Tag: Politics

The Greens are both right and wrong on housing


Labor's plan to implement a $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund is under threat from the Greens and the Opposition. Both parties need to take a breath and consider the realities of their situation. The Opposition need to realise that their job is to oppose government legislation if it is bad, and offer a better … Continue reading The Greens are both right and wrong on housing

Using porn to shame a work colleague is a crime


In any other workplace in Australia, distributing explicit photos of a work colleague to shame them would result in dismissal, yet Dominic Perrottet has gone in to defend Peter Poulos for doing just that. At the very least, Poulos should have been sanctioned. By failing to take any action, Perrottet is sending the message that … Continue reading Using porn to shame a work colleague is a crime

Bring Julian Assange home


Julian Assange, the Australian publisher who founded WikiLeaks in 2006, faces 175 years in prison if extradited from the UK to the US. Assange’s case is the first time in history that a publisher has been indicted under the US Espionage Act, but the Australian government have so far not stepped in to help him. … Continue reading Bring Julian Assange home

Was the Morrison government fascist?


Allegations of fascism are thrown around frequently to describe the far right, and often the term is misused to incite an emotional response against political ideologies that opponents don't agree with. However, in the case of the Morrison government, the use of the word may have had some merit. Wikipedia describes Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology. … Continue reading Was the Morrison government fascist?

The rise and fall of Lidia Thorpe


There can be no doubt that Lidia Thorpe has achieved a lot in her time, but like many before and still to come, she has shown a political naivety since coming to federal politics. Although she made significant achievements prior to entering federal politics, which we will acknowledge, she has been an absolute nightmare for … Continue reading The rise and fall of Lidia Thorpe

There’s no town like Alice – or is there?


There can be no doubt that the problems in Alice Springs are extreme, to say the least, but similar problems exist on Indigenous, remote and rural communities right throughout Australia. Nor is the problem confined to Indigenous people. It is happening right across the community. Alice Springs has come to the forefront in recent times … Continue reading There’s no town like Alice – or is there?

Universal Basic Income in Australia


Over the years, Australia just like other developed countries have been thinking of introducing a universal basic income (UBI). But what is it, and what are the arguments for and against? A UBI is a form of income that is offered by the government to its citizens with disregard to their employment status. This form … Continue reading Universal Basic Income in Australia

Voice to Parliament: the dirty tricks of the no-campaigners


Constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament would give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people agency to help inform decisions that impact their lives. Yet there are those that are against this purely on principle, rather than on any facts or details of the proposed Voice. Why is this so? First, let's look at what … Continue reading Voice to Parliament: the dirty tricks of the no-campaigners

Bring back the CES (Commonwealth Employment Service)


Job Services Australia, or Workforce Australia as it is now called, has failed to live up to the promises the Howard government made when they introduced it in 1998. Originally known as the Job Network, it has devolved into a giant money making venture by about 30 multinational organisations, and offers few tangible services to … Continue reading Bring back the CES (Commonwealth Employment Service)

Dominic Perrottet and the Nazi uniform: he doesn’t know what he did was wrong


Dominic Perrottet has failed to apologise to everybody that he offended by wearing a Nazi uniform, showing he doesn't really understand what he did was wrong and why. To be fair, a 21 year old probably wouldn't understand the significance of the Nazi uniform, and he shouldn't be judged on what he did as a … Continue reading Dominic Perrottet and the Nazi uniform: he doesn’t know what he did was wrong

Why retrospective law can be applied to the NACC


With the passing of legislation for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), it is worth reflecting on the history of retrospective law in Australia, and how the courts have found it to be legal. It is possible in Australia to break laws that have not yet been created, but there are instances where many would believe … Continue reading Why retrospective law can be applied to the NACC

Churches are businesses and should pay tax


It is difficult to know how much revenue churches make in Australia each year, but some estimates put it at $40 billion dollars, all tax free. This means Australia is missing out on about $10 billion dollars a year in taxes. Not just corporate tax, but also income tax, GST, payroll tax, council rates, land … Continue reading Churches are businesses and should pay tax

Centrelink legislation is in drastic need of reform


The Social Security Act and Social Security (Administration) Act each contain over 1,000 sections, most of which are designed to deny people payments, and many of which are in contradiction to other legislation.Lottery wins, insurance payments and inheritances, when paid in more than one payment, are not classified as income by the Australian Taxation office, … Continue reading Centrelink legislation is in drastic need of reform

