I was on the crux of publishing another article about Fed Parliament, rape, and the rule of law (and will do so soon), but I’m so enchanted by this that I must share – what a brilliant woman!
I hope her family will forgive me for republishing this, but given it’s already in the public domain, and given what a fantastic woman she obviously was, I hope they will forgive me.
EVANS, Elaine Anne
After 84 years of pushing and dominating her family, ‘little sis’ Elaine has lost her final battle with the grim reaper.
Although she managed to get her way on most of the matters she took on during her lifetime, she bit off more than she should with the big C, but she would say only because it took a rare and highly aggressive one to finish her off.
Despite her diminutive stature and disarming smile, only the brave took on Elaine or the causes she fought for, at least directly, and woe to anyone who misjudged her tenacity and will power to push aside mountains of bureaucracy and accepted practice if these stood in her way.
Not content with getting her way with her immediate and extended families, Elaine took her battle for fairness and justice for her beloved Sydney western suburbs to such areas as Board member of Parramatta Hospital (1984-88), Councillor on Parramatta City Council (1987-91), Board member on Parramatta Park Trust (2001 -11).
While these organisations all probably felt the heat of Elaine’s passion to challenge the ‘accepted way’, they would probably all admit they emerged fairer and more responsive to local needs for her time with them.
Eschewing most official recognition for her community work, Elaine was chuffed to be pulled up by the Western Australian police while holidaying with her beloved Bill in 1999, telling her she needed to fly back to Sydney to receive the inaugural Justice Medal awarded by the Law Foundation of NSW at Parliament House for her “outstanding contribution to justice in NSW” – arising from her decade of work at the then Women’s Legal Resource Centre supporting women, especially in western Sydney as well as the more remote and needy corners of the State.
All pretty good for the daughter of a fettler and a railway gate keeper in Armidale who left school at 15 to take care for her newly widowed dad, worked in factories and farms before resuming her schooling at forty by completing her HSC so she could enter tertiary studies to better help others. Always the overachiever, Elaine topped her class at the then Milperra College of Advanced Education and was awarded the Council Medal in 1979.
Elaine’s passion for justice for all made her a very active member and supporter of the Labor Left, and the Evans dinner table at Toongabbie was never free of animated discussion and debate on the failings of the ‘other side’, be it Labor or Liberal, to achieve fairness and equity for those in need.
Elaine will be greatly missed by husband Bill, her siblings Grace, Joan and Gerald, along with her proud children Graham, Jennifer, Jeffrey and Sharon (dec) and their wider families.
Thanks to Sally-Ann, Trish and their respective teams at Mt Druitt Palliative Care Unit for their special care in Elaine’s final weeks, along with Dr Dinh at Westmead Hospital oncology.
THE PUB 
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/campbell-newman-quits-failed-liberal-national-party/news-story/84d3d6bed3eeb7efabf396d1779d75dd
Campbell Newman quits ‘failed’ Liberal National Party
Exclusive
Chris Kenny
Associate Editor (National Affairs)
July 25, 2021
Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman has quit the Liberal National Party, lashing out at Coalition pandemic responses, and will run for the Senate at the federal election, most likely for the Liberal Democrats.
Mr Newman, who was premier from 2012 to 2015, has accused the Coalition of abandoning its principles in federal and state politics across the nation, largely through its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and its imposition and acceptance of lockdowns and border closures.
…………
Until late yesterday, Mr Newman, a two-term Brisbane lord mayor, was one of three trustees of the LNP, the party created by the merger of the Liberals and Nationals in 2008.
………….
Mr Newman confirmed his intention to run for the Senate at the next election due by May next year.
It is understood he has held at least informal discussions with three political outfits – One Nation, Clive Palmer and the Liberal Democrats – and could also run as an independent.
He is most likely to join the Liberal Democrats, which would be a significant boost for the party, which formerly held one Senate seat through NSW’s David Leyonhjelm, who was replaced by Duncan Spender before the seat was lost at the last election.
The Liberal Democrats hold two seats in the Victorian legislative assembly and recently recruited former NSW Liberal Party reform advocate John Ruddick (who was fined by police for attending Saturday’s anti-lockdown protest in Sydney).
A Senate run by Mr Newman could prove costly for the LNP, which pre-selected the Assistant Minister for Women, Amanda Stoker, in the difficult third spot for the Coalition’s Queensland Senate ticket.
I don’t know which would be worse – Amanda Stoker in the Senate or having Campbell Newman replace her.
Newman trying to get a Senate seat by joining the worst possible parties – ON, Clive Palmer’s rabble or the Liberal Democrats – tells a so much about him.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Alexandra Smith reports that Gladys Berejiklian is at odds with the Prime Minister, who insists only a lockdown will end the outbreak. (In this case Morrison is right IMHO).
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/no-vaccine-solution-pm-and-premier-at-odds-over-how-to-end-sydney-outbreak-20210725-p58crd.html
Michael Koziol goes into quite some depth in details the problems facing NSW with this outbreak.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-s-delta-despair-what-to-do-when-a-lockdown-doesn-t-work-20210721-p58bmn.html
Fergus Hunter and Laura Chung reveal that the anti-lockdown rally was fomented in online communities teeming with COVID conspiracy theories, anti-Semitism and debunked views on vaccines.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/revealed-the-fringe-groups-where-sydney-s-lockdown-protest-began-20210725-p58cqm.html
Sean Kelly says that the anti-lockdown protests is a sign of chaos growing in NSW. A pretty good read.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/anti-lockdown-protests-a-sign-of-chaos-growing-in-nsw-20210725-p58cr8.html
And in a confronting contribution, Mark Mordue writes that the divided city has reached boiling point with the anti-lockdown protest. He says, “It was hard to know who was freedom-loving or freedom-threatening, who was pagan or religious, lost in conspiracies or enraged by their inability to believe in anything at all. But a mob does not channel thought; only ill will.”
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/divided-city-reaches-boiling-point-with-anti-lockdown-protest-20210725-p58cs5.html
Anti-lockdown protesters have promised to return in greater numbers for more demonstrations in coming weeks, with plans for large gatherings nationwide including in Sydney and Canberra, reports Josh Butler.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/07/26/lockdown-protests-australia/
The AFR’s editorial says that NSW’s deepening lockdown crisis shows there will be no genuine return to normal life for all Australians until the national vaccine rollout is completed.
