In 2011 we all became monetarists again, despite the lessons of the GFC.
December, 2011
Who got the most media mentions this year?
Last year it was close to a three-way tie at the top, with Tony Abbott wedged between the two prime ministers of 2010, at the end of the year doubtless still cursing that he hadn’t become the third prime minister of 2010. At the end of this year Abbott’s party has moved to a commanding […]
Held up by red tape, developers want ‘super councils’
As new home sales decline and residential construction remains in the doldrums, Australia’s biggest property developers are pointing the finger of blame at councils.
Winning an argument with an insurance company: a how-to
Refusing to pay out a claim can become more expensive than settling for the insurance company in question if, like a righteous terrier, you refuse to let go. Ours is a small story, but one worth hearing, writes freelancer Alan Baxter.
Stilgherrian: still mid-game in the digital year that was
Well, the conversion of all human existence into digital form continues to make steady progress. Few real obstacles were encountered this year, despite repeated attempts to frighten us off.
A year on, what has changed in asylum-seeker policy?
We’ve gone nowhere on asylum seekers in the past 12 months and they continue to die trying to reach Australia.
The 2011 Crikeys: the best in Australian media
Newspapers hemorrhage readers, broadcast media faces radical change, governments are probing ethics and ownership, yet good (and bad) journalism shines through. We present the Crikeys for Australian media …
Kohler: dozing through an IR nightmare
The word “productivity” didn’t make it into Bill Shorten’s press release yesterday announcing a review of the Fair Work Act, or into the terms of reference.
Church leaders turn to offshore processing
This week three Christian leaders publicly expressed distress at the deaths of more asylum seekers trying to reach Australian shores, writes Caz Coleman, a member of the Council for Immigration Services and Status Resolution.
Our Harto and soul: tributes from News staff to departing chief
When John Hartigan quit News Limited to start his new life, dutiful employees presented him with a special memento. Crikey has the special edition newspaper.
Report on Sri Lanka war crimes exonerates SL government
The Sri Lankan government of Mahinda Rajapaksa has worked out how to get away with murder.
The church that is a ‘festering’ sore for Indonesia
This Christmas appears likely to be a gloomy one for the congregation of GKI Yasmin, writes Stuart Ranfurlie, a freelance journalist in Jakarta.
Power Shots: Power Shots: why Santa is No.1 … Hinch ungagged … Triguboff bank bashing …
Christmas Power profile: Santa Claus. You won’t believe this but Santa Claus has topped our Christmas Power List again. We were planning to kick him out of the Top Ten for 2011 and replace him with an iPhone, but he just keeps on getting more popular. And we reckon that’s because Santa’s mastered the digital […]
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: The sad truth about asylum seeker policy
Crikey readers weigh in on Qantas, asylum seeker deaths and the curious case of whether Julian Assange is a journalist.
Morning Market Report: German business and consumer confidence up
Economic data was also positive in Europe as German business and consumer confidence both came in better than expected in December.
Media briefs: The Oz’s wedge … bad spelling … Kim Jong-il just No. 2 …
Seems that for The Age online Kim Jong-il’s death was the second most important newsworthy death of the day on Monday … Plus other media news of the day.
Video of the Day: Drunk Christmas History with Ryan Gosling
What better way to warm up to Christmas than to spend a few minutes in the company of the hottest man on the planet, Ryan Gosling, star of Drive, The Ides of March and now Funny or Die’s Drunk History Christmas. Drunk History Christmas with Ryan Gosling, Jim Carrey and Eva Mendes from Ryan Gosling […]
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Lacking any Schweppervescence. It could be a dry Christmas for some due to an industrial dispute at beverage giant Schweppes’ Tullamarine plant in Melbourne. An insider reports: “Thanks to a lock-out of many of its employees in an industrial dispute, Schweppes is running out of drinks at its busiest time of year. The company has brought in casuals […]
The 400 Club podcast: and so this is Christmas
With nothing new on the TV schedule to yak about — everything is recycled at this time of the year — The 400 Club turn to discussing Christmas programming on the boob tube.
Egypt protests: women hit the streets in Cairo
“They say they are here to protect us, but they are stripping us naked,” chanted thousands of Egyptian women who, surrounded by a protective ring of men, have marched through the streets of Cairo protesting against military abuse, reports The Wall Street Journal.
How writers can help other writers
Tis the season to be jolly — and generous — so if you’re a writer, why not help other writers? Chuck Wendig from Terrible Minds lists 25 ways wordsmiths can share the love.
Cinema’s most commanding Iron Ladies
Meryl Streep is, of course, not the only actor to have played a powerful iconic women. Tribeca Film looks back on some of the strongest female characters in film, including Cleopatra, Erin Brockovich and Frances McDormand in Fargo.
Newt: I’m coming back with a vengeance
After a smattering of attacks largely concerning his past as a Washington insider, GOP contender Newt Gingrich has vowed to respond quicker and sharper to any criticism hurled his way, reports Mark Felsenthal.
