crikey--2020-12-06--Why the R-word needs reforming, refining and reimagining — right now

Terms like 'recession ' are only really useful when they relate to the lived experience of the majority of people .
Before COVID-19 , recessions were something associated with less lucky countries or far less fortunate times — at least for Australians under 40 .
So the announcement of a recession in September was something of an anticlimax .
Things were bad , but they had been bad since March .
The unemployment rate rose just 0.1 % in September , which , while terrible for those 12,000 or so people , was not as crushing as previous monthly rises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause the sky to fall .
The streetlights stayed on and , despite over a decade of the Coalition warning of the dire consequences of government debt , the international money markets did not turn off their lines of credit .
Then , just weeks later , we were told by media outlets ( particularly the Murdoch-owned press ) that the recession was over .
Sky News ran with “ COVID RECESSION OVER : RBA forecast economic growth in quarterly statement ” — and while the Reserve Bank ( RBA ) was quick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such caveats were buried far below the headlines .
Last week the RBA confirmed a serious uptick of 3.3 % in GDP growth , taking a significant bite from this year ’ s losses and again sparking “ COVID recession is over ” headlines .
This is indeed a reason to be optimistic .
Yet focusing solely on GDP data is lazy and dangerous , both for economists and journalists .
Just because GDP is growing , that does not mean we are back to any semblance of normality .
Around 961,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of thousands of others have traded full-time permanent contracts for part-time casual work .
The economy remains in the deepest period of turmoil since the Great Depression .
There is a legitimate question , then , as to what use the term “ recession ” is .
One answer is that it ’ s useful for a certain type of politician when claiming to be a good economic manager .
It shows that Australian accounts were in poor shape just twice between 1975 and 2019 .
But there are major caveats when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously , it ignores the number of people needed to generate that wealth .
This is no trivial point .
If we adjust GDP growth for population , the number of recessions over the 1975-2019 period changes dramatically .
Instead of two recessions there are instead nine over that period , and five in the past three decades .
Simply by adjusting GDP for population growth the standard recession measure paints a very different picture to that touted by the “ 30 years of continuous growth ” brigade .
If we look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on total GDP rather than GDP growth , the scale of the economic disruption becomes clearer .
The economy has essentially lost all economic gains over the past three years , meaning that many years of very high growth will be needed to get Australia back to its pre-crisis GDP level .
And returning to this level does not mean that the crisis is over .
The UK experience of the global financial crisis ( GFC ) is informative on this point .
It took roughly five years for UK nominal GPD to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wages did not recover for a further two and a half years .
The point is that economic terms like “ recession ” are only really useful when they relate to the lived experience of the majority of people .
This year , millions of households have emptied a large portion of their superannuation pots to cover the costs of the recession .
Even before the crisis , workers experienced seven years of stagnant wages , while underemployment had been over 8 % since 2014 .
Insecure work had been climbing steadily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 .
Clearly the economy was in trouble long before the GDP figures turned negative .
A return to “ normal ” is simply not a possibility .
Luckily , there are alternatives to discussing recessions .
For example , the United States uses ( among other measures ) the “ Sahm Rule ” , which looks at the level of unemployment relative to the previous 12 months .
This is a far superior measure than GDP or GDP per capita , since it relates the recessions to the labour market experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this measure further to incorporate underemployment as well as unemployment .
By this measure Australia was in recession in 2009-10 , and in 2014 when the underemployment levels plateaued at over 8 % .
In times of unprecedented crisis , people need a vocabulary to describe what it is they are experiencing .
For economists and journalists , this means listening and adjusting our measures accordingly .

Before COVID-19, recessions were something associated with less lucky countries or far less fortunate times — at least for Australians under 40.
So the announcement of a recession in September was something of an anticlimax. Things were bad, but they had been bad since March. The unemployment rate rose just 0.1% in September, which, while terrible for those 12,000 or so people, was not as crushing as previous monthly rises.
The announcement of recession did not cause the sky to fall. The streetlights stayed on and, despite over a decade of the Coalition warning of the dire consequences of government debt, the international money markets did not turn off their lines of credit.


crikey--2020-12-06--Morrison’s fight against climate transition is caught in the gears of global politics

Concede the science .
Fight the transition .
That was the heart of Morrison 's 2019 election strategy .
But @ @ @ @ @ Australia ’ s political media is slowly -- too slowly -- waking up to the @ @ @ @ @ .
Conservatives are n't arguing the science anymore .
They 're fighting the transition .
@ @ @ @ @ conservatives concede ?
What space will the denialist ultras on the backbench ( and in @ @ @ @ @ ?
And will the media pick up the shift and hold the government to account @ @ @ @ @ of what 's to come in a quiet leak to The Sydney Morning Herald over @ @ @ @ @ was going to stop digging in on the hill of Kyoto carryover credits .

Australia’s political media is slowly — too slowly — waking up to the denialist schtick of post-Abbott conservatism. Conservatives aren’t arguing the science anymore. They’re fighting the transition.
How much ground will the conservatives concede? What space will the denialist ultras on the backbench (and in News Corp) give up? And will the media pick up the shift and hold the government to account?
There was a hint of what’s to come in a quiet leak to The Sydney Morning Herald over the weekend. The government was going to stop digging in on the hill of Kyoto carryover credits.


crikey--2020-12-08--Gay conversion therapy: where sexuality meets politics and religion

Victoria 's proposed legislation on gay conversion therapy is causing chaos in Liberal Party ranks .
Here ’ s where @ @ @ @ @ You would think supporting a crackdown on an extreme practice like gay conversion therapy would @ @ @ @ @ yet Victorian Premier Dan Andrew ’ s plan to outlaw the practice has driven a @ @ @ @ @ Liberal party .
Labor has introduced legislation that would ban religious groups including churches using @ @ @ @ @ LGBTIQ people .
But some religious leaders say the laws are too far-reaching and are @ @ @ @ @ .
The issue will come to a head inside the Liberal Party today as MPs @ @ @ @ @ support the legislation .
Already there are signs some are against the new law .

You would think supporting a crackdown on an extreme practice like gay conversion therapy would be a no brainer, yet Victorian Premier Dan Andrew’s plan to outlaw the practice has driven a split within the state’s Liberal party.
Labor has introduced legislation that would ban religious groups including churches using prayer to “change” LGBTIQ people. But some religious leaders say the laws are too far-reaching and are a threat to religious freedoms.
The issue will come to a head inside the Liberal Party today as MPs meet to decide whether to support the legislation. Already there are signs some are against the new law.


crikey--2020-12-08--COVID jabs begin: royalty first, ‘immunisation passports’ and untested vaccines

As the UK rolls out its first vaccinations , we take a look at how the rest of the world @ @ @ @ @ The UK has today become the first Western nation to start vaccinating against COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ among the first to get the jab .
But China and Russia are already streets @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of their citizens .
Their vaccines have n't been fully tested ( but @ @ @ @ @ spruiking its vaccine to developing countries ) .
Queen Elizabeth , 94 , and her @ @ @ @ @ , will be among the first Brits to get the coronavirus vaccine in the UK @ @ @ @ @ out from today .
The royal couple 's place on the priority list is not @ @ @ @ @ , though -- those over 80 will be prioritised , as will nursing home residents @ @ @ @

The UK has today become the first Western nation to start vaccinating against COVID-19, and the Queen will be among the first to get the jab.
But China and Russia are already streets ahead, having vaccinated hundreds of thousands of their citizens. Their vaccines haven’t been fully tested (but that hasn’t stopped China spruiking its vaccine to developing countries).
Long live the Queen
Queen Elizabeth, 94, and her husband Prince Philip, 99, will be among the first Brits to get the coronavirus vaccine in the UK, which is being rolled out from today. The royal couple’s place on the priority list is not due to their privileged status, though — those over 80 will be prioritised, as will nursing home residents and their carers.


crikey--2020-12-08--Adani was a bad investment in 2014. It’s an even worse one now

Despite winning approvals and commencing construction , Adani 's Queensland coal mine is as controversial as ever .
2020 has not been a good year for thermal coal .
Trends that were already underway have accelerated as a result of the pandemic .
As the energy source with the highest marginal cost of operation , coal has borne the brunt of reductions in electricity demand .
As a result , planned closures have been brought forward and new closures have been announced .
Financial institutions have announced ever more stringent divestiture policies , making new coal mines and coal-fired power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premiums for new and existing coal projects have risen .
National governments including major coal consumers like China , South Korea and Japan have announced plans to reach net zero emissions by 2050 or 2060 .
Reaching this target implies a rapid end to new coal projects , and an accelerated phase-out of existing ones .
It is striking , then , that emerging reports suggest that the State Bank of India ( SBI ) might lend $ 1 billion to Bravus , the absurdly renamed Adani Mining , to finance its Carmichael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Basin .
A similar proposal , which reached the stage of a memorandum of understanding , was considered and rejected back in 2014 .
A source associated with the proposal has been quoted as saying the situation has changed : This is , at best , a half-truth .
Despite winning approvals and commencing construction , the mine is as controversial as ever .
Even if Bravus succeeds in shipping coal , the pressure to shut the project down will be relentless , and sooner or later , successful .
The toxicity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions without a strong general divestment policy have refused to touch it .
Considered as a commercial investment , the proposed loan looks far worse than it did in 2014 , and not just because of the general decline of coal .
The original proposal was for a $ 6 billion dollar project , producing up to 60 million tonnes of coal a year by 2022 .
The exposure of SBI , as a senior secured lender , would have been a small fraction of the total project value .
In 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with a cost of $ 2 billion , to produce 10 million tonnes of coal a year .
The proposed loan from SBI would amount to half the project ’ s value .
If the project falls short of its goals regarding output , sales price or cost efficiency , SBI will very likely be exposed to some of the loss .
The problems continue at the other end of the chain .
The project has always been envisaged as a “ pit to plug ” operation , with coal from Carmichael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ port and shipping ) to Adani ’ s power plants in India .
The most important candidate is the proposed Godda power station , which has a contract to export power to Bangladesh at prices that aren ’ t competitive with low-cost renewable energy , or even with other coal-fired power .
Now that Bangladesh looks like abandoning or scaling back its coal-based strategy for domestic electricity generation , this contract could well be repudiated or renegotiated .
The only thing that has shifted in Adani ’ s favour is the domestic political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Modi was a populist demagogue , fond of cronyist politics , but most of the institutions of Indian democracy were functioning as checks on outright corruption .
During the Trump presidency , Modi has moved , like others of his kind , towards a personal dictatorship , where these constraints are weaker .
Perhaps he can push SBI to offer his good friend Gautam Adani a loan that is unlikely to be repaid .
However , it ’ s been some time since news leaked of the supposedly imminent decision on the loan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen sense .
Or perhaps the rumour was never solidly based .
With luck , the whole idea will simply fade away .

