crikey--2020-10-20--Glad bad? Consider her ‘sins’ by their outcome not gender

How much of a part has Gladys Berejiklian 's gender played in how the media has condemned her ?
The “ scandal ” of New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian ’ s relationship with disgraced MP Daryl Maguire has raised some serious questions for feminist and other commentators — we are not used to women in positions of leadership so questions of character , relationships and suitability are problematic .
It is interesting that around the time the scandal was raging , another female leader , New Zealand ’ s Jacinda Ardern , was reelected prime minister with an increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in leading their constituencies through COVID-19 outbreaks , employing measures that were difficult to sell to voters , so trust was a core requirement .
Both seem to have retained their voters ’ trust in these areas .
The question is whether Berejiklian ’ s romantic adventures will destroy her political career .
Many male political leaders have had non-marital relationships and not been seen as odd — but there is a serious difference .
Men ’ s partners — official and informal — are rarely likely to be involved in significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probity .
Unmarried , with no known intimate relationships , this very private woman ’ s life was suddenly in the spotlight .
She appeared in phone calls recorded by the Independent Commission Against Corruption in its investigation of Maguire .
This created a question : as well as being in a long-term relationship with a shady dropkick , was Berejiklian bent ?
Having more women in power is one of conventional feminists ’ core demands under the assumption that both political content and process will improve .
The headline on an article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 19 declares “ Gladys in Blunderland : bad choices and suffered fools ” .
Not a respectful description .
Berejiklian had excused her secrecy as personal privacy and claimed to have done nothing wrong .
In a later article in the same edition , Maley was even more critical .
The story was also covered by the ALP ’ s Kristina Keneally , whose ALP loyalties are evident but whose words revealed another concern : accusing Berejiklian ’ s actions as being an “ affront ” to feminism .
Keneally wrote that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insight into the pressure women face in these roles .
However , she criticised her successor ’ s bad judgements .
She ended with the accusation that “ the NSW premier should not have the luxury of unpicking decades of feminist progress ” .
She said such a sexist argument of women not being able to exercise scrutiny in their emotions has long been used by men to exclude women from politics and the corporate world .
Keneally finished by stating : “ Berejiklian shouldn ’ t have the luxury of getting away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away with this crap all the time .
Equality isn ’ t just replacing men with virtuous women .
The moral argument is used too often by some feminists who want to claim that we are naturally nicer than men .
This view is not proven , and denies one of the basic claims of Simone de Beauvoir — that women are not born but made and can therefore change .
In an era where gender is increasingly shown to be a spectrum , the inherent characteristics of this moral feminism are hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sins need to be assessed on their outcomes , not her biological sex .
Should she resign ?
That depends on what further evidence of malfeasance exists and emerges .
Bad judgement is not enough in itself .
The decisions made need to take into account whether there is evidence she has caused serious harm .
So far this is not the case .
So far her political popularity hasn ’ t been seriously affected — a Guardian Essential Poll shows she still retains majority support , as does besieged Victorian Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commentator and seeker of social change .
She is an adjunct professor at UTS ’ Jumbunna Indigenous Institute of Education and Research and was a founding member of the Women ’ s Electoral Lobby .

The “scandal” of New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s relationship with disgraced MP Daryl Maguire has raised some serious questions for feminist and other commentators — we are not used to women in positions of leadership so questions of character, relationships and suitability are problematic.
It is interesting that around the time the scandal was raging, another female leader, New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern, was reelected prime minister with an increased majority.
Both Berejiklian and Ardern were involved in leading their constituencies through COVID-19 outbreaks, employing measures that were difficult to sell to voters, so trust was a core requirement. Both seem to have retained their voters’ trust in these areas.


crikey--2020-10-20--Why News Corp is a cancer on our democracy only a royal commission can excise

No committee of elected politicians is capable of conducting an independent inquiry into abuses of media power — they are simply too vulnerable to Murdoch ’ s influence , writes Kevin Rudd .
As a Crikey subscriber , you hardly need convincing about the threats that media monopolies pose to democracy .
You already know that , as James Murdoch says , News Corp ’ s output is rife with hidden agendas and disinformation designed to confuse public debate .
You know that News Corp is no longer interested in reporting facts .
It operates like a mafia syndicate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back its commercial interests and espouse hard-right ideology on issues like climate change .
You also know that many of Murdoch ’ s critics , while roaring in private , have been bullied into public silence .
They live in fear of joining the mounting number in business , politics and media who have been subjected to an onslaught of lies , innuendo and personal smear .
Murdoch ’ s 70 % control of daily newspaper circulation represents an effective monopoly , granting overwhelming power to influence how political debates are covered elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This represents a threat to our very democracy .
The culture of fear in Australian politics means that no committee of politicians is capable of conducting an independent inquiry into abuses of media power — they are simply too vulnerable to Murdoch ’ s influence .
Hence , the need for a royal commission .
My exhortation to you , as someone who values independent media , is simply to read the petition .
If you agree with it , sign it .
And share it around with your friends and family .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this petition , more than 350,000 Australians have backed a royal commission to ensure a strong , free and diverse Australian media .
Our campaign is backed by GetUp , the ACTU and many more .
Some people , even on the progressive side of politics , have questioned my motives for launching this petition .
They say this is all sour grapes for my time in government because of Murdoch ’ s disinformation campaign attacking our stimulus strategy to avoid recession during the global financial crisis or for dressing me and Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front page , while giving Tony Abbott a dream run to the Lodge .
My skin is thick , having spent more than 30 years in the public eye .
The truth is that Murdoch ’ s bias has increased in the past decade , and has reached an industrial scale .
He has campaigned viciously against the progressive side of politics at 18 out of the past 18 state and federal elections .
Some also question my focus on Murdoch .
Of course , News Corp ’ s sheer scale means it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my home state of Queensland , which decides most federal elections , its power is practically unchallenged .
But the petition also raises concerns about Nine ’ s takeover of Fairfax Media , the sabotaging of the independent AAP Newswire , legal threats against investigative journalists , and attacks on the ABC ’ s independence and funding .
Emerging online monopolies like Facebook , Twitter and Google should also face the royal commission .
Some claim Murdoch is benign , or his influence is waning amid new online outlets .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America where Fox News has become the beating heart of the Trump phenomenon , polluting Americans ’ minds daily with disinformation and conspiracy theories , most spectacularly on climate .
Finally , they accuse me of hypocrisy , noting I met with Murdoch in 2007 .
You bet I did .
I make no apologies for that .
If you were a Labor opposition leader , you would also try to reduce the levels of News Corp bias to something approaching balance ( although it still tried everything it could to destroy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scandal after another ) .
The bottom line is : we now have an opportunity for the Australian people to be heard through an official petition to the parliament .
There are no hidden agendas ; just an attempt to excise this growing cancer from our democracy .
Kevin Rudd is a former prime minister of Australia .

As a Crikey subscriber, you hardly need convincing about the threats that media monopolies pose to democracy.
You already know that, as James Murdoch says, News Corp’s output is rife with hidden agendas and disinformation designed to confuse public debate.
You know that News Corp is no longer interested in reporting facts. It operates like a mafia syndicate with a well-funded protection racket for politicians who back its commercial interests and espouse hard-right ideology on issues like climate change.


crikey--2020-10-21--Highlights from the Spiv-tionary: ‘I don’t need to know about that’

From the old faves to the depths of hubris that , hopefully , could lead to the user 's downfall @ @ @ @ @ thick and fast .
Yesterday we asked readers to help us identify the euphemistic language @ @ @ @ @ spiv , and you did n't let us down .
We ca n't fit all @ @ @ @ @ one day so to start here 's a couple that inevitably get wheeled out under @ @ @ @ @ instant classic from the Maguire-Berejiklian discourse : ' I ’ ll have to take that @ @ @ @ @ classic time-buyer , stated , as our correspondent notes , with the `` hope that @ @ @ @ @ will never hear about it again '' .

Yesterday we asked readers to help us identify the euphemistic language of the shonk and the spiv, and you didn’t let us down.
We can’t fit all the responses we got into one day so to start here’s a couple that inevitably get wheeled out under scrutiny — and a recent instant classic from the Maguire-Berejiklian discourse:
‘I’ll have to take that on notice’: A classic time-buyer, stated, as our correspondent notes, with the “hope that we, the people, will never hear about it again”.


crikey--2020-10-21--What recession? Australian taxpayers still forking out for hefty salaries

As Australians suffer through a recession , taxpayers are funding some big pay packets .
NBN Co chief executive Stephen @ @ @ @ @ 3 million last financial year , the highest taxpayer-funded salary in Australia after receiving a @ @ @ @ @ despite NBN not meeting revenue forecasts .
As Australia suffers peak unemployment and a recession @ @ @ @ @ bucks for public figures .
Despite staff redundancies , service and delivery day cuts , @ @ @ @ @ honchos well .
Holgate took home $ 1.6 million in 2019-20 -- down from $ @ @ @ @ @ voluntary 20 % pay cut and deferring her bonus .

