Last night, Federal Labor has upended the electoral standard that governments do not win by-elections from the opposition. Of course, there has been state by-elections in that time that have gone against that, such as Burwood, the seat of former Victorian Liberal Premier, Jeff Kennett, and Benalla, the seat of former Victorian National Deputy Premier, Pat McNamara, but these are exceptions to the norm.
The key result is that Victorian voters in the seat of Aston are liking what they see in the Albanese government enough for them to vote for a candidate from the Government party over the candidate from the Opposition party, in which they had previously voted for in the Federal election only 10 months ago.
The ramifications of this is that the Coalition is in shambles. The swing against the Liberals in this by-election is currently around 6%, leaving the result for Aston at about 53-47 to Labor. Not bad for a seat not won by them since 1987.
So then, who is responsible for that? The hard right factions would pin it on the moderate liberals. The moderate liberal factions would pin it on the hard right. The chances of these factions coming to a mutual agreement on this, I think, is zero.
This by-election has simply broadened the gap between the hard right and moderate right of the Liberal parties of Australia. And the next few years will be very “interesting” indeed for them.
Let’s take a look at the electoral history chart for Aston and see just how reliable it was for the Liberals until yesterday.
A hearty congratulations for Mary Doyle, the new Labor MP for Aston, and of course the vast team that supported her. A victory for a great suburban Melbourne mum who put her hand up to bring betterment to her constituents. The Light on the Hill shines brightly over Australia.
THE PUB 
Opinion is more “legal” than advice.
Was there any/much divergence between the “advice’ and the “opinion’ ?
Dutton and the Leftovers would really, really like to know.
Fat chance!
For teh layman what is the difference between “advice” and “opinion” ?
I don’t know about legally but (GIYF)
https://rightpropertygroup.com.au/opinion-or-advice-be-careful-which-you-are-getting/
This is better
https://www.dlapiper.com/en/insights/publications/2021/12/legal-opinions-and-when-to-use-them
Seems the Noaltion still wants to know about the advice (I should think that the opinion is more important than the advice but, then, that’s just me)
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2023/apr/21/australia-news-live-renewables-superpower-clean-energy-summit-jim-chalmers-nsw-liberals-leadership-indigenous-voice-cost-of-living-interest-rates-drug-reform#top-of-blog
friendlyjordies –
Stephen Colbert –
Chris Hayes –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Lawrence O’Donnell –
Has twitter gone paywall?
Let Mr Musk explain it ………..
The first of three tweets really putting the boot into Murdoch and his father –
The government could give this a nudge https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/Mediadiversity/Report
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. Super Saturday is back!
The building blocks for a new Labor model, which updates some parts of the Hawke-Keating policy structure and discards others, came into clearer view this week on economic management, foreign policy and the Voice, writes George Megalogenis who says each piece contains an existential question for Australia that will shape how Anthony Albanese’s government is seen by history, however long it holds office.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labor-has-the-building-blocks-time-for-the-tetris-20230420-p5d1ym.html
About the other side of the political fence, Peter Hartcher says that the Liberal Party is dying, and Dutton can’t even diagnose the disease. This is in the “ouch!” category.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-liberal-party-is-dying-and-dutton-can-t-even-diagnose-the-disease-20230420-p5d1yk.html
Something truly bizarre is happening in the federal Coalition under the leadership of putative Liberal Peter Dutton. With him in charge, the conservative parties have embarked on a cunning plan to abandon metropolitan voters in favour of rural and regional ones, writes Paul Bongiorno who says Dutton is handing the Coalition to the Nationals.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2023/04/22/dutton-hands-coalition-nationals
Conservatives banking on electoral success off the back of worsening economic conditions need to rethink their assumptions. There are no such guarantees. In fact, without a change of attitude on the imperative of major reforms, why would voters turn to the current opposition in times of economic crisis? They are more likely to stick with the devil they know, the incumbent Labor Party, writes Peter van Onselen who says the Coalition can’t just expect to coast back into office.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/coalition-cant-expect-to-coast-back-into-office/news-story/04a00aaec795509e98dbac9a4c73fe0d?amp
Labor pours cold water on increasing jobseeker – leaving progressive voters scratching their heads, writes Paul Karp.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/22/labor-pours-cold-water-on-increasing-jobseeker-leaving-progressive-voters-scratching-their-heads
Michael McGowan tells us that the NSW Liberals’ new leader Mark Speakman has identified the need to win back young people, women and culturally diverse communities as key to the party’s future success, saying it needed to catch up with “modern issues” to return to power. Fair enough.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/mark-speakman-elected-new-nsw-liberal-leader-20230421-p5d26t.html
Peter Dutton claims his position on the Voice is informed by Indigenous communities, but those he names say they are being misquoted or that he refused to meet with them, writes Rick Morton.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2023/04/22/dutton-refuses-identify-elders-he-met-over-the-voice
According to Angus Thompson, former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott has been enlisted by moderate Liberal MP Jenny Ware to debate the Voice at a community forum to help her decide what position she will take. Joe Hildebrand, also.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/undecided-liberal-mp-enlists-abbott-and-hildebrand-to-debate-voice-20230421-p5d2b9.html
Those who have argued there are legal problems with the Voice have failed. Now it’s about the politics, writes the AFR’s legal editor Michael Pelly who says those who have argued there are legal problems with the Voice have failed. Now it’s about the politics. He concludes with, “The problem for the No vote is that those who have tried to argue there are legal problems with the Voice have failed. They will have to try some political scaremongering instead.”
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/donaghue-shows-legal-case-against-voice-is-nonsense-20230421-p5d2bz
Josh Butler says that the Coalition is still accusing the Albanese government of a “lack of transparency” on the Indigenous voice referendum, despite the release of advice from the nation’s top legal adviser.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/21/indigenous-voice-coalition-digs-in-on-lack-of-transparency-claim-despite-labor-releasing-legal-advice
Australia’s solicitor general says the Indigenous voice to parliament would not clog up the courts or slow down government decision-making through its power to advise the executive government, rebuffing a central claim of critics and the Coalition for opposing the body. Anthony Albanese has described criticisms of the proposal as “absolute nonsense” and “complete falsehoods”, challenging the Coalition to support the voice. “The solicitor general’s advice makes it very clear that it is legally sound,” Albanese said.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/21/pm-says-solicitor-generals-advice-on-indigenous-voice-refutes-absolute-nonsense-from-dutton-and-joyce
Aboriginal child protection systems prioritise keeping kids safe. Claims to the contrary are offensive says the commissioner of the Queensland Family and Child Commission, Natalie Lewis.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/22/aboriginal-child-protection-systems-prioritise-keeping-kids-safe-claims-to-the-contrary-are-offensive
The ACCC will force banks to come clean on passing on interest rates using its compulsory information powers, as it seeks to shed light on how rates are set on deposits and bolster competition in the banking sector. Millie Muroi takes us through the discussion paper released by the competition watchdog yesterday.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/accc-to-use-compulsory-information-powers-to-probe-banks-on-deposits-20230421-p5d2c5.html
Phil Coorey tells us about the fight to save an NDIS that’s gone off the rails.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/the-triumph-of-hope-over-reality-20230420-p5d20v
Aged care is perhaps the most conspicuous example of the ultimate costs and disruption of policy neglect. Successive governments have uttered near-endless platitudes and generalities about their intention to deal effectively with our ageing population, promising to provide quality aged care along with all sorts of respect, support and sustainability. Basically, they just never quite get around to it, says John Hewson.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2023/04/22/aged-care-should-not-weary-them
Plans to spend up to $30 billion on new tank-like vehicles for the army will be slashed to free up funds for long-range strike missiles, cybersecurity and nuclear-powered submarines under a sweeping overhaul of the Australian Defence Force, writes Matthew Knott who tells us that the government will on Monday release a declassified version of its defence strategic review, designed to restructure the nation’s military for security threats such as a possible war with China.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/army-vehicles-get-the-chop-as-government-frees-up-money-for-aukus-20230421-p5d2do.html
The Defence Strategic Review, to be released on Monday, has found that in the twilight years of the former government, $42bn worth of key defence projects were pledged for the upcoming decade without any allocation in the budget.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/breaking-news/defence-strategic-review-to-call-for-cost-prioritisation-after-morrison-government-overpromised-42bn-in-projects/news-story/6eeddf1a22bb8187ffc375d2f2ace3bd
More and more office buildings have large vacancies, but Australia’s landlords aren’t budging on pricing or their plans to build even more skyscrapers, writes Sarah Danckert who describes Australia’s perfect storm of a type that has already resulted in US office landlords handing back the keys to their bankers and the sector awaiting a “tsunami” of refinancing in the US – estimated at $1.5 trillion ($2.24 trillion) – that could put even more pressure on the already strained sector as banks reissue the loans at much higher interest rates. Their values are expected to fall as much as 40 per cent, according to Bloomberg.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/commercial-cannibals-the-landlords-eating-themselves-alive-20230419-p5d1qy.html
