For simplicity’s sake for the new thread starter, I think it would be best to just link to the published report of the royal commission into this despicable chapter in the Australian Government and Public Service.
https://robodebt.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/report
Related articles and opinions, among the usual politics of the day are welcome to be posted in the comments, but I will add notice to this excellent article by Laura Tingle.
On a personal note, I think it is outrageous that the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government implemented this policy and I hope the prosecutions go far in making sure this never happens again. And I also hope that the consequences are felt across the entire public service so that filth like Kathryn Campbell don’t get to float to the top to implement sewer policies like this again.
THE PUB 
Chris Hayes –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLoYSVbHwyk
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
The Federal Court’s ruling against Peninsula Health could set a precedent for junior doctors from hospitals across the country being awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for unpaid overtime.
https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/hasn-t-sunk-in-yet-melbourne-doctor-wins-landmark-wage-theft-case-20230812-p5dvyg.html
The vaping crisis gripping MSW’s schools is getting worse, with students caught dealing vapes out of their school bags.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/this-wouldn-t-be-acceptable-if-it-was-cigarettes-schools-told-to-report-vaping-students-20230812-p5dvzo.html
The trial of Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins has been a gift to critics of the #MeToo movement, writes Jacqui Maley who says the abuse of Higgins’ privacy sends a chilling message to other would-be complainants.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-calamitous-lehrmann-trial-is-a-gift-to-metoo-critics-20230811-p5dvtl.html
Crispin Hull examines the Sofronoff report and the study on NSW’s changes to the handling of sexual assault accusations.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8305091/women-remain-biggest-losers-in-search-for-sexual-assault-justice/?cs=14258
Rape myths make it almost impossible for victim-survivors of sexual assault to find justice in Australia’s legal system, writes Rachael Burgin who points out that a central finding of the inquiry – that the prosecution against Lehrmann was properly brought by the director of public prosecutions, Shane Drumgold SC, who moved to charge Lehrmann after ACT police declined to – has been overlooked in much of the reporting
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/12/myths-make-it-almost-impossible-for-victim-survivors-of-sexual-assault-to-find-justice-in-australias-legal-system
Young men feel under siege – and it’s driving them to dark places, writes Michael Bachelard.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/young-men-feel-under-siege-and-it-s-driving-them-to-dark-places-20230803-p5dttk.html
Only one Liberal MP in Victoria has said they will vote Yes in the referendum and Opposition Leader John Pesutto is one of the last Liberal leaders yet to declare his view.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/the-sole-victorian-liberal-mp-publicly-backing-the-voice-20230812-p5dvy5.html
Josh Gordon and Tom Cowie report that residents will be barred from lodging objections against medium-density housing in the middle and inner suburbs of Melbourne provided developers agree to build affordable housing.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/noisy-nimbys-to-be-silenced-on-housing-projects-20230809-p5dv4w.html
The world’s biggest consulting firms have grown large and profitable by walking all sides of the street in their relationships with governments, but are now coming under increased pressure, presenting new risks. Stuart Kells reports.
https://michaelwest.com.au/consultants-big-4-business-bs-and-the-beast-with-seven-heads/
Agricultural intensification is killing European birds. Europeans are killing Australia’s native rodents. Getting rid of invasive species and reintroducing native species can re-establish natural ecosystems, posits Peter Sainsbury.
https://johnmenadue.com/environment-biodiversity-is-decreasing-but-damaged-ecosystems-can-be-restored/
More than 90% of freshwater habitats on England’s most precious rivers are in unfavourable condition, blighted by farming pollution, raw sewage and water abstraction, an Observer investigation reveals. None of the approximately 40 rivers with protected habitats in England are in overall good health, according to an analysis of government inspection reports. These include the River Avon in Hampshire, the Wensum in Norfolk and the Eden in Cumbria.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/12/an-utter-disgrace-90-of-englands-most-precious-river-habitats-blighted-by-raw-sewage-and-farming-pollution
When we hear the term “abuse” in relation to the Catholic Church, we immediately think of crimes of a sexual nature committed against children by the clergy. But there is another form of abuse taking place in the Church and it’s just as real. It’s called emotional abuse and is most evident in the attitude of the Church hierarchy towards women, argues John Crothers.
https://johnmenadue.com/the-other-form-of-abuse-in-the-catholic-church/
If you thought social media had a hand in getting Trump elected, watch what happens when you throw AI into the mix, warns John Naughton.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/12/a-tsunami-of-ai-misinformation-will-shape-next-years-knife-edge-elections
The federal judge presiding over Donald Trump’s 2020 election subversion case on Friday warned inflammatory remarks from the former president would push her to schedule the trial sooner, saying she would take every step to safeguard the integrity of proceedings and to avoid tainting the potential jury pool.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/11/trump-trial-date-sooner-warns-judge-tanya-chutkan
Five House Democrats led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York wrote to the US attorney general, Merrick Garland, to demand a federal investigation of the conservative supreme court justice Clarence Thomas, over his acceptance of undeclared gifts from billionaire rightwing donors.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/12/aoc-democrats-federal-investigation-clarence-thomas
Cartoon Corner
Matt Golding
Simon Letch
Dionne Gain
Reg Lynch
A gif from Glen Le Lievre
Peter Broelman
Joe Benke
From the US
It is no secret why they grew. The ‘fashion’ was for governments to privatise and to slash the number of civil servants. With institutional memory and the expertise in the Public Sector gorn who was left to consult ?
Pollies and Senior PS people would have loved one of the by-products , they became relieved of much of the necessity of making ‘courageous’ decisions. Instead of being held responsible for decisions that ended in merde they could could instead point to the ‘independent advice’ given to them by consultants and claim they were not really be to blame. The Carpetbagger Consultant Cartel of course continued to supply their clients “the best advice that money could buy”. Remembering of course that we the peasantry have not been nor ever will be their clients.
Michael West –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woxc6pYPitU
🙂 He used my “Four Homes Albo”
So now we are supposed to have a national public holiday due to the fracking Matildas winning – if they win. Allegedly they are in Albo’s words, “inspiring a whole nation”.
Well they aren’t inspiring me. As I have said about a zillion times I have no interest in top-level sport, to me it is just bread and circuses to con those tuning in (or paying far too much to watch in person) to forget the big issues the world is facing right now.
There is nothing more puke inducing than pollies. especially PMs, using sport as a path to ‘popularity’.
Anyone who does a good job deserves praise and encouragement. I’m not a sports fan either, but I was glad to wake up to see those replays, listen to commentaries and read late headlines about the Matildas as I had breakfast. ‘Bread and circuses’ have played a major part in the history of politics since time immemorial. So, this particular ‘circus’ with its great performers was true history making women’s sport in our mainly male sports’ obsessed Oz. As well, this match has lightened the political atmosphere around us. The nasty tone of The Voice debate was barely audible today with our PM was all smiles there, wrapped in a Matildas scarf, and so far no sign of Peter Dutton. I wish now I’d stayed up for it! I won’t miss Sydney ‘s game for sure and win or lose I ‘ll get myself organized to watch the final.
PS It’s great to see images of men and women lining up for entry to this game and to hear their roars of joy for our ‘girls’ when they scored. And those littlies trotting out into the arena with their great sportswomen role models to enjoy their applause.