NBN Co chief executive Stephen Rue earned more than $3 million last financial year, the highest taxpayer-funded salary in Australia after receiving a $1.2 million bonus — despite NBN not meeting revenue forecasts.
As Australia suffers peak unemployment and a recession, taxpayers pay out big bucks for public figures.
Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate
Despite staff redundancies, service and delivery day cuts, Australia Post pays its head honchos well. Holgate took home $1.6 million in 2019-20 — down from $2.5 million after taking a voluntary 20% pay cut and deferring her bonus.


crikey--2020-10-22--Accountability gap: how the NSW government enables corruption to flourish

An exclusive , government-funded corporate club demonstrates how deep the NSW government 's potential conflicts of interest go .
A @ @ @ @ @ in July last year overlooking Sydney 's harbour showed off the city at its schmoozing @ @ @ @ @ a snapshot of the kind of corporate , government and media mash-up which runs NSW @ @ @ @ @ .
Here was a chance for business leaders to mingle easily with government representatives in @ @ @ @ @ The main attraction was NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian who would be expounding on her vision @ @ @ @ @ chat-style with the ABC 's Leigh Sales .
The event was organised by Corporate Club @ @ @ @ @ national corporate name , is a NSW government entity run out of the Department of @ @ @ @

A winter’s day lunch held in July last year overlooking Sydney’s harbour showed off the city at its schmoozing best. It was also a snapshot of the kind of corporate, government and media mash-up which runs NSW, with little real accountability.
Here was a chance for business leaders to mingle easily with government representatives in a premium networking event. The main attraction was NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian who would be expounding on her vision for the state, fireside chat-style with the ABC’s Leigh Sales.
The event was organised by Corporate Club Australia which, despite its national corporate name, is a NSW government entity run out of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.


crikey--2020-10-22--‘Colourful’ entries for the Spiv-tionary fly in thick and fast

We hope the latest edition of the Spiv-tionary is of 'sufficient substance ' .
The hits just keep on coming .
We are truly living in a golden age of spiv-speak and shonky language .
Here ’ s a few more entries to the Crikey Spiv-tionary , courtesy of our wonderful readers : Sufficient substance A malleable , gel-like state that can be molded to fit various situations .
Example : the same relationship can in one telling be likely to lead to marriage and in another not have “ sufficient substance to be made public ” .
Thanks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , humbling , humble : As one of our readers puts it , “ a performative public show of eating humble pie in an attempt to appear chastened after being caught committing dirty deeds .
A self-interested display of bad faith , which the rich and powerful deploy in the hope that it will attract sympathy from the public and those calling them to account ” .
Example , James Murdoch : “ This is the most humble day of my life.
” A colourful racing identity : Not so much a phrase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points out , but about someone dodgy .
Example : “ High-flying bookmaker George Freeman was the perfect embodiment of the moniker ‘ colourful racing identity ' ” , “ Colourful funeral for colourful racing identity Jack Sparrow “ .
Thanks again to our readers — we ’ re receiving far more examples than we can fit in one volume , so please do be patient if we haven ’ t gotten to yours yet .

The hits just keep on coming. We are truly living in a golden age of spiv-speak and shonky language. Here’s a few more entries to the Crikey Spiv-tionary, courtesy of our wonderful readers:
Sufficient substance: A malleable, gel-like state that can be molded to fit various situations. Example: the same relationship can in one telling be likely to lead to marriage and in another not have “sufficient substance to be made public”. Thanks for that one, Gladys Berejiklian.
Humbled, humbling, humble: As one of our readers puts it, “a performative public show of eating humble pie in an attempt to appear chastened after being caught committing dirty deeds. A self-interested display of bad faith, which the rich and powerful deploy in the hope that it will attract sympathy from the public and those calling them to account”. Example, Rupert Murdoch: “This is the most humble day of my life.”


crikey--2020-10-21--A new era of bigger government means bigger corruption and bigger rorts

We 've entered an era of bigger government — and that means more power for the government to reward its friends , and more opportunities to rort spending to serve the government 's political interests .
As we live through the economic revolution caused by the pandemic , it can be hard to spot the historic shifts underway unless they directly affect us -- like working from home .
Another one was in the budget papers : not merely has Australia entered an era of colossal deficits , but of dramatically bigger government .
After the government spends more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is also committed to spend around 27 % of GDP a year to the end of the forward estimates -- more than two points higher than the level it has managed in recent years and one point higher than the highest level of Kevin Rudd 's stimulus spending .
Few people have a problem with that given the pandemic but it means that , over the medium term , the government is about ten per cent bigger than it has been , giving it tens of billions of dollars of borrowed money @ @ @

As we live through the economic revolution caused by the pandemic, it can be hard to spot the historic shifts underway unless they directly affect us — like working from home.
Another one was in the budget papers: not merely has Australia entered an era of colossal deficits, but of dramatically bigger government. After the government spends more than a third of GDP this year, it is also committed to spend around 27% of GDP a year to the end of the forward estimates — more than two points higher than the level it has managed in recent years and one point higher than the highest level of Kevin Rudd’s stimulus spending.


crikey--2020-10-21--Biden wins popular vote,  Trump the electoral college. Here’s the nightmare scenario

Do n't count your chickens — the divide in America is now so great that the depth of Trump 's support simply can not be registered by a coastal-oriented media system .
He ’ s well behind in the polls , but can Donald Trump pull out a surprise vict- what ?
You ’ ve read that article ?
Six times ?
Yes , well your correspondent has been off for a while and was all set to return with a staggering contrarian take , and it ’ s gone and been done , and done .
The truth is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Donald Trump is failing in the polls that pundits are now putting in a contrarian take as insurance , pure and simple , in case the universe has become several degrees more screwy than it was in 2016 .
Trump is running behind Biden by 10 points overall , a huge margin , and he ’ s falling behind in key groupings such as suburban voters and women overall .
The widening of the gender gap is particularly significant , since it wasn ’ t universally present in 2016 : despite his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of white non-college educated women in 2016 , and it was probably that unexpected burst of support in the rust belt states that got him over the line .
Such women have allegedly now deserted him , and the widening gap threatens to swallow his campaign .
Trump is also failing in a couple of key states .
Wisconsin is one , the surprise victory in ’ 16 that helped seal Trump ’ s majority .
Florida is another , returned to true marginal status after the Republicans thought they had returned it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also had to commit to full campaigns in Arizona and Georgia , two states which haven ’ t voted Democrat in decades .
But those happy numbers for the Biden campaign hide a slightly more tenuous situation than many are willing to admit .
The paradox of this comes down to the state/electoral college system once again .
What has to be remembered is the scale of Trump ’ s victory in 2016 .
Team Trump didn ’ t just win it on Michigan and Pennsylvania .
He won three distinct groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina , Missouri , Iowa ) ; the pure swing states ( Ohio , Florida ) ; and finally the “ blue wall ” of Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin .
Any one of these states ( especially the last three ) might have been stolen outright , but it was still a substantial achievement .
And to win , the Democrats have to get most of them back .
That ’ s where the margins come in .
Some of these are pretty thin .
According to Real Clear Politics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Pennsylvania , and 1.2 % in Florida .
Trump is leading by 0.2 % in Ohio .
Those aggregates are taken from a mess of polls , good and bad , but together they indicate a borderline situation in three big states .
This is offset by small states going in the other direction — Minnesotta , at 6.6 % for Biden is no longer a Trump target , as it threatened to be , and Biden leads in Arizona and Georgia — but it ’ s a far from done deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t convert some small states — Iowa and North Carolina — and Trump fights hard in the big three , then Trump , with 304 of 539 electoral college votes , can lose any two states except Florida or Ohio and Pennsylvania together .
He can lose three in various combinations , including a trad red state , and still hang on .
The trend towards Biden is going to have to be deep and uniform across the swing states for victory to be certain .
The hope is that Trump has alienated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are two reasons why he might not have .
Firstly , a basic resistance to any form of polling has spread deeper and further among those leaning towards Trump over the last four years .
With the spread of QAnon and other conspiracies into the wider electorate , the number of people who now feel that any form of media activity is conspiracy and surveillance is substantial .
Secondly , the divide between the coasts and the interior of America is now so great that a level of residual support for Trump ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply can not be registered by a coastal-oriented media system .
This would be the ultimate revenge of the deplorables : that amid all the clamour of Black Lives Matter , Trump ’ s aggressive misogyny , Ruth Bader Ginsberg-olatry , etc , the progressive movement and the Democrats still have not turned real attention to the vast numbers of Americans whose lives have been sinking for decades , but whose plight does not fall into a race/gender frame .
Trump remains a representative figure for many such , even though he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no one else — except Q — and if Trump were to win again it will because of one last push against the tide of history .
So which direction is it going in ?
Absolutely no-one knows .
But there ’ s no real doubt that Biden will win the popular vote .
So if Trump were to eke out an electoral college win , it would be against a Biden majority of 4 million to 6 million votes .
That split would shake the republic to its very core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis would instead have of it four more years…

He’s well behind in the polls, but can Donald Trump pull out a surprise vict- what? You’ve read that article? Six times? Yes, well your correspondent has been off for a while and was all set to return with a staggering contrarian take, and it’s gone and been done, and done.
The truth is that there’s so many indicators that Donald Trump is failing in the polls that pundits are now putting in a contrarian take as insurance, pure and simple, in case the universe has become several degrees more screwy than it was in 2016.
Trump is running behind Biden by 10 points overall, a huge margin, and he’s falling behind in key groupings such as suburban voters and women overall.


crikey--2020-10-21--Who’s paying for Tony Abbott’s European tour?

Is Australia paying for any of Tony Abbott 's recent jaunts around Europe ?
Ah , Tony Abbott , the @ @ @ @ @ taking .
This week the nation digested the news that the commissioner of the fiscal @ @ @ @ @ in taxpayers money on unused and useless medals for his doomed knights and dames program @ @ @ @ @ to use somewhere in Canberra as the world 's most handsome and costly paper weights @ @ @ @ @ is not around to face our collective incredulity and/or a second round of humiliation over @ @ @ @ @ his stay in the lodge -- he 's using his `` auto exemption '' to @ @ @ @ @ recently spotted attending a service led by his exonerated friend Cardinal George Pell .

Ah, Tony Abbott, the gift that just keeps on taking.
This week the nation digested the news that the commissioner of the fiscal fire brigade spent $135,000 in taxpayers money on unused and useless medals for his doomed knights and dames program, presumably now being put to use somewhere in Canberra as the world’s most handsome and costly paper weights.
Of course, Abbott is not around to face our collective incredulity and/or a second round of humiliation over the scheme that effectively ended his stay in the lodge — he’s using his “auto exemption” to jaunt around Europe, most recently spotted attending a service led by his exonerated friend Cardinal George Pell.


crikey--2020-10-22--Bumper harvest coming but can agriculture save the Australian economy?