Work on more than 700 Victoria homes has been halted after another construction company went into administration in another blow to the state’s struggling building industry. The Age reports that Mahercorp announced late yesterday that it had entered voluntary administration and building works would cease for more than a month while administrators consider restructuring the business.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/mahercorp-enters-administration-halting-more-than-700-home-builds-20230421-p5d2ff.html
Despite a report recommending the Victorian government return all custodial healthcare to the public sector, it has signed a $33 million deal to outsource men’s services to a controversial US-based private prison operator linked to the former provider. Denham Sadler lays it out for us.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/health/2023/04/22/controversial-prison-health-contractor-back-business
Richard Denniss reckons there are some flaws in the RBA review.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2023/04/21/flaws-the-rba-review
At the heart of the much-heralded review of the Reserve Bank of Australia is a fallacy: That the Australian economy can be fine-tuned by tweaking interest rates up or down. And that is built on a bigger lie, says Micheal Pascoe. That it is all the RBA’s fault our economy was weaker than it should have been before COVID and roared back to life quicker than expected as the emergency receded.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/04/22/michael-pascoe-rba-review/
The world has evolved, and that’s why the RBA should too, writes Madonna King.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/04/21/rba-changes-madonna-king/
The Coalition and Greens are uniting to push for changes to give Victoria’s peak anti-corruption agency more teeth after its latest expose of improper conduct inside the Andrews government. Opposition Leader John Pesutto on Friday declared integrity the most important issue facing a Victorian parliament dominated by a third-term Labor government.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/opposition-greens-in-push-to-beef-up-ibac-after-operation-daintree-20230421-p5d2eb.html
It’s Saturday, time for yet another Gerard Henderson whine about the ABC.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/whats-wrong-with-mentioning-abc-is-funded-by-us/news-story/90086c84d7606f13d4c6126092881c1c?amp
Hours before Lachlan Murdoch dropped his defamation case against Crikey, the ABC dropped its own reaction to Fox News and Dominion reaching a $787.5m settlement over US election lies, writes Amanda Reade in her weekly media round-up in which she says the ABC thumbs its nose at News Corp and ACMA with rerun of Fox and the Big Lie – not to mention gear old Gerard.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/commentisfree/2023/apr/21/abc-thumbs-its-nose-at-news-corp-and-acma-with-rerun-of-fox-and-the-big-lie
Pharmacists have warned that millions of Australians face extreme medicine shortages and months-long wait times under pre-budget moves by the Albanese government to double the amount of medicines Australians can purchase from July 1.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/pharmacists-warn-pbs-changes-risk-medicines-shortage/news-story/39bf3b592f09278d0cb785ee2158ea29?amp
Lucy Hamilton writes that the abolition of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal is a crucial part of Attorney General Mark Dreyfus KC’s integrity platform. In the last decade of Coalition governments, it had become overwhelmed by partisan appointments, creating a bedlam of incompetence and politically-motivated decisions.
https://johnmenadue.com/the-aat-abolishing-a-system-of-indefinite-torment/
The chief prosecutor in Bruce Lehrmann’s rape trial was “complicit” in a bid by Brittany Higgins to prejudice the case against him, according to an extraordinary draft submission to the ACT Supreme Court prepared by Sydney barrister Arthur Moses SC.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/dpp-complicit-with-brittany-higgins-bruce-lehrmanns- lawyer-claims/news-story/7b6fd82cab9641908bf5b60b2741dcff?amp
Before public hearings have begun, the inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann is already at odds with ACT police over the release of subpoenaed records, explains Karen Middleton in quite a detailed examination.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/law-crime/2023/04/22/tensions-with-police-emerge-lehrmann-inquiry
Clancy Yeates argues why we shouldn’t return to ultra-low interest rates. He says that it’s now pretty clear that in their moves to shield the world economy from the coronavirus threat, by taking interest rates to zero and launching ‘unconventional’ stimulus policies, the central bankers overdid it.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/why-we-shouldn-t-return-to-ultra-low-interest-rates-20230420-p5d1xf.html
Australia will get a “sugar hit” of new electric vehicles even before the Albanese government’s new fuel efficiency standards are introduced next year, the Electric Vehicle Council says.
https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/sugar-hit-of-cheaper-evs-to-reach-australia-soon-20230421-p5d2a2
Australia’s new electric vehicle policy, released this week, still hasn’t set fuel efficiency standards. While further consultation may suit the car industry, the delay risks putting the country’s net-zero goal out of reach, complains Mike Seccombe.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environment/2023/04/22/electric-vehicles-policy-stuck-low-gear
Lisa Visentin reports that from 1 July this year New Zealanders with Special Category Visas who have lived in Australia for four years will be able to apply for citizenship without first securing permanent residency.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/350-000-kiwis-living-in-australia-to-get-direct-pathway-to-citizenship-20230421-p5d2cd.html
John Menadue explains why dental care was excluded from Medicare and why it should now be included.
https://johnmenadue.com/why-dental-care-was-excluded-from-medicare-and-why-it-should-now-be-included-an-edited-repost-2/
Lucy Cormack reports that NSW’s scandal-plagued state insurer icare has made an urgent plea to be allowed to make 330,000 employers pay an eye-watering premium increase of 22 per cent, equivalent to hundreds of millions of dollars.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/icare-s-plea-to-new-government-22-per-cent-premium-increase-needed-to-break-even-20230420-p5d1wo.html
“Lidia Thorpe demands attention. Does this make her a warrior or a villain?”, asks Kate Halfpenny.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/lidia-thorpe-is-outspoken-and-demands-attention-does-this-make-her-a-villain-or-warrior-20230420-p5d23g.html
UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has resigned after an independent investigation found he bullied civil servants.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/uk-deputy-prime-minister-quits-after-bullying-investigation-20230421-p5d2fm.html
Another ripper from the ever-entertaining John Crace with “Don’t knock the coronation – it could be up there with It’s a Knockout” in which he takes us through what happened n=during the week.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/apr/21/dont-knock-king-charles-coronation-it-could-be-up-there-with-its-a-knockout
Paul Krugman tells us how the rich and powerful may destroy America as we know it. A very good read.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/how-the-rich-and-powerful-may-destroy-america-as-we-know-it-20230419-p5d1i2.html
Ron DeSantis is flaming out – and Trump is on course for a Republican coronation, says Lloyd Green.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/21/ron-desantis-donald-trump-republican-nomination-2024,
Fox diehards are none the wiser, but Murdoch’s strategy may no longer pay, writes the AFR’s US correspondent, Matthew Cranston.
https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/fox-diehards-none-the-wiser-but-murdoch-s-strategy-may-no-longer-pay-20230420-p5d1xu
As Lachlan Murdoch’s day in the witness stand in the Dominion v Fox News case drew closer, at home in Australia the News Corp co-chairman was keen to make a separate legal case against an independent news website go away. Amanda Meade tells us that yesterday, just days after Fox News reached a $US787.5m settlement with Dominion in the US defamation lawsuit, Murdoch’s lawyers filed one line in Australia’s federal court to discontinue “the whole of the proceedings”. And Matthew Collins KC, a barrister specialising in media law and a former Australian Bar Association president, has said Murdoch was liable for most of the costs.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/apr/22/crikey-how-a-little-australian-website-stared-down-murdoch-mighty-news-corp
Fox’s defamation payout to Dominion Voting Systems is the largest in US media history, but amounts to a good deal for the Murdochs as they embark on talks to renew multibillion-dollar contracts with major cable providers. It comes as Lachlan Murdoch abandons his case against Australian website Crikey in an effort to move on from the 2020 election, writes Paddy Manning.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/media/2023/04/22/the-murdochs-plan-leverage-dominion-payout
Fox News and its audience became hooked on lies – now they can’t break the habit, says Jonathan Freedland who says that we might fantasise about taking down the first and most powerful supplier, but it’s gone beyond that now. The problem that needs treating is the addiction.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/21/fox-news-audience-lies-dominion-trial-donald-trump
Tim Sullivan and Aaron Morrison explain how the politics of fear are turning small mistakes into American tragedies. America is f****d.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/how-the-politics-of-fear-turns-small-mistakes-into-american-tragedies-20230421-p5d2b8.html
Every classroom in Texas could be made to display the Ten Commandments prominently, after lawmakers advanced a proposal to push more religion into schools. A parallel bill also approved by the Republican-controlled Texas senate on Thursday would require educational establishments to set aside time every day for students and employees to read the Bible or other religious manuscripts, or to pray. America is f****d.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/21/texas-classrooms-ten-commandments-bill
NSW Police have launched an investigation after a group of senior King’s School students allegedly killed a goanna at a school camp last month. Police have been told the reptile was killed during the afternoon of March 29 while the students attended a camp at the Singleton Military Area in the Hunter Valley. Budding “Arseholes of the Week”?