https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/no-easy-way-out-for-unvaxxed-australia-20210722-p58c0b
Victoria is poised to ease the lockdown, but restrictions are set to remain, writes Paul Sakkal.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/victoria-poised-to-ease-lockdown-but-restrictions-set-to-remain-20210725-p58cqq.html
According to The Australian, The NSW government has requested financial modelling for a lockdown of Greater Sydney that extends until mid-September due to the severity of the outbreak and an expectation that businesses and jobs won’t survive without more financial support.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/september-target-to-lift-sydney-lockdown/news-story/6feaaf4fd0940f1958e592de21c19ac1
Nearly 18 months into this pandemic, Australia still finds itself in a similar position to where we were at the start, posits Osman Faruqi who says simple measures are needed as lockdown exhaustion hits. He does make some good points.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/simple-measures-needed-as-lockdown-exhaustion-hits-20210725-p58cp9.html
The Rural Doctors Association warns regional Victoria’s health system is delicately poised in the face of more widespread coronavirus outbreaks.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/regional-hospitals-struggle-as-hundreds-of-staff-forced-to-isolate-20210723-p58c9r.html
The economist appointed to review the federal government’s JobKeeper program says the nation needs a public service that can design better policy in the middle of a crisis, writes Harley Dennett.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7354575/jobkeeper-implementation-flaws-revealed-aps-was-not-ready-to-deal-with-a-crisis-economist/?cs=14264
Pathologist Dean Whiting argues that as the fast-moving Delta variant has exposed the failures in our current system, and we need to immediately deploy daily rapid antigen testing nationally in all high-risk settings.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/our-covid-testing-strategy-needs-updating-20210725-p58cp3.html
Rosiland Dixon and Mark Holden argue that the hard lockdown in south-west Sydney must come with compensation.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/hard-lockdown-in-south-west-sydney-must-come-with-compensation-20210725-p58cqo.html
But the federal government is resisting calls to redirect existing vaccine supply to south-west Sydney and reintroduce wage subsidies to combat the Covid-19 outbreak, but has ordered 85m doses of Pfizer to arrive from 2022.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/25/coalition-rebuffs-request-by-nsw-treasurer-to-bring-back-jobkeeper-to-curb-sydney-covid-outbreak
The federal government is resisting any return of JobKeeper payments, but businesses are warning that makes it harder to hold on to many of their full-time employees in a protracted lockdown, writes Jennifer Hewett.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/why-business-wants-jobkeeper-back-20210725-p58cpb
Economists say SA’s lockdown will deal a savage blow to business and the state’s bottom line. But the Treasurer says his budget plans will hold.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/coronavirus/economists-predict-sas-sevenday-lockdown-will-cost-local-economy-200-million/news-story/b1a0f6a88af70512cd3fb762ec3685d0
Paul Karp writes that Scott Morrison has sought to defend government MP George Christensen for anti-lockdown activism in Queensland, stating Australians have “free speech” and can attend rallies where public health orders allow, while condemning rally-goers in Sydney as “selfish”.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/25/scott-morrison-defends-george-christensens-anti-lockdown-activism-but-labels-sydney-rally-goers-selfish
According to Matt Wade, analysis by Australia’s biggest bank shows NSW was ranked fifth out of eight state and territory economies heading into the winter shutdown.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/at-risk-of-recession-nsw-lagging-even-before-lockdown-hit-sydney-20210725-p58cr3.html
The only way to end the rorts and deceit damaging Australia’s fragile political trust is to demand better, whether voting, volunteering or donating to a political cause, writes Joey B Brown.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/if-trust-equals-political-currency-the-coalition-is-broke,15319
In an interesting article, Ross Gittins looks at the book written by the Grattan Institute’s departing head, John Daley, that examines the history and reasons for genuine reforms.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/partisan-shibboleths-and-popularity-contests-why-we-re-stuck-in-policy-gridlock-20210725-p58cot.html
Murdoch media is helping hide the callous Scott Morrison by favouring his public relations creation, the daggy dad, ScoMo, writes Paul Begley.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/media-makeover-morphs-morrison-into-mr-nice-guy,15325
Megan Gorry tells us that the contractor building the WestConnex motorway beneath hundreds of homes in Sydney’s inner west is attempting to gag residents in return for providing noise-cancelling headphones to block construction racket.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/incredible-overreach-westconnex-tries-to-gag-residents-over-noise-complaints-20210716-p58abt.html
Senior public servants are only as good as the leadership provided by politicians working in the national interest. With appropriate checks, balances and protections in place, senior public servants should be able to give the frank and fearless advice required of their position and as set out in law, writes Bruce Haigh.
https://johnmenadue.com/public-service-or-politics/
Michael Koziol reports that a group of Liberal MPs has warned Attorney-General Michaelia Cash that several parts of the draft Religious Discrimination Bill are unacceptable to them, including the so-called “Israel Folau law” that would give legal protection to “statements of belief” made in the name of religion. Cash is going to have her work cut out getting this bill into shape to present to parliament by the end of the year.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/liberal-mps-want-folau-s-law-removed-from-religious-discrimination-bill-20210722-p58c25.html
It’s been quite the innings for some of Australia’s wealthiest billionaires. Certain large proprietary companies owned by the establishment – Secret Rich-Listers as we call them – have been cloaked in darkness by government legislation for more than a quarter of a century. Luke Stacey reports how South Australian Senator Rex Patrick is fighting to buck the trend and demolish Australia’s Secret Rich List once and for all.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/where-theres-a-bill-theres-a-way-rex-patricks-dogged-fight-against-coalition-to-repeal-billionaires-loophole/
Now that the redistributions in Victoria and WA are completed we can begin to assess the possibilities for the next federal election. Imperfect as it is polling offers some interesting insights, writes Bob McMullan.
https://johnmenadue.com/possibilities-for-the-next-federal-election/
Zoe Samios writes that Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp Australia has swung an axe in its commercial division after tapping consultancy McKinsey & Company to assist with another restructure.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/news-corp-cuts-jobs-brings-in-mckinsey-for-restructure-20210725-p58cpe.html
Investors are betting on hefty dividend hikes from mining giants and likely share buybacks at the upcoming round of earnings results, despite COVID-19 lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne threatening to derail the economic recovery, says Clancy Yeates.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/corporate-australia-tipped-to-deliver-dividends-bonanza-despite-fears-lockdowns-will-derail-economy-20210725-p58cq1.html
Writing for The New Daily, Malcolm Turnbull argues that we can’t manage the Murray-Darling Basin without community trust.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/2021/07/25/malcolm-turnbull-murray-darling-basin/
The impact on communities from the global shift away from fossil fuels will be far larger than Australia’s exit from car making, says a climate investor group.
https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/two-in-three-coal-jobs-to-go-in-the-next-30-years-20210725-p58cp4
Ready or not: a carbon price on exports is coming to Australia, declares Jeremy Webb.
https://johnmenadue.com/jeremy-webb-ready-or-not-a-carbon-price-on-exports-is-coming-to-australia/
Angela Merkel and her chief of staff think those who won’t be vaccinated could be barred from restaurants or sporting arenas if infections continue to rise.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/germany-s-stubborn-unvaccinated-fuel-debate-over-their-rights-20210726-p58ctk.html
The first of Kevin O’Donnell’s victims to report the paedophile priest to police hopes the $1.375 million he will receive from the Catholic Church will stand as a landmark settlement and assist other victims who are seeking compensation.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/legal-payout-brings-hope-for-other-victims-of-paedophile-priest-20210722-p58c6z.html
Cartoon Corner
Peter Broelman
David Rowe
Jim Pavlidis
Paul Dorin
Matt Golding
Mark David
Glen Le Lievre
A Mark Knight catch up
Johannes Leak
Mchael Leunig
Right but still a total arsehole. Right, after being loud and proud wRONg for the best part of 1.5 years and! encouraging Gladys to do as she has the whole time. The Smirk will act as if he has been of that view re lockdowns the entire time and the not fit for purpose ‘media’ will play along . Grrrrrrr.
Only a few weeks ago he was congratulating GladBags for NOT locking down, now, suddenly, with his popularity tanking and his election hopes fading he decides locking down is the only solution.
What a fracking hypocrite!
