the point of a half-baked Olympics?”
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/what-is-the-point-of-a-half-baked-olympics-20210121-p56vt2.html
Britain suffered its worst day in the pandemic, with more than 1800 deaths recorded in 24 hours, as Boris Johnson’s Chief Scientific Adviser warned some hospitals now look “like a war zone.”
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/like-a-war-zone-britain-suffers-deadliest-day-of-pandemic-20210121-p56vps.html
The London School of Economics’ Andrew Hammond explains why he thinks populism may grow, despite Trump’s departure.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/why-populism-may-grow-despite-trump-s-departure-20210121-p56vrr.html
Biden’s economic centrism isn’t exciting, but right for these divisive times, explains Richard Holden.
https://theconversation.com/bidens-economic-centrism-isnt-exciting-but-right-for-these-divisive-times-153647
Joe Biden has made the pandemic his top priority on his first day in office, launching a COVID action plan as American infections reached 24.5 million.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/us-news/2021/01/22/joe-biden-pandemic-plan/
In a very good contribution, Alan Kohler says we should pray for America as the radical Christian right vies for power.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/us-news/2021/01/21/alan-kohler-inauguration-christian-right/
Matthew Knott explains how Biden is moving to sweep away Trump’s policy legacy.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/biden-moves-to-sweep-away-trump-s-policy-legacy-20210121-p56vsl.html
Richard Wolffe says Trump has finally shuffled off the world stage, and it’s Good riddance!
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/21/biden-president-trump-good-riddance
Cartoon Corner
Alan Moir










David Rowe
Peter Broelman
Cathy Wilcox
Mark David
Matt Golding
Johannes Leak returns to type
From the US
If you make an EFT today (22 Jan) it won’t appear in the destination account until next Thursday (28 Jan).
Question: who has that money for six days?
Short term money market of senders bank or payers bank?
I thought Osko payments were deposited immediately
Yes for Osko. Some banks are very picky about which accounts can send or receive Osko payments.
The interbank money transfer system, SWIFT, which has been around since the 1980s demanded interbank transfers were completed in 6 days.
All my transfers use OSKO for Westpac
The article mentioned:
Another distraction from the CrimeMinister
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/jan/22/australia-news-live-national-cabinet-emirates-flights-tennis-australian-open-covid-19-scott-morrison#comments
Why? Why has January become a month for debating whether or not a bigot should get an award? Last year it was Bettina Arndt, this year it’s Margaret Court.
I know a council is allegedly responsible for choosing awards recipients, but we know the PM has a say – just look at Abbott’s ridiculous dames and knights decision, or the number of sportspeople given awards under Howard for proof.
It can’t be a coincidence that Court is a pastor at a Pentecostal church and Arndt “found God” while she was living in the US, abandoned her previous feminism and open-mindedness and morphed into exactly the same sort of fake Christian bigot as the CrimeMinister. We know he likes to surround himself with members of his shonky cult and other faux “Christians” so no wonder he likes handing out honours to cult members and those who share similar non-Christian beliefs.
Abbott & Morrison have turned Australia Day into a bigot’s circus when we all just want to BBQ and ogle at the strange costumes of new migrants and eat their food
Chris Hayes –
Rachel Maddow –
Seth Meyers –
friendlyjordies –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
All done to keep Rupert and Nine happy. Good one, CrimeMinister. What will you wreck next?
Google threatens to shut down search in Australia if digital news code goes ahead
Google and Facebook are fighting legislation which would force them to enter into negotiations with news media companies for payment for content
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jan/22/google-threatens-to-shut-down-search-in-australia-if-digital-news-code-goes-ahead
Last September Labor, the Greens and Centre Alliance said they would support this legislation if the ABC and SBS also get payments. Let’s hope common sense has changed their minds.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/sep/14/abc-and-sbs-should-also-receive-fees-from-facebook-and-google-labor-says
If the legislation goes ahead the Greens and ALP will lose platforms to inform the voters
The Tasmanian and Victorian governments have brokered a quarantine-swap deal in an effort to address a shortage of farm workers and bring home more stranded Tasmanians.
Tasmania has agreed to quarantine farm labourers heading for the Victorian harvest, while Victoria will provide quarantine facilities for Tasmanians wanting to return from overseas.
An initial 1500 workers from the Pacific Islands will undergo quarantine in Tasmania before taking up harvest work across Victoria.