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/police-probe-after-king-s-school-students-allegedly-kill-goanna-20230421-p5d2b3.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
David Pope
Jim Pavlidis
Alan Moir
Mark David
Jon Kudelka
Andrew Dyson
Joe Benke
Simon Letch
Glen Le Lievre, including a gif
Dionne Gain
Marija Ercegovac
Richard Giliberto
Mark Knight
Leak
From the US
https://image.cagle.com/273873/750/273873.png’
A great collection of news and cartoons, BK.
Santa will have to learn not to deliver to gun-toting communities,
Santa has his work cut out for him……………..
/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/OXUU3RSEIJJYRDXUWTHAHVTGK4.jpg)
.
U.S. congressman posts family Christmas picture … – Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-congressman-posts-family-christmas-picture-with-guns-days-after-school-2021-12-05/
OMG ! What a lucky chap or perhaps unlucky to have fallen in in the first place……………..
Bill Maher – (new rules 45:35)
Chris Hayes –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Straya has had a series of La Ninas so we are well due for an El Nino. With the bigly extra growth due to the wetter weather of the La Ninas the next El Nino might be a horror show.
More John Crace https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/apr/21/psycho-goes-down-raging-the-liberal-wokerati-finally-gets-to-raab
I followed the Guardian UK blog last night. Seriously good stuff watching Raab going down in full denial.
Soooo how do Caucasians dance ? ………………
Bloody hell, 79 and still rockin’.
Roger Waters – In the flesh. Live in Royal Arena Copenhagen 17.04.2023
Another one bites the dust
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. Here’s your paltry Sunday Serve – it’s difficult to get blood out of a stone.
Vale Barry Humphries and Sir Les Patterson.
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/australian-comedy-great-barry-humphries-dies-aged-89-20230421-p5d286.html
The size of the federal parliament could be significantly expanded after the next election, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to consider whether to follow his hero Bob Hawke in boosting the number of politicians, reports Anthony Galloway.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/do-we-need-234-mps-labor-open-to-expanding-parliament-20230419-p5d1lh.html
Ben Doherty says that Australia can expect a hostile response from China to our strategic defence review which will be released tomorrow.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/23/beyond-the-drums-of-war-why-australia-view-of-china-needs-a-wider-lens
A group of conservatively minded federal politicians has been spotted posting “incredibly similar” looking social media posts despite representing different parties. Recent videos posted on Twitter by maverick Queensland LNP senator Gerard Rennick, One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts and UAP senator Ralph Babet have got attention, not just for content, but for having very similar fonts, captioning, text heavy layout and use of parliamentary vision. What’s going on with the crazies?
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8156829/the-curious-case-of-the-incredibly-similar-conservative-cross-party-posts/?cs=27845
Tax breaks and childcare subsidies to encourage more women with children to return to work have the backing of Australians over other initiatives such as increasing the JobSeeker payment, says Anthony Galloway.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/voters-favour-tax-breaks-childcare-subsidies-for-working-women-over-jobseeker-raise-20230419-p5d1li.html
The alternative universe occupied by the Murdoch media and its consumers is facing a very expensive and damaging confrontation with reality. But how and whether this affect the Australian operations are another question, writes Noel Turnbull.
https://johnmenadue.com/has-dominion-spelt-the-end-of-murdoch-influence-in-australia/
“Tolerance denotes a reluctant acceptance, a begrudging recognition of something unpleasant that will not go away. Why be so negative about one of the greatest assets we have – our diversity?”, asks Jon Faine ahead of an interesting contribution.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/i-m-getting-intolerant-of-tolerance-20230421-p5d2az.html
The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, has proclaimed the AUKUS submarine program is a national building endeavour when, in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Rex Patrick pulls apart the Admiral’s claim.
https://michaelwest.com.au/aukus-submarines-nation-building-says-admiral-no-theyre-not-says-rex-patrick/
Lachlan Murdoch’s decision to drop the Crikey defamation suit atones for the misjudgment of suing in the first place, says Matt Collins.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/21/lachlan-murdochs-decision-to-drop-the-defamation-suit-atones-for-the-misjudgement-of-suing-in-the-first-place
Cartoon Corner
Matt Golding
Peter Broelman
Reg Lynch
Simon Letch
Glen Le Lievre
From the US
Happy Birthday BK, and many happy returns. Thank you for your fantastic morning parade. It is my must read every day.
Something that’s disturbing me with this referendum is just how gleeful the right is in their opposition.
I remember during the marriage equality plebiscite that there was some level of temperance of the ‘no’ campaign for the most part, other than some shameful acts of bigotry here and there.
But this time around they’re spitting around venom and lies with so much fanaticism, it’s honestly a little depressing to observe. In fact I’m often hearing things from them like “if anything, they should be grateful to us for giving them civilization.”
Sick and tired of all the “celebrities” gushing about about Barry Humphreys? You might find an antidote in this thread –
Humphreys was not a nice person. I could elaborate further but doing that would take pages. Lets just say I never found him at all amusing.
Preferred PM: Albanese 54 (-4) Dutton 28 (+2)
Albanese: Approve 53 (-3) Disapprove 37 (+2)
Dutton: Approve 33 (-2) Disapprove 52 (+4)
I heard that my grandmother met Humphries in the 1940’s when they were both children in East Melbourne. He was a few years older than her, and he made a very leery, sexually inappropriate comment to her that made her feel humiliated. She’s despised him ever since.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
FWIW here is Simon Benson’s effort to find a turd worth polishing from the latest Newspoll.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/voters-turn-away-from-anthony-albanese-and-peter-dutton-newspoll/news-story/59cb8dfb039f42d8a5301d6a53ac73a0?amp
For the past month, Sean Kelly has been overseas, paying only occasional attention to politics. From that distance, he has been surprised at how clearly a single fact has stood out: the Liberal Party is in serious trouble.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-problem-for-the-liberal-party-is-that-history-doesn-t-always-repeat-20230420-p5d1yp.html
According to Matthew Knott, the federal government will reveal a multibillion-dollar cost blowout from its stage three tax cuts in next month’s budget as it scrambles to find extra funding for single parents and increased rent assistance.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/government-to-reveal-tax-cut-cost-blowout-as-it-flags-some-increased-welfare-payments-20230423-p5d2lf.html
Andrew Tillett writes that the Albanese government will spend billions of dollars to urgently build factories for the local production of American-designed missiles, as part of the Defence Force’s biggest shake-up in decades, to deter conflict with a rapidly militarising China.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/billions-to-fast-track-local-missile-production-in-defence-shake-up-20230423-p5d2l7
And he writes that plans to build new armoured vehicles in Australia for the army will be gutted to pay for new missiles and stronger cybersecurity after a major military review uncovered a $42 billion budget hole and warned of “difficult” trade-offs for defence spending.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/army-vehicles-gutted-for-missiles-amid-42b-budget-hole-20230421-p5d279
Amy Remeikis tells us what we know so far about the Defence Strategic Review.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/24/australias-defence-force-is-expected-to-get-its-biggest-overhaul-in-decades-heres-what-we-know-so-far
Labor says its May budget is about balancing competing pressures but the government’s rejection of major tax reform leaves Jim Chalmers searching for more incremental measures, says Jennifer Hewett.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/labor-s-budget-balancing-act-20230423-p5d2lz
According to Angela Macdonald-Sith and Jacob Greber, Labor wants to extend its controversial price cap on east coast gas producers but faces pressure to dilute its heavy-handed “reasonable pricing” rules, amid warnings of a deteriorating investment climate that will freeze new supply.