He only says what he thinks will get him another term as PM, will tell any lie, say and do anything to achieve his aim, even deluging FM radio in the hope he will win over young voters. Do young people bother with the radio these days? It’s so 20th century!
Correct evaluation of Morrison as a whole.
“Sean Kelly says that the anti-lockdown protests is a sign of chaos growing in NSW. A pretty good read.”
Kelly says protestors were “frustrated”.
No, they were not, they were attention-seeking loons, very selfish ones who cared only for getting their faces on social media. They reminded me of little kids who think screaming will get them attention – usually it does, but not the kind of attention they hoped for. So it was with the mob who charged around Sydney.
The plot was given away by the appearance of “TikTok Guy” self-styled “comedian Jon-Bernard Kairouz, complete with megaphone and an army of cheering followers ready to video his appearance. Kairouz was no doubt furious over the confirmation his calls of numbers of Sydney infections before Gladys announced them was not due to his alleged cleverness with number-crunching but to a leaker in NSW Health. He was after attention too, but not the kind he received – fined $1000 and charged on two counts.
https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/tiktok-guy-charged-over-sydney-antilockdown-protest/news-story/b1339dc3c0ecba19d1385a1786299be6
Those attending were the usual Sydney idiots, out for a good time or a riot, determined to cause trouble, determined to provoke police violence. They did not count on being dobbed in or tracked down, arrested or fined and charged. All they wanted was a party and to get their faces on social media. The protest attracted the usual nutters – the religious idiots, the anti-vaxxers, the anti-mask mob and the “no-one tells ME what to do” lot, all of them losers who turn up to everything in the hope they too will become famous.
To say that a few thousand at the most idiots in Sydney is a sign of growing chaos is ridiculous. Most Sydney people are doing their best to obey instructions. They may not be happy about the lockdown but they realise it is necessary. Why give a few nutters, a very small fraction of the population of Greater Sydney, so much importance?
As Peter Fitzsimons asked yesterday, “Why isn’t there any punishment for media publishing false information detrimental to public health?” referring in particular to Sky After Dark broadcasters like Alan Jones, Peta Credlin and Craig Kelly
It’s not erosion of free speech to silence propaganda
In USSR propaganda was disseminated by the state in Australia propaganda is disseminated to further a corporations interests
I agree. No-one ever mentions the influence the likes of Jones, Credlin and Kelly have on the dumber portion of the population.
At least Kelly has been restricted to “read only” on Twitter because he was posting lies about Pfizer being useless against Covid infections in Israel He is now spreading his filth on Telegram- a good reason to avoid that place.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/jul/26/australia-covid-live-update-sydney-nsw-lockdown-gladys-berejiklian-scott-morrison-victoria-south-australia-health-vaccine-astrazeneca
A heart warming story about the produce in Prahran market when lockdown declared
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/amid-their-own-covid-19-woes-prahran-market-traders-think-of-others-20210725-p58cpg.html?btis
Victorian Press Conference
NSW Press conference
South Australia press conference
So which proven liar are we supposed to believe?
I’d say neither of them.
Ordinary Australians have not been able to fly overseas for over ayear but close friends of Scovid can come and go as they please.
Sydney Hillsong pastors gain permission to leave Australia
https://www.smh.com.au/national/hillsong-pastors-gain-permission-to-leave-australia-to-preach-in-mexico-20210726-p58d1g.html
Can we find a way to keep him out permanently?
I suppose Leigh Sales will be back running 7.5 some time. That. Will. Be, A. Great. Shame. Laura Tingle is just so good.
F.M –
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/26/if-all-we-have-left-to-us-is-fleeting-moments-of-joy-we-better-make-them-good-like-these-ones
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Rob Harris looks at the issues Labor had in coming up with the taxation policy it will take to the election.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/a-sore-point-in-the-ranks-inside-labor-s-tax-cut-decision-20210726-p58d3o.html
Josh Butler says Labor’s tax cuts ‘capitulation’ clears the decks for the next election.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/07/26/labor-tax-cuts-election/
And Michelle Grattan writes that, after making itself a mega target in 2019, Labor has confirmed it will be a small one in 2022 by promising an Albanese government would keep the 2024 income tax cuts and not disturb negative gearing and capital gains tax. She says this decision essentially completes the “de-Shortening” of Labor’s controversial policy pitch.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/2021/07/26/michelle-grattan-labor-announcement/
Jack Waterford asks, “Did we all over-estimate what Scott Morrison had to offer?” The prime minister is acquiring a reputation as a liar and a deceiver, and worse, his agenda is usually suspect, he says.
https://johnmenadue.com/did-we-all-over-estimate-what-scott-morrison-had-to-offer/
Katina Curtis and Shane Wright report that Michaelia Cash has promised Parliament will have a chance to debate a planned anti-corruption watchdog before the end of the year as the opposition seeks a second inquiry into the government’s commuter car park scheme. The government’s policy as it stands is a toothless offering.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/corruption-watchdog-coming-as-car-parks-drive-more-questions-20210725-p58cnb.html
Labor will try to prevent the rorting of grants funds by introducing a bill requiring ministers to explain, in real time, when they reject recommendations from their department, explains Paul Karp.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/26/labor-anti-rorting-bill-would-make-ministers-divulge-grant-decisions
Peter Hartcher writes that America’s recent military history points to strategic shortcomings. He points out that the US has not won a major war since World War II.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/america-s-recent-military-history-points-to-strategic-shortcomings-20210726-p58d1y.html
Paul Sakkal outlines what the shape of Victoria’s lockdown easing might be.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/victoria-to-tighten-border-controls-as-state-eyes-baby-steps-out-of-lockdown-20210726-p58d11.html
Jenna Price is not happy that when Scott Morrison failed to shut down dissidents and extreme views from his own side, he reassured and gave succour to those who hold those views.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/lack-of-leadership-creates-a-toehold-for-lockdown-fury-20210725-p58cta.html
The Age’s editorial says that the lockdown protests were wrong-headed in the extreme.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/lockdown-protests-were-wrongheaded-in-the-extreme-20210725-p58cq7.html
Once more unto the breach of common sense and science, they come. The anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers. Blinded by ignorance and feverish self-righteousness, it’s a wonder they don’t march off the edge of the flat earth, laments Warwick McFadyen.
https://johnmenadue.com/lockdown-protesters-march-across-the-flat-earth/
The NSW government is rethinking its vaccine strategy with a more targeted approach to younger at-risk communities in south-west Sydney. Really there’s not enough vaccine to plug all the gaps.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/lockdown-critical-as-young-people-drive-sydney-s-covid-19-outbreak-20210726-p58d33.html
Alan Kohler asserts that the Delta strain means the exit plan has to mutate as well.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2021/07/26/delta-strain-alan-kohler-australia/
The Australian says that the NSW government is divided over how to tackle stubbornly high numbers of Covid-19 infections, with crisis talks canvassing the tightening of restrictions in some parts of Sydney and easing them in other locations.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/nsw-coronavirus-lockdown-rising-infections-split-crisis-cabinet/news-story/f7e4bfe09150a8224dffd39e1146b0e9
Immunisation expert Peter McIntyre argues that now is the time for vaccine generosity, not ‘state of origin’ jingoism. He paints a picture where, with Delta’s much higher infectiousness, population vaccine coverage would likely need to reach an unachievable 97 per cent or greater to stop all infections in a way comparable to measles. But this is a down-the-track issue.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/time-for-vaccine-generosity-not-state-of-origin-jingoism-20210726-p58cy7.html
Sarah Martin reveals that one of the federal government’s key vaccine deals has been hit with major delays, with 51 million doses of Novavax originally due to arrive in the second half of this year now not expected until 2022.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/27/major-delay-in-federal-governments-novavax-deal-with-51m-doses-not-expected-until-2022
Pharmacies believe they’re witnessing a turning point in community perceptions of AstraZeneca on their first day of delivering the vaccine in west and south-west Sydney.
