ALP wants to take back the party from itself. Labor Party hacks such as Darcy Byrne want to take back the party from the faceless men. “That’s why I am standing as a rank-and-file delegate,” he says in campaigning for the NSW Policy Forum. “We need to take control of our policy agenda away from […]
October, 2011
Crikey Says: Admiring the view
Consider these snippets from a fresh New Yorker profile on Jill Abramson, who’s been in the job as head honcho at The New York Times since early September …
Are older mothers selfish?
Remarks from an obstetrician that older mothers were “selfish” because they left children with elderly parents sent the media in to a spin recently. Zoe Krupka examines how to balance wisdom with biology.
One of the planet’s “most destructive companies” stresses about Aussie image
A recent event hosted by the Indonesian Ambassador revealed just how concerned the large Indonesian forestry companies are about recent public debates in Australia focussing on rainforest destruction in Indonesia, writes Reece Turner.
Meet the new boss of the Gray Lady
Jill Abramson, the new managing editor of the New York Times and the first female to hold the role, has had a fascinating career. Read about the inner workings of the paper and her recovery after a truck ran over her in 2007.
Ron Wayne: the man who knocked back a bite out of Apple
Most large organisations have stories of losers who failed to ride the wave of success. Arguably the biggest in business history is Ron Wayne, who knocked back a 10% share of Apple in its formative years, writes James Thomson.
Lindsay Tanner on his rebellious rock ‘n’ roll years
Former Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner remembers the favourite music of his youth, calling the 60s and 70s “a period of intense cultural creativity broadly equivalent to the Renaissance.”
Tropfest to expand to three day format
John Polson, director of the world’s largest short film festival, Tropfest, has confirmed to Encore Magazine that the event will expand to a three day format beginning next year.
Allan Asher: the bell tolls for thee
Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher will have the blow torch applied to his belly this week over revelations that he scripted questions for Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, writes Matthew Knott.
Arms dealer Viktor Bout on trial in NYC
Small arms and light weapons (SALW) specialist Kathi Lynn Austin has uploaded a podcast discussing arms dealer Viktor Bout’s trial in New York, reports NAJ Taylor.
Apple’s Siri: one step closer to H.A.L.?
The voice recognition program in Apple iPhone 4S, Siri, certainly has attitude. Siri doesn’t just recognise what you’re saying — it also provides advice on where to hide bodies. Are we one step closer to H.A.L.? asks Jon Stokes.
film reviews Burning Man — must-see Australian drama
Writer/director Jonathan Teplitzky offsets the grimness of making a film about overcoming grief by loading it with sassy risque elements. Burning Man is a gutsy drama and a must-see Aussie film, writes Luke Buckmaster.
theatre reviews This Year’s Ashes — Griffin Theatre, Sydney
This luminous production, directed by Shannon Murphy and designed by Rita Carmody, is a romcom of tragic proportions, writes Lloyd Bradford Skye.
Dexter to continue murdering in comic book form
Following in the footsteps of successful Stephen King comic book adaptations, it has been confirmed that TV serial killer Dexter is set to join the comic stable, reports Dan Barrett.
Carr: the Occupy movement will be wrecked by Trotskyites and anarchists
Conservatives in the US and abroad have no reason to worry about the Occupy movement. It will be spoiled by competing ideologies and lack of coordination, says Bob Carr.
According to the Walkleys, WikiLeaks hoarding is a-okay
Last night Dr Philip Dorling received two Walkley nominations for his December 2010 story on Kevin Rudd and WikiLeaks cables. However it is widely known that he hoarded cables, thereby hindering other journalistic and research efforts, writes NAJ Taylor.
album reviews Noel Gallagher’s solo debut: High Flying Birds
High Flying Birds is a radical departure for the ex-Oasis bandleader. Experimental madness runs riot as Noel decides to take a left-field detour in a new direction, writes Neil Walker.
Gillard lectures over leaks
Crikey media wrap: The latest government criticisms come from the prime minister herself, with Julia Gillard publicly reprimimanding her colleagues for breaching cabinet confidentiality last week on a debate about asylum seekers.
Senate moves to keep Qantas fair dinkum
A Senate Inquiry next month will examine a proposed amendment to the Qantas Sale Act and the shutting down of alleged slave labor foreign flight attendant rostering on Jetstar domestic flights, reports Ben Sandilands.
Sam Maiden now FoC (Fan of Crikey)
An amusing exchange between upstanding News Limited Sunday tabloid scribe Samantha Maiden and her bitter Sunday Age rival Michael Bachelard on Twitter yesterday.
Should the Murdochs be allowed to expand their Australian power?
The Australian’s media commentator Mark Day scored a big scoop today on the ongoing bureaucratic support for Sky News to replace the ABC as the vehicle for the Australian Television contract.
Ex Lib spinners and media spat over who gets Big Ted’s love
Former Helen Shardey adviser-turned Sunday Herald Sun scribe James Campbell had an interesting column yesterday (in the most amusing edition of the paper in awhile, see media briefs), accusing Ted Baillieu communications tsar Josephine Cafagna of leaning on her 7:30 Victoria successor to ensure her ministers got an on-air guernsey.
French Socialists pick a candidate — now for the hard part
François Hollande is off to a good start, but there’s a long way to go.