Tasmania has committed to the program for the first half of 2021, with the cost of the farm worker quarantine shared by the Victorian government and the farm industry.
. . . . . . . .
But the states still need the federal government to sign off on the deal.
The Feds issue the visas
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/vic/2021/01/22/victoria-tasmania-agree-quarantine-swap-deal/
Stephen Colbert –
Jimmy Kimmel –
Jimmy Kimmel mentioned this.
QAnon followers realise their baseless conspiracy was ‘all a lie’ as President Joe Biden takes office
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/qanon-followers-realise-their-baseless-conspiracy-was-all-a-lie-as-president-joe-biden-takes-office
What will they believe now? Should we ask the CrimeMinister? The media keep very quiet about the influence of QAnon on him and his family.
F.M –
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/22/reality-has-rudely-come-crashing-down-on-many-adherents-of-qanon
Now in 3D………………
.
Researchers succeed in taking first 3D photo of coronavirus
https://www.dw.com/en/researchers-succeed-in-taking-first-3d-photo-of-coronavirus/a-56290365?utm_source=wnd&utm_medium=wnd&utm_campaign=syndicated
Not getting much attention, deliberately overshadowed by the Margaret Court alleged leak – the CrimeMinister’s announcement that vaccines will not be rolled out as quickly as he initially told us.
Surely he didn’t lie to us! All I can say is “Do koalas eat eucalyptus leaves” – and there’s your answer.
Has his farce of a government even ordered vaccines yet?
Supply delays could threaten start of Australia’s Covid vaccine rollout
States and territories have not been told how many doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be sent to Australia by mid-February
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/22/supply-delays-could-threaten-start-of-australias-covid-vaccine-rollout
Despite what we have repeatedly been told aged care workers and residents will not be given priority.
COVID-19 vaccines not mandatory for aged care workers, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces after National Cabinet
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-22/covid-19-vaccines-not-mandatory-for-aged-care-workers,-pm-says/13082760
Just how far “in the future” will that be, CrimeMinister? Months? A year? Two years? More?
That countries are experiencing shortages has been in the news for a couple of weeks. So it was obvious that we were going to get experience the same. The Flim Flam Man of course carried on with the bullshit. Pfizer even announced a week or so back they have cut back production to rejig their production system.
Just watched Planet America. I’m glad they are back.
One thing struck me: Kamela Harris reminds me so much of Julia Gillard. I think it’s the ready smile and the warmth she emits.
Very interesting thread – of course the CrimeMinister’s church, Horizon, is up to its elbows in grifting government funding.
It’s take out the garbage day (which is why the Court thingy was leaked)
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/more-corporate-credit-card-spending-at-australia-post-but-no-fraud-report-20210122-p56w8d.html
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-22/federal-government-report-on-australia-post-ceo-cartier-watches/13084058
TGA has its say
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/22/googles-threat-to-withdraw-its-search-engine-from-australia-is-chilling-to-anyone-who-cares-about-democracy
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/jan/22/joe-biden-covid-coronavirus-strategy-donald-trump-impeachment-kamala-harris-live
Diddums, sookumz
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
A third of American adults still believe he won the election, and he remains a threat to US stability, but Australia needs to embrace a new era anchored in reality, writes Peter Hartcher who says that the Trumpist fantasy still captivates the odd Australian politician
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/trumpist-fantasy-still-captivates-the-odd-australian-politician-20210122-p56w8x.html
Tom Rabe tells us how the report into Berejiklian’s office’s shredding of key $250m grants information has been received. Not well, it seems.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/premier-s-office-shredding-breached-state-record-laws-report-20210122-p56w8a.html
The SMH editorial says that Berejiklian has survived but she cannot coast for the next three years.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/premier-has-survived-but-she-cannot-coast-for-the-next-three-years-20210122-p56w7c.html
Jacqui Maley and Nigel Gladstone have looked deeply at the Order of Australia Awards and concluded that it pays to be rich, powerful and male.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/want-an-order-of-australia-it-helps-to-be-rich-powerful-and-male-20201123-p56h13.html
Part-indigenous cricketer Dan Christian has slammed Morrison over the Margaret Court issue, telling him to “read the room”.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/blood-was-spilled-anthony-mundine-applauds-cricket-s-australia-day-move-20210122-p56w5u.html
Rob Harris writes that Morrison has moved to quell the condemnation of his comments about the conditions faced by Australia’s European settlers, saying there were never meant to be a “competing” narrative with the hardship encountered by Indigenous Australians.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/all-stories-should-be-respected-morrison-moves-to-calm-backlash-20210122-p56w5q.html
Scott Morrison has made a mini-industry out of a do-it-yourself Australian history. He’s had James Cook circumnavigating the continent. Now the Prime Minister’s rounded up the number of ships in the First Fleet from 11 to an even dozen, writes Frank Bongiorno.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/not-a-particularly-flash-moment-how-the-pm-misread-our-history-20210122-p56w7g.html
Paul Karp says Scott Morrison’s attempt at distance from Trump was as tepid as it was late. Karp reckons Morrison’s personal affinity with the former president is a setback to future Australia-US relations
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/23/scott-morrisons-attempt-at-distance-from-trump-was-as-tepid-as-it-was-late
Laura Tingle asks, “Can Biden’s calls for unity spark a tone shift in Australia’s ‘pretty ordinary’ politics?”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-23/bidens-inauguration-australias-political-leaders-morrison-effect/13083584
Crispin Hull gives McCormack and the National a hell of a serve here!
