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!!!!!!!
THE PUB 
bill maher starts about 2 minutes in
Caveats apply
Bill Maher –
New rules 50:15 (may be edited later)
Rachel Maddow –
Chris Hayes –
It seems Gladys cannot bear the thought of schoolboys from Riverview (Abbott’s old school) having to mix with the hoi polloi on public transport.
Sydney, the city that ripped up its tram tracks then 60 years later reinstalled trams down George St and hired heavy rail experts from UK to develop protocols for running them rather than asking Melbourne tramways board about protocols they use to run trams on the largest tram network in the world
An excellent question – I know the answer too.
Bill Maher talks to immunologists Heather Heying and Brett Weinstein about whether Covid 19 leaked from a lab
Hillsong is not travelling too well in the US.
Hillsong Church Faces Two New Lawsuits Over “Immoral, Oppressive, and Unscrupulous” Behavior
The celebrity megachurch allegedly failed to pay rent and built structurally unsound apartments.
https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/01/hillsong-church-lawsuits-connecticut-australia-real-estate-lease-construction
No doubt their devoted members will say this is persecution of “Christians”.They might get away with that except for one little fact – Hillsong is in no way Christian.It’s a prosperity cult, a pyramid scheme where the leaders get rich and the plebs keep on giving in the vain hope they too will one day be blessed with wealth.
Stephen Colbert –
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. Rather limed fare today, I’m afraid.
Matt Wade examines the changed jobs make-ep that is likely to persist post-pandemic. It’s not a pretty picture for many people.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/jobs-lost-to-the-pandemic-are-coming-back-but-the-world-of-work-has-changed-20210129-p56xvg.html
James Massola writes that, under pressure Labor leader Anthony Albanese is promising Australian families the party is “on your side” while reassuring his MPs of an ambitious plan to target 18 seats and claim government at the next election.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/with-his-back-to-the-wall-albanese-comes-out-swinging-with-target-seats-slogan-ir-policy-plan-20210129-p56xwk.html
Morrison wants to bask in the post-pandemic glow, so we should expect an election this year, opines Greg Jericho.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/commentisfree/2021/jan/31/morrison-wants-to-bask-in-the-post-pandemic-glow-expect-an-election-this-year
As Joe Biden hits the accelerator on climate action, Australia remains stuck in climate policy paralysis, with both major parties treading nervously, writes David Speers.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-31/biden-hits-accelerator-climate-action-australia-policy-paralysis/13103574
Lucy Cormack reports that a parliamentary inquiry into the NSW government’s council grants scandal will be expanded to scrutinise new allegations of pork barrelling with the $177m bushfire relief fund. Fancy that!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/new-allegations-of-pork-barrelling-over-a-177-million-bushfire-relief-fund-20210129-p56xuj.html
Janet Albrechtsen writes that the Holgate report’s findings expose Scott Morrison’s willingness to play low-rent populist politics to bring an end to a person’s career to boost his own. The report also reveals a woeful board culture at Australia Post, laced with incompetence and cowardice.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/christine-holgates-watchgate-a-ticking-time-bomb-for-pm/news-story/ddcb38cfbd058299b10a8b562d0856fa
Lisa Cox reports that Rex Patrick has declared he won’t support the Coalition plan on environmental powers before it responds to the ‘scathing’ review it has received.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/31/rex-patrick-says-he-wont-support-coalition-plan-on-environmental-powers-before-it-responds-to-scathing-review
Google threatens to withdraw search from Australia and Facebook to remove news posts. These are not idle threats. Is propping up old media with grants gouged from Google good public policy? It delivers cash for Rupert Murdoch but does it serve consumers? Kim Wingerei reports.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/governments-google-facebook-law-little-more-than-a-backrub-for-news-and-nine/
Thousands of Australian chemists will be enlisted in the coronavirus vaccine rollout under a $200 million program to be announced by the federal government on Sunday.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/200-million-federal-government-plan-for-chemists-to-deliver-free-covid-jabs-20210130-p56y27.html
Unable to secure a profit in immunising poorer nations, Western multinationals, including Oxford’s private partner AstraZeneca, have prioritised those who can pay the most reports Alan MacLeod.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/low-cost-vaccine-commitment-ditched-at-bill-gates-behest,14749
The decade-long dispute between new car dealers and thousands of Australia’s independent mechanics over access to vital information needed to diagnose and fix vehicle faults is finally coming to a head as new legislation is being drafted.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7064922/access-to-repair-data-becomes-the-new-industry-battleground/?cs=9676&utm_source=website&utm_medium=home&utm_campaign=latestnews
Conservative governments in the U.S. and Australia have caused a decline in both social behaviour and the global environment, writes Stephen Fitzgerald.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/right-wing-governments-are-a-threat-to-both-us-and-australian-democracy,14748
Analysts see parallels between what’s taking place on Wall Street and the streak of populism that powered Donald Trump’s rise to political power.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/stock-frenzy-echoes-anti-establishment-anger-behind-trump-rise-analysts-say-20210130-p56y24.html
The Republican party will not disavow Marjorie Taylor Greene – she IS the party, proclaims Arwa Mahdawi.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/30/marjorie-taylor-greene-republican-party
Cartoon Corner
Peter Broelman
Matt Golding
Reg Lynch
Matt Davidson
Simon Letch
Richard Gilberto
From the US
James Massola quoting Albo –
“In New South Wales, you have seats like Robertson, Lindsay, Reid, Banks and potentially in the regions, as well, Page and Cowper.”
