Kevin Rudd’s decision to grant protection visas to all 42 Afghan asylum seekers from the boat that exploded off Ashmore Reef in April may prove to be one of the biggest political and policy mistakes he has made, says Ken Parish.
October, 2009
I’ll just have three bars of gold bullion, thanks
Now you can grab some gold bullions while picking up your groceries, with London department store Harrods stocking them. Bars of gold seem a safer bet than stocks and shares for worried private investors.
Rocky & Gawenda: Strangers on God’s beach
Amid the current discussion of asylum seekers and refugees, Michael Gawenda remembers his recently departed Yiddish teacher, a man exiled from his homeland and rejected by his comrades.
NewsHour bumps regular economist for a rapping economist
PBS’s (and SBS’s) NewsHour with Jim Lehrer recently cancelled an appearance by economist Richard Rahn in favour of another economist — not one who was better qualified, but one who was prepared to deliver his points in rap form.
The black hole that fits in your back pocket
Want a portable black hole that you can carry around, sucking up microwave light and turning it into heat? Chinese physicists have created one, but relax, it won’t suck you into it. It’s more aimed at the solar energy market.
Why aren’t we making better use of pharmacy?
Australia could learn a thing or two from South Africa and the US on how to better use our pharmacy resources, says health consultant Simon Burrow: in-house nurses make healthcare far more accessible to the wider community.
lol What’s an ETS? That’s when you turn your AC off, right?
Just when you think that all anyone is talking about is climate change, ETS, CPRS or Copenhagen, North Coast Voices reminds us that those are complicated terms.
What the GFC failed to teach Wayne Swan
When Washington meddled in the mortgage market, the end result was the Global Financial Crisis. So why is the Rudd government continuing to invest in housing finance — and putting taxpayers at risk?
The Kindle won’t kill libraries
Aussie Publishers may be worried the predicted surge in e-reader sales will damage the book industry, but news from the States shows libraries needn’t share their concerns, with “digital lending” booming in public libraries.
Hillary now more popular than Obama
A new Gallup poll has Hillary Clinton’s popularity at 62% while President Barack Obama’s is only sitting at 56%. Could these new figures see her consider another tilt at the Presidency?
Sheehan: The 10 commandments of the refugee lobby
The issue of asylum seekers is one of principle, not one of race or poverty. “Non-citizens are not entitled to self-select as residents before their bona fides have been established”, writes Paul Sheehan.
Andrews: Rudd’s people-smuggling policy in tatters
Kevin Rudd was naive to think he could water down Australia’s immigration policies and still discourage people smugglers, says Howard government immigration minister Kevin Andrews. And it is “genuine refugees” who will suffer most as a result.
Allard: Refugees tug at the heart strings but not hard enough
The Sri Lankan refugees returned to Indonesia have called a snap hunger strike and are making eloquent and heartfelt pleas to the media, but it will not be enough for an outpouring of national sympathy, writes Tom Allard.
Abbott: Rudd must choose between Mr Nice Guy and Mr Tough Guy
Kevin Rudd can’t be both “hardline and humane” on asylum seekers, says Tony Abbott. If he really wants to deter a flood of boat people, he must back his tought words up with tough actions — or prepare for a peaceful invasion.
Malcolm Fraser slams redneck rhetoric
Former Lib PM Malcolm Fraser has criticised the Opposition’s handling of the current asylum seeker debate, accusing them of “scratching the redneck nerve” with their fear mongering.
Bolt: Spin overboard
This is Kevin Rudd’s Tampa, says Andrew Bolt, so why isn’t the media treating him with the same outrage and indignation they did Howard?
Let’s not regress to that dark Tampa chapter
The government hasn’t ‘gone soft’ on immigration, rather worldwide immigration is booming, with Australia’s numbers minuscule to many European nations. Let’s not go back to ignoring human rights, says Zhi Yan.
Grattan: Australia heads down a dark and familiar path
Politicians’ rhetoric on asylum seekers is turning extremely nasty — and familiar, says Michelle Grattan. But heading back to the dark days of Tampa-era refugee debates could be a dangerous waters for both parties.
How Italy’s Taliban bribery got French soldiers killed
When French soldiers arrived in the Afghan region of Sarobi last year, they believed the area to be peaceful. Ten dead and mutilated soldiers later, it’s clear they were wrong. And it was Italy who misled them.
The Coalition ride the conveyor belt to electoral slaughter
The idea of the Coalition losing 20 seats next year has now become part of the political furniture, says Bernard Keane. And unfortunately for them, next year is, historically, their best chance at getting back in power for some time.
Aussie dollar may hit $US1.10
RBA chief Glenn Stevens and St George Bank’s chief economist both say the Australian dollar may hit parity with US currency as economic growth continues apace.
Breakfast Media Wrap: Boat people debate takes an ugly and divisive turn
The pick of the morning’s media
Mini Disneylands: stores get a crisp makeover
Steve Jobs, who is both Apple boss and on the board of Disney directors, is sprinkling some of his magic fairy dust on the Disney stores, helping to make them more interactive and fun to play in.
Not even fear mongering can save the Opposition
Many in the Opposition are pushing an anti-ETS line, but it’s hard to run a scare campaign when you’re not in power. A time will come when voters don’t view Kevin Rudd as Father Christmas, but not for awhile, writes Peter Brent.
Anaphrodisiacs: foods that kill your sex drive
So everyone knows what foods are supposed aphrodisiacs — oysters! chocolate! — but what foods are rumoured to stop sexual desire? It’s not exactly scientific, but the list does make sense: corn flakes aren’t raunchy.
