crikey--2020-09-21--Staggering hypocrisy, re-writing history — Trump’s America heads to a new low

The fight over the US Supreme Court following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is going to get ugly , fast .
How low can American politics go ?
We ’ re about to find out .
Last Friday the inimitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg finally lost her long struggle with cancer .
And immediately , the tributes to her brilliant career were drowned out by the clamour of politicians squabbling over the process of appointing her replacement to the US Supreme Court .
On paper at least , the process is straightforward .
The president nominates a candidate for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then the Senate votes ( by simple majority ) on the confirmation of the candidate .
The problem is that process wasn ’ t followed in March 2016 when then-president Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court to replace Justice Antonin Scalia who had died in February .
The Republican-controlled Senate declined to even consider the nomination on the grounds that it was took close to the 2016 presidential election — at that point still eight months away .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had already made his position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died : “ The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice .
Therefore , this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.
” A similar view was expressed by numerous Republicans .
( See here for an exhaustive list of such self-righteous declarations . )
Given this history , surely Republicans could never entertain a nomination from President Donald Trump just six weeks before the next presidential election ?
Of course they can .
Mitch McConnell , still the Senate majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day of RBG ’ s death .
He said that “ President Trump ’ s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate ” .
What happened to “ the American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice ” ?
The hypocrisy is staggering .
McConnell attempted to justify the unjustifiable on a specious argument that in 2016 the Senate majority had been elected “ to check and balance ” a president in his second term .
Perhaps the most egregious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee who will oversee any confirmation hearing .
In 2016 he could not have been clearer : “ I want you to use my words against me .
If there ’ s a Republican president in 2016 and a vacancy occurs in the last year of the first term , you can say Lindsey Graham said , ‘ Let ’ s let the next president , whoever it might be , make that nomination ’ .
” On Saturday Graham tweeted that he will support President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward regarding the recent vacancy created by the passing of Justice Ginsburg ” .
These politicians have no shame .
There is already talk that if Trump ’ s nomination is successful , but the Democrats win the presidency and control of the Senate , they will retaliate by expanding the number of Supreme Court justices , “ stacking ” the court in their favour .
The sad reality is that US politics are now toxic .
There is no room for compromise or co-operation .
There are no mistruths that can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can not be broken to achieve partisan political goals .
But there is a high price to pay for such behaviour .
According to the pollster Gallup , confidence in the US Congress has declined from 42 % in 1973 to just 13 % in 2020 .
Democracy is in trouble when citizens hold their politicians in such contempt .
There are lessons here for politicians in liberal democracies like Australia .
They must resist the temptation to follow the path taken by their American counterparts .
They must not sacrifice their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter .
Australian politicians have never been saints .
But there is evidence that their standards are slipping .
In the lead-up to the 2016 federal election , the Australian Labor Party ran what came to be known as the “ Mediscare ” campaign .
This was intended to scare voters off voting for the Coalition by making them believe that the Coalition would somehow “ privatise ” the Medicare system .
The campaign was unquestionably dishonest .
The Coalition expressed outrage over Mediscare in the 2016 election .
But rather than retain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , it chose instead to take Labor ’ s low road .
The result was the “ death tax ” scare campaign .
This was intended to scare voters off voting for the ALP by making them believe that an ALP government would bring in an inheritance tax .
Like Mediscare , the Coalition ’ s death tax campaign was fundamentally dishonest .
The politicians behind both those campaigns knew exactly what they were doing .
For them , the ends justified the means .
This is what “ win at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have no shame .
Former Queensland judge Tony Fitzgerald describes them as “ ‘ whatever it takes ’ politicians driven by self-interest and ideology ” .
It must be obvious to Australia ’ s major political parties that US politics are deeply flawed ; that hyper-partisanship and the absence of a moral compass are inconsistent with a healthy democracy .
We can only hope that they have the good sense to take a different path .

How low can American politics go? We’re about to find out.
Last Friday the inimitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg finally lost her long struggle with cancer. And immediately, the tributes to her brilliant career were drowned out by the clamour of politicians squabbling over the process of appointing her replacement to the US Supreme Court.
On paper at least, the process is straightforward. The president nominates a candidate for the vacancy, the Senate investigates the candidate, and then the Senate votes (by simple majority) on the confirmation of the candidate.


crikey--2020-09-22--Decoding the government’s energy-speak. Does the blather ring true?

The PM 's messaging is very carefully cobbled together , but experts say it comes dangerously close to misinformation .
@ @ @ @ @ emissions road map is built on a lot of assumptions .
Scott Morrison and Angus @ @ @ @ @ about gas and `` emerging technologies '' that allows them to avoid talking about renewables @ @ @ @ @ are a whole lot of claims experts say come dangerously close to misinformation .
“ @ @ @ @ @ language very carefully in ways that if you pull it apart it is technically correct @ @ @ @ @ , ” the Grattan Institute ’ s Tony Wood says .

The government’s new emissions road map is built on a lot of assumptions. Scott Morrison and Angus Taylor have woven a narrative about gas and “emerging technologies” that allows them to avoid talking about renewables.
But underlying this narrative are a whole lot of claims experts say come dangerously close to misinformation.
“[Morrison] is using language very carefully in ways that if you pull it apart it is technically correct but creates a misleading impression,” the Grattan Institute’s Tony Wood says.


crikey--2020-09-22--What ScoMo means by ‘transition’: a quick guide to climate change spin

The prime minister 's words promoting fossil fuels are loaded with meaning — they just do n't mean what they @ @ @ @ @ very much at home spinning the story for the fossil-fuel industry , with phrases like @ @ @ @ @ `` transition fuel '' leading his government 's messaging to sell the case for gas @ @ @ @ @ '' is rich in the promise of better days to come .
For a government @ @ @ @ @ the messaging speaks of a commitment to change -- the idea that `` we 've @ @ @ @ @ 're acting '' .
At the same time `` transition '' is utterly meaningless if @ @ @ @ @ long it will take to get where we 're going -- or even where the @ @ @

Scott Morrison is very much at home spinning the story for the fossil-fuel industry, with phrases like “gas-led recovery” and “transition fuel” leading his government’s messaging to sell the case for gas.
The term “transition” is rich in the promise of better days to come. For a government wrenched away from coal, the messaging speaks of a commitment to change — the idea that “we’ve heard your concerns and we’re acting”.
At the same time “transition” is utterly meaningless if you don’t know how long it will take to get where we’re going — or even where the destination is.


crikey--2020-09-22--Infrastructure or infra dig? It’s time to get politicians out of building

Infrastructure spending decisions are too important to be left to politicians .
We need the infrastructure equivalent of an independent @ @ @ @ @ now well into budget-drop season , and infrastructure spending is being heavily touted as a @ @ @ @ @ to recovery .
Or , as Michael Pascoe correctly notes , infrastructure spending announcements are @ @ @ @ @ not actually mean any more spending .
The economic benefits of any mooted budget increase @ @ @ @ @ to be undermined by one of the perennial problems of Australian politics : National Party @ @ @ @ @ and rorting .
Total government spending on infrastructure -- by all levels of government , @ @ @ @ @ has fallen by around 15 % over the past two years , despite major projects @ @ @ @ @ Melbourne .
An increase of investment back to 2018 levels would see an additional $ @ @ @ @ @ into the economy nationally .
That 's the least the government could do in the @ @

We’re now well into budget-drop season, and infrastructure spending is being heavily touted as a key element in our road to recovery. Or, as Michael Pascoe correctly notes, infrastructure spending announcements are being touted but this may not actually mean any more spending.
The economic benefits of any mooted budget increase in infrastructure funding are likely to be undermined by one of the perennial problems of Australian politics: National Party pork-barrelling, favours for mates and rorting.
Total government spending on infrastructure — by all levels of government, not just the Commonwealth — has fallen by around 15% over the past two years, despite major projects going ahead in Sydney and Melbourne. An increase of investment back to 2018 levels would see an additional $15 billion a quarter injected into the economy nationally. That’s the least the government could do in the budget.


crikey--2020-09-22--Why did taxpayers buy land for 10 times what it was worth from a Coalition donor?

An ANAO report has found Infrastructure Department officials were misleading and unethical when buying land that resulted in a 1000 @ @ @ @ @ donor .
In 2018 the Department of Infrastructure paid 10 times the appropriate amount for @ @ @ @ @ the proposed Western Sydney Airport , providing a windfall to a significant Coalition donor .
@ @ @ @ @ unethically when the Australian National Audit Office ( ANAO ) investigated the matter .
It @ @ @ @ @ ANAO 's remarkable report on the scandal why exactly this happened .
What is somewhat @ @ @ @ @ the process .

In 2018 the Department of Infrastructure paid 10 times the appropriate amount for a triangle of land near the proposed Western Sydney Airport, providing a windfall to a significant Coalition donor.
The government department then behaved unethically when the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) investigated the matter.
It’s not clear from the ANAO’s remarkable report on the scandal why exactly this happened. What is somewhat clearer is the how of the process.


crikey--2020-09-23--From sovereign citizens to QAnon: private messaging apps attract mixed bag of lockdown protesters

Anti-lockdown protest organisers have started using encrypted apps such as Telegram to spread the word .
We took a peek @ @ @ @ @ unhappy with the fact that anti-lockdown protesters used his iconic anthem `` You ’ re @ @ @ @ @ part of a demonstration over the weekend , but the protesters and their online brethren @ @ @ @ @ busy giving voice to all kinds of things , with debate about the Victorian lockdown @ @ @ @ @ .
Organisers of the protests have also started to use encrypted messaging apps such as @ @ @ @ @ .
Far-left and far-right groups are increasingly migrating to forums such as Telegram so their @ @ @ @ @ outsiders .
These encrypted applications ensure some degree of anonymity , so they can organise @ @ @ @ @ from the police .