Page used to be Labor but the Nats took it back from Janelle Saffin in 2013 and have been building up their 2PP majority since then, Last election there was a 5.3% swing to the Nats.
Cowper? (My electorate.) Not blooming likely.
Cowper almost swung to Labor in 2007 but since then it has remained staunchly Nats heartland. A redistribution in 2016 made it even safer for the Nats. I wonder if Albo and the deluded Labor strategists know about that redistribution? Or are they basing their optimism on outdated information?
Albo is dreaming if he believes Labor can win Cowper.
However – it would be wonderful if Labor did, for once, put a bit of effort into the Cowper campaign because it would be the first time Labor even acknowledges this part of the coast. For every election since I moved here in 1980 we have been ignored by Labor politicians or used as a stopover on the way to somewhere more likely to elect a Labor candidate. Kim Beazley came once, didn’t even stay overnight, just spent an hour at a BBQ with local Country Labor members (invitation only) and then buggered off north. The “Bill Bus” with Sam Dastyari on board spent a night here in 2016, but Bill wasn’t on the bus, he had flown to somewhere more important. The bus made headlines by getting stuck on the gutter outside the team’s motel and blocking traffic – that was all the media cover that visit gained. So it would be nice if Labor turned up for once and supported a local candidate. I’m not holding my breath waiting though.
Well, who would have thought paying decent wages might attract workers! Fancy that!
I wonder if that lychee farmer used to be a pineapple farmer til the Golden Circle coop was sold to Coca Cola who promptly closed the cannery to import pineapple juice from Thailand
Would you trust anything he says?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jan/31/coronavirus-live-news-germany-threatens-legal-action-over-vaccine-delays-nsw-marks-14-days-of-no-cases
Insiders is back. And hasn’t changed its spots, by the looks
Joe Biden’s administration doesn’t trust Boris Johnson because of his ties to Trump
Business insider (Australia) is having a go at BoJo for doing exactly the same things as Scummo. Sheesh just erase Boris Johnson and insert Scott Morrison and the whole article would still be valid.
https://www.businessinsider.com.au/biden-doesnt-trust-boris-johnson-ties-to-donald-trump-2021-1?amp&utm_source=reddit.com&r=US&IR=T
You are absolutely right.
At least Boris has seen the light on climate change, which is more than you can say about the CrimeMinister.
Fact-checking Murpharoo’s pro-government blather.
WA Premier Mark McGowan calls emergency COVID-19 press conference
There’s always bad news with the good.
Andrews is out, which is good, but do we really need another ex-SAS member in parliament?
On the good side, not that the media will say this- the CrimeMinister supported Andrews, as did Fraudenberg, Grunt, Dutton and Sukkar, so it is a blow to them. Will the MSM now launch into a huge headline fest about the CrimeMinister being ignored by members in a blue-ribbon seat? Of course not.
Some interesting background from last week –
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/changing-the-guard-inside-the-battle-for-prize-liberal-seat-of-menzies-20210126-p56wzo.html
Leroy,
Re the former Minister for Grecian 2000’s imminent departure, maybe there is a Goddess!
Then again, as I’ve just been reminded:
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
What did the CrimeMinister say?
Just got home with two band spanking mobility scooters to find we are in lockdown, what a bummer!
😢
band spanking = brand spanking new, straight off the showroom floor, still smelling leathery with a hint of vanilla. You know what I’m talkin’ about.
You will be terrorising Perth on your mobility scooters very soon as authorities knock this outbreak on the head
Bugger. Oh well, you can sit down with a map, and map out all your daily trips. Make sure to reverse the trips too, it’s amazing what you miss seeing only going the one way. Take water and snacks. Be prepared to have plenty of chats with other people. No one thinks you’re a threat on a scooter. Slow down when people are walking towards you, they are frightened you might run over them. Have fun.