https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/labor-to-extend-12-gas-price-cap-with-exemptions-20230423-p5d2lc
Experts believe the nation’s living standards and productivity performance are being harmed by the way the property sector is distorting business and consumer behaviour to the point that some two thirds of young Australians are giving up on the idea of home ownership.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/squeezed-out-of-the-australian-dream-two-thirds-of-young-people-are-giving-up-on-home-ownership-20230413-p5d07i.html
After decades of neglect a housing accord could be the gamechanger Australia needs, say the Grattan Institute’s Brendan Coates and Joey Moloney.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/24/after-decades-of-neglect-a-housing-accord-could-be-the-gamechanger-australia-needs
Nicholas Stuart pays tribute to the way Bill Shorten has pulled himself together after this devastating 2019 election loss and dedicated himself to get the NDIS back on track.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8168651/a-failed-opposition-leader-now-on-the-verge-changing-thousands-of-lives/?cs=14258
Alan Kohler declares that if the RBA were a company, the governor would be out of a job.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2023/04/24/rba-chiefs-many-failures/
Local defence companies are bracing for major cuts to orders of Australian-made naval vessels and infantry fighting vehicles as the federal government rapidly boosts the nation’s missile supplies in response to China’s military build-up. Matthew Knott tells us that today Defence Minister Richard Marles will end months of intense speculation about the future of the Australian Defence Force by releasing a declassified version of its defence strategic review, a landmark examination of the nation’s military assets and force posture.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/kick-in-the-guts-for-army-landmark-defence-review-to-create-winners-and-losers-20230423-p5d2mt.html
Shane Wright says Australians have made the wrong choice about housing for the last 40 years.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australians-have-made-the-wrong-choice-about-housing-for-the-last-40-years-20230406-p5cyqn.html
All diseases can be cured by faith and lumps in the breast “dissolve” following prayers: The SMH tells us about the terrifying church whose one-time pastor was linked to the death of four police in a truck crash. This outfit should be proscribed in every way possible. I find this article too difficult to read.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/raised-with-demons-how-the-potter-s-house-church-keeps-its-followers-under-control-20230410-p5cz9n.html
And in a linked story, Perry Duffin reports that a Sydney trucking company and two executives admit they failed to protect the public after a drug-addled and fatigued driver killed four police in a horror crash outside Melbourne. A third executive is still fighting charges that could land him in prison if found guilty.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-execs-guilty-after-crash-kills-four-police-one-fights-charges-20230421-p5d2au.html
Dutton is the right politician for the post-QAnon age: in fact, the radical right zeitgeist caught up with him. His decision to drum up (another) paedophilia crisis to stain the referendum on the Voice to parliament is both grotesque and on trend, says Lucy Hamilton.
https://johnmenadue.com/grotesque-dutton-drums-up-another-pedophilia-crisis/
NineFax tells us that long COVID is costing the Australian economy at least $5.7 billion a year as tens of thousands are left unable to work by the debilitating disease.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/it-can-t-be-ignored-the-illness-costing-australia-at-least-5-7b-a-year-20230404-p5cy3z.html
Australia’s aged care industry has been accused of misleading the public about its finances, with analysis revealing one of Australia’s biggest providers recorded significant earnings and acquisitions last financial year, despite reporting a loss.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/23/australian-aged-care-providers-accused-of-crying-poor-to-lobby-for-government-funding
If the issue of asylum seekers arriving by plane becomes a political football, a sensible policy solution becomes even more unlikely, writes Abul Rizvi who says the Coalition and Murdoch media distort the truth about asylum seekers.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/coalition-and-murdoch-media-distort-truth-about-asylum-seekers,17446
The abolition of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal is a crucial part of Attorney General Mark Dreyfus KC’s integrity platform. In the last decade of Coalition governments it had become overwhelmed by partisan appointments, creating a bedlam of incompetence and politically-motivated decisions, writes Lucy Hamilton.
https://theaimn.com/the-aat-abolishing-a-system-of-indefinite-torment/
The parlous financial state of NSW’s embattled workers’ compensation insurer icare is so severe it has been slapped with a formal ministerial directive to cap urgently needed premium increases.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/minister-rejects-icare-premium-plea-caps-rises-at-8-percent-20230423-p5d2m2.html
Power giant AGL has taken a major coal-fired unit offline for $92 million of maintenance to minimise the risk of faults straining the grid. It is carrying out two months of assessments, repairs and upgrades to improve the reliability of its Loy Yang A coal-fired generator in the Latrobe Valley, which generates 30 per cent of Victoria’s power but was forced offline for months last year due to electrical problems.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/agl-shuts-coal-unit-for-major-works-to-tackle-winter-breakdown-risks-20230423-p5d2kj.html
French cosmetics juggernaut L’Oréal pounced on Aesop – Australia’s big skincare success story – in a record $4bn deal this year. Michael West tells the story of one man who took particular notice, and his fight to expose the use of toxic chemicals in beauty products.
https://michaelwest.com.au/because-youre-worth-it-loreal-aesop-and-the-perils-of-the-beauty-myth/
Nick Bonyhady writes that News Corp co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch’s battle against small news outlet Crikey is set to continue in a brewing dispute over an almost $600,000 pool of supporter funds after the media scion dropped his defamation litigation.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/lachlan-murdoch-s-stoush-with-crikey-not-over-yet-20230423-p5d2lo.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Peter Broelman
Jim Pavlidis
Badiucao
Mark Knight
Leak
From the US
As if the defence bullshit vendors don’t screw us over enough as it it the Minister announces there will be ever moar! Near enough is good enough now. Deliver on your contract, meet expectations ? Ho ho ho what a silly idea. You can bet your bottom dollar we’ll still pay A Grade prices for the B Grade product.
I’ve never liked that saying “don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good” as it is usually used as an excuse by some peasant wishing to foist “near enough” or second rate” on to you. Too often a cop out and a cover for failure.
F.M https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/24/health-education-an-online-marsupial-cartoon-school-what-australia-me-wants-in-the-2023-budget
Get them out of there. Both of them.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
In the past year or so, Australia has produced two major defence plans. In the same time, China has produced two submarines. While Australia plans, China deploys, writes Peter Hartcher.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/defence-review-s-a-good-beginning-but-lacks-a-middle-and-an-end-20230423-p5d2n2.html
Matthew Knott and James Massola look at the Defence Strategic Review.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australia-s-military-must-become-focused-force-to-combat-missile-age-in-indo-pacific-20230424-p5d2pz.html
The Defence Strategic Review could be regarded as an exercise in futility – political time-wasting when strategic urgency is paramount, complains Simon Benson.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/defence-strategic-review-as-you-were-cynical-exercise-in-political-posturing/news-story/fe75eb8d8f91e16456d10b021daf1a11?amp
But also in The Australian, Paul Dibb says the Defence Strategic Review is a thorough appraisal, recognising the dangers of the military build-up in the Indo-Pacific.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/defence-strategic-review-thorough-appraisal-recognises-the-dangers/news-story/ba2e296622567663579982d661104a6c?amp
The Albanese government has got the direction and rhetoric of defence reform right in the Defence Strategic Review, writes Greg Sheridan. He says the big reforms announced are in the army, which will move from being structured for land operations as a niche force with the US, to a more agile force, something like the American marines, which can operate on our coasts and in the island archipelago to our north, with greater emphasis on missiles.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/whats-the-point-of-the-dsr-if-we-need-yet-more-reviews/news-story/6ec5e7c3c0ffc9438955df2c839f9550?amp
Australia can no longer rely on the tyranny of distance, or just the Americans, to protect it from threats. Responding to that realisation will cost a lot of money, writes Phil Coorey.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/countering-radically-different-security-threats-will-come-at-a-price-20230424-p5d2qx
China has hit back at Australia’s defence force revamp, saying it’s striving for a peaceful region. Beijing’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China’s unprecedented military build-up policy is “defensive in nature”, when asked about Australia’s new posture towards long-range strike power.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/china-hits-out-at-australia-s-defence-revamp-20230424-p5d2zd
John Blaxland lays out the ten points of tension Australia wants to reconcile with its defence strategic review.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/24/these-are-the-10-points-of-tension-australia-wants-to-reconcile-with-its-defence-strategic-review
Defence industry groups have warned the Commonwealth’s push for faster acquisition of military equipment and weapons must not undermine Australia’s sovereign manufacturing future as the country prepares for the prospect of global conflict, reports Tom Rabe.
