The Joy Of Text is ripped from headlines of literary hoaxes and school s-x scandals and deconstructed into a perceptive parable on formal and informal life education.
June, 2011
Media briefs: Origin’s paper war … Oz HuffPo …
State of Origin fever spilled over into print this week as News Limited tabloids went to war on the judiciary appearance of star Queensland back Jonathan Thurston. Plus other media news of the day.
Political snippets: A politically costly and lengthy negotiation
The time taken negotiating the details of the so-called deal with Malaysia on the five for one swap of asylum seekers is surely doing further great damage to the standing of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Video of the Day: Giving a voice to Afghanis
This Time video profiles Masood Farivar, an Afghanistan journalist who returned to his home country after years in the States to establish a national radio network.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Wedding then divorce for Sky pair. It was left to Sky News boss Angelo Frangopoulos to finally sack long-standing anchor John Mangos last weekend after suspending him for a tasteless line on a Chinese lottery winner. Insiders remember Mangos was the master of ceremonies at Frangopoulos’ wedding a couple of years ago. True, Frangopoulos confirmed to Crikey […]
Crikey Says: Packer gets lippy
Australian prime ministers have been bullied and brutalised by men whose name is Packer for decades.
Beyond a lobby-driven debate
The fanfare around Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s announcement that 13 new medicines would go on the PBS is a reminder of the power and influence involved in the selection and reimbursement of prescribed medicines, writes Glenn Salkeld.
Qantas loses $200 million on international, makes $500 million overall
Qantas has filed a financial update to the ASX with includes an estimated $500-550 million group underlying profit and a $95 million benefit from its settlement with Rolls-Royce, reports Ben Sandilands.
Classic album? The Beach Boys Pet Sounds
1966′s Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys is an album steeped in music history lore. Join the first of new Crikey music blog earworm’s weekly open threads with Neil Walker reviewing so-called classic albums.
Live cattle ban: the beginning of the end
The Northern Territory pastoral farming industry is not economically viable, it is not ecologically sustainable, and it is an obstacle to obtaining wise fire management in the NT, declares Strider on The Northern Myth.
How Gina Rinehart will become the world’s richest person
Gina Rinehart hates the label “Australia’s richest person”. So how will she and the rest of the country react when (not if) she ranks as the “world’s richest”, as can be forecast using the latest research? asks Tim Treadgold.
Parting shots: Liberal senators bid their political careers farewell
It’s that time of the six-year electoral Senate cycle again, where departing senators give their valedictory speeches outlining what they’ve accomplished and how their political dreams were crushed. Crikey documents the farewells.
Game on: energy regulators take on electricity networks
The Australian Energy Regulator has publicly conceded what has been known by many but rarely admitted — that Australian consumers are paying way more than they need to for their network and electricity distribution costs, writes Giles Parkinson.
The major economic reforms no one voted for
The Australian economy is facing massive restructuring without our politicians lifting a finger, thanks to a manufacturing industry that’s in its longest period of decline since the 1990s recession.
Forget Anonymous, LulzSec, the real bad guys are in your bank accounts
Tthe real threat is the continuing and increasingly professional war on bank customers.
Menadue: a flash card to help navigate the refugee fact free zone
The “race to the bottom” in our treatment of asylum seekers is littered with misinformation and untruth, writes John Menadue, a director of the Centre for Policy Development.
Last Bets: around the world in online casinos — first stop, Gibraltar
Untaxed, unregulated and under the radar, the so-called “unofficial” sector of online gambling is increasing in popularity.
13 new drugs for the PBS, but Roxon has a long way to go
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s announcement of the addition of 13 new drugs to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme comes as a huge relief.
Mitchell and The Oz (part II): ‘it’s now war’ with the government
Several people close to The Australian say the paper is looking strident on many fronts. And as government tensions escalate one declares “it’s now war”. Crikey continues its profile of the national broadsheet under editor Chris Mitchell.
Those who judge judges, lawyers need a lesson in depression
We need our legal profession to consist solely of stable, sane and depression-free individuals.
Guy Rundle: Mamet joins the freakoid sideshow for all the Right reasons
There are, God knows, few enough opportunities to feel the old thrill — Christopher Hitchens, punching his weight, on your side. So it’s worth checking out his New York Times review of the new book by playwright David Mamet.
Deaths in custody: why are more prisoners dying from ‘natural causes’?
An independent investigation is needed to explain the sharp rise in the number of Australian prison deaths being attributed to “natural causes” and the young ages of those dying. Inga Ting concludes her special investigation into deaths in custody.
Video of the Day: Canberra the nightlife capital
Canberra is known for political gossip, roundabouts and magpies, but not so much for its bustling bar scence. Advertising agency Grey Canberra did a spoof ad to sell Canberra as Australia’s No.1 nightlife destination.