2020 has not been a good year for thermal coal.
Trends that were already underway have accelerated as a result of the pandemic. As the energy source with the highest marginal cost of operation, coal has borne the brunt of reductions in electricity demand. As a result, planned closures have been brought forward and new closures have been announced.
Financial institutions have announced ever more stringent divestiture policies, making new coal mines and coal-fired power stations increasingly uninsurable and unbankable. Insurance premiums for new and existing coal projects have risen.


crikey--2020-12-08--Here’s a crazy thought: let’s teach and recognise skills our kids will actually need

A post-COVID world is going to look very different for our future leaders — and their education must reflect that .
When you sit with someone being told they are going die , how the diagnosis is delivered is as important as what it actually says .
And yet the bedside manner of our medical specialists is largely seen as irrelevant next to their ability to diagnose and treat .
As Christmas approaches , a whole cohort of school leavers are anxiously awaiting a single score ; a mark that will dictate whether they gain entry into the university and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judging our future doctors — and teachers and psychologists and lawyers — on a single score ignores the importance of all those other skills that are so desperately needed as they graduate university and climb the career ladder .
The National Skills Commission yesterday flagged the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on the national jobs market , where employment remains 223,100 below the level recorded nine months ago .
That means jobs will be harder to find .
But the commission has also released a list of the “ top 20 resilient occupations ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health sector .
They range from GPs to occupational therapists , registered nurses to midwives and speech pathologists .
Educators also fall into the category of those professions considered resilient to the times , as do aged care workers , agriculture workers and delivery drivers .
But what an opportunity for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to change the narrative around the skills we need post COVID-19 .
Skills like resilience and leadership , teamwork and empathy , inclusion and inquiry , communication and adaptability , worth ethic and problem-solving .
Skills that don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or in the entrance exam into most university courses .
The National Skills Commission provides advice to the Morrison government on “ current , emerging and future workforce skills needs ’ ’ , as well as several other areas .
But those current , emerging , future and much-needed skills have yet to include an evaluation of what is routinely , and ill-advisedly referred to as “ soft skills ” .
We can ’ t test for them , so we routinely ignore them .
Just take communication as an example .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a journalist , a teacher or an air-conditioning mechanic , the ability to convey complex information is essential .
Teamwork is equally important .
Consider the vital role of a good team player in any business or hospital or school — and the hindrance of someone who isn ’ t .
Adaptability is not taught in the school curriculum , nor measured on any university entrance score , but it ’ s crucial to be successful at work .
This year ’ s pandemic has shown that again .
Those businesses that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets survive , where those that can not do not .
This is as much an issue for schools as it is for policymakers plotting a workforce-led recovery .
What ’ s the use of teaching the digital skills our students need but not the skills needed to exploit and lead the digital revolution ?
What ’ s the use of being able to ace a chemistry paper without the ability to explain the answer ?
Former teacher Jack Ma founded Alibaba in his one-bedroom Hangzhou apartment ; in July this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth in the tens of billions of dollars .
Speaking at Davos a couple of years ago , Ma pleaded with the world ’ s policymakers to change the way we teach children .
“ If we do not change the way we teach , in 30 years we ’ ll be in trouble … we can not teach our kids to compete with machines who ’ ll be smarter , ” he said .
“ We have to teach our kids something unique , so that a machine can never catch up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent thinking , teamwork , care for others — the soft skills — sports , music , painting , arts , to make sure humans are different from machines.
” National skills commissioner Adam Boyton yesterday said Australia ’ s recovery would depend on many factors including accessing a COVID-19 vaccine and “ avoiding additional waves of infection , as well as how the rest of the world responds to the pandemic ’ ’ .
He ’ s right .
But what a wonderful opportunity it affords us to look at what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value to those resilient jobs that will lead Australia ’ s recovery .
It would also mean the nation ’ s universities do more than fill their spots with the highest academic achievers .
There ’ d be spots , too , for tomorrow ’ s leaders .
Does the narrative around skills need to change ?
Let us know your thoughts by writing to [ email protected ] .
Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey ’ s Your Say column .

When you sit with someone being told they are going die, how the diagnosis is delivered is as important as what it actually says.
And yet the bedside manner of our medical specialists is largely seen as irrelevant next to their ability to diagnose and treat.
As Christmas approaches, a whole cohort of school leavers are anxiously awaiting a single score; a mark that will dictate whether they gain entry into the university and the course of their futures.


crikey--2020-12-07--Who should rise and who should fall in Santa ScoMo’s Christmas reshuffle?

With a reshuffle looming , who should rise and who should fall in a government short on talent , particularly @ @ @ @ @ an end-of-year reshuffle due after parliament rises this week , public servants will be busily @ @ @ @ @ so that ministers can get their feet under the desk before the summer break .
@ @ @ @ @ 's out ?
We 'll find out in due course , but here 's a @ @ @ @ @ reshuffle based on merit and political smarts might scoop up .
Intended to be a @ @ @ @ @ response to the aged care royal commission when it made its report , that idea @ @ @ @ @ pandemic erupted and ripped through two nursing homes in Sydney and then through much of @ @ @ @ @ directly regulated and funded by the Commonwealth in Victoria .

With an end-of-year reshuffle due after parliament rises this week, public servants will be busily preparing new minister briefing packages so that ministers can get their feet under the desk before the summer break.
Who’s in and who’s out? We’ll find out in due course, but here’s a form guide to what a reshuffle based on merit and political smarts might scoop up.
Duds
Richard Colbeck
Intended to be a placeholder for the government’s response to the aged care royal commission when it made its report, that idea went to hell when the pandemic erupted and ripped through two nursing homes in Sydney and then through much of the private aged care sector directly regulated and funded by the Commonwealth in Victoria.


crikey--2020-12-09--Come in spinner: how independent is the government’s check on political advertising?

Spin it to win it – with millions being spent on focus groups to refine the Treasury department ’ s @ @ @ @ @ need to be asked about the independence of a committee tasked with policing government advertising @ @ @ @ @ spin doctors have been hard at work this year , generating catchy slogans and cleverly @ @ @ @ @ turn .
But as Crikey wrote in October , Scott Morrison ’ s marketing obsession @ @ @ @ @ of public relations -- it has seeped into his policymaking too .
And with millions @ @ @ @ @ to refine the Treasury department ’ s economic recovery message , it seems nothing is @ @ @ @ @ .
Now questions are being raised about the independence of a committee tasked with policing @ @ @

The PM’s spin doctors have been hard at work this year, generating catchy slogans and cleverly crafted Instagram posts at every turn.
But as Crikey wrote in October, Scott Morrison’s marketing obsession goes far beyond the realm of public relations — it has seeped into his policymaking too. And with millions being spent on focus groups to refine the Treasury department’s economic recovery message, it seems nothing is beyond the reach of spinners.
Now questions are being raised about the independence of a committee tasked with policing government advertising.


crikey--2020-12-08--The many faces of Scott Morrison — and the things that turn them off and on

The prime minister does n't get angry all that often .
But it 's worth paying attention to the times when he does .
For public consumption , there are four Scott Morrisons .
There ’ s the daggy dad ( how good is the daggy dad ? )
; the serious leader ( see agitprop photos of Scott-at-desk ) ; the smarmy dismisser ( reserved for parliament and the media ) ; and , most rarely , righteous anger Scott .
We saw righteous anger Scott in full incandescence last week , calling a snap press conference in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s national outrage at a faked image depicting something which Australian special forces soldiers are actually accused of doing in Afghanistan .
Scott , described by the official transcription service we also call mainstream media , was “ visibly angry ” .
Ooh .
Scott , a man of strong moral conviction , gets occasionally exercised to high emotion by truly dreadful things .
It ’ s instructive for all of us , since our leader sets the ethical tone , to reflect on the kinds of matters that do , or do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The high ( or low ) point of outrage for Scott was , of course , the 2018 outbreak of needles in strawberries .
That was so horrific that Scott made new laws to punish the “ grubs ” and “ cowards ” responsible .
In 2020 , undeniably the worst year in living memory , Scott has actually remained mostly sanguine , getting righteously upset very few times .
The Chinese tweet , obviously ; the Maritime Union of Australia , whose go-slow industrial action in Sydney was — according to Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The story was entirely untrue but Scott ’ s anger looked genuine .
There was toilet paper panic buying , which made Scott really testy ( “ Stop it !
” he admonished us ) .
Journalists saying “ bonk ban ” provoked a similar prime ministerial dressing down , because the subject of ministers having sex with their staffers is very serious and should be talked about with serious words .
But the most “ disgraceful ” act of 2020 , which “ appalled and shocked ” Scott to his core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had given Cartier watches to four senior executives .
Heads must , and did , roll over that national shame , despite the absence of illegality , corruption or even a policy breach .
As for the things that a casual observer would think might ( but most definitely did not ) have raised even a flicker of moral indignation in Scott ’ s puritan heart this year… well , the list is quite long : • The Ruby Princess debacle , hotel quarantine failures ( except in Victoria ) , or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care • Black deaths in custody or the failure to “ close the gap ” yet again • The family and domestic violence crisis and the related deaths of 43 women this year • International students trapped here with no access to welfare support • The near-death experience of the arts during the pandemic • Robodebt ’ s $ 1.2 billion black hole or the death and untold suffering caused by it • Alan Tudge ’ s long list of acts that make his ministerial position untenable • Endemic sexual harassment in institutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the High Court • Spending $ 4000 an hour to fly private citizen Mathias Cormann around the world begging for the top OECD job • Refugees generally , some of whom have been in detention for seven years now • Facilitation of money laundering on a grand scale by Westpac and Star Casinos • The small matter of war crimes allegedly committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan .
In fairness , unlike almost all of the above , Scott did not ignore the alleged war crimes , calling them “ disturbing and distressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ utterly outrageous ” , like the Chinese tweet .
And , unlike the apology Scott demanded from China , there was no prime ministerial call for anything in response to the war crimes revelations apart from his insistence that the armed forces chief back down from his initial call to strip citations from an entire army unit .
On that last suggestion , Scott was quite upset too .
The unfairness , you know .
My list , no doubt , is incomplete .
It ’ s been a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader has been busy , at least at Bunnings .
It is reasonable to expect him to ration his emotions and , more importantly , choose judiciously when to bring his moral authority to bear on issues of the day and signal to us when we , too , should be upset .
Good to be reminded , then .
Cartier watches and a tweet .
Where should the prime minister be directing his anger ?
Let us know your thoughts by writing to [ email protected ] .
Please include your full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crikey ’ s Your Say section