https://www.afr.com/companies/manufacturing/australia-s-need-for-speed-could-erode-local-defence-industry-20230424-p5d2vi
Danielle Wood busts the myths that feed our welfare pettiness.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/busting-the-myths-that-feed-our-welfare-pettiness-20230423-p5d2n9.html
By any measure, Australia’s housing market is in dire straits. Despite the recent easing of prices, would-be home buyers continue to struggle with affordability. Renters endure record-low vacancy rates and soaring rents while borrowers confront sharp repayment hikes. And demand for shelter will only increase as migration resumes and international students continue to return, bemoans the SMH editorial.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/the-australian-dream-will-only-be-open-to-the-landed-gentry-s-children-20230424-p5d2u3.html
Michaela Whitbourn reports that war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith is locked in a legal fight with the Defence Force watchdog over access to diary entries that he alleges may reveal meetings with a high-profile investigative journalist who is at the centre of his defamation case.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-seeks-access-to-military-watchdog-s-diary-entries-20230424-p5d2r4.html
Paul Sakkal writes that Lidia Thorpe’s mother, cousins and political allies are angling for control of the Victorian body that will act as the state’s Indigenous Voice and interact with a national Voice to parliament, generating unrest among some Victorian Indigenous leaders who fear the maverick senator’s influence. What could possibly go wrong?
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/lidia-thorpe-s-mum-and-allies-in-victorian-voice-bid-20230424-p5d2up.html
Peter Dutton has staked his political future on Jacinta Price, his new shadow minister for Aboriginal Affairs, a woman of less than 10 months experience in Parliament, none of which have been spent in government, writes Jack Waterford.
https://johnmenadue.com/dutton-gives-voice-to-jacinta-price/
Crispin Hull writes that the Dominion and Crikey cases prove the Murdochs hate humiliation more than most. He concludes the article with, “We are fortunate in Australia that we have compulsory voting and more people are willing to see through the self-serving tripe dished up by various Murdoch News Corporation entities. Australia is not like the US where Donald Trump’s following is impervious to truth and cannot be offended by being faced with it without political costs and costs to audience size. As more Australians wake up, News Corporation outlets here are shrinking into an ever-smaller, irrelevant echo chamber and taking a lot of the Liberal Party with them.”
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8169697/the-murdochs-hate-humiliation-more-than-most/?cs=14258
NineFax follows through on yesterday’s revelations over the Potter’s House Christian Fellowship church. Get rid of them!
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/nick-was-told-to-cast-demons-out-because-he-was-gay-now-he-questions-his-old-church-s-charity-status-20230418-p5d1a2.html
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek will decide this Friday whether to approve what could be Australia’s newest coal mine, but there will be no fanfare. Callum Foote reports on a government busy rolling out new fossil fuel projects despite the strong advice of international agencies.
https://michaelwest.com.au/all-fossils-go-tanya-plibersek-new-coal-mine-approval-due-friday/
RSL Victoria says the wreath-laying dispute involving former Liberal MP Tim Wilson and a stand-in for Zoe Daniel – the independent who beat him at last year’s election – was regrettable but won’t overshadow the solemn Anzac event. The Age tells us Liberal members have been privately scathing of Wilson’s conduct during the ceremony in Melbourne’s south-east on Sunday, some claiming his behaviour might jeopardise his hopes of winning preselection for the federal seat of Goldstein, should he decide to have another tilt at politics in six to eight months’ time.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/regrettable-rsl-responds-to-tim-wilson-zoe-daniel-wreath-wrangle-20230424-p5d2vs.html
Anthony Albanese allegedly breached workplace laws by slashing the staff numbers of independent MPs and driving up the workloads of their offices, in new allegations levelled at the government by high-profile former adviser Sally Rugg.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-accused-of-workplace-law-breach-in-rugg-v-ryan-lawsuit-20230424-p5d2xm.html
Death is a lucrative business – the industry is largely recession proof, has reliable demographics and a captive market. So, it’s no surprise that the $1.8 billion battle for ownership of Australia’s biggest operator of funerals and private cemeteries, InvoCare, has now become tactical, explains Elizabeth Knight.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/invocare-enters-corporate-purgatory-as-1-8-billion-bid-fizzles-out-20230424-p5d2vb.html
Jocelyn Chey provides a touching farewell to Sir Les Patterson
https://johnmenadue.com/vale-sir-les-patterson/
“Rupert Murdoch’s news empire knowingly lied. Can we just pause to take in how extraordinary that is?”, writes Margaret Simons in an interesting contribution.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/24/rupert-murdoch-fox-news-empire-knowingly-lied-dominion-voting-defamation-case-crikey-news-australia
The mighty Murdoch media empire is now facing the consequences of spreading false narratives and costly political lies, writes Victoria Fielding.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/murdoch-media-manipulated-by-misinformation-monster,17450
Developments in the U.S. courts concerning the Murdoch media empire have implications well beyond the USA, as Alan Austin reports.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/latest-evidence-for-turnbull-thesis-good-news-for-battered-americans,17449
After paying a massive legal settlement for lies over the 2020 Presidential Election, Fox News isn’t likely to stop spreading climate misinformation, writes Steve Bishop.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/murdoch-unlikely-to-stop-climate-fibs-despite-12-billion-cost-of-lies,17447
Trump committed treason and will try again. He must be barred from running, urges Robert Reich in a powerful contribution.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/24/trump-treason-constitution-election-republicans-robert-reich
Republicans in Idaho have been criticized for “glorifying political violence” after the party hosted Kyle Rittenhouse, the American who shot and killed two people at an anti-racism protest and injured another, as a celebrity guest at a fundraiser. America is f****d!
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/24/republicans-embrace-extreme-gun-culture
The far-right host Tucker Carlson has left Fox News, it was abruptly announced yesterday. “Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways,” the network said in a statement. “We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor.” Good riddance!
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/apr/24/tucker-carlson-leaving-fox-news
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Cathy Wilcox
Matt Golding
Andrew Dyson
Fiona Katauskas
Peter Broelman
Dionne Gain
Glen Le Lievre
Mark Knight
Spooner NEVER lets up on renewable energy! The man needs help.
From the US
Tucker Carlson presented his last show on Friday
The Libs sure can pick them!
Seth Meyers –
Rachel Maddow –
Ali Velshi –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
We peasants are definitely being propagandized by the war pigs. So so many geeing up articles like the above and the egregious series of ‘Red Terror’ articles from the Fair Sux Meeja peasants who have even out done the Rupertariat in recent times. The US arms manufacturers and Neocon nutters sure are getting their money’s worth from the local lobbyists and Think Tanks. FMD we’re well on the way to committing to give them half a Trillion dollars. Meanwhile we are told that consideration of improving the lives Australians in difficulty is just too hard.
Two alleged “journalists” I never bother reading. or two warmongers, take your pick,
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Four federal Labor MPs have broken ranks to join calls for the government to increase the JobSeeker payment by $24 billion at next month’s federal budget. Phil Coorey says the move came as the government hinted it may increase the $50-a-day payment by a little in the May 9 budget, but not to the levels demanded by the welfare sector.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/labor-mps-join-growing-calls-to-increase-the-dole-20230425-p5d335
The SMH tells us that Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich says cashless gaming will be delivered under the new Labor government and possibly earlier than promised by the Coalition, as new data shows pubs and clubs last year raked in a record $8.1 billion in poker machine profits.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/pokie-profits-hit-8-billion-high-as-push-for-gaming-reform-gathers-momentum-20230425-p5d33o.html
Australia’s military will be given $4.1 billion to boost its long-range missile stocks as the federal government plays catch-up in the “missile age” following urgent recommendations outlined in a landmark review. The Defence Strategic Review, released Monday, warned Australia could no longer rely on its geographic isolation as a natural defence during the rise of the “missile age”. The federal government has just announced it would provide the billions of dollars to speed up the delivery of long-range missiles and to purchase new rocket systems for the Army.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8171974/army-pledged-41b-for-long-range-missiles-local-manufacturing/?cs=14329
“The DSR is pitching high. Its vision of radical change and restructuring the defence force is a step in the right direction. Labor has defined the test for itself. Is it up to the job?”, writes Paul Kelly.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/defence-review-to-test-alps-ticker/news-story/442ccb09a7396b260163f4295d0f0575?amp
For the first time since World War II, the federal government is committing to a whole-of-government, national response to rising defence threats, demanding an integrated response from across all civil and defence agencies from all tiers of government, explains Tom Burton.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/review-demands-dramatic-pivot-by-defence-department-20230425-p5d320
Jennifer Hewett tells us why other countries are closely watching what we do with our military.
