crikey--2020-08-05--The ABC’s exemplary punishment of Alberici sends a message to other journalists

Someone at the ABC is leaking confidential information about Emma Alberici to its — and her — enemies at News Corp. What signal does that send to journalists whose job is to hold the powerful to account ?
The ABC is normally quick to respond to attacks on itself and its staff made by other media outlets .
It has an entire web page dedicated to “ correcting the record ” .
When Dr Norman Swan was criticised for his coverage of the pandemic , the ABC released a long statement defending him .
An Australian attack on the ABC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lengthy rebuke .
An item on the ABC ’ s search engine optimisation practices elicited a monster 900-word response by ABC News communications lead Sally Jackson ( coincidentally herself a former Australian media journalist ) .
There are also media releases correcting claims by other media figures .
But the ABC has fallen strangely silent recently as The Australian has attacked journalist Emma Alberici — including publishing confidential information about her employment .
Alberici has been a regular punching bag for News Corp publications , The Australian Financial Review and senior Coalition figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media cheerleaders launched an onslaught in 2018 after she published an excellent , detailed analysis of company tax payments , one that survived multiple attempts , including by the ABC , to discredit it .
That piece prompted fury from business figures whose companies were exposed as failing to pay tax and prompted phone calls by prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to friend and then-ABC chair Justin Milne .
Milne , later to resign amid suggestions of sexual harassment , demanded then-managing director Michelle Guthrie fire Alberici because “ they hate her ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the controversy was former senior ABC journalist — and one of Alberici ’ s predecessors as economics correspondent — Mark Simkin .
Turnbull ’ s dislike of Alberici was said to go back further , to her handling of a 2013 election debate over the NBN .
In recent weeks , however , the constant targeting of the journalist by News Corp and the AFR has shifted as the ABC has embarked on a round of redundancies .
The Australian has repeatedly run details about Alberici ’ s employment status that can only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and which seem to breach basic requirements of staff confidentiality .
On June 25 , The Australian reported not merely that Alberici had been targeted for redundancy by the ABC — which was widely known after the ABC announced its latest round of redundancies the previous day — but that “ the ABC will undertake a ‘ process of consultation ’ with her , in which it will consult Alberici ‘ on positions that fit with her skills set … she may move to another area , such as the ABC news channel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nick Tabakoff speculated Alberici could become a “ shock jock ” .
Last week he reported her “ redundancy is understood to have been reaffirmed ” and “ prospects of a radio redeployment occurring have faded ” , though evidence there ever was a “ radio redeployment ” outside Tabakoff ’ s head is hard to find .
This week Alberici is being reported as having refused an ABC News channel offer .
The message from the leaks and their reporting is clear : the ABC has done its darnedest to find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reading an autocue for the handful of viewers who watch the ABC news channel is a role ) but , sadly , can ’ t find one she will deign to accept .
In contrast to the ABC ’ s regular output of corrections and refutations , there hasn ’ t been a single “ Correcting the Record ” response , of even modest length .
In most corporations and public sector agencies , staffing matters are confidential .
Workplace privacy principles limit what third parties can receive information about staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are supposed to know about matters pertaining to issues like remuneration , conflict management , performance management and redundancy .
The ABC knows this : it famously caused difficulties for itself over the years by refusing to reveal the salaries of high-profile staff to parliamentary committees .
Alberici , however , appears to be an exception .
Either confidential information about Alberici ’ s employment is being widely shared within the corporation , and being fed to another outlet , or those who hold such information close within senior management and ABC HR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputes that information is being leaked about Alberici .
“ Confidential information relating to potential redundancies has not been disclosed and no one in ABC management has commented in any way , ” a spokesperson told Crikey .
“ Under the [ ABC ] enterprise agreement ( EA ) , information regarding potentially redundant positions is included in the proposals for change , which are made available to all staff.
” While it is correct that Alberici ’ s position , along with other positions proposed for redundancy , was identified to staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that doesn ’ t address how personal information specific to her own redundancy process such as potential other roles and consultations about her “ skill set ” was also shared in accordance with the corporation ’ s EA .
“ Employees are consulted on how to respond to media speculation , ” the ABC added .
Alberici has resisted being forced out of the ABC , adding to her 2018 sin in the eye of executives of upsetting the Coalition and business with her journalism , and refusing to back down over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how extraordinary the attacks by the government were on Alberici over an article that , far from being “ riddled with errors ” , as critics claimed , was forensic .
Since the election of the current government in 2013 , the tradition of ministers only communicating with the ABC via correspondence with the chair — a tradition observed , with trivial exceptions , by Coalition ministers like Richard Alston and Helen Coonan , and Labor ’ s Stephen Conroy , has been trashed .
Under the current government , prime ministers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC executives .
Remarkably , there has been no pushback from the ABC on this breach .
Disturbingly , complaints from the prime minister ’ s office have been sent straight to the ABC director of news , Gaven Morris , for his personal actioning .
Such complaints have traditionally been handled at arm ’ s length .
Then chair and managing director Donald McDonald and Russell Balding , and minister Richard Alston , were all scrupulous in keeping the enormous controversy over Alston ’ s 2003 complaints about the ABC ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the ABC ’ s independent complaints handling processes .
Under more recent management , Morris appears to take a different approach that is far more responsive to the Coalition .
In one of the articles speculating about Alberici ’ s redundancy , The Australian journalist mocked her for her lack of work as the ABC ’ s chief economics correspondent , the role she was moved to after the axing of the long-running Lateline current affairs program , which has left a major hole in the ABC ’ s current affairs coverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and editors have acted to prevent , or refused to publish , Alberici ’ s work in the economics role .
Sources within the corporation say management has effectively blocked the economics route for her , prompting Alberici to make herself useful elsewhere , including on Foreign Correspondent and on Sydney radio .
Alberici declined to respond to questions and directed Crikey to her lawyers , who did not return calls .
Given how cowed ABC news and current affairs has become in recent years , the treatment meted out to Alberici , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems designed to send a signal to ABC journalists : upset the Coalition , and defend your journalism , and you ’ ll be the subject of a public campaign designed to portray you in an unflattering light — including to any future employers in what is left of Australia ’ s media .
At a time when Australian journalism is under existential threat , it ’ s a grim signal of how the ABC will approach the challenge of providing public interest journalism that holds the powerful to account .

The ABC is normally quick to respond to attacks on itself and its staff made by other media outlets.
It has an entire web page dedicated to “correcting the record”. When Dr Norman Swan was criticised for his coverage of the pandemic, the ABC released a long statement defending him.
An Australian attack on the ABC’s investigative reporting team drew a lengthy rebuke. An item on the ABC’s search engine optimisation practices elicited a monster 900-word response by ABC News communications lead Sally Jackson (coincidentally herself a former Australian media journalist). There are also media releases correcting claims by other media figures.


crikey--2020-08-06--Whose reputation is the government really worried about on aged care transparency?

Why is the government elevating the reputations of aged care providers above the needs of consumers and taxpayers ?
Transparency @ @ @ @ @ improving service performance in government .
It 's one of the true boons of the @ @ @ @ @ easily obtain independent , government-guaranteed performance information about crucial services .
School performance is available @ @ @ @ @ Hospital performance is available via the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 's MyHospitals site @ @ @ @ @ available via APRA .
The Australian Energy Regulator publishes performance information on energy retailers .
@ @ @ @ @ aged care .

Transparency is a key mechanism for improving service performance in government. It’s one of the true boons of the internet that consumers can now easily obtain independent, government-guaranteed performance information about crucial services.
School performance is available via the MySchool site. Hospital performance is available via the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s MyHospitals site. Superannuation fund performance is available via APRA. The Australian Energy Regulator publishes performance information on energy retailers.
But not so much in aged care.


crikey--2020-08-06--Aboriginal-led initiatives spare communities from COVID-19 spread

Early fears of COVID-19 ravaging Indigenous communities have not eventuated , thanks to community-led responses .
When the pandemic hit @ @ @ @ @ virus would wreak havoc on Australia ’ s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations .
@ @ @ @ @ living conditions , over-representation in prisons , and limited access to health specialists , experts @ @ @ @ @ decimate Indigenous communities .
But under community-led responses , Indigenous populations have fared better than @ @ @ @ @ making up less than 1 % of all COVID-19 cases .

When the pandemic hit, there were concerns the virus would wreak havoc on Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
With poorer health, cramped living conditions, over-representation in prisons, and limited access to health specialists, experts were concerned the virus would decimate Indigenous communities.
But under community-led responses, Indigenous populations have fared better than the rest of Australia, making up less than 1% of all COVID-19 cases.


crikey--2020-08-07--Clive Palmer still set to face the music (and other news you may have missed)

Bad news for coal fans , Clive Palmer 's mounting court challenges , and Venice introduces a 'no fatties ' rule .
Catch up with the news you may have missed this week with Andrew P Street .
Are you gon na take it , Clive ?
Clive Palmer has been all over the media of late thanks to his legal challenge over the closed WA border -- a challenge in which the Morrison government had no particular interest , and then was secretly supporting , and then dropped like a hot potato that knew what terrible PR looked like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palmer a favour or two or 83 million ) .
And that 's just one of the legal battles Clive is fighting at the moment .
He ’ s also engaged in some environmental challenges , and is facing a possible five years in jail after being charged with fraud and dishonest use of his position regarding his previous political party , Palmer United .
Oh , and he ’ s also going to court over whether he nicked a hair metal song .
To recap : for months the nation 's airwaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Not Gon na Cop It '' ahead of the 2019 election .
The jingle , in which Palmer exhorted people to vote for his United Australia Party , made the nation sit up as one and go `` wait a second , did he get permission to rewrite Twisted Sister 's classic 'We 're Not Gon na Take It ' ? ''