For public consumption, there are four Scott Morrisons. There’s the daggy dad (how good is the daggy dad?); the serious leader (see agitprop photos of Scott-at-desk); the smarmy dismisser (reserved for parliament and the media); and, most rarely, righteous anger Scott.
We saw righteous anger Scott in full incandescence last week, calling a snap press conference in response to a tweet and expressing Australia’s national outrage at a faked image depicting something which Australian special forces soldiers are actually accused of doing in Afghanistan. Scott, described by the official transcription service we also call mainstream media, was “visibly angry”. Ooh.
Scott, a man of strong moral conviction, gets occasionally exercised to high emotion by truly dreadful things. It’s instructive for all of us, since our leader sets the ethical tone, to reflect on the kinds of matters that do, or do not, invoke his moral rage.


crikey--2020-12-08--Neat, plausible and wrong: fixing the internet’s    content headache

Donald Trump is making impulsive threats to change how the internet treats content platforms , and it might not be @ @ @ @ @ his way out the White House door , Trump has thrown another bombshell , this @ @ @ @ @ the internet by treating the big tech platforms as publishers rather than innocent carriers of @ @ @ @ @ Sure , it ’ s lame-duck Trump , throwing shi ... um , stuff at @ @ @ @ @ sticks and the adults in the room in Washington are busy hosing it down .
@ @ @ @ @ , even cross party support .
It was only last January that now-President-elect Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ to lose their immunity , saying : “ For Zuckerberg and other platforms , it @ @ @ @ @ is not merely an internet company .
It is propagating falsehoods they know to be @ @ @ @ @ s been more cautious since . )

On his way out the White House door, Trump has thrown another bombshell, this time threatening to blow up the internet by treating the big tech platforms as publishers rather than innocent carriers of the words of others.
Sure, it’s lame-duck Trump, throwing shi… um, stuff at the wall to see what sticks and the adults in the room in Washington are busy hosing it down. But his call has widespread, even cross party support.
It was only last January that now-President-elect Joe Biden was similarly calling for platforms to lose their immunity, saying: “For Zuckerberg and other platforms, it should be revoked because it is not merely an internet company. It is propagating falsehoods they know to be false.” (He’s been more cautious since.)


crikey--2020-12-08--How low does Porter want wage growth to go? New attack defies Reserve Bank advice

The government 's proposed 'worse off overall ' test will punish workers , further cut wages and undermine the recovery @ @ @ @ @ of right-wing ideology and business self-interest over economic growth and the advice of the Reserve @ @ @ @ @ to directly undermine wages growth by locking in what will amount to a `` worse @ @ @ @ @ the next two years for workers .
That 's the proper name for Christian `` @ @ @ @ @ proposal to allow businesses to cut wages in enterprise agreements based on a vague `` @ @ @ @ @ with workers knowing they can be pushed back to award minimums if they fail to @ @ @ @ @ references to Workchoices and its return have been a dime a dozen for the past @ @ @ @ @ is straight from that ill-starred Howard government reform program that saw wages cut and labour @ @ @

In a clear triumph of right-wing ideology and business self-interest over economic growth and the advice of the Reserve Bank, the government intends to directly undermine wages growth by locking in what will amount to a “worse off overall” test for the next two years for workers.
That’s the proper name for Christian “Public Bar” Porter’s proposal to allow businesses to cut wages in enterprise agreements based on a vague “public interest test” — with workers knowing they can be pushed back to award minimums if they fail to agree to them.


crikey--2020-12-08--To understand right-wing extremism, we need to move past Dutton’s ‘cop logic’

Right-wing extremism is presenting an increasing challenge to Australians , and there is a need to educate people about the fact that extremists may look exactly like us .
You could be forgiven for thinking that Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was obfuscating when he was asked specific questions about right-wing extremism during a doorstop late last week .
Dutton ’ s stance as expressed to journalists was that right-wing extremism will be dealt with like any other threat by Australia ’ s security agencies .
That is a purely operational , old school cop logic by Dutton .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as threats will be identified and managed irrespective of ideology .
It does not deal with the key challenge that right-wing extremism presents to Australians .
There is a need to educate people about the fact that terrorists may look exactly like us , move within our midst and profess a belief in ideologies that are grounded in a combination of deep prejudice , advocacy of change through extreme violence , with a twist of anarchy .
The Labor Party ’ s proposed inquiry into right-wing extremism provides an opportunity for the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better understanding of the scope of the threat and what Australia as a country needs to do to lessen the likelihood that racist , violent and at times anarchic ideologies take hold .
Understanding the basis of an ideology provides a valuable lead to investigators and other people about what targets an individual or a group is likely to single out for special attention .
Take the various threats to the United States that were made by Osama bin Laden during the 1990s .
Bin Laden warned the United States on multiple occasions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence .
Two such occasions include the famous interview with Peter Arnett broadcast on CNN in 1997 and also in a declaration of a jihad in February 1998 .
These warnings can be linked to the bombings of American embassies in Africa that very year , the attack on the USS Cole in 2000 , and the plot that saw the loss of 2977 lives on American soil on September 11 , 2001 .
The latter led to a “ war on terror ” aimed at global jihadists initially belonging to al-Qaeda , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when that group grew in strength and influence .
This intense focus in countries such as New Zealand on Islamist or global jihadist threats meant other extremist ideologies received less attention and fewer resources — a fact pointed to by the four volume royal commission report into the Christchurch terrorist attacks released yesterday .
That report describes at length the various steps the perpetrator took to communicate with and donate to various extreme right organisations .
It also looked at his family life , his personality , various factors that led to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the March 15 , 2019 terrorist attack .
This report on the Christchurch terrorist attacks , which also proposes a shake up of various agencies involved in intelligence and law enforcement to fix shortcomings found by the royal commission , may be a harrowing , sobering , and distressing account from which Australian authorities will learn a substantial amount , but this needs to be accompanied by a broader examination of the growing presence of adherents to extreme right ideologies in Australia .
Any review of this area needs to deal with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the banner of right-wing extremism .
It is not limited to white nationalists , white supremacists , and neo-Nazis .
Crikey has previously reported that right-wing extremists have moved to less stringently moderated social media platforms and encrypted messaging services once Facebook and Twitter have banned them and certain of their followers .
An inquiry should explore how these various forums , encrypted platforms and social media applications such as TikTok operate and to what extent the operators of these platforms view it as their role to step in and more actively moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is also a need for an examination of how parents and guardians of young people exposed to extremist influences online can help them to steer clear of the strife that involvement in right-wing movements brings .
No politician with a conscience and concern for the well-being of their electorate and Australian society as a whole would want to be seen opposing an inquiry into right wing extremism in Australia .
This is far too important a discussion to be sullied by partisan games .

You could be forgiven for thinking that Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was obfuscating when he was asked specific questions about right-wing extremism during a doorstop late last week.
Dutton’s stance as expressed to journalists was that right-wing extremism will be dealt with like any other threat by Australia’s security agencies.
That is a purely operational, old school cop logic by Dutton. His argument is that individuals or groups identified as threats will be identified and managed irrespective of ideology.


crikey--2020-12-10--Tim Wilson’s anti-super crusade a worry for blinkered, vulnerable ALP

Labor ca n't underestimate its vulnerability on superannuation .
If it does , it risks a repeat of the franking @ @ @ @ @ a particular trap in Australian progressive politics which involves dismissing a political issue simply because @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's fair to say the Liberal MP represents the antithesis of what anyone @ @ @ @ @ in their veins feels life is all about : the rent-a-blazer with a nine-dollar smile @ @ @ @ @ 2019 election hanging around old folks homes like a has-been crooner doing morning melodies , @ @ @ @ @ a newly drafted will .
But that would be to underestimate him , as the @ @ @ @ @ issue showed .
Wilson 's relentless campaigning on it was a savvy pick up on @ @ @ @ @ 's ( remember him ? )
very modest proposal induced -- even in people with @ @ @ @

There’s a particular trap in Australian progressive politics which involves dismissing a political issue simply because Tim Wilson has become involved.
It’s fair to say the Liberal MP represents the antithesis of what anyone with a skerrick of blood in their veins feels life is all about: the rent-a-blazer with a nine-dollar smile, last seen in the 2019 election hanging around old folks homes like a has-been crooner doing morning melodies, or a fake relative with a newly drafted will.
But that would be to underestimate him, as the course of the franking credits issue showed. Wilson’s relentless campaigning on it was a savvy pick up on the widespread anxiety Chris Bowen’s (remember him?) very modest proposal induced — even in people with no share portfolio.


crikey--2020-12-10--Held in Qatar, Aussie asks why our government seems reluctant to help him

Why is the Morrison government so reluctant to challenge the Gulf state ?
Australian grandfather Joe Sarlak was imprisoned in @ @ @ @ @ and is still stuck abroad with pending legal cases .
He alleges the Australian government @ @ @ @ @ and his representative and human rights activist Radha Stirling says the government has never contacted @ @ @ @ @ for his release .
That is a stark contrast to the Department of Foreign Affairs @ @ @ @ @ ) efforts to secure the release of academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert who was detained in Iran @