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7095529/how-serious-are-the-nationals-about-road-safety-really/?cs=14258
According to Rachel Klun, the government is closely monitoring reports of Pfizer vaccine shortages overseas and Scott Morrison has acknowledged the planned February rollout could be delayed by production issues.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pfizer-vaccine-could-be-delayed-as-government-monitors-shortages-overseas-20210122-p56w55.html
And Rick Morton ponders over the open question, “Did Australia put its money on the wrong vaccines?”
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2021/01/23/did-australia-put-its-money-the-wrong-vaccines/161132040010952
How the Prime Minister’s language has changed during the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-23/how-scott-morrison-language-changed-coronavirus-pandemic-year-on/13075506
What’s in it for me? That’s our ‘purely transactional’ PM’s one and only guiding principle says Dennis Atkins in a contribution well worth reading.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/2021/01/23/atkins-morrison-transactional-politics/
The Andrews government is recruiting hotels in addition to the 11 already operating with the number of Australians allowed to land in Melbourne set to climb next month.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/victoria-recruits-more-hotels-for-quarantine-ahead-of-expected-boost-to-arrivals-cap-20210122-p56w72.html
Scott Morrison says the political debate about reaching a carbon-neutral future is over but he will not take a new 2030 or 2035 emissions reduction target to a key UN climate conference in Glasgow this year, writes The Australian’s Greg Brown.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/politics-of-carbon-has-ended-scott-morrison-declares/news-story/fa662d7b2af40426f852b9f1c18946b8
In an interesting article Peter van Onselen concludes that as the world emerges from the effects of COVID, a realignment in the global order is inevitable. With Trump out of the picture America has a chance to reposition itself, but it won’t be easy.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/joe-biden-faces-bigger-tests-than-cleaning-up-donald-trumps-mess/news-story/a24873420e51e9f587f3b708bb9be3ed
Jason Wilson declares that we shouldn’t forget which Australian commentators carried water for Trump. He gives Joe Hockey and Greg Sheridan particular attention.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/23/we-shouldnt-forget-which-australian-commentators-carried-water-for-trump
Despite a near record total of export goods to China last year, there are fears rocky relations between the two countries have yet to hit bottom, writes Daniel Hurst who wonders if it might be too late for the Morrison government to rebuild the bridges.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/23/press-reset-can-the-morrison-government-rebuild-bridges-with-china-or-is-it-too-late
The Age calls for the release the rest of the detained refugees.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/release-the-rest-of-the-detained-refugees-20210122-p56w8r.html
William Olsen looks underneath the recent employment figures and sees it isn’t all rosy.
https://theaimn.com/unemployment-down-but-recovery-still-way-off-actu/
Ross Gittins gives us his view on why economists get so many of their predictions wrong.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/why-economists-get-so-many-of-their-predictions-wrong-20210121-p56vyr.html
The Liberal Party has benefited from its relationship to the mining sector, but at great cost to the Australian people, writes Richard Gillies.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/coalitions-dependence-on-mining-sector-causing-a-decline-in-economic-growth,14719
The fossil fuel industry’s outsized influence on Australian politics is confirmed by a new report, which tracks the millions of dollars spent by the sector in political donations over the past two decades, explains The Saturday Paper’s Royce Kurmelovs.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2021/01/23/political-donations-and-the-resources-sectors-influence/161132040010970
Elizabeth Farrelly talks of her love affair with Sydney and her fears for its slow strangulation.