John Farnham is unhappy with the fact that anti-lockdown protesters used his iconic anthem “You’re the Voice” as a part of a demonstration over the weekend, but the protesters and their online brethren seem unconcerned.
They are busy giving voice to all kinds of things, with debate about the Victorian lockdown continuing on Facebook and Twitter. Organisers of the protests have also started to use encrypted messaging apps such as Telegram to spread the word.
Far-left and far-right groups are increasingly migrating to forums such as Telegram so their conversations are less visible to outsiders. These encrypted applications ensure some degree of anonymity, so they can organise their activities without premature intervention from the police.


crikey--2020-09-23--As farms run out of fruit and veg pickers, soaring prices and shortages loom

Migrant workers are the backbone of the industry but the pandemic has put paid to them coming into the country @ @ @ @ @ worried for months .
As the summer fruit-picking season looms , closed borders and travel @ @ @ @ @ sector , which depends heavily on seasonal , migrant labour , will really struggle .
@ @ @ @ @ summer with fewer Australian fruit and vegetables on supermarket shelves .
Consumers paying more for @ @ @ @ @ are finally confronting the crisis -- proposals to send refugees and school leavers to farms @ @ @ @ @ sides of the aisle -- it could all be too little too late .
It @ @ @ @ @ sector ca n't function without migrant workers -- a mix of working holiday visa makers @ @ @ @ @ ) and undocumented labourers -- but the pandemic stopped them coming .

Farmers have been getting worried for months. As the summer fruit-picking season looms, closed borders and travel restrictions mean Australia’s horticulture sector, which depends heavily on seasonal, migrant labour, will really struggle.
And that will mean a summer with fewer Australian fruit and vegetables on supermarket shelves. Consumers paying more for less. And although politicians are finally confronting the crisis — proposals to send refugees and school leavers to farms have gotten traction on both sides of the aisle — it could all be too little too late.
Higher prices, less produce
It’s no secret the horticulture sector can’t function without migrant workers — a mix of working holiday visa makers (often backpackers from Europe) and undocumented labourers — but the pandemic stopped them coming.


crikey--2020-09-23--Is the public being served? Auditor reveals a grim picture of widespread bureaucratic failure

When put together , the ANAO 's last five years of audits reveal massive failures across the public service .
@ @ @ @ @ Grant Hehir and his agenda to expand the scope of Australian National Audit Office ( @ @ @ @ @ 've accumulated a detailed picture of program and policy administration by the Commonwealth public service @ @ @ @ @ staff .
And it is n't pretty .
This week has revealed the department 's @ @ @ @ @ a Coalition donor in the purchase of land at Western Sydney Airport ; earlier this @ @ @ @ @ us the sports rorts scandal , which ended up costing another National MP their ministry @ @ @ @ @ head Phil Gaetjens .
But they 're only two of more run-of-the-mill scandals unearthed by @ @ @ @ @ 2015 , the ANAO has exposed deep flaws in the public service , over and @ @

After five years under Auditor-General Grant Hehir and his agenda to expand the scope of Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) activity, we’ve accumulated a detailed picture of program and policy administration by the Commonwealth public service, its ministers and their staff. And it isn’t pretty.
This week has revealed the department’s bizarre 1000% mark-up for a Coalition donor in the purchase of land at Western Sydney Airport; earlier this year, the ANAO gave us the sports rorts scandal, which ended up costing another National MP their ministry and discredited Liberal-staffer-turned-PM&C head Phil Gaetjens.


crikey--2020-09-23--Money for gas: Morrison’s new gas plant could hand money to ICAC’d donors

A cashed-up property developer with ties to the Coalition stands to win from the government ’ s much-lauded gas plan @ @ @ @ @ who famously told the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption ( ICAC ) he felt like @ @ @ @ @ for politicians stands to win from the government ’ s much-lauded gas plan .
Jeff @ @ @ @ @ mayor of Newcastle who popped up last week as being the only stakeholder pushing NSW @ @ @ @ @ blow up his own government over koala protections , is the joint owner of land @ @ @ @ @ Energy Minister Angus Taylor as the potential site of a new gas plant .
Taylor @ @ @ @ @ week to build a gas generator in Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley “ should @ @ @ @ @ consumers need ” when AGL 's Liddell plant closes in 2023 .
The government is @ @ @ @ @ of the old Kurri Kurri aluminium smelter , which was purchased by McCloy and fellow @ @ @ @ @ .

A cashed-up property developer who famously told the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) he felt like a “walking ATM” for politicians stands to win from the government’s much-lauded gas plan.
Jeff McCloy, the controversial former mayor of Newcastle who popped up last week as being the only stakeholder pushing NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro to blow up his own government over koala protections, is the joint owner of land flagged by Scott Morrison and Energy Minister Angus Taylor as the potential site of a new gas plant.
Taylor and Morrison announced plans last week to build a gas generator in Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley “should the market not deliver what consumers need” when AGL’s Liddell plant closes in 2023. The government is reportedly scoping out the site of the old Kurri Kurri aluminium smelter, which was purchased by McCloy and fellow developer John Stevens in January.


crikey--2020-09-23--Performing arts lose their starring role as university cuts start to bite

Monash 's reputation as a leading light in theatre and music is in jeopardy as a lack of funding forces @ @ @ @ @ 's legacy as a national leader in performing arts could be in jeopardy : key @ @ @ @ @ are set to end because of job cuts .
Last week academics at the university @ @ @ @ @ Performance ( CTP ) discovered it was closing -- a major blow to Melbourne 's @ @ @ @ @ will also disestablish courses in musicology and ethnomusicology .
Monash is ranked 20th in the @ @ @ @ @ and has long been regarded as a pioneer for musicology in Australia .
But as @ @ @ @ @ job cuts by a collapse in international student numbers and a lack of government support @ @ @ @ @ lost .

Monash University’s legacy as a national leader in performing arts could be in jeopardy: key programs in theatre and music are set to end because of job cuts.
Last week academics at the university’s Centre for Theatre and Performance (CTP) discovered it was closing — a major blow to Melbourne’s performing scene. The university will also disestablish courses in musicology and ethnomusicology.
Monash is ranked 20th in the world for performing arts, and has long been regarded as a pioneer for musicology in Australia. But as it is forced into difficult job cuts by a collapse in international student numbers and a lack of government support, that reputation could be lost.


crikey--2020-09-23--A policy of the fossil fuel companies, by the fossil fuel companies, for the fossil fuel companies

The government 's energy policy has been written by fossil fuel companies , to promote the scams of the fossil fuel companies , with taxpayers handing money to fossil fuel companies .
We ’ ve reported it before , but there ’ s no reason to stop reporting it if they continue to offer up evidence for it : the Morrison government is a clutch of climate denialists eager to reward its major donors in the resources sector as much as it possibly can without incurring political damage .
Its “ Low Emissions Technology Statement ” and its commitment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been crafted with that goal in mind .
All the chin-stroking commentary from the Press Gallery about how the government has abandoned coal won ’ t change that .
The statement was literally written by fossil fuel company executives : the panellists who advised on the statement include former Origin CEO and former head of the climate denialist Business Council , Grant King ; and the CEO of the Gas Infrastructure Group , Ben Wilson , along with another BCA director , Coca-Cola ’ s Alison Watkins , who is also a director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has hosted climate sceptics .
The statement itself is aimless : it offers no hard targets of any kind .
The real purpose is the promotion of carbon capture and storage , a repeatedly debunked myth peddled by fossil fuel companies , to the status of a foundational goal of Australian energy policy .
There it is on page five : the four “ Big Technology Challenges ” guiding the statement are “ more affordable , clean and reliable energy to households and industry ” , “ expanding production and increasing productivity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturing of energy-intensive products ” and “ scaling geological and biological sequestration ” .
They may as well have included giant orbital sunshields as the fifth challenge , for all that sequestration will ever be a workable climate strategy .
Even the statement admits , quietly , that carbon capture and storage doesn ’ t work unless you have a pure stream of carbon dioxide to easily bottle and store .
There ’ s a “ stretch goal ” of $ 20 per-tonne of CO2 for this , but that “ does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of capture technologies varies between applications and depends on factors such as the relative concentration of CO2 produced by an industrial process ” .
Even so , the government intends multiple mechanisms for handing taxpayer funding to fossil fuel companies in the name of CCS .
There will be a “ King Review Co-Investment Fund ” — reflecting that a review of the government ’ s discredited Emissions Reduction Fund run by King and another fossil fuel industry executive , which recommended the fund embrace CCS , a “ CCS Deployment Fund ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund methods to support CCS and soil carbon within 12 months ” .
Soil carbon — or , more correctly , “ soil magic ” , The Guardian ’ s Lenore Taylor ’ s term — is another scam that has seen huge amounts of taxpayer money directed to companies undertaking projects they would have undertaken anyway , and farmers claiming that they can permanently store carbon despite no evidence they can do so .
Unsurprisingly , Australia ’ s emissions surged the Abbott government abolished the carbon pricing scheme and established the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the government will not merely need to remove the legislative limitation on the independent Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency that limits them to renewable and other forms of clean energy .
It also promises it will force them to invest in non-renewables and scams like CCS and soil carbon .
Angus Taylor ’ s plan promises the government will be “ requiring key agencies ( ARENA , CEFC and the CER ) to focus on accelerating the priority technologies ” .
That ’ s more or less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ energy ” plan written by fossil fuel executives elevates fossil fuel industry scams to the foundation of Australian energy policy , with a government commitment to force independent renewable energy investment and program administration bodies to waste money of them , to the benefit of fossil fuel companies .
There ’ s probably a simpler word for it : fraud .
And it comes at the expense not merely of taxpayers but of the generations to come who will suffer from our climate denialism .

