crikey--2020-01-20--Not Delivering In Spades: takeaways from the NDIS review

Not Delivering In Spades : takeaways from the NDIS review A new report shows how the National Disability Insurance Scheme @ @ @ @ @ it exists to help.Crikey highlights some of the worst revelations .
From blown-out wait times @ @ @ @ @ National Disability Insurance Scheme ( NDIS ) is a far cry from the revolutionary support @ @ @ @ @ be .

From blown-out wait times to inaccessible information, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a far cry from the revolutionary support system it was supposed to be.
Last week it was revealed 1200 Australians died while waiting for packages, while the latest review, released on Monday, highlights some of the system’s major flaws.
Crikey has trawled through the report to find some of the worst revelations:


crikey--2020-01-21--Dear PM, here’s a Crikey guide to Matt Kean

Prime Minister Scott Morrison thinks his cabinet does n't know who NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean is .
But they @ @ @ @ @ might not know who Matt Kean is , but he should .

The prime minister might not know who Matt Kean is, but he should.
The NSW environment minister found himself in Scott Morrison’s crosshairs after he told Sky News that prominent conservatives on the Coalition front bench wanted stronger action on climate change.
“Most of the federal cabinet wouldn’t even know who Matt Kean was,” Scott Morrison told ABC radio yesterday morning.


crikey--2020-01-21--Morrison’s military response to bushfires sparks  constitutional concerns

The legislation allowing Morrison to deploy troops for disaster relief was rushed through without much interrogation — but how constitutionally @ @ @ @ @ prime minister has conceded that deploying the military in response to the bushfire crisis has @ @ @ @ @ , the constitutional authorities for us to act to its very edge '' .

The prime minister has conceded that deploying the military in response to the bushfire crisis has “pushed, I think, the constitutional authorities for us to act to its very edge“.
What does he mean? And should we be worried?
On January 5, the Army Reserves were deployed to areas affected by the bushfires to assist. So far this is fine, constitutionally speaking.


crikey--2020-01-21--The government ditched its own grants website to hide sports rorting

The government ditched its own grants website to hide sports rorting The government is proud of centralising all Commonwealth grants @ @ @ @ @ everyone to see .
Until it wanted to hide the sports grants it intended to @ @ @ @ @ rort the Community Sport Infrastructure Program , the government abandoned its own , bespoke , @ @ @ @ @ platform meant to enable access to all Commonwealth grants .

In order to rort the Community Sport Infrastructure Program, the government abandoned its own, bespoke, $100 million online grants platform meant to enable access to all Commonwealth grants.
In 2015, as part of its “Digital Transformation Agenda”, the government committed to spend “$106.8 million for streamlining government grants administration by adopting standard business processes, a common ICT platform, improved reporting arrangements and a single portal to search and apply for grant opportunities”.
The “Streamlining Grants Administration Initiative” led to the creation of two grants hubs in 2016 — one for business, the other for community groups and individuals — operated by the Department of Social Services, which were intended to be one-stop-shops for all Commonwealth grants.


crikey--2020-01-21--Rorters, take note. Buying votes is tempting but it doesn’t seem to work

Rorters , take note .
Buying votes is tempting but it doesn ’ t seem to work The sports grants @ @ @ @ @ to the deviousness of much of the political class , but also to its egotism @ @ @ @ @ of the recent sports rorts scandal , perhaps the worst is its familiarity , given @ @ @ @ @ Ros Kelly whiteboard affair of the Keating government 's terminal phase in the mid-1990s .

Of the many depressing features of the recent sports rorts scandal, perhaps the worst is its familiarity, given the striking parallels with the Ros Kelly whiteboard affair of the Keating government’s terminal phase in the mid-1990s.
Even allowing for the fact that standards have apparently fallen to the point where Bridget McKenzie looks likely to keep her job, one might have thought the Kelly precedent would have given McKenzie pause for thought as she oversaw the allocation of $100 million in a manner transparently tailored to boost the Coalition’s electoral prospects.
Her failure to do so offers a telling insight into how much political operators imagine they have to gain by enticing voters with expensive baubles.


crikey--2020-01-21--Blowback: after the fires, will the politics of climate change actually change?

