Surely, surely, it is time Stephen Conroy and his department took a deep breath, sat back and actually tried to come up with a media policy. One with a coherent philosophy and clear aims.
February, 2010
NSW Liberals keep it together, NSW benefits.
NSW Liberal factional unity held firm as the attempt to oust right-wing powerbroker David Clarke came to naught last Friday.
Political snippets: No one is responsible now
We have come to a new point in Australian politics today. Ministerial responsibility is gone and a new system of no one is responsible for mistakes has replaced it. Plus, Tony Abbott making ground and a warning about housing affordability.
Lessons in History: The little Aussie battler who’s heading for sainthood
So, we’ve got ourselves a saint. As an Australian, an educational professional and a fan of giving the boss a hard time, I say ‘Onya, Mary!’ says Mike Stuchbery.
Skeleton government in Netherlands after marathon meeting
So the Netherlands is about to enter another Afghanistan-centred election campaign, unless Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende’s skeleton government can stop the downhill slide and find new coalition partners — lots of them, writes Ian Rogers.
Mungo MacCallum: Here’s the Goss — Abbott may struggle to win the media war
By saying the government’s $250m rebate to TV networks looks like a bribe, Tony Abbott has opened up a new front bin the media wars. Will the high risk strategy of aligning himself with the Pay TV media moguls work?
Stokes poised for media domination after Seven mining move
Kerry Stokes wants to tighten his hold on the the Seven Network by selling his huge WesTrac business into Seven in exchange for a controlling interest in the group. He’s turning Seven into, essentially, a construction company.
This day in Crikey: Thursday, February 22, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007: Howard might be out of touch, but is he stupid? asks Christian Kerr.
How to site a nuclear waste dump
Labor’s opposition to an NT waste dump before the last election will return to haunt it as Martin Ferguson unveils a permanent waste facility this week. Where was the consent and consultation?
Navy leaving asylum seekers in the dark about their final destination
Asylum seekers intercepted by Australian authorities should be informed where they are being taken. But many are still being left in the dark that they are being headed to Christmas Island, writes Pamela Curr.
Sydney transport planning going nowhere fast
NSW premier Kristina Keneally’s new transport plan to do nothing in her political lifetime about Sydney transport shows she knew not to step on the minefield of policy obligations left by past disastrous policy decisions.
Daily Proposition: Get to know the science fiction section
2010 will be the year of the science fiction book, predicts Jim Ivins. Want to fill the gaps in your sci fi reading? Here are some high-quality suggestions. Survival tips for the future an extra bonus.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: the work from home SA senator
Does Garrett’s solar panels installations scheme apply by the same regulations as the rebate scheme implemented by the Howard government?
Crikey Says: Why not a handout for all in the media?
Did the TV industry do what normally happens when incumbents are threatened by new competitors — improve its product, sharpen its service, listen to its customers? Are you kidding?
Letter from...: Plymouth: dairy, dairy, quite contrary
UNESCO lists the Cornwall language as extinct and as of 2008 only 2000 people speak it fluently. This may soon change. The first Cornish language crèche opened a few weeks ago, writes Rafiq Copeland from Plymouth.
revealed 
Life inside Number 10 Downing St
An explosive political memoir by chief political commentator of the Observer, Andrew Rawnsley paints British PM Gordon Brown as an indecisive and besieged pollie, battling over whether to call an early election or not.
Malcolm Fraser: I was the reformer, not Howard
The idea of John Howard the reformer and Malcolm Fraser as the rigid conservative is a myth, writes Malcolm Fraser and Margaret Simons in an extract from Fraser’s upcoming memoirs.
Give death a chance
We need to stop demanding that “everything be done” to prolong elderly lives. Do we want a high-tech death, involving expensive but futile interventions? Or do we want to refocus health spending?
must read The Jock Wrap: Scientologists are sports people too
Resident Crikey sports buffs First Dog on the Moon and Leigh Josey give their wrap on this week in sport, from zombie bob sledding to whether we should go to war with New Zealand.
Facebook: the online cemetery
Thanks to social networking sites, death is no longer behind closed doors. The outpouring on online grief has turned death — whether that be of a celebrity or the girl next door — into a public event. But is virtual mourning just a shallow version?
Turn your twitter feed into a top TV show
Hilarious Twitter feed Shit My Dad Says is turning into a TV show, starring William Shatner as the dad. Rob Cottingham explains why it’ll work: different medium, same message.
Marieke Hardy: My life as an activist
Do protesters enliven democracy and hold our leaders to account? Or are they just loud-mouthed wankers with too much time on their hands? Marieke Hardy spills her embarrassing activism secrets.
Sheehan: Rudd’s stuff ups from A to Z
Kevin Rudd is drowning in a self made political alphabet soup, from asylum seekers to Generation X, Y, Z, writes Paul Sheehan, in an alphabetic wrap of Rudd’s biggest political mishaps.