We’ve reported it before, but there’s no reason to stop reporting it if they continue to offer up evidence for it: the Morrison government is a clutch of climate denialists eager to reward its major donors in the resources sector as much as it possibly can without incurring political damage.
Its “Low Emissions Technology Statement” and its commitment of $1.9 billion to support it has been crafted with that goal in mind. All the chin-stroking commentary from the Press Gallery about how the government has abandoned coal won’t change that.


crikey--2020-09-23--Remember when fibre to the home was evil? A decade on, Liberals eat their words

The Coalition has spent the past decade denigrating Kevin Rudd 's plan for faster internet .
Today , they 're enacting it .
It ’ s a backflip more than a decade in the making .
Today , Communications Minister Paul Fletcher unveiled the Coalition ’ s big new plan to bring high-speed fibre-to-the-home internet to 2 million households around the country .
You could almost see Kevin Rudd ’ s face reddening .
In 2009 the then-prime minister proposed a plan in which fibre-optic cables would run straight to people ’ s homes , delivering super-fast internet .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan as a costly white elephant — yet another sign of Labor ’ s extravagant fiscal profligacy .
Then , after winning the 2013 election , they swiftly ditched Labor ’ s plan for a multi-technology mix , which saved money but delivered slower internet .
Then the pandemic hit , everyone started working from home , and Australia ’ s internet infrastructure looked pretty inadequate .
Now that the Coalition is finally realising Rudd ’ s plan , it ’ s worth having a look at what the Liberals have said about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Coalition ’ s attacks on the NBN were driven by Abbott — a notorious luddite — who , in 2010 , ordered then-communications minister Malcolm Turnbull to “ demolish ” it .
Abbott , the two-fingered typer , couldn ’ t understand why Labor would spend taxpayers ’ money on a “ video entertainment system ” .
That quote comes from this 2010 press conference where he and Turnbull chuckled at the prospect of people watching things on the internet .
In 2012 , he said the NBN was “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen ” .
It was far more important , he said , to get the Pacific Highway duplicated .
In a simpler time , a more loyal Turnbull relished his role as Abbott ’ s NBN attack dog .
In 2010 , he said Australians just didn ’ t want the internet speeds that 100Mbps fibre to the home would deliver .
A decade on , Fletcher ’ s fibre-to-the-home pivot will be based on household demand .
Like Abbott , Turnbull ’ s attacks focused on the supposedly obscene cost of fibre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ [ it ’ s ] like saying to a builder , just build me a big house , I don ’ t need a quote , I don ’ t need a contract ” .
After the election , Turnbull was tasked with junking fibre to the home .
Before getting the results of a key review into the NBN , he proceeded with a pivot to a multiple technology mix .
None of this , of course , stopped Turnbull from ensuring his Point Piper mansion had internet speeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the backflip and a former Optus executive , also had some choice words about fibre to the home .
In 2012 , he argued that Labor ’ s plan would “ entrench a digital divide ” and that a fibre-to-the-node system could still deliver a “ fast and rich internet experience ” .
In 2015 , he praised Turnbull ’ s “ fact-based approach ” to the NBN , and said that a multi-technology mix was “ the best way to deliver high speeds ” .
His predecessor , Mitch Fifield , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year he argued that the Coalition had taken over a failing Labor project and actually delivered better internet speeds .
And earlier this year , as Kevin Rudd started firing potshots at the Coalition over the NBN , Fletcher hit back .
“ Labor ’ s plan for the NBN was fanciful — and Labor ’ s implementation of it was hopeless , ” he wrote in an AFR op-ed .
“ The NBN has come through just when our nation needed it most , ” he declared .

It’s a backflip more than a decade in the making. Today, Communications Minister Paul Fletcher unveiled the Coalition’s big new plan to bring high-speed fibre-to-the-home internet to 2 million households around the country.
You could almost see Kevin Rudd’s face reddening. In 2009 the then-prime minister proposed a plan in which fibre-optic cables would run straight to people’s homes, delivering super-fast internet. For three years, the Coalition savaged that plan as a costly white elephant — yet another sign of Labor’s extravagant fiscal profligacy.


crikey--2020-09-24--Is the public being served? Stonewalling bureaucrats and their battle against the auditors

When public servants decide to resist scrutiny by the Australian National Audit Office , the only thing they need to worry about is public shaming or a parliamentary committee .
While the Australian National Audit Office ( ANAO ) has methodically exposed major and often systemic flaws in administration within the public service , there 's been a growing bureaucratic resistance to its scrutiny .
The resistance has been led by one of the public service 's most senior figures , Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo , whose portfolio has been repeatedly humiliated by the exposure of major failings by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the botched handling of the return to offshore processing under Labor , well before his arrival in the job , but most subsequent .
Departments are asked to respond to audits and their recommendations ; agreeing to recommendations represents , in effect , a commitment to parliament by the government that the recommended action will be undertaken .
Despite Home Affairs , in its various iterations , agreeing to nearly all of the recommendations made by the ANAO in its string of scathing audits , Pezzullo has repeatedly attacked the ANAO .

While the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has methodically exposed major and often systemic flaws in administration within the public service, there’s been a growing bureaucratic resistance to its scrutiny.
The resistance has been led by one of the public service’s most senior figures, Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo, whose portfolio has been repeatedly humiliated by the exposure of major failings by the ANAO — some of them, like the botched handling of the return to offshore processing under Labor, well before his arrival in the job, but most subsequent.
Departments are asked to respond to audits and their recommendations; agreeing to recommendations represents, in effect, a commitment to parliament by the government that the recommended action will be undertaken. Despite Home Affairs, in its various iterations, agreeing to nearly all of the recommendations made by the ANAO in its string of scathing audits, Pezzullo has repeatedly attacked the ANAO.


crikey--2020-09-24--Alan Tudge’s criminal act just one more example of Morrison government’s hubris

The acting immigration minister should be sacked for 'disgraceful ' and 'unlawful ' behaviour — but he wo n't be , of course .
The full extent of the “ conservative ” Morrison government ’ s respect for the rule of law and its honouring of the fundamental human right to freedom from arbitrary detention is now laid out for open view .
PDWL is an Afghan refugee who applied for a protection visa in 2016 .
In December 2019 the immigration minister , David Coleman , refused him on the ground that he had a criminal conviction .
Shortly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still , mysteriously , going .
The acting minister since has been Alan Tudge .
On March 11 this year , the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ( AAT ) upheld PDWL ’ s appeal and ordered that he be given a protection visa and immediately released from immigration detention .
He was not released but , on the same day , Tudge filed Federal Court proceedings challenging the AAT decision .
The new case came before Justice Melissa Perry in the Federal Court on March 12 .
She asked why PDWL was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by affidavit — sworn by an immigration officer with actual knowledge — the reasons by March 16 .
On March 16 his lawyers filed an application for his release , which was heard by Justice Michael Wigney on March 17 .
Wigney ordered PDWL be released immediately , noting that to him it had become “ readily apparent … that PDWL was not released from immigration detention simply because the minister did not like the tribunal ’ s decision ” .
On March 16 the department had filed an affidavit by an in-house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who swore that she knew why PDWL had not been released but she could not reveal the reasons because of legal professional privilege .
Wigney called bullshit on this sophistry , rightly , concluding that “ the conduct of the minister in this case , on just about any view , has been disgraceful … [ He ] appears to have willingly and flagrantly failed to comply with the orders made by Perry J.
” With that bollocking Tudge ’ s department finally released PDWL from detention — after a week during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in disregard of orders from the AAT and two Federal Court judges .
Fast-forward to September and the determination by yet another Federal Court judge , Justice Geoffrey Flick , of the minister ’ s ultimate appeal against the AAT ’ s protection visa decision .
Flick ruled that the AAT had got the law wrong and the minister should succeed .
However — and it ’ s a big however — as Flick explained , the grant of orders on judicial review is discretionary .
It is extremely rare for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the applicant has behaved disgracefully , but that is exactly what Tudge had done in this case and , consequently , he should be denied the court ’ s help .
Flick did not hold back , and paragraph 74 of his judgment deserves ( almost ) full republication : The minister can not place himself above the law and , at the same time , necessarily expect that this court will grant discretionary relief .
The minister has acted unlawfully .
His actions have unlawfully deprived a person of his liberty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and potentially criminal sanctions , not limited to a proceeding for contempt .
In the absence of explanation , the minister has engaged in conduct which can only be described as criminal .
He has intentionally and without lawful authority been responsible for depriving a person of his liberty .
Whether or not further proceedings are to be instituted is not a matter of present concern .
The duty judge in the present proceeding was quite correct to describe the minister ’ s conduct as “ disgraceful ” .
Such conduct by this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented .
Any deference to decisions made by ministers by reason of their accountability to parliament and ultimately the electorate assumes but little relevance in the present case .
Ministerial “ responsibility ” , with respect , can not embrace unlawful conduct intentionally engaged in by a minister who seeks to place himself above the law .
Although unlawful conduct on the part of a litigant does not necessarily dictate the refusal of relief , on the facts of the present case the minister ’ s conduct warrants the refusal of relief .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immigration Department believed the AAT ’ s decision to be wrong ( as indeed it was ) and that it would be overturned on appeal .
It then assumed for itself a power that nobody has : to ignore a court ’ s or tribunal ’ s decision with which it did not agree .
The AAT ’ s ruling had the full force of law behind it .
Tudge had no choice , in accordance with the rule of law , but to comply with it .
Its terms required immediate compliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fair to conclude as Flick strongly hinted that Tudge has committed several contempts of court ; that he will be liable to a civil claim for damages for wrongful imprisonment by PDWL ; that he has committed a crime ( something along the lines of kidnapping and assault ) .
It feels weird to read and say such words about a serving minister of the Commonwealth government — surreal .
The Morrison government has become accustomed to ruling by arrogant lawlessness .
This incident exemplifies its absolute disregard for the rules that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blithely expect .
It ’ s hardly , sadly , exceptional .
Tudge should , of course , resign or be sacked for this disgrace .
Neither of those things , of course , will happen .