The death of science is fueling climate denialism across the class divide .
The last embers will still be cooling @ @ @ @ @ ground in eastern NSW or Victoria .
The first big fire of the 2019-2020 fire @ @ @ @

The last embers will still be cooling somewhere in some patch of ground in eastern NSW or Victoria. The first big fire of the 2019-2020 fire season is over.
It may be the last, since so much of the most high-risk areas have been burnt out. On the other hand, there’s a lot left to burn, if it all starts again: northern NSW, the forest areas around Melbourne, more of southern WA.
We have three months of high heat to come, and fire season is usually February-March. Since the seasons seem to have shifted back in recent years, that may well continue into April.


crikey--2020-01-21--Switch your media today

Switch your media today

Divest your attention .
Unsubscribe from media that ’ s on the wrong side of history .
We ’ re halfway through a catastrophic bushfire season .
The fires are a tragedy — but now there ’ s another tragedy unfolding in their wake : the deliberate misinformation , obfuscation and climate equivocation playing out in certain sections of the media .
With that in mind , we ’ d like to ask you some questions about the media you support : • Does it believe , and actively champion , the fact that man-made climate change is real ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , big polluters or the fossil fuel industry ?
• Does it deliberately spread misinformation to support these industries ?
• Is it owned by Australians ?
Is Australian quality journalism its primary purpose ?
Is it trustworthy ?
We ’ d like you to consider these questions and , depending on your answers , decide whether it ’ s time to unsubscribe from media that ’ s on the wrong side of history .
To support independent , Australian media that consistently ask tough questions , without commercial interests or political affiliations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention , time and money into the right kind of media .

We’re halfway through a catastrophic bushfire season. The fires are a tragedy — but now there’s another tragedy unfolding in their wake: the deliberate misinformation, obfuscation and climate equivocation playing out in certain sections of the media.
With that in mind, we’d like to ask you some questions about the media you support:
Does it believe, and actively champion, the fact that man-made climate change is real?
Is it beholden to big business, big polluters or the fossil fuel industry?
Does it deliberately spread misinformation to support these industries?
Is it owned by Australians? Is Australian quality journalism its primary purpose? Is it trustworthy?
We’d like you to consider these questions and, depending on your answers, decide whether it’s time to unsubscribe from media that’s on the wrong side of history. To support independent, Australian media that consistently ask tough questions, without commercial interests or political affiliations clouding their judgement. To invest your attention, time and money into the right kind of media.


crikey--2020-01-21--Fears Chinese New Year celebrations will spread killer virus across region

Hundreds of millions of people traverse China during the festival period .
Nature -- and its ability to attack mankind @ @ @ @ @ with the spread of the latest coronavirus .
Just days ahead of the Chinese New @ @ @ @ @ the world 's largest annual human migration -- China and much of the Asia-Pacific region @ @ @ @ @

Nature — and its ability to attack mankind — has shown exquisite timing with the spread of the latest coronavirus. Just days ahead of the Chinese New Year Festival — which triggers the world’s largest annual human migration — China and much of the Asia-Pacific region is gripped by panic.
The epicentre of the potentially deadly respiratory infection pandemic, known as 2019-nCoV, appears to be the central Chinese metropolis of Wuhan (population 11 million) where it was first detected in humans in December.
So far, about 300 cases have been reported in Beijing, Shanghai and the southern province of Guangdong, which neighbours Hong Kong, thousands of kilometres away from Wuhan. This number has jumped by almost 50% in two days. There are suspected cases in 13 other provinces.


crikey--2020-01-21--Bad sports: were McKenzie’s rorts unconstitutional from the get-go?

Bad sports : were McKenzie ’ s rorts unconstitutional from the get-go ?
Constitutionally speaking , the government has no @ @ @ @ @ give them to sporting organisations , even when it is n't pork-barrelling .
The $ @ @ @ @ @ to the Mosman Rowing Club has been spent , along with the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ , how can I put this delicately , ah yes , seized from public funds @ @ @ @ @ barrels .

The $500,000 that Bridget McKenzie gifted to the Mosman Rowing Club has been spent, along with the rest of the $100 million that she, how can I put this delicately, ah yes, seized from public funds and stuffed into marginal pork barrels.
The apparent bare-faced corruption and basic illegality of the exercise aside, the sports rorts affair raises another, bigger problem: a constitutional one.
Professor Anne Twomey casually dropped into her conversation this week the question of whether the federal government had any power at all to spend one cent of the Commonwealth Sports Infrastructure Grants Program. The implications of that go wide.


crikey--2020-01-21--The minister, the cardinal and the billionaire climate sceptic you’ve probably never heard of

He 's a conservative billionaire with ties to Tony Abbott , Angus Taylor and George Pell .
But who is @ @ @ @ @ and his influence on climate politics are front and centre of debate right now but @ @ @ @ @ less well-known Australian billionaire operating from afar who has used his money and access to @ @ @ @ @ His name is Michael Hintze .

