And where do we go from here?
I’m feeling very beige, very uncertain, about what to do next.
However we MUST do something!
I wish I could do an inspiring post, but I can’t do it without your help.
This is the best I can do just now (even though I am so glad that Biden is now POTUS):
Illegitimi non carborundum!!!!!!!
Those pardons from Trump may be useless!
LegalEagle explains.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
According to Chip Le Grand, Margaret Court was given Australia’s highest civilian honour to address a gender disparity created five years ago when Rod Laver became the first tennis player to be made a Companion of the Order of Australia.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-rocket-behind-margaret-court-s-ac-20210126-p56wzz.html
David Crowe tells us that the property industry has ramped up its political donations to a fresh peak that takes its total funding to $54.2 million over the past two decades, finds new analysis that calls for curbs on the way big companies buy influence. The Coalition got twice that of Labor.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/competitive-advantage-call-for-curbs-as-property-sector-ramps-up-political-donations-20210126-p56wva.html
Josh Butler looks at the contributions to the Australia Day debate from Prime Ministers past and present.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/01/27/australia-day-abbott-morrison/
A federal election may be on the cards, but Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese are both constrained and compromised by their party’s recent past, suggests Shaun Carney.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/leaders-eye-federal-election-while-vision-falls-by-the-wayside-20210126-p56wxr.html
Michael Pascoe argues that the government has a policy to increase inequality. As evidence, he lists the key elements threatening to send us down the American road.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2021/01/26/michael-pascoe-inequality-australia/
For The Australian, Barnaby Joyce argues that the Coalition is not working for the Nats.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/no-convenience-for-nationals-voters-in-coalition-marriage/news-story/03d1d874ab856a04e5f3cb57a5fe3137
Paul Keating says, “Liberals will see you die broke in the name of ‘efficiency’”. As usual;, he does not hold back as he excoriates Jane Hume’s comments.
https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/liberals-will-see-you-die-broke-in-the-name-of-efficiency-20210121-p56vyh
Mike Foley describes the Nationals’ coal crusade as “an expensive political fantasy”.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nationals-coal-crusade-an-expensive-political-fantasy-20210126-p56wwn.html
And Greg Brown writes that city-based Liberal MPs have criticised the Nationals for proposing the construction of new coal-fired power stations, as Coalition divisions on climate change re-emerge in what could be an election year.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/city-liberals-fire-back-at-nationals-over-coal/news-story/8ce4a70cd310901d439a19eb09040da3
In the meantime, Adam Morton reports that a business group representing mining, retail, manufacturing, banking and energy bosses has formally backed climate change legislation proposed by the independent MP Zali Steggall, saying Australia needs to set a net zero emissions target for 2050 and lay out a path to get there.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/26/business-council-of-australia-backs-zali-steggalls-climate-change-bill-for-2050-net-zero-target
Tim Soutphommasane says that Australia lags the rest of the world when it comes to political diversity.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/why-australia-lags-rest-of-world-in-political-diversity-20210126-p56wv9.html
Paul Karp tells us about Tony Abbott’s descent into culture warrior fantasy as he further binds himself to the IPA.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/26/tony-abbott-attacks-coronavirus-hysteria-and-health-despotism-in-ipa-video
An “unseemly” dispute has broken out between Europe and the pharmaceutical companies behind two key coronavirus vaccines and may affect the supply of them to Australia, explains Bevan Shields.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/vaccine-export-dispute-in-europe-may-threaten-australian-supplies-20210126-p56x15.html
Federal and state funds for bushfire recovery have been heavily skewed in favour of state Coalition seats with NSW State Labor picking up just 1% of $177 million handed out. Elizabeth Minter investigates how a fast-tracked fund with no name directed grants to the timber industry, coalition donor Visy and community infrastructure that was not in accordance with project guidelines. There was even a $194,000 grant to Snives Hives, a business on the leafy Upper North Shore suburb of St Ives to “establish a Meadery to make and wholesale honey wine on the Central Coast”.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/bushfire-rorts-coalition-targets-bushfire-recovery-funds-for-coalition-seats/
Rob Harris reports that the veteran federal Liberal MP, Russell Broadbent, says the Morrison government must embrace the vision of the Uluru statement in its entirety if the nation is to reconcile its past with Indigenous Australians.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/so-much-to-gain-and-nothing-to-lose-veteran-liberal-mp-says-uluru-vision-is-only-path-towards-healing-20210126-p56wzr.html
The ACTU’s Michelle O’Neill says that Jow Biden shows that we don’t have to choose between climate action and jobs.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/biden-shows-we-don-t-have-to-choose-between-climate-action-and-jobs-20210125-p56wpx.html
When U.S. President Joe Biden declared climate change the “number one issue facing humanity” during the 2020 campaign, concerned citizens breathed a collective sigh of relief, writes Amanda McCleod.
https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/mitigation-adaptation-or-do-nothing-responding-to-climate-change,14732
Despite global attitudes changing, the racist principles on which our country was founded are still prevalent in today’s government, writes Bilal Cleland.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/australia-needs-to-move-on-from-the-racist-ideology-upon-which-it-was-founded,14736
The ABC cannot fill the void created by the closure of hundreds of newsrooms in suburban and regional Australia, the broadcaster has told a Senate inquiry into media diversity.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jan/27/abc-says-it-cannot-fill-void-created-by-closure-of-suburban-and-regional-newspapers
Ross Gittins explores Andrew Leigh’s work on the ecological footprint of economies. Quite an interesting exercise.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/is-australia-s-economy-getting-fatter-surplus-may-not-be-a-good-thing-20210126-p56wu3.html
The search engine giant’s threat to pull the plug on Australian audiences is a chance to look at alternatives and ask are we happy with the amount of our data they gather, writes media lecturer Belinda Barnet.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/life-without-google-could-be-better-than-you-think-20210126-p56wuf.html
Meanwhile, the social media giant Twitter and its chief executive Jack Dorsey are escalating the fight against fake news, lifting the lid on Birdwatch, a project the tech giant says will tackle misinformation and disinformation in a similar way to the likes of Wikipedia and Reddit, relying on its own users to flag potentially misleading content.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/twitter-to-tackle-misinformation-with-user-moderation/news-story/81b14d3b4ae4e21fcab518dd5023044d
Elizabeth Knight explains how the parasites, the short sellers, are getting their just desserts in the US,
https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/the-hunters-become-the-hunted-short-sellers-under-threat-on-wall-st-20210126-p56wy2.html
Cartoon Corner
Peter Broelman
David Rowe
Matt Golding
Glen Le Lievre
Cathy Wilcox
David Pope
John Shakespeare
John Spooner
From the US
Excuses, excuses.