The full extent of the “conservative” Morrison government’s respect for the rule of law and its honouring of the fundamental human right to freedom from arbitrary detention is now laid out for open view.
PDWL is an Afghan refugee who applied for a protection visa in 2016. In December 2019 the immigration minister, David Coleman, refused him on the ground that he had a criminal conviction. Shortly after this Coleman went on leave which is still, mysteriously, going. The acting minister since has been Alan Tudge.
On March 11 this year, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) upheld PDWL’s appeal and ordered that he be given a protection visa and immediately released from immigration detention. He was not released but, on the same day, Tudge filed Federal Court proceedings challenging the AAT decision.


crikey--2020-09-24--Calls for aged care royal commission to investigate ‘jobs for the boys’ Mable contract

There are crossbench calls for the aged care royal commission to examine controversial work provider app Mable following revelations from @ @ @ @ @ Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck has given his in-principle support for the Royal @ @ @ @ @ and Safety to examine government aged care tenders , following Inq 's revelations that a @ @ @ @ @ open tender to the Mable workforce platform .
Mable Technologies Ltd is backed by a @ @ @ @ @ including Liberal party members and donors .
It was awarded a $ 5.8 million contract @ @ @ @ @ staff for COVID-affected aged care homes but was initially unable to provide the staff required @ @ @ @ @ has been established with very broad terms of reference to enable it to look at @ @ @ @ @ care sector , '' a spokesperson said .
`` In principle , Minister Colbeck supports @ @ @ @ @ of tenders . ''

Federal Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck has given his in-principle support for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety to examine government aged care tenders, following Inq’s revelations that a multimillion-dollar contract was awarded without open tender to the Mable workforce platform.
Mable Technologies Ltd is backed by a powerful network of investors, including Liberal party members and donors. It was awarded a $5.8 million contract in April to help provide staff for COVID-affected aged care homes but was initially unable to provide the staff required.


crikey--2020-09-24--Melbourne mayoral race may see a new era of donation disclosure, if it’s allowed

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp is in a strong position for reelection — but how she deals with disclosing campaign @ @ @ @ @ .
Timely disclosure of political campaign financing in Australia remains a long way off at @ @ @ @ @ many of the states aren ’ t much better .
As for councils , it @ @ @ @ @ to have any visibility on who is funding the campaigns of councillor candidates before they @ @ @ @ @ something different is happening in the City of Melbourne elections , following on from a @ @ @ @ @ disclosure first tried at Melbourne town Hall in the 2016 elections .

Timely disclosure of political campaign financing in Australia remains a long way off at the federal level, and many of the states aren’t much better.
As for councils, it is rare indeed for ratepayers to have any visibility on who is funding the campaigns of councillor candidates before
they cast their votes.
But something different is happening in the City of Melbourne elections, following on from a pioneering experiment in voluntary early disclosure first tried at Melbourne town Hall in the 2016 elections.


crikey--2020-09-24--Forget the lobbying. It’s the spin that wins on climate, report finds

When it comes to impacting Australia 's climate wars , little can stand up to the fossil fuel industry 's @ @ @ @ @ s fossil fuel industry is relying more on public spin campaigns than traditional lobbying tactics @ @ @ @ @ policy , a UK environmental think tank argues .
These tactics focus on influencing public @ @ @ @ @ agenda rather than direct engagement with policymakers .
InfluenceMap , which is funded by environmental @ @ @ @ @ the Minerals Council of Australia had the biggest negative influence on Australian climate-related policy .

Australia’s fossil fuel industry is relying more on public spin campaigns than traditional lobbying tactics to deliberately undermine climate change policy, a UK environmental think tank argues.
These tactics focus on influencing public opinion and the broader political agenda rather than direct engagement with policymakers.


crikey--2020-09-24--Cranky Keating swings at the Reserve Bank — and misses

The economy now depends on how much fiscal stimulus the government is going to provide .
The Reserve Bank has only a limited role to play , despite an extraordinary swipe from Paul Keating .
When Paul Keating delivers a spray to the Reserve Bank ( RBA ) and accuses it of indolence in supporting the economy in the middle of a recession , it ’ s a serious moment in policy debate .
As treasurer , Keating saw first hand the role monetary policy can play in sending an economy into recession .
As prime minister , he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of economy recovery .
So his serve at Philip Lowe and deputy governor Guy Debelle , carried across all major newspapers , comes loaded with history and experience .
Except he ’ s got it wrong — and perversely so .
“ Monetary policy can now no longer add to nominal demand , ” Keating says , “ something that now only fiscal policy is capable of doing.
” He ’ s dead right — further stimulus is now a matter for the government and its fiscal plans , not the RBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words to belting the bank because it is “ way behind the curve in supporting the government in its budgetary funding measures ” .
That ’ s despite , as he admits , the RBA “ showing some unlikely form in pursuing its 0.25 % bond yield target for three-year Treasury bonds and a low-interest facility for banks ” .
The three-year bond rate of 0.25 % target reinforces what was already the case before the pandemic : the government doesn ’ t have to worry about the cost of borrowing in devising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josh Frydenberg and Scott Morrison are already in the process of delivering more than $ 200 billion in deficit spending into the economy ; they haven ’ t been sitting in ERC sweating over spending decisions based on whether the three-year bond rate is 0.25 % or 0.1 % .
As Debelle said in his Tuesday speech that incurred Keating ’ s wrath : “ The current level of government bond rates is not a constraint on the fiscal decisions of the Australian and state governments … There is not , in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting the Australian economy in the current circumstance.
” How much support the government provides to demand is simply a political decision — as Keating knows better than anyone else — and nothing to do with the RBA .
The latter could start buying bonds straight from Treasury and push the bond rate to whatever level it likes , it won ’ t change the amount of fiscal support .
And the RBA is already going hard to support the government elsewhere , as Debelle pointed out , increasing the size of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 170 billion in February to $ 300 billion now , in addition to cutting the cash rate to 0.25 % .
The key support has been via the bank ’ s term lending facility ( TLF ) to protect bank lending to businesses , originally set at $ 84 billion when the bank moved rapidly to support the economy on March 19 .
That ’ s since been boosted to $ 200 billion , with the cut-off extended to June 30 next year because the bank saw rising demand and the need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support banks and companies .
According to Debelle , around $ 75 billion had been lent to banks under the TLF .
Debelle noted that the banks have used the TLF funding to replace offshore wholesale funding while leaving their domestic wholesale funding unchanged .
That has made the Australian financial system more secure against a financial crisis developing in the US , Europe or elsewhere as second and third waves of the pandemic threaten to shut down major economies or prolong the global recession .
That speech had other impacts .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered , Debelle prompted speculation the RBA would cut the cash rate to 0.1 % at its October or November meeting .
That sent the dollar back down toward US $ 0.70 cents , helping exporters .
Debelle also repeated what Lowe has been saying for some time : the recession is all about demand .
While the virus is having an effect , “ So too is the shortfall in demand that occurs in recessionary conditions .
That shortfall in demand will be a significant brake on the recovery .
Until households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and income , they will be reluctant to spend and invest.
” In fact the RBA has been consistent on this broader theme for more than a year .
From long before anyone had even heard of COVID-19 it reacted to persistent stagnation in the economy by calling for the government to provide more fiscal support for demand — calls that , until the pandemic was shuttering the economy , the government ignored .
It ’ s strange of Keating to miss a chance to belt the Coalition ’ s economic management , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on giving the central bank an uppercut instead .
Keating also insists he ’ s the true author of central bank independence , particularly because he was the first PM to suffer from the bank putting rates up to fight inflation .
“ Peter Costello ’ s letter later about so-called independence was simply a costless acknowledgment of a structural change that I had already set into place , ” he says — a peculiar comment from the man who famously declared he had the RBA in his back pocket .
He might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s failures in the early 1990s recession .
But Keating ’ s well wide of the mark about the 2020 version .

When Paul Keating delivers a spray to the Reserve Bank (RBA) and accuses it of indolence in supporting the economy in the middle of a recession, it’s a serious moment in policy debate.
As treasurer, Keating saw first hand the role monetary policy can play in sending an economy into recession. As prime minister, he had to watch the RBA put fighting inflation ahead of economy recovery. So his serve at Philip Lowe and deputy governor Guy Debelle, carried across all major newspapers, comes loaded with history and experience.
Except he’s got it wrong — and perversely so.


crikey--2020-09-24--Minister’s ‘criminal’ act just one more example of Morrison government’s hubris


crikey--2020-09-24--Minister supports calls for aged care royal commission to investigate Mable contract

There have been crossbench calls for the royal commission to examine the government 's tender process for controversial work provider @ @ @ @ @ the aged care minister has given his in-principle support .
Federal Minister for Aged Care @ @ @ @ @ has given his in-principle support for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety @ @ @ @ @ tenders , following Inq 's revelations that a multimillion-dollar contract was awarded without open tender @ @ @ @ @ .
Mable Technologies Ltd is backed by a powerful network of investors , including Liberal @ @ @ @ @ It was awarded a $ 5.8 million contract in April to help provide staff for @ @ @ @ @ was initially unable to provide the staff required .
`` The royal commission has been @ @ @ @ @ of reference to enable it to look at all aspects of the aged care sector @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In principle , Minister Colbeck supports its consideration of the management of tenders @ @