Are you gonna take it, Clive?
Clive Palmer has been all over the media of late thanks to his legal challenge over the closed WA border — a challenge in which the Morrison government had no particular interest, and then was secretly supporting, and then dropped like a hot potato that knew what terrible PR looked like (despite the fact that Scotty owes Palmer a favour or two or 83 million).
And that’s just one of the legal battles Clive is fighting at the moment. He’s also engaged in some environmental challenges, and is facing a possible five years in jail after being charged with fraud and dishonest use of his position regarding his previous political party, Palmer United. Oh, and he’s also going to court over whether he nicked a hair metal song.
To recap: for months the nation’s airwaves rang to the sound of “Australia’s Not Gonna Cop It” ahead of the 2019 election. The jingle, in which Palmer exhorted people to vote for his United Australia Party, made the nation sit up as one and go “wait a second, did he get permission to rewrite Twisted Sister’s classic ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’?”


crikey--2020-08-07--Cyber strategy light on detail, but clear on more commercial espionage by agencies

The government 's melodramatic new cybersecurity strategy is embarrassingly vague — but points to dramatic new powers for intelligence agencies @ @ @ @ @ engage in commercial espionage .
The key message from the government on cybersecurity is that @ @ @ @ @ very afraid -- so afraid that we do n't need to know too much about @ @ @ @ @ be given to security agencies to `` defend '' Australians .
After months of delay @ @ @ @ @ released its new cybersecurity strategy , developed by the Department of Home Affairs .
The @ @ @ @ @ has a shocking record on cybersecurity : it has been repeatedly criticised over several years @ @ @ @ @ Audit Office and parliament 's Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit for failing to @ @ @ @ @ Directorate 's ( ASD ) cybersecurity mitigation strategies .

The key message from the government on cybersecurity is that we all need to be very afraid — so afraid that we don’t need to know too much about what extra powers are to be given to security agencies to “defend” Australians.
After months of delay, yesterday the government finally released its new cybersecurity strategy, developed by the Department of Home Affairs.
The Department of Home Affairs itself has a shocking record on cybersecurity: it has been repeatedly criticised over several years by both the Australian National Audit Office and parliament’s Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit for failing to comply with the Australian Signals Directorate’s (ASD) cybersecurity mitigation strategies.


crikey--2020-08-07--Amid the gloom in higher education, Torrens University’s sale shines a light on things to come

Australia 's 43 universities are sitting on a real estate goldmine — a source of easy bucks the government must @ @ @ @ @ news last week that US group Strategic Education will buy Adelaide ’ s Torrens University @ @ @ @ @ and Design Media in New Zealand , for about $ 900 million , was certainly @ @ @ @ @ circles .
It comes amid unprecedented doom and gloom about the sector , with about @ @ @ @ @ student revenue at risk because of COVID-19 .
On top of it being a very @ @ @ @ @ ’ s owner , Laureate International Universities , the fact that 53 % of its @ @ @ @ @ means the deal raises more questions than answers .

The news last week that US group Strategic Education will buy Adelaide’s Torrens University, along with Think Education and Design Media in New Zealand, for about $900 million, was certainly a surprise in higher education circles.
It comes amid unprecedented doom and gloom about the sector, with about $16 billion in international student revenue at risk because of COVID-19.
On top of it being a very good price for the university’s owner, Laureate International Universities, the fact that 53% of its students are overseas at present means the deal raises more questions than answers.


crikey--2020-08-10--Australia isn’t the only country worried about a US-China war

China 's rise has fuelled a regional arms race that will leave none of us safer .
Suddenly everyone from @ @ @ @ @ is talking up the arms race in the Indo-Pacific and a potential `` hot war @ @ @ @ @ the US or some of its allies with Taiwan looming large .
It 's sudden @ @ @ @ @ surprising .
This is a ( somewhat ) logical place to be after the US @ @ @ @ @ countries , rounded on China for being the source of COVID-19 and covering up its @ @ @ @ @ occurred within the context of China ’ s fast-rising military might .
China has added @ @ @ @ @ jets to its hardware arsenal , along with a newfound diplomatic “ wolf warrior ” @ @

Suddenly everyone from Scott Morrison to Kevin Rudd is talking up the arms race in the Indo-Pacific and a potential “hot war” between China and either the US or some of its allies with Taiwan looming large.
It’s sudden, but it’s not surprising. This is a (somewhat) logical place to be after the US, and then other Western countries, rounded on China for being the source of COVID-19 and covering up its origins.
This has also occurred within the context of China’s fast-rising military might. China has added aircraft carriers and stealth fighter jets to its hardware arsenal, along with a newfound diplomatic “wolf warrior” aggression.


crikey--2020-08-09--There’s more than one road to serfdom — and we may well be on it

COVID-19 did n't cause the breakdown of our parliamentary system — it just accelerated it Alongside Australia 's fiscal deficit @ @ @ @ @ $ 184 billion by next year -- the COVID-19 crisis has produced other equally profound @ @ @ @ @ cultural institutions .
One that will be hard to fix is a large and growing @ @ @ @ @ in the sense of the ways in which public policy is made and governments held @ @ @ @ @ delivery .
During the pandemic many institutional safeguards -- cabinet , parliament , publication of @ @ @ @ @ set aside .

Alongside Australia’s fiscal deficit — currently estimated to be $184 billion by next year — the COVID-19 crisis has produced other equally profound deficits in our social and cultural institutions.
One that will be hard to fix is a large and growing governance deficit: governance, in the sense of the ways in which public policy is made and governments held to account for policy and delivery.
During the pandemic many institutional safeguards — cabinet, parliament, publication of government information — have been set aside.


crikey--2020-08-10--We all suffer from bias, right? Doctors, scientists, travel execs…

Yes we should listen to the experts .
But we should n't be blind to their biases or limitations .
@ @ @ @ @ to dealing with the challenging spread of a virus , it is often easier to @ @ @ @ @ try to argue against a message .
“ You don ’ t know what you @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re not a doctor ” .
In many cases , deferral to expert @ @ @ @ @ should defer to people who are smarter and know more about a topic than us @ @ @ @ @ to recognise that personal incentives can influence their views .
Consider an emergency room doctor @ @ @ @ @ outlets regularly seek views from emergency doctors who are treating COVID-19 patients on the best @ @ @ @ @ .
The Australian Medical Association ( AMA ) , which is essentially a union representing @ @ @ @ @ provided that view a few weeks ago , when AMA boss Tony Bartone demanded Melbourne @ @ @ @ @ four lockdown as cases climbed .

In deciding the best approach to dealing with the challenging spread of a virus, it is often easier to attack the messenger than to try to argue against a message. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, you’re not a doctor”.
In many cases, deferral to expert authority is correct. We should defer to people who are smarter and know more about a topic than us. But we also need to recognise that personal incentives can influence their views.
Consider an emergency room doctor or general practitioner. Media outlets regularly seek views from emergency doctors who are treating COVID-19 patients on the best way to approach the virus. The Australian Medical Association (AMA), which is essentially a union representing the interests of doctors, provided that view a few weeks ago, when AMA boss Tony Bartone demanded Melbourne move to a strict stage four lockdown as cases climbed.


crikey--2020-08-10--Circles of influence: Labor questions $1m contracts win for Liberal ‘mate’

In a few short months , a company set up by a former Crosby Textor pollster has gone from being @ @ @ @ @ block to receiving more than $ 1 million in limited tender contracts .
In the @ @ @ @ @ months , a company set up by a former Crosby Textor pollster has gone from @ @ @ @ @ the block to receiving more than $ 1 million in limited tender government contracts , @ @ @ @ @ the government 's coveted go-to panel for urgent work .
Jim Reed , a long-time @ @ @ @ @ now known as C|T , was revealed in June to be the recipient of a @ @ @ @ @ from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet ( PM & C ) to @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , his company , Resolve Strategic , has been handed another $ 502,000 @ @ @ @ @ Department of Treasury , again for market research .

In the space of just a few months, a company set up by a former Crosby Textor pollster has gone from being the new kid on the block to receiving more than $1 million in limited tender government contracts, even landing a position on the government’s coveted go-to panel for urgent work.
Jim Reed, a long-time researcher with Crosby Textor, now known as C|T, was revealed in June to be the recipient of a $541,000 limited tender contract from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) to conduct social policy market research.
Now, his company, Resolve Strategic, has been handed another $502,000 limited tender contract by the Department of Treasury, again for market research.


crikey--2020-08-10--Stories will not save us from the virus — and neither will historical sentiment

There 's room to learn from history , but looking into the past wo n't alter the course of the next six months .
On Saturday , Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos took some time away from the ghastly grind of death numbers and infection curves to tweet about ancient Greece .
Buried in a thread that touched on Pericles ( whose bust adorns her office ) , and the plague of Athens , was a plea for people to leave her alone about the state government ’ s failures , and let the hotel quarantine inquiry run its course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ancient Athens shows us that civil disorder puts a society facing a pandemic at greater risk , ” Mikakos wrote .
Mikakos wasn ’ t the only one looking backwards .
In his Australian Financial Review column ( featuring a frankly unnecessary large picture of Hitler ) , former foreign minister-turned-Twitter punchline Alexander Downer became the millionth person to compare our current era to the 1930s .
And former NSW premier Mike Baird closed out his gushing , bipartisan ode to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews by quoting Teddy Roosevelt .
The same quote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arena whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood ” was used by Nixon in his resignation speech — perhaps not the association Baird was going for , but nice words nonetheless .
What is it about our current moment that makes politicians and pundits look to the past for a dash of inspiration ?
For one thing , it ’ s about certainty .
What makes the virus maddening is the way the unknown has infected our everyday lives .
We spend mornings anxiously watching the infection curve .
Millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more are nervously looking over their shoulder at the recession closing in .
We don ’ t know when the things that bring us joy and solace will return .
A vaccine still feels very far away .
We ’ ve forgotten what “ normal ” even means .
The past , messy and contested as it is , offers us the comfort of certainty .
Thanks in part to a mass culture that reduces history to a palatable narrative , we always know how the story ends .
We know that while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years , it sputtered out and was forgotten .
With any luck , COVID-19 will do the same .
Hand-wringing references to a return of the 1930s , an ongoing feature of the discourse since Trump was first elected , fill us not with fear , but hope : we know that at the end of that story , the good guys won , and all was well .
It ’ s no accident that in the early days of the pandemic , Britain , and to a lesser extent Australia leaned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quoted wartime singer Vera Lynn , health workers were valourised like returning soldiers .
But such narratives offer little more than rhetorical flourish and distraction .
Mikakos ’ references to Ancient Greece were all window-dressing , an elaborate pseudo-apology for her stubborn refusal to answer questions about hotel quarantine .
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson , for all his posh pomposity , was never going to be a Churchill .
And while there is always room to learn from history , such references to past glories give us merely a fleeting sense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t alter the course of the next six months .
They won ’ t undo failures from at all levels of governments .
They won ’ t put people into stable , secure work .