“Margaret Court was given Australia’s highest civilian honour to address a gender disparity created five years ago when Rod Laver became the first tennis player to be made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)”
What a feeble excuse! And it’s a lie.
Laver was given his AC in 2016. Two years later Evonne Goolagong Cawley was promoted from a mere AO to an AC. Surely that evened up the number of female tennis players who have this award..
Here’s an article from 2018 about that award –
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/australia-day-honours-tennis-legend-evonne-goolagong-cawley-awarded-20180125-p4yyvn.html
FFS! That award even gets a mention from Chip Le Grand, shooting his entire story down in flames. Was he too dumb to notice? Or was he just repeating instructions from the PMO?
The Council requested anonymity before speaking to Nine. Heaven knows why, it’s easy to find out who is on the council. The Council for the Order of Australia is headed by Shane Stone (remember him?) and has ex-officio members General Angus Campbell, Simon Birmingham and Stephanie Foster (from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet) to ensure captain’s picks are carried out.
Here’s the list –
https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awardsorder-australia/council-order-australia
Let’s just be honest – this award was a captain’s pick by a CrimeMinister eager to honour a fellow Pentecostal and also keen to stir up a bit of controversy to hide his failure to secure vaccines. What better way to do that than to leak news of this award to compliant media (Nine) exactly when he needed a distraction? He may even have been asked or ordered to make this award by leaders of his cult as a demonstration of his faith. It would not be the first time he has obeyed orders from a cult – he did as he was asked by QAnon by using the words “ritual sexual abuse” in his National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/c12e83ea-26d1-4933-9867-1f47c94a7d1c/&sid=0000
I don’t mind my dollars going to this
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/jan/27/sydney-new-south-wales-covid-19-coronavirus-melbourne-vaccine-pfizer-astrazeneca-melbourne-berejiklian-andrews-morrison#comments
With a decent government that would force resignations. Guess who was Minister for Immigration and Border Protection back then?
Yep! You guessed it – Scott Morrison.
I bookmarked it to put up, then forgot. It’s a goody.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/27/antisemitism-and-holocaust-denial-on-the-rise-in-australia-josh-frydenberg-warns
No, thank you!
You mean like hating asylum seekers?
Funny how Fraudenberg, one of the biggest haters in the government, is suddenly concerned about hatred of Jews. Maybe all that hate he encourages is getting a bit too close for comfort.
Or is the government in need of a new distraction, especially as the news on vaccine availability is not good.
This government excels at deadcatting. And why wouldn’t they? It was thought up by Lynton Crosby.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_cat_strategy
Sounds about right. They’ve been throwing them about a lot lately.
Good!
Businesswoman called ‘feminist cretin’ by AFR journalist Joe Aston wins $280,000 in defamation case
Elaine Stead was accused by columnist of setting ‘fire to people’s money’ and destroying ventures she was associated with.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jan/27/businesswoman-feminist-cretin-afr-journalist-joe-aston-wins-280000-elaine-stead
Sorry for the late posting, I’ve been offline for a while due to a power outage.
Caveats apply
Rachel Maddow –
Stephen Colbert –
Jimmy Kimmel –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Laura Tingle will be talking leadershit with Albo on 7.5.
First Dog
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/27/in-which-first-dog-on-the-moon-bravely-stares-death-in-the-slithery-face-a-true-story
Latingle is a much better interviewer than Sales: no interrupting, for starters.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jan/27/fox-news-hosts-sean-hannity-tucker-carlson-laura-ingraham-biden-trump
Albo was a very good leader of the House; a fixer. He is not a good front man.
Oooooo ! Fight fight fight. Checked on Sky After Dark and the headline “Coalition Divided Over Climate Policy.” Apparently “The Energy Wars Are Back on Among the Coalition” . Also this outbreak is ‘clearly’ Matt Keane’s fault. The people who left because of Truffles and voted Scrott “are being betrayed” 🙂 .That was all I could take.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/27/covid-vaccine-ad-campaign-aims-to-reassure-australians-about-safety-and-efficacy-of-jabs
No 2 Son’s previous cat had asthma and had to use a puffer so this really is something cats can suffer from..