The drought has broken in parts of Australia , but the recovery of farming wo n't necessarily save us from @ @ @ @ @ a bad year for everyone except the grain farmers .
After a painful drought gave @ @ @ @ @ in four years , farmers across the country are braced for a bumper harvest .
@ @ @ @ @ success story in a year when Australia slid into its first recession in three decades @ @ @ @ @ to help drive our post-COVID economic recovery ?
When it rains , it pours The @ @ @ @ @ grain producers ' fortunes have turned .

It’s been a bad year for everyone except the grain farmers. After a painful drought gave way to the wettest winter in four years, farmers across the country are braced for a bumper harvest.
It’s a rare economic success story in a year when Australia slid into its first recession in three decades. But is it enough to help drive our post-COVID economic recovery?
When it rains, it pours
The numbers show just how the grain producers’ fortunes have turned.


crikey--2020-10-22--Gay conversion advocate divides the LNP ahead of safe seat preselection

The possible preselection of anti-marriage equality and gay conversion therapy proponent David van Gend reveals tensions in the modern LNP @ @ @ @ @ in the country could soon be headed by an anti-abortionist and opponent of same-sex marriage @ @ @ @ @ treatable illness .
Queensland doctor David van Gend is a frontrunner for LNP preselection for @ @ @ @ @ near Toowoomba , after incumbent MP John McVeigh stepped down due to his wife ’ @ @ @ @ @ preselection will be announced on October 24 , just a week before the state election @ @ @ @ @ will take place on November 28 .

The safest Liberal seat in the country could soon be headed by an anti-abortionist and opponent of same-sex marriage who believes homosexuality is a treatable illness.
Queensland doctor David van Gend is a frontrunner for LNP preselection for the division of Groom, near Toowoomba, after incumbent MP John McVeigh stepped down due to his wife’s ill health.
LNP preselection will be announced on October 24, just a week before the state election, and the Groom byelection will take place on November 28.


crikey--2020-10-23--The Aussies making us (sort of) proud in the US election

Australian journalists are capitalising on the chaos of the US election cycle .
Who 's making the biggest splash ?
Who says Australia does n't punch above its weight ?
While we 've not been able to claim the most influential Australian-born media figure as one of our own since 1985 , US election season has seen a number of Australian journos make their mark on the international stage .
Markson first started ingratiating herself with Trump and his media surrogates with a `` bombshell '' report in The Daily Telegraph on apparent `` Chinese negligence '' around COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ source , it alleged that China destroyed evidence relating to the virus at Wuhan research facilities .
This got her quoted by national security experts and interviewed on Fox News back in May .
Now she 's returning to US audiences via a Sky News interview with ethno-nationalist and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon , currently on bail for fraud and money laundering charges .
The interview concerns the `` sketchy '' Hunter Biden piece that ran earlier this month , thanks in part to fellow Aussie tabloid veteran Col `` piss in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in a moment .

Who says Australia doesn’t punch above its weight? While we’ve not been able to claim the most influential Australian-born media figure as one of our own since 1985, US election season has seen a number of Australian journos make their mark on the international stage.
Sharri Markson
Markson first started ingratiating herself with Trump and his media surrogates with a “bombshell” report in The Daily Telegraph on apparent “Chinese negligence” around COVID-19. Based, apparently, on a single source, it alleged that China destroyed evidence relating to the virus at Wuhan research facilities. This got her quoted by national security experts and interviewed on Fox News back in May.
Now she’s returning to US audiences via a Sky News interview with ethno-nationalist and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, currently on bail for fraud and money laundering charges. The interview concerns the “sketchy” Hunter Biden piece that ran earlier this month, thanks in part to fellow Aussie tabloid veteran Col “piss in the sink” Allan. More on him in a moment.


crikey--2020-10-22--Successful women making a mess in public are at risk of making (some) blokes look good

This past week has not been a glorious one for powerful women in the public eye ...
Which part of the word public do these women not get ?
They all come with different duties , responsibilities , and God forbid , accountability , than is often expected in unlisted companies .
In the private sector it ’ s no problem to spend hundreds of thousands on pot plants and chauffeurs during an economic crisis : you don ’ t have pesky shareholders to which you must answer , while you can ignore government regulations , media investigations and corruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This past week has not been a glorious one for some high-profile women who are making a mockery of the myth that putting females in power will universally lift overall the standards of everything from boards to politics .
In these cases they are in danger of behaving just as badly as of the worst of the blokes .
They are looking every bit as greedy and desperate to hang onto their titles and perks ; the word “ governance ” is just a nice piece of corporate jargon , apparently .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s list of alleged atrocities is long .
Cutting back postal services while crying poor in the pandemic , then asking low-paid workers to use their own vehicles on their own time to help the backlog .
Cosying up to Pauline Hanson .
Spending $ 700,000 on office greenery and some $ 300,000 on her own personal expenses including chauffeur-driven cars .
She racked up that litany of bad press in only a few months .
And last month there was the embarrassing media interview where she tried to ignore government advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She was quickly overruled .
Learning nothing , she fronted Senate estimates yesterday with the bizarre and totally incorrect defence that she wasn ’ t wasting taxpayers money when handing out Cartier watches to select managers .
What takes the cake is not the Marie Antoinette flourishes , nor her seeming inability to grasp the basics of the ownership of the entity she leads .
Nor is it her ability to prompt swift action from a PM who usually can ’ t recognise the word accountability and only then after months of pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes her arrogant , overpaid predecessor Ahmed Fahour look good .
When it was finally revealed in 2017 that the former NAB banker was being paid a secret $ 5.6 million salary , Fahour became a pariah in Canberra and with the rest of Australia .
So when Holgate , the former Blackmores chief , was appointed to replace him on a much reduced salary of “ only ” $ 2.5 million , she was hailed for that as well as being the first woman CEO .
Normally Holgate ’ s train-wreck appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tone Deaf award , but she has some stiff competition from Crown chair Helen Coonan .
There were numerous damaging admissions to the NSW casino licence inquiry this week , best summed up with one of her many excuses for failure : it was only “ ineptitude ” .
Thank goodness — at least it wasn ’ t wilful negligence or criminal incompetence then .
Yesterday saw three Crown directors voted back onto the board thanks to the support of discredited major shareholder James Packer who even himself conceded during the inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood .
As did Coonan , but apparently just not when the other shareholders might think it ’ s time .
No wonder Gladys Berejiklian is still playing the female card .
Thanks to Holgate and Coonan , she managed to not look the worst woman in the news this week .
Just .

Which part of the word public do these women not get?
Public office Gladys. Public service Christine. Public company Helen.
They all come with different duties, responsibilities, and God forbid, accountability, than is often expected in unlisted companies.


crikey--2020-10-22--‘Nothing wrong’ with the latest batch of entries to the Crikey Spiv-tionary

The latest additions to our compendium of shonky language include a couple of absolute classics .
It ’ s beginning to seem as though we could do this every day for a year and never exhaust the litany of shonky and euphemistic language of the spiv .
Behold volume four of the Crikey Spiv-tionary : “ My little mate ” : The exact phrase doesn ’ t quite cross Daryl Maguire ’ s lips during his tapped phones calls with Gladys Berejiklian , but mates are never far from a dodge conversation .
Example ( made infamous by Lionel Murphy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my little mate ?
” EASOH : One for scrutiny-averse institutions .
According to a reader , EASOH stands for “ every assistance short of help ” , an acronym at one time used in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet “ by senior staff on correspondence indicating how to draft a reply to someone leading to giving them no help ” .
It could be found , the reader goes on to say , on “ ministerial correspondence … in the Fraser years when I was a lowly public servant ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reply please.
” Mute-a-genic : A reader proposes a new term for “ the inability to recall ICAC-able matters , but only when under oath ” .
Example : “ Daryl has a photographic memory but he seems to be mute-a-genic today.
” “ I ’ ve done nothing wrong ” : The phrase to wheel out if you want to claim exoneration after an inconclusive investigation into your conduct , however shoddy that investigation .
A reader translates it thus : “ I have been neither charged nor convicted for any dodginess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Example : “ I ’ ve always maintained I ’ ve done nothing wrong .
”

It’s beginning to seem as though we could do this every day for a year and never exhaust the litany of shonky and euphemistic language of the spiv. Behold volume four of the Crikey Spiv-tionary:
“My little mate”: The exact phrase doesn’t quite cross Daryl Maguire’s lips during his tapped phones calls with Gladys Berejiklian, but mates are never far from a dodge conversation. Example (made infamous by Lionel Murphy): “And now what about my little mate?”
EASOH: One for scrutiny-averse institutions. According to a reader, EASOH stands for “every assistance short of help”, an acronym at one time used in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet “by senior staff on correspondence indicating how to draft a reply to someone leading to giving them no help”. It could be found, the reader goes on to say, on “ministerial correspondence … in the Fraser years when I was a lowly public servant”. Example: “The usual EASOH reply please.”


crikey--2020-10-22--Biden needs to win big — for the sake of the Republican Party

Joe Biden is surging ahead in the polls , but he 's going to need to knock Donald Trump out @ @ @ @ @ Republicans to rebuild .
It 's no exaggeration to say that if Joe Biden does @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s oldest democracy is in grave danger .
President Trump has disgraced @ @ @ @ @ America ’ s standing in the world , and bungled the handling of a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ , is a good and decent man .
He ’ s a centrist and an @ @ @ @ @ also campaigned to finally do something serious about the environment , to complete the healthcare @ @ @ @ @ started , and to focus hard on wages and jobs growth .

It’s no exaggeration to say that if Joe Biden doesn’t defeat Donald Trump, the world’s oldest democracy is in grave danger.
President Trump has disgraced his office, badly damaged
America’s standing in the world, and bungled the handling of a pandemic.
Biden, by contrast, is a good and decent man. He’s a centrist and an institutionalist. But he has also campaigned to finally do something serious about the environment, to complete the healthcare reform project that Barack Obama started, and to focus hard on wages and jobs growth.


crikey--2020-10-23--Fixing aged care: finally, there’s a way to put a stop to this national shame

Crikey has made it our business to examine the state of aged care in this country .
As the aged @ @ @ @ @ , here is what needs to change .
After more than two years of hearings @ @ @ @ @ ’ s aged care sector , a whopping 124 recommendations have been handed down to @ @ @ @ @ Care Quality and Safety .
The commission heard tales of abuse , neglect and sexual @ @ @ @ @ underfunded and poorly regulated sector .
When the pandemic hit , aged care homes struggled @ @ @ @ @ deaths of 683 people .
The commission also heard 50 people in residential aged care @ @ @ @ @ .

