News from the ATO, hard times hit the SMAge, why the Rio Tinto case is far from over, and a surreal sighting of Alexander Downer.
Alexander Downer
Tips and rumours: Frustrated accountants tell all
Political snippets: Downer agrees with Rudd on China, health reform dependent on senate numbers
Health reform will be interesting since the ALP don’t have the numbers in the senate, NAB and their rate cutting, Downer endorsing Rudd’s handling of the Hu case in China.
Guy Rundle: So the businessman’s worth saving — but not the bogan?
One of the silliest moments of May’s scandal, ‘beer mat mum’ Annice Smoell was when Dolly Downer expostulated about the demands of pesky aussies on DFAT.
An historic day for Myanmar – or another false dawn?
Today, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon flies into Myanmar — at the invitation of the ruling generals. There is a lot riding on the visit, says Kyaw Kyaw, a Myanmar-based blogger.
Turnbull does a Downer on popularity
In the modern history of federal leaders of the Opposition, there have been only two that have burnt their public approval like phosphorus, writes Possum Comitatus.
Bob Ellis: it’s time for a national Liberal voter register
There are three plain ways you can tell a Liberal voter from an ordinary, decent human being, writes Bob Ellis.
Tips and rumours: In which Malcolm Turnbull eats a, gasp, hot dog
A bounty of tips today from Turnbull, his vociferous staffer and Marinergate to Andrew Jaspan.
But who will rescue Alexander Downer from himself?
Alexander Downer is getting all sorts of kudos for his remarks about Australian citizens on holiday who get into trouble being too “lazy or stupid” to look after themselves. Cue this AM transcript from 2001…
Political snippets: The chatterati and the twitterati in India
Middle class urban voters in India are stepping out like never before.
UN on Downer’s Cyprus appointment: get him “out of our hair”
It seems our Alexander was active in the dying days of the Howard regime in securing for himself a tax-free sinecure from the UN, writes Barry Everingham.
Downer laughs at water-boarding and other “pretty fascinating” stuff
Well, it’s great to see Alexander Downer having a good laugh in his retirement, writes Irfan Yusuf.
Struggling to laud Lord Downer? Look to Ceaucescu
Janet Albrechtsen channelled the life of Nicolai Ceaucescu in penning her ode to Alex on the weekend, writes Guy Rundle.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Comments, corrections, clarifications, and c*ckups
Alexander Downer … ABC Learning … Gippsland … the National Film and Sound Archive … offensive words and censorship …
Don’t let your retiring Members of Parliament go to waste…
Useful tips for re-using retiring Federal Members
Memorable quotes from Alexander D
Alexander Downer — a highlights package.
Bidding farewell to our worst foreign minister
There were a lot of things about Downer not to like — but many of them he couldn’t do anything about, writes Bernard Keane.
DFAT bemused at Downer choice
Laughter mingled with disbelief this morning as news Alexander Downer’s appointment filtered through to DFAT, writes Barry Everingham.
Forget Mayo, what about McEwen?
I predict the next electoral event will be simultaneous by-elections in Mayo and the Victorian ultra-marginal Liberal seat of McEwen, writes Malcolm Mackerras.
Three words Liberals: FFS
The country needs a credible opposition, one that will challenge the Government on politics and policy. We haven’t got one, writes Bernard Keane.
Crikey Says: Crikey Says
The Liberal Party must be cleared of its obstructive, distracting dead wood. By which we mean Costello and Lord Downer.
A toast to John Howard: what Downer should’ve said
The introduction of the Hon John Howard MP at the Millennium Forum dinner last night – the version Alexander Downer should have given.
They should hang their heads over the Hicks farce
Evidence had been obtained through prisoner abuse, and the Gitmo trials were subject to direct political influence, writes Irfan Yusuf.
The horrid and gritty truth about the Republic – An Essay
Nature abhors a vacuum…