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
John Hewson delivers his verdict on Australia’s emissions targets. He says it’s catastrophic.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/the-verdict-on-australia-s-emissions-targets-catastrophic-20210127-p56x2o.html
Meanwhile, Joe Biden’s climate boss has invoked last summer’s Australian bushfire crisis as evidence the world “can’t afford to lose any longer” and must urgently slash carbon emissions.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/stop-us-in-our-tracks-biden-s-new-climate-chief-john-kerry-invokes-australian-bushfires-20210128-p56xce.html
Josh Butler reports that Tony Burke has launched a stinging attack alleging the federal government’s actions “trash the norms” of Parliament, and that scores of gagged debates have made him the “most closed down” politician in Australian history.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/01/28/parliament-debate-gag-labor/
David Crowe says Anthony Albanese will drop climate spokesman Mark Butler from the key portfolio in a shake-up that aims to bridge a gulf within the party on gas fields, coal mines and greenhouse emissions.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-drops-butler-from-climate-in-reshuffle-restart-on-emissions-20210127-p56xc4.html
Angus Taylor has accused his NSW counterpart, Matt Kean, of scaring away the private sector as the federal government looks increasingly likely to make good on its threat to build its own plant.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/taylor-ready-to-build-gas-fired-power-station-20210127-p56x2f
Christopher Knaus reveals that Christopher Pyne’s lobbyist firm has been engaged by a private defence contractor that was awarded tens of millions of dollars of government work while he was defence minister. It was only worth $98m – let’s move on.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/28/christopher-pynes-firm-hired-by-defence-contractor-awarded-98m-in-government-work-while-he-was-minister
Nick McKenzie and Joel Tozer examine the rise of Australia’s far right.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/neo-nazis-go-bush-grampians-gathering-highlights-rise-of-australia-s-far-right-20210127-p56xbf.html
Greg Jericho says, “It’s not just the pandemic, stupid. Australia’s economy has been weak for years”. He provides plenty of evidence for his assertion.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2021/jan/28/its-not-just-the-pandemic-stupid-australias-economy-has-been-weak-for-years
The Institute of Public Affairs has scored an epic “own-goal” by calling out the slide in Australian quality of life. A new report by the Liberal Party think tank identifies the drop in home ownership, high incarceration rates, the low level of skills training and debt as the main culprits but, as Michael Tanner reports, the declining standards are a direct result of Liberal Party policies.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/own-goal-ipa-report-a-ringing-endorsement-that-coalition-policies-have-failed/
Anthony Galloway reports that new research shows Australia is in the top 10 countries in handling the global pandemic and disproved a claim that authoritarian regimes had an advantage. The US was 94th out of 98 nations examined.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/analysis-ranks-the-countries-that-handled-covid-19-best-20210127-p56x3g.html
Nick Bonyhady tells us that two of the country’s most powerful unions have combined to launch a social media, TV and radio campaign targeting the Morrison government’s industrial relations overhaul, claiming it will let companies cut workers’ pay.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/unions-call-on-senate-crossbench-to-stop-the-bus-on-industrial-overhaul-20210127-p56xai.html
Jess Irvine opines that the Covid-19 vaccine will not be the economic silver bullet some people think it will be.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/here-s-the-rub-on-the-covid-jab-it-s-no-economic-magic-bullet-20210127-p56x99.html
Stephen Duckert believes that Australia’s COVID vaccination will challenge the speed, efficiency and GPs’ capacity to deliver.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-s-covid-vaccination-challenge-speed-efficiency-and-gps-capacity-to-deliver-20210126-p56wzj.html
Samantha Dick writes that today coronavirus vaccine giants Pfizer and AstraZeneca are set to face a grilling from politicians amid concerns Australia’s rollout could be delayed or impacted.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/coronavirus/2021/01/28/coronavirus-vaccine-pfizer-delay/
These contributors to The Conversation say that most government information on Covid-19 is too hard for the average Australian to understand.
https://theconversation.com/most-government-information-on-covid-19-is-too-hard-for-the-average-australian-to-understand-153878
Thousands of extra cars and trucks have been flooding onto southern Sydney roads since a new toll was imposed on the M5 East motorway as drivers try to save money. Motorists can only be squeezed so much.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/thousands-of-vehicles-flooding-sydney-roads-to-avoid-toll-20210127-p56x8d.html
Advertising experts have warned Google’s threat to cut off search in Australia could hurt businesses but said they can survive as the competition watchdog prepares to release new findings that expose the tech giant’s dominance of the local digital ad market.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/ad-experts-warn-google-s-australian-exit-could-hurt-businesses-20210127-p56x9l.html
Richard Holden says that the Morrison government needs to come to its senses and recognise that its proposed media bargaining code is absurdly slanted in favour of media companies.
https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/media-code-is-a-stalinist-show-trial-20210127-p56x31
Nick Evershed reports that Google’s “experiment” in Australia to remove major news sites from search results is hiding important news stories from hundreds of thousands of Australians. In some cases, he says, filtering out mainstream news publications from search results is also resulting in lower-quality publications being promoted, including a news website known for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/28/important-stories-hidden-in-googles-experiment-blocking-australian-news-sites
Nick O’Malley writes that an expert panel has found Australia must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2045 if it is to do its part to keep warming to less than 2 degrees,
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/australia-on-track-to-break-paris-carbon-emission-commitments-20210127-p56x93.html
Michelle Grattan tells us that the coal push from the Nationals is a challenge for Scott Morrison.
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-coal-push-from-nationals-is-a-challenge-for-scott-morrison-154078
Rather than marginalising the homeless, governments must start taking steps to ensure their health and wellbeing, writes Gerry Georgatos.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/its-time-for-governments-to-put-the-homeless-first-,14739
The Future Fund’s chairman and CEO don’t believe the current share market ‘frenzy’ can last, and the sovereign wealth fund is positioning its portfolio for the hangover, writes Elizabeth Knight.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/markets/future-fund-lost-its-invitation-to-the-equity-market-s-party-20210127-p56x8o.html
Uniting Church minister Alistair Macrae is handing back his Australia Day award in protest of Margaret Court’s upgraded honour.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/faith-rattled-in-australia-day-honours-20210127-p56x9m.html
A Jewish charity will offer chaplaincy services to alleged paedophile Malka Leifer when she returns to Australia, a decision that has angered some members of the religious community.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/government-funded-chaplaincy-organisation-will-offer-services-to-malka-leifer-20210127-p56xb4.html
Far-right extremism in the US is deadly serious, but what will Biden do about it, asks Cas Mudde.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/27/far-right-extremism-us-terror-biden
The entertaining John Crace tells us that Boris Johnson reserves the right to carry on without learning anything.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/27/boris-johnson-reserves-right-to-carry-on-without-learning-anything
There should be no questions about this little shit being nominated for “Arsehole of the Week”!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/more-charges-flagged-for-teen-driver-after-couple-s-australia-day-deaths-20210127-p56x7m.html
Cartoon Corner
Glen Le Lievre
Peter Broelman
John Shakespeare
Cathy Wilcox
Andrew Dyson
Matt Golding
Matt Davidson
Johannes Bloody Leak
From the US
Jeebus that was depressing to see how bloody low the ‘average’ is. No wonder the Coalition has so much success with ‘3 word slogans’ .