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/why-other-countries-are-closely-watching-what-we-do-with-our-military-20230425-p5d342
Matt O’Sullivan reports that the previous Coalition government signed multiple long-term deals with private bus companies worth $4.8 billion in the months leading up to the NSW election, locking the state into contracts that will thwart any plans for a major shake-up of bus services across Sydney.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/deals-on-the-bus-sydney-locked-into-5-billion-in-contracts-until-2030s-20230419-p5d1nb.html
Natassia Chrysanthos writes that Australians will be able to buy twice as many common medicines for the price of one script under a major pharmacy reform to deliver more cost of living relief in next month’s budget. It has put the government on a collision course with the Pharmacy Guild.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/more-than-300-medicines-to-be-half-price-as-butler-approves-60-day-scripts-20230425-p5d32g.html
The solutions to Australia’s housing problems are well known, but the political danger of taking on huge vested interests is clear, write Shane Wright, Rachel Clun and Craig Butt in a long evaluation of the issues.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/overcome-nimbys-and-build-where-people-want-to-live-the-tough-but-necessary-housing-solutions-20230421-p5d2c6.html
Paridhi Jain writes about the great Australian delusion and why home ownership may not be the best way to build wealth.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-great-australian-delusion-why-home-ownership-may-not-be-the-best-way-to-build-wealth-20230425-p5d347.html
According to James Massola, the Greens will block Labor’s $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund in the Senate unless the federal government forces the states to freeze rents for two years and tackle the “rental crisis” facing the country.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/greens-to-block-10b-housing-fund-unless-states-forced-to-freeze-rents-20230425-p5d33p.html
And Phil Coorey says that the Greens are demanding the Albanese government phase out negative gearing and abolish the 50 per cent capital gains tax deduction for investors, so the proceeds can be used to freeze rents, increase rental assistance and build low-cost housing.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/end-property-tax-breaks-to-fund-69b-housing-program-greens-20230425-p5d30q
Failure to adequately tax mining super profits has greatly damaged the Australian economy. Living standards have stagnated in the last decade or so, while inequality has increased. This article from Michael Keating argues that the two are related and that the concentration of profit growth in the mining sector is an obvious reason why the increase in inequality.
https://johnmenadue.com/why-have-living-standards-stagnated-and-inequality-increased/
More Australians may need to be paid to assist with flood and bushfire recovery as climate change worsens and volunteer rates decline, Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt says, as the defence strategic review makes clear the army should only be called in to respond to the worst natural disasters.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/major-defence-role-in-managing-emergencies-unsustainable-says-minister-20230425-p5d35g.html
“Even Queensland has realised the war on drugs is a failure. When will NSW catch on?”, wonders John Birmingham.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/25/even-queensland-has-realised-the-war-on-drugs-is-a-failure-when-will-nsw-catch-on
The gas trigger may be the least of industry’s worries if consumption plummets, writes Ben Potter who says that, under most scenarios modelled for Net Zero Australia, gas consumption in the domestic electricity market plummets from 2030 to a fraction of its current level.
https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/gas-trigger-may-be-least-of-industry-s-worries-20230424-p5d2s9
Robo-advice is moving beyond basic advice, but human advisers are not about to become obsolete, writes John Collett.
https://www.smh.com.au/money/planning-and-budgeting/ai-powered-robo-advisers-could-plug-financial-advice-gap-20230413-p5d08b.html
PwC leaked secret tax data from its government work to foreign tax avoiders, potentially costing Australians billions. Like nothing ever happened, they are now picking up multimillion dollar public contracts again. Callum Foote reports.
https://michaelwest.com.au/pity-about-the-corporate-treason-pwc-is-back-winning-juicy-government-contracts/
A heritage architect hired by the previous New South Wales government to consult on major redevelopments at Sydney’s Powerhouse museum is alleging that his research was buried. He alleges this was because it would have scuppered controversial plans to demolish much of the beloved Sydney institution.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/25/revealed-the-buried-powerhouse-museum-report-that-could-have-stopped-500m-redevelopment
Prince William settled a phone-hacking claim against Rupert Murdoch’s UK newspaper arm for a “huge sum” after a secret deal struck with Buckingham Palace, the heir’s younger brother Prince Harry has said in court documents.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/a-huge-sum-harry-says-william-settled-hacking-case-with-murdoch-s-uk-paper-group-20230426-p5d39i.html
Queen Elizabeth II personally threatened Rupert Murdoch’s media company with legal proceedings over phone hacking only for her efforts to be undermined by the then Prince Charles, the high court has heard. Prince Harry said his father intervened because he wanted to ensure the Sun supported his ascension to the throne and Camilla’s role as queen consort, and had a “specific long-term strategy to keep the media on side” for “when the time came”.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/25/charles-undermined-late-queens-plan-to-sue-news-uk-murdoch-sun-prince-harry-tells-court
Tucker Carlson’s abrupt departure has turned the spotlight on his deposition, emails and messages in the now-settled lawsuit.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/apr/25/tucker-carlson-leaves-fox-news-dominion-lawsuit
Joe Biden is seeking re-election in 2024, paving the way for a potential rematch against former president Donald Trump. Farrah Tomazin tells us why Joe Biden’s 2024 re-election bid is a bold and risky move.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/joe-biden-launches-2024-bid-betting-record-will-top-age-worries-20230425-p5d38t.html
Biden isn’t going into 2024 very strong. But the Republicans are very weak, says Moira Donegan.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/25/biden-2024-campaign-weak-republicans
Ready for “all-out war”, leaders of the far-right Proud Boys extremist group viewed themselves as foot soldiers fighting for Donald Trump as the former president clung to power after the 2020 election, a prosecutor said at the close of a historic trial over the US Capitol insurrection.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/proud-boys-viewed-themselves-as-trump-s-army-court-told-20230425-p5d2zy.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Andrew Dyson
Matt Golding
Simon Letch
John Shakespeare
Cathy Wilcox
Mark Knight
Leak
From the US
The drama
The reality 😆
https://www.stuff.co.nz/otago/131862842/surfer-in-trouble-who-triggered-water-rescue-turns-out-to-be-waving-seals-playing-with-fish
friendlyjordies –
Chris Hayes –
Ali Velshi –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
F.M –
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/26/labor-backbenchers-are-revolting-over-government-mandated-poverty-raise-the-rate
You can say many things about her. The kindest would be “she is a nasty piece of work.”
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
According to Niki Savva, next to Albanese, Dutton is Labor’s greatest asset. Another excellent contribution from her.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/next-to-albanese-dutton-is-labor-s-greatest-asset-20230426-p5d3bi.html
The Albanese government is now approaching its first year in office and is about to deliver its first major budget. It is simultaneously riding on a high wave of popularity and community approval while attracting serious criticism, writes John Warhurst who explains why the government might call an early election.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8171471/why-the-pm-could-call-an-early-election/?cs=14258
Something strange and sad is happening to the Labor Party, writes Alan Kohler.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/2023/04/27/labor-party-policy-alan-kohler/?breaking_live_scroll=1
Inflation is coming back down, but Australia’s renters are still feeling the pain, explains Greg Jericho.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2023/apr/26/inflation-is-coming-back-down-but-australias-renters-are-still-feeling-the-pain
Inflation has fallen, but one or two more interest-rate rises are still likely, predicts John Hawkins.
https://theconversation.com/inflation-has-fallen-but-one-or-two-more-interest-rate-rises-are-still-likely-204269
Forcing the most disadvantaged to live on $50 a day is cruel. Ken Henry tells us why jobseeker should be increased.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/26/forcing-the-most-disadvantaged-to-live-on-50-a-day-is-cruel-heres-why-jobseeker-should-be-increased
The pressure is on the Government to address a near $1 trillion debt and spiralling cost of living when it presents the Budget on May 9. How different things would be if we had the sense to make multinationals pay properly for the billions they make mining and drilling Australia’s natural resources. Daniel Bleakley reports.
