Transfield to the rescue on pink batts. Transfield Services is being paid a considerable sum of money by the Department of Climate Change to mop up the pink batts program, you told us. True, the Department confirms to Crikey, to the tune of about $26 million (one tipster suggested this amounted to around $300,000 per week). ”However,” […]
June, 2011
Crikey Says: War on terror
Crikey analysis of budget papers show that the Howard, Rudd and Gillard governments have spent just over $15 billion on the war on terror since 2001. Indexed into 2010-11 dollars, that’s $16.7 billion.
Mr and Mrs Oscar change the rules for Best Picture nominations (again)
Two years after the Academy Awards extended the number of Best Pictures nominations from five to ten, the rules have again changed, reports Luke Buckmaster.
The Osama bin Laden dead body treasure hunt
American treasure hunter Bill Warren will reportedly launch an expedition to the North Arabian Sea to find the body of Osama bin Laden using sonar devices. His chances are next to nil, writes Brian Palmer.
The rocky world of retail set to get worse before it gets better
The problems in retail right now are deep and endemic, and while there is still some bricks and mortal left things will get worse before they get better, says James Thomson.
Building successful online business models is a community thing
The word “paywall” is inevitably linked to discussions about successful online business models, but arguably just as important is fostering a sense of community, writes Jessica Roy.
Greece squabbles over austere policies
It’s strange how the financiers preaching pain forget that in a democracy the people who vote will not greet policies that promote unemployment and a savage fall in living standards with enthusiasm, writes Richard Farmer.
Did Google strike a deal with Obama?
Google have denied that the Democrats have been granted special access to a new advertising initiative despite claims of the contrary made by a company sales representative, reports Byron Tau and Ben Smith.
PHOTO GALLERY The best fun you’ll have out bush all year: the NT’s Barunga Festival
Bob Gosford ventured down the NT’s Stuart Highway and experienced, camera in hand, the pleasures of the annual Barunga Festival.
A yak with Sam Pang from The Match Committee
The Match Committee is a comedy web series starring Crikey award winning comedian Lawrence Mooney as ‘coach’ and Sam Pang as ‘assistant coach.’ Pang talks to Matt Smith about the show and where the storyline could be heading.
Is House’s house of blues a blue?
Dr Gregory House from the TV show House has released an album of blues songs. Yep. Blues. This white Englishman can sing the blues, sure, but does he sing them well? asks Neil Walker.
Photo ID farce coming soon to an airport near you
Australian passengers will soon be compulsorily required to show photo ID at airports, a move which will push us down the same slippery slope to insanity that visitors to the US are familiar with, writes Ben Sandilands.
Just do it: 14,000 voters give their say on renewables
A document that outlines 14,000 conversations about climate change from across the nation says that the majority of Australians want a stronger emphasis on renewable energy and support businesses being held responsible for their pollution, reports Amber Jamieson.
Latham’s Media Watch Dog Watch: ALP types love to nude up
Gerard Henderson’s Liberals may keep their Collins Street clothes on, but let me assure you, the ALP has always been at one with nature, reveals Mark Latham.
Maybe it won’t be presidential next time
Surely a presidential style campaign will not be on the cards in Australia for the next federal poll when both parties try to cope with the unpopularity of Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, writes Richard Farmer.
Simons: rumours Ron Walker & crew kicking the Fairfax tyres
In one way it is no surprise that Former Fairfax Chairman Ron Walker is supposedly heading a consortium of Melbourne families interested in buying The Age and 3AW from Fairfax Media. But the more significant story is the broader context of the position of Fairfax Media.
The fetishisation of the economic status quo
A desire to freeze the Australian economy in time is at odds with the wave of economic change being driven by China.
Melbourne media’s ‘bloke’s club’ fights over relevancy
Veteran Melbourne Press Club committee member Sushi Das has quit the organisation, accusing it of being a “blokes club” and raising concerns over decision-making processes she claims are monopolised by a clique of male insiders.
Phony war over volcanic ash safety policies between Virgin and Qantas/Jetstar
It could be as much as another week before the ash plumes from the Puyehue eruption in Chile have dispersed to altitudes and concentrations where they pose no risk to flights.
ABC’s Long and Lewis bury hatchet, make date for beef rendang
Genial ABC finance correspondent Stephen “Schlong” Long and Landline EP Peter Lewis have buried the hatchet in their notorious slaughterhouse dispute, with the sparring duo agreeing break bread over beef rendang.
Bank deposit guarantee puts the squeeze on loaners
Another emergency GFC policy — the federal government’s decision to “guarantee” bank deposits of up to $1 million — is expected to be lowered in the next few months. Its reduction to between $100,000 and $250,000 could place small and medium size lenders in a difficult position.
Deaths in custody: authorities ignore warnings on hanging points
State governments around the country are not only failing to fulfil their obligation to remove obvious hanging points in police and prison cells, they are also building new prisons that do not meet this safety standard. Inga Ting continues her special investigation into deaths in custody.
Disaster, debt and despair: but Japan’s political sideshow rolls on
Prime Minister Naoto Kan has stated he may soon resign from office, keeping Japan in its pattern of an annual transition of premiership. It seems he has no choice. In the face of disaster the political sideshow rolls on, writes Dr Craig Mark from Tokyo.