I have been grizzling for months about the Victorian Covid information
You would expect that when you get the QR code inside the yellow square
the safari strip appears at top of photo
the next screen is enter Name & Phone number
BUT in Victoria NO
the safari strip appears on top of photo
next screen is 1000 words of legalese (on a mobile phone screen) with orange tabs inviting you to download the Victorian Services app
Download Victorian Services app and
scan QR code
30% of time might see screen to enter name & phone number
Bouncers at large venues stand over the customers giving verbal instructions until they see that green tick
from across the road Poroti says
Since the vaccines were first approved I’ve seen a number of expert types warn us that we should not think it is “all over” and there is still a very long way to go. As in 2022 or even 2024
Below is a chart from a report done by a group with The Economist. Quite a !! .Timing for NZ is close to what Ardern has said for the mass main roll out (mid year) . Looking at Australia’s expected time I wonder if Scotty has been doing a bit of bullshitting or misrepresenting (rhetorical question 🙂 )
The article from The Conversation on the struggle most Australians have with understanding government information is depressing but not at all surprising.
I’m a huge fan of Plain English, I hate ploughing through verbose documents filled with complicated language when the same thing could easily be said with fewer and simpler words.
I agree with this-
Maybe it’s because kids are no longer taught to actually comprehend what they read. Maybe it’s because too many writers of government information believe using abstruse language is a display of their alleged intelligence. Maybe it’s both.
The struggles many have with understanding what they read are not new.
Eons ago, when I was at primary school, we had a weekly lesson called “Comprehension” (I doubt today’s 10 year olds would be able to pronounce that word let alone understand what it meant) where we had to read a set piece of information then answer questions on it. Same thing applied when I was teaching in the 1970s. Some time after that those lessons disappeared. By the late 1980s I was doing part-time tutoring, with a lot of my work focusing on getting kids who could read perfectly to actually comprehend what they were reading. This lack of understanding was a major concern of the parents of those kids. Comprehension exercises were no longer provided in schools, private tutors had to do that work instead, and not everyone was able to afford that help. Few parents even cared enough to provide it.
I have long believed that humans are becoming increasingly stupid. For proof you only need to look at the leaders elected recently in the US, the UK and Australia. How dumb can we be to elect such useless cretins to high positions? Further evidence – the letters WWI and WWII servicemen wrote to their families. These were ordinary men who probably had only a basic education but their letters are wonderful. Compare them to the barely literate texts that are the main way we communicate today and then tell me we are not losing command of and understanding of our language. Humans might be technologically brilliant but are reduced to expressing themselves with emojis.
I have no problem understanding government advice on COVID-19 but I do understand why many struggle. As KK says, no wonder this government does so well with ‘3 word slogans’. They are all most Australians can comprehend.
My sister who attended school 5 years behind me never did COMPREHENSION classes or learnt to PRECIS
Leone not only do Australians have trouble with comprehension but some government websites are exercises in legal arse covering.
Victorian government websites are appalling examples of “lawyers on the lose”. Take the QR sign in process as an example
WANT
scan QR code
see Safari strip on top of camera, which you click on
fill in name & phone number
receive green tick
WHAT YOU GET
scan QR code
see Safari strip on top of camera, which you click on
display 1000 words of legalese (on your mobile phone screen) with link in orange at bottom to download Service Victoria app
download Services Victoria app
scan QR code
read gobbledygook – cos its sunny, yu have sun glasses on or left reading glasses . . . .
30% of attempts
fill in name & phone number
receive green tick
Now some establishments use proprietary QR software which works fine but you never know . . .
Then of course there is the apply for travel permit exercise which I am helping a friend with this arvo. . .
I have to say I have never used the NSW QR code – I don’t go anywhere to use it in these days of The Plague, and as I’m “elderly” everyone assumes I’m technologically illiterate anyway.
I intend to just provide the information they require in whatever way they need in the unlikely event I’m ever asked for it. Being old has a few advantages..
My real reason is I don’t want to put the Services NSW app on my phone. My phone is for emergency use only, and for the occasional access code for vital things like eBay. I rarely use it for online stuff as even with reading glasses on the screen is annoyingly small. I have a PC and a laptop, I am at home most of the time, I do not need to use my phone for internet access. I know that makes me officially weird.
Leone almost no one takes their PC to a cafe, never seen anyone logging in using their iPad
OK Lou Kamesky’s in Kempsey uses their iPad to log in customers who don’t admit to using smart phones
. As I live in Retirement Central I’m sure I’m not the only one who doesn’t want to use their phone for a code.
NSW government mandated that all eateries record their customers name & phone using electronic QR code in November
The article in The Conversation focuses on language used because the authors are linguists
The bigger discussion needs to be about USABILITY, what type of device will people be using, under what conditions, is the information visible to people who are colour blind, not using their reading glasses
Clearly this software is tested on a 13inch or 15inch computer screen, inside by people wearing their correct glasses who know that all QR codes are Vic Services when in fact 75% establishments use proprietary QR code software
There is also the incorrect assumption that everyone has internet access.Not everyone does, not everyone wants it. I have a few very elderly friends who do not use or want the internet.
Our state MP sends out occasional letters containing government advice, the local paper also prints regular, updated advice, but unless you read this stuff you have no idea.
I do not know how anyone manages without being able to get information online.
Yes, I worry about people without internet access whenever government informatoin refers to a website
Labor’s move to the right on emissions targets seems daft to me.
If Coal Fitzgibbon is happy with the change then surely that means it’s bad news for any hope of changing the government.
Labor has just delivered thousands more votes to the Greens.
Me? I’ll be looking for an independent candidate, but it won’t matter who I vote for here, the Nats chap will be returned. This would have to be the among the dumbest electorates in Australia. Others vying for the “Most Dumb” title would be those that keep on returning Dutton, Kelly and Christensen.
