I thought it might be best to create an open thread to discuss the Federal Labor Albanese/Chalmers Government’s first budget. It’ll be aired live on TV (and relevant online TV streams) at 7:30pm AEST, 7:00pm ACST and 5:30pm AWST tonight on 9 May.
Feel free to post your thoughts about it and other matters.
THE PUB 
Honest Government Ad – (a bit disturbing to say the least from a Labor government)
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
A majority of voters support severe measures to tackle the housing crisis including freezing rents, capping migration and using superannuation for housing, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll, writes Paul Karp who tells us what else the poll found.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/30/guardian-essential-poll-majority-of-australians-support-rent-freezes-migration-cap-amid-housing-crisis
According to Lisa Visentin, David Littleproud has distanced himself from Peter Dutton and will seek to ensure the No case is put in a respectful tone.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nationals-leader-says-claim-voice-will-re-racialise-australia-should-not-be-in-referendum-pamphlet-20230529-p5dc25.html
Paul Bongiorno is concerned that the Voice referendum debate too often involves racism and prejudice. He says the most civil thing that can be said about those who are mounting the core arguments of the ‘No’ case against the Voice referendum is that they are unaware of the depths of paternalism and racism in their arguments.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/2023/05/30/voice-referendum-dutton-bongiorno/
America’s restless struggle against the very concepts of governance and government increasingly threatens the survival of a normal, functional nation state, writes Peter Hartcher who concludes his scathing assessment with, “Trump threatens the survival of US democracy. But America’s restless struggle against the very concepts of governance and government increasingly threatens the survival of a normal, functional nation state.”
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/forget-the-debt-ceiling-the-entire-roof-s-collapsing-on-america-20230528-p5dbvt.html
Senators will push for further disclosure of the names of people involved in PwC’s tax leak scandal as the prime minister said the company’s behaviour was “completely unacceptable” after it apologised for its conduct and stood down nine partners who received emails related to the affair. Rachel Clun and Clancy Yeates report that Labor senator Deborah O’Neill said PwC’s apology for betraying the trust of the federal government and the Australian public was inadequate and will not be enough to help the consulting giant win future government contracts.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pwc-head-apologises-for-betraying-trust-pm-calls-for-proper-transparency-20230526-p5dbhx.html
If PwC thought it could this week take back control of the rolling public relations horror show that is its tax leaks scandal, it will be disappointed, writes Sarah Danckert.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/pwc-horror-show-claims-fresh-casualties-with-more-damage-on-cards-20230529-p5dc1o.html
Shane Wright tells us that Jim Chalmers’ hopes of raising an extra $2.4 billion from the oil and gas industry are under further threat, with the Greens accusing the government of creating a sweetheart deal to protect the North West Shelf from paying more tax.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/greens-fear-sweetheart-deal-on-gas-tax-change-20230529-p5dc3e.html
Economist Ross Garnaut says rising unemployment is a bigger concern than a recession and he has called for the Reserve Bank to pause its run of 11 interest rate rises in the past year. He also accused the RBA of making “one very big mistake” that hurt Australians when it held interest rates higher than other developed countries between 2013 and 2019.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/one-very-big-mistake-economist-ross-garnaut-gives-his-verdict-on-reserve-bank-s-actions-20230529-p5dc0e.html
Inflation is falling. There is no wage-price spiral. The central bank does not need to trigger a recession to contain them, argues Craig Emerson who says the RBA is taking Australia to a precipice
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/the-rba-is-taking-australia-to-a-precipice-20230528-p5dbug
The Reserve Bank pushes up interest rates to quell inflation. But those higher rates can also add to inflation, explains Shane Wright.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/catch-22-squared-the-rba-s-inflated-dilemma-over-interest-rates-20230529-p5dc00.html
Ross Gittins reckons Labor has brought in the creative accountants.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/gilding-the-budget-lily-labor-brings-in-the-creative-accountants-20230528-p5dbtw.html
The economic impact of the COVID pandemic varied greatly worldwide, yielding valuable lessons, as Alan Austin reports.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/economic-recovery-many-economies-now-booming-post-covid,17562
Australian officials have told foreign diplomats that the AUKUS submarine plan is “expensive” and not “easy to replicate”, as part of an effort to play down concerns about the risks of other countries racing to do the same, a newly released tranche of documents reveals. Officials also urged diplomats to be on guard for disinformation about the nuclear-powered submarine plan, the documents show. Briefing notes obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws lay bare the arguments the government is using to defend and explain AUKUS to foreign diplomats posted to Canberra.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/30/aukus-expensive-and-not-easy-to-replicate-australian-officials-told-foreign-diplomats
More aged care workers are required, but there are questions over the new Aged Care Labour Agreement, writes Dr Abul Rizvi.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/aged-care-labor-migration-pathway-full-of-risks,17561
Greg Sheridan joining the endless chorus in The Australian, says that the ABC has made emotion the central driver of debate in Australia.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/the-abc-has-made-emotion-the-central-driver-of-debate-in-australia/news-story/b42983b98d3c656519afa9680526bf7a?amp
The SMH editorial says that the impending decision this week by the Medical Board of Australia to ban online doctors from prescribing drugs to patients they have never spoken to, let alone properly consulted, is a welcome and necessary response to the more troubling elements of the boom in the use of telehealth platforms in Australia.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/online-doctors-cannot-tick-and-flick-their-patients-20230529-p5dc8d.html
There is growing support for a government-owned “people’s bank”, like the original Commonwealth Bank, operating through post offices, which could provide full banking services to every community and force the Big Four private banks to truly compete, writes Robert Barwick.
https://johnmenadue.com/senators-call-for-peoples-bank-solution-to-regional-branch-closures/
Defence has issued a new directive warning alcohol consumption will not be tolerated on operations or exercises, after drinking by troops in Afghanistan was linked to cultural failings that allowed war crimes to be committed and covered up. Ben Packham reports that the directive says deployed ADF personnel are banned from drinking alcohol, reiterating previous advice that was flouted by the nation’s most elite troops, with the tacit approval of commanders, during Australia’s longest war.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/adf-warns-troops-drinking-alcohol-on-deployment-wont-be-tolerated/news-story/40640988cefc4714ff8a8f9b80accf0f?amp
Adam Carey reports that the fee threshold at which private schools will be charged payroll tax has been set at just above $8000, school leaders have been told, as the Andrews government prepares to push through parliament its proposed removal of the long-held tax exemption. Why stop there?
