ASIO’s powers were expanded earlier this year, we were told, to help combat illegal fishing. So this week ASIO was asked how the war on illegal fishing was faring …
Legislation
Crikey Says: Crikey says: must have a short memory
An interesting example of how short the public’s memory is from Essential Media today:
The opposition was right to walk out on Gillard
Politicians insist parliamentary debates are important but there’s no evidence they are. The collection of speeches given to a chamber almost entirely devoid of life plays no role in improving legislation.
Govt moves to repair the cybercrime bill — but not improve it
The government’s amendments to the controversial cybercrime Bill are in, but they do little to repair it.
Shift to AFP powers on proceeds of crime leaves prosecutors unhappy
A shift in power on proceeds of crime legislation from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to the AFP has prompted concerns from lawyers.
Mysteries of the ASIO amendment survive Senate scrutiny
A senior attorney-general bureaucrat has struggled to explain to a Senate committee the rationale for amendments broadening ASIO’s remit to spy on organisations overseas and tried to duck questions about whether the amendment would enable ASIO to spy on WikiLeaks.
Wikileaks New powers mean ASIO could spy on WikiLeaks
A new bill that has received little attention will dramatically expand ASIO’s powers to spy overseas, including on organisations like WikiLeaks.
Essential: What do voters think about Territory rights?
Labor, Liberal and Greens voters all feel strongly on the idea that territories’ laws can be overridden on the whim of Federal Ministers — they dislike it.
Cox: a form guide to Parliament’s first-week agenda
The PM has listed 42 pieces of legislation for tabling in the first week. They are a very mixed bag but at a very rough glance, less than 15% of items are likely to be controversial and may be debated.
The high and low laughs of Election 07
As the election campaign eases into its fourth year and we gather to learn how badly we’ve done in the exams, we pause to consider the highlights so far.
Indigenous Affairs: questions for Jenny Macklin
In search of policy detail, Crikey has sent a series of questions to Jenny Macklin about the ALP’s plans, should it win government, for the Indigenous intervention.
Absolute power in the NT…
Under the NT intervention legislation rammed through parliament, the Howard Government has armed itself with far-reaching powers to become directly involved in the operations of community service providers working in prescribed areas.
Blood moons and eclipses are exciting the superstitious
Never mind a “bad moon rising” tonight, when the full moon will be swallowed by a bloody looking total eclipse lasting several hours, writes Luke Skystalker.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Comments, corrections, clarifications, and c*ckups
Brough’s bills - 500 pages of pure insanity … Pasquarelli - Colourful, over the top, and a complete scream … APEC, in Sydney, why? … could Costello PM be the last Howard rabbit? … Where’s the love for Tassie? …
Brough’s bills: 500 pages of pure insanity
Only a card-carrying member of the Liberal Party could now argue that the ‘emergency intervention’ was anything but a political stunt. But if you still have your doubts, then take a gander at the legislation that has sprung from it, writes Chris Graham.
Crikey sources say: no winter sitting on the NT plan
Crikey understands that it’s extremely unlikely that Parliament will return during the winter break, despite the Prime Minister promising a special session if necessary to debate and pass the legislation for the NT intervention.
