September, 2011
Bernie Brookes makes his stand
Myer boss Bernie Brookes says he is confronted with the challenge facing his business every night when he arrives home to find that his son has bought from an online store, “something which he should have bought from Myer”.
Unemployment jumps! Except, it was in the boom states …
Unemployment edged up in August, but the rise was in the resource boom states of WA and Queensland where growth has hit a wall.
Simons: being first, or being right?
If mainstream media outlets spend their diminishing resources in a futile battle to be first, then they will race themselves out of business to no useful end. That is not where resources should be deployed.
Joye: economy, housing market stronger than you think
As we move on into the spring, it is an opportune time to take stock and see where the Australian economy, and its housing market, are heading, writes Christopher Joye of Property Observer.
China’s property bubble billionaires get fat but face govt cooling
China’s property and construction barons took top spots on the latest China Rich List, writes Jonathan Chancellor editor of Property Observer
Farewell salvo: Cappo slams SA’s ‘self-serving’ bureaucracy
Social Inclusion Commissioner David Cappo has unloaded on the “self-serving” South Australian government bureaucracy for being an unmovable obstacle against achieving real social reform, writes Des Ryan of InDaily.
As the economy improves, Labor’s ownership of it deteriorates
The stronger the economy seems under Labor, the less Labor gets any credit for it. Labor should be pondering why and front and centre in any such inquiry should be Wayne Swan.
Sun smart: is rooftop solar PV productive or pest?
Rooftop solar PV has boomed in the past 12 months but it is often accused of causing nothing but trouble, but the myths are unwinding, writes Giles Parkinson of Climate Spectator.
An Australian cluster fuck: taking aim at munitions laws
With the final decision on draft legislation for cluster munitions being deferred for some months now, Australians will be needlessly faced with operational and moral dilemmas, writes NAJ Taylor, a PhD candidate in the School of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Queensland.
The Power Index: meet the megaphones, Alan Jones at #2
Alan Jones is not a man; he’s a force of nature. Cyclone Alan has been written off as a spent force many times, but he keeps spinning, wreaking havoc and destroying anyone who stands in his way. He’s got energy, persistence, hide and an ego as big as the Sydney Harbour Bridge. No other broadcaster […]
The confected national debate on productivity
Productivity and WorkChoices … Don’t blame Obama … Howard’s way … an election tip …
Duped by Katter, a ‘civil libertarian’ as long as you’re not gay
James Newburrie, a modest, honest and courteous man, armoured with the knowledge that what he is doing is right and necessary, and will take his stand opposite Bob Katter’s office Sunday, writes Doug Pollard.
Morning Market Report: Morning Market Report
The market is down 12 after being up as much as 35…
Media briefs: Bowls at the ABC … Stephen Smith in the bath …
In today’s Media Briefs: Sunshine Coast Daily’s bizarre Stephen Smith comparison … we review the ABC’s At Home With Julia … US magazines remember 9/11 … News International ordered emails to be deleted and more …
Political snippets: Premature self congratulation? And Hu’s coming to dinner
Premature self congratulation? Given the spate of bad headlines Labor had been getting it was natural enough for Treasurer Wayne Swan to express his pleasure at the gross domestic product figures yesterday showing that the economy is growing again. Pronouncing that the return to growth showed the economy was in good shape. Adding that the […]
Power Shots: Baird under the weather … Qantas hits back over CEO pay …
Mike Baird in need of well-earned break … Union anger at Qantas boss payrise … The risky job of being an MP.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Ex-senator for church post. We’re told Michael Tate — former ALP senator, Hawke minister and ambassador turned Catholic priest — is being mentioned as the successor to Archbishop Doyle of Hobart. Archbishop Doyle has resigned and his resignation has been accepted. One church insider notes: “Tate, who is currently Parish Priest of Sandy Bay in Hobart, is familiar with the […]
Crikey Says: Crikey says: two very different angles
Two newspapers interpret the same economic news, the ABS household expenditure survey …
Video of the Day: The morality of murder
Would you kill one person in order to save the lives of three? What moral difference does consent make in such a situation? Harvard ethics Professor Michael Sandel explores some classic hypothetical scenarios in part one of his compelling course on moral reasoning.
The European Debt Crisis (explained by Lego)
There are many ways to explain the European Debt Crisis, and using Lego is one of the more…unconventional. But that didn’t stop Michael Cembalest and his nine-year-old son from having a crack.
infographic 
The social network habits of UK adults
According to a recent study from a British PR firm about 77% of UK adults have Facebook profiles, 66% are registered with Youtube and 33% are on Twitter. Media Bistro have represented the stats in a groovy infographic.
Washington: a city in post 9/11 lockdown
Washington’s beautiful mansions and neoclassic federal buildings are now buffered by crash-resistant walls, blast-proof glass, perimeter fences, bollards and barriers. Witold Rybczynski discusses a city in post 9/11 lockdown.