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/private-schools-with-fees-of-8000-set-to-lose-payroll-tax-exemption-20230529-p5dc5s.html
It was a shock but no real surprise to read that the multi-national company Inspired Education, which owns Reddam House school in the Sydney’s eastern suburbs, now plans to set up more fully for-profit schools in other areas (Sydney Morning Herald, 27/5). Who thought it would come to this? Where the inexorable march of the privatisation of schooling in this country would reach a point where even schools in the private sector begin to sound the alarm, says Lyndsay Connors.
https://johnmenadue.com/selling-out-our-school-system-to-profit-multinationals/
The Catholic church has been accused of causing added trauma to a survivor after it tried to thwart his case involving a notorious jailed paedophile priest by claiming he could not have been an altar boy because he was baptised in the Anglican church, a move that delayed the case for a year. The accusation adds to a litany of complaints about the legal tactics being employed by the church in abuse cases, including its repeated attempts to permanently halt cases where paedophile clergy have died, a practice first revealed in an investigation by Guardian Australia.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/29/church-accused-of-adding-to-trauma-of-survivor-by-trying-to-thwart-case-involving-paedophile-priest
A former Liberal party staffer has alleged she was subjected to “racial microaggressions” while working in the office of the state opposition leader and plans to take her complaint to Victoria’s human rights watchdog. Annika Smethurst and Someyya Ilanbey tell us that policy adviser Ella Chanel, who was hired in 2022 under then-leader Matthew Guy on a six-month contract, claims she was excluded from meetings, left off emails and ignored by colleagues after the state election and change of leadership in November.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/adviser-alleges-racial-microaggressions-in-state-liberal-office-20230529-p5dc4a.html
Tony Wright reckons Mark McGowan’s exhaustion has come from keeping a straight face.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/western-australia/mark-mcgowan-is-exhausted-it-s-from-keeping-a-straight-face-20230529-p5dc9p.html
Alan Kohler explains how the rise of China changed America – and not for the better.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/us-news/2023/05/29/america-china-alan-kohler/
The US appears likely to narrowly escape a financial catastrophe with a debt ceiling deal, but the outcome does not justify the havoc that has been caused, says Stephen Bartholomeusz who believes the US will pay a heavy price for its damaging game of chicken.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/the-us-will-pay-a-heavy-price-for-its-game-of-chicken-20230529-p5dbzn.html
A veteran Israeli politician says her nation is facing the greatest crisis in its 75-year history as she urges Australian supporters of Israel not to ignore the huge backlash to the Netanyahu government’s attempts to overhaul the nation’s judicial system. Matthew Knott writes that Naomi Chazan – a former deputy speaker of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament – said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “unleashed a backlash of massive proportions” by attempting to weaken the power of the nation’s Supreme Court.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/israel-is-in-the-process-of-implosion-democracy-faces-massive-test-20230529-p5dc5e.html
In an interesting contribution, George Brandis opines that the war won’t be over if Ukraine wins.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/the-war-won-t-be-over-if-ukraine-wins-20230524-p5daug.html
A nun has moved one step closer to sainthood after her exhumed body showed no signs of decay, four years after it was buried. Pilgrims are now flocking to Missouri to see the impeccably well-preserved body of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster. I give up!
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/sainthood-push-for-us-nun-whose-body-was-found-intact-four-years-after-death-20230529-p5dc1i.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Matt Golding
Peter Broelman
Andrew Dyson
John Shakespeare
Mark Knight
Dionne Gain
Glen Le Lievre
Spooner
From the US
“Paul Bongiorno is concerned that the Voice referendum debate too often involves racism and prejudice. He says the most civil thing that can be said about those who are mounting the core arguments of the ‘No’ case against the Voice referendum is that they are unaware of the depths of
paternalism and racism in their arguments.”
So Pat Conaghan, who I have the misfortune to have as my local member, has finally said something controversial after four years of saying and doing absolutely nothing at all. What a shame he finally chose the most racist take on the voice issue as possible. He is your typical Nat – a century behind the times and a former cop to boot. He should fit in well with Dutton. He does so little for his electorate that I would not recognise him if I walked into him on the street. He is the most useless Nat I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of them, all useless.
How typical that he has finally chosen to write a “private” letter in which he embraces all the tired old racist tropes instead of proposing solutions. How very National of him.
I cannot access the originals referred to but I have managed to find this article from Sky News (apologies for that) –
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/astonished-nationals-mp-pat-conaghan-says-judges-attitude-demonstrates-people-are-afraid-to-say-they-oppose-the-voice-to-parliament/news-story/2ccac548575a2c6ef7546b03d924ff54
Leonietwo, every time I hear, see or read anything from the No lot my first reaction is “What on earth are they so afraid of?”
They certainly don’t do “subtle” or nuance. As far as I can tell, they’re in 100% panic mode and scared witless about whatever they think indigenous Australians could or will be able to do to them if they are recognised in our Constitution and thus given a Voice. Perhaps the No Brigade parliamentarians don’t understand our Constitution and what it actually means.
It seems to me that overt racism is the only logical thing that could be fueling the No campaign.
It’s because it’s a Labor initiative.
It’s the hotted up version of Wrecker Abbott.
TLBD, Ah – I hadn’t thought of that. I’m quite good at not seeing the obvious sometimes.
They mustn’t have realised yet that opposing everything Labor hasn’t been working too well for them so far, and Wrecker Abbott’s strategies didn’t stop him being tossed out of his job.
I hope the No vote fails resoundingly.
Yeah, it seems like they’ve forgotten that before Abbott’s opposition to the Rudd government that there was also Turnbull and Nelson, so they’ve decided to attempt to charge down the Albanese government immediately with Abbott tactics.