‘Tis Sunday arvo, the sun is low in the sky and thoughts of the past come to mind . In this case my PC Gaming past. Oh how I loved the music.
Either that or the results were something like 57-43 to Labor with Albo up and Dutton down on all counts and Simon Benson being like “Oh, I just can’t spin this shit anymore…” so they threw it out.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Ross Gittins goes beyond the simple supply and demand economic theory to examine what is behind our cost of living problem.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/hate-price-rises-please-blame-supply-and-demand-not-me-20230813-p5dw30.html
Australia’s leading economists believe Australia can sustain an unemployment rate as low as 3.75% – much lower than the latest Reserve Bank estimate of 4.25% and the Treasury’s latest estimate of 4.5%, writes Peter Martin.
https://theconversation.com/we-can-and-should-keep-unemployment-below-4-says-our-survey-of-top-economists-211277
A windfall tax, or cutting income taxes, won’t fix productivity problem, argues Alan Kohler
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/08/14/alan-kohler-tax-productivity-problem/
The AFR’s Neil Chenoweth explains how the ATO missed a $4.6b crime wave initiated by influencers on TikTok.
https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/absolutely-rampant-how-the-ato-missed-a-4-6b-crime-wave-20230812-p5dw0l
Thousands of Labor members have thrown their weight behind a challenge to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take stronger action on climate change and develop new policies to respond to mammoth subsidies for renewable energy in the United States. David Crowe reports that the push for change has been backed by 350 branches with formal motions that support Labor delegates who plan to call for action to wind back land clearing and native forest logging as well as boosting support for industry at the party’s national conference in Brisbane this week.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/thousands-of-labor-members-take-climate-challenge-to-albanese-20230813-p5dw5m.html
Political parties camouflage their factional policy squabbles because as we all know, disunity is death. But disagreement can also lead to fresh thinking, says Sean Kelly.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labor-foes-are-in-furious-agreement-and-that-s-infuriating-20230811-p5dvve.html
Shane Wright tells us that the median home insurance premium has jumped $400 in the past year, and there are warnings costs will continue to climb without government action.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/soaring-home-insurance-bills-leave-one-in-eight-households-struggling-20230810-p5dvcj.html
Lucy Carroll tells us that school principals are pushing for an urgent review of religious education in NSW public schools, warning scripture classes are disrupting the curriculum and forcing thousands of students to miss out on crucial learning time. Some schools have less than 15% of students attending Special Religious education. Isn’t it about time governments got the message?
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-sydney-high-schools-where-scripture-enrolments-fall-below-15-per-cent-20230802-p5dt95.html
As the ATO ramps up its debt collection activities, cash-strapped small and medium businesses have been caught in a ‘perfect storm’ that has led to a spike in insolvencies, writes Chris Herde.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/insolvency-australia-says-appointments-rose-57pc-in-apriljune-and-more-to-come/news-story/86836ceb5e2f053947568166c38bcbe4
The latest global report on the gender gap shows Australia reversing its recent sharp downward slide, reports Alan Austin.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/albaneses-team-making-progress-on-whitlams-promise-to-women-,17803
The Minns government must completely overhaul the road tolling system so it’s fairer to motorists and delivers better value for taxpayers, urges the Grattan Institute’s Marion Terrill.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/road-mess-has-taken-a-terrible-toll-on-sydney-there-s-only-one-thing-to-do-now-20230813-p5dw3e.html
Mike Foley explains and lauds Biden’s IRA – the Inflation Reduction Act.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/how-i-learnt-to-stop-worrying-and-love-biden-s-ira-20230812-p5dvyy.html
Tensions between the banks and Apple are bubbling up to the surface as the government prepares to give the RBA powers over digital wallets, explains Clancy Yeates. He says tech giants, including Apple, aren’t too happy about these reforms to payment regulation aimed at reducing their influence, but the government should push ahead with its plan regardless. Not to protect the banks, but rather to support competitive pressure on the cost of digital payments – which we’re using more and more. (If the rapacious Apple is grizzling, it must indicate we’re on the right track.)
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/why-the-rba-needs-powers-over-apple-and-google-s-payments-forays-20230810-p5dvef.html
Harriett Alexander writes about the blatant money laundering that continues to happen in NSW clubs.
https://amp.smh.com.au/national/nsw/within-10-minutes-20-000-was-cashed-in-and-out-of-two-pokie-games-without-a-single-stroke-of-play-20230810-p5dvf1.html
CSL has big questions to answer when it reports 2023 earnings this week, including how it is managing costs in the post-pandemic era and the performance of the iron deficiency treatments business it bought in a huge $16 billion deal last year, writes Emma Kroehn.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-country-s-largest-healthcare-company-has-big-questions-to-answer-20230809-p5dv1j.html
“National security claims” too easily trump the actual delivery of justice in our courts and tribunals. Rex Patrick looks at tampering by our national security agencies, backed by successive Attorneys-General, in the delivery of justice in Australia, and how that tampering will likely result in a grave injustice for Afghan war crimes whistleblower David McBride.
https://michaelwest.com.au/spies-like-us-how-natsec-and-attorneys-g-meddle-with-justice-whistleblower-david-mcbride/
“Let’s stop kidding ourselves we’re a rich nation and get real… the UK’s gone bust”, says Will Hutton.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/13/uk-stop-kidding-ourselves-rich-nation-gone-bust
One of America’s top military officials says he believes China’s military is becoming dangerously arrogant and is risking a conflict through miscalculation. Matthew Knott reports.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/china-won-t-take-the-us-military-s-calls-a-top-general-claims-that-makes-war-more-likely-20230813-p5dw4e.html
It will take the wisdom of Solomon to steer the United States back onto the path of stability and normality and so far there’s no Abraham Lincoln or FDR on the horizon capable of doing this, opines Alexander Downer who says it’s starting to look like South America.
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/america-s-starting-to-look-a-lot-like-south-america-20230807-p5dueg
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Peter Broelman
Badiucao
Mark Knight
Leak
From the US
friendlyjordies –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Mehdi Hasan –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJCtsaloxco
Jen Psaki –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNm-RlI9xG0
F.M –
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/14/australia-is-having-a-lot-of-feelings-welcome-to-first-dog-on-the-moons-expert-guide-to-the-world-cup
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
David Crowe writes that Labor has lost support at a time of huge division over its pledge to find a new way to end Indigenous disadvantage.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/voice-paradox-starting-to-take-political-toll-on-albanese-20230814-p5dwcb.html
Ever expanding western Sydney has exerted a huge influence in changing Australia society for at least three decades, and now it is shaping up to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to parliament, declares the SMH editorial.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/western-sydney-may-prove-decisive-in-referendum-result-20230811-p5dvrj.html
Agents of News Corp have been propagating patently false information about The Voice, leaving us all worse off, writes Dr Victoria Fielding.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/murdochs-commentators-poisoning-voice-debate,17804
The Grattan Institute explains why it says that freezing rents would do more harm than good.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/why-freezing-rents-would-do-more-harm-than-good-20230814-p5dwde.html
Phil Coorey writes that national cabinet will ignore calls for market intervention and focus on ways to remove bureaucratic hurdles to new housing supply, in an approach not dissimilar to that of the housing accord the Rudd government struck with the states 15 years ago.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/pm-homes-in-on-supply-to-fix-to-housing-crisis-20230814-p5dwee
Renters around Australia could benefit from a push at national cabinet to limit rent increases to once a year and ban no-fault evictions in all states and territories. The Guardian says that reforms proposed by the commonwealth would limit the frequency of rent increases and ban evictions without reason in jurisdictions that lag behind in renters’ rights, including Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/15/rental-crisis-national-cabinet-rent-price-hike-pause-no-fault-eviction-ban
Crispin Hull prepares his argument for saying that unless the world acts more drastically on climate change, insurance profits look about as secure as a Central Coast sea-cliff dwelling.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8307514/the-vicious-cycle-that-could-see-the-insurance-system-collapse/?cs=14258
The editorial in the AFR says that having held firm on freeing up the dispensing rules in patients’ interest, Labor should now call out the policy hypocrisy of the pharmacy lobby, pull the trigger and say that if chemists can prescribe, then supermarkets should be able to sell.