On Saturday, Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos took some time away from the ghastly grind of death numbers and infection curves to tweet about ancient Greece.
Buried in a thread that touched on Pericles (whose bust adorns her office), and the plague of Athens, was a plea for people to leave her alone about the state government’s failures, and let the hotel quarantine inquiry run its course.
“History like the plague in ancient Athens shows us that civil disorder puts a society facing a pandemic at greater risk,” Mikakos wrote.


crikey--2020-08-10--The hypocrisy around TikTok is nothing short of astonishing

Everyone 's against big tech , but no one has a problem with TikTok being forced into the hands of @ @ @ @ @ needs the combined forces of big tech and Donald Trump to produce hypocrisy of the @ @ @ @ @ TikTok -- or , as it should be more accurately described , the extortion of @ @ @ @ @ 're all supposed to hate the Chinese tyranny and the tech companies it can use @ @ @ @ @ surveillance , control and commercial espionage , both at home and abroad .
But the @ @ @ @ @ US , UK , Canada , Australia and New Zealand are no better when it @ @ @ @ @ espionage -- and control , when they want it .
Indeed , we invented the @ @ @ @ @ data from tech platforms -- and Western companies invented the practice of monetising that data @

It needs the combined forces of big tech and Donald Trump to produce hypocrisy of the magnitude surrounding the forced sale TikTok — or, as it should be more accurately described, the extortion of Chinese company ByteDance.
We’re all supposed to hate the Chinese tyranny and the tech companies it can use to serve its purposes of surveillance, control and commercial espionage, both at home and abroad.
But the Five Eyes governments of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are no better when it comes to surveillance and commercial espionage — and control, when they want it. Indeed, we invented the practice of hoovering up personal data from tech platforms — and Western companies invented the practice of monetising that data.


crikey--2020-08-11--Overwhelmed disability watchdog routinely dismisses abuse and neglect

The NDIS regulatory body is overwhelmed and ineffective , with thousands of complaints going ignored .
This article discusses allegations of abuse , violence , neglect and sexual assault of people with disabilities , and suicide .
The National Disability Insurance Scheme ’ s ( NDIS ) regulatory body , the Quality and Safeguards Commission — often , the last line of defence for people with disabilities — is so overburdened with complaints and reports , that allegations of abuse , neglect , sexual assault and rape go un-investigated .
The commission is overwhelmed .
More than 10,000 cases are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are walking off the job in tears .
The commission has powers to issue sanctions and ban providers who put people with disabilities at risk , but since its inception in 2018 just 22 providers have been banned .
• A 52-year-old woman became underweight , malnourished , injured and possibly sexually assaulted while staying in supported living accommodation • A young man ’ s head injury was left unreported and untreated by his carers • A non-verbal man was moved out of his group home and left in hospital without his family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported to the commission and dismissed .
No providers were punished • The commission received more than 71,000 cases in six months but employed just 187 staff .
Six months into her 2018 stay at assisted living accommodation with disability service provider Achieve Australia in Sydney ’ s north , Georgi Hadden , 52 , had become malnourished , underweight and suicidal .
She had been sleeping on a mattress on the floor .
Hadden was found unconscious after a suicide attempt , naked from the waist down with a black eye and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Neither the hospital nor Achieve Australia investigated the incident .
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission dropped her complaint when Hadden moved out of the accommodation .
Hadden still doesn ’ t know what happened that night .
At another service provider , James Wheatley , who is non-verbal , came home from respite care with a large head injury .
His support worker told his mother she hadn ’ t noticed the lesion , and the facility didn ’ t submit an incident report — as is required under the NDIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A complaint lodged by his mother was dismissed , with no criminal investigation launched into what happened to her son .
For 16 hours , RG ’ s* family had no idea where he was .
RG has Down syndrome , autism , epilepsy and memory loss .
He needs an aid to help him communicate .
His group home sent him to hospital when he became aggressive and then refused to take him back , leaving him homeless .
His family had to fly in from interstate last minute .
Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff members had walked off the job in tears .
Others said staff had been told to favour companies over people with disabilities when investigating a case .
By June 2019 — the latest figures available — the commission employed 185 ongoing staff .
Of those , 113 were in NSW .
In the last six months of 2019 , the commission received more than 71,000 complaints and reportable incidents .
Federal MP Rebekha Sharkie estimates that fewer than 1 % of cases are escalated to the investigations team to be analysed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sexual assault ignored .
The commission can issue compliance orders , forcing a provider to change their practice , and ban providers from being able to register with the NDIS .
These powers are seldom used .
A commission spokesperson acknowledged it had a high caseload but wouldn ’ t comment on individual complaints .
Some incident reports are multiple notifications of the same issue .
They said if an incident involved allegations of harm to a person with a disability , it was immediately assessed , and criminal allegations were referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the commission believes a provider is meeting their registration and conduct obligations .
They also said some participants choose to change services , rather than lodge a complaint .
As to the question of staffing : “ Staffing levels are determined within the allocation available to the agency.
” Last year , the commission recorded an operating surplus of $ 4.7 million due to savings in employee benefits expenses .
It was allocated almost $ 55 million in the latest budget .
Opposition spokesperson for the NDIS Bill Shorten told Inq that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with disabilities .
“ We have grave concerns successive Liberal governments have allowed the disability watchdog to become a toothless purse poodle , ” he said .
“ Tragic deaths like Ann Marie Smith and constantly-emerging other cases reveal a cultural problem of reluctance to properly monitor or investigate dodgy providers.
” Will an inquiry help ?
A federal inquiry and a joint standing committee inquiry into the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission are both currently underway .
The federal inquiry is focusing on the circumstances relating to the death of Ann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was left soiled and neglected in a cane chair .
The joint standing committee ’ s inquiry will look at the efficacy and resourcing of the commission .
Submissions closed at the end of July .
No media releases into the inquiry have been published .
Several disability advocates Inq spoke to only became aware of the inquiry through friends on social media .
There have been questions raised around what another inquiry will achieve .
Public sector staff have been anonymously submitting their experiences through their union .
Under-resourced , underfunded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Safeguards Commission deals with complaints and reportable incidents slowly and ineffectively , with a reluctance to punish non-compliant providers .
In a way , Hadden , Wheatley and RG were all fortunate : they were able to advocate for themselves or had loving family members to do so on their behalf .
But , despite being the fortunate few who can navigate the complexities of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission , their experiences were still dismissed .
People with disabilities continue to have allegations of neglect and abuse swept under the rug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Safeguards Commission works

This article discusses allegations of abuse, violence, neglect and sexual assault of people with disabilities, and suicide.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) regulatory body, the Quality and Safeguards Commission — often, the last line of defence for people with disabilities — is so overburdened with complaints and reports, that allegations of abuse, neglect, sexual assault and rape go un-investigated.
The commission is overwhelmed. More than 10,000 cases are submitted every month on average and staff are walking off the job in tears.


crikey--2020-08-11--Outsourcing in aged care — a regulatory weakness COVID-19 ruthlessly exploited

Outsourcing is crucial to the aged care sector — but the regulator prefers to let private providers ensure that outsourced services are up to scratch .
Outsourcing has become central to the aged care business model and regulation has failed to keep up with it , creating an ideal environment both for the spread of infection and the avoidance of responsibility for deaths and illness in the residential care sector .
With private residential care providers expanding their role in the sector over the last decade , and around four out of every five residential provider part of a larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ancillary services such as catering , laundry and cleaning in aged care facilities , as well as more traditionally outsourced services such as accounting and insurance , has become standard .
Governments have encouraged this : following a 2004 review , the federal government established a facility to help single-facility providers band together to obtain greater purchasing power for external services , while the Productivity Commission encouraged outsourcing as a way of reducing costs in a 2008 inquiry .
One firm has even taken advantage of the aged care royal commission to urge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities to the Philippines ” in order to “ focus on what ’ s important ” .
A central problem with outsourcing , as one disgruntled New Zealand provider claims to have discovered , is that outsourced providers add a profit margin into services that may offset any efficiency gains , especially if the market for provision of outsourced services is uncompetitive ( a particular problem in regional areas ) .
It also does little for in-house staff morale .
Broader trends in the sector encourage outsourcing beyond cost drivers .
The push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise greater control over what kind of care they receive — consumer-directed care — automatically requires a more flexible and outsourced home and residential care sector in which providers can ’ t rely on guaranteed funding but — theoretically — must provide more tailored services that might be just one of a range of care services “ consumed ” by the recipient .
Outsourcing has also played a key role in regulation of the sector .
In 2017 , industry publication Ageing Agenda showed how the federal Department of Health spent millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviews of aged care funding , legislation and policy .
That has continued : last year , for example , PWC received over $ 1.1 million from the Department of Health to develop new aged care quality indicators and review existing ones .
Not merely is providing services to aged care big business ; providing services to the agencies that fund and regulate them is big business as well .
Coupled with the shift of many providers to short-hour contracts for staff , outsourcing increases the movement of people between residential facilities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission of COVID-19 .
As late as June 30 , the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission — now under fire for its lack of residential aged care preparedness — was relaxed about people working across multiple facilities in Victoria .
That complements the broader approach of the commission to outsourcing .
In its recent guidance to the sector on applying to become an approved aged care provider , the commission absolves itself of any role in ensuring the providers of outsourced services are compliant with aged care standards , placing that burden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your organisation currently has , or proposes to enter into an agreement with another entity to deliver care and services on its behalf you must tell us … You must provide a statement outlining how you intend to oversee the delivery of outsourced care including who within your organisation is responsible for oversight of the other entity and how you will ensure that care is delivered in compliance with the Aged Care Act and the principles … Outsourced or subcontracted services will not be separately assessed against the Aged Care Act and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly receiving funding from the Australian government is responsible for the delivery of safe and quality care and services… ” This is an elegant way to diffuse responsibility : the regulator has washed its hands of responsibility for ensuring the provision of basic services such as food and clean linen meet legislated standards , outsourcing that burden on the private or non-government provider to act as co-regulator to ensure services provided by another private provider are compliant , when it has a direct interest in cost minimisation .
To intervene earlier than July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working across multiple aged care facilities during a pandemic would have contradicted the commission ’ s co-regulatory model , given it has no responsibility for ensuring outsourced services provided to facilities comply with aged care standards .
The 1000-plus aged care residents who have already contracted COVID-19 in Victoria and the families of more than 120 aged care residents who have died are unlikely to be given clear answers as to who was responsible for the infection-friendly industry model we created .

