It seems trite to start with anything like “We are all Ukrainians now”. However, in so many ways, we are. We are all little people, doing our best to get on with our lives, looking after those dear to us.
Then life as we’ve known it explodes, and we are shattered into devastating uncertainties – precisely what’s happening to everyone in Ukraine.
To backtrack 60 years, my parents were remarkably open with me from my earliest days about social issues, e.g., cancer and smoking, sexuality, religion, racism, politics – local and world – and everything in between. I knew about the Holocaust, I knew about Anne Frank and so many other victims, I knew about the nuclear bombing of Japan, Yet I don’t recall ANYTHING about the Cuban Missile Crisis.
I do wonder – and now wish I’d asked them – if they’d decided to adopt media silence as far as I was concerned (I was only 6 years old but was already aware of the dangers of cigarettes and often cried myself to sleep thinking about mum’s smoking.
I was well-aware of the Malaysian/Indonesian war. I knew about the Korean war. I most certainly knew about the Vietnam war. And – unbeknownst to them – I had listened to a dramatisation of the Nuremberg Trials.
The only reason I can imagine is that, for them, it was an existential crisis, and they didn’t want me to know about it until it might have affected Australia.
And I weep for all Ukrainians, all of whom have been children, and for all and every Ukrainian child.
THE PUB 
Michael West –
Fiona,
An eloquent description of your strong childhood memories – many Ukrainian children, and others beyond Ukraine’s borders, will be affected long after the trauma of immediate threats from Russia has passed.
Helen
Thank you, Helen.
On another matter that must also have devastating effects on children, 4 Corners tonight presented a BBC documentary on severe weather and other consequences of global heating/climate change. Australia got a well-deserved dishonourable mention.
I wonder if Mr A Abbott still believes that ‘climate change is crap’? Actually, I don’t need to wonder. I can’t imagine him releasing a statement saying he’s changed his mind and he’s really sorry that he’s helped waste so much of Australia’s time and money by ignoring the advice of people who actually know things. Such wasted opportunities.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
A fall in unemployment to the lowest rate since 1974 will set up an election clash on jobs and wages in a federal budget that offers billions of dollars in household payments and cuts to fuel excise to lure voters back to the government, says David Crowe.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/hasn-t-been-luck-jobs-claim-sets-up-budget-clash-on-wages-cost-of-living-20220328-p5a8my.html
According to Shane Wright, the federal budget bottom line will be buoyed by another $100 billion in extra revenue from soaring company and personal income tax collections.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/frydenberg-to-show-turnaround-in-budget-revenues-but-more-deficits-20220328-p5a8ml.html
Michael Pascoe goes out on a limb and says, “Scott Morrison is gone. Anthony Albanese will win the election. Josh Frydenberg is fighting to save some of the furniture.”
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2022/03/29/michael-pascoe-scott-morrison-josh-frydenberg/
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s plan to provide a short burst of relief from cost-of-living pressures may be popular. But a wiser longer-term strategy is needed to steer the country after its rapid growth in debt, says the SMH editorial.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/long-term-budget-planning-needed-instead-of-short-term-handouts-20220328-p5a8i5.html
Paul Bongiorno writes that Morrison’s and Frydenberg’s best last chance looms.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2022/03/29/paul-bongiorno-scott-morrison-josh-frydenberg-last-chance/
The history of unreliable opinion polls in Australia is such that it would be a brave punter who would call the election result on the evidence of polls alone. Right now, however, it would be an even more courageous one, who would be betting against the definite trend of polls indicating a decisive change of government, writes Jack Waterford.
https://johnmenadue.com/this-is-now-one-for-albo-to-lose/
Apart from adopting a strategy similar to those favoured by zombie companies, the Treasurer could end up leaving the country much more exposed to other negative shocks, warns Karen Maley.
https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/the-most-dangerous-aspect-of-frydenberg-s-formula-20220328-p5a8j2
The budget is supposed to be about the long-term future. It’s really about the government’s short-term future. Labor will back it – and add spending of its own, says Jennifer Hewett.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/spending-in-this-budget-will-certainly-be-targeted-at-re-election-20220328-p5a8kr
The Grattan Institute’s Marion Terrell laments that yet again, the government is jumping the gun, committing to spending big infrastructure bucks before establishing whether these are good projects and now is the right time to build them.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/right-on-cue-politicians-worrying-addiction-on-show-20220328-p5a8jk.html
Meanwhile, The Guardian reveals that just 15% of projects announced in the government’s multibillion dollar infrastructure budget splurge have been endorsed as priorities by Infrastructure Australia, with the Coalition instead funnelling billions into must-win marginal seats.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/29/analysis-reveals-morrison-government-funnelling-billions-into-must-win-marginal-seats
”Clearly not within scope,” said the department when Jommy Tee went on a Freedom of Information hunt for reasons a future prime minister’s first Australian government job ended in acrimony. Our correspondent found that while the Prime Minister seeks inquiries into the conduct of others, information about his departure from Tourism Australia is kept out of sight.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/the-first-time-morrison-lost-the-nations-confidence-the-story-they-dont-want-you-to-know/
The retiring former speaker of the House of Representatives, Tony Smith, has used one of his last addresses to Parliament to call on politicians to unite in supporting ongoing funding for the National Archives, saying the nation’s history cannot be left to rot.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/veteran-liberal-mp-calls-for-bipartisan-support-of-national-archives-20220328-p5a8gz.html
The responses Home Affairs officials recently gave to Senate Estimates on the Department’s handling of the Novak Djokovic case were a mixture of smoke and mirrors overlaid by outright misinformation, argues Abul Rizvi.