Rupert Murdoch and his influence on climate politics are front and centre of debate right now but there is a second, less well-known Australian billionaire operating from afar who has used his money and access to back conservative political causes. His name is Michael Hintze.
Hintze is a leading free marketeer and sceptic of the role of carbon emissions in climate change. He is a Liberal Party donor. He also has a long-running business relationship with Angus Taylor, Scott Morrison’s minister in charge of emissions reduction. Hintze is also a conservative Catholic who has links to former prime minister Tony Abbott and now gaoled Cardinal George Pell, both of whom are climate change denialists — with Abbott trotting out his denialism at a conservative US think tank today.
Taylor’s office denies that he has discussed climate issues with Hintze, while Abbott has declined to answer. Both though have led Coalition attacks on the idea of government support for renewable energy. Hintze has declined to say whether or not he has discussed climate policy with Taylor or Abbott. In emailed answers he told Inq he donates funds to parties he believes are “best for the country” and that “no influence is sought”.


crikey--2020-01-22--The non-meaning of Cory Bernardi, a man less than the sum of his parts

Farewell , then , to Cory Bernardi , a man who attacked LGBTIQ people , Muslims , climate science , @ @ @ @ @ whose ultimate agenda was his own ego .
When former South Australian Liberal Cory Bernardi @ @ @ @ @ late 2016 , some of us thought he 'd struggle in what was already a @ @ @ @ @ vote .
One Nation was riding high , especially in Queensland , after its resurrection @ @ @ @ @ In NSW , the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party were exploiting the weaknesses of the @ @

When former South Australian Liberal Cory Bernardi launched his far-right party in late 2016, some of us thought he’d struggle in what was already a crowded marketplace for the reactionary vote. One Nation was riding high, especially in Queensland, after its resurrection at the 2016 election. In NSW, the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party were exploiting the weaknesses of the Nationals.
Bernardi was little known outside his home state or Canberra, despite assiduously using homophobic abuse and climate denialism to garner media attention (Bernardi was the target of a rare genuine Bill Shorten zinger, when he interrupted a media conference to tell Bernardi “at least I’m not a homophobe mate”). And South Australia already had potent third-party force in Nick Xenophon, at that stage polling well enough to seriously threaten the major parties.
As it turned out, Bernardi more than struggled. His Australian Conservatives Party polled just 1.47%, or just 16,000 votes, in South Australia. Bernardi, who might have dragged the vote up several per cent through name recognition, wasn’t on the ballot, having, inconveniently, secured a six-year term in 2016 on the Liberal ticket.


crikey--2020-01-22--How the Department of Health struggled to distance itself from sports rorts

How the Department of Health struggled to distance itself from sports rorts The Department of Health says it had little @ @ @ @ @ 's sports rorts .
But the ANAO report shows something quite different .
A key @ @ @ @ @ scandal has so far received little attention : the Department of Health , which oversees @ @ @ @ @ which was Bridget McKenzie 's advising department in her role of sports minister in 2018 @

A key participant in the sports rorts scandal has so far received little attention: the Department of Health, which oversees the Australian Sports Commission and which was Bridget McKenzie’s advising department in her role of sports minister in 2018.
It’s clear from the auditor-general’s examination of the Community Sport Infrastructure Grants Program that the department played an important role in facilitating McKenzie’s abuse of the $100 million program — but also wanted to stay as far as possible from it.
As Crikey revealed yesterday, the Department of Health, along with the Infrastructure Department, should have been the agency administering the program. It was already providing grants under sports programs around the country, and was one of the first departments to join the whole-of-government “Grantconnect” grant delivery platform. But the government wanted an agency not bound by grants guidelines, and which did not use Grantconnect. That was the Sports Commission, an independent Commonwealth corporate entity.


crikey--2020-01-22--Prophecies and plagues: a history of disease panic

With coronavirus panic on the rise , Crikey takes a look at the world 's historical ( over ) reaction @ @ @ @ @ At least 300 people have been infected by the new coronavirus in China , sparking @ @ @ @ @ celebrate the Lunar New Year .