https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/if-chemists-should-prescribe-let-supermarkets-sell-medicines-20230810-p5dvgs
The AIMN’s Rossleigh takes the mickey out of the way the Coalition so frequently use the term “mum and dad” in making their feeble points.
https://theaimn.com/the-coalition-hate-childless-people/
Recently we have heard the alleged victim in the Bruce Lehrmann case discuss how she felt herself, in effect, defiled again by her treatment by the justice system. Nothing Walter Sofronoff has written in his inquiry into the case could cheer her. Nor would it engender any confidence in future better treatment for any other woman who had been sexually assaulted. Sofronoff has essentially endorsed the status quo, writes Jack Waterford.
https://johnmenadue.com/sofronoff-endorses-the-status-quo-on-rape-cases/
If Lendlease tax whistleblower goes down in court while the Tax Office continues to dither for more than four years enforcing its ‘double dipping’ rules against the property giant, the question could well be asked, why would anybody do the right thing and blow the whistle again? Michael West reports.
https://michaelwest.com.au/not-too-quick-tax-office-dithering-on-lendlease-scam-puts-whistleblowers-at-risk/
The Age tells us that today the Andrews government will table its long-awaited reforms to the state’s bail laws after a coroner said earlier this year that the current system breached human rights.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/bail-reform-timeline-halved-as-new-bill-enters-parliament-20230814-p5dwgk.html
Imports of steel and cement from countries such as China, India and Vietnam could face a “green tariff” aimed at levelling the playing field for Australian producers that are being forced to slash carbon emissions under rules that took effect last month, writes Jacob Greber.
https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/bowen-s-green-tariff-to-shield-steel-cement-against-carbon-leakage-20230814-p5dwew
It’s looking increasingly likely that the PwC tax scandal will create a situation which regulators have long dreamt of achieving: a break-up of the big four accounting and consulting firms, writes Karen Maley who says they’ll be painfully conscious that their firms could find themselves slugged with Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ new $780 million fine for promoting tax avoidance schemes.
https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/why-the-big-four-could-decide-to-sever-their-tax-arms-20230814-p5dw8c
Australia Post is offering e-commerce retailers a new next-day delivery service in metro areas that aims to meet consumer demand for speed and certainty at a time when many are closing their wallets. The national postal carrier’s chief executive, Paul Graham, said the “Australia Post Metro” service would help retailers better compete with the fast delivery times from other retail marketplaces such as Amazon, reports Emma Koehn.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/australia-post-recognises-need-for-speed-with-new-parcels-offer-20230814-p5dwc4.html
High numbers of cancelled and delayed bus services in Sydney have been blamed largely on a shortage of drivers, which has prompted a taskforce to recommend a raft of ways to recruit and retain staff ranging from improved toilet facilities to free public transport, explains Matt O’Sullivan.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/driver-shortage-squarely-to-blame-for-cancelled-delayed-bus-services-20230814-p5dw9z.html
One Nation MP Mark Latham has defied party figurehead Pauline Hanson, claiming she acted without following due process when she declared his NSW leadership position vacant. A nice little cage match.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/mark-latham-pushed-out-as-leader-of-one-nation-nsw-division-20230814-p5dwcu.html
New religious discrimination legislation passed through NSW Parliament will likely do more harm than good for the LGBTQ+ community, writes John Card.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/lgbtq-discrimination-bills-keeping-bigotry-alive,17805
According to Paul Krugman, China’s economic problems could make it more dangerous.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/china-s-economic-problems-could-make-it-more-dangerous-20230814-p5dw7a.html
Donald Trump could be charged with a series of crimes in connection with his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election result in the US state of Georgia, according to a document briefly published online yesterday. The filing said Trump had been charged by prosecutors with conspiracy to commit forgery, racketeering and false statements.
https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/us-court-posts-trump-charges-then-takes-them-down-20230815-p5dwik
Trump has no serious first amendment defence in a court of law, argue prominent lawyers, Laurence H Tribe and Dennis Aftergut.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/14/trump-has-no-serious-first-amendment-defense-in-a-court-of-law-heres-why
A 13-year-old girl in Mississippi gave birth to a boy after she was raped as well as impregnated by a stranger – and then was unable to get an abortion, according to a Time magazine report published yesterday. The mother of the girl, who uses the pseudonym Ashley in the report, was looking to get an abortion for her daughter but was told the closest abortion provider was in Chicago – a drive of more than nine hours from their home in Clarksdale, Mississippi. America is f****d!
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/14/mississippi-abortion-ban-girl-raped-gives-birth
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
David Rowe
Alan Moir
Matt Golding
Cathy Wilcox
John Shakespeare
Glen Le Lievre
Andrew Dyson
Mark Knight
Spooner
From the US
And on this day in 1945 Hirohito staked his claim for the understatement supreme champion title .
“Hirohito ……….. “the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan’s advantage”.
“New religious discrimination legislation passed through NSW Parliament will likely do more harm than good for the LGBTQ+ community, writes John Card.”
A major flaw with this article was the location of Citipointe College – – Brisbane, not Sydney. I could not read any further after this “mistake”. It made me wonder if the writer was deliberately trying to make his point stronger by changing the location of this school.
Excellent. Maybe Anastasia could learn a thing or two.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2023/aug/15/australia-news-live-peter-dutton-anthony-albanese-matildas-world-cup-football-labor-rental-crisis-housing-cost-of-living#top-of-blog
Things are going really well for Orange Man
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2023/aug/14/donald-trump-indictment-latest-updates-georgia-election-charges-fulton-county?utm_term=64dadc27f4306af0309dda059c5ef2fc&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayAUS&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=GTAU_email#top-of-blog
Rachel Maddow et al –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PngEbWkXldE&t=78s
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Fani Willis press conference –
Accuracy not guaranteed but some interesting bits …..
.
.