https://johnmenadue.com/home-affairs-misleads-senate-on-djokovic-case/
Petrol stations are promising to pass on the full savings from a fuel-excise cut to be unveiled in Tuesday’s federal budget, but some sites may be holding nearly a week’s worth of higher-excise fuel and will be unable to drop prices immediately. As matter of interest, the margins applied by petrol stations are probably less that what an excise cut will be.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/service-stations-to-face-delays-in-passing-on-petrol-price-relief-20220328-p5a8mm.html
Australia’s cost of living crisis is hurting ordinary households, and it won’t be over soon, writes Satyajit Das who says there’s very little politicians can do.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/28/australias-cost-of-living-crisis-is-hurting-ordinary-households-and-it-wont-be-over-soon
The Australian tells us that households in NSW, Victoria, the ACT and Tasmania could be forced to cut their gas use during next year’s winter due to an ongoing supply squeeze as production dries up from offshore fields and amid a year-long delay bringing on volumes from Australia’s first LNG import plant.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/business/gas-shortfall-fears-for-next-year-supply-squeeze-threatens-to-leave-users-out-in-the-cold-in-2023-winter/news-story/fed063002651bb62e5dc363a406d4bdb
Angus Thompson and Katina Curtis write that sidelined veteran Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells has taken a swipe at Prime Minister Scott Morrison, saying “mean girls” are not just confined to the Labor Party and revealing she bonded with the late senator Kimberley Kitching over the factional warfare they both faced.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/sidelined-liberal-senator-accuses-party-of-its-own-mean-girls-culture-20220328-p5a8nc.html
A Labor backbencher and doctor says his party must commit to funding pay rises in the embattled aged care sector as a key union ramps up pressure on the ALP to support its wage case. Dr Michael Freelander, the member for Macarthur in south-west Sydney, said the time for talking was over and action was needed to ensure adequate training and remuneration for aged care workers.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/time-for-talking-s-over-medico-labor-mp-warns-party-must-deliver-more-on-aged-care-20220325-p5a82s.html
The former Liberal government went on an $854m spending spree in its final weeks in power and has put the planned budget surplus next financial year at risk, the state’s new Treasurer has claimed. In his first days in charge of South Australia’s books, Stephen Mullighan is scrambling to find out what was spent on in the Liberals’ final 10 weeks in power.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/stephen-mullighan-warns-of-budget-pressures-after-854m-liberal-spending-spree/news-story/6eb03276477ceca93466783b3aa7766a?amp
SA Senator Rex Patrick will go up against his former boss Nick Xenophon in this year’s election, ruling out running for the outback seat of Grey.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/federal-election-2022-rex-patrick-says-he-will-stay-the-course-to-run-for-the-senate/news-story/9e0b1c7c74abcb974be7349747551dbb
Putin’s war is proving to be a grave misjudgement, and four metrics tell the story explains Peter Hartcher.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/putin-s-war-is-proving-a-grave-misjudgment-four-metrics-tell-the-story-20220327-p5a8ei.html
Mike Foley reports that a new scheme to bring more foreign farm labourers into the country is underway, with the federal government signing an agreement to open negotiations with Vietnam for an agricultural visa.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nationals-claim-foreign-worker-win-with-symbolic-ag-visa-agreement-20220328-p5a8oj.html
Colin Kruger tells us corporate governance experts are predicting further casualties from The Star Entertainment’s senior ranks and board after chief executive Matt Bekier resigned on Monday following damaging revelations about the group’s failure to stop money laundering and organised crime risks in its casinos.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-star-ceo-matt-bekier-stands-down-20220328-p5a8ig.html
It took only ten days of hearings and a three-line email to end the tenure of Star CEO Matt Bekier, explains Elizabeth Knight.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/10-days-and-a-three-line-email-how-star-ceo-fell-on-his-sword-20220328-p5a8lq.html
Nick McKenzie tells us that lopping the head of the casino company might not fix the problem.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/a-star-reborn-how-lopping-the-head-of-the-casino-company-might-not-fix-the-problem-20220328-p5a8ob.html
Lucy Cormack outlines more and more naughty stuff being exposed in the Star Casino inquiry.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/best-for-business-to-let-high-roller-do-as-he-wanted-inquiry-hears-20220328-p5a8iw.html
Alexandra Smith reports that NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has outlined the cornerstone of his election pitch, arguing Sydney is a divided city, where infrastructure has not kept pace with population growth in the west.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/coalition-labor-brace-for-state-election-battle-in-sydney-s-west-20220328-p5a8nv.html
A report has called for greater transparency on how taxpayer funds are being spent by aged care operators, many of which are expanding their businesses and acquiring new companies. Separately, the Morrison government’s first analysis of the $10 a day for every resident that it gave operators for better food found one-third of homes were still spending less than $10 a day per person on nutrition. (I have to tell you that the way the request for information from RACFs was shambolic and led to widespread difficulties. Recently the department has been ringing around trying to get standardisation of reporting in place.)
https://www.theage.com.au/national/report-questions-where-10-a-day-aged-care-food-budget-is-being-spent-20220325-p5a7v9.html
Tuesday’s budget will provide $49.5 million for aged care training for existing workers and people who want to work in the sector. “But what about wages”, exclaims Michelle Grattan.
https://theconversation.com/budget-to-give-49-5-million-boost-for-aged-care-training-but-what-about-wages-180133
Michaela Whitbourn reports that a former Special Air Service soldier has objected to giving evidence in the Federal Court about his potential involvement in missions in Afghanistan with war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith, on the basis his testimony might incriminate him in an alleged murder.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/former-sas-soldier-objects-to-giving-evidence-about-alleged-murder-court-told-20220328-p5a8ij.html
Some time on or around March 15, an ice shelf called Conger that was the size of the city of Rome collapsed into the dark and not quite frigid waters off the east coast of Antarctica, writes Nick O’Malley.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/antarctic-iceshelf-collapses-after-unprecedented-heatwave-20220328-p5a8jx.html
Endometriosis sufferers have had enough of the misinformation, inadequate care and ill-considered government funding, writes Claire Pini.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/the-truth-about-endo-and-where-government-funding-should-go,16198
If Europe can wean itself off Russia gas it would reshape the global energy market and the market for LNG in particular. But it’s easier said than done, writes Stephen Bartholomeusz.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/out-in-the-cold-the-race-is-on-to-solve-the-russian-gas-puzzle-20220328-p5a8h3.html
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
David Rowe
Matt Golding
John Shakespeare
Peter Broelman
Andrew Dyson
Fiona Katauskas
Mark Knight
Spooner
From the US
A very long read on the situation in Ukraine . Written by a chap with an impressive looking C.V. A view without the ‘Comical Ali’ that so often seeps into MSM reporting.
