Roy Morgan has come through with the first poll of this election year, with the ALP’s two-party preferred lead down from 59-41 to 57-43. An ominous start to 2010 for the Government? Join in the discussion with William Bowe.
January, 2010
Putting the free into freelancing
The idea that writers should earn a living wage doing their craft is quickly evaporating, which fees spirally downwards quicker than you can say “no pay, but great exposure!” What does this mean for journalism? asks James Rainey.
PHOTO GALLERY: The dying, derelict Biosphere 2
Photographer Noah Sheldon captures the rotting and semi-derelict Biosphere 2, a US$200m bio-architectural experiment in the Arizona desert, an example of one of science’s big experimental failures.
The unsexy cancer that no one wants to talk about
Mesothelioma, the cancer caused by asbestos exposure, kills 600 Australians a year and the numbers are increasing. Michelle Smith writes about the painful and traumatic disease with few treatment options that’s just killed her mum.
Don’t laugh: how to stop the bum bomb
After the infamous underwear bomber, the next major concern for airport security may be bombs being stowed inside human bodies. Or, ‘butt bombs’, as New Republic have dubbed them. But can they bring down a plane?
revealed 
The top secret British mission that failed
A rescue attempt by British troops to save five British hostages in Iraq in May 2007 has been revealed. Troops attempted to intercept the hostages being taken across the border from Iran, but failed. Only one hostage survived.
VIDEO: Ady Gil gets destroyed by Japanese whalers
A variety of videos from the Sea Shepherd’s Ady Gilcollision with the Japanese whaling ship. Did the Japanese whalers deliberately ram the boat?
Having a baby will no longer cost an arm and a leg
The Federal Budget cuts to the obstetric safety net took effect on January 1. But are families in for an “expensive surprise”? Actually, it’ll be a fairer system designed to cut down on inflated medical costs by providers, writes Sally Tracy.
NY Times staff have a crap day
Wow, NY Times really is in the sh*tter, with gastro breaking out across the office, forcing the cafeteria to be closed for the day. And you thought it would be cool to work there?
The letter Mike Rann should have sent Rudd
SA Premier Mike Rann penned a letter this week to PM Kevin Rudd demanding a share of the floodwater that NSW was receiving. Too little, too late, says SA Lib Senator Simon Birmingham, who offered an alternative letter of what Rann should say to Rudd.
Irvine: Buying a house just a dream once more
Australian home prices rose 11 percent in the first 11 months of last year. Interest rates are tipped to rise again. A typical first home buyer needs a deposit worth one year of their income. The housing affordability crisis is back, warns Jessica Irvine.
Keep it simple, stupid
New technology makes journalists jump straight to the chase, as opposed to newspaper articles which are too long, too boring and provide context we already know. When it doubt, delete.
The Whale War: 2010-?
The crash between Sea Shepherd boat Ady Gil and a Japanese whaler may be the catalyst for finally ending Japan and Australia’s long time feud over the legality of whaling in Australian waters. Stop diplomacy and get ready for the Whale War, argues Natalie Klein.
“Doomed to fail”: NT local govt reform goes crazy
Bob Gosford continues his investigation into troubling local government reform in the Territory, where scathing reports are emerging about the bungled implementation of a new IT system.
The Liberal Party disaster brewing in our cities
As Labor becomes stronger in the cities, Coalition policy and leadership in the future will become more focused and designed with regional interests in mind, notes Possum Comitatus.
The Oz: Stop encouraging maritime terrorists
This isn’t some fun Pirates of the Great Southern Ocean film and the media and pollies should stop encouraging the Sea Shepherd’s hooliganism. It does more harm than good, says The Oz.
Turmoil on the high seas: how Australia can stop Japan
Australia still has several diplomatic and legal options it can take to try and halt Japan’s ‘scientific’ whaling, and there’s historical evidence that it wouldn’t destroy our relationship with Japan, argues Donald Rothwell.
Murder, racism and Melbourne
The murder of Indian student Nitin Garg has reopened the debate about racist attacks and the safety of Indian students studying in Melbourne. What are the pundits saying?
Omens of Doom: Dubai’s Burj Khalifa Tower
The new Burj Khalifa Tower dwarfs all that have come before it, a monstrous compilation of gimmicks, extravagance and expense accounts. But is Dubai’s big tower just a symbol of its decay? asks Binoy Kampmark.
Film review: Up in the Air — Clooney flies high
George Clooney’s latest film Up in the Air, directed by Juno’s Jason Reitman, is a sharply observed, entertaining and genuinely unpredictable film, partly in thanks to Clooney’s effortless charm, says Luke Buckmaster.
The death star that may kill us
Meet T Pyxidis, a double star, hidden from clear view by a veil of dust in an obscure constellation that rides high in southern hemisphere skies. According to astronomers, it might be planet earth’s executioner.
A whole lot of contradictions
A profile on “right-wing hippie” John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods, the world’s biggest retailer of natural and organic products. Has Mackey brought organic food to the masses or destroyed it with big-business compromises?
Uhlmann: The love affair of Tony and Julia
Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard’s relationship is like a pair of sparring lovers. But with both their eyes on the top job and Gillard sure to be crucial in planning Abbott’s demise, their contest will be one to watch, writes Chris Uhlmann.
Bartlett: The developing politics of tweeting
When it comes to politics and social media, the greater potential for improving genuine public engagement lies in developing countries and democracies using the technology, not just the Anglosphere, argues Andrew Bartlett.
The confused, clueless and racist Australian public
Many Indian students in Melbourne are terrified, with little or no support system. And it’s not just males under attack, women are just often too fearful to report to police or even their parents. Who will help them? asks Gautam Gupta.