crikey--2020-09-28--Vale Susan Ryan, a forgiving politician

Vale Susan Ryan, a forgiving politician

It is difficult to exaggerate the significance of the movements , legislation and offices shaped or led by the late Susan Maree Ryan .
It is difficult to exaggerate the significance of the movements , legislation and offices shaped or led by the late Susan Maree Ryan .
She made unmatched contributions to the improvement of the lives of a great diversity of Australians , especially women and the aged , to the education of Australians at primary , secondary and tertiary educational institutions , and to the creation of sustainable self-funded retirements for all those availing themselves of superannuation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 came as a thunderous shock to all those close to her .
I for one spoke to her on the morning of September 25 shortly before the medical incident that led to her death .
We were finalising arrangements for dinner together with her partner Rory Sutton on September 26 .
That never happened .
The outpouring of tributes to Susan are records of just what she committed to and achieved .
She changed the life prospects of generations of Australians .
But the praise and commendations were as lavish and extensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not the account of her life that you got from Susan herself .
She was of course pleased and proud to be part of groups and events that brought about the changes she advocated .
And she never played down the significance or the scale of the changes she ambitioned to deliver .
But Susan ’ s eye was always on the next challenge and the next hurdle , not the recent triumph or defeat nor on celebrating the current achievement .
And she was a brutal realist about what it took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space .
I remember her telling me some decades ago when we were trying to effect a change and deliver some beneficial effect that required the constructive contribution of others who failed to deliver .
“ Comrade , ” Susan told me , “ always remember that if you want to get something done , you will end up having to do it yourself !
” Susan was never involved with anything that was just about Susan .
Her purpose always was to transcend current limitations and overcome the current constraints that impaired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a larger number of people .
But achieving the outcome was always about having a view about what needed to be dome that went a long way beyond the horizon that self-interest suggested .
Just look at the effects of her enduring policy commitments — from equity in education to her most recent priority of finding affordable housing for poor people .
Susan was in so many ways the finest flower of the Catholic passion for social equity .
She imbibed it with her mother ’ s milk and never let its nourishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found most touching and edifying ( in the properly spiritual sense of the word : it was uplifting and enhancing ) about Susan ’ s passionate commitments was the way in which she handled opposition , frustration and at times defeat .
Politics was her chosen field and the Australian Labor Party was her chosen platform .
Politics in general and the Labor Party in particular are nothing if not also magnets for hatred .
The ALP breeds haters and they can do their damage in spreading what is a social disease that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Susan would have nothing of it .
She was no hippy of the ‘ 60s and ‘ 70s but she refused to be caught in the vortex of hate .
And where that was most evident was in the way she dealt with people who had done everything to thwart her purposes in the endless struggles of Labor Party factions and personalities .
For people who had done their best to hurt and impede her , all Susan could do was park her anger , look forward and take the next step as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Susan was — in ways I had never seen in the ALP or elsewhere — nothing if not a forgiving soul whose generosity extended even to enemies .
Susan was an intensely proud Irish Australian .
I expect the Irish component will feature substantially in her funeral when we organize it .
And her Catholicism — for better and for worse — was tribal Irish Australian in its complexion .
Her introduction to the Irish Australian tribe was through the Brigidine Sisters in Maroubra where the most influential figure in Susan ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Helen died young of cancer — in her 50s .
But the impact on her life was something Susan returned to regularly .
The essence of the Brigidine spirit is captured in the Latin phrase they used as the motto in many of their schools — fortiter et suaviter in Latin or strength and gentleness in English .
Are there any two better words to capture Susan Ryan ?
Michael Kelly is a Jesuit Priest and friend of Susan Ryan .

It is difficult to exaggerate the significance of the movements, legislation and offices shaped or led by the late Susan Maree Ryan.
She made unmatched contributions to the improvement of the lives of a great diversity of Australians, especially women and the aged, to the education of Australians at primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions, and to the creation of sustainable self-funded retirements for all those availing themselves of superannuation schemes.
Her sudden death on September 27 came as a thunderous shock to all those close to her. I for one spoke to her on the morning of September 25 shortly before the medical incident that led to her death. We were finalising arrangements for dinner together with her partner Rory Sutton on September 26. That never happened.


crikey--2020-09-27--All movement, no substance: how Morrison’s Potemkin strategy is playing the media

The PM has created a Potemkin policy village .
He 's learnt that it ’ s not whether you do nothing , it ’ s how you do that nothing that counts .
It ’ s become a media truism : the pandemic response shows that Morrison really learnt from his bushfire stumbles .
But just what did he learn ?
It seems that Morrison learnt to control the news cycle -- it ’ s not whether you do nothing , it ’ s how you do that nothing that counts .
Moving on from the Hawaii-holidaying “ I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” dismissal of the media , he has learnt that he needs to feed the media chooks a steady flow of announceables .
He needs to look all prime ministerial for the television cameras , after the details have been shaped into the government ’ s preferred narrative in advance through special day-before briefings for the gallery heavyweights .
It ’ s Morrison ’ s Potemkin policy village : a facade of action thrown up to keep journalists busy .
It 's all colour and movement , with no substance .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up by Grigory Potemkin , Catherine the Great ’ s 18th century court favourite , to comfort the empress that her country was richer than it was .

It’s become a media truism: the pandemic response shows that Morrison really learnt from his bushfire stumbles. But just what did he learn? It seems that Morrison learnt to control the news cycle — it’s not whether you do nothing, it’s how you do that nothing that counts.
Moving on from the Hawaii-holidaying “I don’t hold a hose, mate” dismissal of the media, he has learnt that he needs to feed the media chooks a steady flow of announceables. He needs to look all prime ministerial for the television cameras, after the details have been shaped into the government’s preferred narrative in advance through special day-before briefings for the gallery heavyweights.
It’s Morrison’s Potemkin policy village: a facade of action thrown up to keep journalists busy. It’s all colour and movement, with no substance. It’s a little like the notorious village facades set up by Grigory Potemkin, Catherine the Great’s 18th century court favourite, to comfort the empress that her country was richer than it was.


crikey--2020-09-28--Somebody else’s problem: Victoria’s leaders shirk responsibility for quarantine debacle

Victoria 's hotel quarantine inquiry winds up today , but we still do n't know who made the decision to @ @ @ @ @ hotels .
As Victoria 's hotel quarantine inquiry winds up today after weeks of intense @ @ @ @ @ in legal fees , and one ministerial scalp , perhaps the biggest question is still @ @ @ @ @ decision to use private security guards at hotels ?
For weeks , the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ bureaucrats and police have awkwardly tried to avoid responsibility for that call .
Their answers @ @ @ @ @ could n't talk to the right -- a cluttered bureaucratic hivemind that failed its biggest @ @ @ @ @ , in a text sent to Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw , Victoria ’ @ @ @ @ @ asked why the feds weren ’ t guarding people at hotels .
Then , 10 @ @ @ @ @ a follow up text confirming Victoria would use private security contractors .

As Victoria’s hotel quarantine inquiry winds up today after weeks of intense questioning, thousands of dollars in legal fees, and one ministerial scalp, perhaps the biggest question is still unresolved: who made the decision to use private security guards at hotels?
For weeks, the state’s most senior politicians, bureaucrats and police have awkwardly tried to avoid responsibility for that call. Their answers show a left hand that couldn’t talk to the right — a cluttered bureaucratic hivemind that failed its biggest test.
The cops
On March 27, in a text sent to Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw, Victoria’s then-police commissioner Graham Ashton asked why the feds weren’t guarding people at hotels. Then, 10 minutes later, Ashton sent a follow up text confirming Victoria would use private security contractors.


crikey--2020-09-28--Andrews wants power — yet more power — without accountability

The Andrews government has no right demanding additional powers over its citizens when it ca n't responsibly exercise the powers @ @ @ @ @ 2020 in particular , and recent years more generally , have demanded routine adjustments to @ @ @ @ @ '' in politics , the behaviour of the Andrews government in Victoria remains extraordinary .
@ @ @ @ @ in the hotel quarantine debacle remains diffused through political , bureaucratic and operational levels , @ @ @ @ @ seemingly having made decisions that led to a massive disease outbreak and hundreds of deaths @ @ @ @ @ the basics of public accountability .
Andrews ' health minister Jenny Mikakos has resigned after @ @ @ @ @ last week , but she insists she was completely unaware of the use of private @ @ @ @ @ let alone responsible for the decision to use them .
By her own lights , @ @ @ @ @ Mikakos actually resigned -- particularly given her own department failed to brief her on key @ @

While 2020 in particular, and recent years more generally, have demanded routine adjustments to what is considered “normal” in politics, the behaviour of the Andrews government in Victoria remains extraordinary.
That responsibility for key decisions in the hotel quarantine debacle remains diffused through political, bureaucratic and operational levels, with no person or persons seemingly having made decisions that led to a massive disease outbreak and hundreds of deaths, defies common sense and the basics of public accountability.
Andrews’ health minister Jenny Mikakos has resigned after Andrews in essence blamed her last week, but she insists she was completely unaware of the use of private security guards in quarantine — let alone responsible for the decision to use them. By her own lights, it’s entirely unclear why Mikakos actually resigned — particularly given her own department failed to brief her on key issues.


crikey--2020-09-29--The race to rule Queensland is almost upon us. Here’s a primer for the bifurcated state

Queensland is a state of traditions .
But will it break with one at the ballot box next month ?
@ @ @ @ @ mark the first time Queenslanders have been asked to determine who should govern since the @ @ @ @ @ .
In a state of traditions , that will take time to bed in our @ @ @ @ @ for grabs in this poll is that Queensland voters have , for most of the @ @ @ @ @ state Labor governments while giving the conservatives the federal seats they need to run the @ @ @ @ @ the 12th election since Queenslanders last had the chance to vote for the folk hero @ @ @ @ @ Joh Bjelke-Petersen .
They have only elected a conservative government , run by Campbell Newman @ @ @ @ @ and it was sent packing in an electoral drubbing after just one term .

October’s state election will mark the first time Queenslanders have been asked to determine who should govern since the state introduced set four-year terms. In a state of traditions, that will take time to bed in our psyche.
Another tradition up for grabs in this poll is that Queensland voters have, for most of the past 30 years, elected state Labor governments while giving the conservatives the federal seats they need to run the country.
This will be the 12th election since Queenslanders last had the chance to vote for the folk hero of conservative politics, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen. They have only elected a conservative government, run by Campbell Newman, in one of them and it was sent packing in an electoral drubbing after just one term.


crikey--2020-09-28--Excessive and open to abuse: Victoria’s proposed law has experts worried

Experts have slammed a proposed law in Victoria which would give authorised citizens unprecedented powers to detain suspected coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ from very different sides of the political spectrum , Donald Trump and Daniel Andrews certainly @ @ @ @ @ common .
Their ability to master the media cycle and distract attention is one .
@ @ @ @ @ ongoing dumpster fires of hotel quarantine , masks and a captain ’ s curfew call @ @ @ @ @ is something far worse .
That is , the innocuously named COVID-19 Omnibus ( Emergency @ @ @ @ @ Amendment Bill , which sailed through the Victorian Legislative Assembly and is currently awaiting approval @ @ @ @ @ where the Labor party doesn ’ t have a majority ) .

