Stimulus package veterans get promotedGovernment sources claim that all new public service appointments weren’t based on political considerations, but the several were rewarded for their efforts on the government’s economic stimulus package.
August, 2009
Beazley or Carr as US ambassador?
Thanks to PM Kevin Rudd’s public service shake up, speculation is mounting over who will be Australia’s new US ambassador. The two hot favourites: Kim Beazley and Bob Carr, writes Phillip Coorey.
How green is your milk?
With more public awareness of the vast carbon emissions produced by cows, the dairy industry doesn’t quite enjoy the family-friendly image it once did. So is it time to start pouring water on our Weetbix, or can we have our milk and drink it too?
Breakfast Media Wrap: Where have all the salmon gone? A fisheries catastrophe
The pick of the morning’s media
Gartner predicts tech’s hot-and-not
Market research company Gartner has released their 2009 “Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies”, declaring what the next big things in tech will be — and what’s yesterday’s news. Amongst their predictions: Twitter is on the way out, e-books have hit their peak, and internet TV is on the up-and-up.
Cash for cockheads: the empty economics of commercial radio
Commercial radio is based on the economics of attention, says Mel Campbell: a sick culture where scandal always equals success an ethics are completely ephemeral.
Balibo: history with just a dash of fiction
The film Balibo isn’t entirely accurate. The film’s consulting historian, Clinton Fernandes, explains why. Also, check out what Balibo Five widow, Shirley Shackleton, thinks of the film.
Public Service changing of the guard: new Secretaries
It’s out with the old and in with the new, as PM Kevin Rudd announces a major reorganisation of Department heads. The changes bring in a new generation of Secretaries to key government portfolios.
Putin builds up military fortress in Abkhazia
Russia will spend nearly A$600 million developing its military presence in the contested region of Abkhazia. Vladimir Putin hopes that Abkhazia will become to Russia what Monaco is to France. A celebrity tax haven?
Crisis of content
Despite the turbulence in the media industry, one old adage remains true: content is king. But the idea that advertising alone can fund that content clearly has to be re-assessed. There are other other ways, says Lars Bastholm — and they may not be what you, or Rupert Murdoch, thinks.
PODCAST: The Crikey Sports Mark Ramprakash WTF Podcast
Crikey’s Leigh Josey talks to our Ashes correspondent Jarrod Kimber about the unlikely rebirth of Mark Ramprakash, English Test cricketer, Ian Bell’s Twitter habits and what changes may be in store for the Fifth Test at The Oval.
Manga on your mobile: the future of comics?
Comic books made to be read on mobile phones, e-readers and iPods are big business in Japan, but will the take off with a western audience? Big comic publishing houses like DC and Dark Horse venture into the potential goldmine — or money pit — of digital comics.
Guy Rundle: Ozwatch: highlights from the world’s wackiest broadsheet op-ed page
Guy Rundle wraps the highlights from the world’s wackiest broadsheet op-ed page, brought to you by those funsters at The Australian.
Crikey Says: Number crunching CPRS
Crunching the numbers of the failed CPRS plan by the government. Like, the Senate vote to reject the bills: 42 to 30.
On reading Clive Hamilton: readers respond
A sample of reader’s responses to yesterday’s piece by Clive Hamilton.
Another reason for concern about public funding for DrinkWise
Should the government continue to fund an organisation that attacks researchers for exercising their right to refuse to accept money from them? asks Wayne Hall.
Stockland Group far from “bulletproof”
Listed property group Stockland’s claims about the health of its balance sheet deserve serious scrutiny, particularly in light of yesterday’s results.
Political snippets: Three more months of will they, won’t they
The real tragedy of the government’s climate bill getting the thumbs down is another three months of hearing about it, says Richard Farmer. Plus unemployment in Spain, Rio Tinto and more.
Expect hurdles along the Kokoda Track crash investigation
The Australian role in the official inquiry into the Airlines PNG crash that killed nine Australians on Tuesday as they were about to start the Kokoda Track walk is going to be incredibly difficult.
Media briefs: Ozwatch with Guy Rundle … Best right-wing screw-up ever?
Guy Rundle analyses The Oz’s op-ed pages. Is this the best right-wing screw-up ever? Studio pulls New Moontrailer.
Dead Letter Office: Australia Post’s life beyond mail
Australia Post, and its traditional postal service model, is under threat from the National Broadband Network. What should it do to remain relevant and profitable?
Tips and rumours: Frustrated accountants tell all
News from the ATO, hard times hit the SMAge, why the Rio Tinto case is far from over, and a surreal sighting of Alexander Downer.
Morning Market Report: Strong day for the market and Wall St
The market was up 54, while the Dow closed up 120. Meanwhile, Telstra released slightly better than expected results.
Meredith Hellicar could be forced to pay up
Disgraced James Hardie directors, especially former chairperson, Meredith Hellicar, could be required to personally repay their legal and directors’ fees.