Chart here
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/a74c6c5422a1d1b5aa4450a60ecda6b3
Because MEH I CAN DO IT!
Lest we forget 😆 .Not that Kiwis hold grudges
I was at the next 1 day game they played which was at a jam packed Eden Park in Auckland. The reception Chappell and crew received ? I still remember thinking it must have been how it was at the Colosseum when the christians got tossed to the lions. Top game though, advantage swinging back and forth before NZ won. Although the result may reflect some ‘self preservation’ given the crowd.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/300215511/how-new-zealand-cricket-fans-view-the-underarm-incident-40-years-on
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
David Crowe writes about a new report which shows federal political parties have received $1.1 billion from hidden donors in a trend towards greater secrecy over two decades.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/hidden-donations-highlight-grave-weakness-of-australian-democracy-20210131-p56y70.html
On this matter, the Age’s editorial says that it is time to repair the chinks in our democracy. It declares that after the states did the work on the pandemic, it is Canberra that now needs to work hard for Australia to grow its way back and go beyond the economy’s sub-par starting point of flat wage growth, sluggish productivity gains and low business investment.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/time-to-repair-the-chinks-in-our-democracy-20210128-p56xf1.html
The latest global Corruption Perception Index (CPI) rankings places Australia at 11 out of 180 countries. This is behind countries like New Zealand, Denmark and Germany and on par with Canada, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, explains The Conversation.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/australia-no-longer-in-top-ten-global-anti-corruption-ranking,14752
The editorial in the AFR says that the Prime Minister has missed the chance to use the opening set piece address of 2021 to underline Australia’s need for a truly fresh start.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/canberra-must-work-harder-for-australia-to-grow-back-better-20210131-p56y42
Josh Frydenberg is sounding upbeat about the Australian economy but while 2021 will be very different from last year, the challenges are just as confronting, writes Jennifer Hewett.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/back-to-business-but-destination-unknown-20210131-p56y7l
Patronage on buses, trains and ferries in Sydney is down 44 per cent over the course of a year as COVID-wary commuters choose to drive to work instead.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/road-traffic-returns-to-pre-covid-levels-as-commuters-shun-public-transport-20210129-p56xw7.html
Anthony Galloway reports that Australia’s former top diplomat, Phillip Flood, says the government needs to approach China with “more nuance” and be wary of being drawn into a United States policy of confrontation with Beijing.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/former-dfat-boss-urges-government-to-adopt-more-nuance-in-china-dealings-20210129-p56xvt.html
Thanks to Scott Morrison, Australia is in the bad books with the two most powerful nations on the planet, writes Stephen Fitzgerald.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/morrisons-foreign-relations-rating-an-epic-fail,14751
Jennifer Duke tells us that a lobby group representing more than 130,000 older Australians wants an overhaul of the federal government’s reverse mortgage scheme for retirees, warning the interest bill is too high and out of step with the record low official cash rate.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/slash-interest-rate-bill-on-reverse-mortgages-for-retirees-seniors-lobby-group-20210131-p56y48.html
A jaded Jacqui Maley says that this year there has been no Australia, not really – there has been a collection of states and territories acting according to the interests of their populations, held together in loose collaboration, but more often than not, at odds with each other.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/there-is-no-such-thing-as-australia-anymore-the-pandemic-killed-it-20210129-p56xt5.html
Finance professor, Raymond da Siva, looks at the current issues facing the hedge fund players. Oh for the days when share prices reflected the true value and potential of companies.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/don-t-stop-the-game-it-s-nothing-new-20210129-p56xs9.html
Greg Hywood opines that with its shrill threats, Google is risking losing the media fight.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/shrill-threats-google-risks-losing-media-fight-20210131-p56y6e.html
And Phill Coorey tells us that Microsoft has discussed with Scott Morrison expanding its Bing search engine into the Australian market should Google withdraw in protest over plans to force tech giants to share revenue with media outlets for republishing their content.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/microsoft-tells-pm-it-could-fill-google-void-20210131-p56y5y
Epidemiologist Michael Toole thinks that the Tokyo Olympics plan is tempting disaster.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/tokyo-olympics-plan-is-tempting-disaster-20210125-p56wim.html
Law professor, Michael Douglas, examines the recent Joe Aston defamation judgement. The central issue is that under Australia’s Defamation acts, one may have a right to express an honest opinion, provided one express it as an opinion, not as a fact.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/aston-defamation-case-confronting-for-a-reason-20210131-p56y6l.html
Ross Gittins gets back onto his hobbyhorse, beginning this contribution with, “The study of economics has lost its way because economists have laboured for decades to make their social science more mathematical and thus more like a physical science. They’ve failed to see that what they should have been doing is deepening their understanding of how the behaviour of “economic agents” (aka humans) is driven by them being social animals.”
