The Coalition has labelled the Greens the ''epitome of extremism'' for the party's support of the anti-coal hoax. Leading the attack, the leader of the opposition in the Senate, Eric Abetz, also said the Greens had a ''disrespect for the rule of law'' for congratulating an activist being investigated for a hoax that temporarily wiped … Continue reading Australian Greens’ praise for anti-coal hoax proves their extremism, says Coalition Senator Abetz
Demand for Australian university places plateaus
Demand for university places has plateaued after three years of strong growth, suggesting key participation targets may prove to be unachievable. Only 1400 more people applied for university this year than in 2012, an increase of just 0.6 per cent. Western Australia registered a drop in applications of 2.6 per cent while Tasmania heralded a … Continue reading Demand for Australian university places plateaus
Funding crisis for juvenile justice in Australia
The nation's children's court system is damaged, starved of resources and handing out sentences that vary widely depending on where children live. The first national study of the country's children's courts, based on hundreds of interviews with magistrates, other judicial officers and a range of stakeholders, has called for an overhaul of the system. The … Continue reading Funding crisis for juvenile justice in Australia
Australia: Hundreds to go in Queensland police shake-up
The biggest overhaul of Queensland police since the infamous Fitzgerald inquiry will remove more than 100 senior officers and scrap regional offices in some areas of the state. Police Commissioner Ian Stewart, who was installed in the job last November, today announced the restructure of the service in a bid to cut bureaucracy and boost … Continue reading Australia: Hundreds to go in Queensland police shake-up
Abbott has long-held views on IVF, says Australian Attorney-General Roxon
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will be judged on his long-held views on abortion and IVF access despite his chief-of-staff going public about his support for her IVF attempts, says Attoney-General Nicola Roxon. Peta Credlin, Mr Abbott's top adviser, has told magazine Marie Claire in an article to be published this week that she quizzed the … Continue reading Abbott has long-held views on IVF, says Australian Attorney-General Roxon
Tragic scenes as fires destroy homes across Tasmania, Australia
Thousands of residents and tourists are stranded across parts of Tasmania after bushfires destroyed more than 100 properties and cut off communities. The bushfire threat has been downgraded but authorities are warning residents to remain on alert as fires continue to burn. There are two watch and act warnings current for fires at Forcett and … Continue reading Tragic scenes as fires destroy homes across Tasmania, Australia
Australia’s Newstart far from a temporary payment
New figures revealing the average time spent on the dole is two years undermine Wayne Swan's claim that the Newstart allowance is a "temporary payment" between jobs. The figures, released through the Senate estimates process, bolster the case mounted by Labor MPs and the welfare sector to increase the dole on the grounds it is … Continue reading Australia’s Newstart far from a temporary payment
Australia services sector contracts on consumer caution
Australia's services sector continued to contract in December even after the central bank lowered interest rates at the start of month, a performance gauge by an industry group published Friday showed. The Australian Industry Group-Commonwealth Bank Performance of Services Index fell 3.9 points in December from a month earlier to 43.2 points--well below the 50-point … Continue reading Australia services sector contracts on consumer caution
Australian stocks surge to 19-month high as US fiscal cliff averted
THE sharemarket started 2013 with a bang as US lawmakers agreed a budget deal to avoid the worst of the so-called fiscal cliff that had threatened to derail the world's biggest economy. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed up 1.2 per cent at a 19-month high of 4705.9, also after better Chinese manufacturing data helped lift commodity … Continue reading Australian stocks surge to 19-month high as US fiscal cliff averted
Australian political leaders off and running
AS Australians yesterday put the final touches on their New Year's Eve celebrations, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott fired the first shots of the 2013 election campaign. In a sign of what is in store for voters this year, the leaders used their New Year messages to pitch their plans to the people. The Prime … Continue reading Australian political leaders off and running
December 31 1999 Panama Canal handover
On December 31st 1999, the United States, in accordance with the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, officially handed over control of the Panama Canal, putting the strategic waterway into Panamanian hands for the first time. Crowds of Panamanians celebrated the transfer of the 50-mile canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and officially opened when the SS … Continue reading December 31 1999 Panama Canal handover
December 30 2006 Saddam Hussein executed
On December 30th 2006, fallen dictator Saddam Hussein was hanged at dawn, a dramatic end for a leader who ruled Iraq by fear for three decades before a U.S. invasion toppled him. He was then convicted of crimes against humanity. As day broke on one of the holiest days of the Muslim year and the … Continue reading December 30 2006 Saddam Hussein executed
December 29 1890 US Army massacres Indians at Wounded Knee
On December 29th 1890, in the final chapter of America's long Indian wars, the U.S. Cavalry killed 146 Sioux at Wounded Knee, on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. Throughout 1890, the U.S. government worried about the increasing influence at Pine Ridge of the Ghost Dance spiritual movement, which taught that Indians had been … Continue reading December 29 1890 US Army massacres Indians at Wounded Knee