At least 300 people have been infected by the new coronavirus in China, sparking panic as millions travel to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
From swine flu to Y2K, the world loves to stress about prophecies and plagues. Crikey takes a look at other notable outbreaks, and how we dealt with them.
Swine flu
Swine flu panic spread across the world faster than the virus itself. Compared with the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, the H1N1 influenza virus was predicted to infect up to 2 billion people, with one report estimating 10,000 Australians would die in New South Wales alone.


crikey--2020-01-23--Business Council spruiks its history of climate action

Crikey has long been sceptical of the BCA ’ s record on climate change , so we could n't wait @ @ @ @ @ policy .
The country ’ s top corporate lobbying group , the Business Council of @ @ @ @ @ has been busy in recent weeks trying to mend tensions between it and its members @ @ @ @ @ change .

The country’s top corporate lobbying group, the Business Council of Australia (BCA), has been busy in recent weeks trying to mend tensions between it and its members over its position on climate change.
Which is why Crikey was interested to see that it had updated its climate change policy on its website to emphasis its long history of supporting “strong action on climate change”.
In a recently revamped section on its website titled “Our record over time on climate change”, the lobby group sets out how it has supported strong action on climate change “for over a decade”.


crikey--2020-01-23--Top climate scientist trashes Tony Abbott for using him to deny climate change

Top climate scientist trashes Tony Abbott for using him to deny climate change 'It 's frustrating that years and years @ @ @ @ @ by a politician .
The reputation of The Australian is being trashed by publishing utter @ @ @ @ @ scientist Professor Andy Pitman has hit back at Tony Abbott for misrepresenting him to argue @ @ @ @ @ change and the ongoing bushfire crisis in The Australian .

Leading climate scientist Professor Andy Pitman has hit back at Tony Abbott for misrepresenting him to argue against the link between climate change and the ongoing bushfire crisis in The Australian.
“From the start [of the bushfire crisis], the role of climate change has been front and centre of public discussion, even though shortly before these fires really got going one of Australia’s leading climate scientists, Andy Pitman, said that it was impossible to attribute the present drought largely to climate change and that the incidence of drought hadn’t increased over the past century,” Abbott wrote in an opinion piece, published in The Australian on Thursday.
Pitman, ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes director at UNSW, who has contributed to Nobel Peace Prize-winning research work, said he was “confused as to how Mr Abbott quotes me on drought in a sentence about bushfires, when in fact for 15 years I have been warning that the risk of fires is increasing as a consequence of climate change, and have published papers on that”.


crikey--2020-01-23--The questions that must be asked in the McKenzie sports rorts review

The questions that must be asked in the McKenzie sports rorts review The head of Prime Minister and Cabinet has @ @ @ @ @ if Bridget McKenzie breached ministerial standards .
There are some basic questions that need to @ @ @ @ @ has asked his former chief of staff and longtime Liberal Party staffer Phil Gaetjens , @ @ @ @ @ of Prime Minister and Cabinet , to investigate the Australian National Audit Office 's report @ @ @ @ @ Community Sports Infrastructure Grants program by Nationals minister Bridget McKenzie .

Scott Morrison has asked his former chief of staff and longtime Liberal Party staffer Phil Gaetjens, who now heads the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, to investigate the Australian National Audit Office’s report on the rorting of the Community Sports Infrastructure Grants program by Nationals minister Bridget McKenzie.
It’s not a full-blown investigation, but limited “to any actions in the application of the statement of ministerial standards”.
That is, Gaetjens won’t look at the probity of deliberately avoiding the Commonwealth’s grant rules and grant platform, or overriding the recommendations of the Sports Commission. Instead, his focus will only be on whether McKenzie breached the government’s guidelines for ministers.


crikey--2020-01-22--PM announces massive emissions cuts that a) will never happen and b) went unnoticed

