Melbourne Uni’s Peter McPhee is retiring less than two years into his three year contract. Will vice-chancellor Glyn Davis resume at least some of McPhee’s duties? asks Erica Cervini.
Melbourne 
On the streets of Melbourne
The Sartorialist brings his roving eye to Melbourne — as part of a Tourism Australia initiative — and snaps a snappy tailor on Chapel Street.
Meanjin: Productivity Commission committing cultural sabotage
If you don’t care about the survival of independent publishing in Australia, perhaps the Commission’s recommendations won’t bother you. If you do, they should, writes Sophie Cunningham.
Heatwaves: now and then
To modern-day Australians, heatwaves mean potential fires, crowds at the beach, thirsty koalas, crippled public transport services and frenzied Twittering about how goddamn hot it is. But what about in 1939?
Perth has a full time mayor — why can’t Melbourne?
Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle was officially sworn in today but appears to be standing firm in his refusal to relinquish his “day jobs”, reports Michael Griffiths and Andrew Crook.
Melbourne terror trial sets a very scary precedent
If we allow men to spend decades in gaol for acts that they might have committed in the future, we’re establishing a very scary precedent, writes Jeff Sparrow.
Tips and rumours
Fun and games in Brisbane’s City Hall as the ramifications of the new Liberal National (or is that the National Liberal) Party are fully comprehended. Despite his pedigree (or perhaps because of the stink that is Liberal at the Federal level) Lord Mayor “Can Do” Campbell Newman, the Last Standing Liberal of Any Consequence, has […]
Remaking Australia, part three: John Carroll
In a special post-election series, Crikey asked leading Australian thinkers to sketch a blueprint for a future Australia. Today, Today, sociologist John Carroll looks at Australia’s place in the world.
Media briefs and TV ratings
Commercial talkback down as ABC lifts in latest radio figures … Eddie’s millions still not cutting through for Nine … BSkyB makes a typically Murdochian offer over ITV stake … Last night’s TV ratings.
The Daily Verdict: Day 10 and pictures prove important
To be a really big story on television you need to have pictures. That just talking heads are considered boring was perfectly illustrated last night on Melbourne’s commercial television news, writes Richard Farmer.
Media briefs and TV ratings
More trouble for Nine: ABC News draws more viewers again … John Laws’ farewell tour rolls on … Last night’s TV ratings.
Migration has always skirted close to the underbelly
Discussion of Kevin Andrews and the Sudanese made me think of other migrant groups which have had trouble integrating and have had their own brushes with the wrong side of law and order, writes Glenn Dyer.
Tiger mauled by Death Star in latest fare war
Tiger Airways was mauled overnight by Jetstar on the Melbourne-Perth route, in the latest cat fight between the two airlines claiming to be the cheapest on any route they fly.
Time for Rio Tinto to call Australia home
Today’s Rio Tinto EGM approved one of three largest cash bids in corporate history — the $US44 billion Alcan takeover — but the deal will see the world’s second biggest mining company become even less Australian.
The problem(s) with desalinated water
Victoria’s proposed desalination plant raises more questions than it answers. Lionel Elmore investigates.
Media briefs and TV ratings
Pies help Seven to another huge win … Howard throws more money at World Youth Day … The embarrassment of AFR.com … Last night’s TV ratings.
Still plenty in the tank for AFL losers
The AFL will stage a match next weekend which will be remarkable – and unprecedented – for the simple reason that neither side involved, Carlton nor Melbourne, wants to win.
Water: does Brumby have the bottle for reform?
John Brumby’s noises yesterday about reforming the water business in Melbourne could end the careers of quite a few water authority directors but also deliver some common sense to the water industry.
Tips and rumours
Election date?: I have heard that Howard’s Eastwood campaign office lease expires on 1st December 2007. It just happens to be a Saturday! So the bet is for 24th November 2007.Bog bag threat: Thursday night Virgin Blue Flight No DJ870 arriving from Sydney to Melbourne was met by fire engines and federal police officers and […]
Don’t take the coaching carrot Kevin, it could be a banana skin
For all those AFL players (memo: N Buckley, R Harvey etc) and coaches (K Sheedy) thinking of carrying on for another season or two, please, have a look at the way Victorian Premier Steve Bracks bowed out of politics last week - at the top of his game.
Dear Qantas: Ideas from a fed-up traveller
To the esteemed leaders of our national carrier: some ideas from a regular, weary (and fed-up) traveler…
Nine’s passing parade: Where are they now?
In the interests of reminding readers what a classy bunch of people have gone, one way or another, from Nine since 2000-2001, here’s a rough list of people ”boned”, one way or another, by the changed management from 2001 onwards.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Crikey Says – 28 June, 2007
It may be time to redefine the central debate in Australian public life. Time to redraft the traditional lines of engagement.