After more than two years of hearings on the shortcomings of Australia’s aged care sector, a whopping 124 recommendations have been handed down to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The commission heard tales of abuse, neglect and sexual assault in an understaffed, underfunded and poorly regulated sector. When the pandemic hit, aged care homes struggled to cope resulting in the deaths of 683 people.
The commission also heard 50 people in residential aged care are sexually assaulted every week.


crikey--2020-10-23--Australia Post delivers — for its CEO and directors

Crikey takes a look at the Australia Post board , stacked as it is with ex-Liberal party staffers , politicians @ @ @ @ @ is a standout example of all that can go wrong when governments corporatise an essential @ @ @ @ @ has been stood aside after it was revealed in Senate hearings that she gave $ @ @ @ @ @ executives for , well , doing their job .
But it 's not only the @ @ @ @ @ the million-dollar-a-year board , stacked with ex-Liberal party staffers , politicians and barrackers .

Australia Post is a standout example of all that can go wrong when governments corporatise an essential service.
CEO Christine Holgate has been stood aside after it was revealed in Senate hearings that she gave $3000 Cartier watches to four executives for, well, doing their job.
But it’s not only the CEO. Just look at the million-dollar-a-year board, stacked with ex-Liberal party staffers, politicians and barrackers.


crikey--2020-10-22--The rise and rise of big money: how investors and corporations will reap the benefits of the pandemi

The rise and rise of big money: how investors and corporations will reap the benefits of the pandemic

The pandemic is likely to exacerbate existing trends toward highly concentrated markets and investment , changing the nature of economic @ @ @ @ @ does so .
The new era of big government that Australia entered in 2020 will @ @ @ @ @ , more dominant corporations and a consolidated investment sector that will wield power in the @ @ @ @ @ implications of the government 's push for superannuation funds to merge -- the creation of @ @ @ @ @ investment behemoths , led by the government 's most loathed sector , industry super -- @ @ @ @ @ to people beyond those of us who 've been pointing them out for a while @ @ @ @ @ the government 's behest -- of mega-super funds controlling investments worth hundreds of billions of @ @ @ @ @ own environmental , social , and corporate governance agendas separate from whatever pro-fossil fuel goals @ @ @ @ @ surely alarming to the Liberal Party , which includes a number of backbenchers who not @ @ @ @ @ super but end compulsory superannuation altogether .

The new era of big government that Australia entered in 2020 will soon be matched by bigger, more dominant corporations and a consolidated investment sector that will wield power in the hundreds of billions.
The implications of the government’s push for superannuation funds to merge — the creation of a new set of super-powerful investment behemoths, led by the government’s most loathed sector, industry super — are beginning to become apparent to people beyond those of us who’ve been pointing them out for a while.
The emergence — at the government’s behest — of mega-super funds controlling investments worth hundreds of billions of dollars, and pursuing their own environmental, social, and corporate governance agendas separate from whatever pro-fossil fuel goals the government has, is surely alarming to the Liberal Party, which includes a number of backbenchers who not merely want to destroy industry super but end compulsory superannuation altogether.


crikey--2020-10-26--‘This isn’t the time’: as scandals flourish, so too does the Spiv-tionary

At this rate , we 'll be filling this thing forever ... We here in the Crikey bunker are resigning ourselves to the fact that material for the Spiv-tionary , furnished by our wonderful readers , may very well never run out .
After all , things just keep getting worse .
Commercial in confidence : Slap this bad boy on anything you 've done that you do n't want anyone looking too closely at .
A reader furnishes us with a plethora of examples from the Queensland government alone , but to pick one : `` [ Queensland Treasurer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] would start to pay royalties [ after the government had allowed the company to defer ] and how much revenue the state would collect were commercial in confidence '' .
This is n't the time : During an urgent crisis , if people keep rudely asking you to address the long-term causes of that crisis , roll this one out , as indignantly as possible .
Whether it 's climate change or the need for a federal integrity commission , now is n't the time , because , bloody hell , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other urgent stuff .
Once the urgency dims , the phrase can be replaced by `` it 's time to move on '' .
Example : `` What people need now is a little bit of sympathy , understanding and real assistance .
They need help , they need shelter ... they don ’ t need the ravings of some pure enlightened and woke capital city greenies at this time when they ’ re trying to save their homes . ''

We here in the Crikey bunker are resigning ourselves to the fact that material for the Spiv-tionary, furnished by our wonderful readers, may very well never run out. After all, things just keep getting worse.
Commercial in confidence: Slap this bad boy on anything you’ve done that you don’t want anyone looking too closely at. A reader furnishes us with a plethora of examples from the Queensland government alone, but to pick one: “[Queensland Treasurer Cameron] Dick said when [Adani] would start to pay royalties [after the government had allowed the company to defer] and how much revenue the state would collect were commercial in confidence“.
This isn’t the time: During an urgent crisis, if people keep rudely asking you to address the long-term causes of that crisis, roll this one out, as indignantly as possible. Whether it’s climate change or the need for a federal integrity commission, now isn’t the time, because, bloody hell, you’re too busy dealing with all the other urgent stuff. Once the urgency dims, the phrase can be replaced by “it’s time to move on”.


crikey--2020-10-26--Andrews gifts Melbourne a perfect Catch-22

Sunday 's announcement was a huge disappointment for Victorians .
Is there anything but more disappointment on the horizon ?
@ @ @ @ @ largely unquestioning media , a tired Daniel Andrews yesterday explained why Melbourne would remain shut @ @ @ @ @ more days .
Andrews claimed that the opening would be paused for 24 to 48 @ @ @ @ @ the allegedly growing northern suburbs `` outbreak '' are processed .
`` We have around @ @ @ @ @ -- and we ’ re expecting even more today , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ next couple of days to review those results and understand exactly how this virus is @ @ @ @ @ .
Just last week Andrews ’ s brand new health minister , Martin Foley , @ @ @ @ @ COVID tests were being processed within 24 hours .

Fronting an increasingly hostile yet largely unquestioning media, a tired Daniel Andrews yesterday explained why Melbourne would remain shut for at least a few more days. Andrews claimed that the opening would be paused for 24 to 48 hours while 1000 tests from the allegedly growing northern suburbs “outbreak” are processed.
“We have around 1000 swabs currently being processed — and we’re expecting even more today,” he said. “We’ll use the next couple of days to review those results and understand exactly how this virus is travelling.”
But wait. Just last week Andrews’s brand new health minister, Martin Foley, boasted that 97% of COVID tests were being processed within 24 hours.


crikey--2020-10-25--In case Scomo really wants an inquiry into executive excess, here’s what we already know

Do massive salaries and bonuses bring out the best in those running corporate Australia and the public service , or @ @ @ @ @ ?
Not since Hockey and Cormann toasted an austerity budget with two fat Cuban cigars @ @ @ @ @ aloofness been so universally reviled as Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate gifting four employees Cartier @ @ @ @ @ 19,500 to reward their performance on a banking deal .
Right before the AFL Grand @ @ @ @ @ a loathsome barbecue stopper .
Holgate is not the only government agency head in hot @ @ @ @ @ ASIC boss James Shipton recently stepped aside over taxpayers footing the bill for the handling @ @ @ @ @ NBN Co and Snowy Hydro have also recently doled out multi-million dollar executive bonuses “ @ @ @ @ @ and attract and retain critical talent ” .

Not since Hockey and Cormann toasted an austerity budget with two fat Cuban cigars has a symbol of elite aloofness been so universally reviled as Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate gifting four employees Cartier watches worth a combined $19,500 to reward their performance on a banking deal. Right before the AFL Grand Final, she served up a loathsome barbecue stopper.
Holgate is not the only government agency head in hot water for wasteful extravagance. ASIC boss James Shipton recently stepped aside over taxpayers footing the bill for the handling of his tax affairs.
NBN Co and Snowy Hydro have also recently doled out multi-million dollar executive bonuses “in order to remain competitive and attract and retain critical talent”.


crikey--2020-10-25--The age of media uncertainty: 6 lessons journalists have learned since 2016

What 's changed since the last US presidential election ?
And what does that mean for us ?
Generals , @ @ @ @ @ , are always ready to fight the last war .
The same goes for journalists @ @ @ @ @ s misreading of the 2016 presidential election ( echoed in Australia ’ s 2019 election @ @ @ @ @ to get right what went wrong , as readers ask : can we trust the @ @ @ @ @ The angst about 2016 is not because journalists got the horse-race wrong .
It was @ @ @ @ @ story of the fundamental social shifts .
After drawing some lessons , journalism has accelerated @ @ @ @ @ reporting to a more deeply analytical journalism of context .

Generals, it’s famously said, are always ready to fight the last war. The same goes for journalists.
The US media’s misreading of the 2016 presidential election (echoed in Australia’s 2019 election) has driven an eagerness to get right what went wrong, as readers ask: can we trust the media this time around?
The angst about 2016 is not because journalists got the horse-race wrong. It was because they missed the bigger story of the fundamental social shifts. After drawing some lessons, journalism has accelerated the evolution from old-fashioned stenographic reporting to a more deeply analytical journalism of context.


crikey--2020-10-26--Trouble in the bubble: is Daniel Andrews losing the battle and the war?

As Victoria records no new cases today , is the state 's premier starting to lose control , after appearing steady all this time ?
Melbourne is in its own bubble , enduring one of the world ’ s longest and harshest lockdowns .
But until now , Premier Daniel Andrews has looked in control .
Tired and at times testy , especially to federal colleagues , he 's nonetheless carried the majority of the people with him .
The jibes about `` Dictator Dan '' simply have not cut through .
But yesterday , at a long-awaited press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would ease .
Melburnians had to wait a little longer , the premier said .
Then , an hour into the presser , he said restrictions would still probably be lifted on November 1 .
He ’ d had a late night , he told reporters .
And increasingly , the premier is becoming more combative .
Last week , he snapped at his critics in the federal government , and at “ selfish ” beachgoers .
Is it all a sign the premier , so steady all this time , is starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under pressure of the moment ?
Or simply an inevitability of holding one of the toughest jobs in the country ?