https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/workplace/pharmacies-overwhelmed-by-astrazeneca-interest-20210726-p58cz2
Phil Coorey writes that the Morrison government is resisting demands to return to the JobKeeper wage subsidy but is examining enhancing the current system of business and income payments, including extending support to welfare recipients. But it won’t be in the form of JobKeeper.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/pm-mulls-support-boost-but-no-return-to-jobkeeper-20210726-p58cv4
“Why can’t ‘gold standard’ NSW get its cases down, despite weeks in lockdown?”, asks Josh Butler.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/07/26/nsw-case-numbers-lockdown/
Media coverage has aligned itself with the Liberal Party’s response to the COVID pandemic, while rubbishing Labor’s, writes Dr Victoria Fielding.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/politicised-coverage-media-favours-liberal-covid-response-over-labors,15334
Hell! Anyone who visited Campsie Centre shopping mall between Wednesday July 14 and Saturday July 24 is a close contact and must get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days. That’s an ELEVEN day transmission period!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/walk-up-shots-priority-for-supermarket-workers-in-western-sydney-20210726-p58cx6.html
David Penberthy opines that the decision of Marshall and his all-important health and police chiefs to place South Australia into its first lockdown of 2021 was less politically fraught than one might think. He says SA will regain its freedoms more quickly thanks to that rarest of things – a lockdown that not only worked but ended on time.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/steven-marshall-riding-high-in-a-state-of-covid19-freedom/news-story/330ca6e0493b68517dc91751723496d5
Anthony Galloway tells us that former special forces soldier Ben Roberts-Smith displayed a contentious Crusader’s cross on his uniform while on duty in Afghanistan, with the symbol later digitally removed by the Department of Defence in a widely distributed photo of the decorated war veteran.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/wrong-morally-official-photo-of-ben-roberts-smith-was-altered-to-hide-crusader-s-cross-20210726-p58cvu.html
Meanwhile, Michaela Whitbourn reports that an Afghan villager has told war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial that he witnessed a “big soldier” kick a member of his family off a cliff before the man was shot dead and an object associated with the Taliban planted near his body.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/big-soldier-involved-in-killing-of-afghan-farmer-ben-roberts-smith-trial-told-20210726-p58cze.html
Scott Morrison is seldom called exceptional. Yet the current PM will stand out in history in any number of ways; none of them attractive. All need not just analyse, but instill persistent, tough-minded challenging if we are to be left with any semblance of public integrity opines interfaith minister, Stephanie Dowrick.
https://johnmenadue.com/analysing-morrison-is-not-enough-he-must-be-challenged/
Lucy Cormack reports that former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick will review NSW Parliament and its management of unacceptable behaviour such as bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/broderick-to-conduct-review-of-sexual-harassment-bullying-in-nsw-parliament-20210726-p58d0z.html
There has been a marked increase in workers – particularly young workers – taking a mental health day, with several drivers behind the trend, explains Sophie Aubrey.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/just-take-the-mental-health-day-here-s-why-more-of-us-are-20210720-p58bey.html
Abul Rizvi writes about the citizenship hypocrisy of Dutton and Pezzullo.
https://johnmenadue.com/duttons-and-pezzullos-citizenship-hypocrisy/
Does this stink? Brian and Bobbie Houston, the husband and wife team who are co-global senior pastors at Hillsong Church, were given permission to leave Australia and take part in a service at the Hillsong Monterrey congregation in Mexico.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/hillsong-pastors-gain-permission-to-leave-australia-to-preach-in-mexico-20210726-p58d1g.html
Disaffected hard-right libertarians are working to tap into anti-lockdown sentiment to take control of the Senate and challenge the Coalition, ramping up efforts to attract big political names to their cause. The vile Ross Cameron is in their sights.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/exhoward-ally-ross-cameron-leads-new-senate-push/news-story/5e3ac1a0eb9212d1a8671e0f12413430
According to Katina Curtis, federal ministers will be required to receive training on recognising and responding to sexual harassment and bullying before the end of the year and other politicians will be encouraged to take part, with their attendance recorded in a public register.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/mandatory-respectful-workplace-training-this-year-for-federal-ministers-20210726-p58d10.html
Mike Foley and Nick Toscano report that controversial changes to allow energy networks to charge solar panel owners for sending surplus power back to the grid have gained the backing of a key consumer group ahead of a final ruling within weeks. I reckon this would improve the payback calculation for home batteries.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/solar-power-tax-to-boost-energy-grid-gains-backing-of-consumer-advocate-20210726-p58d1c.html
Bianca Hall explains how a battery network will be established across inner Melbourne from next year in a pilot program designed to deliver more renewable energy to the grid and encourage the take-up of green power.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/melbourne-to-build-inner-city-battery-network-in-green-power-push-20210726-p58cwo.html
Callum Foote explains why Australians pay 7th highest prices in the world despite being its biggest gas exporter.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/gas-myths-australians-pay-7th-highest-prices-in-world-despite-being-biggest-gas-exporter/
Two public health experts explain why it is hard to determine at what stage we could reach herd immunity.
https://theconversation.com/when-will-we-reach-herd-immunity-here-are-3-reasons-thats-a-hard-question-to-answer-164560
More from The Conversation which explains how Australia’s fickleness on COVID vaccines is perpetuating global vaccine inequity.
https://theconversation.com/how-australias-fickleness-on-covid-vaccines-is-perpetuating-global-vaccine-inequity-165001
The pandemic, and the changing face of shopping, has left Melbourne’s famous Bourke Street Mall facing “grim” times with rents tumbling and vacancies rising.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/trouble-at-the-mall-melbourne-s-prize-shopping-strip-faces-lean-years-20210723-p58c8n.html
The pandemic has opened up a deep rift within UK Conservatives, and it will grow says Polly Toynbee.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/26/pandemic-conservatives-britain-public-spending-tax-cutting-party
A playboy, a femme fatale spy and a powerful Italian cardinal are preparing to stand trial in a Vatican corruption inquiry that has changed the way the Holy See conducts criminal justice.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/cardinal-playboy-and-femme-fatale-stand-trial-in-vatican-corruption-case-20210726-p58cu6.html
Simply Energy earns nomination today for “Arseholes of the Week”.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/26/simply-energy-hit-with-25m-fine-after-sales-contractors-allegedly-impersonated-customers-in-scam
Cartoon Corner
Alan Moir
David Rowe
David Pope
John Shakespeare
Matt Golding
Andrew Dyson
Dionne Gain
John Spooner????
From the US
This is excellent!.
“As Marcus Paul says – “Not all heroes wear capes”.