Scott Morrison went full 'Scotty from marketing ' this week , but climate change ca n't be fought with a good sound bite .
On Monday Scott Morrison claimed Australia ’ s carbon emissions will be slashed by 42 % this decade — a vastly greater reduction than any Paris agreement target or the government ’ s own forecasts .
A 42 % reduction compares with the Department of Environment ’ s latest projection of just a 4 % reduction , from 532 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent in 2019 to 511 million tonnes in 2030 .
The prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and almost entirely ignored .
That was partly because it was made in an interview on Today where nobody was paying attention or understood what he said , but mainly because it ’ s clearly nonsense and he didn ’ t understand what he was saying either .
Morrison twice told Today our per capita emissions would fall by half between now and 2030 .
“ We will reduce our carbon emissions per capita by half between now and 2030 , ” he said .
Perhaps surprised that neither Karl Stefanovic or Allison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was , he had another crack at it .
“ Our per capita emissions will fall by half over the next 10 years.
” This does not indicate Morrison has had a change of heart about the need to reduce our carbon emissions — it indicates he had no idea of what he was talking about and , in “ Scotty from marketing ” mode , had run off half-cocked with a nonsense sound bite .
To help the PM understand what he said , in round numbers , our 2019 emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to be 20.86 tonnes each to make us about the developed world ’ s worst per capita carbon emitters .
Halving that per capita score would mean 10.43 tonnes each in 2030 , when our population is expected to be 29.8 million , meaning total emissions of 310.8 million tonnes – some 200 million tonnes less than the Department of Environment ’ s best guess .
It ’ s not going to happen .
Morrison had more success being noticed on Tuesday when he argued hazard reduction burns could be more important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s future fight against bushfires .
That line was immediately attacked by critics of the government ’ s chain-dragging on emissions reductions .
It fits the view that the government , having been forced by the bushfires to acknowledge the seriousness of climate change , will focus on responding to its effects – stressing adaptation and resilience measures – rather than dealing with the cause of global warming .
Deflecting with an adaptation focus means the government ’ s close and remunerative relationship with the fossil fuel industry can continue without strain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ treasurer to continue to run sound bites about facing up to climate issues without taxing carbon or threatening coal mining jobs .
For those who take the climate issue seriously , such talking points mean the government doesn ’ t understand the problem .
Well , it is a government led by a prime minister famous for taking a lump of coal to Parliament and who claims we ’ re halving our per capita emissions between now and 2030 .
Michael Pascoe is a contributing editor at The New Daily .
This article @ @ @ @ @ @ @

On Monday Scott Morrison claimed Australia’s carbon emissions will be slashed by 42% this decade — a vastly greater reduction than any Paris agreement target or the government’s own forecasts.
A 42% reduction compares with the Department of Environment’s latest projection of just a 4% reduction, from 532 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent in 2019 to 511 million tonnes in 2030.
The prime minister’s claim was absolutely extraordinary — and almost entirely ignored.


crikey--2020-01-22--Is Scott Morrison really a climate denialist? A linguist turned his skills to the task

A closer look at Scott Morrison 's words show that he may be saying more about his party 's attitudes @ @ @ @ @ the war of words that has surrounded the bushfire crisis , the status and role @ @ @ @ @ very much to the fore .
In this context , I decided to investigate exactly @ @ @ @ @ -- and not said -- about this issue .

In the war of words that has surrounded the bushfire crisis, the status and role of climate change has been very much to the fore. In this context, I decided to investigate exactly what the PM has said — and not said — about this issue.
What was analysed
My linguistic study involved analysis of the transcripts of all the PM’s media communications during the height of the emergency (December 29 to January 6) as posted on the government’s website.
These communications included six press conferences, four media releases, five radio/TV interviews and two speeches at official functions. The total number of prime ministerial words analysed was 36,500.


crikey--2020-01-22--Australia has the world talking — and we didn’t even need to knock off our leader

Even the Daily Mail , known for its right-wing editorial stance , has turned against Morrison .
The world is @ @ @ @ @ summer of unprecedented bushfires has given our little old antipodean politics and policies the kind @ @ @ @ @ reserved for knifing sitting prime ministers .

The world is talking about us. A summer of unprecedented bushfires has given our little old antipodean politics and policies the kind of global media attention normally reserved for knifing sitting prime ministers.
Even then, coverage of our apparent love of political assassination tends to pass in a day or so. The fires — and the climate policy debate surrounding them — has kept Australia top of mind for weeks.
Here is what the global media and opinion makers have been saying.


crikey--2020-01-23--Could environmental action be a single acid trip away?

Could environmental action be a single acid trip away ?
New studies are uncovering the role psychedelics can play in @ @ @ @ @ benefits do n't stop there .
The first LSD trip in 1943 was a bumpy @ @

The first LSD trip in 1943 was a bumpy ride.
Swiss chemist Albert Hofmamn accidentally ingested a massive dose of the untested substance and then cycled home from his lab as the drug started to kick in. He felt like he was losing his mind and then as though he had actually died. After several hours of terror, however, something miraculous happened.
“I had the feeling of coming back from a very strange land, home to our everyday reality,” he would later recall. “And it was a very, very happy feeling and a very beautiful experience.”


crikey--2020-01-23--Angus Taylor’s latest scandal (and other stories you might have missed)

Angus Taylor ’ s latest scandal ( and other stories you might have missed ) Incarceration rates drop .
Another @ @ @ @ @ Energy Minister .
And the green bank backs the big banks .
After a big @ @ @ @ @ are the stories you may have missed .