https://www.theage.com.au/culture/books/my-love-affair-with-sydney-and-my-fears-for-its-slow-strangulation-20210115-p56uhd.html
The sad fact is that bullies tend to get away with it most of the time, and the higher the office they occupy, the more likely they are to be excused, writes Professor Jim Bright who says Trump’s defeat will not signal the end of bullying’s embrace.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/trump-s-defeat-won-t-put-an-end-to-the-embrace-of-bullying-20210120-p56vig.html
Google’s threat to cut off search to Australian users and walk away from $4 billion in revenue has sparked warnings the digital giants are not bluffing over laws designed to force them to pay for news.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/google-threatens-to-disable-search-in-australia-if-media-code-becomes-law-20210122-p56w2h.html
Ben Oquist asks, “Why do our PMs treat the seat of democracy with scorn?” He makes several good points.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7096152/why-do-our-pms-treat-canberra-with-scorn/?cs=14350
India is producing not white-ball and red-ball cricketers, simply excellent cricketers. So, what are the lessons for Australia, asks Malcolm Knox.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/bold-india-caught-australia-and-vanquished-must-heed-the-warning-20210122-p56w4z.html
The AFR’s Jacob Greber writes “Joe Biden and his team have worked hard to put America’s diversity on display. These aren’t woke decisions – there are hard-headed political calculations at play.”
https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/joe-biden-s-new-deal-20210122-p56w4n
On the cult of Trump, Tony Wright wonders if the days of this false prophet are really over. A good read.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/the-cult-of-trump-are-the-days-of-this-false-prophet-really-over-20210121-p56vvg.html
Jonathan Freedland believes that Joe Biden has only one shot to stop Trumpism returning in 2024.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/22/joe-biden-trumpism-2024-america-democratic-government
With his inauguration this week, America’s 46th president has vowed to heal the US. But Joe Biden inherits a country more paranoid and polarised than ever, opines Mike Seccombe. It’s quite a long essay with the conclusion that says at least someone decent is again in charge.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2021/01/23/the-biden-era-begins-the-shadow-trump-remains/161132040010964
Donald Trump has had a rough first 24 hours as an ex-president: He’s been publicly snubbed by his wife, and mocked by some of his most ardent supporters, writes Zona Black.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/us-news/trump-news/2021/01/22/trump-melania-proud-boys/
A lawyers’ group has filed an ethics complaint against Rudy Giuliani with New York’s courts, calling for him to be investigated and his law licence suspended over his work promoting former president Donald Trump’s false allegations over the 2020 election.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/prominent-us-lawyers-group-wants-giuliani-s-licence-suspended-20210122-p56w6j.html
Kate McClymont reports that a Sydney dentist and a young construction worker, both linked to the notorious Ibrahim family, have been ordered to repay almost $16 million they received in “spotters’ fees” from a well-known developer. Take your pick for “Arsehole of the Week” nomination.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/ibrahim-s-dentist-to-repay-millions-after-death-bed-deal-rejected-20210122-p56w4q.html
Cartoon Corner
John Shakespeare













Peter Broelman
Jon Kudelka
Matt Golding
David Rowe
Andrew Dyson
Cathy Wilcox
Mark David
Bloody Johannes Leak
From the US
Not entirely surprising:
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Funny how these examples of government skulduggery only seem to surface on weekends and holidays, isn’t it.
Coalition quietly adds fossil fuel industry leaders to emissions reduction panel
Critics ask if some appointees to the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee have a potential conflict of interest
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/23/coalition-quietly-adds-fossil-fuel-industry-leaders-to-emissions-reduction-panel
Caveats applu
Bill Maher –
New rules 46:25
Rachel Maddow –
Chris Hayes –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
applu = apply
Has any Pubster noticed a slight alteration at The Pub?
Font.
I’m sorry to say I haven’t, yet.
Helen,
There IS a change, but I shall give y’all a chance to work it out for the next 24 hours!
Want Bernie Sanders sitting outside your home ? Well come on down.
.
.
