Coorey: Election ’10 is like Seinfeld – a show about nothingNo forward vision, no bold agendas, no gutsy reforms. This year’s poll-driven do-nothing federal election is becoming increasingly Seinfeldian, writes Phillip Coorey.
July, 2010
Milne: Gillard Labor looks a lot like Rudd Labor
Some of the key criticisms of Kevin Rudd - particularly poor communication skills and lack of consultation - appear to be also reflected in the new PM’s leadership style. Just look at the mining tax and the so-called East Timor Solution, writes Glenn Milne.
Labor lost a little bounce, but still strong
According to Sunday’s Age/Nielson poll Labor has lost a little of its Gillard-related bounce but remains strong as election speculation mounts, writes Michelle Grattan.
Galaxy and Nielsen: 52-48 to Labor
Two polls published yesterday confirm a small slip in support for Labor but show the government maintain a clear election winning lead on the two-party preferred vote, writes William Bowe.
No stopping the rise of the ranga
Julia Gillard has proved to the nation that a certain breed of marginalised people can make it all the way to the top. We’re talking, of course, of redheads. Gillard’s ascension has well and truly cracked the ginger ceiling, says Dominic Knight.
PHOTO GALLERY: 10 newly discovered underwater species
2,500 metres below sea level in the Atlantic ocean scientific researchers have discovered 10 new underwater species. The photographs, obtained using remote operated vehicles, are bizarre, beautiful and surreal.
PHOTO GALLERY: The greatest works of architecture in the world
What are the most important works of architecture created since 1980? Vanity Fair’s 52-strong panel of experts has named them — and put together this stunning photo gallery of the top 21.
The Running of the Bulls is a load of bull
It’s unfortunate that an Australian and other participants were injured in this year’s Running of the Bulls festival in Spain. However, we should also spare a thought for the bulls and end this cruel event, says Darrell Wade.
Exposing the truth behind the weapons of mass digestion
Now its all sponsorships, contracts and TV deals, but 13 years ago Major League Eating was founded as a joke. William Saletan looks into the depravity of competitive eating and how it managed to turn pro.
130-years-old and still has her wits – but no birth certificate
Antisa Khvichava from the republic of Georgia is allegedly the oldest person alive. She still has a “clear mind” but is largely bedridden, has lost her ability to knit and - unfortunately for the record keepers - she’s also lost her birth certificate.
Milking LeBron’s Miami moment for all its worth
It was the decision that rocked the world of US sports, but why did freelance journalist Jim Gray ask LeBron James sixteen random questions before getting the basketballer to confirm he was moving to Miami?
Under the gum trees, the Greens declare fightback on refugees
The Greens say Australia has been dragged through another unedifying and embarrassing debate about refugees. But all is not lost — Crikey’s Andrew Crook was on the Greens stump.
And the Wankley goes to… tabloid media for its Dannii baby obsession
Monday’s joyful addition to the Minogue clan has media hearts aflutter, with editors robbing the entertainment pages of what should be on their beat and sending it up to the front page — three days after the birth!
How PepsiCo met its blogosphere match
An internationally respected science blogging network has canned plans for a PepsiCo-sponsored blog. The fracas has focused attention on the financial constraints and ethics of new media and raises questions for public health advocates, writes Melissa Sweet.
World Cup: Meet Rod Allen: the Fairfax heavy now fighting Fairfax for the FFA
As the Fairfax investigative unit continues its heavy campaign against Football Federation Australia’s World Cup bid, you have to feel a bit sorry for former Fairfax veteran Rod Allen who has crossed to the PR dark side and is battling hard to limit the damage.
Is this the end of mortgage super-profits?
You might be forgiven for thinking the banks are starting to soften up their customer base for a post-election rate hike regardless of whether or not the Reserve Bank resumes its cycle of raising official rates.
Conroy’s change of tack: make us pure, but not yet
Stephen Conroy has tried to take the heat out of the filter issue, and in doing so has given his critics a chance to articulate their core concerns, writes Bernard Keane.
World Cup: The inside scoop on Paul the clairvoyant calamari
How is it that a humble cephalopod can somehow predict, with terrifying accuracy, the outcome of games played on another continent? A Crikey tipster set us on the scent of a scandal…
Forget the ETS, world first Climate Advocacy Fund has miners in its sights
Australian Ethical Investments executive director James Thier says the new world first Climate Advocacy Fund will initially focus on companies in the mining sector, writes Crikey intern Ben Hagemann
Lessons of Vietnam continue to ring true for Obama
The strength of pro-war sentiment in the GOP was demonstrated by the angry reaction to Last week Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele’s bid for the anti-war vote.
You have consensus PM, you just need the political will
Julia Gillard has been well warned of the perils of ignoring climate change. So after years of overwhelming public support for action on climate change, it is odd for her to be speaking of the need to “build consensus”. All she really needs is the political will.
World Cup: FFA to The Age: we’re not mucking about, enough is enough
What on earth is going on with the Football Federation of Australia’s legal action against The Age? One Age insider described it as “bizarre.”
Offshore processing a recipe for social collapse in East Timor
The Australian Government has an ‘in-principle’ fix to go to the polls with, but delays in reaching a formal agreement will cause real problems for the current Timorese Government as it edges closer to its next national elections, writes Robert Johnson.
ACMA put digital radio local content quota on ice
Last week the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced it had registered a new code which would exempt digital commercial radio stations from local music quotas for three years, writes Tracey Grimson.
Pacific solution — freelancers in uproar over new copyright edict
Freelancers providing copy to Pacific Publications are up in arms over a new standard contract that requires them to assign all copyright to the company.