According to the polls, that’s not going very well for them.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Peter Martin reckons there is a sliver of hope that Albanese will live up to his own promises to end pork-barrelling.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-31/albanese-live-up-to-promises-end-pork-barrelling-evidence-hope/102411524
David Crowe writes that Anthony Albanese is seeking to turn the Fadden byelection, triggered by the resignation of Stuart Robert, into a campaign against the Coalition that reaches a broader audience.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/fadden-byelection-kickstarts-labor-campaign-to-raid-coalition-seats-20230530-p5dcjg.html
The $4.9 billion increase to unemployment benefits will pass the Senate after the Coalition resolved to try to modify the signature budget measure, but wave it through if unsuccessful, says Phil Coorey.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/coalition-resolves-to-back-jobseeker-increase-20230530-p5dcgy
The housing crisis threatens to unleash Australia’s darker angels, and Peter Dutton is intent on exploiting it, says Peter Lewis.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2023/may/30/the-housing-crisis-threatens-to-unleash-australias-darker-angels-peter-dutton-is-intent-on-exploiting-it
Consulting giant PwC blocked the Australian Tax Office’s attempts to garner more information about its involvement in the tax leak scandal at least six years ago, prompting the ATO to report its “significant concerns” to federal police in 2018. Rachel Clun reports that ATO Commissioner Chris Jordan told a parliamentary committee last night his office noticed that a few multinational companies had “suspiciously and quickly” tried to rearrange their affairs after the Multinational Anti-Avoidance Law was introduced in January 2016.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pwc-stonewalled-tax-office-attempts-to-investigate-leak-20230529-p5dca4.html
PwC was behind 15 schemes designed to help multinationals sidestep tax laws, Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan told a parliamentary committee late yesterday. Mr Jordan also accused PwC of frustrating its investigations into these types of schemes – which, in total, put at risk $180 million in tax revenue a year – via “false claims” of legal privilege.
https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/pwc-behind-15-schemes-to-sidestep-tax-says-horrified-ato-20230530-p5dcl4
Accountants were boring until the government paid them billions to do its job, says Ross Gittins in the wake of the PwC revelations. This is an excellent examination of the outsourcing of the public service.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/accountants-were-boring-until-the-government-paid-them-billions-to-do-its-job-20230530-p5dcbo.html
“PwC had one product to sell. Turns out it wasn’t a good one”, says Stephen Bartholomeusz who wonders if PwC’s blue-chip corporate clients continue to do business as usual with a firm that has acted so cynically.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/pwc-had-one-product-to-sell-turns-out-it-wasn-t-a-good-one-20230530-p5dccd.html
Jennifer Hewett tells us why PwC can’t contain the growing demands for heads on sticks.
https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/why-pwc-can-t-contain-the-growing-demands-for-heads-on-sticks-20230530-p5dce6
“The civil war engulfing the Victorian Greens over accusations of transphobia – sound familiar? – continues to take them to ever stranger places”, write Noel Towell and Kishor Napier-Raman as war is declared on the leakers.
https://www.theage.com.au/cbd/victorian-greens-declare-war-on-leakers-20230530-p5dcl9.html
The Victorian Liberals have promised to repeal the state’s incoming tax hike for private schools should the Coalition win government in 2026. But Opposition Leader John Pesutto will not commit to axing Labor’s other tax measures despite opposing them, arguing his party needs to be “fiscally responsible” and assess Victoria’s finances closer to the next election.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/parents-will-pay-this-liberals-promise-to-abolish-victoria-s-private-school-tax-hike-20230530-p5dcji.html
Fears that stripping “high-fee” Victorian private schools of their payroll tax exemption will lead to job losses are a “red herring”, education experts say.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/31/victorian-private-schools-fear-mongering-over-job-losses-after-tax-exemptions-axed-experts-say
If there was any ever doubt that building more homes makes them cheaper, the experience in New Zealand’s largest city should dispel it, explains Michael Read who tells us how Auckland took on the NIMBYs and won.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/how-auckland-took-on-the-nimbys-and-won-20230522-p5da9o
Insurance giants are the latest big companies attracting unwanted government attention over some of their prices, hot on the heels of Labor’s energy market intervention and its scrutiny of bank deposits. Clancy Yeates writes that there’s no question home and car insurance premiums are soaring, but Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones has singled out one group of affected customers in particular: people who have renovated their homes to deal with the risk of natural disasters such as floods.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/minister-warns-insurers-over-unfair-premiums-in-disaster-hotspots-20230530-p5dceo.html
Ben Roberts-Smith, the Victoria Cross recipient claims a series of news stories defamed him, but the newspapers defended their reporting as true. As a verdict looms, Ben Doherty looks at the key details of the case.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/30/the-ben-roberts-smith-allegations-war-crimes-domestic-violence-defamation-case-trial
The aged care payment system currently requires providers wishing to make a profit to do so by skimping on care and services. A new payment structure is needed to reverse the incentives, and link higher profits to better care, argues Charles Maskell-Knight.
https://johnmenadue.com/the-aged-care-payment-system-should-be-re-designed-to-support-quality/
The ABC and NewsCorp are locked in a co-dependent abusive relationship. As Dr Martin Hirst writes, part of the problem is the revolving door between their respective newsrooms.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/newscorp-and-the-abc-sliding-door-moments,17566
Nine Entertainment’s media title the AFR has had a crack at Michael West Media. Michael West responds, gently encouraging the Liberal Party and Big Business-led media outlet to expand its activities in journalism.
https://michaelwest.com.au/on-captured-media-we-respond-to-nine-entertainment-and-the-afrs-tepid-hit-job/
The fact that Australia is sleepwalking towards a catastrophic war against China has received very welcome and responsible coverage in Pearls and Irritations and other non-mainstream media. The head-in-the-sand stance adopted by much of the mainstream media stands in stark contrast. The most recent example of the latter was a 15-page supplement in The Canberra Times (CT) on 17 May – ‘Our Next Steps’, on the Defence Strategic Review. It was a most shameful collection of war-mongering articles and images, writes Sue Wareham.
https://johnmenadue.com/mainstream-media-need-to-focus-on-peace/
Cracks are appearing in China’s financial markets as investors fret about the hefty debt loads of local governments. That’s bad news for commodity exporters, writes Haren Maley about the A$15 trillion local government debt crisis there.
https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/a-15-3-trillion-local-government-debt-crisis-looms-in-china-20230530-p5dcd7
The AFL has reached an agreement with families who made allegations of historical racism at Hawthorn, and has made no findings against Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt. What a clusterf**k!