Forgot to mention. It is in French ! So you’ll need to use Google translate or some such. Orrrrrrrr you could use it as a test of your French language skills 🙂
THE MILITARY SITUATION IN UKRAINE
JACQUES BAUD
PART ONE: ON THE ROAD TO WAR
PART TWO: THE WAR
PART THREE: CONCLUSIONS
https://cf2r.org/documentation/la-situation-militaire-en-ukraine/
I read it and am thinking about the points he makes. I am always willing to look at the other side of the argument. I have a problem with the claim that the hospital was empty of patients and was a military base. it is hard to go past that footage of the injured pregnant woman carried out on stretchers and the report that she and her baby died.
friendlyjordies –
Seth Meyers –
Stephen Colbert –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Way better than watching QT
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23qt&src=typed_query&f=live
Another Liberal Liar –
Six-figure payout for Liberal frontbencher Alan Tudge’s ex-mistress, Rachelle Miller
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/sixfigure-payout-for-liberal-frontbencher-alan-tudges-exmistress-rachelle-miller/news-story/9a23861a73f5b5f66064f5eeb98a8ef0
WHY do apparently sane people keep on voting for these grubs?
“Living with it” = pollie speak for “I don’t hold a hose mate , you’re on your own.”
Scovid will try every dirty trick in the book to stay in power, including this –
WHACK !! Take that Bullshit man. The start of Senator Fierravanti-Wells’ farewell speech
.
Given the events and outcomes of the dodgy preselection where I lost by a handful of votes last Saturday, my time in this place will finish on 30 June 2022. Accordingly, there are a few matters I wish to place on the record before my departure. Many in this place would be aware of the history I have had with Scott Morrison. Let me give some clarity and context to that history so there can be no misunderstanding. In order to understand the man it is best to look at his past actions. While professing to be a man of faith and claiming centre right stats status Morrison is a product of the left, having worked for Bruce Baird. He is adept at running with the foxes and hunting with the hounds, lacking the moral compass and having no conscience. His actions conflict with his portrayal as a man of faith. He has used his so-called faith as a marketing advantage. We learnt the leader of his Hillsong church group Brian Houston was a mentor to Morrison. Houston recently stood down as head of Hillsong because he was charged with sexual offences. It is noteworthy that in the past Houston flew top cover for his pedophile father.
When Morrison worked for Tourism Australia he back stabbed his minister, Fran Bailey, eventually he was fired from the position. A state director of the New South Wales division of the Liberal Party, Morrison honed his manipulative skills when overseeing the Wentworth preselection to unseat Peter King. About 120 membership applications were rejected to help Turnbull get selected, the person Morrison ultimately back stabbed.
Morrison might profess to be Christian but there was nothing Christian about what was done to Michael Toke. When Morrison made his run for the seat of Coo there was several hopefuls, including Toke, Fletcher and Coleman. Toke won the ballot on the first round with 84 votes. Morrison got eight votes. Having lost the ballot, Morrison and his cronies went to Sam Dastyari to get dirt on Toke who had been in the Labor Party for a period of time whilst at university. This dossier of anecdotes was weaponised and leaked to the media to the point where Toke’s reputation was destroyed. I am advised that there are several statutory declarations to attest to racial comments made by Morrison at the time that we can’t have a Lebanese person in Cook. The state executive voted 12 to 11 not to endorse Toke and ordered a modified selection process. The only way that Toke could get political exoneration for a future run was to agree to put his numbers behind Morrison. Morrison met with David Clark and I and promised various things, of course he took our votes and never delivered. After the selection Toke joined my staff. He subsequently also sued the newspapers for defamation. He won his cases but this was cold comfort. Morrison, his cronies and the Liberal establishment in New South Wales had destroyed a good young man. I regret the day that Clark and I agreed to put Morrison into Cook. Since then Morrison has never faced a preselection. Hence the trampling of members’ rights in New South Wales and denying them proper pre-selections and installing captain’s picks is classic Morrison.
“When thieves fall out, honest men come by their own.”
Here’s hoping!
James O’Brien with an excellent vivisection of a rwnj –
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. We have a Budget Blockbuster today!
David Crowe distils this from the budget. “Voters will be offered $8.6 billion in payments, tax rebates and cuts to fuel excise in a wave of budget outlays timed to start during the federal election campaign, delaying budget repair in the hope of shoring up support for the Coalition.”
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/put-it-on-the-tab-coalition-splashes-8-6b-on-pitch-to-voters-20220322-p5a6x6.html
A stinging Peter Hartcher proclaims that Frydenberg is delivering the biggest load of debt in modern history. He cynically pulls the budget apart.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-tinkerbell-budget-clap-if-you-believe-it-makes-sense-20220324-p5a7n3.html
It is hard to think of a recent federal budget where the largesse has been so transitory, and the outlook so full of potentially bad news, writes Laura Tingle.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/a-fistful-of-transitory-largesse-20220329-p5a8zp
Paul Kelly describes the federal budget as a balanced package targeted at voters. Of course.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/federal-budget-balanced-package-targeted-at-voters/news-story/227295ee4bc6f95b774c4c21b6cea2f1
A rather turgid evaluation of the budget here from Phil Coorey.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/pm-s-audacious-8-6b-election-bid-20220329-p5a8zz
The Treasurer is stretching credulity in his claim that generous tax breaks for small businesses will build a ‘stronger and more productive economy’, writes Karen Maley.
https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/frydenberg-s-small-business-sleight-of-hand-20220329-p5a90s
And Dennis Shanahan says that Josh Frydenberg has given the Coalition a shot at an election win. Of course.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/federal-budget-2022-treasurer-josh-frydenberg-gives-coalition-a-shot-at-election-win/news-story/0f6b342cc0d8f412f10d9ea9921961b0
Tony Wright brands the budget as “SeatKeeper”.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/seatkeeper-a-treasurer-s-plan-for-a-dire-time-in-the-polls-20220324-p5a7n2.html
The AFR’s editorial says we have a petrol-fuelled election budget that lacks reform and repair ambition. It says whoever wins the election is going to have to confront the challenge of restoring Australia’s public finances honestly and openly.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/petrol-fuelled-election-budget-that-lacks-reform-and-repair-ambition-20220324-p5a7h4
At this gravest of times the Coalition has served up an election budget designed simply to keep itself in power, writes Katherine Murphy.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/29/australia-federal-budget-2022-election-scott-morrison-josh-frydenberg
Ross Gittins says this budget is more about moving the budgetary deckchairs between years than significantly changing the government’s finances. He points out that much of what Frydenberg has promised id based upon optimistic forecasts and the removal next year of an existing $1080 taxation offset. His conclusion is, “This budget is not as fiscally responsible as the government would like you to believe when it’s claiming to be the party of good economic management, but nor is it as fiscally irresponsible as it would like you to believe when it is claiming to have fixed your problem with the cost of living.”