Why retrospective law can be applied to the NACC


Retrospective Legislation It is possible in Australia to break laws that have not yet been created, but there are instances where many would believe this is highly appropriate. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) may be one of these. The two main principles that exist in rule of law in Australia are that if the person … Continue reading Why retrospective law can be applied to the NACC

British Royal Family places Queen Elizabeth in nursing home


Concluding it was the best way to ensure she remains comfortable during her twilight years, the British Royal Family recently placed Queen Elizabeth II into a local nursing home, sources confirmed Wednesday. “Members of the Royal Family are in agreement that they simply do not have the time or resources to personally provide Her Majesty … Continue reading British Royal Family places Queen Elizabeth in nursing home

Australian Prime Minister commits to cutting Australia’s international reputation by 30% before 2015


Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has set an ambitious target to reduce the nation’s standing in the international community by almost a third over the next seven months. The Prime Minister hit back at critics who suggested the status abatement target is too high, saying much of the work is already underway. “In just nine … Continue reading Australian Prime Minister commits to cutting Australia’s international reputation by 30% before 2015

Obama nominates Oprah as ambassador to Russia


President Obama nominated Oprah Winfrey to serve as ambassador to Russia today. In a written statement, the White House said the veteran broadcaster has been selected to replace Russian policy expert Michael McFaul, who announced last week that he was stepping down after little more than a year on the job. "Oprah Winfrey is an … Continue reading Obama nominates Oprah as ambassador to Russia

Tony Blair just won’t go away


Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is stubbornly refusing to let Britain move on. The grin-based organism has been asked to stop saying things in the press, which reminds Britain that it voted for him three times. Teacher Emma Bradford said: “When Kim Kardashian came along, Paris Hilton had the self-awareness to recognise that her … Continue reading Tony Blair just won’t go away

Australian government allows Malaysia to prevent free speech on Australian soil


Imagine this: Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is visiting Malaysia to speak to Australian students studying at Malaysian universities. The Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur then issues a written threat to all Australian students, saying that if they hear Mr Shorten speak they will lose any government-funded scholarships. Such an action would be met … Continue reading Australian government allows Malaysia to prevent free speech on Australian soil

Australia’s Governor General meets top Chinese leaders


Australia's Governor-General Quentin Bryce has met with China's top political leaders in one of her final overseas tours in the post. Mrs Bryce held meetings last night with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. It was Mr Bryce's first visit as the official head of … Continue reading Australia’s Governor General meets top Chinese leaders

Australian Prime Minister says “Japan is our closest friend in Asia”


Tony Abbott has declared Japan Australia's "closest friend in Asia", elevating the former World War II aggressor past both China and Indonesia as he continued his regional charm offensive. Mr Abbott met the conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the 18-member East Asia Summit being held over two days in the tiny … Continue reading Australian Prime Minister says “Japan is our closest friend in Asia”

Australia’s Prime Minister apologises to Malaysia for second time in a week


Tony Abbott has apologised to an Asian leader for the second time in a week over his robust political campaigning before he was elected, offering an "act of contrition" for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. The Australian Prime Minister acknowledged in a meeting with Mr Najib at the APEC conference late on Monday that … Continue reading Australia’s Prime Minister apologises to Malaysia for second time in a week

Australian senator wants to charge asylum seekers $50,000


  Australia's Liberal Democratic Senator David Leyonhjelm has proposed a radical plan to charge asylum-seekers $50,000 to come to Australia "through the front door". Mr Leyonhjelm, who will join the Senate on July 1, will be one of eight crossbench senators who will hold the balance of power in the new Senate. Speaking on Sky … Continue reading Australian senator wants to charge asylum seekers $50,000

New Australian government has only one female cabinet member


It's a sad day for the nation when the cabinet of Afghanistan has more women in it than the cabinet of Australia, says acting Labor leader Chris Bowen. Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott unveiled his ministerial line up on Monday, revealing the only woman in the cabinet is Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop. The outgoing Labor … Continue reading New Australian government has only one female cabinet member

New Australian leader likened to George W Bush


A "compassionate conservative" in the tradition of George W Bush, a "bigoted air-head" and a leader with a markedly different view on a strike on Syria were among the international assessments of Australia's prime minister elect Tony Abbott. UK Prime Minister David Cameron called to congratulate Mr Abbott following the election before taking to Twitter … Continue reading New Australian leader likened to George W Bush