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-does-deal-with-families-to-end-hawthorn-investigation-20230530-p5dclq.html
Bruce Lehrmann will break his silence on the accusations levelled against him in an interview with Channel 7.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/bruce-lehrmann-to-break-silence-in-channel-7-interview/news-story/9ed1ed959099e9a5a54313edb9794c78?amp
Detectives have arrested an alleged fraud syndicate chief trying to flee the country from Sydney airport after uncovering a $1.2 million phone scam targeting elderly and vulnerable people. A definite contender for “Arsehole of the Week”.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/alleged-chief-fraudster-arrested-at-airport-trying-to-flee-country-20230530-p5dck3.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
David Pope
Matt Golding
Andrew Dyson
Glen Le Lievre
Spooner
From the US
Dutton the Wrecker
friendlyjordies – (not political)
Chris Hayes –
Lawrence O’Donnell –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/he-s-back-former-liberal-mp-tim-smith-considering-return-to-spring-street-20230531-p5dcrv.html
Oh my god, seriously? Tim Smith wanting to run for the Warrandyte by-election.
He’d be more suited running for a position as a clown for hire. At least then the cars he’ll be driving won’t go over 10km/h so when he gets plastered again and gets behind the wheel there’d be nothing worse than a dent and a funny sound effect when he crashes into a fence.
F.M https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/31/here-is-how-to-survive-winter-mainly-in-tasmania-but-also-anywhere
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
David Crowe says that the federal government is not ruling out a decision to refer former cabinet minister Stuart Robert to the new anti-corruption watchdog when it starts operating within months, after federal officials confirmed they had no power to investigate his links to companies bidding for lucrative Commonwealth contracts.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/minister-does-not-rule-out-referring-stuart-robert-to-watchdog-20230531-p5dcrm.html
The Tax Practitioners Board is demanding PwC name the nine partners the firm stood down this week as part of a further investigation it is conducting into the tax leak, which the prime minister has labelled a shocking scandal. Rachel Clun tells us that Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe also said the company must be transparent and name the partners involved if it wanted to earn back trust.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/tax-board-demands-names-as-it-continues-pwc-tax-leak-investigation-20230531-p5dcp3.html
The SMH editorial is concerned that the public scandal engulfing PwC raises the daunting possibility that a corrupt culture could permeate the outsourcing of federal government work to the consultant industry, and we are powerless to prevent it.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/pwc-s-self-immolation-prompts-concern-the-fire-has-spread-20230531-p5dcqv.html
The Andrews government is under mounting pressure to impose new rules on the big consulting firms to reduce conflict-of-interest risks as it increasingly relies on them to manage major projects and policies, write Royce Millar and Someyya Ilanbey.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/pwc-scandal-sparks-calls-for-andrews-to-tighten-rules-on-big-consultancies-20230530-p5dcby.html
RBA governor Philip Lowe has come under fire for months. But at what might have been his last parliamentary appearance, he went out with more whimper than bang, says Shane Wright.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/lowe-keeps-his-critics-at-bay-in-what-could-have-been-his-last-senate-grilling-20230531-p5dco9.html
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe told the Senate Economics Committee that we can’t have real wages growth without productivity growth. Alan Kohler says the implication of what he said is that unless productivity improves fast, there will have to be a recession to bring wages and inflation down, which was given more force by yesterday’s increase in monthly inflation.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/06/01/recession-rba-alan-kohler/
Alexandra Smith wonders if the NSW Liberals know what they stand for anymore.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/perrottet-could-tap-out-by-christmas-there-must-be-something-in-the-water-20230530-p5dcft.html
Shaun Carney writes about the shambolic state of the Victorian Liberal party and concludes that “Hard policy work and dealing with reality could get them there. Squabbling and undermining won’t.”
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/it-s-hard-dose-of-reality-time-for-shambolic-victorian-libs-20230531-p5dcwu.html
Meanwhile, John Pesutto has been served with a fresh defamation threat by ousted MP Moira Deeming, as the party faces a by-election headache. Lawyers for Deeming, who was expelled from the parliamentary Liberal party this month for allegedly bringing discredit on the party, has issued a second defamation concerns notice to Pesutto.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/31/victorian-opposition-leader-john-pesutto-served-with-fresh-defamation-threat-by-ousted-mp-moira-deeming
Thursday is culture day at The Australian and Peta Credlin struts her usual stuff on the Voice. She reckons the Voice will create a whole new land-use approvals regime that circumvents elected officials and subjects the rights of private property owners to Aboriginal heritage assessment.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/a-modest-voice-take-a-look-out-west-to-consider-its-far-reaching-consequences/news-story/296486ae8cf05af9f3e496f1e842c969?amp
The proposal to recognise Indigenous Australians by a Constitutional Voice to Parliament could be in trouble, writes Ross Stitt.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-proposal-to-recognise-indigenous-australians-by-a-constitutional-voice-to-parliament-could-be-in-trouble,17564
The solutions to Australia’s housing crisis are actually quite obvious, argues Greg Jericho who, as usual, festoons his contribution with plenty of data.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2023/jun/01/the-solutions-to-australias-housing-crisis-are-actually-quite-obvious
Families are the latest weapon in the private school sector’s fight against the Andrews government’s payroll tax changes, with principals urging parents to pressure their local Labor MPs to reconsider the move. Adam Carey reports that the head of Victoria’s Catholic schools has written to state Labor MPs, warning them that the education of more than 21,000 students at about 20 schools will suffer if they lose their long-held exemption to payroll tax next year.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/the-catholic-schools-set-to-be-punished-to-balance-the-state-budget-20230531-p5dcwd.html
Within weeks, investors will learn what a select group of valuers really think about pricing. Whether buyers accept those anticipated discounts will then be the test, explains Robert Harley. It may not be pretty, he says One leading valuer told him this was the most difficult valuation season since the global financial crisis.
https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/touchy-contested-critical-the-truth-about-office-tower-values-20230531-p5dcpl
It has been obvious for many years that our health system needs a radical, evidence based, redesign if it is ever to meet the oft spoken goals of equality and cost-effectiveness, with a focus on prevention and timely availability of care based on need, not financial wellbeing, argues John Dwyer who declares that no amount of money will fix the current health system.
https://johnmenadue.com/no-amount-of-money-will-fix-the-current-health-system/
Judgment in the defamation trial brought by Ben Roberts-Smith VC – Australia’s most decorated living soldier and a man accused of murdering unarmed civilians while serving in Afghanistan – will be delivered this afternoon in Sydney. One of the most dramatic – and costly – trials in Australian legal and military history will reach its conclusion at 2.15pm AEST in Sydney’s federal court building, when Justice Anthony Besanko hands down his highly anticipated, hugely consequential verdict.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jun/01/judgment-day-ben-roberts-smith-defamation-trial-to-conclude-with-dramatic-finale
The failure of Bank of Queensland to correct significant systemic risk management issues first detected almost a decade ago has led regulators to appoint an external auditor and set aside additional capital. Ouch!