Australian grandfather Joe Sarlak was imprisoned in Qatar for nearly three years and is still stuck abroad with pending legal cases.
He alleges the Australian government has done little to help and his representative and human rights activist Radha Stirling says the government has never contacted its diplomatic counterparts to campaign for his release.
That is a stark contrast to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) efforts to secure the release of academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert who was detained in Iran.


crikey--2020-12-10--Fletcher bungles ABC hit job and leaves the government stuck

Paul Fletcher 's clumsy attempt to pressure the ABC board will backfire , leaving the government with nowhere to go .
If it was unclear before that Communications Minister Paul Fletcher is badly out of his depth , his mishandling of the government ’ s reprisals against the ABC over Four Corners ‘ revelation of the antics of Alan Tudge and Christian Porter has confirmed it .
It ’ s debatable whether the government should even have looked to punch back against the ABC for the program .
The revelations — entirely in the public interest — of the behaviour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s news .
In the “ permanent present ” of the press gallery , where no one remembers longer than five minutes ago and any story broken by another outlet is ignored until it can ’ t be , the news cycle had moved on .
Until Fletcher dispatched his letter to ABC chair Ita Buttrose .
Fletcher ’ s tactics are bizarre .
When Richard Alston decided to attack the ABC over coverage of the Iraq war in 2003 , he used the ABC ’ s own processes against it by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them hilariously trivial .
The ABC was forced to investigate each one , with the possibility that they could be appealed to what was then the Australian Broadcasting Authority ( ABA ) .
The process dragged on for 18 months — long after Alston had left politics — until the ABA found most of Alston ’ s complaints unjustified , but he managed to secure a few wins along the way .
History , of course , has vindicated the ABC in spades about the illegal Iraq war , but at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and News Corp was at maximum .
Fletcher — who was chief of staff to Alston until 2000 , when he was replaced by the far smarter David Quilty — has taken a different approach .
He ’ s simply fired off a long letter to ABC chair Ita Buttrose accusing the ABC of bias , accusing the board of supporting intrusions into the personal lives of Coalition ministers and of overseeing breaches of codes of practice and the ABC Act .
It ’ s riddled with absurd questions like “ why should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program demonstrates a failure by the board in its duty under section 8 of the ABC Act “ , when an objective observer might conclude that the personal behaviour of a minister who used private information to smear a government critic , and an attorney-general allegedly behaving in ways that make him a security risk , and ministers attempting to cover that up , is exactly the sort of high quality public interest journalism the ABC should produce .
Fletcher also sent the letter to his media mates before its intended recipient received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Australian today , an obviously well-briefed Niki Savva reports that Buttrose will tell Fletcher where to shove his letter .
In reality , she could do no other .
Fletcher ’ s letter , unlike Alston ’ s complaints , leaves no option .
Giving even an inch to the government will look like crumbling in the face of political pressure .
And Fletcher in effect is directly questioning Buttrose ’ s own judgment , not just that of ABC executives , given she had seen the program before broadcast .
Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ savvy appointment to replace Justin Milne , because she was popular and wouldn ’ t make trouble .
But as John Howard and Richard Alston discovered with Donald McDonald , some ABC chairs take their responsibilities very seriously indeed , and political pressure only reinforces their determination to stand by the corporation .
Worse , Fletcher has nowhere to go after his letter , if Buttrose and the board decide to make a paper plane out of it and throw it out the window from the boardroom at Ultimo .
There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board .
And Fletcher can ’ t sack the board .
Under section 18 of the ABC Act , directors can only be removed “ for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity ” , if they go bankrupt or stop showing up to board meetings .
It ’ s possible Fletcher and most of his Coalition colleagues think it ’ s “ misbehaviour ” not to act as a News Corp-style propaganda arm for the government , but that won ’ t do the trick in the real world .
Fletcher ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Board ” , will avail him nought given they are not “ to be taken to impose on the board a duty that is enforceable by proceedings in a court ” .
Any purported sacking of an ABC director on the grounds of “ misbehaviour ” could lead to some very interesting litigation , including defamation proceedings .
And does the government want to publicly humiliate Ita Buttrose — Ita bloody Buttrose — and sack her along with the rest of the board , made up ( with the exception of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government itself appointed ?
Maybe Fletcher is stupid enough to try it .
He ’ s painted himself , and the government , into a corner in a fight with an institution that , no matter how he much he slashes its funding , will always have far more trust among the community than any politician .

If it was unclear before that Communications Minister Paul Fletcher is badly out of his depth, his mishandling of the government’s reprisals against the ABC over Four Corners‘ revelation of the antics of Alan Tudge and Christian Porter has confirmed it.
It’s debatable whether the government should even have looked to punch back against the ABC for the program. The revelations — entirely in the public interest — of the behaviour of two senior ministers were already yesterday’s news. In the “permanent present” of the press gallery, where no one remembers longer than five minutes ago and any story broken by another outlet is ignored until it can’t be, the news cycle had moved on.
Until Fletcher dispatched his letter to ABC chair Ita Buttrose.


crikey--2020-12-09--Morrison lurches back towards South-East Asia but it won’t be a smooth ride

Many Asian relationships have been in a holding pattern because of Australia 's insane economic obsession with China .
The @ @ @ @ @ -- maybe better described as a lurch -- to South-East Asia , while welcome , @ @ @ @ @ Three weeks ago it made a flurry of announcements designed , it appears , to @ @ @ @ @ paying attention to the rapidly mounting fallout from the self-inflicted trade war with China .
@ @ @ @ @ in a package tailored for the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ) @ @

The government’s recent pivot — maybe better described as a lurch — to South-East Asia, while welcome, has some major problems.
Three weeks ago it made a flurry of announcements designed, it appears, to let taxpayers know it was paying attention to the rapidly mounting fallout from the self-inflicted trade war with China.
South-East Asia got the chocolates in a package tailored for the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.


crikey--2020-12-09--Bad faith industrial relation assault is Albo’s chance to draw blood — maybe his last

If Labor under Anthony Albanese ca n't gain traction by defending workers ' pay and super , it 's time to give up .
After being forced by the pandemic to put aside politics as usual for much of 2020 , and facing a government throwing around hundreds of billions in deficit spending , Anthony Albanese now has an opportunity to inflict serious damage on Scott Morrison .
If he ’ s up to it .
Australian workers need him to , for their financial security and for Australia ’ s economic recovery .
The government ’ s proposed “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreements that will see workers ’ pay cut under a nebulous “ public interest test ” requirement for at least two years will further reduce already weak wages growth , undermine the recovery , and accelerate the shift of national income to business away from workers .
Having broken faith and produced this WorkChoices-style idea from his back pocket after keeping it secret during consultations with unions earlier in the year , Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter is trying to argue it will be extremely limited in its use .
You can believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe Peter Costello claiming WorkChoices would lift labour productivity .
The Coalition couldn ’ t help itself .
After a pretence of consulting with unions , it has let ideology and the desires of its business donors take over again to further weaken the bargaining power of workers after years of wage stagnation .
So much for “ we ’ re all in this together ” .
There are high stakes over this — which are completely absent from just about any press gallery coverage .
“ Public Bar ” Porter ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ household spending at the exact moment the economy needs households to keep lifting spending .
Albanese has deployed some acute attack points on Morrison in recent months — especially the entirely correct point that Morrison is primarily a salesman interested in the photo opportunity but not in the delivery .
Albanese ’ s childcare policy in response to an anti-women budget was smart .
But a government mired in sleaze and scandal , the most corrupt in postwar history , should be living in fear of the opposition .
For a leader who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has had to play nice for much of the year rather than , as he puts it , “ throw the toys out of the cot ” .
No opposition leader — either those playing nice or those who have politicised the pandemic — has prospered during the pandemic in Australia .
But both Albanese ’ s polling and Labor ’ s numbers — to the extent they can be believed — have held up better than any state opposition .
Nonetheless , the persistent criticism is that , unexpectedly , he lacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is already running leadership stories .
Porter ’ s “ worse off overall test ” should be the perfect opportunity .
Labor should spend every day between now and the next election talking about Morrison ’ s pay cut .
If the government baulks now , it indicates it will try again after the next election .
It plainly can ’ t help itself .
That the government is mulling an attack on superannuation as well should strengthen Labor ’ s hand in portraying it as an ideological outfit hell-bent on cutting workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Financial Review , News Corp , business lobby groups and much of the press gallery will denounce it , but that applied to the campaign against WorkChoices too .
And if Labor under Albanese can ’ t turn this into a vote-winning issue — protecting workers ’ super and pay , and supporting the economic recovery — it should just give up .

After being forced by the pandemic to put aside politics as usual for much of 2020, and facing a government throwing around hundreds of billions in deficit spending, Anthony Albanese now has an opportunity to inflict serious damage on Scott Morrison.
If he’s up to it.
Australian workers need him to, for their financial security and for Australia’s economic recovery.


crikey--2020-12-11--Australia takes a shot at other COVID vaccines after UQ’s trial canned

The Morrison government has ordered an extra 20 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and 11 million of Novavax .
@ @ @ @ @ CSL have abandoned phase two and three trials of their COVID-19 vaccine after trial participants @ @ @ @ @ .
Although there is no possibility the vaccine causes HIV infections , the changes that @ @ @ @ @ to current procedures to support the vaccine ’ s rollout were considered too great .
@ @ @ @ @ deter people from getting a COVID-19 shot .
The vaccine was being tested on 216 @ @ @ @ @ was safe and effective .
It uses an HIV protein -- specifically the HIV-1 GP @ @ @ @ @ molecular clamp .