Melbourne is in its own bubble, enduring one of the world’s longest and harshest lockdowns. But until now, Premier Daniel Andrews has looked in control. Tired and at times testy, especially to federal colleagues, he’s nonetheless carried the majority of the people with him. The jibes about “Dictator Dan” simply have not cut through.
But yesterday, at a long-awaited press conference, Andrews delayed announcing when new restrictions would ease. Melburnians had to wait a little longer, the premier said. Then, an hour into the presser, he said restrictions would still probably be lifted on November 1. He’d had a late night, he told reporters.
And increasingly, the premier is becoming more combative. Last week, he snapped at his critics in the federal government, and at “selfish” beachgoers. Is it all a sign the premier, so steady all this time, is starting lose a little control, and struggling under pressure of the moment? Or simply an inevitability of holding one of the toughest jobs in the country?


crikey--2020-10-26--When the scandals pile up, call Vivienne Thom

The former public servant is the government 's go-to investigator , but her reports are rarely public .
Why bother @ @ @ @ @ you have Dr Vivienne Thom ?
With several expense and spending scandals erupting last week @ @ @ @ @ on the services of Thom , a former public servant with a long background in @ @ @ @ @ will be investigating the case of ASIC boss James Shipton and his $ 118,000 tax @ @ @ @ @ as the payment of $ 30 million to Liberal donors Tony and Ron Perich for @ @ @ @ @ million at Badgerys Creek .

Why bother with a federal ICAC when you have Dr Vivienne Thom?
With several expense and spending scandals erupting last week the Morrison government has called on the services of Thom, a former public servant with a long background in running secret investigations.
Thom will be investigating the case of ASIC boss James Shipton and his $118,000 tax advice bill, as well as the payment of $30 million to Liberal donors Tony and Ron Perich for land valued at $3 million at Badgerys Creek.


crikey--2020-10-26--Andrews gifts Melbourne a perfect catch 22


crikey--2020-10-25--In case ScoMo really wants an inquiry into executive excess, here’s what we already know


crikey--2020-10-27--The government owns this ASIC crisis 100%

The government has never wanted a tough corporate regulator .
Now ASIC has been significantly weakened again , just as @ @ @ @ @ regulation .
The government appears to be getting away with the extraordinary feat of evading @ @ @ @ @ has enveloped one of Australia 's most crucial regulators .
It is busily backgrounding journalists @ @ @ @ @ of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and commissioners after deputy chair Daniel Crennan resigned @ @ @ @ @ an investigation into chair James Shipton , who has stood aside .
There 's even @ @ @ @ @ brought in to the shake the place up .
In fact this debacle is owned @ @ @ @ @ .

The government appears to be getting away with the extraordinary feat of evading responsibility for the debacle that has enveloped one of Australia’s most crucial regulators.
It is busily backgrounding journalists that it intends a restructure of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and commissioners after deputy chair Daniel Crennan resigned yesterday and while it awaits an investigation into chair James Shipton, who has stood aside. There’s even whispers of an outsider being brought in to the shake the place up.
In fact this debacle is owned 100% by the government.


crikey--2020-10-27--Mates first policy: Scott Morrison’s No. 1 value is seeing the country rot from the head down

When 'looking after our mates ' is your foundational value , those who work for you will get the message : taxpayer funding is there for the taking .
Everywhere you look in the Morrison government , you see sleaze and self-interest , if not outright corruption .
Merely itemising the current scandals on foot is an arduous task .
The million dollars paid to a Liberal mate for government advertising without the inconvenience of a tender .
Christine Holgate ’ s spending habits at Australia Post , all approved by a Liberal-stacked board .
The expenses scandal at ASIC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy chairman and is likely to cost it the chairman .
The ongoing investigation into the 1000 % mark-up on the Leppington Triangle for a Liberal donor .
The festering sore of the Community Development Grants program , a scandal ten times bigger than sports rorts .
The soft pedaling of the ACLEI ’ s investigation into Home Affairs and Liberal donor Austal .
The long-running harassment and prosecution of Witness K and Bernard Collaery for exposing the corruption of the Howard government in Timor-Leste .
Allowing executives of fossil fuel donors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , the now years-long wait for even a pale shadow of a federal anti-corruption body .
Of all of these , Scott Morrison only confected high dudgeon about Christine Holgate , his marketing skills having alerted him to the toxic combination of the words “ Cartier ” and “ not taxpayers ’ money ” .
Otherwise , his moral compass remains unmoved .
A number of the scandals have their genesis in the Abbott and Turnbull governments ; Morrison only inherited some ; others are of his own creation .
But all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this government from day one in 2013 : that it ’ s OK to use taxpayer money , and taxpayer-funded positions , for your own benefit , and the benefit of your mates , and for the benefit of your party ; and that there are no consequences for failure and scandal , unless political calculation necessitates them .
Those themes are potent indeed .
Governments do not operate in a vacuum .
The tone and example set by governments has impacts that ripple outward .
First to the bureaucrats who serve governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , then the broader business community and then , eventually , the whole community .
When a government appoints scores of former Liberal MPs and staffers to publicly funded offices like the AAT ; when it hands a million dollars to Liberal-connected pollster without process ; when a Deputy PM creates a taxpayer-funded job for his new girlfriend ; when it gives over $ 440 million to a tiny Great Barrier Reef charity run by people connected to the Liberal-allied Business Council without process ; when it carefully spends taxpayer money to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands tens of millions of dollars to its mates at News Corp without process — it sends a clear signal .
Taxpayer funds are there to help you and your mates .
And looking after mates is the explicit foundational value of the Morrison government .
The message has filtered out to the bureaucracy .
To Australia Post .
To ASIC .
To someone in the department in charge of valuing land in Western Sydney .
To the Health Department , which looked the other way rather than do anything about Bridget McKenzie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has filtered out to one of the government ’ s favourite consultants , KPMG , and every other major consulting firm that has latched firmly onto the taxpayer teat in recent years while delivering what ministers want to hear rather than quality policy advice .
To its shipbuilder Austal .
And it filtered out to the Leppington Pastoral Company plenty good .
And when ministers are caught out lobbying for their family ’ s business interests , or pedalling forged documents without consequence ; when a department like Home Affairs can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its powers and its expenditure of billions of dollars without any repercussions for its secretary or minister ; when over a hundred thousand Australians can be targeted by an illegal scheme like Robodebt without a single bureaucrat or minister suffering any consequence ; when forensic independent reports by the auditor-general are dismissed by senior bureaucrats and the funding of the ANAO is cut , when those who seek to hold the government up to scrutiny are raided , rather than rewarded , that too sends a signal .
Accountability doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fear the consequences of misuse of taxpayer funding .
“ The standard you walk past is the standard you accept , ” David Morrison famously said .
For the Morrison government , it hasn ’ t merely accepted the low standards that have mired federal politics in sleaze , it has actively promoted them .
This is the result .
Is the Coalition ’ s “ mates first ” policy rotting Australia ?
Let us know your thoughts by writing to [ email protected ] .
Please include your full name to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Your Say section .

Keep reading about how Morrison's 'mates first' policy is rotting Australia.
Become a subscriber to get full access to the website, as well as our premium newsletters.


crikey--2020-10-26--Labor one day, Labor the next. But there might still be a twist in Queensland election

Labor continues to be a strong bet in this weekend 's Queensland state election , but change may be in @ @ @ @ @ could come from a number of unlikely sources .
With four days left until Queenslanders @ @ @ @ @ the good money is backing a third term for Annastacia Palaszczuk and the ALP .
@ @ @ @ @ lines in the history books .
Palaszczuk would be on track to knock Peter Beattie @ @ @ @ @ longest-serving Labor premier since World War II .
She would continue her reign as the @ @ @ @ @ .
And 2020 would take its place in history as the state election won on @ @ @ @ @ the borders .
History would be created on the other side too .
If the @ @ @ @ @ Deb Frecklington will almost certainly lose her job and the jostling between Tim Mander and @ @ @ @ @ a few minutes past midnight .
The experiment of a conservative leader from outside the @ @ @ @ @ will have failed .

With four days
left until Queenslanders go to the polls, the good money is backing a third
term for Annastacia Palaszczuk and the ALP.
That would create a few lines in the history books. Palaszczuk would be on track to knock Peter Beattie off as Queensland’s longest-serving Labor premier since World War II. She would continue her reign as the longest-serving female premier in Australia. And 2020 would take its place in history as the state election won on a federal issue: closing the borders.


crikey--2020-10-26--The latest edition of the Spiv-tionary is riddled with ‘administrative errors’

We keep asking , and you keep delivering .
Behold , volume five of the Crikey Spiv-tionary !
We keep asking , and you keep delivering .
Behold , volume five of Crikey ’ s Spiv-tionary , a compendium of the shonky and evasive language our public discourse has been forced to develop .
Administrative errors : What ’ s that -- the press has revealed you ’ ve been using tens of thousands of dollars worth of publics money in a distinctly iffy way ?
Well , no one actually did anything wrong , you see , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reader points out in reference to the SA Liberal Party ’ s travel expenses scandal from earlier this year ( yep , we ’ d forgotten about it too ) : “ If I get tens of thousands of dollars from Centrelink by making false statements , I doubt that Centrelink would pass this off as just a minor ‘ administrative error ’ .
” Example , via SA Premier Steven Marshall : `` There have been some administrative errors and I 've made it clear to my team they need to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rectify them as quickly as possible . ''

We keep asking, and you keep delivering. Behold, volume six of Crikey’s Spiv-tionary, a compendium of the shonky and evasive language our public discourse has been forced to develop.
Administrative errors: What’s that — the press has revealed you’ve been using tens of thousands of dollars worth of publics money in a distinctly iffy way? Well, no one actually did anything wrong, you see, it was merely an administrative error. As a reader points out in reference to the SA Liberal Party’s travel expenses scandal from earlier this year (yep, we’d forgotten about it too): “If I get tens of thousands of dollars from Centrelink by making false statements, I doubt that Centrelink would pass this off as just a minor ‘administrative error’.”
Example, via SA Premier Steven Marshall: “There have been some administrative errors and I’ve made it clear to my team they need to make it clear what those administrative errors were and rectify them as quickly as possible.”


crikey--2020-10-27--Melbourne’s lockdown relief is palpable, but so are concerns that low hospital spending makes the ci

Melbourne’s lockdown relief is palpable, but so are concerns that low hospital spending makes the city vulnerable

Experts are desperately trying to find any cracks in the system that could let the virus loose again .
It @ @ @ @ @ midnight tonight , Victoria can get `` back on the beers '' .
After 12 @ @ @ @ @ relief is washing over Melbourne .
But with that relief comes the anxiety of a @ @ @ @ @ once before , only to end up back in isolation due to failures and mishaps @ @ @ @ @ nature of the virus and an element of Australia ’ s hotel quarantine system triggered @ @ @ @ @ and psychological pain , experts are now trying to work out if there are other @ @ @ @ @ virus loose again .