https://michaelwest.com.au/a-tale-of-two-fossil-superpowers-what-australia-can-learn-from-norway/
The most dangerous thing you can do in politics is believe your own bullshit. Not just because Australian voters abhor hubris but because it leads to stagnation, writes Simon Welsh about the Liberal Party.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/libs-cant-escape-millennials-verdict-in-fightback/news-story/04c5d6f916905dec383f4ae50f73c773?amp
It’s Thursday and Peta Credlin puts her head up for her weekly dose of diatribe.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/lest-we-forget-whats-worth-defending/news-story/6b4356e1351ce2dcbfaaa2bd042305f3?amp
The revelation that, in its dying days, the outgoing NSW government had entered secret contracts for $5 billion on privatised bus services is disturbing at a number of levels, writes Geoffrey Watson. He says the effect of the deals is profound: the contracts are for unusually large sums; the bus services affect most of metropolitan Sydney; the effect is long-term – the contracts will run for at least eight years. And because these are commercial arrangements, there can be no escape from the contracts without significant cost. He does not hold back in his criticism.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/multibillion-dollar-secret-bus-deals-take-us-for-a-ride-20230426-p5d3fv.html
Voters, commuters and taxpayers could not be blamed for thinking they have been taken for a ride – or not taken for a ride – as they endure cancelled bus services, delays and route changes with little or no explanation, says the SMH editorial which says that reform of Sydney’s troubled bus system should be a priority.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/reform-of-sydney-s-troubled-bus-system-must-be-a-priority-20230426-p5d3cg.html
Voters expect action, not reviews, so Minns’ honeymoon will be brief, writes Alexandra Smith.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/voters-expect-action-not-reviews-so-minns-honeymoon-will-be-brief-20230426-p5d3bf.html
Victoria is virtually a one-party state, and that’s bad for all of us, proclaims Paul Strangio.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/victoria-is-virtually-a-one-party-state-that-s-bad-for-all-of-us-20230421-p5d2ew.html
Outgoing Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass says Daniel Andrews’ response to the Operation Daintree report “says a lot about the premier’s views on corruption and integrity”.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/ombudsman-slams-andrews-response-to-damning-ibac-report-20230426-p5d3dp.html
A cynical Michael Pascoe reckons the defence review was written before it was started.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/04/26/michael-pascoe-defence-review/
Like justice, medical specialist care delayed is care denied, argues Graeme Stewart who says the statistics released by ABC journalist, Stephanie Dalzell on April 20, define a national disgrace and expose a massive hole in the once intact Medicare safety net.
https://johnmenadue.com/like-justice-medical-specialist-care-delayed-is-care-denied/
Like Dirty Harry, Phil Lowe must wonder how many shots he has left, says Shane Wright who examines some of the details of yesterday’s inflation figures.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/feeling-lucky-like-dirty-harry-phil-lowe-must-wonder-how-many-shots-he-has-left-20230426-p5d3b2.html
Aged care providers should not be allowed to charge wealthy residents higher fees until they can demonstrate the money goes towards providing care, a former senior advisor to the royal commission has warned. Industry lobbyists and one of the biggest aged care providers in Australia believe the change would help address a funding crisis in residential aged care, improve conditions and boost staffing levels.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/26/australian-aged-care-providers-warned-against-hiking-fees-for-wealthy-without-proving-it-goes-towards-care
The head of the powerful pharmacy lobby has launched an emotional attack on the Albanese government, Health Minister Mark Butler and several Labor MPs over plans to double the amount of medicine a person can collect with each script, saying “they don’t give a shit” about the impact on businesses.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pharmacy-lobby-president-weeps-over-prospect-of-60-day-scripts-20230426-p5d3e9.html
Australia’s beleaguered migration system is undermining the nation’s regional influence in the increasingly unstable Indo-Pacific, according to a review that warns major reform is required to fix critical labour shortages and weakened international ties. Angus Thompson reports that the government review, headed by former senior public servant Martin Parkinson, says Australia’s slow and outdated migration processes lack policies to plug the haemorrhaging care sector, facilitates exploitation of temporary workers and is keeping families separated for decades.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/broken-migration-system-undermines-australia-s-regional-clout-20230426-p5d3il.html
Coles’ outgoing boss Steve Cain says a new breed of tech-savvy grocery warehouse worker is in demand as it lifts the lid on its latest automated production facility.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/coles-gets-machines-to-do-the-heavy-lifting-as-it-chases-tech-talent-20230424-p5d2wm.html
Elizabeth Knight writes about the failure of corporate governance in the Murdoch empire.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-anti-murdoch-pile-on-gathers-pace-as-governance-failures-line-up-20230426-p5d3ey.html
The fate of our most significant trade deal hinges on blocking food names, but it shouldn’t. writes Rachel Clun who says that if Europe has its way, Australian producers won’t be able to say they make feta, parmesan or prosecco.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-fate-of-our-most-significant-trade-deal-hinges-on-blocking-food-names-but-it-shouldn-t-20230425-p5d33z.html
Shareholders in Canada’s Teck Resources will meet on Thursday (AEST) to vote on a proposal to demerge the groups base metals and coal mining assets. If they vote the proposal down it could reshape the global mining sector, explains Stephen Bartholomeusz. A reminder of the “Good bank, bad bank” days?
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/gatecrashed-the-35b-decision-that-could-shake-up-the-mining-world-20230426-p5d3ai.html
Prince Harry’s bitter and very personal war against Britain’s tabloid press threatens to turn his father’s coronation into a circus, says Rob Harris.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/prince-harry-the-future-king-and-a-deal-with-rupert-20230426-p5d3cu.html
“Biden reminds me of Weekend At Bernie’s, but he’s the Democrats’ best hope of a sequel”, opines Nick Bryant.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/biden-reminds-me-of-weekend-at-bernie-s-but-he-s-the-democrat-s-best-hope-of-a-sequel-20230426-p5d3bs.html
Here is what happened at the first day of witnesses appearing at the Trump rape trial.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/26/trump-e-jean-carroll-civil-rape-trial-new-york
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
David Rowe
Matt Golding
Mark David
Cathy Wilcox
Andrew Dyson
Glen Le Lievre
Dionne Gain
Mark Knight
Spooner
From the US
Some poor quality vids but still the best I can find
Seth Meyers –
Chris Hayes –
Ali Velshi –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
The latest John Crace
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/apr/26/rishi-sunak-keir-starmer-pmqs-sloganeering
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Eleven years after making a bad call on parenting payments for single mothers, Labor has a rare chance to gain redemption, writes David Crowe who says Albanese will atone for the mistake in a mother of a budget.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-to-atone-for-single-parent-mistake-in-mother-of-a-budget-20230426-p5d3h2.html
Natassia Chrysanthos and Paul Sakkal tell us that State and federal leaders will wrestle with the nation’s strained health system and blowout infrastructure costs in the final national cabinet meeting before next month’s federal budget. They expand on what is likely to eventuate.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/strained-health-system-infrastructure-blowouts-on-national-cabinet-agenda-20230427-p5d3rr.html
According to Phil Coorey, Anthony Albanese will today’s national cabinet meeting to push reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, amid criticisms that cost-shifting by the states is a significant contributor to the ballooning cost of the scheme.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/albanese-to-push-states-on-ndis-reform-20230427-p5d3lr
And he reckons Jim Chalmers is walking a tightrope between compassion and restraint.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/chalmers-walks-a-tightrope-between-compassion-and-restraint-20230427-p5d3ln
Labor’s leadership is coming under increasing pressure from its own party to raise the jobseeker rate, with more backbenchers breaking ranks to publicly lobby for an increase. Amy Remeikis and Josh Butler tell us that at least 11 MPs have now publicly stated support for a jobseeker increase or other relief for the most vulnerable, with more privately saying they want the rate raised.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/27/the-rate-is-too-low-pressure-builds-within-labor-ranks-to-raise-jobseeker
Michelle Grattan opines that Albanese is running a highly controlled government using gossamer threads.
