Articles by Richard Farmer

If you want to know a man’s political persuasion, ask him how much he can bench. Plus other political views along the way.

Income disparity is widening rapidly, particularly in Chile, Mexico, the US and Israel. Plus other political views noted along the way

The normal record of Treasury over the last 20 years was to underestimate likely revenue rather than overestimate it, Richard Farmer reminds us.

Whatever the forecasts contained in tonight’s budget, they will almost certainly be wrong. Plus other political views along the way.

Richard Farmer remembers the revolt Wayne Swan led against then treasurer John Dawkins, plus other political views noted along the way.

Julia Gillard probably can’t expect a late rally of support for the ALP before the election — but she can take heart that it’s not her fault

Academics at MIT are trying to make steel without greenhouse gas emissions. The Prime Minister is back to cuddling babies. And we’ve found Atlantis!

Scrapping an increase for Family Tax Benefit part A recipients is surely the last piece of evidence people need not to take seriously anything Wayne Swan announces next Tuesday.

Ernst & Young says in its latest Fraud Survey published this week that hard-pressed company bosses are under so much pressure to deliver on growth that many have resorted to cooking the books.

People are in support of the Medicare levy to pay for the NDIS. And they’re also ready to throw out the people who proposed it. Plus other political snippets along the way.

I know many of you would like to think that elections are won and lost on serious matters but this battle of the images counts and so far the Liberals are winning it.

A new Pew Research Center survey of Muslims around the globe finds that most adherents are deeply committed to their faith and want its teachings to shape not only their personal lives but also their societies and politics.

Will the NDIS actually get support at the ballot box? Richard Farmer suspects it will end up being a political suicide note. Plus other views noted along the way.

It’s animals all around for Richard Farmer today. Are we aping Rupert Murdoch?

Labor slides even further … but can a koala save the Greens? This and other snippets from Richard Farmer.

CO2 reaches a milestone we don’t want, and other tidbits from today.

Is Julia Gillard actually being investigated? By the police, and not just by News Ltd? Plus other political views noted along the way/

Pollies of all stripes are backing away from promises of a surplus in the lead-up to the budget, plus other political views noted along the way.

The Prime Minister is still using children as photo props, Labors election chances improve slightly, and other political views noted along the way.

Dr Mark Roberts’ alleged ill-timed remarks at a Qantas dinner, plus other political views noted along the way.

The Kiwis legalise gay marriage, remembering Margaret Thatcher and other political views noted along the way

Julia Gillard’s back in school, Tony Abbott’s back on his bike, plus other political news of the day.

The losers in this week’s education reforms are likely to make their disappointment known, but the winners will probably not follow suit. Plus other political issues of the day.

The Central Bank of Ireland set out to commemorate one of the island’s most famous sons with a 10 euro coin. Above the face of James Joyce is apparently a quote from Ulysses:

Relax! The economy is actually picking up in most places around the world. Plus other policial issues of the day.