The University of Queensland and CSL have abandoned phase two and three trials of their COVID-19 vaccine after trial participants returned false positives for HIV.
Although there is no possibility the vaccine causes HIV infections, the changes that would need to be made to current procedures to support the vaccine’s rollout were considered too great. The false positives could also deter people from getting a COVID-19 shot.
What happened?
The vaccine was being tested on 216 participants and trials showed it was safe and effective. It uses an HIV protein — specifically the HIV-1 GP 41 protein — as the molecular clamp.


crikey--2020-12-11--A democracy by politicians, for politicians

Non-existent voter fraud , voters inconveniencing political parties , and an insufficient number of politicians are apparently the biggest problems @ @ @ @ @ Failed Boris Johnson adviser James McGrath has had a less-than-stellar career since entering politics back @ @ @ @ @ the last few years has wallowed in Senate obscurity .
But his latest effort reveals @ @ @ @ @ -- and it 's not pleasant .
The joint standing committee on electoral matters , @ @ @ @ @ published its report on the 2019 election and McGrath , continuing a campaign by the @ @ @ @ @ , recommends that voters have to present a `` form of acceptable identification '' before @ @ @ @ @ for voter ID is straight from the Republican playbook in the United States , where @ @ @ @ @ Liberties Union ( ACLU ) has demonstrated , over 20 million voters could be excluded @ @ @ @ @ are disproportionately targeted at minority communities .

Failed Boris Johnson adviser James McGrath has had a less-than-stellar career since entering politics back in Australia, and for the last few years has wallowed in Senate obscurity. But his latest effort reveals just how he views democracy — and it’s not pleasant.
The joint standing committee on electoral matters, chaired by McGrath, yesterday published its report on the 2019 election and McGrath, continuing a campaign by the Liberal Party after recent elections, recommends that voters have to present a “form of acceptable identification” before they vote.
A requirement for voter ID is straight from the Republican playbook in the United States, where, as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has demonstrated, over 20 million voters could be excluded by ID requirements, which are disproportionately targeted at minority communities.


crikey--2020-12-11--Dan Andrews goes where others fear to tread — taking on the Catholic Church and winning

The Victorian premier stands his ground on progressive issues and his popularity just keeps on growing .
Three years ago @ @ @ @ @ Catholic Church and won .
His push for voluntary assisted dying laws seemed to go @ @ @ @ @ -- and yet the long feared electoral backlash never happened .
Indeed the Victorian premier @ @ @ @ @ the huffing and puffing of the church in cahoots with the Murdoch media ( which @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Now Andrews is doing it again -- he introduced a bill passed by @ @ @ @ @ ban gay conversion “ therapy ” even amid warnings it will put him on a @ @ @ @ @ right and church groups across the country .

Three years ago Daniel Andrews took on the Catholic Church and won. His push for voluntary assisted dying laws seemed to go against every rule in politics — and yet the long feared electoral backlash never happened.
Indeed the Victorian premier’s popularity increased, despite the huffing and puffing of the church in cahoots with the Murdoch media (which still haven’t forgiven him).
Now Andrews is doing it again — he introduced a bill passed by the lower house yesterday to ban gay conversion “therapy” even amid warnings it will put him on a collision course with the religious right and church groups across the country.


crikey--2020-12-11--Sleaze of Origin: which government is the grubbiest of them all?

In a year filled with sleaze , it requires real skill to emerge as the most corrupt government in Australia .
We 're committed to finding out who has bragging rights as the dirtiest of all .
2020 has been a year of unprecedented sleaze in Australian politics .
Pork-barrelling and turning a blind eye to corruption is now openly celebrated in NSW .
Victorian Labor shredded itself over branch-stacking .
Federal ministers were caught up in grant rorting , sex scandals and dodgy deals .
So intense is the level of corruption and misconduct across politics that Crikey has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sleaze-off to determine which jurisdiction can lay claim to the dirtiest , most corrupt in the land .
State against state , if you like , though not , of course , mate against mate — because mates , as Scott Morrison reminds us , always look after each other .
Here ’ s how it will work .
As the four biggest jurisdictions in the country , the federal government and the NSW , Queensland and Victorian governments are automatic semi-finalists .
Next week , they will battle it out for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some spice to the contest , we ’ re going to play off Labor against Labor and Coalition against Coalition , with Queensland and Victoria going head to head in the first semi-final and NSW and the federal government going up against each other in final number two .
Just like proper State of Origin clashes , parties normally playing alongside each other will find themselves on opposing teams as they vie for the opportunity to claim the mantle of Australia ’ s most corrupt government .
But we haven ’ t left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Australia , Tasmania , Western Australia and the two territories will line up against each other early next week to see who can earn the right to challenge the big states .
The winner of the title of most sleazy smaller state will challenge the last-placed semi-finalists for a chance to break into the top four and “ podium ” with the big jurisdictions .
The winner will receive the Gold Aldi Bag , made iconic by NSW Labor ’ s analog handling of big cash donations .
The runner-up will enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third and fourth place will — pending agreement — enjoy some free shooting lessons with Bridget McKenzie .
It ’ s set to be a clash for the ages .

2020 has been a year of unprecedented sleaze in Australian politics. Pork-barrelling and turning a blind eye to corruption is now openly celebrated in NSW. Victorian Labor shredded itself over branch-stacking. Federal ministers were caught up in grant rorting, sex scandals and dodgy deals.
So intense is the level of corruption and misconduct across politics that Crikey has decided we need a State of Origin Sleaze-off to determine which jurisdiction can lay claim to the dirtiest, most corrupt in the land. State against state, if you like, though not, of course, mate against mate — because mates, as Scott Morrison reminds us, always look after each other.
Here’s how it will work. As the four biggest jurisdictions in the country, the federal government and the NSW, Queensland and Victorian governments are automatic semi-finalists. Next week, they will battle it out for a place in the final. To add some spice to the contest, we’re going to play off Labor against Labor and Coalition against Coalition, with Queensland and Victoria going head to head in the first semi-final and NSW and the federal government going up against each other in final number two.


crikey--2020-12-10--Base politics: Labor risks getting lost in a land called blue-collar nostalgia

Certain elements within the Labor Party must reconsider who their voters are , or they 'll be doomed to keep @ @ @ @ @ A new collection of essays released last week sees leading figures from Labor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ party ’ s electoral demise , with many arguing they must regain the trust of @ @ @ @ @ '' to remain competitive at the federal level .
The book ’ s co-editor Nick @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s a recurring theme in the book it ’ s refocusing our efforts @ @ @ @ @ Australians in their full diversity ” .
These chapters were published amid the backdrop of @ @ @ @ @ federal Labor caucus and serious leadership rumblings .
MPs and commentators are frequently invoking the @ @ @ @ @ skirmish , but who are they actually referring to ?
And do they represent the @ @ @ @ @ in modern Australia ?

A new collection of essays released last week sees leading figures from Labor’s Right faction soul-searching about their party’s electoral demise, with many arguing they must regain the trust of their “working class base” to remain competitive at the federal level.
The book’s co-editor Nick Dyrenfurth noted that “if there’s a recurring theme in the book it’s refocusing our efforts on winning back working class Australians in their full diversity”.
These chapters were published amid the backdrop of an identity crisis within the federal Labor caucus and serious leadership rumblings. MPs and commentators are frequently invoking the working class in this ongoing skirmish, but who are they actually referring to? And do they represent the true “working class” in modern Australia?


crikey--2020-12-10--Politics of corruption twists the Liberals in knots — and haunts NSW Labor

Integrity commissions are feared and despised by conservatives , who are doing everything they can to limit their power .
@ @ @ @ @ Berejiklian might be having a rotten end of year with revelations of a secret lover @ @ @ @ @ , but there 's been no joy for Labor either .
For that you can @ @ @ @ @ Labor 's problem is that however bad the Independent Commission Against Corruption ( ICAC ) @ @ @ @ @ it 's nothing compared with the mind-boggling corruption of former ALP kingpin Eddie Obeid and @ @ @ @ @ a decade on , voters have neither forgiven nor forgotten the rorts , bribes and @ @ @ @ @ , Labor 's corruption has delivered unto NSW a one-party state .

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian might be having a rotten end of year with revelations of a secret lover, pork-barrelling and shredded documents, but there’s been no joy for Labor either. For that you can thank the Obeid factor.
Labor’s problem is that however bad the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) might look for Berejiklian, it’s nothing compared with the mind-boggling corruption of former ALP kingpin Eddie Obeid and his factional mates.
Nearly a decade on, voters have neither forgiven nor forgotten the rorts, bribes and outright criminality. In short, Labor’s corruption has delivered unto NSW a one-party state.


crikey--2020-12-14--Compelled or mandated? COVID-19 vaccine exposes ethical issues around access

'You can have your beliefs , but it ’ s going to cost you . '
Pfizer ’ s COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ distribution centres across the US just days after it was approved for emergency use .
@ @ @ @ @ 800,000 doses will be administered across 70 hospitals , starting with those aged over 80 @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine has created a new set of questions for business and government : when @ @ @ @ @ and who will benefit from early access ?
It 's pretty common for a government @ @ @ @ @ be vaccinated .

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is being trucked to distribution centres across the US just days after it was approved for emergency use. In the UK this week 800,000 doses will be administered across 70 hospitals, starting with those aged over 80.
But the arrival of the vaccine has created a new set of questions for business and government: when should it be mandatory, and who will benefit from early access?
It’s pretty common for a government to force its populations to be vaccinated.


crikey--2020-12-14--A Liberal warrior’s wish comes true as regulator investigates The New Daily

APRA 's probe into The New Daily raises questions about the financial regulator being deployed in an ideological battle .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s Christmas wish come true ?
The country ’ s most powerful financial regulator @ @ @ @ @ Authority ( APRA ) , says it will investigate online publication The New Daily and @ @ @ @ @ super funds .
Bragg , a former senior executive at the Financial Services Council ( @ @ @ @ @ group for retail super funds owned — back then — by the big banks and @ @ @ @ @ government ’ s deeply hypocritical war on industry super .

Has Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg’s Christmas wish come true?
The country’s most powerful financial regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), says it will investigate online publication The New Daily and its commercial relationship to industry super funds.
Bragg, a former senior executive at the Financial Services Council (FSC), the front group for retail super funds owned — back then — by the big banks and AMP, is leading the government’s deeply hypocritical war on industry super.


crikey--2020-12-14--Reds in beds, boardrooms and bloody well everywhere. Should we be scared?