When was a word first used in print? You may be surprised! Enter a date below to see the words first recorded on that year. To learn more about First Known Use date
https://www.merriam-webster.com/time-traveler/1994
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
David Crowe tells us that voters are not keen on Albanese going to the polls on his affordable housing legislation.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/voters-spurn-idea-of-early-poll-over-housing-deadlock-20230815-p5dwjs.html
In his final appearance before parliament as Reserve Bank governor, Philip Lowe voiced his opposition towards rent freezes or caps. He may have a point, writes William Bennett who says New York’s soaring rents show why freezes won’t work.
https://www.smh.com.au/money/borrowing/lowe-is-right-new-york-s-soaring-rents-shows-why-freezes-won-t-work-20230815-p5dwor.html
The AFR says incentives to fast-track approvals and increase housing supply will be on the table at today’s national cabinet meeting, but every state, including Victoria, will reject demands by the Greens and the welfare sector to impose rent caps or freezes.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/national-cabinet-to-fast-track-housing-approvals-20230815-p5dwjo
The Reserve Bank believes the jobs market has reached a turning point under the weight of its sharp increase in official interest rates, amid worrying signs home buyers are using up their savings to meet high mortgage repayments, explains Shane Wright.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/jobs-market-at-turning-point-rba-wary-as-rate-rises-bite-20230815-p5dwjt.html
There are less painful tools to fix inflation, so why aren’t we using them, asks Ross Gittins.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/there-are-less-painful-tools-to-fix-inflation-so-why-aren-t-we-using-them-20230815-p5dwil.html
Paul Sakkal reports that No campaign leader Nyunggai Warren Mundine has revealed he pushed two people out of his referendum campaign over allegedly racist comments, as he distanced himself from under-fire No figure David Adler.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/no-campaign-dumps-staff-over-racist-remarks-distances-itself-from-adler-20230815-p5dwm3.html
Michael Pascoe writes that housing and AUKUS are both in the frame, but both are going nowhere much.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/08/16/michael-pascoe-housing-aukus-solutions/
Is hydrogen the “miracle fuel” to ramp up Australia’s decarbonisation or an over-hyped distraction by the fossil fuels lobby to jag government subsidies whose pursuit can only damage the climate further? Rosco Jones reports.
https://michaelwest.com.au/hydrogen-a-miracle-solution-or-over-hyped-stalking-horse-for-fossil-fuels-lobby/
Food delivery service DoorDash has been fined $2 million for inundating customers and delivery drivers with texts and emails. Australia’s spam regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, is also warning other large businesses not to make the same mistake, urging companies to review compliance with spam laws in a crackdown on offending communiques. Sarah Danckert reports that DoorDash has agreed to pay the fine after a review found it had sent more than 1 million texts and emails to its customers and drivers over an eight-month period between February and October 2022.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/entrepreneurship/spam-with-your-order-doordash-fined-for-flooding-customers-drivers-with-promos-20230815-p5dwnp.html
When Barnaby Joyce forced the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to relocate from Canberra to Armidale, he couldn’t have chosen a more vulnerable, complex or vital institution to damage, writes Peter O’Keefe who says it’s easier to wreck a critical institution than to repair one.
https://johnmenadue.com/its-easier-to-wreck-a-critical-institution-than-to-repair-one/
The Age tells us that Daniel Andrews has defended factional ally Lily D’Ambrosio amid allegations a Labor branch linked to the state energy minister forged the signatures of deceased people on membership forms.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/andrews-stands-by-d-ambrosio-as-fresh-branch-stacking-claims-emerge-20230815-p5dwj0.html
Elizabeth Knight wonders whether or not companies should have a Voice or mind their own business.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/should-companies-have-a-voice-or-mind-their-own-business-20230815-p5dwpx.html
PwC Australia did not disclose any real or perceived conflicts of interest to the federal government before it was awarded a $2.3m aged care contract that has been suspended since June amid a continuing investigation. The firm was contracted by the Department of Health and Aged Care to audit the Morrison government’s workforce bonus program, which provided two pre-election payments in 2022 worth up to $800 to attract and retain staff in the struggling aged care sector.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/16/pwc-did-not-disclose-any-conflicts-of-interest-before-winning-aged-care-auditing-contract
The future of One Nation in NSW hangs in the balance after Latham was dropped as party leader write Max Maddison and Alexandra Smith.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/one-nation-mps-divided-over-loyalties-after-latham-dumped-as-leader-20230815-p5dwqr.html
Australia’s ban on non-therapeutic and single-use vapes will be underpinned by new laws – rather than a focus on regulation – in a development that has been welcomed by public health experts. Albanese government announced in May that it would outlaw the importation of non-prescription vaping products in the biggest smoking reforms in a decade, writes Melissa Davey.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/16/australia-vaping-crackdown-new-laws
The Sofronoff Inquiry’s failure to address the juror who caused the Lehrmann rape trial to be aborted raises questions about the ACT legal system, writes Paul Begley.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/sofronoff-inquiry-failed-to-question-rogue-lehrmann-juror,17806
Reports of the Australian #MeToo movement’s demise, or the suggestion that it has somehow been mortally wounded by recent events following the trial of Bruce Lehrmann, are misguided. The entirely predictable backlash we are currently experiencing – a backlash driven by actors intent on preserving a culture that has always punished complainants – can’t take away from the movement’s many gains, writes Kristine Ziwica.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/15/the-predictable-backlash-after-the-recent-fallout-from-the-lerhmann-trial-cant-undo-metoos-momentum
“Should grandparents be paid for childcare or should Nanna do it for nada?”, asks Hannah Vandeheide.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/should-grandparents-be-paid-for-childcare-20230814-p5dw9q.html
China’s statistics bureau said on Tuesday it had suspended publication of youth jobless data, citing the need to improve methodology in the way it measured unemployment among young people, which has hit record highs in recent months. Yeah, sure!
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/unemployed-and-unreported-china-cancels-youth-jobless-data-after-hitting-record-high-20230815-p5dwqd.html
Don’t be fooled by January 6 – Mike Pence is still an absolute coward declares Arwa Mahdawi who says can’t even bring himself to denounce the Maga supporters who wanted him hanged. “Is he the most spineless man in US politics?”, she asks.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/15/dont-be-fooled-by-january-6-mike-pence-is-still-an-absolute-coward
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
David Pope
Matt Golding
Simon Letch
John Shakespeare
Cathy Wilcox
Andrew Dyson
Mark Knight
Spooner
From the US
Ross gave the answer as to why in just one short sentence.
Heaven forbid politicians having to make difficult decisions and take responsibility for them . Much nicer to put in place a system where they can outsource decisions and responsibility.
Chris Hayes –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDntuNWocDo&t=1949s
Lawrence O’Donnell –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSMeUNTmjmU
Brian Tyler Cohen –
F.M
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/16/thank-god-for-dutton-welcome-to-the-2023-alp-national-conference-where-we-have-already-decided-everything
England 3 Australia 1. Well deserved. Not that Oz played badly.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Dutton is banking on twin calamities to unseat Albanese, but it’s not enough, writes Nikki Sava who says there is no doubting Anthony Albanese’s heart is in the right place. But he needs to get his head straight too. She also says, “The strategy Liberals have adopted in a bid to save what remains of their party and to ensure Peter Dutton’s survival as leader, is brutal, ugly and cold-bloodedly negative. It not only seeks to capitalise on the misery of Australians, it risks inflaming community tensions on race and immigration.”
