Despite the best efforts of some in the mainstream media to show otherwise, the Rudd Governments turns out to have spent less on consultants than expected.
December, 2009
ABC TV to restructure in the shape of the Beeb
The ABC is slowly heading towards a major restructuring of its TV division, reveal Glenn Dyer and Andrew Crook, with the public broadcaster adopting a more BBC-style structure.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Conroy is the Kevin Andrews of the Labor Party
Conroy’s filter, banana bender politics and Dick Adam’s haircut — these are the subjects that have Crikey readers talking today.
Mayne: Paid journalists’ session improves NAB AGM
The National Australia Bank went into uncharted waters at yesterday’s AGM in Brisbane, by paying journalists to conduct a 50-minute pre-meeting discussion with chairman Michael Chaney and CEO Cameron Clyne.
PIIGS won’t fly, but they may float
Gulf States will be forming a common currency, breaking the formal and informal dollar pegs that have controlled the price of oil and kept the petro-dollar recycling mill operating, allowing the US to force its inflationary policies down the Arabs’ throats, writes David Hirst.
Dollar a pain in the bottom line for Telstra, Foster’s
A bit of a confession Friday with two of our largest companies revealing lower earnings, and both blaming the high value of the Australian dollar.
ATO decision to tax TPG on Myer is on the money
Despite the claims of self-interested private equiteers and their hired help, the ATO’s decision to tax TPG’s billion-dollar Myer windfall was the right one.
Morning Market Report: India goes to Rio for its ore
Rio Tinto has agreed to ship iron ore to India for the first time ever.
The top 10 albums of 2009
Although my policy is to not get too bogged down in bagging the stuff I don’t like, instead expending the energy on music I do like, there have been one or two albums that I’ve completely hated and Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear is at the top of that list.
Wankley Awards: The Most Wankiest of Wankleys for 2009
From a tough field of nominees, this year’s Wankiest of all Wankleys goes to Richard Wilkins and his Goldblum gaff, writes Elly Keating, but Sam the Koala, Daryl Somers and Kyle Sandilands all deserve honourable mentions.
Media briefs: ATO uses Wikipedia … Our Great Firewall … Fairfax Christmas bonanza …
International reports on our Great Firewall, the Herald Sun follows Crikey’s lead, Facebook in factories, and more briefs on media from around the world.
National Union of Students in chaos as accusations fly
The National Union of Students was on the verge of collapse this morning after a ballot to elect key office bearers was shelved amid serious claims of vote rigging and corruption.
Copenhagen coming to a close: the end’s a scary place to start
People will say it’s impossible for Copenhagen to succeed at this late hour; but we must do what seems impossible to avoid the unimaginable, writes Anna Rose from Copenhagen.
Political snippets: Copenhagen confusing, the Gail Kelly admiration society, the Governator of Palin
The reports from Copenhagen are very confusing, with still no news of what the final outcome will be. Is this Chinese tactic of testing the nerve of those they negotiate with being repeated?
Lowbottom High Diaries: Lowbottom Diaries: what a pity I didn’t eat with my meal
We teachers when out of the school environment feel the desperate need to communicate to the world that we are normal people. Sigh. We are not, laments our long-suffering school teacher Trevor Diogenes.
Guy Rundle: Friday book review: Why You Are Australian
Nicki Gemmell’s latest offering is like a meal of Tim Tams — not too healthy for anyone, and you aren’t too far in before you’re wondering why you ever started in the first place.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: Credit fraud, piss-ups and long lunches in Vic govt dept
There’s a huge investigation going on into massive rorting in a Victorian government department, Victorian ministers take the scenic route, and Mitsubishi spins the media’s wheels.
Crikey Says: Fair facts: The Oz simply does it better
How did the mainstream media go covering Kevin Rudd at Copenhagen, or for that matter the entire Copenhagen Climate Change Conference?
Emirates’ dicey flight over Melb airport, scoop: government keeps promise!, Kevin Rudd in Copenhagen
PODCAST: 2010: Politics, elections and anniversaries
In the first of a series, The Economist takes a look at what will be important in politics next year. Elections in the US, Britain and Brazil, and a range of political anniversaries look set to dominate global agenda.
Hand jobs: gadget boom creates new market for models
The booming gadget industry of mp3 players, e-Readers, netbooks and digital cameras has created a new demand for hand models, with the most in-demand mitts earning up to $10,000 a day.
Death of a Russian reformer
Yegor Gaidar, the former Russian finance minister who brought a market economy to Russia, died this week. How did a politician with his unpopularity get to die a natural death in his own country, asks Charles Richardson.
Book nerd alert: the best reading of 2009
Salon collects a range of popular authors, from Nick Horny to Judy Blume and Junot Diaz, to share their best books of the year. Just in time for holiday reading (or present giving).