The Australian 's latest CCP bombshell paints a scary picture .
But experts say it 's nothing more than a @ @ @ @ @ some breathless headlines in The Australian , communists are now “ infiltrating Western consulates ” @ @ @ @ @ Sharri Markson has gotten her hands on a leaked dossier of 1.95 million Chinese Community @ @ @ @ @ .
Some of these members , she says , are working in the Australian and @ @ @ @ @ big companies like ANZ and Boeing .
If it sounds scary , that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
But like so many Markson bombshells , it promised so much and delivered little @ @ @ @ @ say the article is a beat-up , taking a benign and well-known reality of working @ @ @ @ @ as a national security risk .

According to some breathless headlines in The Australian, communists are now “infiltrating Western consulates”.
News Corp’s Sharri Markson has gotten her hands on a leaked dossier of 1.95 million Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members. Some of these members, she says, are working in the Australian and British consulates, others at big companies like ANZ and Boeing.
If it sounds scary, that’s because it was designed to. But like so many Markson bombshells, it promised so much and delivered little. Instead, China experts say the article is a beat-up, taking a benign and well-known reality of working in China and spinning it as a national security risk.


crikey--2020-12-14--It’s reigning men in the Morrison government — with no let-up in sight

There 's a certain sameness to the rising stars of the Liberal Party .
It ’ s that time again , when the politico-commentator complex kicks back to reflect on how the year has gone .
Who were the winners ?
Who were the losers ?
Albo out ?
Plibersek in ?
Who will be rewarded in any government reshuffle for 2021 ?
When it comes to the Morrison government , it ’ s steady as she — or is that he ?
— goes , with the future again looking decidedly male .
Writing in The Australian , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liberals , dubbed “ the Aussie squad ” , as the ones to watch for 2021 .
They are Victorian Liberals Tim Wilson and James Paterson , and NSW Liberals Andrew Bragg and Jason Falinski .
Wilson is 40 .
Paterson is 33 .
Bragg is 36 .
Falinski is 50 .
As it turns out , the gene pool is even smaller .
Wilson and Paterson are both from the libertarian think tank , the Melbourne-based Institute of Public Affairs ( IPA ) — or “ the voice of freedom ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has certainly freed itself from any obligation on diversity .
As an organisation that is now a well-established springboard to federal parliament , the IPA is very much part of the Liberal Party ’ s man problem .
The IPA ’ s board has nine members .
Seven are men , including Chairman Geoff Hone and executive director John Roskam .
The same goes for its senior management team , with seven out of nine being men .
Then there are the eight so-called “ adjunct fellows ” — those who are closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likes of Chris Berg and Sinclair Davidson who weigh into the public debate .
They are exclusively men .
So in this Liberal feeder organisation , out of 26 positions of influence , only four are occupied by women .
There is a similar pattern at another free market think tank , the Centre for Independent Studies ( CIS ) , which is more about policy debate than getting people into parliament .
The CIS has a 30-member board of corporate heavyweights drawn from the likes of the Macquarie Group and the McKinsey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men .
Conservative legal think tank the Rule of Law Institute includes an influential group of seven senior legal , business and political figures .
Six of these are men , including John Roskam , also of the IPA .
As we reported last week in our wrap of political journalist Peter van Onselen ’ s new book , Scott Morrison believes his political dominance is down to seven people : Minister Stuart Robert , Assistant Minister Ben Morton , private secretary Yaron Finkelstein , chief of staff John Kunkel , secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gaetjens , Minister Alex Hawke , and businessman Scott Briggs .
This phenomenon , of course , is often explained as the result of merit-based promotion .
Yet it looks very much like a scheme guaranteed to produce a future that looks just like the past .

It’s that time again, when the politico-commentator complex kicks back to reflect on how the year has gone. Who were the winners? Who were the losers? Albo out? Plibersek in? Who will be rewarded in any government reshuffle for 2021?
When it comes to the Morrison government, it’s steady as she — or is that he? — goes, with the future again looking decidedly male.
Writing in The Australian, the uber-connected conservative Janet Albrechtsen has nominated four Liberals, dubbed “the Aussie squad”, as the ones to watch for 2021. They are Victorian Liberals Tim Wilson and James Paterson, and NSW Liberals Andrew Bragg and Jason Falinski. Wilson is 40. Paterson is 33. Bragg is 36. Falinski is 50.


crikey--2020-12-14--ScoMo’s ‘good’ pandemic undone by China spat with no end in sight

Despite wresting back some popularity after his disastrous handling of the bushfires , the prime minister 's clash with China @ @ @ @ @ .
The consensus is that Scott Morrison has had a good pandemic -- a policy @ @ @ @ @ to bury memories of his ill-judged holiday in Hawaii as bushfires scorched the nation .
@ @ @ @ @ ago .
But has the prime minister really done so well ?
While his domestic @ @ @ @ @ major problems are emerging from his international response and they will have significant ramifications .

The consensus is that Scott Morrison has had a good pandemic — a policy and political success good enough to bury memories of his ill-judged holiday in Hawaii as bushfires scorched the nation. Which does seem an age ago.
But has the prime minister really done so well?
While his domestic response has been successful, major problems are emerging from his international response and they will have significant ramifications.


crikey--2020-12-15--Mutant strains are mostly the same, but Europe’s COVID-19 spread is alarming

The northern hemisphere is facing a COVID Christmas as the virus continues to surge .
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock @ @ @ @ @ variant of coronavirus `` may be associated '' with the faster spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s not the first time politicians have warned of a virus mutation @ @ @ @ @ Australian Premier Steven Marshall warned of a “ very sneaky ” COVID-19 strain in the @ @ @ @ @ no evidence to suggest Adelaide ’ s strain was worse than any other ) .
@ @ @ @ @ Viruses are constantly mutating into new variants , with every person infected with coronavirus likely @ @ @ @ @ version of it , University of Queensland infectious disease specialist Paul Griffin told Crikey .

This morning UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned a new variant of coronavirus “may be associated” with faster spread of the virus in the south-east of England.
It’s not the first time politicians have warned of a virus mutation. Last month South Australian Premier Steven Marshall warned of a “very sneaky” COVID-19 strain (despite no evidence to suggest Adelaide’s strain was worse than any other).
The virus is always mutating
Viruses are constantly mutating, with every person infected with coronavirus likely to have a slightly different version, University of Queensland infectious disease specialist Paul Griffin tells Crikey.


crikey--2020-12-15--We really hate to say this, but 2021 isn’t looking crash hot either — in fact it may be worse

The good news is 2020 will be over .
The bad news is ... that 's the only good news @ @ @ @ @ given the world a glimmer of hope that life might return to normal in 2021 @ @ @ @ @ overly optimistic about what the new year will bring ?
According to some experts , @ @ @ @ @ executive director David Beasley has warned 2021 “ is literally going to be catastrophic '' @ @ @ @ @ economic impact ravages poor countries and fuels a spike in famine .
And while the @ @ @ @ @ of the virus , it is still largely unknown whether it will fully prevent transmission @ @ @ @ @ against the illness .

A COVID-19 vaccine has given the world a glimmer of hope that life might return to normal in 2021. But are we being overly optimistic about what the new year will bring?
According to some experts, yes. World Food Programme executive director David Beasley has warned 2021 “is literally going to be catastrophic” as the pandemic and its economic impact ravages poor countries and fuels a spike in famine.
And while the vaccine might slow the spread of the virus, it is still largely unknown whether it will prevent transmission of COVID-19 or just protect against the illness.


crikey--2020-12-15--Life used to be a beach. Not so much if it’s washed out to sea

Collapsing beaches at Byron Bay brings the issue of ongoing coastal erosion back into to the spotlight .
At Byron @ @ @ @ @ collapsed into the sea .
Across the north coast of New South Wales , surging @ @ @ @ @ led to the worst coastal erosion in years .
But is this a one-off freak @ @ @ @ @ the new normal ?
The answer is ... well , kind of both .
What @ @ @ @ @ Byron Bay ?
The situation at Byron , and northern NSW more broadly , is @ @ @ @ @ of both short- and long-term factors , says University of Sydney professor Andrew Short .
@ @ @ @ @ Beach , the unique movement of sand around the headland means every few years you @ @ @ @ @ ’ s less sand on the beach .
“ It ’ s a totally natural @ @ @ @ @ going on for thousands of years , ” Short says .

At Byron Bay, Main Beach has collapsed into the sea. Across the north coast of New South Wales, surging tides and violent storms have led to the worst coastal erosion in years. But is this a one-off freak summer of flood or the new normal? The answer is… well, kind of both.
What’s going on in Byron Bay?
The situation at Byron, and northern NSW more broadly is down to the perfect storm of both short- and long-term factors, says University of Sydney professor Andrew Short. At Byron’s Main Beach, the unique movement of sand around the headland means every few years you get a situation where there’s less sand.
“It’s a totally natural thing that’s been going on for thousands of years,” Short said.


crikey--2020-12-15--What does China’s ban on Australian coal mean? Not as much as you think, perhaps

It ’ s dirty , it ’ s black , Matt Canavan loves to rub it on his face .
@ @ @ @ @ know about Australian coal and what happens now that we can ’ t apparently sell @ @ @ @ @ ’ s dirty , it ’ s black , Matt Canavan loves to rub it @ @ @ @ @ what else do we know about Australian coal and what happens now that we can @ @ @ @ @ China ?
Here ’ s Crikey ’ s handy Q & A to help you @ @ @ @ @ with Beijing .
What ’ s the export ban to China all about ?
China @ @ @ @ @ Beijing has formally blocked imports of Australian coal .
The reports make official an informal @ @ @ @ @ which began earlier in the year , leaving dozens of bulk carriers stranded offshore .