Outsourcing has become central to the aged care business model and regulation has failed to keep up with it, creating an ideal environment both for the spread of infection and the avoidance of responsibility for deaths and illness in the residential care sector.
With private residential care providers expanding their role in the sector over the last decade, and around four out of every five residential provider part of a larger aged care group, the outsourcing of ancillary services such as catering, laundry and cleaning in aged care facilities, as well as more traditionally outsourced services such as accounting and insurance, has become standard.
Governments have encouraged this: following a 2004 review, the federal government established a facility to help single-facility providers band together to obtain greater purchasing power for external services, while the Productivity Commission encouraged outsourcing as a way of reducing costs in a 2008 inquiry.


crikey--2020-08-12--Georgi Hadden used to protect us. When she needed it, we didn’t protect her

The former police officer 's allegations of neglect and potential abuse were dismissed by the NDIS watchdog .
This article @ @ @ @ @ violence , neglect and sexual assault of people with disabilities , and suicide .
This @ @ @ @ @ a series .
Read part one here and part two here .
When Georgi Hadden @ @ @ @ @ accommodation for people with disabilities , she thought she would finally be getting the care @ @ @

This article contains references to abuse, violence, neglect and sexual assault of people with disabilities, and suicide.
This article is part two of a series. Read part one here and part three here.
When Georgi Hadden was accepted into assisted living accommodation for people with disabilities, she thought she would finally be getting the care she needed.


crikey--2020-08-11--‘People are bursting into tears’: inside the troubled NDIS watchdog

Staff at the NDIS Quality and Safeguards are overwhelmed with an 'untenable ' workload .
This article contains references to @ @ @ @ @ and sexual assault of people with disabilities .
This article is part two of a @ @ @ @ @ here .
The Quality and Safeguards Commission is the last line of defence for people @ @ @ @ @ National Disability Insurance Scheme ( NDIS ) .
It ’ s the service ’ s @ @ @ @ @ disabilities can turn with complaints about their care or services .

This article contains references to abuse, violence, neglect and sexual assault of people with disabilities.
This article is part three of a series. Read part one here.
The Quality and Safeguards Commission is the last line of defence for people being cared for under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It’s the service’s watchdog, where people with disabilities can turn with complaints about their care or services.


crikey--2020-08-12--Andrews v Reynolds: how will we know who’s telling the truth?

Whether we get down to the truth of the matter may well come down to what the public expects from @ @ @ @ @ of words that has erupted between Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and federal Defence Minister Linda @ @ @ @ @ ( ADF ) personnel marks one of the biggest rifts to emerge between federal and @ @ @ @ @ began .
It also reveals just how opaque government decision-making has become during the crisis @ @ @ @ @ inquiry yesterday that it would be “ fundamentally incorrect ” to say that there were @ @ @ @ @ offer to help with the hotel quarantine program , and that “ somehow , somebody @ @ @ @

The war of words that has erupted between Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and federal Defence Minister Linda Reynolds over Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel marks one of the biggest rifts to emerge between federal and state governments since the pandemic began.
It also reveals just how opaque government decision-making has become during the crisis.
Andrews told a parliamentary inquiry yesterday that it would be “fundamentally incorrect” to say that there were hundreds of ADF staff on offer to help with the hotel quarantine program, and that “somehow, somebody said no”.


crikey--2020-08-12--Inquiries are looking in the wrong place — the stuff-up is all about the second wave

It 's right to scrutinise the mistakes of the Victorian government .
But the inquiries are looking at the wrong @ @ @ @ @ is continuing to take fire over its COVID-19 hotel quarantine bungle , with a war @ @ @ @ @ irrelevant question of whether or not Victoria rejected defence force assistance .
The problem with @ @ @ @ @ ’ s parliamentary inquiry is that they ’ re focused on completely the wrong failure @ @ @ @ @ ’ s increasingly deadly second wave was caused by poorly trained and woefully paid security @ @ @ @ @ point .
It ’ s the political equivalent of burying the lead .

The Andrews government is continuing to take fire over its COVID-19 hotel quarantine bungle, with a war erupting yesterday over the largely irrelevant question of whether or not Victoria rejected defence force assistance.
The problem with this judicial inquiry and yesterday’s parliamentary inquiry is that they’re focused on completely the wrong failure.
Whether or not Victoria’s increasingly deadly second wave was caused by poorly trained and woefully paid security guards isn’t the point. It’s the political equivalent of burying the lead.


crikey--2020-08-13--When non-verbal means voiceless: the silent wall that greeted an injured man

Anndrea Wheatley turned to the police and NDIS watchdog to find out what happened after her disabled son was injured @ @ @ @ @ organisation more toothless than the last .
When 26-year-old James Wheatley came home from disability @ @ @ @ @ on his head , his mother , Anndrea , was shocked .
How could no @ @ @ @ @ red bump on his head ?
Trying to find out what happened to Wheatley , @ @ @ @ @ to be an impossible task .
The care provider launched an internal investigation which revealed @ @ @ @ @ not investigate .
The National Disability Insurance Scheme ( NDIS ) Quality and Safeguards Commission @ @ @ @ @ , dismissed Anndrea 's complaint .

When 26-year-old James Wheatley came home from disability respite care with a lesion on his head, his mother, Anndrea, was shocked. How could no one notice a huge, red bump on his head?
Trying to find out what happened to Wheatley, who is non-verbal, proved to be an impossible task. The care provider launched an internal investigation which revealed nothing.
NSW Police did not investigate. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards Commission, the scheme’s watchdog, dismissed Anndrea’s complaint.


crikey--2020-08-13--Tehan’s crackdown on failing students needs fact-checking.  Here’s a start

'The Morrison government wants to say that those who have a go get a go , but now they want to say that those who have a go and don ’ t succeed the first time don ’ t get another chance . '
Education Minister Dan Tehan ’ s unveiled the latest piece of his university reform plan overnight — a proposal to withdraw government help from students who had failed more than half their units .
In a media release titled “ putting students ’ interests first ” , Tehan said students who fail more than half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to access government support in the form of a Commonwealth supported place , HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP .
The plan is intended to crack down on large , unpaid HECS debts , and push students towards more sustainable study choices .
But the plan could also cause more anxiety and hardship for many students , with little tangible benefit .
Tehan says his plan will help both students and taxpayers , by stopping students taking on HECS debt they ’ ll never pay off .
But analysis from the Department of Education suggests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per year .
What we do know is that failing subjects at university is fairly common .
According to analysis from the Grattan Institute , 8 % of students failed every subject in their first semester at university .
About 40 % of students who fail half their subjects — the threshold for HELP to be cut off under Tehan ’ s plan — will already drop out .
Another study , led by researchers at Deakin University , surveyed students studying civil engineering , education , nursing and commerce , and found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed at least one subject .
Most who failed once failed again , and were four times as likely to drop out .
Experts and student advocates are concerned this latest proposal doesn ’ t address the root causes of academic failure , and could make university even more difficult for struggling students .
Associate professor of educational research Rola Ajjawi , who co-authored the Deakin University paper , told Crikey students failed subjects for a complex range of factors , including their financial situation , caring responsibilities and mental health issues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ around is that when a student fails , it ’ s a result of their own capabilties , ” Ajjawi said .
“ This punitive approach has the potential to raise anxiety , particularly in vulnerable students.
” Liam Donohoe , president of the University of Sydney ’ s Students ’ Representative Council , said first year students , who faced particular challenges with mental health , were most likely to be adversely impacted .
“ Mental health is a most significant issue , and that ’ s particularly hard to manage and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ It ’ s when students feel an onset of difficulties , and many don ’ t reach out for help.
” Ajjawi said the transition from high school can be particularly jarring for some students , and the added financial stress of failing subjects could make that process even more challenging .
Given the complex factors that affect a student ’ s academic performance , it ’ s unclear how well Tehan ’ s plan will change behaviour .
Most universities already have rules , procedures and support in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ajjawi says often , these students require an educational rather than punitive intervention to change study behaviour .
She also says there ’ s a lot that hasn ’ t yet been answered about Tehan ’ s plan .
For one , it seems to be targeted at “ serial failures ” , who are enrolling in multiple courses at multiple institutions , with the press release singling out students who had racked up HELP debts of over $ 600,000 .
But it ’ s unclear how many students are in this specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see the figures around how many students are enrolled in multiple universities .
I wouldn ’ t have thought that many students are doing that , ” Ajjawi said .
And despite those examples of students with large debts , the Coalition itself put in place a limit on HELP loans of $ 100,000 ( $ 150,000 for certain degrees like medicine ) in 2018 .
Donohoe said that beyond the rhetoric about “ serial failures ” , the plan means more hardship for students and young people , who are already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morrison government wants to say that those who have a go get a go , but now they want to say that those who have a go and don ’ t succeed the first time don ’ t get another chance .
”