On the inside
Let’s start with an uncharacteristic piece of good — or at least not-obviously-bad — news which you might have missed. Australia’s incarceration rate has dropped for the first time in seven years. Which is great, although no one’s entirely sure why it’s happened.
That’s according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The ABS’ Prisoners In Australia data reveals that the national incarceration rate is down by 1%, with every state and territory except Tasmania and Victoria seeing a small but significant drop.
The Mandarin points out that this decrease is in keeping with global trends in both crime and imprisonment, and speculates that the drop might reflect the absence of strong “tough on crime” campaigns in recent elections — but the result is unlikely to be thanks to any one thing.


crikey--2020-01-23--Expansion of aged care funding has been a boon for private providers, leaving seniors wanting

As government spending on both residential aged care and home care has increased , private providers have been the main @ @ @ @ @ soared .
The private sector has been the major beneficiary of a large rise in @ @ @ @ @ years , evidence from the Productivity Commission shows .
The PC has begun releasing its @ @ @ @ @ , which examines expenditure on services and its effectiveness .
The first tranche of the @ @ @ @ @ and housing , was released on Thursday .

The private sector has been the major beneficiary of a large rise in aged care spending in recent years, evidence from the Productivity Commission shows.
The PC has begun releasing its annual Report on Government Services, which examines expenditure on services and its effectiveness. The first tranche of the report, on community services and housing, was released on Thursday.
Its aged care report sheds light on a sector that was the subject of a scathing interim report by a royal commission last year, which savaged the sector’s failings in caring for Australian seniors.


crikey--2020-01-24--War in Wuhan: inside the world’s biggest quarantine centre

For the many millions of people living in Hebei ’ s new quarantine cities , this might be the new @ @ @ @ @ .
The people of Wuhan -- the epicenter of China 's deadly coronavirus outbreak -- @ @ @ @ @ been vaulted into a parallel universe .

The people of Wuhan — the epicenter of China’s deadly coronavirus outbreak — must feel like they have been vaulted into a parallel universe.
Their city has been locked down in what may be the world’s biggest ever quarantine attempt. At least two nearby cities had been quarantined as of midnight last night, with more expected to follow.
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei which, with almost 60 million people, is China’s seventh most populous province.


crikey--2020-01-24--‘Money talks’: outrage at billionaire climate sceptic’s political donations

Andrew Wilkie , Adam Bandt and Stirling Griff condemn Australia 's donations system which can effectively block action on climate @ @ @ @ @ into a billionaire climate sceptic 's Liberal Party backing speaks to the way Australia 's @ @ @ @ @ very much run counter to democratic principles '' , a political donations expert has told @ @

An Inq investigation into a billionaire climate sceptic’s Liberal Party backing speaks to the way Australia’s pitiful political donations regulations “very much run counter to democratic principles”, a political donations expert has told Crikey.
The investigation uncovered that Michael Hintze, a leading free marketeer and sceptic of the role of carbon emissions in climate change, donated $75,000 to former prime minister Tony Abbott’s 2013 election campaign (amongst other Liberal Party support over the years), and has had a long-running business relationship with Energy Minister Angus Taylor.
Both Abbott and Taylor have led Coalition attacks on the idea of government support for renewable energy.


crikey--2020-01-28--The science behind our vanishing beaches

We are already seeing the impact of climate change on our coastal communities .
The way forward demands difficult conversations @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coastlines are naturally dynamic .
Processes of erosion , transportation and accretion ( @ @ @ @ @ shift and shape the coastline .
Erosion can have dramatic impacts during storms , when @ @ @ @ @ .
But this is often just a short-term impact , with sediment gradually regained over @ @ @ @ @ dumped back by the sea or deposited from inland sources via rivers and creeks .

Australia’s coastlines are naturally dynamic. Processes of erosion, transportation and accretion (the build-up of sediments) shift and shape the coastline. Erosion can have dramatic impacts during storms, when winds and waves are strong. But this is often just a short-term impact, with sediment gradually regained over weeks and months, either dumped back by the sea or deposited from inland sources via rivers and creeks.
These processes are largely driven by climate and climate driven ocean processes — currents, wind, waves and storms. These climate drivers mean our coastal areas are already vulnerable to damage. Climate change will worsen those risks.
What will be intensified and changed by the climate emergency?
Climate change will bite in a number of ways. Sea level rise combined with intense storms pose the greatest erosion and damage risk. Sea level rise increases the height of waves while storms generate powerful waves and winds that produce storm tides and as a result, erosion.