It’s dirty, it’s black, Matt Canavan loves to rub it on his face. But what else do we know about Australian coal and what happens now that we can’t sell it to China?
Here’s Crikey’s handy Q&A to help you understand the latest trade dispute with Beijing.
What’s the export ban to China all about?
China state-owned media has reported that Beijing has formally blocked imports of Australian coal. The reports make official an informal ban on coal exports, which began earlier in the year, leaving dozens of bulk carriers stranded offshore.


crikey--2020-12-15--Bye, bye, Donald. A special end of year message from the prime minister

The end of year speech we wish Prime Minister Scott Morrison would make .
The United States and Australia have a special relationship and it ’ s one that Donald Trump and I share .
At heart we are both marketing men .
Maybe Donald ’ s taken it a bit too far , but as I ’ ve always said : whether it ’ s marketing , conning or criminal fraud , it ’ s just a matter of degree .
We ’ re all trying to sell something — ourselves , principally .
Unless there ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time is over in the White House .
I still remember walking arm in arm with Jen to the state dinner the Trumps put on for us .
Joe Hockey was there .
Greg Norman , the golfing thought leader .
Anthony Pratt with his funny Trump hair which he must have got with his donation to the Mar-a-Lago benefit fund .
Jen and I looked at other and realised how far we ’ d come .
All those years of grind through marketing and lobbying jobs in tourism and property and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NSW Liberals .
“ I ’ ve got a feeling we ’ re not in Kansas anymore , Toto , ” I said to Jen .
“ Or Kensington !
” she fired back with a smirk .
For all that , it ’ s a pity there was no room for Pastor Brian Houston .
Hillsong is , believe it or not , one of the biggest Aussie brands in the US these days so it was a shame not to see that recognised .
Donald wondered aloud if it was actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had had its own sex abuse scandal .
Enough said on that .
It ’ s been a whirl since that night .
The fires back home .
Christmas drinks with the Murdochs as the mist hung over Sydney Harbour ( or was that smoke ? )
.
The dash to Hawaii for a break .
( We missed our QAnon family friends there — fingers crossed that US authorities aren ’ t onto their connection to Trump-supporting conspiracy theorists . )
I got Angus onto fixing up our climate problem with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And that ’ s where Donald and I started to drift apart , I think it ’ s fair to say .
For me it was a chance to rebrand .
I kicked off with a soft launch of the National COVID Coordination Commission which was a good smokescreen ( pardon the pun ) for Australia ’ s biggest businesses to get into the cabinet room without going through ministers .
Cutting out the middleman is always good business practice , as chairman Nev Power told me .
Donald , though , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News conspiracy rabbit hole .
Not that there ’ s anything wrong with Rupert ’ s US outfit by the way !
Always good to have a diversity of views , unlike the ABC .
It looks like it really is over for Donald with the electoral college votes coming in .
And now there are those who will say that there are lessons for conservatives in Australia to learn .
One : you have to encourage dissent , not squash people who disagree with you .
Two : a government needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and corruption end up overrunning you .
Three : we need a strong independent media which values truth and facts .
And we need to halt the spread of disinformation and conspiracy theory as a business model .
Four : we need to govern not just for the wealthy few that donate to us .
Five : you have to make decisions based on science ( we got that one right with COVID-19 ! )
.
Six : you have to see government as more than a 24-hour spin cycle of media management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop marketing !
( Only kidding . )
These are just some of the ways Donald and the Republicans screwed up .
I ’ m going to spend the break with Jen reflecting on all this .
I ’ ll see what insights the Christmas period brings .
Perhaps some prayer time with Stuart Robert might let in the joyous light .
After all , miracles do happen .
Merry Christmas , patriots one and all .
Did we miss anything ?
Let us know what you think Scott Morrison should include in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to [ email protected ] .
Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey ‘ s Your Say column .

The United States and Australia have a special relationship and it’s one that Donald Trump and I share.
At heart we are both marketing men. Maybe Donald’s taken it a bit too far, but as I’ve always said: whether it’s marketing, conning or criminal fraud, it’s just a matter of degree. We’re all trying to sell something — ourselves, principally.
Unless there’s a miracle it looks like Donald’s time is over in the White House. I still remember walking arm in arm with Jen to the state dinner the Trumps put on for us. Joe Hockey was there. Greg Norman, the golfing thought leader. Anthony Pratt with his funny Trump hair which he must have got with his donation to the Mar-a-Lago benefit fund.


crikey--2020-12-15--The Mantra 60 should be freed from torture. Here’s why the Coalition won’t do it

With the stroke of a pen this great suffering could be abolished .
But the regime has two remnant purposes , dark and squalid by turn .
Having resided at the Mantra Hotel in Preston , where around 60 refugees have been held for eight months , the temptation is to make the joke that everyone who stays there is tortured in some form or another .
The place used to have a standard business hotel section and an el cheapo option called , ironically , “ Breakfree ” , which had small studio rooms in the style of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block-booked by social services with troubled families and recently released prisoners .
The Mantra is the “ upmarket ” wing , home to mid-level businesspeople and prisoners of the federal state charged with no crime .
Well , the refugees — 60 or so people medivacced in during the few months before the medivac law was repealed — are now on the move , relocated not out of any humanitarian concern , but because the government contract with the hotel is up .
There ’ s no word on where they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Morrison government showing every desire to disappear them into the system entirely — hence the recent failed attempt to deprive them of mobile phones .
The regime has substantially been one of lockdown 23 hours a day , with little opportunity for exercise , access to nature , socialising , or much basic freedom to move around .
The Mantra 60 should be released into community living immediately ( they have all been in detention for years already ) .
The regime they are under shows why they won ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that peekaboo sort of torture successive Australian governments have made themselves the world leader in , over a quarter century of this benighted policy .
“ Look !
They ’ re in clean , comfortable rooms !
They have TV !
How can this be called torture ?
” But that ’ s the whole point of the exercise , of course .
It ’ s to maximise the gap between the satisfaction of human animal needs — a warm bed , an endless supply of their wretched paninis — and the deprivation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being , that serve to keep us human .
At the very least , a chance to have a community of sorts , a common space one can wander in and out of at will , to a reasonable degree .
The lockdown that they have been under is psychological terror , pure and simple .
It is designed to simply abolish that in us which makes us human , and to render people as supine , somnolent , clinically depressed carbon .
How does a regime like this survive without mass outrage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a part of it .
The other part is that such a regime is surrounded by the wider principle of carceralism , in which the treatment of humans as warehousable objects has become normalised .
This is the infinite extension of the penitentiary , the Quakers ’ batty idea from the 19th century that total isolation of prisoners would break the cycle of criminality .
At least the Quakers believed in a God the prisoners could have a relationship with .
Our use of such conditions is the reverse .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regime that leaves you little to do but contemplate the moment-by-moment wasting of your life .
Such prisoners are even denied a release date , which allows the convicted some sort of framework to make meaning of an incarcerated existence .
Without that , the prisoners of the Australian state are in permanent suspension .
A day might be a hundredth of the time to be endured , or a thousandth , or a ten thousandth .
Existence dissolves into nothingness.What is perhaps most immoral about this regime is that any utility — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but disappeared .
The Medevac law is gone ; there ’ s no promise “ people smugglers ” can make to would-be arrivals .
The Coalition could have released these people to the community 20 a week , for a month , months ago .
Any electoral concern as regards One Nation , a null organisation in Victoria , are minimal .
With the stroke of a pen this great suffering could be abolished .
But the regime has two remnant purposes , dark and squalid by turn .
The squalid one is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own their own “ moderates ” ( a Lib moderate believes that torture requires a court order ) , daring them to make a protest , putting them on the outs .
And they want to maximise the referred pain of those who got the medivac law passed , against a Coalition government .
Pure sadism , directed against multiple victims .
The darker push is to get the Australian public accustomed to , and accepting of , indefinite detention without trial .
As the latest in an endless series of laws to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is put up , as the persecution of Bernard Collaery and Witness K rolls on , as Julian Assange goes unspoken for by his government , the Coalition right are preparing for what they hope they can one day achieve here : a version of Viktor Orban ’ s “ illiberal democracy ” , in which fundamental rights are abolished .
Such regimes are always applied to the outsider before being turned inward .
Those in the Coalition who claim to be liberals , dedicated to English rights and freedoms blah blah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abolish it .
One half dozen of them could stop this in its tracks , but doubtless the torture will continue , and they will do nothing but keep on reciting their mantra .

Having resided at the Mantra Hotel in Preston, where around 60 refugees have been held for eight months, the temptation is to make the joke that everyone who stays there is tortured in some form or another.
The place used to have a standard business hotel section and an el cheapo option called, ironically, “Breakfree”, which had small studio rooms in the style of a Scandinavian prison. It tended to be block-booked by social services with troubled families and recently released prisoners.
The Mantra is the “upmarket” wing, home to mid-level businesspeople and prisoners of the federal state charged with no crime.


crikey--2020-12-16--Sleaze of Origin: mate v mate, state v state — it’s the contest you’ve been waiting for

Who will win the crown as Australia 's sleaziest government — and who is ready to move up to the @ @ @ @ @ Sleaze of Origin 2020 begin .
As our year of pain draws to an end @ @ @ @ @ a better 2021 on the economic and medical front , at least we can enjoy @ @ @ @ @ despite all else , 2020 was fantastic for corruption .
Today -- finally -- we @ @ @ @ @ of the year , as our states , territories and the Commonwealth go head to @ @ @ @ @ determine who is the grubbiest government of them all .
The hits come hard in @ @ @ @ @ nothing compared with the hits on the public purse from dodgy politicians and crooked bureaucrats @

As our year of pain draws to an end with signs of hope for a better 2021 on the economic and medical front, at least we can enjoy a summer break knowing that despite all else, 2020 was fantastic for corruption.
Today — finally — we launch the biggest sporting contest of the year, as our states, territories and the Commonwealth go head to head in a battle to determine who is the grubbiest government of them all.
The hits come hard in footy, but they’re nothing compared with the hits on the public purse from dodgy politicians and crooked bureaucrats.


crikey--2020-12-16--Out in the cold: Australia’s position on climate change an increasingly lonely place

Countries , cities and regions have pledged their commitment to net-zero emissions .
Scott Morrison continues to drag his feet @ @ @ @ @ friends left when it comes to its position on climate change ?
The answer is @ @ @ @ @ no .
With the United States moving towards net-zero emissions under a Joe Biden presidency @ @ @ @ @ climate commitments , there ’ s growing pressure on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to get @ @ @ @ @ friends at News Corp think he has “ no choice ” .
Paul Kelly writes @ @ @ @ @ once radical , is now entrenched in the middle ground , “ the place where @ @ @ @ @ be ” .