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-is-banking-on-twin-calamities-to-unseat-albanese-but-it-s-not-enough-20230816-p5dwx6.html
National cabinet has backed a deal on housing that sets a new target to build 1.2 million homes over five years, with the promise of $3 billion in federal incentives for states and territories that help meet the higher goal. David Crowe reports that the federal government will also pay $500 million for essential services such as basic amenities in new housing projects in a competitive fund that aims to encourage states and territories to quicken the pace of building approvals and housing construction.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/new-3-5-billion-incentive-for-states-to-lift-housing-target-20230816-p5dwyo.html
Shane Wright reckons Albanese has gone back to the future for housing reform.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-goes-back-to-the-future-for-housing-reform-20230816-p5dwwy.html
Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles are seeking formal endorsement for the AUKUS deal from the Labor Party faithful, as delegates air concerns about alleged attempts to tamp down dissent on the floor of the conference.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/marles-to-frame-labor-as-party-of-defence-as-tensions-emerge-over-stifling-conference-rules-20230816-p5dwzn.html
In The Australian, Peter Dutton has written an open letter to Labor concerning national security.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/an-open-letter-to-labor-concerning-national-security/news-story/cb5ad90022162dd281243555a7d6de85?amp
It’s good news that real wages are no longer falling – but the fall has already been deep, explains Greg Jericho.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2023/aug/17/good-and-bad-news-from-the-latest-australian-wage-price-index
The Liberal Party is in deep trouble. As our main “conservative” party, the fact that it is besieged by far right figures is reason for vigilance by the rest of us. No party holds government forever, and a “conservative” or anti-incumbent vote must not be an accidental vote for theocratic politics. Figures like Moira Deeming, writes Lucy Hamilton.
https://johnmenadue.com/federal-liberals-continue-to-back-victorian-ultra-conservative-deeming-despite-expulsion/
Party members, unions and politicians will meet in Brisbane on Thursday when Labor’s national conference begins. The event is where Labor’s federal policy direction is hashed out. This year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be under pressure from within the party to boost Labor’s action on climate change, writes Adam Simpson.
https://theconversation.com/the-world-has-changed-why-anthony-albanese-must-up-the-ante-on-climate-policy-at-labors-national-conference-211605
The AFR tells us about a wave of write-downs that is in full swing across the commercial property sector – office landlord Dexus alone took a $1.2 billion hit to its portfolio – as soaring interest rates tear through landlords’ bottom lines, with further falls expected.
https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/rising-rates-spur-big-writedowns-for-office-retail-landlords-20230816-p5dwzw
Chris Minns slammed NSW teacher shortages from opposition. That problem is now his to fix, and the education union is already off-side, writes Alexandra Smith.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/minns-dilemma-honour-the-deal-or-deal-with-dishonour-20230816-p5dww4.html
The lack of a strong, economically rationalist Labor Right that is prepared to challenge union dominance and left-wing economic populism means this Labor government has no credible economic agenda, says the AFR’s editorial.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/modern-labor-has-regressed-from-keating-on-the-economic-policy-20230813-p5dw36
Wealth inequality is a global crisis and taxing the super-rich is a pathway to saving the planet from environmental catastrophe, writes Robert Gordon.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-super-rich-are-getting-away-with-murder,17811
Alan Kohler says that the reality of the climate change crisis will be hugely expensive.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2023/08/17/climate-change-crisis-expense-kohler/
Plibersek’s first year of being Minister for Environment and Water has seen three coal and gas-related projects approved, still less than the last year of the Coalition government. There are probably approvals to come, but transparency is sorely lacking. Callum Foote reports.
https://michaelwest.com.au/transparency-net-zero-new-fossil-fuel-approvals-by-environment-minister-tanya-plibersek-on-the-up/
Phil Coorey and David Marin-Guznam write that Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke has listened to the demands of business and provided exposure drafts of the legislation for his second wave of industrial relations changes, before introducing them to parliament in a fortnight.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/burke-seeks-smooth-of-passage-of-ir-bills-by-christmas-20230816-p5dwzk
A series is returning to our screens claiming to show us the authentic side of politicians while overlooking their histories of corruption and immorality, writes Dr Jennifer Wilson, who says the ABC’s Kitchen Cabinet is in need of a good clean.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/abcs-kitchen-cabinet-in-need-of-a-good-clean,17808
Christopher Knaus explains how the Catholic church is seeking to use using the death of a “prolific paedophile” priest to permanently prevent a dying Indigenous man from seeking justice for alleged abuse suffered on camping trips in rural New South Wales.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/17/catholic-church-uses-death-of-paedophile-priest-in-bid-to-stop-survivor-suing-nsw-diocese-court-hears
About a quarter of all Justice Department executives have been made redundant, and further cuts will likely hit the senior branch, as the department faces a corruption watchdog probe into the potential politicisation of the public service. The purge of 49 executive positions at the Department of Justice and Community Safety, where more jobs are expected to be slashed, is part of the Andrews government’s plan to cut up to 4000 jobs across the public service. The department has about 200 executives.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/dozens-of-victorian-senior-public-servants-axed-treasury-left-without-senior-trio-20230814-p5dwbm.html
Veteran crime reporter John Silvester brainstorms a dozen questions homicide detectives are likely to ask in the “mushroom case”.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/the-12-deadly-questions-in-the-mushroom-mystery-20230816-p5dww6.html
The NSW Planning Department has been forced to conduct an urgent review of all recent development approvals handed to building giant Walker Corp after its recently departed secretary walked straight into a senior role with the company. Michael McGowan reports that Michael Cassel took up the job with the property developer just months after leaving his role as Secretary of the NSW Planning Department in May.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/government-probe-after-former-secretary-takes-job-with-building-giant-20230816-p5dx1k.html
The SMH tells us that the head-hunting firm hired by the Minns government to find a new transport secretary initially warned that the former Labor staffer handpicked for the role by Transport Minister Jo Haylen did not have enough experience for the job and did not even recommend him for an interview.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/transport-secretary-hand-picked-for-job-by-minister-was-not-recommended-for-role-20230816-p5dwx8.html
Here’s Peta Credlin’s now weekly outpouring against the Voice.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/big-tech-yes-camp-censors-will-only-reinforce-no-vote/news-story/b4d58fd295a9cc8ad3f87dcaad49ea5a?amp
The SMH editorial, as commuters face more price rises, says that, with revenues surging by an eye-watering 26 per cent last financial year, Transurban, the behemoth controlling Sydney’s toll roads, must surely be crying all the way to the bank.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/transurban-knows-for-whom-the-tolls-bell-20230816-p5dwx1.html
The Chinese president has so far resisted pulling the trigger on a major move to revive the world’s second-biggest economy. But the push is on, writes Bloomberg’s Jill Disis.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/the-heat-is-on-xi-jinping-as-china-alarm-bells-ring-louder-20230816-p5dwuv.html
Tipping culture in the US is out of control – we’re even asked to tip self-checkouts, writes Arwa Mahdawi. (I cannot get my head around this).
