Author: Puff, The Magic Dragon

SA Labor Academy Viewpoints.

Puff, The Magic Dragon Uncategorized

Viewpoints #324 – Friday 18 July 2025


Viewpoints shares access to articles in the media curated weekly by Labor Academy SA.


For all previous editions, click https://laboracademysa.org/blog/archive/

China sees Australia as the Western partner worth resetting with and Anthony
Albanese made it happen By Bang Xiao in ABC Online https://tinyurl.com/2khmvfe8


Tax reform talk heats up after Treasury FOI error, and that might just suit Jim
Chalmers nicely By Michael Janda in ABC Online https://tinyurl.com/2ta3avjb


South Australia’s leap into the unknown with political finance changes
By Bill Browne in InDaily https://tinyurl.com/5da3kmf2


Segal’s antisemitism plan gives government controversy, not clarity
By Michelle Grattan in The Conversation https://tinyurl.com/4xmw99st


‘New thinking’: Australian Medical Association SA reveals ramping
recommendations By Claude Dichiera in InDaily https://tinyurl.com/y26wxvk8


Almost half of young workers expected to work unpaid overtime, while a quarter
aren’t paid … By John Howe and … in The Conversationhttps://tinyurl.com/4vrmp7sh


Sack the NACC [National Anti-Corruption Commission]
By John Hewson in The Saturday Paper https://tinyurl.com/23pr37ft


How to disappear a problem – The school system has spent 50 years not fixing one
of its central flaws By Dean Ashenden in Inside Story https://tinyurl.com/2kwhuc3p


Raise taxes to fix budget, Treasury advises Labor in accidentally published advice
By Daniel Ziffer and … in ABC Online https://tinyurl.com/28x7fdfk


Serious burns, fire damage: Alarming spike in powerbank recalls
By The New Daily https://tinyurl.com/475t8esk


How lobsters help us start to make sense of Donald Trump’s trade chaos
By Annabel Crabb in ABC Online https://tinyurl.com/5c27mffn

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Some articles may require reader registration. We try to avoid pay-walled articles. The Advertiser and The
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e: michael_cowling@mac.com w: https://laboracademysa.org


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Making Membership Meaningful
Video: PM Anthony Albanese
speaks at Great Wall of China

I am sorry I have not been contributing lately but I was unwell and not up to writing.

These links are sent out by email and while the focus is on South Australia, national topics dominate.

I do however point out for your perusal, this obe, which may become the blueprint for the rest of Australia l in regard to political donations.

South Australia’s leap into the unknown with political finance changes
By Bill Browne in InDaily https://tinyurl.com/5da3kmf2

Quote: ‘

…

In South Australia, sitting MPs and registered political parties are now banned from receiving political donations. However, the laws include loopholes: Political parties can still charge their own MPs and staff levies (worth millions of dollars) and still take money from “nominated entities”, such as an established investment vehicle. 

Of course, the small political parties and independent candidates who compete with major parties do not have many or any MPs to extract levies from, and have no investment vehicles that could operate outside the donation ban. 

In exchange for limiting political donations, South Australians will pay about $18 million more in taxpayer funding of political parties and candidates every four-year cycle. Of this, the Australia Institute estimates about 75 per cent will go to the major parties and only 1-2 per cent to new entrants.

…”

Endquote

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The Little Bear That Could.

Puff, The Magic Dragon Uncategorized

A feel good story. Please forgive me for posting something a little lighter to start the year.

We had a Te gerfield Terrier pup born, an only child, a boy. He was born with a back foot missing, in late November, 2023.

His Mum is Lily, my son’s beautiful female dog.

(She is being desexed. No more sneaking out the back to meet up with my handsome dog. Long story.) Lily stayed at my home to ‘Lie In’ as it used to be called, for her first and only pregnancy.

I agonised over the life the pup would have and if I should take him to the vet for the trip to Rainbow Bridge (Euthanasia). The ethics of it all, and my compassion put my mind in a turmoil. After all, was I going to do that for just one foot, a disability he could cope with, as I believed?

Plus, Lily would have no babies to nurse.

So after talking to a friend who said that there has to be someone in Australia who would want him, I took the chance on that.

He grew strong, round and fat. I named him Teddy Bear.

He starting crawling, walking, climbing, and was the cutest baby Tenterfield Terrier puppy you could ever find.

I had put the word out, and a friend of a contact came back with a family. But at six weeks old, they decided they were not able to take him.

However, unknown to me, another family had heard of him and were eagerly waiting in line to take him.

This was family was looking for a pup for their children. I love Bear and wanted the best placement for him, where he could get more attention than we could give him. His missing foot was no barrier to them, and we talked about prosthetics and therapies.

My son had fashioned a small piece of silicone taped to the end of his leg to wear for a time during the day, a bush mechanic fix. It helped him, but it also was to get Bear used to having something on his leg. He got around well without it though, on the indoor floors. Later, he would need to protect the leg end when outside, of course.

Bear slotted right into the family. He is dearly loved and loves them back. He sleeps in the youngest’s bed. He is the apple of everyone’s eye. Bear has already had car rides and visits. I told the parents that Bear will definitely have a positive effect on their young children. I predict they will good attitudes to Disability in their lives.

He lives in a lovely place on an acreage, for a transport business family, less than 40 kms from me. Hence, truck rides for Bear!

The vet clinic they chose has a speciality in therapy and a special room just for that. He is now wearing a dog boot on his foot, cost $13. Later when older, he will get a 3D printed prosthetic foot.

It is a happy start to 2024, and a wonderful outcome for Bear. I hope everyone has a happy start to the New Year.

I am sending a big Thank You to Kirsdarke for his posts in 2023 and we hope to read from him in 2024.

(Yes I am registered as a dog breeder, and follow all ethical and care guidelines, beyond those required, with just one or two litters per year, of a specific breed line.)

The Voice Referendum 2023.

Puff, The Magic Dragon Uncategorized , , , , ,

This is the wording of the Referendum question for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Voice to Parliament being g held on 14 October 2023 in Australia.

Yes needs a national majority along with a majority of States ( including Northern Territory).

Please discuss.

REFERENDUM 2023.
In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

i. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;

ii. the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

iii. the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.