Even for tax policy fanatics it’s hard to get excited about the two-day tax forum. Given Labor’s failure to adopt the Henry tax review, the prospect of meaningful change is slim, says Adam Creighton.
Federal government
Wankley Awards: And the Wankley goes to… the fastest fingers in town
Vivid images of the wrecked boat sinking off the cliffs of Christmas Island provided a stark picture of the desperate, and often futile, measures people will go to to flee persecution. But quick as a flash, even as survivors were being pulled out of the water, media commentators from both sides of politics were searching for someone to blame over the tragedy.
University reps appalled by draft legislation at confidential briefing
A special government briefing in Canberra on Tuesday and Wednesday on crucial legislation covering the operations of post-secondary education institutions across the country turned out to be a debacle, writes higher education expert Geoff Maslen.
Crikey Says: Why the internet filter is just a political stunt
The Conroy-Rudd internet censorship regime has nothing to do with pedophiles or terrorists, and everything to do with building credentials with mainstream voters who have no idea how the internet works.
Health reform dithering risks a desperate and dateless government
COAG has reneged on its obligations to the Australian health sector, hastily concocting a “plan to make a plan” some time next year, writes Jennifer Doggett.
Crikey Says: One-trick pony McGauchie resigns from Telstra
Well, Donald McGauchie pretty much only had one idea as Telstra chairman, and that was to antagonise the company’s regulator, and the Government behind the regulator, as much as possible.
Viewing the Liberals through a prism of party instability
This week’s shambles keeps coming back to structural issues within the Liberal Party, writes Bernard Keane.
NSW Liberals at war over state seats
Following the internal warfare inside the Liberal Party these days requires a GPS device, radar, a satellite dish, an asbestos suit, a pair of lead boots and a strong stomach, writes Alex Mitchell.
Liberal Students get decisive on student unionism
Liberals have this hang up about voluntary student unionism. The your ones especially so, writes Bernard Keane.
Is it farmers being subsidised – or the water quota system?
The drought assistance announced by the Federal Government this week is more than just bundles of cash aimed at helping out ruralists in need. It’s a reform package by another name, writes Lionel Elmore.
A potential backlash from voters over horse flu
The equine influenza outbreak is becoming an increasingly awkward issue for the Coalition with the natural reaction of people affected by it being to blame someone for their economic and social hardship and the Federal Government being a logical candidate for the venting of spleen.
The indigenous land grab will mean more suffering, not less
I am a senior traditional owner of the Yirrkala community land, which the Federal Government is trying to take from my family, without even having the guts or the courtesy to speak to us, writes Banduk Marika, community leader and artist in Yirrkala, Arnhem Land.
Voters and baseball bats – in Queensland and elsewhere
Will the Queensland local council kafuffle cost Kevin Rudd seats in Queensland? Maybe. But it might cost John Howard seats elsewhere, writes Peter Brent.
Tales from the Territory: racism is abuse too
For the last four years, I have worked as a GP in remote NT Aboriginal communities, a position which privileges me to be both doctor and friend to many Aboriginal people, most of whom are delightful, loving, law abiding citizens. Rarely has child sexual abuse been brought to my attention, writes Dr Glynis Johns.
Not a single voice in support of intervention
During a three-day conference here on Indigenous health, the message has come loud and clear from doctors, lawyers, researchers, public servants, economists and Aboriginal leaders. Not a single voice has been raised in defence of the Federal Government’s plans for the NT.
Week in words, week in numbers
In our fabulous Friday feature, we crunch the transcripts from the Sydney 7.45am ABC News Bulletin from Monday to Friday to take 400 pages of news and current events and squish it into this tag cloud for your perusal.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Comments, corrections, clarifications, and c*ckups
Enough is enough on Haneef … the poll swing … resurrecting the Senate … CASA’s cone of silence … Labor is not a party of reform … MacBank’s millionaires …