Renew Economy’s take on this –
Butler dumped as Labor’s climate opposition collapses at a truly pivotal moment
https://reneweconomy.com.au/butler-dumped-as-labors-climate-opposition-collapses-at-a-truly-pivotal-moment/
Is Albo being paid to fail?
Looks like it. He’s certainly doing all he can to keep Labor out of government.
Rachel Maddow –
Part 1 (first 3 or 4 mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRy6f60V9G4
Part 2 (after 3 or 4 mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwBusBnbDFg
Chris Hayes –
Seth Meyers –
Try again for RM vids
Satire, but I suspect too close to the truth –
Joel Fitzgibbon Demands Labor’s Climate Change Policy Be Solely Based On Keeping Him In A Job
https://www.betootaadvocate.com/entertainment/joel-fitzgibbon-demands-labors-climate-change-policy-be-solely-based-on-keeping-him-in-a-job/
Journalists keep telling us The Gibbon’s electorate of Hunter is based around coal mining, but as usual they lie.
The electorate of Hunter also includes the famous Hunter Valley wine country, the Wollemi National Park and some of the best farmland in NSW, all currently being ruined by coal dust and pollution from mining. Hunter deserves better than a destroyed environment and ruined farmland. If The Gibbon cannot see that then he is incredibly stupid, has obviously been bought by mining companies and should be expelled from the ALP. Instead they pander to him.
I am, as you probably guessed, more than pissed off with Labor today.
Stephen Colbert –
Jimmy Kimmel (ingnore first 5 to 6 mins)
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Rachel Maddow’s description of Biden’s open government puts into perspective the secrecy that envelops the CrimeMinister’s.
I think 2As has it right
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/28/anthony-albanese-knows-he-has-a-fight-on-his-hands-and-not-just-against-scott-morrison
Yup.
Sorry, everyone. I think we are in for another term of CONgubbmint.
FFS!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/28/labor-reshuffle-anthony-albanese-elevates-richard-marles-to-new-super-portfolio
Marles is utterly useless. I suppose his only advantage is he sounds OK when he speaks – if you can ignore what he actually says.
Some of Marles’ more objectionable ideas –
He wants Labor to help get more government legislation passed.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/oct/10/labor-must-help-coalition-pass-legislation-even-if-it-disappoints-purists
He supported the dreadful Pacific Solution and was enthusiastic about turning back boats.
https://newmatilda.com/2015/07/27/refugee-question-richard-marles-couldnt-answer/
He also supported a move to have boat turnbacks honoured by the War Memorial.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/26/richard-marles-under-attack-for-support-of-boat-turnbacks-display-at-war-memorial
Marles should join the Liberal Party – he would find it a better fit.
Something random. Some LOL advice , a Russian saying – “Do not try to scare a hedgehog with a naked bottom!”
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
David Crowe sees the logic in Labor’s shadow ministry reshuffle.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labor-disunity-on-display-but-there-s-logic-to-the-reshuffle-20210128-p56xkl.html
Looking towards the next election, Phil Coorey quotes a Liberal insider who said, “We went to the last election with a ‘kill Bill’ strategy. Now we want to save Albo”.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/no-dramas-pm-knows-a-hankering-for-stability-will-suit-him-20210127-p56xb8
Coorey follows through by writing, “Albanese’s reshuffle has undercurrents of fear and panic”.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/albanese-s-reshuffle-has-undercurrents-of-fear-and-panic-20210128-p56xds
Anthony Albanese knows he has a fight on his hands – and not just against Scott Morrison says Katharine Murphy.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/28/anthony-albanese-knows-he-has-a-fight-on-his-hands-and-not-just-against-scott-morrison
If anyone should go, it should be Joel Fitzgibbon, declares Kaye Lee.
https://theaimn.com/if-anyone-should-go-it-should-be-joel-fitzgibbon/
Josh Butler says that a defiant Albanese is comparing himself to Biden as Labor prepares for election war.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/01/29/labor-albanese-election-plan/
And Michells Grattan writes that Albanese’s reshuffle sharpens focus on ‘jobs’ but talk about his own job will continue.
https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-albaneses-reshuffle-sharpens-focus-on-jobs-but-talk-about-his-own-job-will-continue-154198
Michael Pascoe explains how “The Great Wages Suppression” is destroying trust.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2021/01/29/great-wages-suppression-pascoe/
Germany’s vaccine committee says there is not enough trial data available to support approving the jab for those aged over 65. Over to you, Greg!
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/germany-recommends-against-giving-oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-to-over-65s-20210129-p56xns.html
David Crowe says that the government is caught in the constant tension between building confidence and avoiding false hope when it comes to the supply of vaccine.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/if-vaccines-run-low-so-will-confidence-20210128-p56xkr.html
Meanwhile, Medical teams will be sent to aged care homes to vaccinate almost 500,000 residents and staff under a federal plan to deliver the jabs outside hospitals and major hubs. The Morrison government has opened talks with medical companies to set up a “surge workforce” that will fan out to thousands of aged care homes as soon as the Pfizer vaccine becomes available.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/race-against-the-clock-in-federal-plan-to-deliver-jabs-in-aged-care-homes-20210127-p56xan.html
The editorial in The Age says that ‘vaccine nationalism’ isn’t the way to best tackle the pandemic.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/vaccine-nationalism-isn-t-the-way-to-best-tackle-the-pandemic-20210127-p56x46.html
Binoy Kampmark writes about the Mad Monk Abbott’s latest pronouncements.
https://theaimn.com/the-mad-monk-strikes-tony-abbott-taxi-rides-and-coronavirus-despotism/
In an op-ed in The Australian Jim Chalmers writes that we should remember Georg W Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” moment on the aircraft carrier when the government tells us the recession is over.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/covid19-mission-isnt-over-until-the-economy-delivers-for-all/news-story/6deb59a78d8a11e522160dae44a53a81
Mike Foley tells us that a tough test of the Morrison government’s environment credentials looms after a major report on national conservation laws called for urgent reforms to prevent further extinction of Australia’s wildlife. Over to you, Sussan!
