If proof was needed that our political leaders are still in election mode, the way that they scurried off overseas but hurried home again surely provides it.
October, 2010
Crikey Says: Name them now, ask questions later
The editor of Melbourne’s distinguished daily journal of record, the Herald Sun, was quoted in his own newspaper today as saying the reason he decided not to publish the names of two AFL footballers allegedly involved in a police r-pe investigation was because it was a “moral issue”. And then the paper named them.
HuffPo makes moolah
It might not pay any of its contributors — well a few journalists, but not its opinion articles — but popular news website Huffington Post is now making a profit. It’s traffic is up 80% this year.
Beware the all-knowing taxman
Buoyed by the success of Project Wickenby, the Australian Tax Office may be better equipped to sniff out dodgy dealings than ever before. Finance lawyers have issued law-breaking upper class Aussies a simple warning: the taxman knows what you’re up to.
Meet the Mumpreneurs
Yes “mumpreneurs” is a fairly awful term for entrepreneurial women creating businesses after they’ve had children, but it’s a fascinating growth industry. Will a national paid parental scheme seem even more mothers doing it?
Why lobbying is good for democracy
Lobbying might not have a great rep but a process that causes politicians to learn about evidence-based approaches to policy outcomes surely can’t be a bad thing, writes Peter Schmigel.
Internet awash with infants
A surveyed conducted by internet anti-virus company AVG claims a startlingly high number of babies in America - around 81% - have some kind of online identity, and one in four have a presence on the web before they’re even born.
great read 
Cavalier: How to destroy a Premier
The NSW Labor government has seen four premiers in just five years. Former NSW Education Minister Rodney Cavalier offers an insider account of the Nathan Rees and Morris Iemma downfalls.
The world’s most powerful women
Another of Forbes’ famous lists, this one being the most powerful ladies in the world. Seems rather odd that Michelle Obama — wife of US president Barack — nabs the number one spot. Oprah sits at number three.
Where could a super Sydney airport be built?
Former Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey has started some soul as well as airport site searching with his suggestion that a new single super-sized Sydney airport be considered for solving its airport crisis, reports Ben Sandilands.
Film review: Buried — classy claustrophobic thrills
Director Rodrigo Cortés’ bold take on the single setting thriller genre has Ryan Reynolds lying down in a coffin for an hour and a half. Cortés turns an arguably silly premise into a tense and sweaty experience, writes Luke Buckmaster.
The new New Matilda
Online commentary website New Matilda is reopening its virtual doors once more, after a well-publicised closure in June. It’ll return as a paid subscriber site, and expects to be back to full publishing capacity in 2011.
Devine’s got the Greens’ number
Where to begin with Miranda Devine’s hate-mongering column at her new News Ltd digs, “What it really means to be Green”? To start with, it’s not a good sign when your opening salvo is nothing more than a smear by association, says Jeremey Sear.
The Facebook dilemma: privacy vs “radical transparency”
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s personal philosophy of “radical transparency” is at odds with community concerns about privacy and data collection. Recent changes are a step in the right direction, but Stephen Hutcheon wonders what the social networking giant has to hide.
My Cup Of Tea: Don’t stop the music in an election year
Reforms to Victoria’s music venue regulations shows that contemporary music is finding its political voice. Other sections of the arts community would do well to take note, says Ben Eltham.
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival diary
Sunshine, dancers, the Ubud Royal Palace and author Thom Keneally all starred in Bob Gosford’s first day at the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival.
Sweetman: Abbott was outmaneuvered on Afghanistan
There is a Coalition-endorsed theory making the rounds that Julia Gillard set a trap for Tony Abbott during this week’s Afghanistan debacles. Even so, if it was such an obvious bait Abbott shouldn’t have fallen for it, writes Terry Sweetman.
leaked The Google blacklist
Type a word into Google and watch the Google instant search immediately start filtering items letter by letter. But some words — think swear words, porn or anything possibly insulting — doesn’t show any autocomplete options. Check out which words get censored…
Goodbye assembly, hello committee
The first act of the government’s new climate change committee was to dump Gillard’s proposed Citizens Assembly. The pressure is on for the committee to achieve some results - like, say, an actual climate change policy, writes Leo Shanahan.
Don’t believe the hype — Obama is a shoo-in
Anybody can tell that the Democrats will be in trouble come the midterms, but that doesn’t mean Obama’s chances of re-election are waning. American voters actually tend to judge the economy not by its current state but by the economy that was inherited, writes Peter Beinart.
The raging Murray-Darling debate: an overview
The debate over how to allocate water from the Murray Darling Basin is raging once again with the Murray Darling Basic Plan finally being released today. Crikey intern Jane Vashti Ryan takes a look at the background, the players and the fight for the river.
Life after Red Kerry: what’s the future of ABC current affairs?
How many different ways are there to do nightly prime time quality television current affairs? Margaret Simons looks at the decisions facing the ABC following the retirement of Kerry O’Brien.
Successors scramble to replace departing Brumby MPs
A lion of the Left and a long-term electorate officer have emerged as candidates to replace departing Brumby government ministers Peter Batchelor and Bob Cameron, Crikey can reveal.
Melbourne media rift over naming the Pies’ accused
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire’s on-air outburst this morning over Neil Mitchell’s decision to name the Collingwood players is threatening to tear a rift in the Melbourne media establishment.
