The National Housing Supply Council has produced extensive data on the nature of our housing undersupply. And the big problem is in NSW.
December, 2011
Eurozone crisis: new bailout under half the size of Oz economy
The question for the eurozone in 2012 is the pace of panic: a slow panic still grabs you in the end. Knowing Europe and the various governments there’s something out there with the capacity to bring on that feeling.
The 2011 Crikeys: who went boom and bust in business
After another year of remarkable volatility caused by the unpredictable news flow coming out of the European debt crisis, Australian investors have every reason to be sitting on their hands. So who did capitalise?
Authors beware: what’s wrong with Dymocks self-publishing
If you follow certain bookish sites, you may have seen the ominous warning “authors beware” quite a lot in the last few days. Dymocks Books, Australia’s largest bookselling chain, last week launched its widely anticipated self-publishing arm, D Publishing. Described in the promotional material as “author driven”, the service allows authors to upload draft manuscripts […]
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: The asylum seeker stalemate
Crikey readers weigh in on Qantas, asylum seekers and the Nauru option.
Morning Market Report: Existing homes sales on the rise
Economic data impressed with existing home sales rose 4% in November to 4.42m, the highest level in ten months.
Political snippets: Legalise marijuana to reduce road accidents?
Blaming obesity on the free market is the purpose of research from a University of Michigan academic to be published later this month in the journal Critical Public Health. Roberto De Vogli, associate professor in the U-M School of Public Health believes obesity can be seen as one of the unintended side effects of free market policies.
Video of the Day: The best fails of 2011
It broke the Crikey team into a mess of hoots, squeals, yelps and laughter. It’s Funniest Home Videos on steroids: the best fails of 2011.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
The Russian revolt among ABC staff. There are far more volunteers than the number of redundancies on offer in the latest round of ABC staff cuts, we’ve been told. The jobs to go are from the production resources areas of post-production and studio operations that service the internally and co-produced programs of the TV division. As one […]
The economist’s guide to buying Christmas presents
The indisputable fact about Christmas presents is that cash is the most economically efficient gift. But given handing out $$$ is usually socially unacceptable, gift-giving should be redistributive, according to economist Matthew Yglesias.
Chávez to Obama: ‘you are a clown’
Hugo Chávez has launched a stinging attack on Barack Obama in the wake of critical comments written by the US President about Venezuela’s links with Iran and Cuba, labelling him ‘irresponsible’ and ‘a clown’, reports Tom Phillips.
Famous authors and their bookshelves
What do the personal libraries of famous authors look like? What lines their shelves, and how do they feel about the digitalisation of books? Maria Popova takes a look at ‘Unpacking My Library: Writers and their Books’.
How Twitter took off
A couple of years ago most people had never heard of a website called Twitter. How did it become so popular so quickly? Mashable has some answers.
Start-up lessons for 2012
While many people have already written off 2011 in a haze of sunshine, relatives and a well-deserved Christmas drink, start-up entrepreneurs are afforded no such luxury. Oliver Millman presents five tasks to tick off in preparation for 2012.
Relief and fear: the mixed emotions of North Korean refugees
Consensus among the more than 20,000 North Korean refugees situated in South Korea appears to be relief that Kim Jong-il is dead, mixed with fear about what the young and inexperienced Kim Jong-un will do, reports B. J. Lee.
‘Authors Beware’: an Interview with Steve Rossiter, editor of The Australian Literature Review
Dymocks Books have launched a new author driven self-publishing arm, the D Publishing Network. Criticism has been widespread and Australian Literature Review editor Steve Rossiter, who spoke with Bethanie Blanchard, has been at the forefront of it.
Great Christmas Comet surprises red eye flyers
Pilots and passengers have reported the appearance of a great comet in the pre dawn skies from flights between Perth and the eastern cities. The ghostly crescent tail is that of Comet Lovejoy, writes Ben Sandilands.
Political snippets: Perhaps there is no refugee solution
In Richard Farmer’s Chunky Bits: there may not be a solution on asylum seekers, public employment keeps steadily growing, start guarding the Maillol, a patriotic Christmas and more …
Reflecting on SIEV 221, one year on: getting the message
What is the message of border security, and who is its intended recipient? This is is the final in a three-part series of three related reflections on the anniversary of SIEV 221, the Christmas Island Boat Tragedy.
10 most memorable Megaphone moments of 2011
In 2011, Australia’s Megaphones have been louder than ever. Jones, Bolt, Hadley and co. have had a say in how this country’s run – and caused plenty of controversy in the process. Here are their 10 most memorable moments.
film reviews Pulgasari — directed by a captive, produced by Kim Jong-il
North Korea’s Dear Leader, the late Kim Jong-il, wasn’t just a ruthless dictator. He was also a film buff and produced a range of features such as Pulgasari, a spectacularly messed-up monster movie, writes Luke Buckmaster.
The Power Index: the year’s memorable megaphone moments
In 2011, Australia’s media megaphones have been louder than ever. Alan Jones, Andrew Bolt, Ray Hadley and Co have all had a say in how this country’s run — and caused plenty of controversy in the process. Here are their 10 most memorable moments … 10. Chris Smith helps co-ordinate an anti-carbon tax rally 2GB’s curly-haired king of […]