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/how-economics-could-get-better-at-solving-real-world-problems-20210131-p56y5e.html
Andrew Leigh wants to see, for Australia’s benefit, the reinvigoration of globalisation post-Covid.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7104851/engaged-egalitarianism-reinvigorating-globalisation-in-the-post-covid-age/?cs=14258
According to David Crowe, Scott Morrison is about to commit $1.9 billion to ramp up vaccinations at hospitals, surgeries and pharmacies in a pledge to protect health while weaning the economy off the “blank cheque” of endless federal payments.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/no-more-blank-cheques-morrison-speech-on-economy-vaccine-rollout-20210131-p56y7r.html
Karen Maley explains why Frydenberg made his explosive ASIC move.
https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/why-frydenberg-made-his-explosive-asic-move-20210131-p56y4v
Rosie Batty has some sage and experience advice for the new Australian of the Year, Grace Tame.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/what-i-wish-for-grace-tame-rosie-batty-s-open-letter-to-the-australian-of-the-year-20210129-p56xu1.html
And it’s a sad farewell to Mr Grecian 2000 who will be missed like a healed carbuncle.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/kevin-andrews-toppled-in-preselection-battle-for-menzies-20210130-p56y2h.html
Dennis Shanahan rips into the Victorian Liberal Party after it tossed out Kevin Andrews.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/scott-morrisons-failure-to-act-will-come-back-to-bite-at-election-time/news-story/244649168e7951c185acef17ce03b17c
And now the idiotic Craig Kelly is facing twin challenges to hold on to his southern Sydney seat of Hughes, with moderate Liberals and a local campaign hoping to blast him out of federal Parliament.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/pete-evans-in-the-party-room-liberals-independents-line-up-to-take-on-craig-kelly-20210129-p56xwf.html
Doctors must now prescribe drugs using their chemical name, not brand names, and that’s good news for patients writes Matthew Grant.
https://theconversation.com/doctors-must-now-prescribe-drugs-using-their-chemical-name-not-brand-names-thats-good-news-for-patients-153796
Australia could expect US President Joe Biden to send a “high-quality” ambassador to Canberra to represent his government, the last person picked for the role in the Obama administration has said.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7106476/president-biden-wont-delay-in-appointing-high-quality-ambassador-to-australia/?cs=14350
There is a way to make the UK government face justice over the Covid tragedy, proposes Nesrine Malik.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/31/covid-justice-tragedy-uk-tories
Robert Reich explains why Republicans won’t agree to Biden’s big plans and why he should ignore them.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/31/republicans-biden-covid-trump-congress
Trump’s entire crack impeachment defence legal team has walked away. What a circus!
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-loses-lead-impeachment-lawyers-a-week-before-trial-20210131-p56y6o.html
Channel 7 host and former White Ribbon chairman, Andrew O’Keefe, was arrested by police and charged over an alleged domestic assault on his partner in Sydney early Sunday morning.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/channel-7-personality-andrew-o-keefe-facing-domestic-violence-charge-20210131-p56y8p.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Peter Broelman
John Shakespeare
Matt Golding
Mark Knight
Johannes Leak
Mark David
From the US
From Dawn patrol
Could be fun for patients if they use full names 😆
Common anti inflamatories
Ibrufen => 2-(4-Isobutylphenyl)propanoic acid
Paracetamol – N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanamide
Yep, as I said to Razz, I couldn’t pronounce half the medical names.
Robert Reich interview with Deusche Welle
https://www.dw.com/en/robert-reichs-advice-to-biden-invest-in-brand-new-economy/av-56307001
From No Cashless Debit Card Australia, a wonderful group of people fighting against this card and the best source of well-researched information online – an explanation of the rigmarole people on the card must go through to buy any second-hand goods online, even used shoes for the kids.
https://www.facebook.com/notowelfarecard/
Thank you!
I was cheering well before the end of that. Very inspiring – if only Labor would take notice.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/feb/01/australia-news-live-perth-coronavirus-wa-lockdown-outbreak-hotel-scott-morrison#comments
Maybe readers are sick of leadershit stories because that 50/50 rating is an improvement for Labor.
Working so hard, isn’t he. (I’m being sarcastic.)
No, it will not help your brand.
Sometimes I just want to punch the CrimeMinister in the face. This is one of those times – today at the NPC.