A radio announcer has tricked protestors into admitting they attended Sydney’s anti-lockdown rally, meaning they now potentially face a hefty fine.
https://rss.com/podcasts/mpinthemorning/244493/?fbclid=IwAR06dmW6FQzz7Z0asPwr3z6_rQSyw8HVWfkINoI8T7XvNJa1x6hAp9P11kU
Vic restriction updates here
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/lockdown-lifted-across-victoria
Yep! Definitely.
Funny how a newspaper on the other side of the world can see so clearly what the Australian media cannot .
“His mother’s worried sick, she has a heart condition”
FFS! Any excuse will do, anything to tug at a judge’s heartstrings.
And which MP is “helping” this arsehole?
Man accused of striking horse has right to fair trial ‘compromised’, lawyer says
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/man-accused-of-striking-horse-has-right-to-fair-trial-compromised-lawyer-says-20210727-p58dag.html
Perfect expression of why I lost all interest in the Olympic Games decades ago –
If you want to see a colossal waste of money look at these photos of what remains of the venues for the Athens games of 2004.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2014/aug/13/abandoned-athens-olympic-2004-venues-10-years-on-in-pictures
Apparently assorted mayors wanted better trains so they came up with holding the 2032 games. It would have been a better economic plan to just build new trains.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-25/how-a-poor-train-system-brought-the-olympics-to-brisbane/100321350
Having seen first hand how vital infrastructure across regional NSW, especially railways, was neglected so Sydney could stage lavish games I cannot help wondering what these mayors have in place of brains.I’m thinking sawdust.
Not every person in Melbourne is happy that restrictions ease tonight at midnight
I thought I heard the wind lifting the corrugated iron on the carport, but no, it’s a man child on his skateboard making the most of the last day of stay at home freedom as the sun sets, he has another 10 minutes of light
More mockdown by Gladys
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/jul/27/australia-covid-live-lockdown-gladys-berejiklian-victoria-southaustralia-nsw-covid
Og nu
Good ol’ Rupert and his public spiritedness, Pandemic panic time in Gladystan’s Sinny Town and the Daily Telegraph publishes this important information.
And paywalls it.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Rob Harris tells us that Labor is set to swing the axe on its pledges for free cancer treatment and dental care for pensioners in an effort to slimline its election spending promises. Looks like a target elimination policy to me.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/federal-labor-set-to-dump-multibillion-dollar-cancer-and-dental-pledges-20210727-p58den.html
Shane Wright reports that tax cuts to start in 2024 will cost the federal budget more than $184 billion by early next decade, as a new independent analysis shows, as the International Monetary Fund urges all governments to start rebuilding their fiscal buffers by making their tax systems more progressive. Just the opposite of what Australia is doing!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/stage-3-tax-cuts-to-cost-184-billion-as-decade-of-deficits-looms-20210727-p58dd1.html
Paul Kelly begins his article this morning with, “Anthony Albanese’s Labor has revealed its true character – politically hungry, tactically cautious and thinking about strategic reinvention. Labor has decided its true crisis is bleeding to political death in opposition term after term. This week’s decision is technically about tax – but it is really about Labor’s identity.”
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/anthony-albanese-makes-big-play-for-the-centre/news-story/7989cd4596b75654e666ae7b4f44cd30
Michael Pascoe writes, “Given current polling and the vaccination schmozzle, the odds are favouring the government hanging on to the benefits of incumbency as long as possible, hoping the vaccine bungles will fade, the shots work, peace breaks out over our internal borders, and the promises of opening up start to look more credible” and he reckons that fasten our seat belts for even more rorting of the public purse for political purposes.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2021/07/27/michael-pascoe-election-budget/
Labor has decided attacking the aspirational class won’t get it back into power. But it means both sides of politics now share a mediocre policy middle ground, declares the AFR’s editorial.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/small-target-strategy-doesn-t-add-up-to-reform-20210726-p58d4i
And Greg Jericho says Labor’s capitulation on tax cuts shows the price it will pay to win power.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/27/labors-capitulation-on-tax-cuts-shows-the-price-it-will-pay-to-win-power
Jack Waterford writes at length about the PM’s focus on short-term fixes and politicisation of every conflict. He says, “Increasingly people realise that Morrison is full of bullshit, even (or especially) when he is being sincere.”
https://johnmenadue.com/pms-focus-on-short-term-fixes-and-politicisation-of-every-conflict/
The Delta dip is locked in for economy, but what goes down must come up assures Ross Gittins. He points out that the economy is in much better shape now than at the end of 2019.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/delta-dip-locked-in-for-economy-but-what-goes-down-must-come-up-20210727-p58dap.html
Surprise, surprise. Gladys Berejiklian will announce a four-week extension of the lockdown on Wednesday as the state banks on young people in Sydney’s west taking up the AstraZeneca vaccine to stem surging case numbers.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/all-hands-on-deck-pharmacies-mass-clinics-to-offer-under-40s-astrazeneca-shot-20210727-p58df8.html
Berejiklian won’t lobby the federal government for the return of JobKeeper despite Sydney’s lockdown being extended and new data revealing spending across the city is at the lowest levels since the pandemic began.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/berejiklian-refuses-to-back-calls-for-return-of-jobkeeper-20210727-p58de8.html
A more targeted strategy might have worked, but Australia’s border closures and lockdowns have achieved world-leading health and economic outcomes and produced net benefits overall, argues David Bassanese.
https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/there-s-nothing-over-the-top-about-saving-50k-lives-20210726-p58d4k
Paul Sakkal worryingly reports that the Victorian Transport Association says many drivers are shunning strict testing requirements designed to shield the state against the NSW coronavirus outbreak.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/thousands-of-truckies-entering-victoria-from-nsw-without-permits-20210727-p58dcx.html
A new poll of NSW voters shows Scott Morrison bears the brunt of the Sydney lockdown with voters favouring Premier Gladys Berejiklian. But they’re both beaten by Dr Kerry Chant, writes Phil Coorey. This will not please Morrison who is increasingly sensitive to criticism.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/berejiklian-beats-pm-in-poll-but-chant-is-the-real-winner-20210727-p58d7v
It’s politics – not the pandemic – that’s straining the federation, says Paul Bongiorno.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/2021/07/27/gladys-berejiklian-scott-morrison/
Despite his failures as Prime Minister, Scott Morrison’s PR team will promote him as whatever the voting public needs in time for the next election, writes Dr Jennifer Wilson.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/scott-morrisons-image-aims-to-please,15337
Tom Burton reports that Victoria is negotiating with the federal government about the extension of business support for firms caught by continued tight restrictions after the lifting of the state’s lockdown Tuesday midnight.
https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/post-lockdown-victorian-business-support-package-to-be-announced-20210727-p58dd6
The editorial in the SMH urges Morrison to flood western Sydney with Pfizer vaccine.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-must-flood-western-sydney-with-pfizer-vaccine-20210727-p58de3.html
Major aged care providers have warned vaccination rates for their home care staff remain extraordinarily low, just days after the government conceded it still has no specific plan for vaccinating the workforce. Christopher Knaus tells us that this is “not a focus” for the government.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jul/28/covid-vaccination-rates-for-workers-in-home-aged-care-as-low-as-5-but-not-a-focus-for-government
Lawyer Mariam Veiszadeh says that she is sick of hearing arguments defending the rights of the protesters to protest at a time like this. Freedom is a double-edged sword. It’s not absolute.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/protesters-cries-for-freedom-ring-hollow-for-dying-woman-20210726-p58d5b.html
Public protest or selfish ratbaggery? Why free speech doesn’t give you the right to endanger other people’s health explains Hugh Breakey.
