More breathless revelations emerge about the internal workings of the Health Services Union, with the spotlight now fixed on national president Mike Williamson. History and recriminations run deep.
September, 2011
Vic MP Kaye Darveniza ‘author’ of Kathy Jackson presser
Victorian upper house Labor MP Kaye Darveniza has become embroiled in the Craig Thomson affair after her office authored a press release by Health Services Union secretary Kathy Jackson to cave into the Coalition’s demands to make a full explanation to federal parliament.
Morning Market Report: Markets still volatile despite improvement
The Dow closed up 141 points overnight, higher for a third straight day.
Media briefs: Tele beat-ups … Oz’s digital challenge …
Another day, another complaint about political reporting in The Daily Telegraph. But, was that really an exclusive? and other media tidbits of the day.
Power Shots: Power Shots: media inquiry lobbyists … people v Jones … Twitter power …
Who’s who in the media inquiry lobby effort? A number of lobby groups furiously petitioned the federal government to scrutinise the fourth estate with a media inquiry. The Power Index examines the four key groups involved, and finds that some may have irritated more than they swayed political opinion. Avaaz — which means “voice” in Farsi and other […]
Video of the Day: The best exit ever from a reality TV show
Reality TV often gets a bum rap, but with moments such as this — arguably the best exit ever from a reality show — the genre’s fortunes may be turning around …
Political snippets: Spare a sympathetic thought for Wayne.
According to a study, there is no evidence that voters are at all interested in whether their economies are performing better relative to other economies in other countries.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Barnaby rushes to Smith’s defence. 2UE loud mouth Michael Smith — who remains benched, the station told us today, over a dispute with airing allegations against Julia Gillard — has many supporters, among them Senator Barnaby Joyce. The Nationals rogue sent this email to constituents last night: From: “Swan, Jenny (Sen B. Joyce)” Date: 14 September 2011 7:04:02 PM AEST To: […]
Crikey Says: Speak up, Malcolm, we can’t hear you
Tony Abbott had this to say about the government’s Clean Energy Future legislation yesterday:
album reviews 
PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake
PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake, released in February, won the 2011 Mercury Prize for best album from the UK and Ireland. Was it a deserving winner? asks music blogger Neil Walker.
aviation industry US proposes to ban electronic cigarettes on jets
In what is likely to become a much broader story in Australia than one about airlines, the US Department of Transportation is proposing to ban electronic cigarette smoking on flights, writes Ben Sandilands.
It’s not all doom and gloom for newspapers
An awful lot of press circulates about the impending death of newspapers, but it is rarely mentioned that some papers are doing far better than just surviving, writes Judy Muller.
How to be a good parent in the digital age
Should you let your child text at the dinner table? How many hours are they allowed to stare into screens? Soren Gordhamer presents five lessons for modern parents.
The Point Break remake: has Hollywood’s remake craze hit breaking point?
News that the 1991 action film Point Break will be remade has generated a flurry of negative feedback online, but what makes this project any different to the zillions of others? asks Luke Buckmaster.
UN: Yemen used excessive deadly force against peaceful protesters
A UN report released this week has called for immediate international action in Yemen and claims the government unnecessarily killed hundreds of peaceful protesters, reports Nick Cumming-Bruce.
The cover letter to end all cover letters
It’s not particularly flashy or funny but a cover letter written by out of work freelance writer Rebecca Zultowski is a great example of an interesting personalised job application, says Ask a Manager.
first dog On this day in 2009: The Liberal Leadership Board Game!
Welcome to First Dog on the Moon’s time machine.
Obama’s polls remain strong (in Europe)
Barack Obama may be facing falling polls at home but in Europe he remains a very popular president, with 75 percent of surveyed people in 12 EU nations giving his handling of global affairs a tick, reports Breitbart.
New ABS measure shows lower inflation
A revised method of calculating changes to inflation made by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the inflationary measures that most influence the Reserve Bank are lower than previously calculated, writes Richard Farmer.
A media inquiry sparks a media debate
Crikey media wrap: An independent inquiry will examine print and online media, focusing on ethics, regulation and the Australian Press Council, announced Communications Minister Stephen Conroy yesterday.
travel Sequinned cowboy suits and cutesy candy dresses: just another day in Harajuku
Stepping foot on Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Tokyo is comparable to exploring a pop culture exhibition with real life exhibits, writes Naomi Shimoda.
Taking the wind out of Ted Baillieu’s clean energy credentials
Recently a series of reforms passed by the Baillieu government seriously diminished Victoria’s capacity to protect its natural environmental and respond to the transitional challenge of cleaner energy production, writes Tom Dreyfus.
Media briefs: Tele beat-up … Murdoch recalled … News Corp’s lawsuit woes …
In today’s Media Briefs: MPs recall James Murdoch over phone-hacking evidence … News Corp. shareholders say phone-hacking is only latest impropriety … Sneaky Seven: Macca’s ad breaches programming rules and more …
Kabul wakes to more death — and unprecedented uncertainty
As the sun rises in Kabul, helicopters are endlessly crossing the skies. As Catherine James writes, the latest attacks on the US embassy are some of the worst locals have seen.