https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/boq-slapped-with-apra-austrac-undertakings-20230531-p5dco8
Johnson & Johnson pelvic mesh victims have expressed dismay at efforts by their law firm, Shine Justice, to stiff them with extortionate finance costs. Callum Foote investigates.
https://michaelwest.com.au/shine-justice-to-offload-heavy-finance-costs-onto-pelvic-mesh-victims/
Matthew Knott reports that Angus Campbell has said the United States issued a remarkable warning it may need to suspend co-operation with some Australian military units because of concerns their members had been involved in war crimes in Afghanistan.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/us-told-australia-military-co-operation-at-risk-over-gross-human-rights-breaches-20230531-p5dcxe.html
Evidence from police and DPP witnesses at the Sofronoff Inquiry into how the justice system handled Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations has revealed a shambolic trail of errors. Paul Begley asks if these were stumbles under pressure or professional incompetence.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/bruce-lehrmann-inquiry-exposes-biases-bungles-and-blaming-,17567
China doesn’t want a war, writes a former ambassador to Beijing, Colin Heseltine, who says it has better ways to achieve its goals.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/china-doesn-t-want-a-war-it-has-better-ways-to-achieve-its-goals-20230530-p5dcfb.html
Stephen Bartholomeusz tells us that Twitter is facing massive fines or a complete ban on operating in Europe as it snubs legislation requiring big tech platforms to reduce the risk of disinformation and harmful content.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/you-can-t-hide-elon-musk-s-latest-move-could-see-twitter-banned-in-europe-20230531-p5dcol.html
Across Europe, the far right is rising. That it seems normal is all the more terrifying, writes Owen Jones.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/31/across-europe-the-far-right-is-rising-that-it-seems-normal-is-all-the-more-terrifying
Jimmy Rushton explains how Ukraine’s Moscow drone strike spells trouble in the air for Putin.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/moscow-drone-strike-spells-trouble-in-the-air-for-putin-20230531-p5dcr0.html
Members of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus have attacked the proposed spending cuts in the debt ceiling bill as woefully inadequate, and vowed to oppose the legislation when it hits the floor.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/31/us-debt-ceiling-republican-hard-right-vows-to-sink-deal-hours-before-vote-expected
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
Andrew Dyson
David Rowe
Matt Golding
Fiona Katauskas
John Shakespeare
Dionne Gain
Spooner
From the US
https://mediacloud.theweek.com/image/upload/f_auto,t_single-media-image-desktop@1/v1685535370/275069_1536_rgb.jpg’
Hellp,
Ok, I am officially a year older. It is a bit of a lonely birthday due to the circumstances but one cannot have everything, The weather is cooler in the Kimberley as the heat of Summer recedes. I am tired but have enough energy and pain relief to keep the Community Store running.
(For legal reasons all names are changed and anyway I am writing prose, of course this is not a real person but a character I am working on for a story.)
The tinpot whitey dictator still does his King of the Castle and You’re the Dirty Rascal routine. I find it part annoying part amusing. Who does he think he is playing with, Little Bo Peep. I am perfectly capable of acting in a responsible and professional way while standing my ground.
I know, I know, there is one in every situation, generally those who think co-operation is doing everything their way and treat non-agreement as a threat.
I shall call him Little Dutton..
My story continues
Chris Hayes –
Lawrence O’Donnell –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Journalist at centre of Ben Roberts-Smith’s landmark defamation case speaks to 7.30
(10m video & transcript)
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-01/journalist-at-centre-of-ben-roberts-smith%E2%80%99s/102423792
What are the legal implications for the media from the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case?
(7m video)
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-01/what-are-the-legal-implications-for-the-media-from/102423812
Also, what are the legal implications for our armed forces? And who takes the responsibility for sending them into situations which could be interpreted so differently by those of us at home to those who were there. There is a cynical portion of my thinking that wonders just who Roberts-Smith offended…
I have questions that this whole mess was not brought before a Courts Martial. And there again, why was a Courts Martial not held when they were first raised?
I agree with, while reserving my horror of the (alleged) war crimes.
While I do not doubt tge Judge’s findings there are some strange aspects to this case.
I am stunned,honoured and can’t hardly believe it
Last night at community meeting/barbeque I was told by two of the women Elders that I have been accepted and I am now a Woman of the Desert people.
Congratulations!
What’s your name?
Congratulations! A well deserved honour.
That is wonderful, and a very well deserved honour.
Nice one ptmd, have you thought of changing or adding to your avatar?
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Nick McKenzie is now able to tell us quite a bit more about the incidents that were at the centre of the B R-S trial.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/you-machine-gunned-that-guy-a-witness-tells-his-truth-of-day-he-will-never-forget-20230220-p5cm08.html
Ben Roberts-Smith chose not to face his moment of destiny. Nearly every day during the trial he strode through the sliding doors at Queens Square in Sydney in his well-fitted suit, offered a smile to the waiting press pack and took a seat at the back of the court, the very study of a man relaxed in the knowledge that “the truth would out”. But when the time came for the truth to be unveiled, only his spectre hung over the court, writes Harriett Alexander.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/spectre-of-a-killer-looms-over-judgment-day-in-defamation-case-without-compare-20230529-p5dc85.html
While the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial is now over, the mission to achieve justice over alleged war crimes committed by Australian service members in Afghanistan is still in its infancy, says Matthew Knott.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-reckoning-over-afghanistan-war-crimes-is-only-just-beginning-20230530-p5dciz.html
The Herald and The Age have won the libel case of the century. These were always stories that deserved to be told. It should not have required one of the most expensive trials in the nation’s history to establish that, writes barrister Matt Collins who says Ben Roberts-Smith took the fight to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald and it was a disastrous miscalculation. A very good read.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-took-the-fight-to-nine-it-was-a-disastrous-miscalculation-20230601-p5dd7y.html
Ben Roberts-Smith’s personally disastrous defamation case is not the complete victory it seems for Australian journalism. Hugh Riminton thinks the gruelling five-year legal battle will leave the Nine stable out of pocket by a seven-figure sum, even after payment of costs.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/01/why-the-ben-roberts-smith-verdict-is-not-a-complete-victory-for-journalism
Mark Kenny writes that, either way, the decision by Justice Anthony Besanko in the Federal Court a case brought by Victoria Cross holder Ben Roberts-Smith is a mortar fusillade of its own, lobbing straight into the citadels of Australian battlefield practice, alpha-male military culture, and national security sensitivities. He says, “In dismissing the application from Australia’s highest profile war hero, the court has cut through the fog of war and boldly reinforced a role for disruptive public interest journalism.”
