The swipe at me in The Australian’s Diary column this morning is so predictable one wonders if it is even worth a response, writes Margaret Simons.
AFP
When The Oz muscles the AFP, that’s a story
It is impossible to separate the extraordinary behaviour of News Limited editor Paul Whittaker, revealed in the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday without also considering the context of media power in Australia.
AFP: details of dealing with The Oz a ‘national security issue’
The Australian Federal Police has claimed that release of details of its dealings with The Australian might endanger national security and undermine “mutual trust and co-operation” between the force and media organisations.
The winners from the war on terror
Our $16.7 billion spending on the war on terror had ended up in some interesting hands — and hasn’t necessarily reduced the threat of terrorism.
More tear gas at Christmas Is, as asylum seekers continue to protest
More tear gas was used by Australian Federal Police on detainees on Christmas Island last night, as asylum seekers continue to protest against conditions on the island and the length of time taken to process claims.
Wilkie’s ‘disruption operation’ solution: sugar in the fuel tank?
Intelligence sharing, sugar in the fuel tank or drilling holes in boats — just what did Andrew Wilkie mean when he called for re-energised “disruption operations” as a way of halting the people smuggling trade?
AFP flying close to the wind — again — on Tamil case
In pursuing a case against three Australians of Sri Lankan Tamil background for supplying funds to the LTTE, the AFP relied on information provided or vetted by the Sri Lankan government, writes Bruce Haigh.
Howzat?! AP, Reuters, FP boycott Aussie cricket
News agencies the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse are refusing to cover Australia’s three-test series against the West Indies in protest over Cricket Australia’s attempts to restrict their coverage of the event.
Oops, there goes the relationship with Indonesia
The roller-coaster that is the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship is again plummeting.
Indonesia: Balibo probe a “waste of time”
The AFP’s recent decision to launch an investigation into the Balibo Five has angered Indonesia, with officials labeling it a “waste of time” and warning that it will harm diplomatic relations. With such resistance on the Indonesian side, will justice ever be served?
Crikey Says: Utegate unravelling fast
Events are moving rapidly in Canberra. Godwin Grech’s residence has been raided by the AFP, with reports that a “concocted” email has been found.
German group buys Keelty Towers in Canberra
Sections of the business media seem to be suffering selective xenophobia, writes Alex Mitchell.
Mick Keelty: master of blame dodging
Mick Keelty may figure that if it’s good enough for politicians to duck responsibility, then it’s good enough for chief executives. And he may be right in doing so, writes Bernard Keane.
Victoria’s new police commissioner is no angel
Simon Overland is not perfect, despite the hagiographic profiles of him in today’s media, writes Greg Barns.
Britt Lapthorne and ugly Australian nationalism
We’re not too strong at consistency in Australia, particularly when we’re feeling nationalistic, writes Bernard Keane.
Our AFP and the total Haneef c-ck up
Mohammed Haneef has been the victim of some seriously second rate work by our justice system., writes Greg Barns.
Andrews left naked by innocent Haneef ‘secret dossier’
It’s becoming increasingly clear that politics, not evidence, lay behind Kevin Andrews’ attack on Mohammed Haneef, writes Greg Barns.
Keelty’s pursuit of Haneef is beyond the pale
The Rudd government has been told that Dr Haneef is no threat … so why is he still invesitgated by the AFP, asks Greg Barns?
Brown’s ‘$1m bribe’ claim lacks a who, what and when
It’s hard to say who might have offered the Greens free coverage, neve mind when or why, writes Bernard Keane.
The torch waits quietly for its moment in the Canberra sun
The Olympic Torch is currently resting comfortably in a Canberra hotel after its flight from Jakarta, writes Bernard Keane.
Questions about the Haneef affair that won’t go away
There are a number of serious questions that the AFP and the Brisbane office of the DPP needs to answer about the Haneef affair, writes Greg Barns.
Haneef free to return, but will Team Rudd let him?
Not surprisingly, Gold Coast doctor Mohammed Haneef was today successful in beating off a challenge by former immigration minister Kevin Andrews to cancel Dr Haneef’s visa, writes Greg Barns.
The vile testing of the new terrorism powers
The revelations in the media of AFP agent Kemuel Lam Paktsun that the AFP were under instruction to charge as many suspects as possible to “test” the new terrorism powers have finally vindicated community concerns about the practices of this federal government when it comes to Islam and Muslims in Australia.