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/16/tipping-culture-in-the-us-is-out-of-control-were-even-asked-to-tip-self-checkouts
Bill Wyman explains how Trump’s ‘Co-conspirator No. 1’, Rudi Giuliani, went from hero to crank.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/why-trump-s-co-conspirator-number-1-also-has-georgia-on-his-mind-20230815-p5dwpg.html
Florida’s attacks on academic freedom just got even worse, explains Moira Donegan.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/16/florida-ron-desantis-academic-freedom
The charges in Georgia under anti-organised crime laws carry a penalty of between five and 20 years in prison. Crucially for Trump, they are also unpardonable, writes Farrah Tomazin who says the road back to the White House for Trump now passes through four different courtrooms.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/road-back-to-the-white-house-for-trump-now-passes-through-four-different-courtrooms-20230816-p5dwuq.html
Trump is undermining the entire US judicial system with another big lie, says Robert Reich.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/16/donald-trump-big-lie-fulton-county-georgia-indictment
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
David Pope
Andrew Dyson
Matt Golding
Cathy Wilcox
John Shakespeare
A Glen Le Lievre gif
Spooner
From the US
friendlyjordies –
Chris Hayes –
Also Chris H with a poor quality but longer vid –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b_1dOwdOJU&t=293s
Lawrence O’Donnell –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj08jjqBjt4
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Paul Sakkal and James Massola write that Anthony Albanese has pitched his Labor administration as a long-term governing force that must lock in the trust of mainstream Australians as he unveiled a new motto – “Working for Australia” – hinting at a 2025 election date and highlighting the economic and social gains under his government.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-puts-cost-of-living-relief-housing-at-centre-of-re-election-pitch-20230817-p5dxb2.html
Albanese is no orator. He can’t uplift or inspire. He has difficulty getting the true believers fired up. If the opening morning is any guide, this looms as the flattest ever national conference, pontificates Paul Kelly.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/labor-conference-anthony-albanese-tries-to-win-over-true-believers-with-pure-fidelity/news-story/e9513e405353548e8d1fecfe646c1a9a?amp
Troy Bramston says that Albanese’s speech was about investing his government with renewed purpose, demonstrating fidelity to Labor tradition, and sending a message to true believers.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/decoding-the-talking-points-were-here-for-the-long-haul/news-story/d8ffe7282e28503a13bc0c5640836c11?amp
The PM’s message an important reminder of Labor’s fragile hold on power, writes Phil Coorey who says that it is not inconceivable that right now, Labor is notionally in minority government.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/pm-s-message-an-important-reminder-of-labor-s-fragile-hold-on-power-20230815-p5dwlc
Michelle Grattan says that Albanese is determined to keep Labor’s eyes firmly focused on a second term.
https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-albanese-is-determined-to-keep-labors-eyes-firmly-focused-on-a-second-term-211740
The first day of ALP’s national conference in Brisbane was a routine affair, with every motion expected to draw controversy watered down and passed without challenge. Zacharias Szumer reports.
https://michaelwest.com.au/the-ayes-have-it-alp-conference-flashpoints-fizz-out/
Rents could be up to 8 per cent lower over the next decade under a federal government plan to encourage states and local councils to deliver more housing, research from the Grattan Institute shows.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/housing-plan-will-save-renters-32-billion-over-a-decade-grattan-20230817-p5dxb5.html
Here in The Conversation, the Grattan Institute explains how the National Cabinet’s new housing plan could fix our rental crisis and save renters billions.
https://theconversation.com/national-cabinets-new-housing-plan-could-fix-our-rental-crisis-and-save-renters-billions-211696
NSW will need to build 75,000 homes each year for five years – twice as many as the state is forecast to deliver – to reach its share of the federal government’s ambitious new housing targets writes Alexandra Smith who says that the state will struggle to meet the new undertaking.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/serious-challenge-nsw-will-struggle-to-meet-new-housing-targets-20230817-p5dxba.html
The Liberal Party is in deep trouble. As our main “conservative” party, the fact that it is besieged by far-right figures is reason for vigilance by the rest of us. No party holds government forever, and a “conservative” or anti-incumbent vote must not be an accidental vote for theocratic politics. Figures like Moira Deeming in Victoria and Alex Antic in South Australia are at the heart of the effort to drive the Liberal Party towards ultraconservative policy, writes Lucy Hamilton.
https://theaimn.com/the-insurgency-within-the-liberal-party/
The outcome of the Voice referendum will affect Australia’s reputation – a fact voters should consider, opines John McCarthy.
https://johnmenadue.com/what-the-voice-means-for-australias-reputation/
The Reserve Bank may have to abandon any plans for further interest rate increases after figures showed the largest monthly fall in jobs since the COVID-19 pandemic and big jumps in unemployment in the key states of NSW and Queensland, says Shane Wright.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/jump-in-unemployment-final-nail-in-the-coffin-for-another-rate-rise-20230817-p5dx6w.html
If the sharp increase in interest rates we’ve seen leads to a recession, it will be the recession we didn’t have to have, argues Ross Gittins.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/rba-s-double-whammy-hit-wages-and-raise-interest-rates-20230817-p5dxek.html
Ryan Stokes, the head of $10 billion industrial giant Seven Group Holdings, has warned that another rate hike from the Reserve Bank could push the Australian economy into recession.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/rba-could-push-the-country-into-recession-says-seven-boss-20230817-p5dxai.html
David Crowe looks at the delicate negotiations occurring between the government, business and unions aver the next round of industrial relations legislation.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/as-labor-s-love-in-starts-it-s-meetings-elsewhere-that-could-stop-albanese-s-party-20230817-p5dx8g.html
Contradictions have appeared in evidence given by Linda Reynolds as to what happened on the night of the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins, writes Dr Jennifer Wilson.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/cracks-in-reynolds-lehrmann-trial-testimony,17815
Patients are set to pay up to $20 more to see a GP following a two-state payroll tax ruling that doctors warn will “kill off bulk-billing” and the federal health minister has labelled concerning. In a move doctors described as a tax grab, the Victorian and NSW State Revenue Offices published rulings last Friday that confirmed for the first time that many independent GPs working in medical centres would be subject to payroll tax.
https://www.theage.com.au/healthcare/gps-sound-the-alarm-over-20-dollar-fee-hike-following-tax-ruling-20230816-p5dwya.html
The SMH tells us that a push by major left faction unions to strip out all references to the AUKUS submarine deal from Labor’s national platform is set to fail.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/left-union-push-to-strip-out-nuclear-boats-from-labor-platform-set-to-fail-20230817-p5dxe7.html
Let’s talk nuclear, the Coalition says – just don’t mention cost or how long it would take, says Graham Readfearn.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/18/lets-talk-nuclear-the-coalition-says-just-dont-mention-cost-or-how-long-it-would-take
Outdated pomp and a cycle of self-sabotage could lead to a slow and painful death of major political parties, as young voters steer clear of the dysfunction, writes Annika Smethurst.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/the-party-s-over-for-labor-and-the-liberals-they-ve-only-got-themselves-to-blame-20230817-p5dxah.html
According to Michael Koziol, the Sydney Anglican Diocese has produced a doctrinal statement that says the mere desire for same-sex sexual intimacy is contrary to nature and something from which Christians seek to be “liberated”. Farcical in 2023.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-anglicans-say-same-sex-desire-an-inclination-toward-evil-20230816-p5dx1o.html
And Jordan Baker reports that the Anglican Church has advised its aged care homes to discourage residents from using voluntary assisted dying when NSW’s laws take effect this year, and has warned the practice could become so morally corrupting for church-run facilities that it may have to exit the industry.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/intolerable-corruption-anglicans-warn-euthanasia-may-force-exit-from-aged-care-20230816-p5dwy8.html
Trump’s indictment can’t solve the real threat to the US – its undemocratic electoral system, argues Lawrence Douglas who describes the archaic and unfair electoral college system.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/17/trump-indictment-georgia-democracy-system
A Republican state senator in Georgia has moved to impeach the Fulton county district attorney, Fani Willis. The move comes in the wake of Willis’s delivery of a 41-count indictment against the former president Donald Trump and his operatives on state racketeering and conspiracy charges over efforts to reverse Trump’s 2020 presidential election loss in the state. America is f****d!