https://theconversation.com/public-protest-or-selfish-ratbaggery-why-free-speech-doesnt-give-you-the-right-to-endanger-other-peoples-health-165079
Anna Patty reports on the delays being experienced from what appears to be an overwhelmed contact tracing process.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/two-day-delay-between-nsw-health-alert-and-campsie-centre-s-covid-19-warning-20210727-p58dht.html
Elizabeth Knight reports that retailers want a new JobKeeper package, emergency cash payments and the reinstatement of a fresh leasing code of conduct to ease retail rental stress.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/retailers-warn-of-catastrophic-impact-from-lockdowns-20210727-p58deh.html
Liam Mannix does the maths on the changing AstraZeneca risk/benefit equation.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/doing-the-maths-on-astrazeneca-20210727-p58d81.html
New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard has stoked further questions about a so-called ‘vaccine stockpile’ of extra doses held by the federal government, claiming such a reserve existed but that the states had “no idea what’s in it”. But Josh Butler reports that the federal government has shot down claims of any such stockpile, saying it is sending out every dose of vaccine it receives.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/07/27/vaccine-stockpile-nsw-government/
Mandatory vaccines are controversial, but those who choose to stay unvaccinated will face a reduction in freedoms, Australian health authorities have warned.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/07/28/covid-vaccine-mandatory/
Ray Hadley is waging war on Alan Jones, describing the latter’s conduct as “scurrilous, contemptible and undignified” in a spray on Tuesday morning sparked by Jones’ ongoing COVID-19 commentary on Sky News. Jones has completely lost the plot!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/apologist-for-these-thugs-ray-hadley-slams-alan-jones-over-covid-19-conspiracy-claims-20210727-p58dem.html
Richo Writes, “As a fervent participant in those moratorium marches, I will be among the first to castigate this bunch of dopes. The moratorium marches were not reckless ventures endangering public health, they were simple expressions of democratic freedom.”
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/even-the-vietnam-war-protesters-from-the-1970s-would-condemn-these-clowns/news-story/cceb8aa329c3f34ffe8ca142b9dca3dc
Dennis Altman writes that, like many others, he was angered by the anti-lockdown protests last weekend. I was surprised at the enthusiasm with which he cheered on the police and wanted people to dob in anyone they recognised in the mobs gathered in Sydney and Melbourne streets.
https://johnmenadue.com/covid-demonstrations-and-the-claim-for-rights/
Politicians, academics and celebrities have voiced their frustration over lockdown protests which could make the situation even worse, writes Dr Binoy Kampmark.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/sydney-lockdown-protests-condemned,15339
Meanwhile, anti-lockdown protest organisers are warning their supporters against attending demonstrations this weekend, claiming they are “honeypot” traps secretly set by police.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2021/07/27/anti-lockdown-protests-planned/
Census 2021 is almost here — what’s changed since #censusfail? Demographer Liz Allen tells us what’s at stake in this pandemic survey.
https://theconversation.com/census-2021-is-almost-here-whats-changed-since-censusfail-whats-at-stake-in-this-pandemic-survey-164784
Nick McKenzie reveals that intelligence gathered in multiple policing probes has found leading Australian freight, logistics and transport firms are being infiltrated by organised crime groups and bikies to import drugs and illegal tobacco then distribute them around Australia.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/organised-criminals-are-trusted-insiders-in-some-of-australia-s-biggest-freight-firms-20210727-p58dcm.html
Environment Minister Sussan Ley continues her record of destruction to Australia’s endangered flora and fauna for now and future generations, writes Sue Arnold.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/sussan-ley-keeps-environment-a-national-emergency,15338
The Age tells us about more and more bad stuff with Crown casinos.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/crown-forks-out-61-million-in-unpaid-tax-interest-20210727-p58dgu.html
An Afghan man who says he saw a “big soldier” from Australia kick his handcuffed uncle off a cliff has defended his evidence under intense cross-examination during Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial, reports Ben Doherty.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/27/ben-roberts-smith-afghan-witness-defends-evidence-of-big-soldier-kicking-uncle-as-court-releases-photos
New reference checking rules for financial planners and mortgage brokers will make it harder for industry “bad apples” to move between employers, explains John Collett.
https://www.smh.com.au/money/super-and-retirement/asic-steps-up-with-checks-for-planners-mortgage-brokers-20210722-p58c1t.html
Daniel Hurst discloses that European, British and American diplomats have met up to three times in Canberra over recent months to discuss how to encourage Australia to consider stronger cuts to its greenhouse gas emissions.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/28/us-european-and-uk-diplomats-meet-to-encourage-australia-to-ramp-up-climate-action
Don’t blame men for the climate crisis – we should point the finger at corporations, says Arwa Mahdawi.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/27/dont-blame-men-for-the-climate-crisis-we-should-point-the-finger-at-corporations
Israeli firm NSO Group has created spyware which can hack a smartphone, beat encryption and access every bit of our data, live-time, just like reading over somebody’s shoulder. Human rights activist and cyber-security expert Manal al Sharif examines the implications.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/state-of-surveillance-if-pegasus-can-hack-jeff-bezos-phone-is-there-anywhere-to-hide/
Tokyo is staring at a typhoon, searing heat and a record number of daily infections. Its Prime Minister is facing a different storm, writes Eryk Bagshaw.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/bracing-for-storm-tokyo-grapples-with-heat-and-growing-covid-numbers-20210727-p58dby.html
The lawyer for a protester accused of striking a police horse during the Sydney anti-lockdown march claims his client has the support of an MP and says his mother is “worried sick” about him being in custody.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/man-accused-of-striking-horse-has-right-to-fair-trial-compromised-lawyer-says-20210727-p58dag.html
10/10 to the King’s School for suspending and reporting today’s “Arsehole of the Week” nominee to the police.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-king-s-school-reports-teacher-for-attending-lockdown-protest-20210727-p58dew.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
David Pope
John Shakespeare
Andrew Dyson
Matt Golding
Fiona Katauskas
Mark Knight
Simon Letch
John Spooner does a Leak!
From the US
GladBag was too scared to front the media or speak to voters to announce her extended not-really-a-lockdown so she had her staff leak it to the media.
Now all she has to do is look sad and repeat the leak today.
She would have known yesterday when she did her presser that this was going to happen but chose to say nothing, probably for fear of criticism.
First her dithering and fear of upsetting business allows Sydney to be overrun with The Plague and places the whole state in danger of infection, then she is too scared to make a public announcement. Time to resign, GladBag.
I heard on the radio that there was a poll done in NSW, and the people still love her, they are blaming scummo.
What’s the penalty for cowardice in face of the enemy?
2gravel – was it this poll?
Berejiklian beats PM in poll – but Chant is the real winner
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/berejiklian-beats-pm-in-poll-but-chant-is-the-real-winner-20210727-p58d7v
She is not ahead by much. Another few weeks and her approval will be through the floor. That poll is not good news for Scovid. I suppose he will now go back to sulking under his doona for another week.