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8218829/journalism-is-vital-in-war-and-in-peace/?cs=14329
Cameron Stewart says that the Ben Roberts-Smith verdict leaves SAS rogues in the ranks to await their fate.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/rogues-in-the-ranks-await-their-fate-as-agiant-is-toppled/news-story/57c7b264648f6ebceb86bc57eb2e8019?amp
As the Ben Roberts-Smith case proves, it’s time for Australia to abandon our farcical Anzac myths, declares Paul Daley.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/01/as-the-ben-roberts-smith-case-proves-its-time-for-australia-to-abandon-our-farcical-myths-of-anzac
Seven West Media boss Kerry Stokes is facing a potential legal bill of almost $40m in the wake of Ben Roberts-Smith’s failed defamation case. Mr Stokes, who not only bankrolled Roberts-Smith’s legal action, but also employs him as general manager of the Seven Network in Queensland, said he was disappointed by the court findings, reports James Madden.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/dismissal-of-ben-robertssmith-case-is-a-big-win-for-nine-over-kerry-stokescontrolled-seven/news-story/f6f93bcad0fd23e0d1909b9d36c98d83?amp
In seeking answers, the Herald has adhered to its own code, which is not to remain silent but to go where the evidence takes us and ask hard questions. Thursday’s verdict shows why that commitment is vital. This editorial says that the SMH is proud of its work and thank readers for their support.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/herald-s-court-victory-first-and-foremost-a-win-for-the-truth-20230601-p5dda8.html
Chris Barrett writes that defence secretaries and ministers from the United States, China and elsewhere are heading to the plush surrounds of the Shangri-La hotel on Orchard Road for Asia’s leading security summit. But it is Albanese who has top billing, giving him a platform to lay out the Australian government’s world view at a time of heightened superpower competition and concern about the potential for conflict.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/the-prime-minister-s-biggest-moment-on-the-world-stage-has-arrived-20230601-p5dd5t.html
The ACT’s victims of crime commissioner, Heidi Yates, says she would have reconsidered standing next to Brittany Higgins during a televised speech after the Lehrmann rape trial was aborted if she’d known what she was going to say. Angus Thompson reports that Yates, who has been publicly accused of damaging the presumption of innocence of former Coalition staffer Bruce Lehrmann by her actions in the high-profile case, has told a public inquiry she was instead thinking of the possibility of his accuser collapsing while addressing the media shortly after the mistrial.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/she-was-not-okay-act-victims-advocate-feared-higgins-would-collapse-during-speech-20230531-p5dcs7.html
In a rather scathing contribution, David Crowe explains what the PwC scandal tells us about a broken system, and how to fix it.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/what-the-pwc-scandal-tells-us-about-a-broken-system-and-how-to-fix-it-20230531-p5dctl.html
Michelle Grattan thinks the PwC scandal should be ripe for the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s attention.
https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-the-pwc-scandal-should-be-ripe-for-the-national-anti-corruption-commissions-attention-206867
Australians are tired of neoliberalism. We are sick of that much talked about and ever-widening gap between the haves and have-nots. The idea that endless privatisation and unfettered corporate greed will somehow leave us all better off no longer appears to be swallowed by the vast majority of Australians. Certainly, public confidence in our political leaders as well as in our institutions has been severely eroded in recent years, writes Michelle Pini.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-pwc-disaster–neoliberalism-on-steroids,17570
The Public Service Act doesn’t just allow secretaries and their departments to push back on politicians’ abuses of power; it demands it. But targeting ministers or SES, or tightening the standards and laws under which they operate, will not be the most effective way to repair what is a broader issue, explains Richard Manderson.
https://johnmenadue.com/value-focused-repair-of-the-public-service/
New research shows Australia is lagging behind Europe and other parts of the world in regulating online wagering, as gambling reform advocates push for the federal government to quickly bring in new regulation. Josh Taylor writes that, according to new analysis from the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Australia is far behind a broad range of countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Spain in curbing gambling advertisements, or online gambling.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jun/02/australias-online-gambling-regulation-far-behind-global-pack-advocates-find
National Australia Bank boss Ross McEwan and property leaders have called for urgent action to fix Australia’s chronic undersupply of housing, warning that the failure will accelerate the sharp rise in property prices and rents.
https://www.afr.com/property/residential/unmanageable-ceos-demand-urgent-fix-for-housing-20230529-p5dc91
Sumeyya Ilanbey, in her last column for The Age, reflects on politics and the Dan Andrews era.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/democracy-has-withered-on-andrews-watch-i-know-because-i-watched-it-happen-20230601-p5dd5q.html
It’s game, set and almost match to Biden on the debt ceiling, writes Edward Luce who says the Republicans’ high drama has barely dented the US president’s agenda.
https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/game-set-and-almost-match-to-biden-on-the-debt-ceiling-20230601-p5dd25
The debt ceiling fight was never about debt. It was about Republican power, opines Mark Weisbrot.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/01/debt-ceiling-fight-democracy-republican-power-extortion
Republicans love to make up fake crises. Robert Reich lays out five of the biggest.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/01/republicans-fake-crises-five-biggest
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
David Rowe
Andrew Dyson
Matt Golding
Jim Pavlidis
Leak
From the US
Chris Hayes –
Lawrence O’Donnell –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
All over the world, I guess
“Canberra’s Biggest Nutbush City Limits dance honours Tina Turner on a Friday lunchtime in Civic Square”
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8219785/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=
F.M –
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/02/the-mysterious-case-of-pwc-and-the-misuse-of-confidential-government-tax-information
Is this a good time to mention this …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaker_Morant
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. Amongst this lot are several quite meaty contributions.