Education Minister Dan Tehan’s unveiled the latest piece of his university reform plan overnight — a proposal to withdraw government help from students who had failed more than half their units.
In a media release titled “putting students’ interests first”, Tehan said students who fail more than half of their eight subjects would no longer be able to access government support in the form of a Commonwealth supported place, HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.
The plan is intended to crack down on large, unpaid HECS debts, and push students towards more sustainable study choices. But the plan could also cause more anxiety and hardship for many students, with little tangible benefit.


crikey--2020-08-13--Childcare is important for parents but vital for kids. Both are under threat

Brushing off early education as babysitting is ignorance — it gives children one of the keys needed to unlock a productive future .
When Prime Minister Scott Morrison introduced free childcare in April he acknowledged it was a “ vital ” service for families during an “ unsettling time ” .
Accessing and paying for childcare during the pandemic has not disappeared for parents despite the government ’ s inexplicable decision to withdraw free childcare and end support payments for childcare workers — this while case numbers were not dwindling nor plateauing but rapidly rising .
It is still an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The conditions that necessitated these support measures have fundamentally shifted — many parents still need childcare and Victoria announced last week centres would be closed for everyone but children of “ permitted ” workers .
Former prime minister Julia Gillard wrote last week about the potential impact globally on the world ’ s children as 1.5 billion young learners ( 90 % of the world ’ s schoolchildren ) have been locked out of school during the pandemic .
But the disruption could start earlier as many families won ’ t access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they aren ’ t able to in Victoria or because they can no longer afford to .
The lack of support for out-of-work or underemployed parents assumes if you ’ ve got a job you can pay for childcare and if you don ’ t have a job you can look after your kids .
But equating time at home with time at childcare overlooks the social and developmental benefits in early childhood education , director of Australian programs at UNICEF Australia Nicole Breeze said .
“ High quality early education provides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view it as complementary to the important role that caregivers play , ” Breeze says .
“ It is a false dichotomy to suggest we need one or the other when in fact we need both.
” While the child should be paramount in this discussion , Breeze referred to a 2019 study by the Front Project and PwC that calculated the participation of children in quality early learning delivers a return on investment of 2:1 to the economy .
“ What we saw through phase one of the emergency measures was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children who hadn ’ t previously been able to participate , ” she says .
“ We want to remove some of the barriers to access for children from disadvantaged families.
” The government ’ s literature review found that childcare in the first three years of life benefited children from disadvantaged backgrounds the most .
( It had little overall impact on cognitive and language development for all kids . )
For three- to five-year-olds longitudinal studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of high-quality , focused preschool programs in “ reducing the effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s social competency and emotional health , and preparing children for a successful transition to school ” .
Families are already worried .
Dr Sandra Hesterman is the director of early childhood education at Murdoch University and has been surveying parents about the challenges and opportunities in having kids at home .
She said the preliminary data from the first 500 responses showed a number of anxieties .
“ They [ feel ] that childcare is an important venue for the purposes of social interaction not just for the children but for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel they are limited in what they can offer their kids in terms of stimulation because they don ’ t necessarily have access to a variety of resources and activities … and there is a lack of confidence in their own ability to support learning.
” They were stressed about not having the support of grandparents and extended family , scared they hadn ’ t created an “ appropriate learning environment ” and worried about their kids getting “ bored ” .
Professor Nicola Yelland from the Melbourne graduate school of education at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspect of childcare underpinned all future learning .
“ The dismissal of early childhood education as babysitting is insulting and demeaning , ” she says .
But she wants parents to remember they can be an important part of their child ’ s education even while access to childcare is difficult .
“ It is hard to juggle a job and kids at home but learning is continuous and it happens outside of childcare centres and parents need to be supported in that , ” she says .

When Prime Minister Scott Morrison introduced free childcare in April he acknowledged it was a “vital” service for families during an “unsettling time”.
Accessing and paying for childcare during the pandemic has not disappeared for parents despite the government’s inexplicable decision to withdraw free childcare and end support payments for childcare workers — this while case numbers were not dwindling nor plateauing but rapidly rising.
It is still an “unsettling time” for most families. The conditions that necessitated these support measures have fundamentally shifted — many parents still need childcare and Victoria announced last week centres would be closed for everyone but children of “permitted” workers.


crikey--2020-08-12--Childcare workers face no shifts and no support

Childcare workers in Victoria fear dodgy operators will pocket pandemic subsidies and rip off casual staff .
Last month the @ @ @ @ @ childcare scheme , under which parents paid no fees and the government paid childcare centres @ @ @ @ @ rate cap .
Education minister Dan Tehan says the package had succeeded in keeping services @ @ @ @ @ .
He boasted that 99.3 % of 13,400 childcare services were still operating on July @ @ @ @ @ pay operators a transition payment of 25 % of their fee revenue until September 27 @

Last month the federal government ended its free childcare scheme, under which parents paid no fees and the government paid childcare centres 50% of the hourly rate cap.
Education minister Dan Tehan says the package had succeeded in keeping services “open and viable”.
He boasted that 99.3% of 13,400 childcare services were still operating on July 1 and the government would pay operators a transition payment of 25% of their fee revenue until September 27.


crikey--2020-08-14--There’s a term to describe cutting wages, then cashing in: COVID fraud

The legal industry is eyeing the litigious possibilities that COVID-19 will leave behind .
One major opportunity : class actions @ @ @ @ @ Like vultures circling slowly in the sky , the legal industry is lazily eyeing the @ @ @ @ @ will leave behind .
There is much anticipation of a festival of contractual disputes rolling @ @ @ @ @ come , as businesses fight over the obscure meaning of force majeure and whether COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ relieved parties of their otherwise expensive obligations .
Publicly , it ’ s mostly about @ @ @ @ @ Princess debacle has already been monetised by class action lawyers ; predictions of more of @ @ @ @ @ against the dozens of aged care providers whose facilities have proved no less deadly a @ @ @ @ @ floating disease factories we call cruise ships , will undoubtedly come true .

Like vultures circling slowly in the sky, the legal industry is lazily eyeing the deliciously litigious possibilities that COVID-19 will leave behind.
There is much anticipation of a festival of contractual disputes rolling out for many years to come, as businesses fight over the obscure meaning of force majeure and whether COVID-19’s ravages will have relieved parties of their otherwise expensive obligations.
Publicly, it’s mostly about class actions. The Ruby Princess debacle has already been monetised by class action lawyers; predictions of more of the same, to flow against the dozens of aged care providers whose facilities have proved no less deadly a place to be than the floating disease factories we call cruise ships, will undoubtedly come true.


crikey--2020-08-14--The price we pay for the martyrdom of Peter Ridd

The Peter Ridd circus rolls on and on — and we 're all footing the bill .
In a makeshift @ @ @ @ @ hotel at the end of July , a taxpayer-funded farce played out in the name @ @ @ @ @ It was summed up by the following exchange between One Nation Senator , Malcolm Roberts @ @ @ @ @ Barrier Reef science expert and free-speech poster-boy , Dr Peter Ridd :

In a makeshift hearing room in a Brisbane hotel at the end of July, a taxpayer-funded farce played out in the name of a Senate inquiry.
It was summed up by the following exchange between One Nation Senator, Malcolm Roberts, and the self-styled Great Barrier Reef science expert and free-speech poster-boy, Dr Peter Ridd:
Roberts: What is a scientist?


crikey--2020-08-14--‘The buck stops with me’: the words our political class utter with contempt

