Politics / Australia / SA


National Water Commission report: going backwards on environmental management

The National Water Commission’s report on water reform may be one of the most dispiriting government reports ever compiled. River systems are collapsing and regional communities suffering.

The last Democrat resigns

The sole remaining Australian Democrat MP, David Winderlich, has resigned from the party. It’s just another sign of the party’s decline, says former Democrats leader Andrew Bartlett; maybe it’s time to wind things up.

Rann’s happy family pics care of The Advertiser

The idea of today’s breathtaking act of media manipulation in The Advertiser is to take the heat off Mr Rann over a messy story involving the Premier, a man who allegedly attacked him last week at a function and the man’s former wife.

Bruises, gossip and wives: the juicy side of SA politics

SA Premier Mike Rann was left with facial bruising after an alleged assault and now the rumour mill is pumping because the Premier was friends with his attacker’s wife. Will the gossip affect Rann’s leadership chances?

SA Libs ban cussing: “Sir Robert Menzies didn’t swear”

South Australia’s new Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond explains why she’s banned swearing at Liberal party meetings.

SA still imports thinkers. Why?

The SA Government’s Thinkers-in-Residence scheme imports foreign “thinkers” (mainly university intellectuals) to stay in Adelaide. Intellectual cringe has replaced cultural cringe, writes Stephen Orr.

Mike Rann: tweet or die

I started using Twitter earlier this year, writes SA Premier Mike Rann. Why? Essentially, because I rarely saw young people at my street corner and town hall meetings.

Another spin of the wheel for SA Libs

Not much has changed in South Australia since Chris Kenny described the state’s politics 12 years ago as “Melrose Place on ugly pills”.

News flash: Another Lib leader bites the dust

SA’s opposition leader has Martin Hamilton-Smith announced his resignation. Whoever replaces him faces an uphill battle.

Sunday Mail: 64-36 to SA Labor (in Adelaide, that is)

Adelaide’s News Ltd Sunday Mail today carries a poll with a small sample of 483 showing state Labor with a two-party lead of 64-36 among Adelaide voters. A poll that roughly reflects the status quo, says William Bowe.

Gay Labor MP to Rudd: “let me marry”

In South Australian parliament, openly gay Labor MLC Ian Hunter has implored PM Rudd to change Australia’s laws: “I can’t marry the person I love, not in my own country.”

SA & WA Newspolls: Rann and Barnett on top

Sometime back yonder, the latest South Australian and WA Newspoll State politics quarterly estimates were released onto the Newspoll public database. Here’s what they’re saying.

SA bagged no more

South Australia will ban the use of thin, one-use plastic bags this month. South Australia is the first state in Australia to instigate such a ban and retailers face fines of up to $5,000 for failing to comply.

SA Labor government: “screws civil rights”

New legislation presently consuming our country under the guise of anti-biker laws is no more than a deliberate attempt to destroy our civil rights, writes Mark Aldridge.