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/major-test-for-government-on-its-commitment-to-halt-species-extinction-20210128-p56xix.html
Australia is presently embroiled in two major showdowns with superpowers. One is with China. The other is with Google and Facebook. And in the space of a week, we’ve glimpsed the implications of both, explains Waleed Aly.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-other-superpowers-calling-the-shots-20210128-p56xfp.html
Schneider Electrics’ Lisa Zembrodt explains the flawed logic behind a taxpayer-built gas generator.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/flawed-logic-behind-a-taxpayer-built-gas-generator-20210128-https://www.theguardian.com/aup56xk0.html
The editorial in The Canberra Times says that Morrison’s Paris agreement ‘canter’ claim suspect.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7104146/pms-paris-in-a-canter-claim-is-suspect/?cs=14258
The large number of high-profile businesses hit by wage scandals in recent years has revealed a growing need for more graduates with the skills to steer companies through Australia’s industrial relations system.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/wage-theft-crisis-opens-gate-for-graduates-who-can-navigate-ir-waters-20210127-p56x5b.html
A David and Goliath-style skirmish pitting small-scale retail investors against mighty Wall Street hedge funds upended the Australian market on Thursday. Investors are wondering if the stoush signals a larger shakeout ahead, writes Sarah Turner in the AFR.
https://www.afr.com/markets/equity-markets/day-trader-raid-rattles-world-stocks-20210128-p56xdg
Controversial tax concessions on superannuation contributions and capital gains are set to rack up to more than $338 billion over the next four years, explains Matthew Cranston.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/tax-breaks-bulge-to-338b-over-next-four-years-20210128-p56xhe
Alan Kohler explains how the government is putting the brakes on its own borrowing by getting households to borrow instead.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/property/2021/01/28/alan-kohler-our-turn-borrow/
Tim Marney, a previous mental health commissioner in WA, explains how Victoria can make right choices to fix its mental health system. It centres around a whole of system approach which he describes.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/how-victoria-can-make-right-choices-to-fix-its-mental-health-system-20210128-p56xgz.html
Professor Greg Barton puts the case for stemming the toxic tide of extremism. He says there is something pathetic about men hiding behind balaclavas and play-acting at being neo-Nazis in a popular national park. This is a worthwhile read.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/we-must-stem-toxic-tide-of-extremism-20210128-p56xkj.html
Chistopher Knaus reports that Daniel Andrews has warned that “evil” and “wicked” antisemitism is on the rise after a meeting of neo-Nazis in Victoria’s Grampians national park on Saturday.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/28/daniel-andrews-warns-of-rising-antisemitism-after-neo-nazi-gathering-in-victorian-national-park
A possible betting scandal involving the Australian of the Year Award has been referred to Australia’s top criminal intelligence agency.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/fears-of-australian-of-the-year-betting-scandal-referred-to-top-criminal-intelligence-agency-20210128-p56xke.html
Nick Bonyhady writes that Uber Eats has overhauled its business model in Australia, requiring riders to hold ABNs and letting them transfer delivery jobs to others in a move that will make it harder for critics to claim its workers are employees rather than independent contractors.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/uber-eats-overhauls-business-model-amid-pressure-over-workers-status-20210128-p56xi1.html
As Britain passes 100,000 COVID deaths, Boris Johnson is in a crisis of his own making says Rob Manwaring.
https://theconversation.com/as-britain-passes-100-000-covid-deaths-boris-johnson-is-in-a-crisis-of-his-own-making-154061
Trump may be out of office, but Republicans are still angry and ready to do his bidding, writes Lloyd Green.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/28/trump-may-be-out-of-office-but-republicans-are-still-angry-and-ready-to-do-his-bidding
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Pater Broelman
Cathy Wilcox
Matt Golding
Andrew Dyson
Mark David
John Shakespeare
Glen Le Lievre
Johannes Leak
From the US
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/jan/29/australia-news-live-covid-19-restrictions-sydney-australian-open-climate-change-quarantine-masks-melbourne-berejiklian-andrews-new-zealand-labor-scott-morrison
He doesn’t do responsibility.
No, he just passes his responsibilities onto the states so he can blames them when things go wrong. Nothing is ever his fault.
Geez Gladys is a turd, a sorry excuse for a human being. All she does is badmouth Annastacia Palaszczuk.
No-one ever mentions the huge, indelible stain plastered all over Gladys – the Ruby Princess.
friendlyjordies –
Going out to look at mobility scooters, may as well get them before we really need them to start getting out and about again.
So no posts till later in the day.
Backson.
Another Pooh fan.
They are fantastic. Razz has been using one for years, she’s actually worn out two. She used to use them to drag garden stuff around. Be careful on sloped ground though, they have a tendency to tip over. My son got me a second hand one, and we do the railtrail taking the dog for a walk. They don’t like too many steep hills, drains the batteries.
Just ask if you have any questions.
TLBD – I used to post that that a lot when I was doing the friday raffles (wow! how time flies eh!) and I had a bit of a flashback.
2g – ta muchly, we have bought 2 biggly models with 16 kph top speed, 50 km range and 15 degree climb angle. So hope that will do us. I’ll be in touch if I need any help.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jan/29/rupert-murdoch-denounces-woke-orthodoxy-as-rudd-rages-against-australia-day-award
Caveats apply –
Seth Meyers –
Rachel Maddow –
Stephen Colbert –
Jimmy Kimmel –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
RM sub less glitches –
Best news today –
One Nation staffer James Ashby loses court fight to have commonwealth pay $4.5m legal fees
The federal court backs a finance department decision not to grant Ashby an ‘act of grace payment’
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/29/one-nation-staffer-james-ashby-loses-court-fight-to-have-commonwealth-pay-367m-legal-fees
F.M –
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/29/ooh-albo-has-made-a-slew-of-australia-saving-appointments
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
David Crowe writes that the Prime Minister will be judged on how he handles the economy after JobKeeper, the vaccine rollout, climate change, aged care and China.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-s-five-major-challenges-for-2021-20210129-p56xti.html
Peter Hartcher begins his analysis of Morrison with, “Scott Morrison began the year in a baseball cap, drinking beer and touring an oil refinery and promoting gas in Queensland. Barnaby Joyce has emerged from an uncharacteristic silence to resume taking cracks at the cardboard cutout Nationals leader whatshisname. Labor is talking about itself and agonising about dumping another of its leaders. Because that always works so well. And the Greens? Who knows?”