It’s official: from midnight tonight, Victoria can get “back on the beers”.
After 12 long weeks in lockdown, relief is washing over Melbourne. But with that relief comes the anxiety of a city that’s opened up once before, only to end up back in isolation due to failures and mishaps.
Just as the unpredictable nature of the virus and an element of Australia’s hotel quarantine system triggered months of economic, social and psychological pain, experts are now trying to work out if there are other vulnerabilities that could let the virus loose again.


crikey--2020-10-27--Where did Palmer’s death tax lie come from — and why is it so effective?

Clive Palmer has reignited the 'death tax ' myth ahead of the Queensland election .
Where does this lie come @ @ @ @ @ it work ?
Clive Palmer has reignited the `` death tax '' myth ahead of @ @ @ @ @ warning Labor would impose a hefty inheritance tax on a dead person 's assets .
@ @ @ @ @ lurid yellow billboards , mass text messaging and video adverts playing on TV channels and @ @ @ @ @ , run them in between panel discussions on the ethics of Palmer 's tactics .
@ @ @ @ @ had an inheritance tax in more than 40 years .
We ’ re one of @ @ @ @ @ one , and -- despite attempts in 2019 to frame Labor 's franking policy as @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t been on the policy agenda of either major party for some time @

Clive Palmer has reignited the “death tax” myth ahead of Queensland’s election, warning Labor would impose a hefty inheritance tax on a dead person’s assets.
He’s invested in lurid yellow billboards, mass text messaging and video adverts playing on TV channels and radio stations who, unironically, run them in between panel discussions on the ethics of Palmer’s tactics.
But Australia hasn’t had an inheritance tax in more than 40 years. We’re one of the few OECD nations without one, and — despite attempts in 2019 to frame Labor’s franking policy as a death tax — it hasn’t been on the policy agenda of either major party for some time.


crikey--2020-10-28--Anthony Fauci would love the US to be more like Australia. Here is why

As Melbourne emerges from months of lockdown , two top infectious disease experts have come together to discuss vaccine roadblocks @ @ @ @ @ a post-pandemic future looks like around the world .
US National Institute of Allergy and @ @ @ @ @ Fauci and Doherty Institute director Professor Sharon Lewin spoke this morning with University of Melbourne @ @ @ @ @ What will normal look like ( and when will we get there ) ?
The @ @ @ @ @ very normal at all , Fauci said .

As Melbourne emerges from months of lockdown, two infectious disease experts joined forces to discuss vaccine roadblocks, behavioural barriers and what a post-pandemic future looks like around the world.
US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr Anthony Fauci and Doherty Institute director Professor Sharon Lewin spoke this morning with University of Melbourne assistant vice-chancellor Shitij Kapur.
What will normal look like (and when will we get there)?
The new normal will not be very normal at all, Fauci says.


crikey--2020-10-27--Morrison’s million dollar marketing machine: how taxpayers are funding government messaging

Labor has accused the government of using taxpayer money for political research from a connected consultant .
Is this a @ @ @ @ @ itself , or all above aboard ?
Jim Reed is not a household name , @ @ @ @ @ Resolve Strategic .
Which is why it has raised more than a few eyebrows that @ @ @ @ @ a PO Box in Glebe , is running a million-dollar marketing campaign that is helping @ @ @ @ @ Morrison government ’ s economic policy .
It 's all part of what analysts say @ @ @ @ @ s obsession with polling , market research and advertising to push its message to voters @ @ @ @ @ the next federal election .

Jim Reed is not a household name, nor is his company, Resolve Strategic.
Which is why it has raised more than a few eyebrows that his business, registered to a PO Box in Glebe, is running a million-dollar marketing campaign that is helping shape key parts of the Morrison government’s economic policy.


crikey--2020-10-27--From the Spiv-tionary: when they say what they mean do they mean what they say?

Double meanings , or just double Dutch ?
Welcome to volume seven of Crikey 's Spiv-tionary .
There is , @ @ @ @ @ a full parallel language for shonks and spivs that sounds almost indistinguishable from English but @ @ @ @ @ no meanings .
'The people understand/the people know… ' : If you want to tell @ @ @ @ @ nothing wrong but , for some reason , are suffering a want of credibility in @ @ @ @ @ the amorphous masses who all agree on one thing .
Example , per New South @ @ @ @ @ `` I know the people of this state know I have done nothing wrong .
@ @ @ @ @ never will . ''
Grass castles : From the darker end of the Spiv-tionary , @ @ @ @ @ the phrase used by Justice Woodward to describe luxury homes in Griffith associated with mafia @ @ @ @ @ and alleged weed kingpin Tony Sergi .

There is, we are swiftly learning, a full parallel language for shonks and spivs that sounds almost indistinguishable from English but with which it shares almost no meanings.
‘The people understand/the people know…’: If you want to tell people you’ve done nothing wrong but, for some reason, are suffering a want of credibility in your statements, just quote the amorphous masses who all agree on one thing. Example, per New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian: “I know the people of this state know I have done nothing wrong. I never have and I never will.”
Grass castles: From the darker end of the Spiv-tionary, “grass castle” was the phrase used by Justice Woodward to describe luxury homes in Griffith associated with mafia boss, alleged activist killer and alleged weed kingpin Tony Sergi.


crikey--2020-10-27--The unravelling: how Australian-Sino relations became about the politics of dissent

Relations between Canberra and Beijing are at a 40-year low .
Crikey speaks to the experts about both the why @ @ @ @ @ Three years ago , at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore , Malcolm Turnbull said the @ @ @ @ @ “ Some fear that China will seek to impose a latter day Monroe Doctrine on @ @ @ @ @ dominate the region.
” The then prime minister was referring to the United States ’ @ @ @ @ @ back territorial domination of the Americas from Europe .
The speech is littered with warnings @ @ @ @ @ and threats to peace and harmony in the region .
The subtext was clear : @ @ @ @ @ Beijing needed to back off .
The Australia-China relationship really started to deteriorate that year @ @ @ @ @ earlier , foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop had chided Beijing about the need for democracy @ @ @ @ @ our media became awash with stories about espionage and influence-peddling -- stories that unravelled Labor @ @ @ @ @ political career and drove the Turnbull government to introduce foreign interference laws .

Three years ago, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, Malcolm Turnbull said the quiet part out loud: “Some fear that China will seek to impose a latter day Monroe Doctrine on this hemisphere in order to dominate the region.”
The then prime minister was referring to the United States’ 19th century attempt to claw back territorial domination of the Americas from Europe. The speech is littered with warnings to China about coercion, and threats to peace and harmony in the region. The subtext was clear: China was a threat. Beijing needed to back off.
The Australia-China relationship really started to deteriorate that year, 2017. Just months earlier, foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop had chided Beijing about the need for democracy. It was the year our media became awash with stories about espionage and influence-peddling — stories that unravelled Labor senator Sam Dastyari’s political career and drove the Turnbull government to introduce foreign interference laws.


crikey--2020-10-27--Rudd’s anti-Murdoch petition set to rewrite the e-books

Kevin Rudd ’ s Murdoch royal commission petition is inching towards a new signatures record — but where does it @ @ @ @ @ over the years ?
It ’ s been almost three weeks since former prime minister @ @ @ @ @ calling for a royal commission into Rupert Murdoch ’ s media monopoly .
It has @ @ @ @ @ .
At the current rate of sign ups ( about 5000 new signatures a day @ @ @ @ @ amassing a huge 40,000 in its first 24 hours and 350,000 by day 10 ) @ @ @ @ @ the country 's biggest e-petition to parliament , surpassing 2019 's petition to declare a @ @ @ @ @ That petition gained 404,538 signatories and was presented to parliament in the same week an @ @ @ @ @ emergency was -- you guessed it -- voted down in the lower house .

It’s been almost three weeks since former prime minister Kevin Rudd launched his petition calling for a royal commission into Rupert Murdoch’s media monopoly. It has gained close to 400,000 signatures.
At the current rate of sign ups (about 5000 new signatures a day this week, after earlier amassing a huge 40,000 in its first 24 hours and 350,000 by day 10), it will soon become the country’s biggest e-petition to parliament, surpassing 2019’s petition to declare a state of climate emergency.
That petition gained 404,538 signatories and was presented to parliament just a week after an attempt to declare a climate emergency was — you guessed it — voted down in the lower house.


crikey--2020-10-28--Four years on, has Trump delivered on his 2016 promises? Here’s a scorecard

Mexico has n't paid for a wall , manufacturing jobs are whacked and the swamp remains undrained — but Trump @ @ @ @ @ few goals .
Four years after sweeping into the White House as a political outsider @ @ @ @ @ , Donald Trump is now an incumbent with a record to defend .
Many of @ @ @ @ @ like outlandish bluster .
And while the administration has been a victim of its own @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hyperbole , there ’ s a lot from that campaign that Trump has @ @ @ @ @ achieved .
One of Trump ’ s signature promises was to build a southern border @ @ @ @ @ Mexico .
That has not happened .
Trump promised more than 500 miles ( 800 @ @ @ @ @ , but as of February just 110 miles had been constructed .
Most of that @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been bankrolled entirely by US companies and the Trump administration .
Mexico hasn @ @ @ @ @ .