December 28 1895 First commercial movie screened in Paris
On December 28th 1895, the world's first commercial movie screening took place at the Grand Cafe in Paris. The film was made by Louis and Auguste Lumiere, two French brothers who developed a camera-projector called the Cinematographe. The Lumiere brothers unveiled their invention to the public in March 1895 with a brief film showing workers … Continue reading December 28 1895 First commercial movie screened in Paris
December 27 1932 Radio City Music Hall opens
On December 27th 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, thousands turned out for the opening of Radio City Music Hall, a magnificent Art Deco theatre in New York City. Radio City Music Hall was designed as a palace for the people, a place of beauty where ordinary people could see high-quality entertainment. Since … Continue reading December 27 1932 Radio City Music Hall opens
December 26 1946 Bugsy Siegel opens Flamingo Hotel
On December 26th 1946, in Las Vegas, Nevada, mobster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel opens The Pink Flamingo Hotel & Casino at a total cost of $6 million. The 40-acre facility wasn’t complete and Siegel was hoping to raise some revenue with the grand opening. Well-known singer and comedian Jimmy Durante headlined the entertainment, with music by … Continue reading December 26 1946 Bugsy Siegel opens Flamingo Hotel
December 25 1914 Christmas Truce
On December 25th 1914, just after midnight on Christmas morning, the majority of German troops engaged in World War I ceased firing their guns and artillery and commenced to sing Christmas carols. At certain points along the eastern and western fronts, the soldiers of Russia, France, and Britain even heard brass bands joining the Germans … Continue reading December 25 1914 Christmas Truce
December 24 1979 Soviet tanks enter Afghanistan
On December 24th 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, under the pretext of upholding the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978. As midnight approached, the Soviets organised a massive military airlift into Kabul, involving an estimated 280 transport aircraft and three divisions of almost 8,500 men each. Within a few days, the Soviets had secured Kabul, … Continue reading December 24 1979 Soviet tanks enter Afghanistan
December 23 1888 Vincent Van Gogh cuts off his ear
On December 23rd 1888, in what has become known as one of the more bizarre acts by artists (a feat hard to achieve), acclaimed 19th century artist Vincent Van Gogh cut off the lower part of his ear. The act was by no means a form of art, though given postmodern art this would not … Continue reading December 23 1888 Vincent Van Gogh cuts off his ear
December 22 1989 Nicolae Ceausescu’s dictatorship in Romania ends
On December 22nd 1989, Nicolae Ceaucescu’s dictatorship in Romania ended, after politician Ion Iliescu became the new President. It was also the official end of Communism within Romania, after 42 years of Communist rule under leaders Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej and Nicolae Ceausescu. While Gheorghiu-Dej is often condemned as a neo-Stalinist ruler, despite his attempts to abandon … Continue reading December 22 1989 Nicolae Ceausescu’s dictatorship in Romania ends
December 21 69 Coronation of Roman Emperor Vespasian
On December 21st 69 the coronation of Titus Flavius Vespasianus took place. He was the first Roman Emperor to ascend the throne in relative peace following the demise of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty and the disastrous reign of Nero. The year 69 AD was known in Roman history as the year of the Four Emperors. Nero's … Continue reading December 21 69 Coronation of Roman Emperor Vespasian
December 20 1917 Creation of Russia’s Cheka security service
On December 20th 1917, the first Soviet security organisation, Cheka, was founded. While the KGB is the stereotypical Soviet secret police in modern society, the Cheka were the first of its kind, created by Lenin in 1917 in order to stabilise Russian society after the Bolshevik Revolution and the dismantling of the Russian monarchy. Cheka's … Continue reading December 20 1917 Creation of Russia’s Cheka security service
December 19 1984 Britain and China sign Hong Kong return agreement
On December 19th 1984, in the Hall of the People in Beijing, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang signed an accord committing Britain to give Hong Kong back to China in 1997. In return, China incorporated terms pledging a 50 year continuation of Britain’s capitalist system. Hong Kong, a small peninsula … Continue reading December 19 1984 Britain and China sign Hong Kong return agreement
December 18 1961 “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” reaches number 1
On December 18th 1961, The Lion Sleeps Tonight hit number one on the Billboard Charts. It was an instant classic that endured to become one of the most successful pop songs of all time. Few realise, however, that its true originator saw only a minuscule portion of the song's massive profits. The story began in … Continue reading December 18 1961 “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” reaches number 1
December 17 1903 Wright brothers make first powered flight
On December 17th 1903, the first successful flight of the Wright Flyer took place. One of the biggest milestones in the evolution of commercial air flight, the Wright Flyer was the first powered aircraft, and the result of the Wright Brothers' decade-long interest in aeronautical flight. The Wright Flyer underwent two separate flights at Kitty … Continue reading December 17 1903 Wright brothers make first powered flight
Craig Hill 