The evasion of responsibility by the federal and Victorian governments over the pandemic is the product of a long-growing culture of non-accountability in Australian politics .
Who was responsible for the fateful and fatal decision to allow Ruby Princess passengers to disembark in Sydney in March , leading to hundreds of coronavirus infections across Australia ?
Some combination of Australian Border Force ( ABF ) staff , Department of Agriculture officials and NSW Department of Health staff .
Quite how they combined may never be fully known , given the Commonwealth is refusing to fully cooperate with a NSW inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Affairs minister Peter Dutton has tried to bluster his way out of questions about the culpability of ABF staff by claiming such questions are an attack on his personnel .
How about responsibility for the Victorian outbreak from hotel quarantine ?
Good luck identifying that , with Victorian ministers refusing to “ engage ” with parliamentary inquiry questions about who was in charge of the hotel quarantine program because they were “ gotcha-type questions ” .
The state ’ s health minister refused point blank to answer questions in parliament about her portfolio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government has refused to accept any responsibility for scores of deaths in Victorian nursing homes it funds and , allegedly , regulates .
Scott Morrison has refused to do media conferences for fear of being asked questions about it .
Government bureaucrats won ’ t reveal which facilities don ’ t comply with its infection guidelines because it might harm those facilities ’ reputations ( a variant of Martin Pakula ’ s “ gotcha question ” ) .
In the face of all evidence , Health Minister Greg Hunt claims aged care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic and , Dutton-style , dismissed questions as an attack on aged care workers .
The collective evasion of responsibility by politicians and senior bureaucrats and refusal to answer questions about responsibility for the deaths of Australians is the product of a long-term shift in political culture to resist accountability , responsibility and transparency .
For decades now , the political class has resisted not merely being held responsible for anything damaging , but undermined processes that might have led to them being held responsible .
They ’ ve used a suite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not merely means governments pay the private sector to provide services , but to absorb at least some responsibility for failures away from a notionally accountable political system to an unaccountable private one .
In some cases , such as aged care , even ensuring compliance with the law is outsourced from regulators to private providers .
Taking questions on notice is probably the single most widely used tool of evasion in government .
The whole purpose of parliamentary accountability is blunted if opposition and cross-bench politicians are unable to obtain answers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sittings until months later , after both bureaucrats and ministerial staff have ironed out any information that might occasion awkwardness for the government .
That ’ s why royal commissions , where witnesses have no escape and must answer , have become the only real method of compelling powerful figures to explain themselves .
We ’ re living in the peak era of media management .
Politicians and their spinners become much more professional in the traditional arts of refusal to answer questions and dropping material to favoured outlets for uncritical coverage and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applies to public service media management .
Despite employing thousands of media staff , departments and agents are saying less than ever , responding with pabulum or simply refusing to even answer queries , while departmental executives refuse to comply with Freedom of Information laws .
Meantime the notion of ministerial responsibility is dead , buried and cremated , with ministerial staff now providing an extra layer of protection for politicians .
A scandal-plagued minister like Angus Taylor would have been sacked even under the low standards of the Howard government ; Peter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long succession of scandals and debacles in his department ; Bridget McKenzie was only dismissed on a trivial technicality when the political heat became too great , rather than for independently verified rorting of taxpayer funding for political purposes .
Politicians argue that , whatever else , they face ultimate accountability at the ballot box .
But that simply doesn ’ t apply to most scandals and disasters .
Voters don ’ t vote on the basis of the ethics or integrity of governments , but on the economy and jobs first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And even a shambolic , scandal-plagued government can be re-elected if it receives sufficient media support and the opposition commits to enough policies to facilitate a scare campaign .
Don ’ t count on Daniel Andrews necessarily being held to account by Victorians for the outbreak , or Scott Morrison being held responsible at the ballot box for the appalling scandal of Australian aged care .
Voters don ’ t think that way .
Our political class has spent decades cultivating a culture of political unaccountability .
That won ’ t change just @ @ @ @ @ @

Who was responsible for the fateful and fatal decision to allow Ruby Princess passengers to disembark in Sydney in March, leading to hundreds of coronavirus infections across Australia?
Some combination of Australian Border Force (ABF) staff, Department of Agriculture officials and NSW Department of Health staff. Quite how they combined may never be fully known, given the Commonwealth is refusing to fully cooperate with a NSW inquiry headed by Bret Walker SC. Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton has tried to bluster his way out of questions about the culpability of ABF staff by claiming such questions are an attack on his personnel.
How about responsibility for the Victorian outbreak from hotel quarantine?


crikey--2020-08-17--We need to talk about Richard Colbeck

We need to talk about Richard Colbeck

With the COVID-19 crisis in aged care spinning out of control , is the current minister in charge really the @ @ @ @ @ ?
Federal Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck is going to be increasingly in the gun @ @ @ @ @ months as the COVID-19 situation in the Victorian aged care sector continues to deteriorate .
@ @ @ @ @ s Samantha Maiden predicted on Insiders yesterday that Colbeck would be targeted by Labor as @ @ @ @ @ when parliament resumes .
Australia ’ s political system often throws up elected representatives who @ @ @ @ @ their skill set .
Colbeck , a little-known Tasmanian senator , is a good example @ @ @

Federal Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck is going to be increasingly in the gun over the coming weeks and months as the COVID-19 situation in the Victorian aged care sector continues to deteriorate.
Indeed, News Corp’s Samantha Maiden predicted on Insiders yesterday that Colbeck would be targeted by Labor as a “weak link” when parliament resumes.
Australia’s political system often throws up elected representatives who end up being over-promoted beyond their skill set. Colbeck, a little-known Tasmanian senator, is a good example of that.


crikey--2020-08-17--Reserve Bank repeats a message unwelcome in government: it’s demand, stupid

It 's demand , not supply , that shapes as the biggest problem for the Australian economy — at least @ @ @ @ @ Lowe .
But try telling that to the treasurer .
There 's now a clear @ @ @ @ @ Australia 's path back to economic growth and low unemployment .
On the one hand @ @ @ @ @ most of the government -- especially right-wing backbenchers -- backed by big business and their @ @ @ @ @ Review and News Corp , who think that Australia must reform its way to growth @ @ @ @ @ tax reform , industrial relations changes and deregulation .
On the other side is the @ @ @ @ @ governor Philip Lowe , who says demand is the central problem in the economy .

There’s now a clear split within policymaking ranks over Australia’s path back to economic growth and low unemployment.
On the one hand there is Josh Frydenberg and most of the government — especially right-wing backbenchers — backed by big business and their media cheerleaders at the Financial Review and News Corp, who think that Australia must reform its way to growth via a supply-side agenda of tax reform, industrial relations changes and deregulation.
On the other side is the Reserve Bank (RBA) governor Philip Lowe, who says demand is the central problem in the economy.


crikey--2020-08-17--Taskforce launched after Inq’s investigation into alleged neglect in the disability sector

Georgi Hadden is finally having her claims of abuse and neglect taken seriously .
Georgi Hadden is finally having her claims of abuse and neglect taken seriously , with the National Disability Insurance Scheme ( NDIS ) watchdog , the Quality and Safeguards Commission , set to reinvestigate how she become malnourished , underweight , suicidal and covered in bruises while in the care of a disability service provider .
A three person taskforce was established following an Inq investigation into Hadden ’ s claims , she said .
“ I ’ m relieved , ” Hadden told Inq .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to listen to my whole story.
” Hadden , who is autistic and has an acquired brain injury along with several other disorders , lodged a complaint with the commission in August 2018 , though it was ultimately resolved with no action taken .
Across six months living in accommodation provided by disability service provider Achieve Australia in Sydney ’ s north , Hadden said she was given limited staff time and assistance , causing her condition to deteriorate .
Hadden said she was told by staff she was found without her pants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covered in bruises .
Her complaint was dismissed because Hadden didn ’ t want to speak to Achieve ’ s management team , and had left the provider ’ s care .
Hadden has also lodged a complaint about a second disability service provider — the treatment there , she said , is in some ways worse .
She said she ’ ll get to speak to the taskforce about both providers .
“ This isn ’ t just about me .
I can tell them about all the other things I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen , ” she said .
Many of the other residents at the accommodation have high support needs and can not speak .
“ Maybe we ’ ll see some accountability and change , ” she said .
A spokesperson for the commission told Inq the investigation had raised serious issues , though disputes the claim the commission routinely dismisses allegations of abuse and neglect .
They would not comment on Hadden ’ s complaint .
A spokeswoman for Achieve Australia told Inq the safety and wellbeing of clients was of paramount importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a zero-tolerance approach to the abuse and neglect of people with disability , ” she said .
“ We are prepared to cooperate fully with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on any further investigation.
” Non-management staff were not interviewed as part of the commission ’ s initial investigation , though Achieve provided written statements from staff .

Georgi Hadden is finally having her claims of abuse and neglect taken seriously, with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) watchdog, the Quality and Safeguards Commission, set to reinvestigate how she become malnourished, underweight, suicidal and covered in bruises while in the care of a disability service provider.
A three person taskforce was established following an Inq investigation into Hadden’s claims, she said.
“I’m relieved,” Hadden told Inq. “They said they’re going to listen to my whole story.”


crikey--2020-08-18--Postcard from Australia: corruption and contagion tarnish a sunny South Pacific face

While the idyllic South Pacific monarchy of Australia presents a successful face to the world , corruption and incompetence mean trouble for local strongman Scott Morrison .
Initially one of the success stories of the global pandemic , the island monarchy of Australia is now struggling to contain a COVID-19 outbreak that has shuttered a major town and torn through the nursing homes along the east coast of the country .
After months of suppression , the latest outbreak originated in the southern capital of Melbourne after the virus escaped quarantine — something now the subject of bitter recriminations between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foes .
Thousands have sickened and hundreds died as Melbourne — once rated the world ’ s most liveable city — returned to lockdown , silencing its quaint trams and emptying the streets around the Yarra , the river that wends Danube-like through Australia ’ s most European city .
The national government of Scott Morrison — who came to power in a 2018 putsch — is also in the firing line over infection outbreaks in nursing homes , which his governments funds and controls .
A special inquiry recently heard that Morrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nursing home residents from infection despite months of preparation time and a March outbreak in nursing homes in Sydney , the nation ’ s capital 900kms north of Melbourne .
Sydney premier Gladys Berejiklian , an ally of Morrison , faces her own crisis after her officials , with the agreement of Morrison ’ s border militia , allowed a cruise ship to dock and disgorge hundreds of infected passengers into the country .
The death toll now stands at over 20 from that incident , which has soured Berejiklian ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines to come to her city .
Other provinces across the 4000 kilometre-wide island have now sealed their borders against possible infections from Sydney and Melbourne .
Morrison has also shut down the nation ’ s airports to prevent Australians from escaping the country , although high-profile business associates of the ruling Coalition can travel without restrictions .
The pandemic has brought Australia ’ s long run of economic luck to an end .
Buoyed by massive exports of iron ore to China , Australia managed a world record 28 years without recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long jobless queues outside government offices .
A spat with Beijing has also endangered the country ’ s vital tourism and education sectors .
Morrison — who has the backing of media magnate Rupert Murdoch and mining millionaires like Clive Palmer , famous for promising to rebuild the Titanic — has problems elsewhere .
Cronies of Morrison are mired in scandals involving the purchasing of water rights ( a valuable commodity in the bone-dry nation ) , the forging of documents and the rorting of government funds to help Morrison win last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under fire for allowing key financiers of the party , mining and fossil fuel interests , to draft new policies to end the country ’ s depression .
But it is the nursing home crisis that might pose the biggest threat to the strongman ’ s grip on power , with the leader forced to apologise for deaths , though stopping short of accepting responsibility .
Regime officials have scrambled to defend the lack of regulation , advice and equipment supplies to a sector that has until now has enjoyed rapid growth for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fueled by public funding .
This week a fresh scandal emerged .
Morrison ’ s internal security force , used for raiding journalists , lawyers and whistleblowers who threaten his party , was found to have leaked details of a major investigation into possible war crimes by Australian troops during the nation ’ s unsuccessful military venture into Afghanistan .
A loyal vassal state of imperial power the United States , Australia joined an invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and its troops remained for most of the two-decade-long war that ensued .
Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing misconduct and scandal to flourish at the national level , with hundreds of millions of dollars a year being traded between powerful interests and political parties in exchange for influence , access and the opportunity to dictate policy .
The nation ’ s rapidly shrinking media is increasingly unable to hold the regime to account , especially after Morrison slashed funding to the nation ’ s public broadcasters in response to critical articles and reportage .
What was once the smiling face of a welcoming Land Down Under increasingly bears the scars @ @ @ @ @