“10/10 to the King’s School for suspending and reporting today’s “Arsehole of the Week” nominee to the police”
King’s does not choose staff wisely. Alan Jones taught there for a few years in the early 1970s, he was “persuaded” to leave or chose to resign after a chat with the headmaster (depends which version you read) because of his habit of getting touchy-feely with members of the school’s elite rugby team.
https://www.theage.com.au/technology/the-jones-boy-20061021-ge3e08.html
Then there was the infamous sexual abuse in the 1960s-70s. No wonder Jones was able to maul boys, they were used to abuse by then, This abuse came from other students, enabled by staff who turned a blind eye.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/oct/25/former-kings-school-students-tell-inquiry-of-sexual-abuse-by-older-boys
friendlyjordies –
Chris Hayes –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PoDkXXky2Y
Brian Tyler Cohen –
What’s with the red sore on Scovid’s bald spot, clearly visible at the start of today’s presser? It has been there for a while and isn’t going away.
Did Jen hit him with a heavy object?
I won’t post the video, but it’s on YouTube.
Carolyn Pettigrew for Pearls and Irritations –
John Barilaro is Privatising Kosciuszko National Park
https://johnmenadue.com/john-barilaro-is-privatising-kosciuszko-national-park/
By golly that Plato chappy was on to something here.Got us PM Engadine and his Rorta Rorta tribe…………
Julian Hill –
I believe I have noticed something about Channel 7 and their Olympic commentators. It may something or nothing.
I have not seen them mention any athlete who competes under the IOC Refugee flag.
Even when that Refugee competitor is in a medal winning position, they have not been acknowledged in any event I watched.
Maybe it is just a coincidence in my viewing times, and I might be seeing conspiracies in the clouds.
It’s no a coincidence and you are not seeing conspiracies in the clouds.
It’s 7 pandering to their usual audience of racists and haters plus it reflects the warped, racist ideas of the owner of the channel Kerry Stokes. Stokes is the man who campaigned against Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act in 2016 because he said it hampered “free speech”. It was all about a vile Bill leak cartoon, apparently. He lost that pathetic crusade to allow racism to run rampant in Australia
It is a crying shame 7 has the rights to the Olympics.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Rob Harris reports that the nation’s peak organisation on affordability and secure housing for Australians on low incomes has accused federal Labor of rejoining a “list of enemies” against increasing home-ownership in favour of benefiting wealthy landlords.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/list-of-enemies-affordable-housing-advocates-say-labor-abandoned-them-20210728-p58dsc.html
Jess Irvine says that young Australians should score Labor’s housing policy gymnastics harshly.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/young-autralians-should-score-labor-s-housing-policy-gymnastics-harshly-20210728-p58dse.html
National cabinet will start creating the path out of lockdowns this week when the country’s leaders look at how many Australians must be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to end economically damaging restrictions. (What’s so different with the situation now compared to a year ago?)
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/vaccine-push-to-pave-the-way-for-country-to-reopen-20210728-p58dtb.html
The Australian’s Yoni Bashan begins this assessment with, “Something appears to be profoundly broken with Gladys Berejiklian’s crisis cabinet. Dysfunctional, deeply fractured, these guardians of the state’s pandemic response have spent the past month dithering over numerous strategies that have yielded higher case numbers, further restrictions and the pain of prolonged lockdowns.”
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/covid19-nsw-cabinet-is-the-crisis-as-it-dithers-and-dallies/news-story/5986431a933a6416a47a25c28e9a434b
The state is going to take a long, long time to recover from its current crisis. It’s just no one wants to concede that publicly yet, writes Jennifer Hewett who says NSW has crossed the line from commendable optimism to unjustified delusion.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/nsw-faces-months-in-lockdown-not-weeks-20210728-p58dsh
Alexandra Smith criticises Berejiklian over her offering little comfort to those struggling because of the lockdown. And she’s had enough of Gladys’s “green shoots”.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/berejiklian-offers-little-comfort-to-those-struggling-because-of-lockdown-20210728-p58dsm.html
Excluding the most vulnerable from Covid payments isn’t just cruel – it jeopardises public health, argues Alison Pennington.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/28/nsw-must-quash-the-covid-outbreak-and-it-cant-without-fair-and-just-income-support
The Conversation wonders if the Morrison Government’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout program is one of Australia’s biggest ever public policy failures.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/public-policy-failure-of-coalitions-vaccine-rollout,15345
A new study has shown that the Pfizer vaccine had a sky-high efficacy rate of about 96 per cent against symptomatic COVID-19 for the first two months, but then declined about 6 per cent every two months after that.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/pfizer-biontech-s-covid-19-vaccine-gets-slightly-weaker-over-time-20210729-p58dvm.html
Clinical immunologist Graeme Stewart believes that we can boost confidence in AstraZeneca by minimising the already tiny risk.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/we-can-boost-confidence-in-astrazeneca-by-minimising-the-already-tiny-risk-20210723-p58cdu.html
Major banks are warning up to 300,000 jobs in Sydney will be lost due to extended lockdowns, as prices for staples rise at double the rate of wages growth.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/one-in-10-workers-to-lose-job-in-sydney-as-food-prices-surge-20210728-p58dor.html
Worrying signs as non-urgent elective surgery has been suspended in at least three major Sydney hospitals with COVID-19 exposures taking their toll on staff numbers and facilities work to free up resources for a potential surge.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/icu-cases-reach-highest-level-as-non-urgent-surgery-suspended-at-major-hospitals-20210728-p58dq1.html
Sarah Martin reports that NSW is lagging behind many other states and territories when it comes to vaccinating its elderly population with fewer than 40% of over-70s fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/29/just-39-of-nsw-residents-over-70-are-fully-vaccinated-against-covid-despite-push-for-jabs
Economist Stephen Hamilton declares that the new federal government support is JobKeeper in all but name.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/new-government-support-is-jobkeeper-in-all-but-name-20210728-p58dsj.html
And the SMH editorial says that the federal government’s disaster payments will cut down on the multibillion-dollar waste in last year’s economic response to the pandemic.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/new-covid-disaster-payments-are-better-than-jobkeeper-20210728-p58dsw.html
Michelle Grattan says that Morrison has shaken the money tree again in a bid to avoid a second recession.
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-morrison-shakes-money-tree-again-in-bid-to-avoid-second-recession-165245
Now that Australia’s inflation rate is 3.8%, John Hawkins wonders if it time to worry. He think not.
https://theconversation.com/now-that-australias-inflation-rate-is-3-8-is-it-time-to-worry-165098
Liam Mannix explains how new modelling from multiple sources suggests Sydney’s lockdown is still not tight enough to stop the case numbers from growing.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/scientists-split-over-whether-sydney-s-lockdown-is-tight-enough-to-tame-outbreak-20210728-p58dpk.html
Dr Cressida Gaukroger argues that the vaccinated should have more privileges. She says it might feel unfair, but vaccine passports are a good idea – even if you can’t get one.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/why-the-vaccinated-should-have-more-privileges-20210727-p58d8m.html
We’ve heard of R numbers and moving averages. But what are k numbers? And how do they explain COVID superspreading? Biostatistician answers the questions for us.
