Airport body scanners have no demonstrated value, but the government is spending $28 million on them.
Politics / Australia / Federal
Frustration not fear keep farmers mum on retail wars
The ACCC has offered protection to whistleblower farmers and grocery supplies if they report price gouging by supermarkets. But for those on the land it’s still easier said than done.
Sustainable fish and the ‘red prawn of disapproval’
As a consumer, understanding the impact of fishing practices on the environment can be a little daunting, writes Paulina Olszanka, a freelance journalist.
Wayne Swan causing a credit squeeze? Get real
Claims that Wayne Swan could hurt the banks by pressuring them to pass on rate cuts are rubbish.
Gays jilted at altar: how serious is Labor about marriage?
Marriage equality advocates have the Herculean task before them of convincing Tony Abbott of allowing a conscience vote, writes Brian Greig, former Democrats senator and gay rights campaigner.
Sandi Logan: the Immigration Dept’s driven and divisive spokesman
Sandi Logan is on a mission to shape what you read, see and hear about the federal government’s most troublesome policy area, writes Matthew Knott.
Bob Brown and Gillard’s ‘sexist’ commentary
Greens leader Bob Brown has accused male commentators of making sexist criticisms about the Prime Minister. But what about these commentators? asks Richard Farmer.
Steering bicycle regulation debate: would registrations make good policy?
Bruce Guthrie believes there is a case for compulsory registration of bicycles. The key downsides are obvious, but what about the upsides? The Urbanist’s Alan Davies discusses.
Rates cut expected: will banks pass it on?
Crikey media wrap: The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to cut the cash rate by 0.25% to 4% today, putting pressure on banks to pass those savings onto its customers.
Essential: still bad for Labor; ADF most trusted institution
Labor’s vote shows no signs of any recovery, today’s Essential Report finds.
Plenty of light in the doom-and-gloom retail figures
The headline fall of 0.1% in the seasonally adjusted value of retail sales for December got the “rate cut looms” mob back on the hunt this morning.
Russia goes its own way over Syria
Last week there was some hope that Russia might be coming on board with the need to do something about the steadily increasing bloodshed in Syria.
The impact of FOFA — industry claims brought undone
A new report shows how hysterical the financial planning industry has been in its opposition to reform.
Parkinson: no easy choices, but strong case for energy action
A new report from the Grattan Institute has underlined the failure of current policies to push Australia down the path of a clean energy future Giles Parkinson, editor of RenewEconomy, reports.
How about a Rupert tweet on Sir Rod’s surprise gong?
The fact that Rupert Murdoch has board approval to tweet away is surprising, if only because it is amazing that he still holds a leadership position at News Corp.
Beyond the carbon price, a Faustian bargain
Decarbonising the economy quickly is absolutely necessary, writes David Spratt, an author and researcher in climate change.
Crikey Says: Misogyny isn’t why Gillard is in trouble
Is criticism of Julia Gillard’s performance as prime minister sexist, as Bob Brown suggests? Is the current bout of leadership rumbling reflective of the febrile, misogynist minds of male media commentators?
Nielsen: surprise boost for Labor and Gillard
Nielsen’s sample of 1400 respondents from its first poll of the year didn’t get the memo, writes William Bowe. The government has received its best Nielsen result since March last year and Julia Gillard has an eight-point improvement on net personal rating.
Better Access program: success in whose interests?
The Better Access program, introduced by the Howard government in 2006 to improve access to treatments for common mental disorders, was controversial before it even began.
More evidence of why donation disclosure laws are hopeless
For several years now Crikey has engaged in the ritual denunciation of our Commonwealth electoral donation laws. It’s worth repeating.
Mayne v Andrews: big parties awash with pokies cash
Pokies industry donations for 2010-11 got a brief mention in yesterday’s coverage and they certainly make for interesting reading when totalled up.
Dudgeon: constitution helps undo silence harming Aboriginal Australia
The causes for distress in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities leading to youth suicide are broad and steeped in historical, social and economic circumstances, as well as the contemporary choices of individuals, writes professor Pat Dudgeon, one of the “founding” people in indigenous psychology.
‘Legally invisible’: law reform matters for Aboriginal health
Australia is one nation, yet its federal structure and Constitution have not encouraged laws creating a clear governance structure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, explains a team of experts on Croakey.
