Another surge in commodity prices has pushed the Australian dollar to a 23 year high, writes Glenn Dyer.
Sms tips
Brendan Nelson’s poor polling continues
The latest Morgan poll will make for dispiriting but not unexpected reading for Brendan Nelson, writes Canberra correspondent Bernard Keane.
Garnaut’s in and now Labor actually has to do something
In the lead up to 24 November, greenhouse was a useful point of differentiation for the ALP. Now it’s something they have to do something about, writes Christian Kerr.
Media advisers thin on the ground in Rudd government
After the first two sitting weeks of the new government, Canberra insiders are wondering if a crisis is looming; in government media management, writes Christian Kerr.
What is the DPP doing running to the tabloids?
When Victoria’s top prosecutor gives a big story to the town tabloid, something is deeply wrong, writes Greg Barns.
More woe for Mr 9%: Liberal MPs moan about his staff
How did Brendan Nelson’s office become a refuge for former ACCI highflyers, asks Christian Kerr.
Bell to takeover Tricom: but has it helped ANZ?
Another problem for the ANZ bank, or a problem loan resolved? Bell Financial Group has agreed to takeover Tricom Group according to a statement issued this morning, writes Glenn Dyer.
Saint Kevin’s mortal sin
Corrupt, convicted, conniving – and convivial company? Almost 12 months after the issue was first raised the question still remains: why did St Kevin agree to dine with Brian Burke, writes Christian Kerr.
Matemail: Another Burke/Rudd missive revealed
We may not have seen the last of the Brian Burke/Kevin Rudd emails. Walter Slurry has unearthed another.
Wayne Swan needs to learn the art of assertiveness
Wayne Swan, the man in the second most important job in government appears to have a weak grip on his portfolio – or at least is too nervy to give a good fist of explaining his government’s plans and policy positions, writes Christian Kerr.
Aboriginal Australia: the hard line according to Jenny Macklin
Did Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin use Sorry Day to announce a policy position that would have provoked uproar if it came from the Coalition? That’s what appears to have happened on The 7:30 Report last night, writes Christian Kerr.
John Howard’s apology
The ex-PM couldn’t make it to Parliament today… but his mum sent an apology note.
The Howard ministry: Where are they now?
Here is the seating plan for the new House of Reps. Can you spot your favourite members of John Howard’s frontbench?
BHP won’t get 51 per cent of Rio
BHP knows can’t get just 51 per cent of Rio – its main Australian shareholders aren’t interested in such a number. And the ambiguity about which company “its” refers to is intentional, writes Michael Pascoe.
Qantas memo: ‘Aircraft in the fleet had similar defects’
Here is another leak from Qantas, this time about the leak that came within minutes of putting 360 people on board QF2 on 7 January in the seas off Thailand, writes Ben Sandilands.
Underbelly faces legal action over Mokbel portayal
With eight days to go before the debut of the Nine Network’s most important program for four years, Underbelly, there’s strong talk the production has hit huge legal problems that have set the network and the producers, Screentime, at loggerheads, writes Glenn Dyer.
PP McGuiness: a vitriolic liar with the morals of an alley cat
Here, for your reading pleasure, is an excerpt from Paul Keating’s obituary of journalist P.P. McGuiness which ran in today’s Australian FInancial Review. We’re only sorry we couldn’t run more if it.
BSkyB to sue the British government?
Rupert Murdoch’s BSkyB is facing losses of hundreds of millions of dollars on its stake in British free to air network, ITV, after the UK Government confirmed a regulator’s order to sell more than half its 17.9% stake, writes Glenn Dyer.
Seven billion reasons to Risk your reputation
Banks are not the only ones with tarnished reputations as the world’s financial problems roll on. There are problems for internet publishers as well, writes Richard Farmer.
Tips and rumours
Overheard at the tennis. Some very in-the-know people discussing Peter Costello’s offer from the Macquarie Bank to become the bank’s second in charge for an eight (Crikey: presumably includes a cents column) figure sum. Do you like your news two weeks old? Just turn to NBN TV here in northern NSW. Last night they ran a story […]
Trap for young spinners
Few readers will recall the “Whip inflation now” campaign, Gerry Ford’s ill-fated attempted to spur a grassroots movement to combat inflation by changing American’s spending and saving habits. We’ve seen dumb media management of inflation efforts from our own glorious leader, Kevin Rudd, in the last couple of days, writes Christian Kerr.
Another tick for Costello financial management. Not
Market talk says that the Future Fund has dropped close to $10 billion amid the recent turmoil. Is Peter Costello to blame? Christian Kerr investigates.
Thai Air dive highlights the need for eyes in the tower
The merits of having manned control towers at the country’s mainline airports is illustrated in a preliminary report by the ATSB into an incident near Melbourne on 4 November last year, writes Ben Sandilands.
Australian sharemarket takes another hit
The Australian sharemarket fell for the eighth session in a row this morning in the wake of a 277 point plunge in the Dow overnight, reports Glenn Dyer.