Initially one of the success stories of the global pandemic, the island monarchy of Australia is now struggling to contain a COVID-19 outbreak that has shuttered a major town and torn through the nursing homes along the east coast of the country.
After months of suppression, the latest outbreak originated in the southern capital of Melbourne after the virus escaped quarantine — something now the subject of bitter recriminations between regional governor Daniel Andrews and his political foes. Thousands have sickened and hundreds died as Melbourne — once rated the world’s most liveable city — returned to lockdown, silencing its quaint trams and emptying the streets around the Yarra, the river that wends Danube-like through Australia’s most European city.
The national government of Scott Morrison — who came to power in a 2018 putsch — is also in the firing line over infection outbreaks in nursing homes, which his government funds and controls. A special inquiry recently heard that Morrison had no plan for protecting the nation’s nursing home residents from infection despite months of preparation time and a March outbreak in nursing homes in Sydney, the nation’s capital 900kms north of Melbourne.


crikey--2020-08-17--The great cybersecurity fraud: government won’t comply with its own rules

The government constantly insists Australia is under cyber attack — yet nearly three quarters of its departments fail to do @ @ @ @ @ .
While the Morrison government harangues us about cybersecurity and uses it to offer more @ @ @ @ @ agencies to `` protect '' us , it 's the biggest cyber-hypocrite of all .
@ @ @ @ @ departments do n't comply with the most basic cybersecurity standards the government itself established years @ @ @ @ @ the government mandated that all agencies had to be compliant with the `` top four @ @ @ @ @ Australian Signals Directorate ( ASD ) by July 2014 .
In ASD 's view , @ @ @ @ @ '' strategies ( application whitelisting , patching applications , restricting administrative privileges and patching operating @ @ @ @ @ place , 85 % of cyber intrusions would be prevented .

While the Morrison government harangues us about cybersecurity and uses it to offer more power and money to spy agencies to “protect” us, it’s the biggest cyber-hypocrite of all. The great majority of government departments don’t comply with the most basic cybersecurity standards the government itself established years ago.
In 2013, the government mandated that all agencies had to be compliant with the “top four” mitigation strategies of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) by July 2014.
In ASD’s view, if the “top four” strategies (application whitelisting, patching applications, restricting administrative privileges and patching operating systems) were put in place, 85% of cyber intrusions would be prevented.


crikey--2020-08-18--When it comes to the world of lobbying, words matter

When is lobbying not lobbying ?
According to the government , it 's when someone is giving ‘ strategic advice @ @ @ @ @ an Australian space company , has been awarded $ 7 million worth of government grants @ @ @ @ @ s space capabilities .
It also happens to receive strategic advice from former defence minister @ @ @ @ @ a client of his lobbyist firm , GC Advisory , since 2018 .

When is lobbying not lobbying?
According to the government, it’s when someone is giving ‘strategic advice’.
Saber Astronautics, an Australian space company, has been awarded $7 million worth of government grants to help develop Australia’s space capabilities. It also happens to receive strategic advice from former defence minister Christopher Pyne and has been a client of his lobbyist firm, GC Advisory, since 2018.


crikey--2020-08-18--Ignoring the realities of lockdown is as dangerous as the virus

Ignoring the damage caused by lockdowns , while clinging to outdated and overstated claims of COVID-19 's lethality , wo @ @ @ @ @ The issue of locking down a city or state has become increasingly divisive .
In @ @ @ @ @ none of my articles have elicited a more emotional response than my recent suggestion that @ @ @ @ @ cost more lives than it saves .
Alas , citywide lockdowns seem akin to Queensland @ @ @ @ @ , to introduce cane toads to control beetles -- well intentioned , but ultimately flawed @ @ @ @ @ of the strict and seemingly never-ending Victorian lockdown , we need to answer two questions @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t lock down , how many incremental deaths will occur ?
Second , @ @ @ @ @ how many incremental deaths will occur as a result of the lockdown ?

The issue of locking down a city or state has become increasingly divisive. In 16 years of writing, none of my articles have elicited a more emotional response than my recent suggestion that locking down a city may cost more lives than it saves.
Alas, citywide lockdowns seem akin to Queensland’s decision, in 1935, to introduce cane toads to control beetles — well intentioned, but ultimately flawed.
To assess the success of the strict and seemingly never-ending Victorian lockdown, we need to answer two questions. First, if regions don’t lock down, how many incremental deaths will occur? Second, when lockdowns do happen, how many incremental deaths will occur as a result of the lockdown?


crikey--2020-08-18--Lighting up in lockdown: cannabis use soars during pandemic

Most people use marijuana to manage pain — and boredom .
Now , as lockdown drags , medicinal cannabis approvals @ @ @ @ @ Cannabis is the COVID-19 drug of choice in Australia after alcohol .
Self-reported usage rates @ @ @ @ @ approvals are at record rates , increasing by almost 40 % since telehealth was implemented @ @ @ @ @ turning to marijuana during the pandemic for prescribed medication , self-medication , and as an @ @ @ @ @ In July last year the Therapeutic Goods Administration ( TGA ) approved 2207 medicinal cannabis @ @ @ @ @ year that had shot up to 5564 -- a 60 % increase .

Cannabis is the COVID-19 drug of choice in Australia after alcohol. Self-reported usage rates have soared and medicinal cannabis approvals are at record rates, increasing by almost 40% since telehealth was implemented in April.
Australians are turning to marijuana during the pandemic for prescribed medication, self-medication, and as an alternative to other substances.
Did telehealth cause a cannabis boom?
In July last year the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved 2207 medicinal cannabis applications. By July this year that had shot up to 5564 — a 60% increase.


crikey--2020-08-18--What cash cow universities don’t talk about when they ask for taxpayer money

Public universities are sitting on a billion-dollar windfall courtesy of their little-known shareholding , but you wo n't hear them @ @ @ @ @ they beg for government assistance , Australia ’ s public universities are sitting on a @ @ @ @ @ of their collective 40 % shareholding in listed education services provider IDP Education Limited .
@ @ @ @ @ surged since 2015 , having risen from its listing price of $ 3.40 to $ @ @ @ @ @ it a market capitalisation of $ 3.9 billion .
The little-known company burst out of @ @ @ @ @ boss Andrew Barkla was revealed had drawn the largest annual salary of any chief executive @ @ @ @ @ 2018-19 financial year : $ 38 million .

As they beg for government assistance, Australia’s public universities are sitting on a $1.6 billion windfall courtesy of their collective 40% shareholding in listed education services provider IDP Education Limited.
IDP’s share price has surged since 2015, having risen from its listing price of $3.40 to $14 this month, giving it a market capitalisation of $3.9 billion.
The little-known company burst out of the shadows last week when boss Andrew Barkla was revealed had drawn the largest annual salary of any chief executive in the country for the 2018-19 financial year: $38 million.


crikey--2020-08-19--Private health insurance continues to crumble — and vested interests keep asking for props

Young people continue to flee the rip-off that is private health insurance -- and vested interests want more subsidies and @ @ @ @ @ In what is fast becoming one of the rituals of Australian health debate , new @ @ @ @ @ insurance was published yesterday by the regulator , APRA .
Now the private health insurance @ @ @ @ @ bemoaning how people do n't want its product , are demanding incentives and punishments to @ @ @ @ @ .
A net total of more than 28,000 people abandoned private health insurance ( PHI @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 90,000 dumped their hospital coverage in the year to June , and @ @ @ @ @ coverage .
The pandemic has only continued a trend of Australians working out that unless @ @ @ @ @ of complex medical services PHI is a scam .

In what is fast becoming one of the rituals of Australian health debate, new quarterly data on private health insurance was published yesterday by the regulator, APRA.
Now the private health insurance industry and its allies, bemoaning how people don’t want its product, are demanding incentives and punishments to encourage people to purchase it.
A net total of more than 28,000 people abandoned private health insurance (PHI) in the June quarter. More than 90,000 dumped their hospital coverage in the year to June, and another 16,000 dumped their general coverage. The pandemic has only continued a trend of Australians working out that unless you’re a routine user of complex medical services PHI is a scam.


crikey--2020-08-19--The right is wrong: we are embracing COVID lockdown as freedom, not jail

So Victoria is a dictatorship for imposing on its people something they enthusiastically support ?
Why is the right 's @ @ @ @ @ nation 's pulse ?
The Australian response to the coronavirus should be , by any @ @ @ @ @ for pride .
We 're not a boutique little island like New Zealand .
We @ @ @ @ @ two major global travel hubs in Melbourne and Sydney .
Had we had a fully @ @ @ @ @ i.e .
the one we will have , gifted by Murdoch , in 10 years @ @ @ @ @ premiers of the same stripe , disaster would have been possible .
Terrible mistakes have @ @ @ @ @ .
The virus has revealed gaping holes in state process with regard to such emergencies @ @ @ @ @ responded to , in varying degrees , in real time .

