Arts Minister Simon Crean has released the findings of the Review of the Australia Council.
Politics
If Labor’s serious about fairness, it should reconsider welfare policies
One of the most obvious inconsistencies in the budget was the government’s claims for an egalitarian redistribution approach while proposing $60 per week income cut for 100,000 sole parents.
Murder or manslaughter … when provocation is the key
If the defendant can convince the jury that he acted as a “reasonable” person would in response to something the victim said or did, he can be charged with manslaughter instead of murder, writes David Donaldson.
Moscow Writers’ March a success as peace breaks out
The relative success of Sunday’s “Writer’s March” through the streets of Moscow — not in terms of overall numbers, perhaps, but as a sterling example of non-violent protest — was cheering, writes Matthew Clayfield.
Crikey Says: The high price of principles
How bad is politics, right? Even Barack Obama can’t make people believe he stands on principle.
Is congestion charging a good idea?
Is congestion pricing, which involves charging motorists for use of road spaces, a viable revenue stream for governments? Potentially yes, says Alan Davies.
Healthier alternatives at the golden arches: is anybody buying them?
A recent study examined how many healthier alternatives are consumed at Maccas and discovered — perhaps unsurprisingly — that a tiny minority of Australians are purchasing them, writes Dr Melissa Stoneham.
Newspoll: Coalition lead slims
The latest Newspoll has strayed from the pack, showing the Coalition holding a relatively moderate lead of 55-45 two-party preferred, reports William Bowe.
Cold politics and core beliefs drove Obama’s same sex endorsement
For civil rights activists it was a watershed moment: the President of the United States officially OKing same sex marriage. Andrew Sullivan discusses the myriad of factors behind Obama’s endorsement.
Australians are catching the Greek disease
The world banking system is about to be tested once again by another European crisis because politicians and central bankers underestimated the power of people, writes Robert Gottliebsen.
ALP lord mayor race rocked by stacking, secret preference deal
Sam Dastyari’s primary trial for Sydney Lord Mayor is in tatters amid branch stacking allegations and a secret three-way preference deal hatched behind closed doors.
Bill Shortens’ short-circuit shocking sledge
It’s been a tough few weeks for Bill Shorten but the Member for Maribyrnong is certainly still willing to get on the front foot and stand up for himself, writes The Power Index.
Ungoverned Greece putting eurozone in danger
Greece’s posse of party leaders could not be corralled by the president of the republic so a week after a national election there is no administration in sight, writes Dr Nick Skrekas, an economist and lawyer on the ground in Athens since the start of the Greek crisis.
RBA hints at more economic pressures as $A hits US parity
The Australian dollar dropped through parity with the US currency today for the first time in nearly five months.
With Karl, James Packer showed he has his swagger back
James Packer showed us last night in a very positive interview on 60 Minutes that perhaps a direct media stake is unnecessary.
Commonwealth lags badly on MP code of conduct
Federal Parliament is far behind other jurisdictions in having a code of conduct for its members.
Essential: thumbs down to budget, Gillard loathed but Abbott not far behind
Last week’s budget has been poorly received by voters, and Julia Gillard’s approval ratings have worsened. But Tony Abbott hasn’t benefited.
At last, Egyptians can vote for a civilian president
Egyptians love to follow a leader but one can’t help feeling a little bit sorry for the next one, writes Vickie Smiles, a freelance writer in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.
Labor state bosses stare down PM on primaries
At least four state Labor branches have junked Julia Gillard’s urgings to hold primary preselections before the 2013 federal election, with NSW general secretary Sam Dastyari failing to rule out a series of feared National Executive interventions to protect incumbent MPs.
The sustainable professorship of Clive Palmer
Clive Palmer likes to call himself “professor”. But what exactly is he professor of?
World Championship Chess: mate versus mate in Moscow
For world No.20 Gelfand to beat world champion Anand would be an upset of historic proportions, writes Ian Rogers in Moscow.
Winds of change blowing in China, but in which direction?
There is a palpable sense of unease in Beijing. Whether pending change will be cultural or cosmetic, or better or worse for China overall, isn’t certain, writes international relations postgrad Ange Fennell.
Grey-haired comic becomes the face of Italy’s disaffected
Beppe Grillo is an unlikely political hero. He is a comedian with a caustic wit better suited to stand-up rather than the Italian parliament, writes Josephine McKenna, an Australian freelance journalist in Rome.
Crikey Says: Slippery excuses need hard rules
Craig Thomson isn’t why federal politicians need a code of conduct, though if there’s any good from the whole sordid affair that may be it.