Created by software engineer Nick Sawhney, the new site allows you to enter an address and see Bernie sitting outside anywhere on Google Maps with his mittens on.
http://bernie-sits.herokuapp.com/
It works!
Might be a bit warm here for mittens though.
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/22/business/bernie-sanders-mittens/index.html
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. I’m sorry, but this is all I can garner today.
The AFP has nabbed a Chinese mongrel who is believed to be responsible for 70% of all narcotics entering Australia. This is quite a story – and Crown casinos get several mentions.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/drug-deals-dirty-money-and-links-to-beijing-australian-police-bring-down-asia-s-mr-big-20210120-p56vk8.html
The SMH editorial makes some good points about Australian citizenship.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/we-owe-a-duty-to-advance-australia-fair-20210122-p56w7u.html
Andrew Wu writes that the PM has come under more fire for his views on how the game is marking January 26, as Indigenous former Test star Jason Gillespie threw his support behind Cricket Australia. Maybe Morrison IS reading the room, though.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/indigenous-backlash-proud-gillespie-backs-ca-lalor-hits-out-at-morrison-s-australia-day-stance-20210123-p56wdg.html
Ghassan Hage writes that by honouring those who are prejudiced, the Australia Day awards perpetuate bigotry.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/24/in-honouring-those-who-are-prejudiced-the-australia-day-awards-perpetuate-bigotry
Mike Foley reports that Australian Nobel laureate scientist Brian Schmidt has told a summit of global leaders that Australia is duty bound to take a lead on climate action and called for an international effort to combat an anti-science agenda and climate change denial.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-cannot-shirk-moral-obligation-to-tackle-climate-change-brian-schmidt-20210122-p56w5e.html
The American Petroleum Institute (API), the leading oil and gas industry trade group, publicly pushed misleading information on climate change as early as 1980, explains The Independent Australia.
https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/fossil-fuel-industrys-climate-denial-campaign-dates-back-four-decades,14728
Kaye Lee writes, “When the world needs inspiration, courage, integrity and resolve, we are dished up leaders like Trump, Boris and ScoMo – a bunch of buffoons completely unworthy of the title ‘leader’”.
https://theaimn.com/tin-pot-dictators-timid-sycophants-and-corporate-schills-is-that-the-best-we-can-do/
Greg Jericho says the Australian government’s housing policy continues to ignore low-income earners.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/commentisfree/2021/jan/24/australian-governments-housing-policy-continues-to-ignore-low-income-earners
Royce Millar writes that the Andrews government has been provided two new scientific reports that show sea level rises well above those they are planning for, threatening its development-led recovery.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victoria-gets-trillion-dollar-bad-news-sea-level-rises-will-swamp-parts-of-the-state-20210122-p56w8h.html
Peter FitzSimons’ weekly sporting column is worth a look. He lines up the likes of Pat Cash and other conspiracy theory nutters.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-whinge-and-a-prayer-as-australian-open-complaints-take-flight-20210122-p56w6d.html
British ministers are to discuss on Monday further tightening travel restrictions, the BBC reported on Saturday, adding that people arriving in the country could be required to quarantine in hotels.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/britain-to-consider-tighter-travel-restrictions-similar-to-australia-20210123-p56we6.html
The New York Times reveals the last-minute efforts by Trump to overturn the election results.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/23/trump-florida-white-house-washington-plot-report
Kirstie Clements says we don’t need a geologist to read Melania’s stone-faced exit.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/style/2021/01/23/melania-trump-farewell-gucci-caftan/
Cartoon Corner
Matt Golding







Andrew Dyson
Alan Moir
Glen Le Lievre
Chris Riddell
From the US
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-23/bidens-inauguration-australias-political-leaders-morrison-effect/13083584
WTF!
This story is not getting a mention at all in the Australian media, except for a few Murdoch (of course) sites. where it is hidden under “World News”.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/rupert-murdoch-samantha-kerr-among-among-those-honoured-in-uk-australia-day-awards/news-story/5ac1f8f900eb1b33cabd2502ec0a1924
This mob. My bold.
https://www.theaustraliadayfoundationuktrust.co.uk/About
Not so much the Trust as the Australia Day Foundation itself, “Proud host of the UK’s leading Australia Day Celebration”.
https://australiaday.co.uk/about
The Trust is just a part of the Australia Day Foundation.