With planning likely to be a hot issue at the November 27 state election, it will be interesting to see if the Brumby government ploughs ahead backing these two controversial projects in Manningham.
February, 2010
Political snippets: The so-called “market experts” get it wrong again
Market economists get it wrong again on jobs data, the Labor Government’s insulation subsidy affair, the US goes backwards on drinking age, Judgement Day is nigh in Thailand, and more.
Jobs jump sets RBA alarm bells ringing
The tilt in monetary policy has just moved decisively towards further rate rises, after the strongest jobs performance for three years years was revealed in the January labour force figures today.
Guy Rundle: Rundle in Athens: Greeks rally around the red flag
The Athens public service strike played across the European and global media all day, and not because the world is concerned with the conditions of hospital porters in Thessaloniki.
Free TV handouts: we don’t know the half of it
We’ve been seriously underestimating just how much money the free-to-air TV networks will be getting from taxpayers under the Government’s outrageous licence fee rebates, reveal Glenn Dyer and Bernard Keane.
Daily Proposition: Let Tony Martin tickle your fancy
What’s Tony Martin been up to? The Scrivener’s Fancy is the amusing answer. Have a read tonight — it’ll give you more laughs than Couples Retreat, says Daniel Ziffer.
News Ltd gets Publisher’s Cup flick amid sledging furore, score tampering call
News Limited has been forced to withdraw from the prestigious Publisher’s Cup cricket competition amid allegations of scoresheet tampering, sledging and dissent towards officials.
Has Kevin Rudd oversold himself?
Rudd and his office will now learn that high-handedness and manipulation are fine when things are going well – when you’re up against an inept Opposition and the polls can’t seem to flatter you enough. But times they are a-changin’.
ABC’s Mark Scott: and now for the good news
ABC managing director Mark Scott has taken on critics in a speech at the National Press Club who suggest that his leadership has been more about technology than about quality news content.
Video of the Day: Obama the singing president
President Obama joined Smokey Robinson, Natalie Cole, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Hudson and co onstage for a rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing during a concert celebrating music in the civil rights movement.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: dodgy insulation standards
Are insulation installers ignoring both safety standards and telemarketing laws? Plus, some lovely postmodern train travel art and an update to the Metlink tip yesterday.
RATED RUDE Kevin is on the nose…
The Government is facing certain disaster! Get Arsehat Media Management on the phone.
Crikey Says: Rudd as balloon head
Kevin Rudd’s bubble hasn’t exactly burst, but it has definitely deflated this week.
Taking a ride with Afghanistan bomb detectors
The Global Post heads along with the US military for a bomb finding mission in Afghanistan, where they drive 10km an hour in 10-14 hour shifts in a boring but dangerous attempt to search out roadside bombs. A weird look at military workings.
PHOTO GALLERY: A new perspective on 9/11
ABC News has acquired some dramatic never-before-seen images of the September 11 attacks via a Freedom of Information Act request — the first aerial images of the destruction to be made public.
Bartlett: Queensland MPs show their true colours
Queensland Parliament is about to have a conscience vote on laws relating to voluntary surrogacy of children. But when freed from the constraints of the “party line”, it can be a bit disconcerting to find out what MPs really believe, says Andrew Bartlett.
Tanner: The government is going l33t
Like watching your dad explain hip hop: Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner says “the government wants to blog” and use Web 2.0 tech to better engage with voters. What a n00b.
How Climategate wasn’t as scandalous as the sceptics claimed
Michael Mann, a climate scientist embroiled in the middle of the Climategate hacked emails scandal, had his professional conduct reviewed in a Penn State university inquiry and was exonerated. Read the results before the denialists spin it.
Marvel editor: Why Captain America attacked the Tea Party
Marvel comics has recently come under attack from US conservatives, after the latest Captain America comic depicted the superhero making snide comments about a Tea Party protest. Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada explains it was simple the “perfect storm of screw-ups”. After all: they’re only human.
Should the US put a child soldier on trial?
Omar Khadr was just 15 when he was arrested for allegedly throwing a grenade at a US soldier in Afghanistan. Is it right to try him as an adult war criminal? The Washington Post tells his tale, you decide: dangerous terrorist, or victim of circumstance?
What a difference disclosure makes
With all the noise in the My Schools debate, it’s crucial that we are properly informed about the background of participants. Like, John Mardsen in SMH. Shouldn’t it be mentioned that he is also a school principal? asks Dave Gaukroger.
USA: just 50 mini Greeces?
While European economies suffer due to Greece’s foibles, the USA’s 50 states — with 50 budgets, issues and just one currency — provide a scary opportunity for a similar event to occur.
Paul Kelly: Political pressure cooks Rudd
Labor is at a crossroads, after the fiasco of Copenhagen and PM Kevin Rudd’s inability to successfully argue his ETS policy. The question now is: what does Rudd do next? asks Paul Kelly.
Film review: Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief — god awful
The gods of fine taste have a new enemy: a pipsqueak brat called Percy Jackson in a knucklehead adventure/fantasy that plays like a pastiche of all the worst bits from the Harry Potter and Narnia flicks, writes Luke Buckmaster.