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/17/republican-georgia-moves-impeach-fani-willis
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
David Pope
Alan Moir
Matt Golding
Cathy Wilcox
John Shakespeare
Andrew Dyson
Jim Pavlidis
Mark Knight
Leak
From the US
Sir Michael Parkinson: Chat show host dies aged 88
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66411604
More lies from Dutton.
Why do those in favour of nuclear power never say what happens to the waste?
“Peter Dutton pledges that nuclear energy will be cheaper for Australian families.”
.
What a dill arse .Even Coorey’s bloody AFR admits that the $sss are not even close. Il Dutto’s science advisors must be Barnyard, SfM and Brother Stewie
.
.
While some politicians and industry bodies continue to push nuclear energy as a way for Australia to wean itself off fossil fuels, the economics of large or small modular reactors do not stack up compared to renewable energy such as wind or solar.
The Gencost report found that a small reactor typically costs as much as $16,000 per kilowatt-hour, 50 to 100 per cent more than large-scale nuclear.
By contrast, wind and solar come in under $2000 per kilowatt-hour, it said.
https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/nuclear-energy-too-expensive-to-replace-fossil-fuels-20220711-p5b0pd#:~:text=The%20Gencost%20report%20found%20that,kilowatt%2Dhour%2C%20it%20said.
Going back to my concern about waste, something the pro-nuclear power fans refuse to discuss, did you know that small modular reactors actually produce more waste than their full size cousins?
Stanford-led research finds small modular reactors will exacerbate challenges of highly radioactive nuclear waste
https://news.stanford.edu/2022/05/30/small-modular-reactors-produce-high-levels-nuclear-waste/
Stanford is not alone in this finding.
This could get interesting
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2023/aug/18/australia-news-live-penny-wong-labor-conference-palestine-housing-rental-crisis-cost-of-living-indigenous-voice-to-parliament#maincontent
Looks like the AAT was doing its job: protecting Morrison.
At a guess the AAT was ‘reformed’ to ‘perfection’ during the reign of The Rodent. He was good at that sort of thing. Labor also being pollies would probably be quite happy to leave things as they are.
Chris Hayes –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmM6FuCZNTQ
Lawrence O’Donnell –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq_XYEQMvlg
Brian Tyler Cohen –
That’s a very big ship to turn around. Good luck!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2023/aug/18/alp-national-conference-2023-day-2-aukus-unions-australian-labor-party-anthony-albanese-brisbane-politics-live#top-of-blog
Back in the Rodent Era the real estate porn industry would pump out an annual list of the most expensive homes sold each year. Probably still do. For several years the fight for domination of the list was fought out between the owners of privatised employment service companies and the owners of the privatised childcare chains. It was such a comfort knowing that the various views of Sydney Harbor my tax dollars helped pay for were indeed magnificent.
F.M –
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/18/here-are-a-few-examples-of-people-brave-enough-to-stand-up-and-say-yeah-nah-to-power
I’m disgusted at this news. The International Chess regulation body has decreed that trans people are essentially banned from playing chess.
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/international-chess-org-trans-women?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
This commentator lays out the implications.
Any evidence that one sex plays better than another?
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
The SMH reports that Anthony Albanese has gained formal Labor Party approval for his $368 billion AUKUS pledge after a fierce debate on nuclear submarines that saw party members heckle ministers about the risk of a regional arms race that sided with the United States against China.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-s-nuclear-strike-gains-formal-approval-for-aukus-deal-20230818-p5dxk8.html
Laura Tingle writes, “Watching on and scoring the AUKUS debate at Labor’s national conference in Brisbane this week were those for whom the question is not the underlying issue but whether, once again, the parliamentary Labor party can hold sway over its rank-and-file members.”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-19/aukus-tensions-labor-national-conference-albanese-ambitions/102749130
Labor is so worried about war, it managed to avoid a war with itself, writes Peter Hartcher who says the conference was one small step for AUKUS, one giant leap for Labor.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labor-is-so-worried-about-war-it-managed-to-avoid-a-war-with-itself-20230817-p5dxf1.html
Labor’s history is one of compromise – and Anthony Albanese knows to make lasting change he needs to stay in government, opines Paul Karp.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/19/labors-history-is-one-of-compromise-and-anthony-albanese-knows-to-make-lasting-change-he-needs-to-stay-in-government
Chris Wallace examines Albanese’s performance.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topic/2023/08/19/labor-pressed-more-reform
Karen Middleton reveals that the Gold Coast businessman who ducked parliamentary questions on his ties to ex-minister Stuart Robert by moving overseas still controls a string of companies and has left behind more than $20 million in loans he made to a tax-exempt disability housing charity that was previously one of them. She points out that United Disability Care’s constitution does not state its charitable purpose. Instead, the governing document is almost entirely focused on the parent company’s share structure.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2023/08/19/exclusive-robert-associate-left-while-owed-20-million
Food prices have been rising rapidly and there are reasons to fear they will push even higher. Economists warn some prices might never come down, writes Jonathan Barrett. The ominous outlook is linked to drought conditions wilting crops in major grain-producing nations, disrupted grain deliveries out of Ukraine and moves by governments to ban food exports to protect their own supplies.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/19/inflation-spiral-food-prices-could-yet-rise-higher-and-may-never-come-down
It is not illegal for businesses to raise prices far above inflation, but increased competition and a super profits tax can help stop opportunistic profiteering by banks, supermarkets and energy companies during a cost-of-living crisis, economists say. Companies raised prices 160 per cent above the cost of labour, taxes and inputs, and over and above new profits in the fourth quarter of 2022, the Australia Institute’s research has revealed.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/consumer/2023/08/18/price-gouging/?breaking_live_scroll=1
As someone who has long advocated for relying on market forces whenever possible, it pains John Hewson to recognise that market failure has been a major feature of the emerging housing crisis.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topic/2023/08/18/where-markets-fail
Michael Pascoe says there is more spin and little substance in Labor’s housing ‘announceables’.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/08/19/michael-pascoe-labor-housing/
Labor has a long history of profiting from poker machines. Will they move a motion at the ALP National Conference to address gambling harm? Veteran anti-pokies crusader, journalist Stephen Mayne reports.
https://michaelwest.com.au/action-from-labor-on-pokies-gambling-more-long-shot-than-sure-bet/
Staff at the aged-care regulator say complaints are being closed with copy-and-pasted findings, in some cases leading to preventable deaths, reports Rick Morton. IMHO this is another symptom of severe over-regulation in a sector that is being increasingly burdened with complex, mandatory reporting that adds nothing to facilities’ ability to provide good care).