The audience, mostly journalists, actually laughed along with him and clapped!!!!!
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Katharine Murphy outlines the results of the latest Essential poll.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/02/more-than-two-thirds-of-voters-think-covid-vaccines-will-be-rolled-out-efficiently-and-safely-poll
AstraZeneca says it is awaiting fresh data on its vaccine’s ability to combat a new COVID-19 variant after trials for rival inoculations showed reduced effectiveness against an emerging strain.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/scientists-fear-covid-19-variant-is-taking-the-edge-off-vaccines-20210201-p56yca.html
Paul Bongiorno says that for Scott Morrison, it’s a year of risk, truth and consequence.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/2021/02/01/paul-bongiorno-morrison-2021/
Peter Hartcher comes down hard on Xi’s intentions and how they are hurting us and the region.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/apologising-for-china-s-delinquency-we-ll-be-sorry-20210201-p56ydy.html
Katherine Murphy was far from being impressed by Morrison’s flippant “Craig Kelly is not my doctor” response to a perfectly reasonable question.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/01/morrison-says-craig-kelly-is-not-my-doctor-evading-question-on-covid-misinformation
The Morrison government risks derailing Australia’s recovery by cutting public spending before the economy is ready to stand on its own two feet, writes The New Daily’s Matthew Elmas.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2021/02/01/morrison-austerity-spending-covid/
It seems Kevin Rudd has prevailed in his defamation action against Peta Credlin.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/kevin-rudd-welcomes-peta-credlin-s-apology-defamation-settlement-20210201-p56ykt.html
News Corp chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch was given a lifetime achievement award on Australia Day. Alan Austin queries this decision.
https://independentaustralia.net/australia/australia-display/despite-irresponsible-journalism-of-the-worst-kind-murdoch-gets-a-gong,14753
Jennifer Hewett looks at Morrison’s NPC appearance yesterday and comments that he is not immune to vanity.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/i-m-not-one-that-likes-to-pursue-things-for-the-sake-of-vanity-pm-20210201-p56yfo
Daniel Hurst tells us about Labor media blitz aiming to target Coalition MPs over their ‘Trumpian’ gagging tactics.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/02/labor-media-blitz-aims-to-target-coalition-mps-over-trumpian-gagging-tactics
Greg Jericho reckons Australia needs to stop thinking that setting a target of zero emissions by 2050 is good enough.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2021/feb/02/australia-needs-to-stop-thinking-that-setting-a-target-of-zero-emissions-by-2050-is-good-enough
Troy Bramston writes that the sharks are circling the Labor leadership as Anthony Albanese is dead in the water.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/sharks-circle-labor-leadership-as-anthony-albanese-dead-in-the-water/news-story/66ea0c6f5e6276b159711a93b061c679
The SMH editorial calls for an inquiry into the pork barrelling of the NSW bushfire recovery fund. They don’t hold back!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/inquiry-needed-into-pork-barrelling-of-nsw-bushfire-recovery-fund-20210201-p56yj2.html
Kate McClymont tells us that the more the evidence is scrutinised, the “more compelling” is the case against Ian Macdonald, Eddie Obeid and Moses Obeid, submitted the Crown prosecutor in the trio’s long-running criminal trial in the NSW Supreme Court.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/compelling-case-against-obeids-and-macdonald-crown-submits-20210201-p56yjb.html
Richard Mulgan asks, “When is it OK for governments to use public funds for advertising campaigns?” It’s a good read.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7096437/when-is-it-ok-to-use-public-funds-for-advertising-campaigns/?cs=14350&utm_source=website&utm_medium=home&utm_campaign=latestnews
Why countries with ‘loose’, rule-breaking cultures have been hit harder by Covid.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2021/feb/01/loose-rule-breaking-culture-covid-deaths-societies-pandemic
High-profile Sydney lawyer Adam Houda is threatening to sue the police, claiming he was illegally harassed by officers on Sunday night, reports Fergus Hunter. Houda is an outspoken criminal defence lawyer who has represented a string of notorious clients.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/defence-lawyer-adam-houda-threatens-to-sue-police-over-alleged-harassment-20210201-p56ydm.html
The Age explains how a rift in the Victorian Liberal party is deepening over the bill banning gay conversion therapy.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/liberal-rift-deepens-over-bill-banning-gay-conversion-therapy-20210201-p56yjj.html
Adam Cooper reports that a number of major Australian media companies have pleaded guilty to contempt of court over the way they reported George Pell’s conviction on sexual abuse charges.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/media-companies-plead-guilty-to-breaching-suppression-order-in-pell-stories-20210201-p56yh3.html
Mike Foley writes that a review of national environment laws led by Graeme Samuel says characterising community appeals as “lawfare” misrepresents the importance of legal review in society and recommends an expansion of their rights.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/samuel-rejects-miners-call-to-wind-back-vexatious-and-frivolous-community-appeals-20210201-p56yg2.html
The final report of the independent review of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act fails to address many substantive, critical issues, says Sue Arnold.