https://theconversation.com/weve-heard-of-r-numbers-and-moving-averages-but-what-are-k-numbers-and-how-do-they-explain-covid-superspreading-164858
Thousands of residential aged care workers are at risk of missing their mid-September deadline for vaccination, nearly six months after they were given priority in the vaccine rollout, reports Rachel Clun.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/thousands-of-aged-care-workers-at-risk-of-missing-mandatory-vaccine-cut-off-20210728-p58dt6.html
Police are monitoring the online planning of further anti-lockdown protests and are pre-emptively approaching organisers to warn them against going ahead with the “selfish” events.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/police-track-plans-for-more-anti-lockdown-protests-organisers-warned-20210728-p58dqy.html
George Christensen and Craig Kelly, amongst others, have been spruiking false information about the pandemic, about vaccinations and about the lockdown, giving comfort to those who have proved more than a little capacity for anarchic behaviour. Given these exponents of controversy in service of self-promotion sit on government benches, one might have expected censure from the Prime Minister. There has been none, writes George Browning.
https://johnmenadue.com/rights-law-breakers-scott-morrison-sky-news-and-the-covid-lockdown/
COVID-19 health restrictions that limit gatherings at Parliament House have thwarted a new plan to challenge Michael O’Brien for the state Liberal Party leadership, writes Annika Smethurst.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/liberal-leadership-challenge-stalls-as-plotters-forced-to-keep-their-distance-20210728-p58drd.html
New energy market rules intended to ensure the lights remain on while ageing coal generators exit the market have triggered a backlash from Australia’s renewables sector, report Katherine Murphy and Adam Morton.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/28/renewables-industry-blasts-unacceptable-australian-energy-market-rules-it-says-will-prolong-coal-plants
Australian farm profits could be slashed by up to 50 per cent over the next three decades without more climate change adaptation. A new Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences report has modelled the potential impacts of climate change on farmers, explains Paul Coughlan.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2021/07/29/climate-change-damage-farm-profits/?breaking_live_scroll=1
CommSec’s latest State of the States report scores Tasmania in first place over eight key indicators – economic growth, retail spending, equipment investment, unemployment, construction work done, population growth, housing finance and dwelling commencements. This is the sixth quarter in a row that Tasmania has taken the top spot. By now, it clearly isn’t a fluke, says Michael Pascoe.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2021/07/28/tasmania-economy-art-mona/
Anthony Galloway writes that Australia’s biggest unions have joined with business groups to oppose the federal government’s new laws overhauling the management of critical infrastructure, saying the bill in its current form is poorly designed and will cost jobs.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/laws-to-protect-critical-infrastructure-are-attack-on-workers-actu-20210728-p58dqt.html
Michaela Whitbourn writes that an Afghan villager giving evidence in war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial has told the Federal Court he will tell the truth even if he dies, as a second villager supported his account of an incident in the village of Darwan involving a “big soldier”.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/second-afghan-villager-tells-roberts-smith-defamation-trial-about-big-soldier-20210728-p58dpl.html
And she tells us that the South Australian Coroner’s Court has been granted access to suppressed parts of the ABC’s written defence to a defamation claim brought against it by federal Liberal minister Christian Porter, as the court investigates the death of a woman who accused him of raping her in the 1980s.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/abc-defence-in-porter-defamation-case-can-be-given-to-sa-coroner-court-orders-20210728-p58drk.html
IKEA pays no tax in Australia despite surging sales in the pandemic. IKEA versus Nick Scali. Both sell furniture, only one pays tax. Michael West looks at the quintessential case of multinational tax bludging.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/bludging-off-australia-ikea-versus-nick-scali-both-flog-couches-one-is-robbing-us/
John Frew tells us that the ABC is continuing to deny a right-wing bias by The Drum.
https://johnmenadue.com/the-abc-continues-to-deny-right-wing-bias-by-the-drum/
In a move to provide affordable broadband to customers, the CBA has acquired stakes in two telco providers, paving the way for other businesses, reports Paul Budde.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/commonwealth-bank-moves-into-nbn-market,15341
Rio and BHP will shower their shareholders with cash, again, this year. But there are clouds appearing as a more threatening future moves rapidly towards the mining giants, warns Stephen Bartholomeusz.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/rio-and-bhp-shareholders-should-enjoy-the-cash-deluge-while-it-lasts-20210728-p58dn3.html
Her’s Peta Credlin’s weekly offering of bile.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/conservative-vote-splinters-as-senior-liberals-walk/news-story/551b95c4103a02d38093a29d18254d01
The Washington Post tells us the opening day of the House select committee investigation into the January 6 attack on the Capitol proved to be as clarifying as it was compelling, with emotionally powerful testimony from four officers who felt the fury of the mob and who called for a full examination of the role that former president Donald Trump played in fomenting the riot.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/on-january-6-committee-hearing-law-officers-became-truth-seekers-20210728-p58dj2.html
The ‘Boris effect’ is a symptom of Britain’s decaying political system, opines Rafael Behr.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/28/boris-effect-britain-political-prime-minister-voters
The extreme heat currently scorching and burning through the western United States has sparked a debate in Washington about the capacity of centralised power grids to deal with the exigencies of climate change.
https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/microgrid-power-for-a-greener-future,15342
Our universities are in crisis and Richard Fine examines if they are no longer fit for purpose.
https://johnmenadue.com/our-universities-are-in-crisis-they-are-no-longer-fit-for-purpose/
Duncan Fine writes that calls have been getting louder to ditch the daily prayer in the Victorian parliament, led, not for the first time, by the Reason Party’s Fiona Patten who argues that as parliament represents a modern, multi-faith society it should not be so powerfully and symbolically tied to one small group.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/parliament-s-paradox-does-your-work-day-begin-by-reciting-the-lord-s-prayer-20210727-p58d8k.html
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
David Rowe
Matt Golding
Alan Moir
Mark David
John Shakespeare
Andrew Dyson
Peter Broelman
Glen Le Lievre
Mark Knight
Where does bloody Leak get off?
From the US
Last week a Senate inquiry examined the links between the Liberal and Labor parties and gas companies seeking to frack in the Beetaloo Basin.
It has taken a while but the media have finally caught up.
Beetaloo Basin fracking plan: gas companies linked to tax secrecy havens and Liberal party, inquiry told
One company given grants worth $21m for drilling despite not having Northern Territory environmental approvals, senators hear
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/28/beetaloo-basin-fracking-plan-gas-companies-linked-to-tax-secrecy-havens-and-liberal-party-inquiry-told
No wonder Angus Taylor is all set to nobble the Energy Security Board..
Big win for coal generators as ESB pushes for Taylor’s favoured capacity markets
https://reneweconomy.com.au/big-win-for-coal-generators-as-esb-pushes-for-taylors-favoured-capacity-markets/
Why are Plague-infected backpackers being allowed into Australia when Australians stranded overseas STILL cannot get flights home?
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/jul/29/australia-covid-live-update-western-sydney-tougher-lockdown-construction-nsw-victoria-vaccines-coronavirus
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/barilaro-admits-he-has-no-idea-what-covid-lockdown-rules-are-working/ar-AAMFUIj?li=AAgfYrC
239 new cases in Sydney.
Geez, Gladys is really handling things well isn’t she!
F.M
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/29/shoplifting-or-graffiti-or-stealing-a-garden-gnome-maybe-i-did-some-of-these-things-when-i-was-10
My sentiments too –
It seems some unscrupulous doctors are using the pandemic to boost their profits.
Bring in the troops!
https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/news_article?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGZWJpenByZC5wb2xpY2UubnN3Lmdvdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGOTY3NjcuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ%3D%3D