Crikey media wrap: The Gillard government appeared willing to negotiate its Malaysia Solution even before the latest boat tragedy but the Opposition refuses to compromise on its asylum seeker policy, according to private letters released yesterday.
December, 2011
travel 
Madame Bessiere and the gypsies
Travelling from Rome to Barcelona, entranced by the idea of embarking on a Gypsy pilgrimage to Les Saintes Maries, John Newton made his way to France and checked into the lush and “engagingly eccentric” Nord-Pinus.
The website Fairfax never owned
All seemed to be going swimmingly when Fairfax Media issued its annual report a few months back, except the glossy 128-page paean to CEO Greg Hywood’s savvy managerial skills claimed it owned regional newspapers it doesn’t.
The unmet mental health needs of people with intellectual disability
Federal and state governments have recently recognised the importance of mental health reform, but the voice of mentally ill people with intellectual disabilities can barely be heard, writes Sophie Howlett.
Watching (and drawing) Guy Pearce with a mullet
Last week W H Chong went to a warehouse in Footscray, Melbourne, and discovered none other than Guy Pearce in the building. He has the drawing to prove it.
Eurogeddon Watch: honey I shrank the bazooka
Europe’s already-inadequate efforts to ensure it can stabilise its economies has suffered another hit.
Rundle in Nth Korea: Stalinist hermit kingdom meets dystopian science-fiction
Anyone who has been to North Korea will hope to Christ that some process, from the great Kim Jong-un liberalisation to a military coup against the family, will loosen the stays sufficiently so that people might be able to feed themselves.
The Power Index: how Aborigines can win constitutional recognition
Constitutional reform is in the headlines again. This time it’s not the republic, but how to recognise indigenous Australians in our founding document. All the major political parties, and 75% of Australians, agree it should be done. But the question of how to achieve it is a divisive and complicated one. To help understand the debate, here’s The […]
Vaclav Havel, a hero for our time
The world is a poorer place this week with the loss of Vaclav Havel.
Australia Council review secret and hopelessly compromised
Arts Minister Simon Crean’s review of the Australia Council is much needed. But it’s been hopelessly compromised already by the choice of the man leading it.
The 2011 Crikeys: the government policy hits and misses
2011 was the biggest year in economic policy for a long time - which isn’t saying much. What was best and worst?
Murray Murmurings: we’re not the lunatic fringe, we’re the residents
This speech was delivered last week by Finley High School principal Bernie Roebuck at the Murray-Darling Basin Plan consultations in Deniliquin. It received a standing ovation from the 3000 people present — including federal water minister Tony Burke and Murray-Darling Basin Authority head Craig Knowles. Burke later commented: “Everything at these meetings obviously stays with me but […]
Post-Kim Jong-il, fear will prevail in the ‘hermit kingdom’
Next year was always going to be big for north-east Asia. The death of Kim Jong-Il has merely ensured that the political manoeuvring will begin a little earlier than expected, writes Dr Danielle Chubb, a Vasey Research Fellow at the Pacific Forum CSIS.
Jong-il to Jong-un: what the South makes of its new North threat
Given Kim Jong-un’s lack of political experience, he may, at least initially, rely on the leadership of Jang Sung Taek and Kim Jyung Hee. However, the true colours of the enigmatic leader of one of the last remaining dictatorships remains to be seen.
Unrest in the ranks as retired troops slide into poverty
Retirees receiving military superannuation pensions are struggling to maintain their standard of living because of inadequate indexation, writes Peter Criss, a retired RAAF air vice-marshal.
Do great buildings make great cities?
Sydneysiders would be wise to note that what makes Melbourne’s centre so enviable is the whole box and dice — buildings, laneways, streets, river, trams, parks and plazas, and so on, writes Alan Davies.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Julian Assange is not a journalist
Crikey readers have their say.
Morning Market Report: Europe’s economic outlook is slow
The ECB President, Mario Draghi, said the economic outlook contained substantial downside risks, with a recovery in economic activity to be slow.
Media briefs: Leveson latest … social media in Nth Korea … ABC breaches impartiality
In today’s Media Briefs: is there hope for social media in North Korea? … ACMA warns on networks lifting from Facebook … ABC breaches impartiality and more …
Power Shots: Power Shots: goodbye Kim … Keating’s 20th … ABC hosts guilty …
Goodbye Kim Jong-il and good riddance. The death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il is great news for Begonia breeders, who will have to come up with a dazzling new flower for Kim’s youngest son, the Swiss-educated Kim Jong-un, who is the country’s new Dear Leader. Dad’s Kimjongilia was a brilliant red; Granddad’s Kimilsungia (named after […]
Political snippets: A worry to come for the government.
The sagging public confidence about economic conditions that the pollsters are reporting is unlikely to be improved when workers get their next statement from superannuation funds.
Video of the Day: North Korea weeps for its leader
The citizens of Pyongyang react to the death of Kim Jong-il with some rather bizarre public weeping.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Weatherman looks to Canberra seat. Don’t be surprised to see former TV weatherman and environmental campaigner Rob Gell seeking a seat in parliament at the next federal election. We caught up with Gell after he ended his term as national president of Greening Australia recently and he admitted politics is definitely on the radar. The former […]