Does Australia have any friends left when it comes to its position on climate change? The answer is looking more and more like no.
With the United States moving towards net-zero emissions under a Joe Biden presidency and the UK making more climate commitments, there’s growing pressure on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to get into line.
Even his friends at News Corp think he has “no choice”. Paul Kelly writes that the net-zero target, once radical, is now entrenched in the middle ground, “the place where the prime minister likes to be”.


crikey--2020-12-16--Canavan’s call for a China iron ore levy is an own goal

Over time the shockingly mistimed idea would simply ensure Australia 's market share in China would be slashed .
In @ @ @ @ @ trade war , Nationals Senator Matt Canavan ’ s call for Australia to put a @ @ @ @ @ to China is strikingly mistimed .
The government wants the trade war to cool down @ @ @ @ @ there was an award for best own goal in trade negotiations , Canavan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
Yes , China depends on high quality Australian iron ore , mainly from the @ @ @ @ @ material for its massive steel industry .

In the climate of the current trade war, Nationals Senator Matt Canavan’s call for Australia to put a levy on iron ore exports to China is strikingly mistimed. The government wants the trade war to cool down, not escalate.
If there was an award for best own goal in trade negotiations, Canavan’s proposal would be a frontrunner.
Yes, China depends on high quality Australian iron ore, mainly from the Pilbara, as the raw material for its massive steel industry.


crikey--2020-12-16--Moderate Liberals — or collaborators in climate crimes?

There is no such thing as a Liberal moderate in the federal government when it comes to climate action .
There are only collaborators who work hard to achieve denialist goals .
While some in the press gallery talk of a Scott Morrison “ pivot ” on climate action , the government ’ s actions , rather than rhetoric , remain those of a denialist funded by fossil-fuel donations .
The “ gas-led recovery ” and the fiction of carbon capture and storage remain government policy , there is no long-term emissions abatement target , and its 2030 emissions abatement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many journalists think not cheating in order to achieve that target is some sort of serious shift , and report it as such .
That ’ s incited chatter from what are often called “ Liberal moderates ” about climate action .
Dave Sharma , Wentworth MP and former Alexander Downer adviser when Timor-Leste was bugged , tweets regularly about how much the government is doing .
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne says the government will “ have a target with a proper plan ” and “ have ambition for zero emissions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg has taken time out from demonising industry super and The New Daily to claim his party takes climate seriously .
Liberals in urban seats face a growing push from within their communities on climate change — one that pushed denialist Tony Abbott right out of politics in 2019 .
Meantime hardliners in their ranks deny climate change , and they ’ re only able to govern because of the support they receive from an institutionally denialist party , the Nationals .
But the concept of the “ Liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change is a myth .
There are no Liberal moderates on climate change .
It ’ s not merely a matter of talking the talk but not walking the walk .
There are only collaborators with extremists and denialists who have facilitated reckless and dangerous climate policies — and the attempt to peddle these policies overseas — and supported the government ’ s current attempts to support fossil fuels .
At every stage in the past decade when asked to support policies that would exacerbate climate change or stymie climate action , Liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of supporting those policies , no matter how extreme .
Just three have voted against policies that exacerbated climate change in all that time : Malcolm Turnbull , Judith Troeth and Sue Boyce , who voted in 2009 in support of Turnbull ’ s deal for an emissions trading scheme with the Rudd government .
Some so-called moderates like Greg Hunt gleefully joined Abbott in his climate denialist policies when he defeated Turnbull .
None have since — including Turnbull — who supported the repeal of the Gillard government ’ s successful and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of course , later lost his leadership after attempting to establish an energy policy that was at least neutral towards fossil fuels .
The repeal of the carbon pricing scheme .
The abolition of the Climate Change Authority .
The attempted abolition of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation .
The adoption of inadequate 2030 targets ahead of the Paris agreement .
The funding of a coal-fired power station study .
The adoption of a gas policy written by major gas producers .
The adoption of carbon capture and storage as a serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderates ” have stood up for climate inaction and fossil fuels , shoulder to shoulder with their denialist colleagues : facilitating climate denialism , working with climate criminals , enabling Australia ’ s increasingly lonely support for coal , gas and oil — and taking the donations of fossil-fuel producers .
A more accurate term for them is “ collaborators ” or “ co-conspirators ” .
If you want an actual Liberal moderate on climate change , look to Matt Kean in New South Wales .
He has broken free of the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other lies , and understands that renewable energy is a huge economic opportunity .
He gets that abandoning carbon and creating jobs and investment go together perfectly .
And he ’ s unafraid to stand up to denialists in his own government .
That ’ s what it takes .
Anyone else pretending to the title “ Liberal moderate ” is a fake , using that term to hide their collaboration , to portray them as pushing hard for genuine action behind the scenes in government when all they do is help strand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what they should be termed .
Anything else is self-interested rhetoric to hide inaction .

While some in the press gallery talk of a Scott Morrison “pivot” on climate action, the government’s actions, rather than rhetoric, remain those of a denialist funded by fossil-fuel donations.
The “gas-led recovery” and the fiction of carbon capture and storage remain government policy, there is no long-term emissions abatement target, and its 2030 emissions abatement target is laughably inadequate.
Nonetheless, many journalists think not cheating in order to achieve that target is some sort of serious shift, and report it as such.


crikey--2020-12-16--No Christmas miracle: countries struggle as COVID-19 continues its insidious spread

Despite vaccines being rolled out the world is reeling as second and third waves strike .
The vaccine may have @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus are very much still here .
Many countries are grappling with second and third @ @ @ @ @ restrictions should be eased over Christmas .
Sweden took a different approach to the rest @ @ @ @ @ restrictions and life as normal during the first wave .
It should have been well @ @ @ @ @ of its population live in a big city and almost half of Swedes live alone @ @ @ @ @ a devastating effect .
Intensive care units are at 99 % capacity .
There were @ @ @ @ @ .
Sweden 's seven-day average of daily cases and deaths per capita is higher than @ @ @ @ @ Spain , with a death rate five times higher than Denmark and 10 times higher @ @ @

The vaccine may have arrived but the effects of coronavirus are very much still here. Many countries are grappling with second and third waves and debating whether social restrictions should be eased over Christmas.
Sweden
Sweden took a different approach to the rest of the world with voluntary restrictions and life as normal during the first wave. It should have been well set up: only two-thirds of its population live in a big city and almost half of Swedes live alone.
But voluntary restrictions had a devastating effect. Intensive care units are at 99% capacity. There were 20,931 new cases recorded yesterday. Sweden’s seven-day average of daily cases and deaths per capita is higher than the UK, France and Spain, with a death rate five times higher than Denmark and 10 times higher than Norway.


crikey--2020-12-15--Hypocrisy on steroids: Frydenberg backs witch-hunt on banks that won’t lend to miners

MYEFO is obviously not keeping the treasurer busy enough — he 's taken time out to sanction a controversial inquiry led by a climate-denying backbencher .
The hypocrites award moves from business to politics today with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in close competition with his boss , the PM .
You ’ d think the treasurer had enough to do putting the final touches to the crucial Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook ( MYEFO ) due to drop tomorrow , but obviously not .
He has found time for a bit of political hypocrisy on the side .
There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this morning that he is supporting a proposed inquiry into banks and finance companies that are pulling back on lending or insuring mining projects because of climate change concerns .
He ’ s been uncharacteristically quick to give his powerful backing to the controversial inquiry — instituted by climate-denying backbencher George Christensen — given the government ’ s prior form in this area .
For how many years did Frydenberg and his colleagues oppose a royal commission into the disgraceful and financially damaging behaviour of big banks and financial institutions ?
For nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for one .
But when then-Labor leader Bill Shorten formally proposed it in 2016 there was a dire warning from then-treasurer Scott Morrison .
“ I think it is a reckless distraction , ” he said , adding it was just “ reckless political games ” and a “ populist whinge ” .
But now it ’ s apparently alright to back Christensen ’ s ideological witch-hunt .
And Frydenberg has even approved dragging in overworked financial regulators like APRA and ASIC to appear at the inquiry .
My how quick they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grill the same privately owned firms over their corporate decisions — presumably to intimidate them into politically motivated decisions that only accord with government ideology .
Never mind that everyone from the ratings agencies to the Reserve Bank to world financial institutions are demanding climate change be considered as part of credit control .
Speaking of world financial institutions — obviously we are meant to forget that the government is jetting former finance minister Mathias Cormann around the globe lobbying for the top job at the OECD where he is burnishing his previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was quoted this week as promising that if he was named OECD secretary-general , he would “ use every lever available through the organisation to help lead and drive ambitious and effective action on climate change as a top priority ” .
How that sits with Gormless George ’ s inquiry is a mystery .
The government ’ s hypocrisy is even more stark when you see the Frydenberg story appearing on the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald today under another one with the headline “ Australia uses coal ban to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes the Morrison government will use China ’ s indefinite ban on Australian coal to accuse Beijing of skirting its climate change commitments .
Yes , you read that correctly .
Yesterday Morrison warned that if China sources coal from other countries those imports “ have 50 % higher emissions ” than Australian coal .
“ As a result , that would be a bad outcome for the environment , ” he said , presumably with a straight face .
Australian lecturing anyone on emissions is actually beyond hypocrisy .
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fair the PM is obviously desperately grabbing at anything as the whole China trade mess spirals out of control .
The fact that alternative customers for Australia ’ s superior coal exports are already scaling back demand — and only more so in the future — means the China coal crisis could be a salient opportunity to plan ahead .
But not of course for the Don Quixotes in the Coalition who want to use government power to intimidate private companies to deny the inevitable as well .

The hypocrites award moves from business to politics today with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in close competition with his boss, the PM.
You’d think the treasurer had enough to do putting the final touches to the crucial Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) due to drop tomorrow, but obviously not. He has found time for a bit of political hypocrisy on the side.
There’s no other way to explain the news this morning that he is supporting a proposed inquiry into banks and finance companies that are pulling back on lending or insuring mining projects because of climate change concerns.