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/health/2023/08/19/exclusive-aged-care-watchdog-closes-cases-without-probe
Nick Toscano and Mike Foley report that business leaders and the nation’s three biggest energy companies will not back the Coalition’s push for the Albanese government to abandon its 2030 clean energy target as David Littleproud and Peter Dutton attack the rollout of wind and solar across the country.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/business-rejects-coalition-fight-against-reckless-renewables-rollout-20230818-p5dxin.html
Previously staunch opponents of nuclear energy in the Coalition are now backing it as an alternative to renewables, despite largely unproven technology, long delays for approvals and the unsolved problem of waste, writes Mike Seccombe.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environment/2023/08/19/why-the-coalition-backs-nuclear
Indigenous knowledge of how to handle extreme weather could help society adapt in energy-saving ways to a hotter future, say the authors of a study in scientific journal The Lancet.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environment/2023/08/18/lessons-heat-resilience
James Massola tells us that Katherine Deves has confirmed she is considering a second tilt at the once blue-ribbon seat of Warringah on Sydney’s northern beaches, currently held by independent MP Zali Steggall.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/deves-considering-a-second-run-for-liberals-in-warringah-20230818-p5dxl6.html
“Here we are again, mopping up after another embarrassing failure of Sydney’s rail network – a system that seems to be held together with sticky tape. It would now be easier to tally the number of people who have not been affected by a Sydney Trains meltdown than those who have”, writes Bevan Shields.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/sydney-s-rail-network-seems-to-be-held-together-with-sticky-tape-20230818-p5dxi7.html
The head of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority warned the NSW government two years ago that organised crime was moving money laundering activities from The Star casino into pubs and clubs and called for greater resources to investigate – months later the opposite occurred, writes Harriett Alexandra who says that pressure is mounting on Minns for instituting a gambling royal commission.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/pressure-mounts-on-minns-for-gambling-royal-commission-20230817-p5dxc6.html
The state opposition has called for an investigation into an alleged jobs-for-mates culture within the Andrews government, following the appointment of former cabinet minister Martin Foley to a second high-profile chairmanship.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/labor-mates-ombudsman-asked-to-probe-political-board-appointments-20230818-p5dxlq.html
Here’s Amanda Meade’s weekly media round-up.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/aug/18/news-corp-goes-all-in-on-matildas-but-tries-to-waltz-away-with-fans-cash
Amelia Hamer, the Oxford-educated grandniece of former Victorian Liberal premier Sir Rupert “Dick” Hamer, is weighing a bid to be Liberal candidate for Kooyong, setting up a potential head-to-head with Josh Frydenberg.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/30-year-old-from-political-dynasty-could-set-up-kooyong-battle-as-frydenberg-mulls-anguishing-call-20230811-p5dvqo.html
John Lord wonders if Trump really could win against multiple indictments.
https://theaimn.com/could-trump-really-win-against-multiple-indictments/
Cartoon Corner
Alan Moir
David Pope
David Rowe
Matt Davidson
Jon Kudelka
Simon Letch
John Shakespeare
Matt Golding
Andrew Dyson
Jim Pavlidis
Leak
From the US
FMD, Albo stealing from The Rodent’s playbook. He and the Hammock Dweller loved to use pretty much the same trick for job ‘creation’ . The number of jobs they would promise to ‘create’ merely reflecting the increase in population. They were promising to ‘deliver’ and of course then claim credit for what would and was happening with or without them. Barring a global recession of course.
Chris Hayes –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdqh3DF0hYY
Ali Velshi –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFxNUaewO54
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. This is the best I can do today!
The top five spending pressures on the budget will account for one half of all Commonwealth spending within four decades, based on the current trajectory, the new Intergenerational Report forecasts. Phil Coorey tells us the IGR, to be rolled out over the course of this week by Jim Chalmers, says the annual blowout in cost of the so-called big five – the NDIS, interest payments on debt, defence, aged care and health – is the equivalent to $140 billion in today’s dollars, or 5.6 per cent of GDP.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/top-five-budget-pressures-to-add-140b-a-year-to-spending-20230819-p5dxt3
Amy Remeikis explains how Labor’s home equity scheme soon to be rolled out works, and who is eligible to partake in it.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/20/labor-shared-equity-scheme-what-is-it-how-does-it-work-who-is-eligible
While Labor is striving to fix the national housing crisis, its latest housing plan is a strategy that feels underdeveloped, writes Belinda Jones.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/national-cabinets-housing-plan-ambitious-but-lacking-detail,17820
Lis Visentin writes that a look under the hood of the No campaign isn’t a pretty sight.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/a-look-under-the-hood-of-the-no-campaign-isn-t-a-pretty-sight-20230817-p5dxac.html
“Will Qantas flying the Yes flag sort the nation’s heavy baggage?”, wonders Jacqui Maley
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/will-qantas-flying-the-yes-flag-sort-the-nation-s-heavy-baggage-20230818-p5dxnv.html
No one wants to say it publicly, but in private, Labor people are preparing for the referendum on the Voice to parliament to be lost, says James Massola.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-and-labor-are-preparing-for-the-day-after-the-voice-is-defeated-20230818-p5dxpd.html
As the NSW parliaments moves to ban gat conversion therapy, Caitlin FitzSimmons describes the damage this disgusting, religious-inspired practice inflicts.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/jeremy-was-16-and-depressed-a-psychiatrist-offered-therapy-to-suppress-his-attraction-to-boys-20230817-p5dxd9.html
At this week’s Labor Conference Defence Minister Richard Marles distributed a 32 paragraph statement for insertion into the ALP National Platform to explain the Albanese’s Government’s rationale for an incredible $368B of public expenditure on submarines. At $11.5B per paragraph, one can be left very disappointed in his words. Rex Patrick provides readers with a hard hitting paragraph-by-paragraph analysis that reveals a massive swindle.
https://michaelwest.com.au/marles-mauled-rex-patrick-demolishes-defence-sophistry-on-aukus-submarines-nuclear/
The AFL could be facing its “worst nightmare” after an unreviewed error by a goal umpire in the final minutes of the Sydney and Adelaide game could influence the final positions in the top eight. Never mind the goal umpire, the field umpires were atrocious, bewildering both teams and patrons with their inconsistency.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/worst-nightmare-possible-afl-umpire-error-costs-crows-a-finals-spot-20230819-p5dxvm.html
Cartoon Corner
Reg Lynch
Matt Golding
Matt Davidson
From the US
“This is the best I can do today!”
Every little bit is appreciated.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2023/aug/20/australia-news-live-matildas-world-cup-indigenous-voice-penny-wong-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-cpac-conference#maincontent
I really like this – from Judy Horacek for The Australia Institute.
I saw this comment last month and it’s somewhat resonated with me about the state of politics in English speaking countries where Murdoch and filth like him control the media.
Full time! Spain 1-0 England
😀 😀 😀
While I’m not much into sports, I’m at least glad England lost.
Keep fumbling in the dark for that eventual proud national victory, Brexit Britain. It’ll be a while yet.