Four years after sweeping into the White House as a political outsider riding a wave of resentment, Donald Trump is now an incumbent with a record to defend.
Many of his promises in 2016 seemed like outlandish bluster. And while the administration has been a victim of its own dysfunction, and the president’s hyperbole, there’s a lot from that campaign that Trump has, to an extent, achieved.
Build a wall
One of Trump’s signature promises was to build a southern border wall, paid for by Mexico. That has not happened. Trump promised more than 500 miles (800 kilometres) by next year, but as of February just 110 miles had been constructed. Most of that replaced outdated fencing and it’s been bankrolled entirely by US companies and the Trump administration. Mexico hasn’t paid a cent.


crikey--2020-10-28--Anthony Fauci would love the US to be more like Australia. Here’s why

As Melbourne emerges from months of lockdown , two infectious disease experts joined forces to discuss vaccine roadblocks , behavioural @ @ @ @ @ future looks like around the world .
US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases @ @ @ @ @ Doherty Institute director Professor Sharon Lewin spoke this morning with University of Melbourne assistant vice-chancellor @ @ @ @ @ normal look like ( and when will we get there ) ?
The new normal @ @ @ @ @ at all , Fauci says .


crikey--2020-10-29--Reality shifts in the latest instalment of the Spiv-tionary

Another day , another edition of our all-singing , all-dancing , all-shonking compendium of shifty language .
And the hits @ @ @ @ @ Another day , another edition of our all-singing , all-dancing , all-shonking compendium of shifty @ @ @ @ @ see consultation as Mozart saw music -- it 's everywhere , it 's in everything @ @ @ @ @ destroyed something irreplaceable after a consultation process that many of those affected say was profoundly @ @ @ @ @ you ca n't use consultation as a defence ?
Does it bollocks !
Example , @ @ @ @ @ `` We have had court processes , we 've had agreements , we 've had @ @ @ @ @ done as we said we would do , and we have directly consulted and continue @ @ @ @ @ families that are the traditional owners of this particular part of our state ''

And the hits just keep on coming. Another day, another edition of our all-singing, all-dancing, all-shonking compendium of shifty language.
Consultation: Politicians see consultation as Mozart saw music — it’s everywhere, it’s in everything. So, say you destroyed something irreplaceable after a consultation process that many of those affected say was profoundly inadequate, does that mean you can’t use consultation as a defence? Does it bollocks!
Example, via Premier Daniel Andrew: “We have had court processes, we’ve had agreements, we’ve had settlements, we have fundamentally done as we said we would do, and we have directly consulted and continue to consult with the 12 families that are the traditional owners of this particular part of our state”


crikey--2020-10-29--Supreme Court confirmation signals collapse of American democracy. Could it happen here?

On paper , America 's process for selecting judges is proofed against partisanship and corruption , while ours is open to all kinds of malfeasance .
Yet in practice it 's a different story altogether .
On Tuesday , Amy Coney Barrett , nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate , was appointed to replace the deceased Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the US Supreme Court .
On Wednesday , two new judges were announced for Australia ’ s High Court ( to replace judges about to reach retirement age ) , appointed by the attorney-general in a process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic than how the cardinals choose a pope .
The new judges are Jacqueline Gleeson and Simon Steward .
Obviously and logically -- sunlight being the best disinfectant -- America ’ s method of choosing judges for the peak of its government ’ s judicial branch is far superior to ours .
Theirs is proofed against partisanship , corruption and incompetence in the selection , because of the checks and balances built in .
Ours is dependent on the whim of a single politician , not open to review , appeal or even @ @

On Tuesday, Amy Coney Barrett, nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate, was appointed to replace the deceased Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the US Supreme Court.
On Wednesday, two new judges were announced for Australia’s High Court (to replace judges about to reach retirement age), appointed by the attorney-general in a process that is obscure, secret and less democratic than how the cardinals choose a pope. The new judges are Jacqueline Gleeson and Simon Steward.
Obviously and logically — sunlight being the best disinfectant — America’s method of choosing judges for the peak of its government’s judicial branch is far superior to ours. Theirs is proofed against partisanship, corruption and incompetence in the selection, because of the checks and balances built in.Ours is dependent on the whim of a single politician, not open to review, appeal or even scrutiny.


crikey--2020-10-29--Frecklington v Palaszczuk: who are they and what do they want?

A pocket guide to the two women leading the major parties to Saturday 's Queensland state election .
For the @ @ @ @ @ history , two women are competing to take -- or retain -- the position as @ @ @ @ @ only the second time in Australia 's state or federal history two women have gone @ @ @ @ @ the top political position .
The last time was in 1995 , when Kate Carnell @ @ @ @ @ the ACT 's chief minister .
While the Liberal National Party ’ s ( LNP @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Annastacia Palaszczuk are sometimes confused for one another , their approaches and policies @ @ @ @ @ different .

For the first time in Queensland’s history, two women are competing to take — or retain — the position as premier.
It’s also only the second time in Australia’s state or federal history two women have gone head-to-head at an election for the top political position. The last time was in 1995, when Kate Carnell beat Rosemary Follett to become the ACT’s chief minister.
While the Liberal National Party’s (LNP) Deb Frecklington and Labor’s Annastacia Palaszczuk are sometimes confused for one another, their approaches and policies couldn’t be more different.


crikey--2020-10-29--George Brandis’ falsehoods about data retention exposed by Liberal-led committee

It 's official : a government-controlled committee has shown we were lied to about who would be able to access @ @ @ @ @ Brandis ?
The pompous , bungle-prone lawyer who confused spouting Latin with actual legal expertise @ @ @ @ @ High Commissioner in the UK .
But back in 2015 he was the attorney-general who @ @ @ @ @ , in charge of implementing data retention .
One of Brandis ' key selling points @ @ @ @ @ was that not only would it not increase the surveillance powers of security agencies ( @ @ @ @ @ , it would maintain the status quo that existed before the internet made it harder @ @ @ @ @ , but that he would reduce the number of agencies that could access metadata .
@ @ @ @ @ his claim , and that of security agency bureaucrats , that the scheme would only @ @ @ @ @ serious crimes ( a claim unfortunately destroyed when the AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin said he @ @ @ @ @ to pursue `` illegal downloaders '' ) .

Remember George Brandis? The pompous, bungle-prone lawyer who confused spouting Latin with actual legal expertise? These days he’s High Commissioner in the UK. But back in 2015 he was the attorney-general who didn’t understand data retention, in charge of implementing data retention.
One of Brandis’ key selling points of the mass surveillance scheme was that not only would it not increase the surveillance powers of security agencies (rather, Brandis argued falsely, it would maintain the status quo that existed before the internet made it harder to get telecommunications data), but that he would reduce the number of agencies that could access metadata.
That was in line with his claim, and that of security agency bureaucrats, that the scheme would only be used for the most serious crimes (a claim unfortunately destroyed when the AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin said he’d be using data retention to pursue “illegal downloaders”).


crikey--2020-10-30--Holgate v ScoMo: mate against mate as CEO angles for (large) cheque in the mail

All the signs point to a hefty legal battle over Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate 's treatment .
And it @ @ @ @ @ forks out .
When a highly paid executive parts ways unhappily with the government it @ @ @ @ @ foots the bill .
And that 's how things are shaping in the case of @ @ @ @ @ Post CEO who 's been returned to sender by Prime Minister Scott Morrison over watchgate @ @ @ @ @ for sure , but all the clues suggest manoeuvring is well underway for an expensive @ @ @ @ @ media we 've learnt that Holgate has spent days in tears ( `` She was @ @ @ @ @ . ''
) and that the way she has been treated has been `` bloody @ @ @

When a highly paid executive parts ways unhappily with the government it’s always the taxpayer that foots the bill.
And that’s how things are shaping in the case of Christine Holgate, the Australia Post CEO who’s been returned to sender by Prime Minister Scott Morrison over watchgate.
Crikey can’t know for sure, but all the clues suggest manoeuvring is well underway for an expensive termination package. Through the media we’ve learnt that Holgate has spent days in tears (“She was devastated. It was awful.”) and that the way she has been treated has been “bloody disgusting”.


crikey--2020-10-29--Littleproud threatens financial stability on behalf of coal donors

The Nationals are threatening to undermine Australia 's financial stability to help their coal miner donors .
But they 're @ @ @ @ @ fossil fuels because it pays to .
For an outfit mired in sleaze and corruption @ @ @ @ @ the scandals are usually about the wasting of taxpayer money or a minister trying to @ @ @ @ @ their family 's commercial interests .
But the corruption at the heart of this government @ @ @ @ @ : the stability of the financial system .
It should n't be any surprise that @ @ @ @ @ Party , the great rorters and grifters of Australian politics , who also have an @ @ @ @ @ the financial system .

For an outfit mired in sleaze and corruption like the Morrison government, the scandals are usually about the wasting of taxpayer money or a minister trying to look after their own and their family’s commercial interests.
But the corruption at the heart of this government now threatens something much worse: the stability of the financial system.
It shouldn’t be any surprise that this comes from the National Party, the great rorters and grifters of Australian politics, who also have an eye for wild statements about the financial system.


crikey--2020-10-29--Cormann leaves with pride — but also a question of what might have been

Mathias Cormann was the ballast of three successive governments and displayed a diligence and discipline rarely achieved by his colleagues .
Mathias Cormann never got to deliver the surplus he worked so hard in government to achieve over seven years .
In fact , he leaves behind Australia 's biggest ever deficit , by a huge distance .
That 's crucial to supporting the economy , he rightly argues , and it that has been enabled by the government 's previous fiscal discipline .
But it 's hard not to feel some sympathy that the work Cormann put in from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surplus , even a token one .
A tiny deficit was the closest he got in 2019 .
Then COVID-19 came and changed the world .
As Crikey routinely noted throughout his time as steward of the nation 's finances , the government 's slow reduction in the deficit -- far slower than Joe Hockey had promised in 2013 -- was mainly driven by the Liberals ' passion for higher taxes .
Inheriting a tax : GDP ratio of 21.3 % of GDP , the government jacked that up first above 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 .

