FAMILIES Minister Jenny Macklin has apologised for saying she could survive on the $35-a-day Newstart, admitting her comment was "insensitive" and that the dole payment would be very hard to live on. Her backdown came amid increasing pressure on the Gillard government, including from Labor MPs, to lift the $245-a-week welfare payment. Former prime minister … Continue reading Australia: Jenny Macklin sorry for ‘insensitive’ dole claim
Tag: Australia
Australian Greens’ praise for anti-coal hoax proves their extremism, says Coalition Senator Abetz
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 3rd 1854 Eureka Stockade Australia
On December 3rd 1854, the Eureka Stockade, commonly seen as the birth of Australian democracy, took place. It was the result of built up dissatisfaction amongst miners in Australia. The stockade was built on Bakery Hill, in Ballarat, and was manned by 150 miners on December 3 when 276 police attacked, resulting in the deaths … Continue reading December 3rd 1854 Eureka Stockade Australia
October 12 2002 Terrorists kill 202 in Bali
On October 12th 2002, three bombings shattered the peace in the town of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali. The blasts, the work of militant Islamist terrorists, left 202 people dead, including 88 Australians, and more than 200 others injured, many with severe burns. The attacks shocked residents and those familiar with the mostly … Continue reading October 12 2002 Terrorists kill 202 in Bali
July 11 1979 Skylab crashes to Earth
On July 11th 1979, parts of Skylab, America's first space station, come crashing down on Australia and into the Indian Ocean five years after the last manned Skylab mission ended. No one was injured. Launched in 1973, Skylab was the world's first successful space station. The first manned Skylab mission came two years after the … Continue reading July 11 1979 Skylab crashes to Earth
May 23 2012 China Daily Mail Headlines
China’s Sino-Forest Feels Heat in Canada Posted by Craig Hill ⋅ May 23, 2012 ⋅ Leave a Comment Canada‘s largest securities regulator alleged Tuesday that Sino-Forest Corp. and certain former executives inflated timber purchases and sales, capping an 11-month investigation into the troubled forest-products company. The Ontario Securities Commission signalled last month it would file fraud … Continue reading May 23 2012 China Daily Mail Headlines
May 3 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea begins
On May 3rd 1942, the first day of the first modern naval engagement in history began, called the Battle of the Coral Sea. A Japanese invasion force succeeded in occupying Tulagi of the Solomon Islands in an expansion of Japan's defensive perimeter. The United States, having broken Japan's secret war code and forewarned of an … Continue reading May 3 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea begins
Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus
The following editorial, among the most famous ever written, appeared in the New York Sun in 1897. Since it's Christmas, etc... Also, it is a great piece of writing: We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is … Continue reading Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus
Lack of Opportunities For Disabled People
Employers and recruiters unintentionally inflict a ‘glass ceiling’ on disabled Australians, largely due to a lack of infrastructure and consideration, and new figures show that disabled people are half as likely to be employed compared to the population in general. John Walsh, author of a new report, “Disability Expectations: Investing in a better life, a … Continue reading Lack of Opportunities For Disabled People
WIPO Welcomes EU Ratification of Internet Treaties
Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization Francis Gurry has welcomed the ratification by the European Union of the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. The treaties establish the basic standards of protection for copyright and related rights in the digital environment. Mr Gurry said the EU's ratification of the … Continue reading WIPO Welcomes EU Ratification of Internet Treaties
Wollongong: Grand Pacific Drive
Similar to Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, NSW now has a picturesque driving route of its own, called Grand Pacific Drive and it is something to be seen. Despite being a response to a falling rock problem in the northern part of the coastal city of Wollongong, the NSW government have turned a bridge into a … Continue reading Wollongong: Grand Pacific Drive
Fred Hollows: Australian Eye Doctor
Professor Fred Hollows was an eye doctor (opthalmologist). In his lifetime Fred gave thousands of people, all over the world, their eyesight back. Fred Hollows was born in New Zealand in 1929. His family was religious, and Fred thought he'd like to be a missionary, but he changed his mind after doing some work at … Continue reading Fred Hollows: Australian Eye Doctor
Alcopops Dispute Fizzes Out In Federal Court
The Federal Government has been taking a variety of measures intended to reduce "binge drinking". One of those measures has been to increase rates of duty and excise on "ready to drink" mixed drinks known as Alcopops. Many of you have been following the fate of measures intended to raise customs duty on imported products … Continue reading Alcopops Dispute Fizzes Out In Federal Court
National Audit Of Police Capabilities (2009)
The Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, today announced the appointment of Roger Beale AO to conduct a Federal Audit of Police Capabilities in line with the Government’s election commitment. “The Australian Federal Police have had to meet increasing demands in recent years and it’s important we take a comprehensive look at its resources and … Continue reading National Audit Of Police Capabilities (2009)
Australian Prime Minister’s Australia Day Message (2009)
As we celebrate Australia Day with our friends and families - over barbeques, picnic tables and beach towels - I know that many of you share my concerns about the impact of the global financial crisis on our families. This year will not be an easy one, and to be frank, we face some very … Continue reading Australian Prime Minister’s Australia Day Message (2009)
Energy Market Legislation (2009)
The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has welcomed the release of exposure draft legislation to support the establishment of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). The creation of AEMO, which will require amendment to the National Electricity and Gas Laws and National Electricity and Gas Rules, will implement the decision of … Continue reading Energy Market Legislation (2009)
Craig Hill 