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/sleight-of-hand-frydenberg-s-disappearing-cash-trick-20220323-p5a78k.html
Michelle Grattan says, “If money talks, the government has the megaphone out”.
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-if-money-talks-the-government-has-the-megaphone-out-180121
Greg Jericho trots out six graphs that reveal the sugar-hit election strategy..
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/grogonomics/2022/mar/29/australia-federal-budget-2022-six-graphs-you-need-to-see-greg-jericho
Josh Frydenberg’s budget is an extraordinary turnaround – but leaves a $40 billion problem, explains Richard Holden.
https://theconversation.com/josh-frydenbergs-budget-is-an-extraordinary-turnaround-but-leaves-a-40-billion-problem-180123
The federal government is splashing more than $7bn into rural areas across the country – but regional South Australians won’t see a cent. The Adelaide Advertiser tells us why.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/federal-budget-2022-sa-misses-out-in-71bn-regional-spending-spree/news-story/6e03db1c60d0c0caffef7277f2494d61?amp
Australia’s budget is banking on wages outpacing inflation and interest rates, but not by too much, writes Peter Hannam.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/29/australia-federal-budget-2022-economy-cost-of-living-petrol-fuel-excise-australia
Health budget 2022 spends a little on favoured interest groups but misses a chance for real reform, laments Stephen Duckett.
https://theconversation.com/health-budget-2022-spends-a-little-on-favoured-interest-groups-but-misses-a-chance-for-real-reform-179835
Alan Austin writes that the Coalition will say anything to gain your votes and since it’s Federal Budget day, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the lies told leading up to the 2019 Election.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/flashback-2019-top-ten-budget-deceptions-brought-to-you-by-treasurer-josh-frydenberg,16203
Great economic managers need a budget that looks past preening and self-interest, opines Jessica Mizrahi.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/29/if-the-coalition-wants-to-be-great-economic-managers-theyll-need-a-budget-that-looks-past-preening-and-self-interest
The bill for winning over the National Party’s support for net zero emissions by 2050 is anywhere from $17 billion to $34 billion over the coming decade. In reality, it is probably far, far higher, writes Jacob Greber.
https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/the-mega-cost-of-getting-barnaby-joyce-to-back-net-zero-20220329-p5a93f
The SMH editorial declares that the best that can be said of the spending measures is that they are fairly modest compared to some past pre-election giveaways.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/tough-decisions-avoided-in-pre-election-vote-buying-20220324-p5a7nb.html
Adam Morton tells us that budget papers show Morrison government plans to cut climate spending if it wins the election. He says the reduction in spending across clean energy agencies represents a 35% annual cut over four years
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/29/australia-federal-budget-2022-climate-environment-morrison-government-coalition-great-barrier-reef-angus-taylor
The federal government’s budget would have us believe that the cost of living is a sudden problem because of higher oil prices. But the real reason people are feeling the pinch is because their real wages are going backwards, writes Alison Pennington.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2022/03/30/federal-budget-2022-alison-pennington/
Despite the federal budget’s focus on cost of living measures, the typical working Australian will still be $50 a week worse off. This is before a hidden tax increase that will leave low and middle-income earners, who are facing a tidal wave of extra costs, $30 worse off in the next financial year. Callum Foote reports.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/budget-hides-a-30-a-week-tax-increase-for-most-australians/
The Coalition’s latest environmental fraud supported by Murdoch Media again. “No surprise there!”, writes Jeremey Webb.
https://johnmenadue.com/jeremy-webb-australias-latest-environmental-fraud/
“They simply have a plan to keep wages low. They always have.”, says John Lord.
https://theaimn.com/they-simply-have-a-plan-to-keep-wages-low-they-always-have/
According to Alan Kohler, the real story of the budget is that Treasury got the pandemic wrong.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2022/03/30/budget-treasury-pandemic-wrong-alan-kohler/
“Why isn’t our “strong economy” benefitting workers?”, asks Kaye Lee.
https://theaimn.com/why-isnt-our-strong-economy-benefitting-workers/
Australians are being urged to review their health insurance cover as insurers prepare to pass on higher prices to consumers – adding to the building pressure on household budgets. Private health insurance premiums will rise by $125 on average in 2022, or 2.7 per cent, according to the latest Health Department data, reports Matthew Elmas.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/consumer/2022/03/28/health-insurance-prices/
New governments should hit the ground running, even as they are exhausted by the election campaign, and nearly three dreary years of disaster and pandemic, writes Jack Waterford. He says Labor should look busy immediately. It should begin detailed work on its integrity commission – starting by throwing out the accumulated wisdom (or “learnings”) on the subject in the Attorney-General’s department, whose fundamental opposition to it was not merely in obedience to government whim but of its own instinct and dislike of being open to account.
https://johnmenadue.com/some-urgent-tasks-for-a-new-government/
Bob McMullan outlines the key lessons from the South Australian election. He says he first federal election lesson he would draw from the recent South Australian election is: “the polls got it right”. This combined with the significant differential in the performance of female candidates in the election could have a profound impact on the forthcoming federal election.
