For some in the Greens, the $1.68 million donation meant success at the 2010 federal election, but I wonder if it was worth it considering the ongoing criticism the party is now receiving, writes Dr Noman Thompson, director of the Greens NSW Democracy4Sale project.
Politics / Australia / NSW
Mackerras: and the winner in Queensland will be …
This is a tale of two Australian states, each holding two recent general elections, writes Malcolm Mackerras.
Why we need to talk about COAG
The process has been hampered by a breakdown in trust between the Commonwealth and the states, writes Paul Kildea on Inside Story.
Melbourne dreams of new airport but Sydney’s still stuck in gridlock
For Premier Barry O’Farrell, the economic consequences of the weekend announcement by Victoria’s peak business body of its enthusiasm for a third Melbourne airport is probably under acute analysis
aviation industry 
Little Sydney and Mega-Melbourne: comparing airport ambitions
It speaks much for the centre of growth and vision in this country to compare the political difficulties that arise over plans for a 2nd Sydney Airport, and the general enthusiasm for a 3rd Melbourne Airport, writes Ben Sandilands.
Sydney: where people play Russian roulette with their health
The city of Sydney’s s-x industry is awash with unsafe s-x practices and no one is doing a thing about it, writes Chris Seage, tax consultant, former ATO audit manager and owner of Brothel Busters.
The year in elections: the 10 polls that mattered in 2011
It hasn’t been a big year for elections in Australia, but worldwide it’s been quite interesting. Crikey counts down the 10 elections that mattered in 2011.
Housing report shines light on undersupply crisis in NSW
The National Housing Supply Council has produced extensive data on the nature of our housing undersupply. And the big problem is in NSW.
How could you sack this great man, Sydney University?
If a wealthy sandstone institution such as Sydney University cannot find a way to retain exceptional talent, who will step into the breach?, writes Catriona Menzies-Pike, an English PhD, teacher and editor.
Gloucester landowners blockade AGL coal seam gas project
Residents of Gloucester are grappling with a now widespread problem: “how can we stop our most beautiful and productive farmlands becoming an industrial wasteland at the hands of the mining industry?”
ICAC inquiry: ‘drunk, sore and distressed’ minister caught napping
After six days of evidence about Ian Macdonald’s infamous night at room 1119 in the Four Seasons Hotel with Tiffanie, it was a huge relief to finally hear it from the horse’s mouth.
History shows gangland journo wins million-dollar property claim
Gangland journalist Adam Shand is standing on the brink of a million-dollar payout from the NSW government after archival research revealed his family’s historical claim to a western Sydney lane.
ICAC inquiry: Ron Medich details night with sex worker
Multimillionaire Sydney businessman Ron Medich this morning made his long-awaited appearance in the witness box at the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
ICAC learns rough kissing meant no breakfast with Tiffanie
“If you knew who I was, you would be surprised.” When Ian Macdonald allegedly said this to an Asian sex worker in a Sydney hotel room in 2009, he could not have imagined that his words would end up in a corruption inquiry.
Minister ‘Sir Lunchalot’ — did Medich put the ‘lay’ into Labor?
Christmas came early for political voyeurs yesterday when the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption opened an inquiry into whether a former Labor minister had accepted s-xual services.
Medich, the pr-stitute and the cabinet minister: ICAC inquiry begins
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption is currently hearing evidence a NSW cabinet minister in 2009 receiving the services of a sex worker paid for by Ron Medich.
Clarence by-election: Barry O’Farrell’s first electoral test
Eight months after its resounding state election victory, Barry O’Farrell’s government faces its first electoral test next Saturday with a by-election in the north coast seat of Clarence. The Nationals are the clear favourite, writes William Bowe.
NSW voters still revolted at the thought of a Labor government
The first Newspoll since the NSW election has Labor polling at an abysmal 22%. The next election is 42 months away and numbers were expected to be bad, but not that bad, writes Mr Tiedt.
The first Newspoll since the NSW election
Barry O’Farrell’s debut Newspoll net approval score as Premier is plus 29 (53% satisfied, 24% dissatisfied), which was exactly what Bob Carr achieved in his first poll as Premier in 1995, writes William Bowe.
Hey NSW government, where’s that missing $9 billion?
Land and other assets totalling more than $9 billion are “missing” or not properly accounted for in the NSW government accounts.
Deal with it Sydney: more inaction on transport mess ahead
Anyone hoping for a quick fix to Sydney’s transport mess will be disappointed by this week’s report into electricity privatisation, writes Paul Barry.
Premiers weigh in on Qantas disputes
The Premiers of NSW and Victoria have written to the Prime Minister urging intervention in the Qantas disputes to save domestic tourism, reports Ben Sandilands.
Sydney: Australia’s coked up capital
Cocaine use in on the rise in Australia, particularly in Sydney and particularly amongst high-earning individuals who would never call themselves drug addicts. Joel Meares investigates the social, health and political issues of the white powder.