https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/federal-legislation-fails-to-protect-wildlife-and-the-environment,14756
Josh Butler gives Craig Kelly a well-deserved kick up the tail.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/02/01/craig-kelly-pete-evans-podcast/
Nick O’Malley explains a telling exchange that occurred at a parliamentary inquiry into a climate change bill proposed by MP Zali Steggall.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/climate-change-and-canberra-s-fossilised-functional-realities-20210201-p56yhz.html
The Grattan Institute’s Brendan Coates tells people to not be concerned by bluster from certain quarters that the future of the age pension in under a cloud.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/don-t-worry-the-pension-will-still-be-there-when-you-need-it-20210129-p56xs8.html
Stephen Duckett explains how new aged care data on hospitalisation rates show significant problem areas in residential aged care.
https://theconversation.com/new-aged-care-data-on-hospitalisation-rates-show-significant-problem-areas-in-residential-aged-care-154365
In the matter of Ashby versus the Commonwealth, there is now a staggering $4,537,000 at stake and a piper still waiting to be paid, writes Ross Jones.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/paying-the-piper-with-one-nations-james-ashby,14755
SA’s largest steel fabricator has been closed by receivers, leaving 200 workers chasing millions in unpaid super and dashing hopes it would finish major projects.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/sa-structural-collapse-leaves-200-staff-jobless-with-millions-in-unpaid-superannuation/news-story/a8471b6da9a73fef27c844d073228fe2
Economists Steven Hamilton and Richard Holden declare that nowhere has the inadequacy of conventional thinking been more exposed than in Australia’s vaccine strategy. They say the cost of maintaining our current course couldn’t be higher.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/whatever-it-takes-vaccine-strategy-needs-urgent-rethink-20210201-p56ye5.html
Oh no! Joe Aston describes Kevin Andrews as a readymade diplomat.
https://www.afr.com/rear-window/kevin-andrews-ready-made-diplomat-20210201-p56yio
The Menindee Lakes, 1000 kilometres west of Sydney, need urgent protection to avoid another ecological disaster, warns Jane McAllister.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/menindee-lakes-site-of-massive-fish-kill-still-being-mismanaged-20210201-p56ydx.html
Jake Niall says that yesterday was anything but a proud day for Collingwood and Eddie McGuire especially.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/afl/it-was-anything-but-a-proud-day-for-collingwood-eddie-20210201-p56yjv.html
And the Age’s editorial believes that there I much work ahead if Collingwood is to resolve its race issues.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/much-work-ahead-if-collingwood-is-to-resolve-race-issues-20210201-p56yes.html
Stephen Bartholomeusz explains how the GameStop chaos has shone a spotlight on Wall Street’s vulnerabilities.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/markets/gamestop-chaos-shines-a-spotlight-on-wall-street-s-vulnerabilities-20210201-p56yet.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Peter Broelman
Mark David
Cathy Wilcox
Matt Golding
Andrew Dyson
Dionne Gain
John Shakespeare
Glen Le Lievre
Mark Knight
John Spooner
From the US
Albo shows us the CrimeMinister’s lack of leadership ability.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/feb/02/politics-morrison-jobkeeper-jobseeker-parliament-returns-albanese-business-coronavirus-western-australia-mcgowan-covid-lockdown
Exactly –
Hmmm –
Caveats apply –
Rachel Maddow –
Chris Hayes –
Seth Meyers –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Stephen Colbert –
Nijole Naujokas is an Australian activist and writer who is passionate about social justice rights for the vulnerable. She is the current Secretary of the Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union, and is doing her Bachelor of Honors in Creative Writing at The University of Adelaide.
Here is her latest work, published by the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at NYU School of Law. She explains the difficulties of living on the Cashless Debit Card to an international audience.
Well worth reading.
On the Frontlines of the Digital Welfare State: Musings from Australia
https://chrgj.org/2021/02/01/on-the-frontlines-of-the-digital-welfare-state-musings-from-australia/?fbclid=IwAR3Ut0Q078qjLCqKFu6oe7bE0iUgGYPZRqxTXmmSm2nLf7rcgWEdUkH-tYk
More likely ringing to assure Kelly the government would shut down debate – as they did – and to tell him to keep his mouth shut.