https://johnmenadue.com/the-key-lessons-from-the-south-australian-election/
Connie Fierravanti-Wells has let fly a magnificent spit at Morrison. Her character assessment of him is a cracker!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/morrison-a-bully-who-s-not-fit-to-be-pm-outgoing-liberal-senator-says-20220329-p5a96a.html
This outburst came on the day that Morrison encouraged unity within the Coalition in the last joint party room meeting before the election is called.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pm-calls-for-coalition-unity-ahead-of-election-20220329-p5a91c.html
Christian Porter has blamed the end of his political career on the actions of a “mob”, telling Parliament in his farewell speech that although he did not regret his time in politics he would not wish the experiences he faced on anybody.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/porter-lashes-china-takes-parting-shot-at-the-mob-in-final-speech-to-parliament-20220329-p5a907.html
NSW’s Cities and Infrastructure Minister Rob Stokes questioned whether the “illusory and ephemeral benefits” of casinos were worth the harm they inflicted on the community, write Lucy Cormack and Tom Rabe. His comments came amid a royal commission-style inquiry into casino giant Star, which has heard evidence of its failure to stop money laundering and organised crime risks in its casinos.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/cesspit-of-dishonesty-senior-nsw-minister-questions-future-of-casinos-20220329-p5a90z.html
Patrick Hatch reports that the Star Entertainment Group allegedly encouraged wealthy Chinese customers to deposit tens of millions of dollars in cash into a Macau bank account owned by a “junket” operator because its own bank would not touch the funds.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/a-bit-dodgy-star-moved-76m-through-back-channel-after-banks-shut-account-20220329-p5a926.html
The Star chairman O’Neill has two choices. Neither will be easy, explains Elizabeth Knight. She says the board must also appreciate its culpability is being adjudicated twice – first by Adam Bell who helms the inquiry and will make findings and also by Star’s shareholders who will act as a second jury.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/star-chairman-o-neill-has-two-choices-neither-will-be-easy-20220329-p5a90t.html
Four inquiries into Australia’s big casino operators have revealed a business model that benefits from money laundering, tax evasion, criminal infiltration, exploitation of vulnerable gamblers, and deliberate breaches of gambling legislation and regulation. Poor regulatory systems, lack of political support and resources for regulators, and complacent enforcement, have allowed this, writes gambling researcher Charles Livingstone.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/not-dissimilar-to-any-rsl-the-future-for-star-crown-is-downmarket-20220329-p5a8yh.html
Michaela Whitbourn writes that the three newspapers being sued for defamation by war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith say the evidence of a former soldier dubbed Person 66 may be a key to winning the case, as a Federal Court judge considers whether to compel the man to testify about an alleged murder. We will know what he rules early this afternoon.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/ex-sas-soldier-s-testimony-may-be-a-path-to-victory-for-media-in-roberts-smith-case-court-told-20220329-p5a8z5.html
A senior Ambulance Victoria executive has resigned from the organisation two days before the release of a second human rights report into the service’s workplace culture. The Age reveals that the resignation of director of people and culture Rebecca Hodges was confirmed on Tuesday four days after the secretary of the ambulance union wrote to Ambulance Victoria chair Ken Lay demanding she be sacked.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/ambulance-exec-quits-after-calls-for-sacking-over-service-s-harmful-culture-20220329-p5a90i.html
Ben Smee reports that the Brisbane religious school, Citipointe Christian college, restricted its school counsellors from providing any support to students on matters of sexuality or gender identity last month, amid uproar about new “discriminatory” enrolment contracts.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/30/citipointe-christian-college-principal-blamed-state-government-for-schools-policy-on-transgender-children
Robert Reich tells us why Putin, Trump, Tucker Carlson and the Republican party sound so alike.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/29/putin-trump-tucker-carlson-republican-party
The attorney general of New York state is asking an appeals court to uphold a lower-court ruling requiring Donald Trump to answer questions under oath, after a civil investigation uncovered evidence he may have misstated the value of assets like golf courses and skyscrapers on financial statements for more than a decade.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/mar/29/donald-trump-new-york-appeal-questions-under-oath
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address a rare joint sitting of federal Parliament tomorrow in a move to thank Australia for its support after the Russian invasion of his country.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-to-address-parliament-20220329-p5a95z.html
Ukrainian strategic thinking has so far outmanoeuvred Putin’s war machine. With massive amounts of military, diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian aid, Ukraine could even win this war, explains military strategist Mick Ryan.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/ukraine-s-defence-strategy-is-masterful-and-may-yet-deliver-a-victory-20220328-p5a8qf.html
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas should resign after it emerged that his wife had pressed the Trump White House in text messages to try to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/grounds-for-impeachment-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-calls-on-supreme-court-justice-clarence-thomas-to-resign-20220330-p5a96x.html
The House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol is reportedly looking at a “possible cover-up” of White House records focusing on Donald Trump’s phone logs from that fateful day, which bear an unexplained gap of seven hours and 37 minutes covering the period when the violence was unfolding. Lock him up!
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/mar/29/trump-phone-logs-capitol-attack-january-6
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
David Pope
Matt Golding
https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_1680/t_resize_width/q_62%2Cf_auto/1b4498feed8ec7d6c87ef071028d8b9452f1f07c.pg
Cathy Wilcox
Fiona Katauskas
Peter Broelman
Mark David
Joe Benke
John Shakespeare
Leak
From the US
Not sure if already posted
here is Senator Concetta Ferientes-Wells valedictory speech
She really let fly!
And would be all over the front pages for days ………………….. if it were about a Labor PM
I have absolutely no interest in this budget or in reading the millions of words written about it.
Why?
Because it just doesn’t matter.
If this government by some fluke wins the election any promises made will go in the bin, as will all the billions for infrastructure.
This budget will be irrelevant by the end of May no matter who wins the election.
Well done Pat Kervslas. Just heard her talking to Josh on the radio. She picked him up of the wage forecast. She asked why workers should believe such a forecast as 52* of the last 55 have been wRONg.
*Might have been 53.
Referring to Senator Concetta Ferientes-Wells’ valedictory speech –
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Scotty hitting the Big Time. getting himself mentioned in the NYT comments section. But not in a good way. Comments relate to this story.
.
The first ‘Morrison comments’.
Six days ago
Climate change spat splits Lismore council in flood aftermath
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/23/climate-change-spat-splits-lismore-council-in-flood-aftermath
6 hours ago.
Lismore residents ordered to evacuate again as levee overtops.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/30/lismore-residents-ordered-to-evacuate-homes-again-as-flood-waters-threaten-town
I wonder if they get the message this time ?
Things are dire when Scovid is scared of Leigh Sales
Brave Sir Robin
PRGuy
@PRGuy17
·
25m
BREAKING: Scott Morrison has pulled out of his scheduled #abc730 interview with Leigh Sales tonight, following Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells explosive statement in the senate, where she described her leader as a racist bully who is unfit to be Prime Minister. #auspol
PRGuy
@PRGuy17
Some unfriendly questions at the NPC for the baby treasurer: Laura Tingle! Mark Riley, Andrew Probyn, Andrew Clennell …
He’s lost his cool.
Recommended
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23qt&src=typed_query&f=live
The NBN is being upgraded so my Boost mobile phone plan, which runs on Telstra network has been able to connect to internet since 23 March.