While they hail from very different sides of the political spectrum, Donald Trump and Daniel Andrews certainly have a few things in common. Their ability to master the media cycle and distract attention is one.
While Andrews deals with the ongoing dumpster fires of hotel quarantine, masks and a captain’s curfew call, hidden in plain sight is something far worse.
That is, the innocuously named COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) and Other Acts Amendment Bill, which sailed through the Victorian Legislative Assembly and is currently awaiting approval by the upper house (where the Labor party doesn’t have a majority).


crikey--2020-09-28--High stakes, and getting higher, for Australia in Trump-Biden contest

Australia needs the US to lead concerted international action on issues like trade and climate .
A re-elected Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ .
If Trump 's 2016 election represented a step into the unknown for Australia , @ @ @ @ @ significant escalation of economic risks .
In the short term , Trump 's mishandling of @ @ @ @ @ cost at least 200,000 American lives , would continue on into 2021 , further undermining @ @ @ @ @ growth .
Without an effective vaccine , a re-elected Trump administration means continuing US waves @ @ @ @ @ growth , with flow-on effects for Australian exporters and increased risks to the global financial @ @ @ @ @ two more deliberate Trump policies that pose longer-term problems for Australia .

If Trump’s 2016 election represented a step into the unknown for Australia, his re-election would represent a significant escalation of economic risks.
In the short term, Trump’s mishandling of the pandemic, which has cost at least 200,000 American lives, would continue on into 2021, further undermining the US economy and global growth. Without an effective vaccine, a re-elected Trump administration means continuing US waves of coronavirus and lower global growth, with flow-on effects for Australian exporters and increased risks to the global financial system.
But it’s two more deliberate Trump policies that pose longer-term problems for Australia.


crikey--2020-09-27--Fifty years on, Milton Friedman’s ‘greed is good’ mantra is dying. What’s next?

After decades driven by the desire to maximise corporate profits , maybe it 's time for a different approach ?
@ @ @ @ @ fund HESTA wrote to the ASX200 companies ’ bosses and boards imploring them to lower @ @ @ @ @ female leaders and moderate executive bonuses .
The letter came just days after Assistant Minister @ @ @ @ @ industry super funds for taking an activist role in corporate governance instead of merely seeking @ @ @ @ @ is the latest incarnation of an age-old debate .
This month marks 50 years since @ @ @ @ @ famous essay urging companies to focus solely on maximising profits for shareholders , and not @ @ @ @ @ social responsibility '' .

Last Thursday, industry super fund HESTA wrote to the ASX200 companies’ bosses and boards imploring them to lower carbon emissions, appoint more female leaders and moderate executive bonuses.
The letter came just days after Assistant Minister for Superannuation Jane Hume lashed industry super funds for taking an activist role in corporate governance instead of merely seeking profits for members.
This is the latest incarnation of an age-old debate. This month marks 50 years since economist Milton Friedman wrote his famous essay urging companies to focus solely on maximising profits for shareholders, and not waste their money on “social responsibility”.


crikey--2020-09-29--University funding cuts to reignite campus free speech war, with One Nation leading the charge

Pauline Hanson is front and centre in a new fight over freedom of speech at universities .
The government ’ @ @ @ @ @ and fee hikes will now come with an added dose of culture war , after @ @ @ @ @ with One Nation to add an academic freedom definition into the proposed bill .
But @ @ @ @ @ taken from former High Court judge Robert French ’ s review into campus free speech @ @ @ @ @ to punish rogue academics , and allow racist and sexist views to escape scrutiny .
@ @ @ @ @ ?
Dan Tehan became education minister in 2018 , when loud conservatives were voicing concerns @ @ @ @ @ crisis ” on university campuses .

The government’s planned university funding cuts and fee hikes will now come with an added dose of culture war, after the Coalition cut a deal with One Nation to add an academic freedom definition into the proposed bill.
But universities say the definition, taken from former High Court judge Robert French’s review into campus free speech, will make it harder to punish rogue academics, and allow racist and sexist views to escape scrutiny.
What was the French report?
Dan Tehan became education minister in 2018, when loud conservatives were voicing concerns about a “free speech crisis” on university campuses.


crikey--2020-09-29--Defer, deflect, deny: how the Nationals respond to rort allegations

Nationals MPs have a long history of finding themselves at the sharp end of Australian National Audit Office reports ... @ @ @ @ @ has called the government 's purchase of land for Western Sydney Airport at almost 10 @ @ @ @ @ bargain '' .
The land was owned by a Coalition donor and sold for $ @ @ @ @ @ appraised for just $ 3.1 million .
It ’ s the latest tactic by Nationals @ @ @ @ @ and deny allegations of rorts -- even when faced by independent reports from the Australian @ @ @ @ @ ) .

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has called the government’s purchase of land for Western Sydney Airport at almost 10 times its value a “bargain”.
The land was owned by a Coalition donor and sold for $30 million — despite being appraised for just $3.1 million.
It’s the latest tactic by Nationals members to defer, deflect and deny allegations of rorts — even when faced by independent reports from the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).


crikey--2020-09-29--The surplus fetish vanishes before our very eyes — but was it ever really there?

Suddenly our obsession with budget surpluses has vanished — so quickly as to raise questions about what it ever really meant .
While much has been turned upside down in 2020 , and we now talk of the pre-COVID world as one we will never return to , the abandonment in a matter of months of one of the central narratives of Australian economic history , the evil of budget deficits , is remarkable .
Nearly as remarkable is how little reflection its abandonment has occasioned .
A budget deficit of over $ 200 billion is now not merely being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Already the government is committed to serial deficits of 4.3 % of GDP and 9.7 % .
A debt to GDP ratio of 50 % or 60 % is cooly described as better than most other countries ’ .
We now debate whether debt means anything at all if inflation remains low and central banks can merely purchase as many government bonds as needed .
As Labor has endlessly pointed out , the contrast with Labor ’ s smaller stimulus spending in response to the financial crisis , which saw deficits of 2.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.4 % and 2.9 % from 2008 , is vivid : Labor was pilloried for its reckless spending to keep the economy out of recession and wasting the legacy of the Howard government , while the Coalition under Tony Abbott went to successive elections with extraordinary rhetoric about how it was the “ fiscal fire brigade ” and that it would deliver a surplus in its first year and every year .
This message co-opted a narrative put in place by the Howard government and endlessly repeated in the media , that Labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that John Howard had inherited a fiscal mess from the Keating government ’ s stimulus programs ( “ Beazley ’ s $ 6 billion black hole ” , back in the days when that was thought to be a lot of money ) .
This continued into the financial crisis , with Peter Costello being taken seriously when he pronounced , from the luxury of opposition , that if had he been treasurer , he would have simply “ let the automatic stabilisers work ” rather than provide stimulus .
But , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re all Keynesians now — without any reflection on exactly why we were so obsessed with surpluses .
A similar fate befell another economic bogeyman , foreign debt .
The current account deficit was the staple of economic debate in the 1980s and 1990s , with Australia ’ s until-then perennial borrowing from overseas seen as a crippling weakness .
There was even a “ twin deficits ” theory that linked budget and current account deficits — a double-barrelled piece of economic moralism in which fiscal indiscipline led to needing to borrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which had hired a ( foreign-manufactured ) truck to drive around warning about “ foreign debt ” — was elected in 1996 , the current account deficit completely vanished from public debate , even as it soared to levels far higher than ever seen before .
“ Consenting adults ” was now the justification for foreign debt .
The arrival of current account surpluses in 2019 was virtually ignored ; the impact of the Liberal Party ’ s aim to undermine compulsory super — a key reform that addressed the level of national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current account deficit , was fiscal discipline always just a narrative peddled by conservatives and their media supporters ?
It ’ s true that the Howard government practised what it preached to a degree .
The budget returned to surplus in 1999 .
But fiscal discipline was achieved by increasing taxation rather than cutting spending ; after two years of fiscal discipline , Howard and Costello racked up extraordinary increases in spending , usually to get themselves re-elected — 4 % real increase in spending in 1998 , 9 % in 2000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in 2007 .
To pay for it , the Howard-Costello government became a ruthless taxation machine .
Tax receipts as a proportion of GDP averaged 21 % in Keating ’ s final term ( it only ever exceeded 23 % in two years of the entire Hawke-Keating era ) ; in Howard ’ s last term , it averaged 24 % — even after successive rounds of income tax cuts .
“ Fiscal discipline ” in practice meant a dramatic increase in the size of the government ’ s grip on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : the highest level it reached under Wayne Swan was 21.3 % of GDP .
But once the Coalition returned , it went up again — in 2018 it reach 23 % and even after six months of bushfires and COVID-19 , it was still 21.8 % of GDP for 2019-20 .
Unlike the Howard government , the Abbott/Turnbull governments didn ’ t quickly return to surplus ; unlike Peter Costello , who insisted he would have responded to a global crisis without stimulus , Abbott and Turnbull oversaw budgets that continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to GDP was well above the levels inherited by the Coalition from Wayne Swan , indeed higher than any Labor year except 2009 .
Spending never got below 24.5 % of GDP before the pandemic , despite Mathias Cormann ’ s hard work .
It was only under Scott Morrison that the Coalition began putting its rhetoric about deficits ahead of economic growth , refusing to heed repeated calls from both the Reserve Bank and business leaders for fiscal stimulus as the Morrison Stagnation set in in 2019 , preferring to pursue the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ) of the first surplus since 2007 .
The lessons of more than 30 years of debt ‘ n ’ deficits rhetoric is that to the extent it was ever adhered to , it was via tax increases , rather than spending cuts ; that the party of low taxes has always been Labor , and that , when it came to putting the budget ahead of the economy , figures as diverse as Paul Keating , Wayne Swan , Tony Abbott , Joe Hockey and Malcolm Turnbull preferred to support demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrary to the Coalition ’ s rhetoric , and much of the political coverage of these decades , suggests that , for all its centrality to public debate , “ fiscal discipline ” was more about politics than substance .
The fact that it has vanished so quickly in 2020 backs that up .