crikey--2020-01-27--The tide is coming: why our beaches are vanishing

The tide is coming : why our beaches are vanishing Communities around the country are coming face-to-face with the growing @ @ @ @ @ And as the climate crisis hastens , the problem is only going to get worse @ @ @ @ @ the sea .
Experts estimate there are hundreds of beaches and coastal communities around the @ @ @ @ @ erosion .
Within decades , as sea levels rise , that number could be in @ @ @

Australia is crumbling into the sea. Experts estimate there are hundreds of beaches and coastal communities around the country at risk from coastal erosion. Within decades, as sea levels rise, that number could be in the thousands.
Last year, the Western Australian state government identified 55 “hotspots” where coastal erosion is expected to cause serious issues within 25 years. Towns up and down the coast are seeing roads washed away, and buildings and homes under threat.
In July last year, WA Emergency Services Minister Fran Logan told the ABC that dumping sand on the coast to try and hold the sea back was not a viable long-term solution. Entire coastal communities would simply need to retreat.


crikey--2020-01-28--We will not go down to the sea. It will come to us

We will not go down to the sea .
It will come to us Sea levels rising and falling up @ @ @ @ @ a story re-told on Earth multiple times over the past hundred million years .
But @ @ @ @ @ On Christmas Eve , 2013 , I received a gift that felt as though it @ @ @ @ @ herself .
I was at the mouth of the Moruya River on the New South @ @ @ @ @ spot called Preddys Wharf .

On Christmas Eve, 2013, I received a gift that felt as though it had come from the sea herself. I was at the mouth of the Moruya River on the New South Wales south coast at a spot called Preddys Wharf.
It is a magical and marvellous location, with a small wooden jetty, where children can cast a line, and bull rays, the size of small cars, feed off the scraps of gutted fish. The water sliding past the wharf, first one way and then the other as the tide ebbs and flows, is crystal clear and deep.
Starting before dawn, boats are launched from the adjacent ramp, coming and going until after dark. It is no wilderness. Rather, it is a scene that could be described as Australian Coastal: a classic example of the mythological soul of our waterfront nation where people and the marine environment meet.


crikey--2020-01-28--Five things to be done on coastal erosion

Australia 's coastline is collapsing .
So what can we do to turn the tide ?
We ca n't really @ @ @ @ @ coastline is collapsing .
But according to the experts , there are things that can @ @ @ @ @ effects of this erosion .
Many come with a price .

We can’t really sugar-coat it: Australia’s coastline is collapsing. But according to the experts, there are things that can be done to slow the effects of this erosion. Many come with a price.
1. Action on climate change
Ultimately, this is the key going forward; every expert Inq spoke to agreed that the effects of climate change will accelerate coastal erosion in vulnerable spots.
A certain amount of erosion — sometimes a lot — is natural and unavoidable. Indeed, some sites would almost certainly have experienced similar levels of erosion regardless of the current impacts of climate change.


crikey--2020-01-28--What will unite us when the beaches are gone?

What will unite us when the beaches are gone ?
Beaches might be the only thing capable of uniting Australia @ @ @ @ @ disappear , it would rip into the heart of our identity .
I wonder what @ @ @ @ @ when asked what defines “ Australia ” or “ Australian culture ” .

I wonder what people around the world answer when asked what defines “Australia” or “Australian culture”.
Perhaps it’s a few distinctive food items: lamingtons, Tim Tams and meat pies; or instead it’s climate-denial, racism and an over-reliance on the Murdoch press. Maybe some people, when considering what defines us, imagine Western Desert dot painting, the music and bark-painting of the Yolngu people and, sadly, fake art boomerangs.
However, I suspect that what defines Australia to most of the rest of the world is beaches — how beautiful our beaches are and how much Australians adore them.


crikey--2020-01-28--When the sea claims your house, who do you sue? It’s legal quicksand

When the sea claims your house , who do you sue ?
It ’ s legal quicksand Australian beaches have @ @ @ @ @ more permanence , no question ; the causes are not so simple and neither are @ @ @ @ @ the seas reclaim your front yard -- or your whole house -- who can you @ @ @ @ @ a question lawyers are going to be addressing more urgently , as coastlines are radically @ @

If the seas reclaim your front yard — or your whole house — who can you sue? It’s a question lawyers are going to be addressing more urgently, as coastlines are radically redrawn.
There’s this eternal truth: coasts erode. If you build on the shoreline, sooner or later you’ll be in the drink, even if that takes a millennium or two. No law will compensate you for Mother Nature’s revenge.
Direct human intervention — such as dredging of shipping channels, seawalls, artificial harbours — impacts on coastal ecology in dramatic and often unpredicted ways. Mackay, McEwens Beach and Stockton are clear examples.


crikey--2020-01-27--The tragedy of the horizon: why action is needed now

The tragedy of the horizon : why action is needed now When it comes to solutions to the problem of @ @ @ @ @ there 's some good news ... and a whole lot of bad news .
This @ @ @ @ @ 's Collapsing Coast .
Read parts one and two here .