After spending 4 hours texting Boost support and phoning Help line I have been told to buy another Sim and been told NBN works should be complete by 7 April. This has affected my service on south coast NSW & Melbourne
Thanks Turnbull
So when will Scovid call the election?
There was speculation on Twitter that he would call it tomorrow morning or even tonight, to rob Albo of his budget reply, but as Zelensky will address parliament tomorrow evening that won’t happen.
Maybe Friday? At the weekend? When parliament has finished sitting on 14 April?
If he hangs on until the last possible election date – 21 March – as seems likely, the last possible day to go to the GG is 18 April. That leaves us with a minimum campaign, which is a good thing.
He is running out of options, as the chart thingy shows here –
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2021/December/Timing_for_the_2022_federal_election
Of course he could go for the so-called “nuclear” option and just call a Senate election, delaying the Reps until 3 September, the last possible day in the vain hope something will happen to save him.
The more desperate to retain power he becomes the more that option must appeal to him, even though it would be political suicide.
Antony Green assures us this will never happen, based on the argument no Australian PM has ever done this, but he has never seen such a desperate loon as PM before. None of us have.
https://antonygreen.com.au/why-the-2022-house-and-senate-elections-will-be-held-on-the-same-day/
Now Hanson is claiming to have been bullied by Scovid!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2022/mar/30/australia-news-live-blog-federal-budget-josh-frydenberg-scott-morrison-nsw-victoria-qld-weather-floods-covid-coronavirus
It would be a very brave man, or a very stupid one, who would dare to try bullying that harridan.
Might be a bit of “Look at me!” from her.
That was my first thought.
Morrison has such a low opinion of women he doesn’t even know he is bullying them
He has probably bullied every woman who has come into his orbit, except maybe the Queen
Labor tried to warn us three years ago, but the ever-adoring media labelled it “Mediscare”
Now we pay over $400 for an MRI and an autism diagnosis costs even more.
Stephen Colbert –
Chris Hayes –
Jimmy Kimmel –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Morrison has such a low opinion of women he doesn’t even know he is bullying them
He has probably bullied every woman who has come into his orbit, except maybe the Queen
The list of men he has bullied would also be long. As would the list of those he has betrayed and or stabbed in the back. His score for psychopathic and narcissism traits would be shockers.
Thank goodness someone – NOT an MSM journalist – has finally mentioned the demise of the LAMITO.
This offset (or whatever) has been around for years, but to Scovid and Fraudenberg it’s just another benefit most Australian wage-earners can do without. But they gave most of them a few crumbs, which they will not get in their bank accounts until after they lodge their tax returns. Aren’t they so generous!
Fiona,
This is well-written and relevent post. I dread the trauma and PTSDthe children of Ukraine will suffer in the future. I am also thinking of the 2000 approx Ukrainians including 800 kids forcibly taken to Russia.
Also the first reports of rapes of Ukrainian women, often elderly, and teenagers by Russian troops are coming in, all horrific.
This is a really great thread with lots of links to prove points.
Nihilism.
Can Pentecostals be nihilists?
F.M –
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/30/how-good-is-being-prime-minster-its-one-of-the-main-themes-of-the-budget-along-with-making-climate-change-worse
At least we now know which shops to avoid – anything affiliated with the Master Grocers Association,
Damn it. I shop at IGA to keep away from Coleworths. Maybe a strong email is in order.
So do I – some of the time. I alternate between them, Coles and Woolies, depending on what I need. Some places have items the others don’t have available for delivery.
There is an app for everything. In Ukraine, there is an app that goes red when the air-raid siren sounds for an income raid, and green when the siren sounds for the end of the raid. I do not know whether to be impressed or distressed at such a surreal reaction to a 21st Century war.
Probably both.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. Yet another monster edition!
Voters may shun the brazen budget, but Albanese is not over the line, writes Niki Savva.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/voters-may-shun-brazen-budget-but-albanese-is-not-over-the-line-20220330-p5a9ft.html
Michael Koziol reports that John Howard has said Scott Morrison’s internal Coalition critics are “consumed” by personal grievances but agreed that Liberal Party members should choose their candidates, amid fury over how the Prime Minister and his allies have controlled preselections for the coming election.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/critics-of-forceful-morrison-consumed-by-personal-grievances-howard-20220330-p5a9d9.html
The amazing thing about the 2022 budget is how clearly it reveals the government’s death throes. Writes Greg Jericho. He concludes by saying perhaps this budget really has answered the question of who the government is – one that rushes to put a Band-Aid over long-term problems like real wage stagnation and when it thinks about providing relief to low-middle income earners it favours people earning $120,000 rather than someone on a payment of just $16,710.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/31/the-amazing-thing-about-the-2022-budget-how-clearly-it-reveals-the-governments-death-throes
The budget’s dirty little secret is that we’re in trouble next year, declares Michael Pascoe who says this is a miserable budget, lacking integrity, conceived in cynicism, designed to help a political party, not the nation. Ouch!
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2022/03/31/budget-trouble-next-year-michael-pascoe/
Michael West tells us about the big budget bluff and how the Coalition conned its media allies and left 10m Australians in the lurch.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/big-budget-bluff-how-the-coalition-conned-its-media-allies-and-left-10m-australians-in-the-lurch/
The latest Roy Morgan Research Trust and Distrust quarterly report is bad news for Scott Morrison and the media, explains Noel Turnbull.
https://johnmenadue.com/the-lack-of-trust-in-morrison-and-the-media/
Calla Wahlquist reports that Scott Morrison has told renters that the best way the government can support them is to help them buy a home, in what housing experts have described as a “let them eat cake” moment. Empathy is not his strongest suit, is it?