While much has been turned upside down in 2020, and we now talk of the pre-COVID world as one we will never return to, the abandonment in a matter of months of one of the central narratives of Australian economic history, the evil of budget deficits, is remarkable. Nearly as remarkable is how little reflection its abandonment has occasioned.
A budget deficit of over $200 billion is now not merely being forecast by economists, but urged. Already the government is committed to serial deficits of 4.3% of GDP and 9.7%. A debt to GDP ratio of 50% or 60% is cooly described as better than most other countries’. We now debate whether debt means anything at all if inflation remains low and central banks can merely purchase as many government bonds as needed.
As Labor has endlessly pointed out, the contrast with Labor’s smaller stimulus spending in response to the financial crisis, which saw deficits of 2.1% of GDP, 4.2%, 3.4% and 2.9% from 2008, is vivid: Labor was pilloried for its reckless spending to keep the economy out of recession and wasting the legacy of the Howard government, while the Coalition under Tony Abbott went to successive elections with extraordinary rhetoric about how it was the “fiscal fire brigade” and that it would deliver a surplus in its first year and every year.


crikey--2020-09-30--40 ships apparently missing off Sydney (as PM rages against ‘union extortion’)

Botany and Kurnell are clear of ships .
But , hey , it 's been a long time since a Liberal leader had a chance to hurl abuse at a union .
“ I can not have Australians who need what 's on those ships being held on those ships -- 40 of them out there , ” Scott Morrison told the Canberra press gallery on Tuesday .
Then he added : “ You can go down to Port Botany or down to Kurnell and have a look out there and you can see them lining up.
” You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s raining and someone says it ’ s not , it ’ s not journalism to report them both -- you should stick your head out the window to see if it ’ s raining ?
Well if anyone bothered to stick their head out of the window in Botany or Kurnell they wouldn ’ t see ships lined up .
But let ’ s not let facts get in the way of a convenient prime-ministerial spray : militant unions , Labor , extortion and so on .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader has had a union head to kick , so the opportunity is not to be missed .

“I cannot have Australians who need what’s on those ships being held on those ships — 40 of them out there,” Scott Morrison told the Canberra press gallery on Tuesday. Then he added: “You can go down to Port Botany or down to Kurnell and have a look out there and you can see them lining up.”
You know that line about how if someone says it’s raining and someone says it’s not, it’s not journalism to report them both — you should stick your head out the window to see if it’s raining?
Well if anyone bothered to stick their head out of the window in Botany or Kurnell they wouldn’t see ships lined up. But let’s not let facts get in the way of a convenient prime-ministerial spray: militant unions, Labor, extortion and so on. It’s been a long time since a Liberal leader has had a union head to kick, so the opportunity is not to be missed.


crikey--2020-09-30--Meet the Trump-supporting data start-up — coming to track and spy near you

Infamous big-data firm Palantir is set to float on the stock exchange .
Just how valuable will the data it @ @ @ @ @ secretive data start-up Palantir Technologies starts trading on the New York Stock Exchange tonight , @ @ @ @ @ early picture of how irresistible , how valuable , the market finds all the data @ @ @ @ @ .
In its prospectus for tonight ’ s launch , Palantir says it aims to @ @ @ @ @ default operating system across the US government ” and “ to pursue significant expansion of @ @ @ @ @ allies abroad ” .
Enter Australia , where government tenders show it has provided more @ @ @ @ @ software services , mainly to the Department of Defence , the Australian Signals Directorate and @ @ @ @ @ , since 2013 .

When the secretive data start-up Palantir Technologies starts trading on the New York Stock Exchange tonight, we’ll get an early picture of how irresistible, how valuable, the market finds all the data that governments hold on us.
In its prospectus for tonight’s launch, Palantir says it aims to grow by “becoming the default operating system across the US government” and “to pursue significant expansion of our government work with US allies abroad”.
Enter Australia, where government tenders show it has provided more than $40 million in software services, mainly to the Department of Defence, the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, since 2013.


crikey--2020-09-29--The hotel quarantine fiasco wasn’t manslaughter. Just plain old incompetence

People should lose their jobs — lives were lost and unimaginable suffering ensued — but there was no crime committed @ @ @ @ @ in Victoria was a self-evident disaster , the price paid in lives lost and the @ @ @ @ @ .
It has claimed the health minister and will continue to tear strips off Premier @ @ @ @ @ .
There will be class actions as lawyers descend on the wreckage .
But will @ @ @ @ @ ?

The hotel quarantine program in Victoria was a self-evident disaster, the price paid in lives lost and the state’s economy shattered.
It has claimed the health minister and will continue to tear strips off Premier Daniel Andrews’ political hide. There will be class actions as lawyers descend on the wreckage.
But will it send anyone to jail?


crikey--2020-09-30--We need more strikes and more militancy to force wages growth

If unions were stronger , wages may not have stagnated and people might be willing to work in the horticulture @ @ @ @ @ to exploitive industries , few can match the horticulture sector .
About 40 % of @ @ @ @ @ wages , the Fair Work Ombudsman says , and a lot more fail to keep @ @ @ @ @ especially in the Wide Bay region in Queensland , are serial offenders , with nearly @ @ @ @ @ to breach workplace laws .
The sector relies heavily on labour hire firms , which @ @ @ @ @ competing to rip off workers as much as possible , and migrant workers exploiting the @ @ @ @ @ process and undermining the Administrative Appeals Tribunal .

When it come to exploitive industries, few can match the horticulture sector.
About 40% of employers in the sector steal wages, the Fair Work Ombudsman says, and a lot more fail to keep proper records. Many, especially in the Wide Bay region in Queensland, are serial offenders, with nearly half of previous perpetrators continuing to breach workplace laws.
The sector relies heavily on labour hire firms, which frequently engage in phoenixing, competing to rip off workers as much as possible, and migrant workers exploiting the government’s loose onshore visa process and undermining the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.


crikey--2020-09-30--News flash! 40 ships missing off Sydney!


crikey--2020-10-01--A brief history of Santos, the company that gets what it wants

In the game of political power plays , the 'minnow ' energy company holds all the cards , critics say @ @ @ @ @ of the Narrabri gas project in NSW was a big win for Scott Morrison ’ @ @ @ @ @ plan .
It was also a big win for Santos , the company with a @ @ @ @ @ it wants .
For decades , the South Australian company has enjoyed a dream run @ @ @ @ @ , much like Narrabri , were waved through despite overwhelming opposition from communities , farmers @ @ @ @ @ .
Santos does n't win its battles on its own -- it has the backing @ @ @ @ @ powerful political forces , allowing it to kickstart billions of dollars worth of projects even @ @ @ @ @ .

Yesterday’s approval of the Narrabri gas project in NSW was a big win for Scott Morrison’s “gas-fired” recovery plan. It was also a big win for Santos, the company with a remarkable knack for getting what it wants.
For decades, the South Australian company has enjoyed a dream run of approvals for projects that, much like Narrabri, were waved through despite overwhelming opposition from communities, farmers, scientists and environmental groups.
Santos doesn’t win its battles on its own — it has the backing of Australia’s most powerful political forces, allowing it to kickstart billions of dollars worth of projects even when demand for gas falls.


crikey--2020-10-01--In defence of Chris Wallace

In defence of Chris Wallace

The Fox News anchor has been slammed for failing to control the chaotic debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden .
But to what extent is he really to blame ?
Traditionally , in journalism , if you outrage both sides of the political equation then you must be doing your job .
Yet in the case of US presidential debate moderator Chris Wallace , it is seen as evidence of failure .
The vitriol has been widespread , with few defending his handling of the debacle of a debate .
The veteran broadcaster was accused of “ losing control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left blamed him for Trump ’ s rampage ; the right accused him of aiding and abetting Joe Biden .
The fact that the highly respected and experienced Wallace works for Fox News makes it even more divisive and confusing .
He is the token leftie at Fox , so no wonder his own colleagues are relishing joining in the attacks .
What is agreed by all sides is that it was an appalling spectacle — uncomfortable to watch and little help to either candidate .
Yet how much can the moderator be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been , I would argue .
As someone who has worked as a presenter on a right-wing television network , I have moderated many discussions with numerous Trump wannabees .
The first thing that should be noted is that it is as much about theatre as it is about content .
Indeed , let ’ s not pretend that even free-to-air television has not blurred the line between news and entertainment .
I too have been accused of “ losing control ” of a program .
No matter how many ground rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , once the red light goes on it can be a free-for-all .
And it ’ s not just the guests doing the arguing and interrupting .
Ideally the moderator should remain impartial .
But when the crazy is dialled up too far , it ’ s difficult not to lose your patience , as Wallace did , and weigh into the debate .
Often the only way you can try to regain control is to interject — and if pleading doesn ’ t work you find you have to keep raising your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backlash , not just from the guests but the audience as well .
I was famous for my eye-rolling over some of the more outrageous comments by former Sky contributor Ross Cameron , but eventually that wasn ’ t enough .
It prompted Ross to quip after I had talked over him once too often : “ Are you paid by the interruption ?
” .
At least he said it with humour .
Being a female , the personal abuse from viewers was always centred on my “ shrill ” voice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sky were never called out for it .
( At least when attacked by the left it ’ s usually about your alleged political bias , not your appearance ) .
It ’ s not realistic to simply mute the offenders ’ microphone , as some are suggesting ahead of the next US debate .
On the rare occasions we resorted to that , when you couldn ’ t hear anything bar the shouting , it did not mute the attacks on the presenter from on and off the air .
Sometimes when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argument , you throw to a commercial break and give everyone a time-out — but this option was not available to Wallace in the 90-minute ad-free program .
On one occasion even that didn ’ t work for me , as two macho men refused to stop arguing in the break and had to be hurriedly pushed off set as I told them to take it outside .
Not surprisingly , they skulked to their cars rather than have a physical confrontation .
It ’ s not as easy as it looks when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the camera and dealing with bully boys .
Luckily the moderators of our own election debates are dealing with reasonably civilised adults .
For now .