Mathias Cormann never got to deliver the surplus he worked so hard in government to achieve over seven years. In fact, he leaves behind Australia’s biggest ever deficit, by a huge distance.
That’s crucial to supporting the economy, he rightly argues, and it that has been enabled by the government’s previous fiscal discipline. But it’s hard not to feel some sympathy that the work Cormann put in from 2013 onwards was never paid off with a surplus, even a token one. A tiny deficit was the closest he got in 2019. Then COVID-19 came and changed the world.
As Crikey routinely noted throughout his time as steward of the nation’s finances, the government’s slow reduction in the deficit — far slower than Joe Hockey had promised in 2013 — was mainly driven by the Liberals’ passion for higher taxes. Inheriting a tax:GDP ratio of 21.3% of GDP, the government jacked that up first above 22%, and then to 23% in 2019.


crikey--2020-10-29--‘Impenetrable, almost impossible’: piercing the Palace Letters’ veil of secrecy

The legal fight for their release seemed overwhelming , but Jenny Hocking knew that if there was any way she could continue , she must .
Historian and Gough Whitlam biographer Jenny Hocking first applied to access the Palace Letters — sent between former governor-general Sir John Kerr and Buckingham Palace around the time of the Dismissal — in 2011 .
What ensued was a long campaign and legal fight .
In this extract from her new book , she reflects on losing her appeal to the Full Federal Court last year , and taking the next step .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal to the High Court , it ’ s this one !
” Bret Walker had said on reading the Full Federal Court ’ s judgment .
Tom Brennan was still chuckling at the recollection when we met in his chambers with solicitors from Corrs Chambers Westgarth soon after the Federal Court ’ s decision .
We were there to discuss the prospects for an appeal to the High Court of Australia , and I was not at all convinced that any of them would want to continue .
The Full Federal Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spearheaded by the chief justice , and both of those justices were expert in this field of administrative law , so it would be difficult to overturn .
If the legal team felt there was no reasonable avenue for further appeal to the High Court of Australia , the case would end right there .
The most striking thing about an appeal to the High Court is the staggeringly low success rate — before you even walk in the door .
It begins with an application for special leave to appeal : just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go forward as an appeal to the High Court itself .
Of those who apply for leave to appeal , around 40 % are called to a hearing before two or three of the High Court justices , and only 25 % of those heard are then granted leave to appeal .
If our application was among the 40 % to be granted a special-leave hearing , each side would have 20 minutes to present its case for and against leave to appeal , with Bret Walker SC as my lead barrister given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The justices would decide there and then whether leave was granted .
It sounded mercifully quick and clean .
As to our prospects , Tom felt there was a strong chance that leave to appeal would be granted ; the appeal itself , however , was more difficult to assess .
The case addressed significant matters of public interest about the interpretation and operation of the Archives Act that are fundamental to the workings of government , as well as access issues central to the transparency and accountability of those in public office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Archives Act as carving out the records of the governor-general , when the text did not exclude them , provided further grounds .
The legal view was clear : there were strong grounds for appeal and , if I decided to go ahead with the appeal , they would all continue to work on the case on a pro bono basis .
The apparent “ convention of royal secrecy ” had shielded the activities of the monarch and the monarchy across the Commonwealth nations for decades .
It was impenetrable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases offered the possibility that we were now on the cusp of achieving — to challenge the Queen ’ s embargo over royal correspondence in Australia ’ s highest court .
If there was any way I could continue , I would .
I had 30 days from the Full Court ’ s decision to make a decision on whether to appeal .
I held to the line I had taken previously — if the legal advice was solid and the legal team was willing to continue on a pro bono basis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the case would continue .
Besides , Justice Flick ’ s incisive , excoriating dissent had presented such clear points for appeal that it seemed almost impolite to refuse .
On March 8 , 2019 , I filed an application for special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia .
This is an edited extract from The Palace Letters : The Queen , the governor-general , and the plot to dismiss Gough Whitlam by Jenny Hocking ( Scribe , $ 32.99 ) , out now .

Historian and Gough Whitlam biographer Jenny Hocking first applied to access the Palace Letters — sent between former governor-general Sir John Kerr and Buckingham Palace around the time of the Dismissal — in 2011. What ensued was a long campaign and legal fight. In this extract from her new book, she reflects on losing her appeal to the Full Federal Court last year, and taking the next step.
“If ever a case cried out for appeal to the High Court, it’s this one!” Bret Walker had said on reading the Full Federal Court’s judgment.
Tom Brennan was still chuckling at the recollection when we met in his chambers with solicitors from Corrs Chambers Westgarth soon after the Federal Court’s decision. We were there to discuss the prospects for an appeal to the High Court of Australia, and I was not at all convinced that any of them would want to continue.


crikey--2020-10-29--Dear minister, you don’t have to worry about the banks being moral

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud is worried about banks acting like moral arbiters .
We 're here to tell him not to stress .
Poor David Littleproud .
The agriculture minister has been scandalised by this week ’ s news that ANZ will introduce a new climate change policy that will see the bank take steps towards supporting a net zero emissions economy by 2050 .
“ Banks are not and should not try to become society ’ s moral compass and arbiter , ” he proclaimed .
“ The Australian people decide that by who they elect.
” We hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but literally no one sees the banks as society ’ s moral compass .
At least not after some of these notable scandals in which their morals were famously missing .
Here ’ s a refresher in case you ’ ve forgotten .
If you think putting a net zero emissions test on loans is bad , wait until you hear about how Westpac let its customers pay for child sexual exploitation for years .
Yes , this really happened and most people remember it because it was one of the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in decades .
But if you need a reminder , the bank was caught breaching anti-money laundering and counter-terror finance laws around 23 million times and allowed customers to make payments to people in the Philippines who were later arrested for child sex trafficking and livestreaming child sexual abuse .
Yes , you could say forcing customers to meet climate change conditions puts pressure on farmers and big construction firms .
But what ’ s really immoral is charging customers a fee for no service , a real thing that the banks did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labelled the practice “ dishonest ” and “ inexcusable ” .
We shudder to think what he ’ d say about the zero emissions test .
Sure , asking that your customers don ’ t cause irreversible damage to the planet might seem “ out of touch ” to some .
But do you know what ’ s really not cool ?
Charging dead people fees .
Three of Australia ’ s biggest banks — CBA , NAB and AMP — did this , and some even continued the practice after they got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ve heard of this one ?
Drought-stricken graziers hit with hefty penalties for defaulting on their loans ?
Not very moral .
It came up at the banking royal commission — you know , the royal commission we had to have into the sector because it had no moral compass ?
Guess that one passed you by too .

Poor David Littleproud. The agriculture minister has been scandalised by this week’s news that ANZ will introduce a new climate change policy that will see the bank take steps towards supporting a net zero emissions economy by 2050.
“Banks are not and should not try to become society’s moral compass and arbiter,” he proclaimed. “The Australian people decide that by who they elect.”
We hate to break this to you, David, but literally no one sees the banks as society’s moral compass. At least not after some of these notable scandals in which their morals were famously missing. Here’s a refresher in case you’ve forgotten.


crikey--2020-10-29--Gone for now, but surely back soon enough: the best of the Spiv-tionary

From 'this is n't the time ' to ' a tickle from the top ' , we look about at @ @ @ @ @ Spiv-tionary .
Dear readers , we ca n't thank you enough for providing us with @ @ @ @ @ shonky and evasive language from those in power .
We 're wrapping up the Spiv-tionary @ @ @ @ @ enjoy this highlights package , collecting the 10 best examples from the past two weeks @ @ @ @ @ of the word “ regret ” in the mouth of the spiv is that it @ @ @ @ @ word “ any ” and immediately be drained of all meaning , referring not to @ @ @ @ @ is responsible for but rather a vague possibility that some may or may not have @ @

Dear readers, we can’t thank you enough for providing us with so many wonderful examples of shonky and evasive language from those in power.
We’re wrapping up the Spiv-tionary for now, but please enjoy this highlights package, collecting the 10 best examples from the past two weeks.
Regret: The beauty of the word “regret” in the mouth of the spiv is that it can be attached to the word “any” and immediately be drained of all meaning, referring not to a specific event that one is responsible for but rather a vague possibility that some may or may not have happened.


crikey--2020-10-29--Palaszczuk’s popularity and performance could see Labor defy mood for change

If the polls are correct and Labor pulls off a narrow win in Queensland tomorrow , the election will be @ @ @ @ @ the actual campaign period made a difference .
If the polls and betting markets are @ @ @ @ @ a narrow win in Queensland tomorrow , the election will be recalled as one in @ @ @ @ @ made a difference .
The state 's voters have looked ready to trade in their @ @ @ @ @ past term , a situation that was not fundamentally transformed by its success in containing @ @ @ @ @ incumbent around the country , Annastacia Palaszczuk has enjoyed booming personal ratings throughout this year @ @ @ @ @ this was a largely voteless recovery , with the Liberal National Party opposition maintaining a @ @ @ @ @

If the polls and betting markets are correct and Labor pulls off a narrow win in Queensland tomorrow, the election will be recalled as one in which the actual campaign period made a difference.
The state’s voters have looked ready to trade in their government for most of the past term, a situation that was not fundamentally transformed by its success in containing COVID-19.
Like every other incumbent around the country, Annastacia Palaszczuk has enjoyed booming personal ratings throughout this year, but the polls suggested this was a largely voteless recovery, with the Liberal National Party opposition maintaining a modest but persistent advantage.