Here I was thinking that one of the purposes of parliamentary inquiries is to get important matters of public interest into the public realm without having to fear litigation, writes Tim Battin.
Nsw state government
The destruction of Australia’s most productive food bowl
Australia’s most productive agricultural region, the Liverpool Plains in North-West NSW, is under siege from BHP Billiton and coal and gas companies, writes Rosemary Nankivell.
GEO joins NSW privatised jail race
John Robertson is following in the former Treasurer’s footsteps by implementing the private management of jails in flagrant opposition to NSW Labor Party policy, writes Alex Mitchell.
NSW spin doctors find another frog to save
Whenever there is a controversial development, the NSW Government spin doctors reach into their top drawer and produce a frog yarn, writes Alex Mitchell.
NSW MP caught in jail privatisation conflict
Can the Public Service Association “comrades” union expect tireless support from Paul McLeay, their former deputy general secretary? Asks Alex Mitchell.
Premier Rees’ latest recruits offer new hope
The cavalry has arrived to provide some relief for the besieged Nathan Rees Government in the form of Graham Wedderburn and Bob Leece, writes Alex Mitchell.
Cheer squad excited by Sartor’s extreme makeover
The morphing of former NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor from the best mate of the developers to the hero of environmental activists is in full swing, writes Alex Mitchell.
NSW mafia stains Labor and Liberal alike
The overnight decision by the AFP to re-investigate donations to the Liberal Party by colourful characters with alleged Italian Mafia links is like an unguided Exocet missile.
NSW Planning Minister Keneally romperstomps
NSW Planning Minister Kristina Keneally has trampled over community objections in two major development approvals this week , writes Alex Mitchell.
Tax-hating gun-lovers register political party
After almost 12 months of legal wrangling, the Liberal Democratic Party has been registered with the Australian Electoral Commission, writes Alex Mitchell.
Botany Bay’s car park protesters gagged
Sydney’s Rockdale Council will stop at nothing to build a 100-vehicle car park on the foreshores of Botany Bay, writes Alex Mitchell.
NSW development transparency clouds over
Sartor’s 11th hour attempt to restore some transparency to the untrammeled powers of the minister has been derailed and his PAC has been rendered redundant, writes Alex Mitchell.
Jackpots all round for NSW mining industry
Ian Macdonald is standing by the poker machine waiting to pull a jackpot for the coal mining industry. But who will get the prizes? Asks Alex Mitchell.
Unskilled and over-educated: a plan for worse outcomes
Forcing students who gain no benefit from additional formal education through extra years of schooling or training is pointless, writes Jeremy Sammut.
The Terrigals’ reign of NSW bastardry is over
The NSW ALP right-wing faction known as the “Terrigals” is dead, writes Alex Mitchell.
NSW: it’s in a different state to the rest of us
Possum Comitatus suggests we flog NSW off to the Kiwis for some nice cheeses and a couple of rugby players.
Ethanol: Not really all that green
The production and distribution of ethanol as an alternative motor vehicle fuel source will increase greenhouse gas emissions over conventional fuels, writes Bernard Keane.
Rees is the NSW premier, whatever the press gallery thinks
A week is a long time in politics, especially if you are following the print media in NSW, writes Alex Mitchell.
NSW says “Bye, bye” to triple-A rating obsession
Governments are elected to govern and provide public services funded by taxpayer revenue, investments and borrowing, not to keep the books in surplus for the benefit of Wall Street, writes Alex Mitchell.
Daily Tele s-xes up NSW politics
Just when you thought the media’s silly season was over, the Daily Telegraph rises to the occasion, writes Alex Mitchell.
John Robertson as NSW Premier won’t happen
If you believe The SMH and The Australian, NSW Premier Nathan Rees will be gone by the end of the year and replaced by John Robertson, writes Alex Mitchell.
Cherie Burton MP part two: Sussex to Macquarie St
Ms Burton’s entire career has been as a factional player in NSW ALP politics, writes Alex Mitchell.
Cherie Burton part one: NSW Parly’s phantom MP
Since her re-election at the March 2007 state election, Cherie Burton has said nothing in the chamber this year and spoke only four times in 2007, writes Alex Mitchell.
NSW Nat MP in spectacular flame-out
Watching the parliamentary career of the NSW National Andrew Fraser go down in flames is like tracking a comet in slow motion writes Alex Mitchell.
MP linked to NSW public sector union ballot
Labor left vs Labor right: fighting the dodgy fight in the NSW public sector union elections, Alex Mitchell reports.