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-pm-has-transformed-now-morrison-conquers-from-the-centre-20210129-p56xy3.html
Parnell Palme McGuinness writes that Morrison is not invincible, saying that there are weaknesses in substantial areas that will become more evident as the year progresses.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/and-now-for-the-bad-news-pm-your-reform-agenda-has-come-to-nought-20210129-p56xvj.html
Peter van Onselen opines that, notwithstanding myriad problems on his plate, Morrison has the opposition’s measure going into the first week of parliament this year.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/pressure-mounts-for-albanese-to-lift-labors-game/news-story/2b251ac7c576aeebc9825dc31f5101f5
Rachel Withers wonders if Albanese has lost Labor’s love.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2021/01/30/has-albanese-lost-labors-love/161192520011003
And Dennis Atkins thinks Anthony Albanese could face a leadership eruption at any time.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2021/01/30/labor-leadership-anthony-albanese/
Australia’s ambitious coronavirus vaccination schedule has already been met with scepticism by some health professionals, while others say the real priority must be keeping the public informed and confident, writes Karen Middleton.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2021/01/30/the-challenges-the-vaccine-rollout/161192520011000
John Elder goes into the good, the bad, and the unknowns of Australia’s COVID vaccine rollout.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/coronavirus/2021/01/30/coronavirus-vaccine-covid-19-australia/
Why is Frydenberg not curious over the gig rorts that have been going on with JobKeeper?
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2021/01/29/dominos-jobkeeper-inquiry/
Malcolm Knox says, “We’d sooner have fixed terms than a fixed election”.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/we-d-sooner-have-fixed-terms-than-a-fixed-election-thanks-20210129-p56xrs.html
Katharine Murphy declares that in an age of polarisation, the prime minister seeks longevity in office by wafting above the fray rather than engaging in confrontation. She says, “Morrison tries to maximise what he’s for, or sort of for, and limit what he’s against, unless there is currency in picking a side”.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/30/scott-morrison-aerodynamic-populism-and-the-art-of-never-choosing-a-side
Mike Foley, Nick O’Malley and Nick Bonyhady tell us that Labor is taking a leaf out of the NSW Coalition’s book with plans to grow regional jobs through green energy as it shakes up its climate portfolio and positions the party to gain ground in key regional seats.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/either-way-we-win-labor-s-plan-to-get-the-upper-hand-in-climate-wars-20210129-p56xu4.html
While the Coalition continues to stall on a net zero emissions target, the biggest buyers of our coal are rapidly shifting to renewables, says Mike Seccombe.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environment/2021/01/30/2050-net-zero-australia-left-behind-asia-goes-green/161192520010999
The editorial in The Age that now the US is committed to emissions cuts that are much more ambitious than Australia’s, Australia will have no one to hide behind if it argues against stronger action at the next global summit on climate change in Glasgow in November.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/biden-changes-the-balance-in-australia-s-climate-wars-20210129-p56xwv.html
Adam Morton writes that as the US president vows to push the rest of the world to do more on climate change, the prime minister will face increasing pressure to measure up.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/30/breathtaking-what-joe-bidens-sweeping-climate-plan-means-for-scott-morrison
John Lord ponders over whether Joe Biden can change Australian politics for the better. A good read.
https://theaimn.com/can-joe-biden-change-australian-politics-for-the-better/
The Saturday Paper’s editorial begins with, “Sometimes people end up where they belong. This is not how Tony Abbott became prime minister, but it is how he found himself working at the Institute of Public Affairs. That a man can go from leading the country to making Facebook videos for a right-wing think tank is evidence of the great lack in our politics. The space between these two callings is the gap in which almost everything wrong with Australia lives.”
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/editorial/2021/01/30/spit-milkshake/161192520011011
Melissa Jenkins writes about Australia’s right-wing extremists who are stepping out of the shadows.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2021/01/30/australia-right-wing-extremism-threat/
Berejiklian and Palaszczuk are continuing their catfight over border policies.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/queensland/nsw-premier-says-palaszczuk-is-victim-of-her-own-border-policy-20210129-p56xsr.html
Christopher Knaus writes that an investigation has found the home affairs department is failing to meet lawful deadlines in a huge proportion of freedom of information cases, a problem exacerbated by the involvement of ministerial staff, poor training and the need for greater senior-level departmental support.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/30/home-affairs-failing-to-meet-australias-freedom-of-information-deadlines-watchdog-finds
The Australian government’s bid to have Google and Facebook share revenue with local media companies has seen the tech giants threaten drastic action – with the main aim of heading off similar measures from other countries.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/media/2021/01/30/tech-giants-push-back-media-bargaining-code/161192520011006
Alan Jones was forced to publish a correction to his August 2020 editorial railing against Covid-19 restrictions in Victoria after the broadcasting watchdog found he had “misrepresented the research” on the effectiveness of masks and lockdowns.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jan/30/alan-jones-forced-to-correct-attack-on-daniel-andrews-that-misrepresented-covid-research
James Ashby has lost part of the case he brought against the Commonwealth, seeking payment of $4.5 million in legal costs incurred during his litigation against former speaker Peter Slipper. Bad luck, pal!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/james-ashby-loses-part-of-case-seeking-payment-of-4-5-million-legal-expenses-20210129-p56xx2.html
Jim Bright explains a form of workplace bullying, duty creep.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/productive-workforce-starts-with-letting-people-do-their-jobs-20210126-p56wxf.html
Rick Morton writes that as the prime minister tries to calm concerns about tensions with China, Kevin Rudd says the idea Morrison is taking a consultative approach is ‘nonsense’.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2021/01/30/exclusive-scott-morrison-misrepresents-china-advice/161192520010984
Simon Johanson and Dominic Powell explain how small businesses are under pressure as insolvency threats mount.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/tide-goes-out-small-businesses-under-pressure-as-insolvency-threat-mounts-20210114-p56u0j.html
A major report has excoriated Australia’s environment laws and Sussan Ley’s response is confused and risky warns law professor, Peter Burnett.