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/30/scott-morrison-says-best-way-to-help-renters-is-to-help-them-buy-a-house-federal-budget
Both sides of politics talk about growing the pie to repair the public finances. But they don’t back it up with a pro-growth agenda, complains the AFR.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/policy-void-won-t-fix-the-budget-black-hole-20220329-p5a95h
Economists overwhelmingly believe the government’s proposed parental leave changes will not encourage more take up by fathers – and worse, they call it a backwards step for gender equality, reports Katina Curtis.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/paid-parental-leave-change-a-backward-step-that-will-leave-women-behind-say-economists-20220330-p5a97k.html
Rachel Clun identifies the tax time bombs set to go off after the election.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-tax-time-bombs-set-to-go-off-after-the-election-20220330-p5a989.html
Phil Coorey gives us more on the budget’s traps set for Labor.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/six-month-fuel-tax-cut-lays-a-trap-for-the-next-government-labor-20220330-p5a98g
David Solomon writes that cynicism is the order of the day, far more so than in any pre-election period in the past 50 years. It seems to be the prevailing mood of those who are reporting and recording the issues and events that dominate the federal election that will take place one Saturday in May.
https://johnmenadue.com/david-solomon-cynicism-rampant-in-this-election/
The PM dismisses criticism from his colleagues, saying leaders can’t be thin-skinned. He and Josh Frydenberg want voters to focus on their criticisms of Labor’s record while they sell the budget, writes Jennifer Hewett after another attack on the PM’s character by one of his own, at the worst time.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/another-attack-on-pm-s-character-by-one-of-his-own-at-the-worst-time-20220330-p5a9dj
Bond traders have ratcheted up the outlook for Reserve Bank cash rate hikes and the ASX’s consumer discretionary stocks rallied after the Morrison government delivered its pre-election budget, headlined by cash handouts and relief at the petrol pump.
https://www.afr.com/markets/currencies/government-cash-handouts-fuel-higher-rba-rate-path-20220330-p5a97v
John Lord says, “They simply have a plan to keep wages low. They always have.”
https://theaimn.com/they-simply-have-a-plan-to-keep-wages-low-they-always-have/
Michael Springer writes about the journey From “Back in Black” to a trillion in Debt.
https://theaimn.com/from-back-in-black-to-a-trillion-in-debt/
With all the new announcements in this week’s Federal Budget, long-term policies regarding the NBN have been forsaken, writes Paul Budde.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/budget-avoids-new-nbn-announcements,16210
The federal budget has put rising petrol bills at the centre of its “cost of living relief” package but the cost of housing, which is a much greater burden on the family budget, has not been given such a high profile, says the editorial in the SMH. It concludes with the dig, “if there is one thing Australia is not short of, it is speculative investment in property.”
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/budget-fails-to-address-high-housing-costs-20220330-p5a9gy.html
Despite the climate crisis, the budget does more for gas than it does for emissions, laments Nick O’Malley.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/despite-the-climate-crisis-the-budget-does-more-for-gas-than-emissions-20220330-p5a9g9.html
A new report commissioned by non-bank lender Plenti reveals the economics of electric vehicles are stacking up faster than expected, driving household power bills as low as $230 a year and paying off against internal combustion engines in 15 years when bundled with renewable power sources.
https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/evs-win-race-over-15-years-governments-can-t-see-it-20220329-p5a8wn
Ben Smee and Lisa Cox tell us that Barnaby Joyce has summarily abolished body set up to advise on major water projects after his dam announcements. This came after an expert member of the body, Stuart Khan, expressed concern, in letters to other members, that the government’s funding announcements to build dams had been made for “brazenly political purposes” and without the advisory body having been given an opportunity to consider the proposals.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/30/barnaby-joyce-abolishes-body-set-up-to-advise-on-major-water-projects-after-dam-announcements
Joe Biden is poised to invoke as soon as this week Cold War powers to encourage domestic production of critical minerals for electric-vehicle and other types of batteries, according to people familiar with the matter.
https://www.afr.com/markets/commodities/biden-poised-to-use-cold-war-powers-to-boost-battery-metals-20220331-p5a9jo
Meanwhile, a former senior government scientist has revealed he was gagged from publicly discussing the role Coalition policy played in contributing to global greenhouse emissions. Serving as a member of the Climate Change Authority and, until February this year as CSIRO’s chief scientist at the Climate Science Centre, Professor David Karoly said he held grave concerns over the independence of scientific advice provided to the federal government, and whether it was listened to.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7679421/hamstrung-renowned-scientist-alleges-govt-gag-on-climate/?cs=14329
Measures in the federal budget to assist people in the face of higher prices for food, petrol and other essentials probably won’t be nearly enough to seriously alleviate financial stress, with many households already struggling, explains John Collett who says higher mortgage costs will soon dwarf the budget benefits.
https://www.smh.com.au/money/planning-and-budgeting/higher-mortgage-costs-will-soon-dwarf-budget-benefits-20220329-p5a8yo.html
David Crowe discusses the campaign war chest worth $13.8 billion that will help fund a seat-by-seat battle for power at the election after the federal government set up dozens of funds in Tuesday’s budget to woo voters with promises that range from big energy projects to local community schemes.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-s-mystery-13-8-billion-campaign-war-chest-20220330-p5a9cy.html
The federal government has overlooked Victorians on two key spending initiatives, with a $7.1 billion regional investment fund controlled by Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce allocating nothing to the state, and billions promised in previous years for Melbourne infrastructure and urban development failing to materialise in the budget, explains The Age.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/coalition-snubs-victoria-in-7-billion-fund-for-regions-20220330-p5a9a3.html
We might be $30 billion better off than the budget forecast, but we should bank it, not spend it, implores ANZ’s head economist David Plank.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/we-might-be-30-billion-better-off-than-the-budget-forecast-but-we-should-bank-it-not-spend-it-20220330-p5a9b4.html
Angus Thompson writes about the retiring senator Sam McMahon saying the alleged bullying faced by Kimberley Kitching was not confined to Labor and should not be used as a partisan football. She also became the second Coalition-linked senator to deliver a veiled spray to the government during their farewell speech in as many days, following fiery comments by Liberal Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/partisan-football-second-retiring-coalition-senator-lashes-government-20220330-p5a9fz.html
Mark Kenny says two things are undeniable. There is a stunning consistency in the harsh assessments of the in-camera Morrison by people who have worked with him, had dealings up close. These are first-hand testimonies by Liberals and cannot be so easily brushed aside. And second, Morrison’s government has yet again promoted a less-experienced man over a more qualified woman. Whether this is tin-eared or ideological almost doesn’t matter. Voters are gaining a clearer picture of the man behind the marketing with each passing day.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7679870/the-words-may-differ-but-were-hearing-a-familiar-tune-about-scott-morrison/?cs=14329