F.M –
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/02/is-scott-morrison-the-luckiest-prime-minister-of-all-time
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Shaun Carney believes the ALP needs to offer a compelling case for change if Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese wants to become prime minister.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/labor-party-in-danger-of-entering-an-electoral-dark-age-20210202-p56ypx.html
Michael Pascoe says the RBA’s no-rate-rise pledge is one thing, but what happens to living standards is quite another.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2021/02/02/michael-pascoe-interest-rates/
Mike Foley writes that experts are saying technology alone won’t be enough for the Australian economy to live up to the Prime Minister’s hopes of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and that government policy such as mandated emissions caps or financial incentives to reduce greenhouse gases are not only necessary to reach the goal but would benefit the economy.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/we-need-incentives-technology-alone-not-enough-to-meet-pm-s-climate-target-20210202-p56yse.html
Barnaby Joyce shows why the Coalition won’t embrace climate action.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/barnaby-joyce-shows-why-the-coalition-wont-embrace-climate-action,14754
Rod Meyer identifies the corporate giants who are the biggest polluters on the ASX.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2021/02/02/aus-companies-lag-on-emissions/
The AFR opines that the Prime Minister’s party will go into the next election approaching nine years in government with not enough to show for it.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/pm-is-sending-the-wrong-signals-on-reform-20210202-p56ynq
David Crowe tells us how the Morrison government has resisted a push to slap down Craig Kelly after the outspoken MP supported calls from a Brazilian medical association to use unproven drugs to treat COVID-19.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/don-t-poke-the-bear-coalition-mps-say-craig-kelly-shouldn-t-be-disciplined-over-vaccine-comments-20210202-p56yoj.html
Harlet Dennett writes that Craig Kelly’s vaccination conspiracies have been condemned by conservative political leaders, just not in Australia.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7110262/conservatives-abroad-show-how-to-deal-with-loony-lies/?cs=14350
And Michelle Grattan writes that Craig Kelly is set to face a preselection reckoning, this time without prime ministerial protection.
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-craig-kelly-set-to-face-preselection-reckoning-without-prime-ministerial-protection-154485
After Scott Morrison told voters his government would exercise “fiscal discipline” to ensure future generations were not left in a sea of debt, Sahbe Wight tells us that the RBA delivered a $100 billion wake-up call on the state of the economy.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/rba-delivers-100-billion-wake-up-call-on-the-state-of-the-economy-20210202-p56yt9.html
Ben Butler reports that the auditor general is to investigate the operation of the Morrison government’s $100bn jobkeeper subsidy scheme after concerns money that was supposed to be used to keep workers employed during the Covid-19 crisis has been diverted to pay dividends or executive bonuses.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/03/auditor-general-to-probe-jobkeeper-after-it-was-used-to-pay-dividends-and-executive-bonuses
And the NSW Pork Barrelling Inquiry will be expanded to hear claims that bushfire funding has been diverted to Coalition political mates and even the business projects of billionaire Anthony Pratt. The move follows an investigation here by Elizabeth Minter into a $177 million bushfire recovery scheme which only a handful of Coalition figures and the MP for Wagga Wagga seem to have had heard about.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/pork-barrelling-inquiry-to-probe-bushfire-funds-routed-to-coalition-a-billionaire-and-the-extraordinary-wagga-wagga-windfall/
Chris Uhlmann takes a shot at the state premiers over their zero risk tolerance but says that with the states running suppression, the vaccine rollout is the one task that the Morrison government actually controls, and getting it wrong poses an existential threat.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/events-will-decide-political-fates-and-defy-expert-predictions-20210202-p56ypi.html
Paul Karp tells us that Malcolm Roberts has warned the Coalition that One Nation “doesn’t believe” its industrial relations reforms will have a significant impact on Covid-19 recovery and it has “a long way to go” to win support for the omnibus bill.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/02/one-nation-warns-coalition-on-workplace-changes-as-labor-ramps-up-attack
As record debt under the Morrison Government spirals to new heights, perhaps the Coalition will become synonymous with debt disasters, writes Tarric Brooker.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/morrison-governments-gross-debt-makes-labors-gfc-stimulus-look-like-petty-cash,14757
Nick Bonyhady reports that a Federal Court judge has reversed $20,000-a-year pay cuts imposed on the managers of group homes for people with severe disabilities by not-for-profit group Northcott.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/judge-overturns-pay-cut-for-disability-workers-after-group-homes-privatised-20210125-p56wpo.html
More from Bonyhady as he writes that employers have asked the national industrial umpire to let retail and hospitality workers trade their penalty rates for higher wages in a move they say will fix pay problems that new data suggests affects a third of businesses in the sectors.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/push-to-trade-penalty-rates-for-higher-wages-sparks-pay-cut-claims-20210202-p56yso.html
Phil Coorey says that federal Labor has opted for a fight on industrial relations and will oppose the government’s omnibus bill of reforms, a move the government says will result in Labor voting against measures such as criminalising wage theft and terminating workplace agreements left over from WorkChoices.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/labor-decides-on-ir-as-pre-election-battleground-20210201-p56ybe
Rachel Klun says Labor is keen to see the details of the national booking system being set up for people to arrange for their Covid-19 vaccinations.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-in-talks-over-vaccine-supply-as-labor-wants-booking-system-details-20210202-p56ytb.html
Carrie Fellner explains the parlous state of many NSW country hospitals. Gold standard?