The Australian response to the coronavirus should be, by any rational assessment, a cause for pride. We’re not a boutique little island like New Zealand. We’re a continent nation with two major global travel hubs in Melbourne and Sydney.
Had we had a fully anti-science populist prime minister — i.e. the one we will have, gifted by Murdoch, in 10 years — or a couple of premiers of the same stripe, disaster would have been possible.
Terrible mistakes have been made but then corrected. The virus has revealed gaping holes in state process with regard to such emergencies, and they’ve been responded to, in varying degrees, in real time.


crikey--2020-08-19--Keelty, Porter and the anti-corruption watchdog with fleas

The federal government is quite blatant about its lack of enthusiasm for an integrity body with teeth that will bite @ @ @ @ @ t already doubts about the government ’ s commitment to setting up an anti-corruption watchdog @ @ @ @ @ revelations about former Australian Federal Police ( AFP ) chief Mick Keelty confirm just how @ @ @ @ @ .
Keelty was revealed to have tipped off former special forces soldier Ben Roberts-Smith about @ @ @ @ @ 2018 into the Victoria Cross recipient , compromising one of the most sensitive probes in @ @ @ @ @ not to have known Roberts-Smith personally , but passed on confidential information given to him @ @ @ @ @ concern for Roberts-Smith 's welfare .

If there weren’t already doubts about the government’s commitment to setting up an anti-corruption watchdog, this week’s revelations about former Australian Federal Police (AFP) chief Mick Keelty confirm just how fraught the process has been.
Keelty was revealed to have tipped off former special forces soldier Ben Roberts-Smith about a war crimes investigation in 2018 into the Victoria Cross recipient, compromising one of the most sensitive probes in AFP history.
Keelty claims not to have known Roberts-Smith personally, but passed on confidential information given to him by his ex-colleagues out of concern for Roberts-Smith’s welfare.


crikey--2020-08-18--Cannabis use soars during pandemic

Cannabis use soars during pandemic


crikey--2020-08-18--The cash cow universities don’t talk about when they ask for money


crikey--2020-08-20--If only Morrison put as much effort into aged care as into marketing a vaccine deal…

Scott Morrison 's team is masterful at spin and marketing but wo n't even accept responsibility for the aged care crisis , let alone address it .
While the Prime Minister 's office diligently beavered away on a media release about a `` deal ' to `` secure '' a COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday , twelve more elderly Australians , all aged care residents in Victoria , were dying from the virus .
They now join 245 aged care fatalities in Victoria .
Their ranks will be added to today and in the days ahead , with nearly 1300 aged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more likely to be infected .
And 99.6 % of them are in facilities funded and regulated by the federal government .
Not that that means the federal government holds any responsibility in relation to the circumstances of their infection or deaths .
Yesterday , Scott Morrison explicitly rejected that , saying `` we regulate aged care , but when there is a public health pandemic , then public health , which , whether it gets into aged care , shopping centres , schools or anywhere else , then they are things @ @ @ @ @ @ @

While the prime minister’s office diligently beavered away on a media release about a “deal’ to “secure” a COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, 12 more elderly Australians, all aged care residents in Victoria, were dying from the virus. They now join 245 aged care fatalities in Victoria.
Their ranks will be added to today and in the days ahead, with nearly 1300 aged care residents in that state ill, and more likely to be infected. And 99.6% of them are in facilities funded and regulated by the federal government.
Not that that means the federal government holds any responsibility in relation to the circumstances of their infection or deaths. Yesterday, Scott Morrison explicitly rejected that, saying “we regulate aged care, but when there is a public health pandemic, then public health, which, whether it gets into aged care, shopping centres, schools or anywhere else, then they are things that are matters for Victoria.”


crikey--2020-08-19--The Last Lions of Africa: stories from the frontline in the battle to save a species

The disappearance of lions is the final step in the irreversible decline and death of so much African wilderness , writes author Anthony Ham .
This is a sponsored extract from the book The Last Lions of Africa by Anthony Ham , available August 2020 from Allen and Unwin .
The plight of lions is also a warning signal that Africa ’ s wilderness areas are in trouble .
Lions are our finger in the dyke , the keystone species holding it all together .
Take lions out of the equation and ecosystems fall apart .
Without lions , populations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are destroyed , and there is no barrier to humankind ’ s final destruction and desperate takeover of barely habitable land .
The disappearance of lions is the beginning of the end for Africa ’ s last wild places , the final step in the irreversible decline and death of so much African wilderness .
Lions , and possibly only lions , may be the saviours of Africa as we know it .
These three enduring African characters — lions , the traditional peoples they live among , and the wild lands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this book is about .
And for every glimmer of hope that these stories offer , there is always a hint of elegy , a lament for all that has been lost or may soon be gone .
The first time I saw wild lions I felt as if I had snatched a glimpse of eternity .
These lions , truly wild , stalked the earth as if this were their time , as if the world could forever be like this .
There is nothing quite like a wild lion to evoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of excitement that animates the world ’ s last wild places .
Enduring symbol of kings , possessed of terrible heraldic beauty , lions inhabit the darkest recesses of our psyche , like the fearsome monsters who once stood in for terrifying mysteries and our longing for exploration on maps of the ancient world .
In the leonine profile , savage and elusive , there resides a deliciously untamed life force that inspires the same awe that we reserve for the great mountain ranges of the earth , for ocean storms , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what drew me to lions .
The stories in this book follow characters : lions with real names like Cecil , Nosieki and Lady Liuwa ; people like Meiteranga the Maasai warrior and Induna Mundandwe the Barotse chief .
It ’ s what happened when a Maasai warrior in Kenya killed a lion only to find himself faced with an existential crisis that threatened everything he and his people stood for .
It ’ s what really happened to Cecil , who showed us that even lions deep within national parks may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life of Lady Liuwa , the last lioness of western Zambia who became a goddess to the local people , mand whose story is a reminder that when lions disappear from a land , it can be terribly difficult to bring them back .
Another traces a solo crossing of the Kalahari in Botswana , searching for the last survivors in a land emptied of people and of lions .
Stories from south-eastern Tanzania chart a world under the spell of Africa ’ s most prolific man-eating lions , cautioning us as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I tell of my own near-death experience with a lion in the African dawn .
Time is running out for lions .
An oft-recounted Nairobi legend , no longer verifiable , holds that the first six people to be buried in Nairobi ’ s cemetery were killed by lions .
Back then , in the final days of the nineteenth century , Africa belonged to the lions .
Little more than a century later , in June 2012 , six lions stepped beyond the boundaries of Nairobi National Park and into Kitengela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maasai cornered them , eager to exact revenge for the loss of their livestock to predators .
Or perhaps they were angry because the intrusion of lions into the human world was an outrage , a threat that could not go unanswered .
And who could blame them ?
Facing lions on suburban streets should not be one of the more routine challenges of daily life .
“ Some people think having lions in the neighbourhood is the best thing ever , ” one Nairobi resident told London ’ s Times newspaper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to eat my kids.
” The mob speared the six lions to death before help could arrive .
A certain symmetry to these Nairobi tales of death—a story of six lions , the other a story of the first six people to be buried in the city ’ s cemetery , all killed by lions .
Such has been the relationship between lions and people in Africa for the past hundred years .
The balance has shifted .
The lions no longer win .
The Last Lions of Africa is published by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is $ 32.99 .
More information here .

This is a sponsored extract from the book The Last Lions of Africa by Anthony Ham, available August 2020 from Allen and Unwin.
The plight of lions is also a warning signal that Africa’s wilderness areas are in trouble. Lions are our finger in the dyke, the keystone species holding it all together. Take lions out of the equation and ecosystems fall apart. Without lions, populations of other species increase unchecked, habitats are destroyed, and there is no barrier to humankind’s final destruction and desperate takeover of barely habitable land.
The disappearance of lions is the beginning of the end for Africa’s last wild places, the final step in the irreversible decline and death of so much African wilderness. Lions, and possibly only lions, may be the saviours of Africa as we know it.


crikey--2020-08-19--Northern hemisphere sees record summer temperatures in the middle of the pandemic

While COVID-19 dominates the headlines , the northern hemisphere is being hit by some of the hottest weather ever recorded @ @ @ @ @ the climate report has found the past decade until 2019 was the hottest ever recorded @ @ @ @ @ continent you look at , last year was either the second or third warmest year @ @ @ @ @ is already well on its way to overtake 2019 .
This has included the earth @ @ @ @ @ record , Greenland 's ice sheet shrinking past the point of no return and Siberia @ @ @

The latest state of the climate report has found the past decade until 2019 was the hottest ever recorded globally.
Depending on which continent you look at, last year was either the second or third warmest year on record.
But 2020 is already well on its way to overtake 2019. This has included the earth’s hottest January on record, Greenland’s ice sheet shrinking past the point of no return and Siberia on fire.


crikey--2020-08-18--Australia doesn’t need managers to weather this crisis, it needs leaders

As long as leaders treat citizens like naughty kiddies there will be only fear and loathing .
True leadership should @ @ @ @ @ professional counterpart of mine was fond of explaining his philosophy of management : “ Workers @ @ @ @ @ He was wrong .
The only emotions his workers felt were fear and loathing .
@ @ @ @ @ you a form of compliance -- for a while .
There ’ s not much @ @ @ @ @ Australian governments have been trying to to manage us , the people , in the @ @ @ @ @ a consistently solid mix of patronage and punishment .

A professional counterpart of mine was fond of explaining his philosophy of management: “Workers respect what managers inspect.”
He was wrong. The only emotions his workers felt were fear and loathing. Nevertheless those sentiments will get you a form of compliance — for a while.
There’s not much different in the way various Australian governments have been trying to to manage us, the people, in the pandemic. It has been a consistently solid mix of patronage and punishment.