https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-albanese-runs-a-highly-controlled-government-using-gossamer-threads-204624
Angus Thompson takes us through a lot of what Clare O’Neill had to say about immigration and what she is doing about it to the NPC yesterday,
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/skilled-workers-to-be-fast-tracked-into-australia-in-migration-overhaul-20230427-p5d3o8.html
The Australian’s Tom Dusevic says that Clare O’Neil sounds like she means business on immigration, which is welcome, because the repair job is going to need someone with grit, ambition and longevity in the control tower.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/migrant-rush-a-rare-chance-to-fix-the-engine-of-opportunity/news-story/c59495b54fcf23b24ee52522b526b210?amp
Professor Anna Boucher explains how the Albanese government’s review of Australia’s migration system offers a blueprint for overhauling the troubled system and addressing at least some of its shortcomings.
https://theconversation.com/immigration-system-set-for-overhaul-in-wake-of-reviews-damning-findings-203764
Labor will increase the protections offered to the lowest-paid migrants, while making it significantly easier for employers to hire middle-to-high paid skilled foreigners. Says the AFR.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/high-paid-workers-among-big-winners-from-immigration-reset-20230427-p5d3kz
In this op-ed in The Australian, Susssan Ley proves she can be as laughable in print as she is in the flesh.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/its-time-to-end-libs-postelection-bloodletting-says-sussan-ley/news-story/6f7a42f1c0a98b921f9349c15dc21a27?amp
Significant growth in clean energy output and the impact of emergency fossil fuel price caps are continuing to drive down wholesale electricity costs on the eastern seaboard from last year’s unprecedented highs. According to Mick Toscano, figures to be released today reveal wholesale prices – what retailers pay for power supply before they sell it to their customers – averaged $83 per megawatt-hour in the first three months of the year, down from $93 in the prior quarter and $216 in the September quarter.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/green-energy-surge-cuts-east-coast-power-costs-from-record-highs-20230427-p5d3q8.html
The unedifying image of a lobbyist choking back tears and swearing at politicians over small reforms to the pharmacy business leaves scant room for sympathy, says the SMH editorial. It adds that the reforms are clearly a win for consumers and the health system generally. Lamenting a once-cosy system known for years to be growing increasingly unwell is a waste of opportunity and tears.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/chemists-cry-poor-after-the-cornucopia-of-covid-19-20230427-p5d3nr.html
Meanwhile, veteran Liberal National Party MP Warren Entsch has suggested Pharmacy Guild president Trent Twomey should stand for a federal Senate seat, rather than Entsch’s own northern Queensland seat of Leichhardt.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/liberal-mp-entsch-proposes-pharmacy-guild-president-twomey-for-the-senate-20230427-p5d3o1.html
Gamblers will no longer be able to use credit cards to punt online under a forthcoming ban, which anti-gambling advocates say must be the first step in a broader crackdown on the industry. Lisa Visentin writes that the Albanese government will this year introduce legislation to implement the credit card ban, bringing online gambling companies such as Sportsbet in line with state bans already in place for casinos and other offline gambling venues.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/closure-for-absurd-loophole-allowing-online-gambling-with-credit-cards-20230427-p5d3rk.html
Michael McGowan reports that the powerful Health Services Union boss Gerard Hayes has blasted the new Labor government in NSW for “dragging their feet” on looming pay negotiations with tens of thousands of essential workers, in a significant intervention from one of the state party’s most influential figures.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/union-leader-slams-new-labor-government-over-pace-of-pay-negotiations-20230427-p5d3ru.html
The Greens are far from alone in grappling with the issue of transgender rights, but the party is unique in succumbing to pressure to limit free speech and stifle unwelcome opinions, writes Annika Smethurst who says that the Victorian division is ground zero for this bitter internal fight which is now threatening to split the party.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/greens-free-speech-panic-alienating-members-20230427-p5d3mt.html
“The Financial Review’s political editor, Phillip Coorey, wrote last week that when it comes to superannuation policy, the Grattan Institute “increasingly resembles the financial policy arm of the Greens”. I am not exactly sure what that means – and I am Grattan’s lead on super policy – but I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean it as a compliment”, writes Brendan Coates who argues that serious budget repair requires hard superannuation reform.
https://johnmenadue.com/serious-budget-repair-requires-hard-superannuation-reform/
“A majority of First Nations people support the voice. Why don’t non-Indigenous Australians believe this?”, asks Rebecca Huntley.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/27/a-majority-of-first-nations-people-support-the-voice-why-dont-non-indigenous-australians-believe-this
Ignorance, incompetence and corruption plague our so-called “democracies” — no matter who one votes for, one gets a neoliberal-oriented government with variations on a theme, complains Evan Jones.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/democracy-an-unachievable-work-in-progress,17452
Casino giant Crown has been fined $30 million by Victoria’s gambling watchdog after an investigation into undocumented bank cheques. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission found Crown allowed patrons to gamble by depositing uncleared bank cheques made out to themselves and not the company.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/vic/2023/04/27/undocumented-bank-cheques-crown-casino-30m-fine/
An investigation into allegations a drug squad detective tampered with DNA evidence has caused charges against one woman to be dropped and sent police and prosecutors scrambling to check if any other cases will be affected. Erin Pearson writes that Victoria Police is scrutinising the potential for wider fallout and faces a financial hit in the tens of thousands of dollars after notifying defence lawyers it would pay legal costs for the woman, who had been accused of being a major player in an international dark web drug syndicate.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/falsified-dna-test-fallout-puts-other-criminal-cases-under-microscope-20230427-p5d3pz.html
Two women who complained about the former governor general Peter Hollingworth’s handling of child abuse complaints have requested the Anglican church review its decision not to defrock him, saying they were “sickened” by the outcome writes Christopher Knaus.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/28/peter-hollingworth-anglican-church-urged-to-review-decision-not-to-defrock-former-archbishop
Anurag Kotoky tells us why flying is so expensive and is set to stay that way.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/why-flying-is-so-expensive-and-is-set-to-stay-that-way-20230427-p5d3lf.html
With a Federal Labor Government and Labor governments in all mainland states, and with the Murdoch machine facing increased pressure in the U.S., Michelle Pini proposes that this is the opportune moment for a royal commission into the Murdoch media.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/the-time-for-a-murdoch-royal-commission-is-now,17458
The notion of the US defaulting on its debt was once unthinkable. But these are not normal times in Washington, explains Stephen Bartholomeusz.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/x-day-the-us-is-getting-closer-to-running-out-of-money-20230427-p5d3lq.html
Kicking oof John Crace’s latest entertaining contribution is, “Just when you thought it could not get any worse after last week … On the plus side, at least the prime minister managed to last 30 minutes without calling Keir Starmer “Sir Softy”. That currently ranks as the height of maturity for Rishi Sunak. The ability to act like a well-behaved 12-year-old. Give that man a pat on the head.”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/apr/26/rishi-sunak-keir-starmer-pmqs-sloganeering
The terrible truth about the sacking of Tucker Carlson is that someone just as odious will replace him, sats Emma Brockes.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/27/tucker-carlson-fox-news-bill-oreilly-glenn-beck
Indonesia’s grand old dame, Megawati Soekarnoputri, has finally announced her preferred candidate for next year’s presidential election. It means the race to replace Joko Widodo as president is on in earnest. Duncan Graham reports on the leading candidates and their relationships with Australia.
https://michaelwest.com.au/the-race-is-on-the-line-up-to-replace-joko-widodo-as-indonesias-next-president-is-revealed/
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
Andrew Dyson
Simon Letch
Matt Golding
Cathy Wilcox
Jim Pavlidis
Fiona Katauskas
Mark Knight
Leak dusts off his stereotypes
From the US
Seth Meyers –
Chris Hayes –
Ali Velshi –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
A few headlines
.
6 Apr 2023 — Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis, hit by rising rents and falling vacancy rates
.
April 3, 2023 – 2:07PM
Housing crisis: Australia faces 106,000 homes shortage by 2027
The extreme pain being felt in the housing market is set to continue with a whopping 331,000 households already in rental stress.
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22 Mar 2023 — Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis, with low-income households hit hardest by rising rents and falling vacancy rates
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16 Nov 2022 — Across Australia, there is a shortage of 173,000 affordable dwellings in the private rental sector available for these households
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So what does State Housing Albo oversee ? ………………………
Record migration revealed: 400,000 to arrive this year
April 28, 2023
Yeah, that’ll work. Well it will for ‘Four House’ Albo.
Friendlyjordies
This video made me actively angry with how the previous government seems to have got away with illegally chasing thousands of poor people to suicide.
F.M –
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/28/does-tasmania-need-its-own-afl-team-the-nosey-do-gooding-mainlanders-all-the-locals-hate