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/byo-bandages-inquiry-told-of-horrendous-state-of-nsw-hospitals-20210202-p56yv9.html
Media coverage of Neo-Nazis – back in the news after a recent gathering in the Grampians – may be providing a platform to promote far-right extremism as acceptable political discourse, writes Tom Tanuki.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/neo-nazis-in-the-grampians-just-white-men-on-a-bushwalk,14758
The laws regulating Australia’s free press are complex and controversial and none more so than the protections against defamation, argues the SMH editorial.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/speedy-changes-to-defamation-laws-needed-for-a-free-press-20210202-p56yub.html
Daniel Comensoli explains why he says Victoria’s gay conversion bill debate reveals the Church’s hypocrisy.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/conversion-bill-debate-reveals-church-s-hypocrisy-20210202-p56yra.html
Harriett Alexander reports that almost 17,000 more people are not working across Australia because they are caring for children at home due to the cost of childcare, as fees continue to rise beyond the rate of inflation (and wages didn’t).
https://www.smh.com.au/national/rising-childcare-fees-deter-more-parents-from-returning-to-work-20210202-p56ys3.html
Tasmania has provided $10 million to reopen a tungsten mine, with talks under way to secure federal funding in another step to break China’s near monopoly on critical defence-related materials.
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/australia-funds-tungsten-mine-to-break-china-s-grip-20210201-p56ykv
Matthew Knott writes that Democrats have argued in their official brief for the former president’s Senate impeachment trial that Donald Trump was “singularly responsible” for the January 6 assault on the Capitol and must be barred from office for endangering the life of every member of Congress.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/democrats-say-donald-trump-singularly-responsible-for-capitol-riot-20210203-p56yy2.html
Eddie McGuire still doesn’t get it, writes Barrie Cassidy who says Collingwood can’t rebuild from a position of denial over endemic racism.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/afl/eddie-still-doesn-t-get-it-pies-can-t-rebuild-from-a-position-of-denial-20210202-p56ytt.html
Ross Gittins writes that not everything about the world is going to the dogs, as after rising for about three decades, Australia’s crime rate has fallen sharply since 2001.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/it-s-time-to-salute-the-great-crime-decline-20210202-p56ynw.html
After initially refusing a request from US safety regulators, Tesla has now agreed to recall about 135,000 vehicles because the large touch screens on the console can go dark.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/tesla-bows-to-pressure-and-recalls-135-000-cars-in-us-20210203-p56yyg.html
This Adelaide shop owner runs away with today’s nomination for “Arsehole of the Week”.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/02/woman-assaulted-during-dispute-over-alleged-unpaid-wages-in-south-australia
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
Cathy Wilcox
David Rowe
Matt Golding
John Shakespeare
Glen Le Lievre
Mark Knight
John Spooner
From the US
Anyone else think Craig Kelly is a massive distraction from all the nasty bills the government will try to ram through both houses over the next few months?
The media are, of course, all over Kelly but we hear very little about the government’s plans.
Feeding the chooks? 😀
Rachel Maddow – (ckwatt review = don’t bother, it’s all about murdered police officer lying is state)
Chris Hayes – (some missing bits due to glitches)
Brian Tyler Cohen –
friendlyjordies – (another lockdown time filler)
Stephen Colbert –
Jimmy Kimmel –
When Hollywood (or whomever) gets around to making a movie of the last five years, or even just this last one, I expect they are going to leave out all these outré characters that populate the current kerfuffle.
It puzzles me how some of them arrive at their positions of thought or influence at times *shakes head in puzzlement* and it worries me that some of what they seem to be thinking is starting to leak to other communities – like ours…
the last matriarchal society in Europe, the women on the Estonian islands of Kihnu and Manija are in charge of everything on land as their husbands work away from home.
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p095htgq/inside-the-last-matriarchy-in-europe