Democracy requires choice, and a party that gets into the habit of denying the voters a choice is failing in its primary duty, however convenient that might be for its elected representatives.
Jeff Kennett
For Big Ted, it’s time to shift gears
The changing of the guard at the top may be a sign that Ted Baillieu feels it is time to shift gears.
The conflicts of interest muddying the anti-pokies campaign
As with any public debate, the challenge in the pokies reform will be getting participants to put all their cards on the table and declare these conflicts as they arise. Stephen Mayne declares their interests on the public’s behalf.
News Ltd, Clubs and NRL v imaginary AFL anti-pokies campaign
The pokies debate has exploded over the past 24 hours after Clubs NSW used its influence over the NRL to try and impose its campaign against Andrew Wilkie’s reform agenda on the AFL’s grand final week program.
Media briefs: Crimes’ quiz mystery … mis-tweeting Rudd …
The quiz that appeared in Wednesday’s Times2 section of The Canberra Times — with the not-so-coincidental similiarities in answers — has got even the paper’s staff scratching their heads. Plus other media news.
Victoria’s roads paved with Grand Prix red ink
The big furphy that is gradually being exposed is the size of the grand prix international TV audience, writes Geoffrey Harris of Back Page Lead.
Kennett: Why NSW should be more like Victoria
Well, this won’t inflame the NSW-Vic tensions at all: former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett says the answers to NSW’s economic woes lie in becoming more like Victoria. Lane-ways bars for all!
The Liberal Party ‘parent’ who sparked The Age to action
There’s nothing juicier for the media and opposition in an election year than leaked emails and secret documents. Brumby government minister Justin Madden is finding out this morning.
Kennett, Bracks, Jeffed — it’s 10th anniversary season
This is a big call, no doubt, but Jeff Kennett led one of the most reformist and revolutionary governments in any stable western democracy over the past 50 years.
Tips and rumours: Did Della Bosca fall into a honey trap?
What Crikey’s tipsters are telling us today: Was John Della Bosca set up? … Westpac not cutting back on off-shoring … University of Melbourne’s unqualified tutors.
Crikey Says: Who else supports Costello for premier?
Following on from Arthur Sinodinos’ article in The Oz about Peter Costello as future Victorian premier, Crikey conducted a quick phone poll of senior Victorian Liberals. Who else would jump on the Costello bandwagon?
Last minute injunction leaves 60 Minutes flat footed
The desperate spiking of last-night’s 60 Minutes “suicide cluster” story had an interesting lead-up, pitting BeyondBlue chief Jeff Kennett and adolescent psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg against Nine chief David Gyngell.
Gaming the health system: rational response to bad policy
Hospital administrators who push the purchasing system to its limits have little to gain personally. They are merely trying to keep their hospitals afloat, says Tom Keating.
Political snippets: Find the correct unemployment number
Richard Farmer un-fudges the unemployment figures and welcomes the return of Jeff Kennett to Page One, where his hair belongs.
Why did the AFL try to shut Jeff up?
The AFL decided to stick up for their umpires after Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said they were “almost bigger than the game” in an interview. What the hell were they thinking? asks Ralph Horowitz.
Melbourne City Council — its part in my disillusionment
The richest man wins the whole box and dice — so long as he has ALP approval to play in his own sand pit and does not frighten the horses in Spring Street, writes Terry Maher.
Kennett: hand outs good for Hawks, but not lazy low income earners
Mr. Kennett thinks $15 million is better spent on his football club, rather than on those lazy low income earners and welfare bludgers who sleep rough every night, writes Greg Barns.
Where do they find state politicians anyway?
It’s probably too much to ask for political courage and vision, writes Bernard Keane.
Tips and rumours
The new CEO at Citibank is not a sports buff and has told internal staff to advise Sydney Swans that their long-time sponsorship will not be renewed after it ends in 2011. Jeff Kennett continues to prove he just doesn’t get it regarding g-ys/p-edophiles. Melbourne g-y paper MCV reports him as saying “I was trying to […]
Tips and rumours
I was on a scheduled flight from Paris Orly airport to Marrakesh on Royal Air Maroc last week and the last passenger to board was French President Nicolas Sarkozy. After a quick wave and smile to the peasants in cattle class, el Presidente and his entourage of three clip-board wielding flunkies made themselves comfortable in the […]
Gippsland the one to watch in “Super Saturday” byelections
A rarely-mentioned feature of the second half of the Howard era was the paucity of byelections. There were a couple, but none involving the Coalition, which has not contested one since Aston in July 2001. This might be some kind of record, writes Peter Brent.
Michael Kroger, your nation needs you
Jeff Kennett is right. Michael Kroger should get out of the counting house and into the bear pit, writes Christian Kerr.