Ben Roberts-Smith’s War Memorial display raises troubling questions about how Australia’s military history and politics interact, declares Laura Tingle in a long contribution.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-03/ben-roberts-smith-war-memorial-australia-military-politics/102428112
Nick McKenzie tells us all about the rich and influential cheer squad who backed a war criminal. This is a compelling read!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-rich-and-influential-cheer-squad-who-backed-a-war-criminal-20230502-p5d4ww.html
The Ben Roberts-Smith trial could not explore the full role of officers, but it did provide important insights, explains Chris Masters.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/reputation-over-rank-where-was-the-command-over-this-culture-20230327-p5cvkc.html
“For journalists Nick McKenzie, Chris Masters and David Wroe, who did the work, and defended it with excruciating dedication to detail, there is a big, fat sigh of relief, tears and a few Parfait Amours at the local. Good, revelatory journalism can and should continue. Editors no longer have to surrender the entire newspaper to lifestyle and scrambled egg recipes”, writes Richard Ackland in this explanation of how the trial proceeded.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2023/06/03/ben-roberts-smith-war-criminal
The SMH editorial says that the chain of command breaks when esteem outstrips rank on the battlefield. It also has a dig at the end, saying “As a media boss, Stokes should be backing journalism rather than aiding and abetting a war criminal.”
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/chain-of-command-breaks-when-esteem-outstrips-rank-on-the-battlefield-20230602-p5dddl.html
Ben Roberts-Smith remains lionised in the Australian War Memorial, and he keeps his Victoria Cross, despite a civil court finding this week that he was responsible for murdering four unarmed prisoners. Australia must now reckon with the human contradiction that one of our greatest heroes is also one of our worst war criminals, writes Ben Saul.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/roberts-smith-belongs-in-the-war-memorial-but-as-a-villain-not-a-hero-20230602-p5dde9.html
The investigative reporting of The Australian Financial Review’s stablemate mastheads has been vindicated, under libel laws that too often are tilted against journalism and the public’s right to know, says its editorial.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/holding-heroes-to-account-bolsters-our-democracy-20230530-p5dcc8
Economists say the RBA is likely to raise the cash rate beyond 4 per cent next week, and a further two times before September, after the largest rise in the minimum wage for decades, says the AFR.
https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/workplace/lowest-paid-get-8-6pc-bump-in-biggest-minimum-award-rise-in-decades-20230602-p5ddcs
Michael Pascoe argues that the wage case shouldn’t panic the RBA.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/06/02/michael-pascoe-wage-rise/
While the struggle to curb inflation has drawn a lot of attention, one of the most pressing economic challenges facing the government has been widely ignored: the collapse in productivity, observes John Hewson who is concerned that a national productivity strategy … will take bold action – it won’t be implemented by a government that’s worried about being accused of moving too fast, or doing too much, or breaking promises.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2023/06/03/the-productivity-collapse
The four global PwC partners who flew into Australia to limit the fallout from the unfolding tax scandal hurting its global business have failed miserably. Instead, say Colin Kruger and Sarah Danckert, the trip has given them a front-row seat to a show that has escalated from an obscure leak of sensitive government plans to combat corporate tax avoidance to a multibillion-dollar threat for the entire industry.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/secrets-and-lies-the-undoing-of-global-giant-pwc-20230531-p5dcpp.html
New questions are raised over the tax office’s insistence it was prohibited from telling Treasury and other departments when it discovered PwC was profiteering from confidential information, writes Karen Middleton who says the tax office has been accused of having a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ culture over the PwC breach.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2023/06/03/tax-office-accused-dont-ask-dont-tell-culture-pwc-breach
The Labor senator spearheading a probe of embattled accounting firm PwC has received whistleblower reports that the consultancy deliberately hired former government staff to mine for confidential information. As senior ministers and government departments put a pause on working with the firm after revelations it leaked sensitive government tax plans to partners and clients, Senator Deborah O’Neill has aired concerns that its attempts to obtain sensitive information were more systematic.
https://www.afr.com/wealth/tax/pwc-hired-ex-government-staff-to-mine-for-information-o-neill-20230602-p5ddiy
The agency that regulates the NDIS has engaged lawyers in an attempt to prevent being served with a complaint about its own dysfunctional workplace culture, reports Rick Morton on what looks to be an explosive issue.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/economy/2023/06/03/exclusive-ndis-regulator-chaos
The opposition leader is conjuring fear and division when he could be leading his party to a proud bipartisan moment, writes Peter Hartcher who says that not everything Dutton has said is false or misleading. Just the most important parts.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-s-race-to-the-bottom-distorts-the-voice-20230602-p5dde7.html
Paul Bongiorno says, “The problem for the Coalition is that Dutton has let the cat out of the bag. Any attempts to cloak his racist arguments in higher-toned debate about the Voice pitting “one group of Australians against another” are now clearly grounded in an appeal to deep-seated and ugly prejudice.”
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2023/06/03/duttons-race-rhetoric-unleashed
The ‘No’ case is leading the social media campaign over the Voice. While there is little evidence of bots being used, there is a co-ordinated approach and an increase in hate speech, writes Mike Seccombe. It’s getting quite nasty.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/media/2023/06/03/social-media-versus-the-voice
George Megalogenis explains why his friend Stan Grant got under Australia’s skin. He writes, “More than half the Australian population is born overseas or the child of a migrant, yet we still have a blind spot on race: how we value First Australians.”
https://www.smh.com.au/national/why-my-friend-stan-grant-got-under-australia-s-skin-20230602-p5ddch.html
Australia’s home ownership rate peaked at 73 per cent in 1966 but is about 63 per cent today. Here John Kehoe puts forward some ways to fix a damaging crisis that has morphed into a political, economic and social problem.
https://www.afr.com/property/residential/radical-steps-needed-to-build-more-homes-for-outsiders-20230525-p5db6x
Get a housemate? It sounds silly, but might be the reality until Labor and the Greens can build some homes, writes Paul Karp.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2023/jun/03/get-a-housemate-it-sounds-silly-but-might-be-the-reality-until-labor-and-the-greens-can-build-some-homes
With Australia’s housing crisis growing, there is a dire need for an economic solution that will rectify the situation in the long term, writes Dr Klaas Woldring.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/government-action-urgently-needed-as-housing-crisis-escalates,17574
The editorial in The Saturday Paper says that Bridget Archer has a modest proposal. The Liberal Party and the Nationals should dissolve their coalition agreement and formulate individual policies while in opposition. She can see her own party’s drift from relevance. She can see the way Peter Dutton has quickly given up the values she thought were inherent.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/editorial/2023/06/03/country-mouse-politics
Passengers have always been able to request a seat change after take-off. Now Qantas is charging extra for “neighbour free” seats, the rules have shifted.
