Anti-corruption agencies have ducked out of a legal battle with News Limited and The Australian due to media and political pressure.
April, 2010
Brumby’s weapons of mass distraction on display at the Press Club
Victorian Premier John Brumby’s opposition to the federal government’s health reform plan is primarily a distraction from his own deepening political woes.
Guy Rundle: Rundle’s UK: Labour’s 2010 manifesto
UK Labour launched its 2010 manifesto, and it didn’t go down well. “This manifesto is not Blairite, it’s Blair Plus,” said “Lord” Peter Mandelson. Is that really a selling point?
Video of the Day: Wikileaks on Colbert
Stephen Colbert grills Wikileaks editor Julian Assange over the release classified US military footage last week.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: poor Aunty needs a care package
One ABC presenter is hitting back at the federal opposition regarding their demands of last year that the ABC disclose the salaries of its on-air talent.
This day in Crikey: Thursday, April 14, 2005
Thursday, April 14, 2005, Rupert signs up for the web.
Crikey Says: Study notes for students of politics
Prime Minister Rudd has been imploring the states to “act in the national interest, and in the interests of working families …”. Because threatening a referendum on health reform is in the national interest, because they work so well.
What gets a coup a thumbs up from the US?
When a political coup occurs in a foreign land, why do some get instant US approval while others are refused recognition? Joshua Keating explains how the US deals with overseas military coups and multiple leaders claiming legitimacy.
exposed 
Lehman’s debt mule
Lehman Brothers ran an “alter ego” company called Hudson Castle to hide its risky subprime mortgage investments for years before its collapse, the New York Times reveals.
A Wynne-lose for Sam Leach and his judges
It’s fine line between plagiarism and inspiration in the art world, with the winner of the Wynne prize coming under fire for his painting’s resemblance to a 17th century Dutch landscape. Should we really encourage copying? asks W H Chong.
Welcome to the Great Magazine Freeze of 2010
2008-09 were the years that saw magazines folding and crumbling and Gawkers Great Magazine Die-off tag (rather like our own Newspaper Death Watch one) getting a work out. But times they are a-changing, with less mags dying and less being born.
Hot Dog! First Dog’s best cartoons are yours to cherish forever
Hello Crikey subscriber! Now you can get Crikey’s favourite First Dog on the Moon toons in one ebook. Simply click on the picture below to begin downloading (just make sure you’re logged in first). Oh, not a Crikey subscriber? Just sign up for a 21-day free trial of Crikey’s daily subscriber email and we’ll send […]
On yer bike, Tony
Tony Abbott’s epic Pollie Pedal — cycling from Melb to Sydney — has a definite touch of a campaign dress rehearsal, says Tony Wright, as he watches Abbott don the lyrca, meet clapping crowds in small towns and balance ABC interviews.
Will the ALP Green out?
As Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett negotiates with the Greens over how the Tassie parliament will work, it’s possible that Greens may join the Tas cabinet. Is this the start of a broader Labor-Greens alliance?
The biblical battle of the beards: hipsters vs. Hasids
A hilarious war has broken out in super cool Williamsburg, Brooklyn over a bike lane. The hipsters love to ride their bikes. The Hasidic Jews say the bike riders are dressed too provocatively. What happens when skinny jeans meet bekishes?
Daily Proposition: Read David Sedaris’ favourite book
When a book gets the David Sedaris official tick of approval, you know it’s going to be good. And while Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned is no picnic, it’s a fascinating read about the lives of men.
Irvine: Good childcare = more working women? Duh…
We need to stop wasting our women workers, mothers who want to work but won’t because of expensive and poor quality childcare. Perhaps if we had more senior government women, we’d already have this by now, writes Jessica Irvine.
leaked Read Sarah Palin’s speaking contract: private jets and bendy straws [PDF]
Oops: Sarah Palin’s public speaking contract has been dug out of a dumpster. Among her demands: big jets, SUVs… and “bendable straws”.
Costello: Malcolm joins the underachiever list
Politicians should get a pay rise and a better superannuation package, says Peter Costello. It’s the best way to get good, young politicians who aren’t already tainted by the outside world.
Bank insider speaks out: “The system is built to be gamed”
An anonymous blogger claiming to be an executive at one of America’s 10 big banks has been airing his grievances on a new blog called The Fourtheenth Banker. HuffPo has an interview with the masked man.
Polls apart from reality
Polling by news organisations — a la the worm or a Herald Sun political poll — tells us absolutely nothing about an issue. Why must we renounce nuanced problems down to a yes/no answer? asks Scott Bridges.
Rudd’s new sparring partner: John Brumby
Daily media wrap: With Victorian Premier John Brumby refusing to budge on hospital reform, could Rudd’s biggest bruises in this election year come not from the pugilistic Abbot, but from one of his own Labor Party comrades?
Van Onselen: Rudd the jet-setter doesn’t take off
Our PM usually flies overseas at the drop of a hat to flaunt his skills on the world stage. So why is Kevin Rudd staying home this week rather than attending the crucial nuclear security summit in the US? Bad move, says Peter van Onselen.
Atkins: The date of the federal election is….
A double dissolution election isn’t going to happen, but Rudd will want the federal election done well before the Victorian on in November. Dennis Atkins places his bets for the exact election date.