https://theconversation.com/a-major-report-excoriated-australias-environment-laws-sussan-leys-response-is-confused-and-risky-154254
Cricket has played a sterling role in Australian sporting and cultural life. The charitable work done off the field deserves to be recognised, writes Greg Chappell.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-day-honour-built-on-the-back-of-cricket-s-charitable-heart-20210129-p56xvx.html
The Australian tells us that rural and regional communities face a critical shortage of doctors despite billions of dollars in taxpayer funds having been spent on the problem over more than a decade, as medical graduates shun general practice and seek to become specialists.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/doctor-crisis-taxpayer-billions-fail-to-fix-rural-gp-shortages/news-story/4c3b66b80d8d66fde6713336140455dc
And studies have shown that the mental health crisis affecting rural citizens is an issue requiring greater government attention, writes Emma Goldrick.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/government-ignorant-to-the-seriousness-of-rural-mental-health-issues,14747
Jennifer Duke and Sarah Danckert report that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission will be overhauled and chairman James Shipton will step down despite being cleared in a formal review sparked by revelations taxpayers paid almost $120,000 to cover his tax affairs.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/asic-boss-to-leave-role-despite-expenses-review-clearing-him-of-wrongdoing-20210129-p56xt1.html
Corrections Victoria’s vetting process is under question after it was forced to remove a chaplain when it was revealed she knew two of Malka Leifer’s alleged victims.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/she-took-them-into-her-home-leifer-chaplain-knew-alleged-victims-20210129-p56xuq.html
Christopher Joy explains how the RBA is having to use unconventional tools to keep our currency low in the face of soaring commodity prices and rival central banks actively debasing their own currencies.
https://www.afr.com/wealth/personal-finance/aussie-dollar-would-be-much-higher-were-it-not-for-rba-20210128-p56xj1
The editor who published The Age’s initial article about George Pell’s conviction on child sex abuse charges has rejected a suggestion it was aimed at motivating readers to search online for more information about the case.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/article-not-aimed-at-encouraging-readers-to-search-about-pell-trial-told-20210129-p56xy1.html
The GameStop saga has left investors wondering whether the rise of retail investor control is a flash in the pan or a new paradigm in investment returns. The AFR says that the day traders are shaking Wall Street to its core.
https://www.afr.com/markets/equity-markets/day-traders-shake-wall-street-to-its-core-20210129-p56xq6
With polls showing increased support for Scottish independence from the UK, the British PM went to Glasgow despite a lockdown to promote the benefits of the union.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/johnson-tells-scotland-to-stop-pointless-referendum-talk-20210129-p56xxa.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Alan Moir
Jon Kudelka
Mark David
Glen Le Lievre
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Es4ixH9UYAYQquU/jpg
John Shakespeare
Simon Letch
Matt Golding
Andrew Dyson
Richard Gilberto
Johannes Leak
From the US
Good morning, BK!
As always, thank you for your magnificent news coverage.
So it’s Groundhog Day once again.
Here we are, with a lazy, corrupt CrimeMinister running the most useless, most corrupt government this country has seen since Federation.
The government has totally stuffed vaccines for The Plague. They waited too long to order them, despite the flood of announcements about what they were buying it is now clear Australia will get the leftovers after other countries with far more competent governments snapped up all supplies long ago.
The economy is in tatters yet all this government and this PM can do is continue to take money from the most disadvantaged while demonising them as lazy burdens on said crumbling economy. The CrimeMinister’s cult beliefs come into play here – he believes all illness, disability and poverty can be eradicated if people are “saved” in his greedy, fake cult, baptised, promise to tithe, pray (prey?) a lot and submit to “laying on of hands” by some barely educated non-medically trained pastor. Why does he need to provide social security with such beliefs firmly embedded in his brainwashed head?
The CrimeMinister, also brainwashed by his QAnon mate Tim Stewart and most likely by his white-supremacist wife who has as her paid companion (paid by us) Tim’s wife Lynelle, panders to RWNJs who carry on promoting conspiracy theories safe from all criticism while said CrimeMinister refuses to even mildly chastise them because he believes what they say.
The CrimeMinister ignores climate change as he (and many members of his government) believe we are approaching the End of Days when whatever god they worship, definitely not the Christian God, is about to return, They will do nothing that might delay that return, even if the whole country has to fry in heatwaves or drown under rising seas.
The CrimeMinister refuses to adopt the Uluru Statement From The Heart, refuses to allow an indigenous voice to parliament because he is an out and out racist. Instead he inflicts the vile Cashless Debit Card on more aboriginal communities, with the full support of his government and tame conservative councils made up, of course, of well-off white folks.
One family (of brown people, naturally) has been incarcerated on Christmas Island, at huge cost to the taxpayers, because it pleases Dutton and the CrimeMinister to keep them there.
Meanwhile what does the Australian media talk about? Well, none of that. They want to talk about Labor and leadershit. We have seen this so many times before it really is like Groundhog Day – whenever things get tough for the CrimeMinister and his government out come the leadershit articles. I swear some journalists just drag out the old Rudd stories, change a few names and recycle them, so familiar is their garbage.
To see even The Saturday Paper and The New Daily engaging in this useless, pointless nonsense while this country sinks rapidly into decay is sickening.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jan/30/coronavirus-live-news-eu-vaccine-export-shortages-brexit-astrazeneca-pfizer-european-union-vaccination-uk-australia
Now, about those guaranteed supplies …
TLBD
NZ and Denmark again slugging it out at No.1 on Transparency International’s list.
https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2020/index/aus
AUSTRALIA
Score 77/100
Rank 11/180
Score change -8 since 2012