Traditionally, in journalism, if you outrage both sides of the political equation then you must be doing your job.
Yet in the case of US presidential debate moderator Chris Wallace, it is seen as evidence of failure.
The vitriol has been widespread, with few defending his handling of the debacle of a debate. The veteran broadcaster was accused of “losing control” by other seasoned journalists.


crikey--2020-10-01--Victoria dropped the ball, but security guards weren’t the culprits

The hotel quarantine outbreak may have triggered Victoria 's second wave , but we can blame the state 's misery @ @ @ @ @ choices .
NPR ’ s Hidden Brain podcast last week devoted an episode to the @ @ @ @ @ the assumption we make that if there ’ s a bad outcome , then the @ @ @ @ @ it must have been flawed .
Hidden Brain cited the horrific example of police officer @ @ @ @ @ driver in Brooklyn who ran a red light and accidentally killed a 23-year-old pregnant mother @ @ @ @ @ child .
Gray was sentenced to 15 years jail for his crimes , which many @ @ @ @ @ ramifications of his actions .
Gray ’ s real crime was driving while intoxicated , @ @ @ @ @ frequently .
Had Gray been pulled over a block before the accident occurred , no @ @ @ @ @ he would have potentially lost his licence for six months .
Instead , it was @ @ @ @ @ which led to the tragic fatalities .

NPR’s Hidden Brain podcast last week devoted an episode to the folly of hindsight bias and the assumption we make that if there’s a bad outcome, then the processes that led up to it must have been flawed.
Hidden Brain cited the horrific example of police officer Joseph Gray, a drunk driver in Brooklyn who ran a red light and accidentally killed a 23-year-old pregnant mother of two and her unborn child. Gray was sentenced to 15 years jail for his crimes, which many felt appropriate given the horrific ramifications of his actions.
Gray’s real crime was driving while intoxicated, something that happens all too frequently. Had Gray been pulled over a block before the accident occurred, no one would have died and he would have potentially lost his licence for six months. Instead, it was both drunkenness and bad luck which led to the tragic fatalities.


crikey--2020-10-01--And the loser is: credible, contextual journalism

Is the US media capable of covering an election this chaotic ?
For US journalism , the past four years has been a long march from both-sides-do-it stenographic reporting to a journalism of context .
This past week , as Donald Trump has amped up the election-stealing rhetoric and gutted the presidential debate format , journalism ’ s reset has been hurried along .
Yesterday ’ s presidential debate , with Trump ’ s truculent reluctance to accept the election result or disavow white supremacists , has all but broken the both-sides school .
Australia is slower to this reset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being hurried along by craft diversity , with the journalism of context school being led by journalists of colour , inspired by the call for a journalism of “ moral clarity ” .
Over the past week , the election-stealing story has tumbled into the centre of campaign coverage , almost behind the media ’ s back .
Trump has long been going high on the rhetoric of electoral conspiracy , amplified on Fox News .
But as Trump went high , the traditional media stayed low .
In 2016 , billionaire Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take Trump seriously , not literally .
As the taco meme goes : “ Why not both ?
” As a story , the threat of election fixing is tricky for journalists : ignore the risk and look stupid ( or worse , complicit ) , or report it and risk normalising the idea .
But last week there was an explosion , whose fuse was lit by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Barton Gellman in The Atlantic .
For the first time a mainstream report explained the mechanics of possible election theft , pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicisation of the electoral process .
Normally , US politics would have shrugged , tossing it on the pile with all the other election hot-takes .
But then Trump said the quiet part out loud .
Asked whether he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power , he said : “ We ’ re going to have to see what happens … get rid of the ballots and we ’ ll have a very peaceful — there won ’ t be a transfer , frankly .
There will be a continuation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to each other for judgements of newsworthiness .
This time , The New York Times was seen to stumble , publishing Trump ’ s comments deep inside the book .
Chief political reporter Peter Baker tweeted the age-old newspaper defence : the story broke late and “ print papers are still limited by old factory realities ” .
But on television and online , the video went viral , forcing Republicans to push back with carefully-phrased commitments to an orderly transition .
The election-stealing story mashed into the story of Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican senators stressed that the appointment had to be hurried on as the overwhelmingly conservative court could be asked to determine the election .
The threat of a stolen election has morphed into a debate about media responsibilities on election night itself , throwing one more journalistic norm into flux : how ( and when ) it performs the fundamental task of calling an election winner .
In Australia , that responsibility has evolved over the past decade by almost unanimous consent to the ABC ’ s Antony Green .
In the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared across the Associated Press through the broadcast networks , including cable-like CNN and Murdoch ’ s Fox .
Competitive tension between the US networks lends an imperative to be the first to call , both at a state and at a national level .
( It was this tension that began the Florida-based confusion in the 2000 election . )
With a COVID-driven shift to vote by mail , results may not be known in some key states until days or weeks after election night .
Worse , Trump could lead on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overtaken by postal ballots .
In Australia , that ’ s nothing new .
But Americans have been trained by practice to expect the instant gratification of election night declarations .
The Associated Press has already alerted the networks that they should not expect an immediate result .
Electoral officials are considering withholding partial counts .
The networks are being encouraged to stress the tentative nature of any figures .
Caught in this uncertainty , journalists find themselves forced to choose between a fair election and the comfort of both sides .

For US journalism, the past four years has been a long march from both-sides-do-it stenographic reporting to a journalism of context.
This past week, as Donald Trump has amped up the election-stealing rhetoric and gutted the presidential debate format, journalism’s reset has been hurried along.
Yesterday’s presidential debate, with Trump’s truculent reluctance to accept the election result or disavow white supremacists, has all but broken the both-sides school.


crikey--2020-10-01--Brave old world: taxpayers shell out for return to protectionism

Taxpayers will be hit up for another business slush fund under the latest round of industry policy as the parties compete to breathe life into local manufacturing .
We do n't technically know what the prime minister 's `` 10 year manufacturing plan '' consists of until he announces it at a Press Club address at lunchtime today , but inevitably it has been dropped for extensive reporting this morning to a slew of press gallery journalists .
Or , as Anthony Albanese put it in a speech yesterday , a `` carefully curated preview '' as part of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists '' .
Albo 's speech , of course , had itself been dropped to journalists ahead of its delivery .
Unsurprisingly , the Labor leader said `` we must get behind manufacturing '' .
Specifically , he wants a local rail carriage industry to meet the growing needs of state government public transport projects .
And he wants it achieved through local content preferences by government .
Train carriages are `` just one example of how the government should use its purchasing power to create good , secure jobs while strengthening our @ @ @ @ @ @ @

We don’t technically know what the prime minister’s “10 year manufacturing plan” consists of until he announces it at a Press Club address at lunchtime today, but inevitably it has been dropped for extensive reporting this morning to a slew of press gallery journalists.
Or, as Anthony Albanese put it in a speech yesterday, a “carefully curated preview” as part of “the drip-feed of government drops to sympathetic journalists”. Albo’s speech, of course, had itself been dropped to journalists ahead of its delivery.
Unsurprisingly, the Labor leader said “we must get behind manufacturing”. Specifically, he wants a local rail carriage industry to meet the growing needs of state government public transport projects. And he wants it achieved through local content preferences by government. Train carriages are “just one example of how the government should use its purchasing power to create good, secure jobs while strengthening our sovereign industrial and research capabilities”.


crikey--2020-10-02--Should super funds be creating jobs and helping the recovery? Don’t be silly!

Either industry super funds are key players in the economic recovery , or they 're just a noisy lobby group @ @ @ @ @ .
Who do we believe — Scott Morrison or one of his junior ministers ?
@ @ @ @ @ -- and increasingly , the whole superannuation industry -- are both an enemy to be @ @ @ @ @ the Liberal Party , and a saviour of the economy , when convenient .
Yesterday @ @ @ @ @ grand 10-year manufacturing plan and its $ 1.3 billion business slush fund , Scott Morrison @ @ @ @ @ moment , saying `` our government is determined to set a 10-year time horizon under @ @ @ @ @ -- industry , workforce including unions , governments at all levels , capital including superannuation @ @ @ @ @ research community -- are pulling together in the one direction '' .
So , super @ @ @ @ @ sub-sector , industry super , ought to get with the manufacturing program to help create @ @ @ @ @ 's winner-picked industries , including mining companies .

Strange how industry super funds — and increasingly, the whole superannuation industry — are both an enemy to be smitten hip and thigh for the Liberal Party, and a saviour of the economy, when convenient.
Yesterday, as part of his grand 10-year manufacturing plan and its $1.3 billion business slush fund, Scott Morrison called for a Team Australia moment, saying “our government is determined to set a 10-year time horizon under this strategy where all parties — industry, workforce including unions, governments at all levels, capital including superannuation funds and our scientific and research community — are pulling together in the one direction”.
So, super funds, including the largest sub-sector, industry super, ought to get with the manufacturing program to help create 80,000 jobs in the government’s winner-picked industries, including mining companies.


crikey--2020-10-02--The countries winning the COVID battle (and those still losing)

The world is making progress on tackling the pandemic , but some regions are doing better than others .
The @ @ @ @ @ of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Without a vaccine .
Through the month of September , @ @ @ @ @ recorded zero deaths .
That ’ s up from 21 in August .
Another 29 @ @ @ @ @ rate lower than one per million inhabitants , and 28 others kept deaths below three @ @ @

The world is gradually getting control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without a vaccine.
Through the month of September, just ended, 23 countries recorded zero deaths. That’s up from 21 in August.
Another 29 nations recorded deaths at a rate lower than one per million inhabitants, and 28 others kept deaths below three per million.