https://www.theage.com.au/traveller/travel-news/is-it-ok-to-move-to-an-empty-seat-on-a-plane-20230530-p5dcdq.html
Qantas’ ability to sustain the era of aviation super profits is in question just days after the airline delighted investors by declaring demand for international flights will outrun supply for the next five years. The AFR tells us that federal Transport Minister Catherine King is weighing a request from Qatar Airways to bust up Qantas’ grip on landing rights and open the skies to more competition.
https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/minister-could-let-qatar-bust-up-qantas-fare-gouging-20230601-p5dd2d
The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne has been dealt a blow in the Court of Appeal, which refused the church’s bid to overturn a $1.9 million damages payout to a victim of paedophile priest Desmond Gannon. Cameron Houston reports that the former altar boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is the first and only victim of clerical abuse to take their case against the archdiocese to trial and receive damages.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/catholic-church-fails-to-overturn-1-9m-payout-to-victim-of-paedophile-priest-20230602-p5ddc8.html
Meanwhile, Victoria Police has backflipped and reopened its investigation into the board of Melbourne’s ultra-orthodox Adass Israel School for its role in helping convicted sex offender Malka Leifer flee Australia. The surprise move could see senior Jewish community figures and others charged over the decision to send the former school principal to Israel in March 2008 when they knew she had been accused by her former students of sexual assault. Good!
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/police-reopen-probe-into-school-board-over-how-malka-leifer-fled/news-story/e6d3d65bba6d22cd2c1bc9afa3b5a80d?amp
New rules to limit access to vaping products to people with a prescription are aimed at curbing a worrying rise in youth smoking, explains Martin McKenzie-Murray.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/health/2023/06/03/crackdown-vaping-targets-youth-addiction
Australia Post will raise the price of parcel and package delivery services by as much as 10 per cent from July, citing soaring costs and ballooning group losses as the main reasons for the hike. Emma Koehn reports that the postal operator told customers about the new prices on Friday, outlining changes to fees for several services including business mail, domestic and international parcel services.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/australia-post-to-cover-rising-costs-by-raising-parcel-prices-20230602-p5dde3.html
A bill introducing harsh penalties and extending the scope of a law applying to those who obstruct public places has been passed after an all-night sitting by the South Australian Legislative Council this week. Veteran investigative journalist (herself twice imprisoned for free speech) Wendy Bacon reports.
https://michaelwest.com.au/draconian-south-australia-just-topped-nsw-tas-victoria-queensland-with-new-laws-penalising-peaceful-protesters/
Eryk Bagshaw tells us that Anthony Albanese has laid out his vision for Australia’s most pressing foreign policy challenge: managing the rise of China. This is a nuanced road map. There are threads of optimism that the region can avoid war, but it also acknowledges it may be driven into conflict and Australia must be prepared.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/avoiding-extremes-albanese-defines-his-approach-to-beijing-as-the-middle-ground-20230602-p5ddf3.html
Almost 30 per cent of Japan’s population is aged 65 or over. Last year the number of children born fell under 800,000 for the first time since records began in 1899. A study by independent think-tank Recruit Works Institute published in March found the country may face a shortage of more than 11 million workers by 2040. PM Kishida has announced a A$38 billion program to address the serious shortage of babies.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/38million-plan-to-boost-births-and-avert-japanese-society-s-collapse-20230602-p5ddhf.html
Last year, Vladimir Putin had no difficulty financing his invasion. This year he will have to choose between guns for his troops and butter for his people, writes Ambrose Evans=Pritchard who says Vladimir Putin no longer has the money or the kit to sustain a modern war.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/vladimir-putin-no-longer-has-the-money-or-the-kit-to-sustain-a-modern-war-20230602-p5ddba.html
“Not for the first time, Sunak has been hung out to dry by Johnson – how much more can he take?”, asks Jonathan Freedland.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/02/sunak-johnson-covid-inquiry-whatsapp
Don’t be fooled – Trump’s presidential run is gaining more and more momentum, warns Lloyd Green.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/02/donald-trump-presidential-run-gains-momentum
“The rebirth of Donald Trump has biblical overtones. But can he win?”, wonders the entertaining John Lord.
https://theaimn.com/the-rebirth-of-donald-trump-has-biblical-overtones-but-can-he-win/
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
David Pope
Alan Moir
Matt Golding
Jon Kudelka
Jim Pavlidis
Andrew Dyson
Simon Letch
Matt Davidson
John Shakespeare
Richard Giliberto
Leak
From the US
Chris Hayes –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
“Get a housemate? It sounds silly, but might be the reality until Labor and the Greens can build some homes, writes Paul Karp.”
Not on your nelly! I like living alone, I don’t tolerate idiots (to my mind at least 75% of humans are idiots and I’m being generous in that assessment), I value my privacy and I have no intention of sharing with anyone.
If Community Housing wants me to accept a lodger then they will have a battle on their hands. How do you think headlines like this will play out? “Government funded housing forces 77 year old grandmother to take strangers into her home” should do.
LOL “until Labor and Greens can build some homes”. Labor’s you beaut housing policy appears to deliver 1/10 of SFA of what is required. Still, the most important thing for ‘Team Albo” is to give the appearance of ‘doing something” without actually doing anything. Paywalled but the cartoon sums it up.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/property/2023/02/18/michael-pascoe-labors-housing-policy/
Oh dear, Albo ‘Four Houses’ might need to get out that worn out violin and tell us , yet again, of his living in public housing………….
https://thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2023/02/01/private-landlords-public-housing-pascoe/
leonetwo
I was going to suggest a redecoration of your place to deter potential ‘invaders’ , something along the lines of
But then I realised it would probably be very attractive to some of the ‘wrong’ sort of people.
Fingers crossed though that you never have to worry about the forced ‘overcrowding’ of your home.
That looks very like No 2 Son’s former M-I-‘L’s residence at Halloween. To be honest her family say that Halloween is bigger than Christmas for them
In former financially stressed times I had to share my house. My flatmates were upstanding people but I did not like it.
Teenagers bust their guts to fit in wearing cool uniform outside school hours, twenty somethings are keen to build community, by the time you in your 40s you want to control your environment, by your 60s you enjoy your solitude