And the Canberra Times’ editorial declares that Scott Morrison’s character is a legitimate election issue.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7680188/pms-character-now-faces-fresh-scrutiny/?cs=27763
The savage assessment of Scott Morrison by one of his nominal allies is like a bolt of lightning into the debate about whether the Prime Minister deserves another term in power, writes David Crowe.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/savage-assessment-of-morrison-a-bolt-of-lightning-for-election-campaign-20220330-p5a9ii.html
A Coalition government plan to downsize Services Australia will hit the welfare agency despite its role delivering financial support to people stricken by natural disasters and the pandemic, the main public sector union says. One in 10 employees at the agency, which oversees Centrelink, would lose their jobs if the Coalition is re-elected and cuts 2700 jobs under plans revealed in the federal budget.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7680158/union-blasts-plans-for-agencys-public-service-staff-cuts/?cs=14329
Alexandra Smith writes about the retiring ministers who’ll become Perrottet’s headache.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-retiring-ministers-who-ll-become-perrottet-s-headache-20220330-p5a9b3.html
Michaela Whitbourn tells us that a Federal Court judge has declined to order a former elite soldier to give evidence about whether war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith directed him to shoot an Afghan prisoner, after the man objected to answering questions because his testimony might incriminate him in an alleged murder.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/judge-will-not-compel-ex-sas-soldier-to-give-evidence-about-alleged-murder-20220330-p5a9dy.html
The NSW gaming regulator is still blocked from The Star’s poker machine data a year after it first sought access and despite it being able to monitor the rest of the state’s machines in pubs and clubs. The Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority has instead been forced to seek a daily report of transactions from the casino in lieu of direct access to a computer program which records cash funnelled through its poker machines, explains Lucy Cormack.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/casino-regulator-remains-blocked-from-the-star-s-pokies-data-20220330-p5a9dt.html
Hospital patients in NSW have been warned to expect disruption and delays when thousands of nurses walk off the job for 24 hours today.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nurses-midwives-from-161-hospitals-to-strike-for-24-hours-tomorrow-20220330-p5a99g.html
Dana Daniel reports that groundbreaking IVF technology aiming to prevent mitochondrial disease has been given the green light by the Senate, after a late-night conscience vote enacted new laws enabling the controversial procedure to be carried out in Australia.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/controversial-ivf-bill-passed-after-conscience-vote-20220330-p5a9jj.html
She also reports that the federal government’s aged care bill has passed the Senate with amendments forcing aged care homes to have a registered nurse on site at all times. This is all very well, but smaller providers will find this very expensive – if they can actually find one! The 24 hour requirement goes beyond the royal commission recommendation of 16 hours.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/aged-care-bill-passes-senate-after-amendment-to-require-24-7-nurses-20220330-p5a9jh.html
The seven-year tenure of Telstra’s outgoing CEO has seen over $20 billion wiped off its books, but Andy Penn will win plaudits for his reforms, writes Supratim Adhikari.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/penn-s-numbers-are-terrible-but-that-won-t-be-his-legacy-20220330-p5a98x.html
Elizabeth Knight tells us about Penn’s replacement, Vicki Brady.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/i-don-t-need-to-bang-the-table-brady-s-velvet-glove-smashes-glass-ceiling-at-telstra-20220330-p5a9cd.html
Donald Trump used an official White House phone to place at least one call during the Capitol attack on January 6 last year that should have been reflected in the internal presidential call log from that day but was not, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/mar/30/trump-used-white-house-phone-call-capitol-attack-jan-6-not-official-log
To make it look even worse, John Bolton, the former national security adviser, has revealed that he heard Donald Trump use the term “burner phones” several times and that they discussed how the disposable devices were deployed by people as a way of avoiding scrutiny of their calls.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/mar/30/trump-john-bolton-burner-phones-capitol-attack-january-6
In the last two weeks, Hillsong has lost nine of its sixteen American church campuses, a swift and stunning decline for one of the world’s largest and most influential evangelical churches. A house of cards!
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/the-lord-is-calling-us-to-move-hillsong-us-pastors-cut-church-ties-20220330-p5a9bh.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
David Pope
Andrew Dyson
Alan Moir
Matt Golding
Cathy Wilcox
Mark David
Fiona Katauskas
John Shakespeare
Mark Knight
Leak
From the US
If Niki Savva is right in saying Josh Fraudenberg is the most popular person in the government then that places the government in an extremely dire position. A chap who looks likely to lose his seat and has been “playing away” is “popular?
Who gets to make these decisions on who is “popular” or not? It all sounds like a bunch of high school girls to me.
I find some of the cooking tiktoks eryinteresting, especially those from non-anglo cultures, as well as ghe usual cute animals, political humour and the woodworking stuff. My feed has really narrow targets.
As the tiktoks are short I use them to fill in idle time, such as waiting to get called in to see the doctor. Youtube vids etc are too long for those situations.
Just before the budget Scovid struggled to count to eight and got it wrong – he seems to believe 3+4=8. A child in Year 1 could work that out, but not Scovid. No wonder this country is in such an economic mess after three budgets from him as treasurer.
His exact words were –
“The budgets that I’ve been involved in, and this will be my eighth. [A lot of emphasis on that “eighth.”] I did three budgets as a treasurer and this will be my fourth as a prime minister.”
It’s from a TikTok video, they don’t seem to work here.
I don’t know whether it works. Wanna play with it?
https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-embed-tiktok-videos-in-wordpress/
That is what I did, but it didn’t work. I’ve noticed other TikTok videos doing the same thing in other places – even when I have a TikTok tab open and I have logged in. Maybe it’s just my gear that doesn’t like that stuff. I wouldn’t blame it at all, TikTok is a horrible place full of absolute crap.
this made me chuckle ruefully…
The Ig Nobel Prizes honor achievements that make people LAUGH, then THINK.
In the Ig Informal Lectures, some days after the ceremony, the new Ig Nobel Prize winners attempt to explain what they did, and why they did it.
In Podcast Episode #1090, Marc Abrahams presents the 2021 Ig Nobel Prize for Economics winner Pavlo Blavatskyy. They received the prize for discovering that the obesity of a country’s politicians may be a good indicator of that country’s corruption.
https://improbable.com/2022/03/17/podcast-episode-1090-obesity-of-politicians-corruption-in-countries/
Well Scovid is certainly overweight and corrupt, so he proves that theory.
The Concetta saga isn’t over yet