Little has been achieved in the past few weeks of jousting and speculation. The period since APEC has shown only what we already knew – that voting intentions are only going to change during the intensity of the campaign, if at all, writes Howard biographer Wayne Errington.
Target
An appeal to Minister Andrews
In my opinion the Minister shouldn’t blame the Sudanese community for integration difficulties … because he is the minister responsible for the refugee integration and their wellbeing in their new home – Australia. Sudanese community member Gatwech Puoch speaks out.
The bureaucracy is gearing up for ratifying Kyoto
In 2001 a senior fossil fuel industry lobbyist explained to me in a taped interview why he and other “greenhouse mafia” (his term) were so determined to maintain their grip on the Howard government, writes the author of High & Dry, Guy Pearse.
Sydney Attractions directors put themselves on the line
Sydney Attractions on Monday released its Targets Statement in response to Village‘s $6.01 per share takeover bid. Refreshingly, SAG didn’t simply appoint an independent ‘expert’ to prepare a valuation of the company, writes Adam Schwab.
High roller rolled. Is Crown next?
While high roller Chia Teck sits in jail for embezzlement, is the next target the casinos, including Melbourne’s Crown Casino, which pocketed his pots of cash? Crikey gambling correspondent Andrew W Scott investigates.
Tips and rumours
About Senate preferences: the NSW Greens have a deal with Labor to swap Senate preferences in NSW. This is part 2 of the deal. Part 1 was the NSW State election where the NSW Greens delivered preferences to Labor in 23 marginals, in return for Upper House preferences, and worked well. Part 2 is the […]
Store wars: A new hope for Myer in their battle against David Jones?
When the new team moved into Myer last year, they inherited a broken company that was performing well below world’s best practice for department stores, and a long way short of its potential. Sales were stagnant and the business was fat and inefficient.
Rubbery figures in Howard ‘clean’ energy targets
John Howard’s renewable energy targets are based on errant maths or creative accounting, writes Greens Senator Christine Milne.
Did Qantas unleash the dogs of war on union critics?
As Qantas continues to mull over how to deal with five shareholder resolutions put up the Transport Workers Unions, the board would have been delighted by yesterday’s massive attack on the union by Nine’s Sunday program.
Coles quietly slips away
The penultimate chapter in the sad recent history of Coles was played out this morning. Coles announced their last financial results as an independent retailer. A quiet little affair was arranged for the event. CEO John Fletcher, COO Mick McMahon and Chair Rick Allert delivered their final results to a phone hook up and Internet broadcast, electing not to eyeball pesky investors, writes Rob Lake.
Is the Sydney Declaration environmentally harmful?
As the dust settles on APEC 2007, details are starting to emerge on the deals and agreements struck by the 21 nations in attendance. In particular, the energy intensity targets in the Sydney Declaration on climate change have come under scrutiny, with some experts suggesting they are actually worse than doing nothing, reports Thomas Hunter.
Abdel Bari Atwan gets his visa
Late last night (our time), the Australian High Commission in London told British journalist and academic Abdel Bari Atwan that he had his visa.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Comments, corrections, clarifications, and c*ckups
CDEP and flip-flopping … a tasteless, mean-spirited and ethically appalling editorial … Howard deserted by his battlers … The Chaser … NetAlert hotline … St George Orwell …
Yoof won’t bite pollies’ stale interweb offerings
With all the ruthless and contemporary marketing savvy of a lamington drive, both major parties continue to hawk sugary promise on The Interwebs. But it’s doubtful that the intended target market will buy any of their half-baked goods. Honestly, they’re kind of stale.
Is Telstra’s war with the world working?
Telstra’s big-talking public policy chief Phil Burgess was in a typically combative mood yesterday when he convened a roundtable discussion in Melbourne with 40 business and civic types in the web 2.0 space.
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? …
Rudd: master of the firm understatement
Kevin Rudd might be the volatile and temperamental man in private that some journalists have described but in public he continues to show a discipline and calmness that is admirable in a political leader. He has developed quickly into a campaigner of great skill with his delivery of firm understatements, writes Richard Farmer.
Typical. Liberals wimp the by-election challenge
Victoria’s Liberal Party won’t field candidates in the by-elections for Williamstown and Albert Park, the seats vacated by former premier and deputy premier Steve Bracks and John Thwaites. Typical!
The trouble with Triple J
Triple J just doesn’t get its audience any more, writes former presenter Michael Tunn.
Rate rise: the case for government gain
Talk of an interest rate rise off the back of a jump in inflation is all over the papers today – but would one necessarily be bad news for the government?
Will Rudd’s arrow through the forest hit its target?
There is in fact no substantial evidence to suggest the 2004 forest policy made a difference in any seat in the country apart from Braddon (Tas), writes Peter Brent. So Rudd should beware.
Cobber cans Kev’s compromises
Kevin Rudd seems to be practising a crude form of utilitarianism. He believes winning the greatest number of seats will guarantee the greatest happiness for the ALP – and is determined not to let anything get in his way.
History whitewash at the University of Melbourne
The History Department at the University of Melbourne must be desperately hoping that John Howard’s election-driven sudden interest in Aboriginal children will keep media attention distracted from their own indigenous scandal.
Grey nomads make a beeline for Aboriginal land
The attack on the permit system in the Northern Territory is well underway — weeks before its abolition is enacted in federal law. And the leaders of the assault are not Howard and Brough in Canberra, but tourists, with western Arnhem Land as their first target.
Woolies rubs salt in Coles’ wound (for now)
To Coles, Woolworths has become taillights vanishing in the distance. However, retailing, and grocery retailing in particular is a highly labile sector. Not too many years ago, the positions of Coles and Woolworths were reversed, notes retail commentator Rob Lake.