This is part three of Australia’s Collapsing Coast. Read parts one and two here.
More than 85% of Australia’s population lives within 50km of a coastline that is crumbling into the sea.
Experts estimate there are hundreds of beaches and coastal communities around the country that are either in the process of collapsing, or at risk of doing so.


crikey--2020-01-27--‘The waves are going to be crashing through their door’: the erosion hot spots

‘ The waves are going to be crashing through their door ’ : the erosion hot spots Experts and residents @ @ @ @ @ collapsing coastline for years , but the true extent of the growing damage is staggering @ @ @ @ @ of Australia 's Collapsing Coast .
Read part one here

This is part two of Australia’s Collapsing Coast. Read part one here
The crisis of Australia’s collapsing beaches has myriad impacts. Every state is seeing infrastructure, homes, development plans and in some cases entire communities under threat.
Inverloch, Victoria
At Inverloch, south east of Melbourne, erosion has sheared off 50 metres of beach and shoreline in just seven years — including 20 metres since January, 2019. The most immediate point of danger is the local surf lifesaving club.


crikey--2020-01-29--You want to decarbonise the economy, but are you prepared to pay for it?

You want to decarbonise the economy , but are you prepared to pay for it ?
One of the biggest @ @ @ @ @ .
How do we create public acceptance of the cost ?
Decarbonising Australia is going @ @ @ @ @ should raise Australian living standards , compared to doing nothing .
But unlike many prior @ @ @ @ @ , it will not show up directly in GDP .
And that ’ s a @ @

Decarbonising Australia is going to take decades. It should raise Australian living standards, compared to doing nothing. But unlike many prior policies that lifted living standards, it will not show up directly in GDP. And that’s a problem.
One of the biggest risks to decarbonisation is economic. Change is costly. If we see falls in GDP per capita — if people feel they are getting worse off — then decarbonisation will swiftly become a live political issue. Australia lost its carbon tax once. We must learn from that.
We’ve seen in recent years just how furious a populace can get when prices rise and wages stagnate. Rising electricity bills are often the herald of populist politics. When people are angry, Australia’s contribution to a great global project to reduce emissions will be an easy scapegoat.


crikey--2020-01-29--Australian universities brace for financial fallout from coronavirus

A large portion of Australia 's $ 35.2 billion international education market comes from Chinese students .
How much will @ @ @ @ @ Australia ’ s universities , over-reliant for the past decade on billions of dollars in @ @ @ @ @ , are anxiously awaiting the arrival of students ahead of their so-called census dates .
@ @ @ @ @ from the accelerating Wuhan coronavirus ?

Australia’s universities, over-reliant for the past decade on billions of dollars in tuition fees from Chinese students, are anxiously awaiting the arrival of students ahead of their so-called census dates. Will there be financial fallout from the accelerating Wuhan coronavirus?
The stakes are very high: the Australian international education market was worth $35.2 billion in 2018-2019.
The census date is the date after which students are liable to start paying fees, when their grades will be recorded and the course will remain on their transcripts. If students withdraw before this, they are not liable to pay any fees, no grades are recorded and the course is removed from their transcripts.


crikey--2020-01-28--Removal of asbetos, no way. New swizzle sticks, you bet! The McKenzie that sealed the deal

Another day , another spreadsheet .
Hot off the heels of the ABC ’ s detailing ( in technicolor ) @ @ @ @ @ deserved a sports grant from Bridget McKenzie but didn ’ t get one , Crikey @ @ @ @ @ .
This one would be funny if it weren ’ t so , well , @ @ @ @ @

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crikey--2020-01-29--Don’t worry, minister. There is life after your resignation

Don ’ t worry , minister .
There is life after your resignation Resigning in disgrace is a common pastime @ @ @ @ @ always land on their feet .
If anything means anything anymore , surely former sports @ @ @ @ @ sacked as agriculture minister .

If anything means anything anymore, surely former sports minister Bridget McKenzie should be sacked as agriculture minister.
The detailed revelations from the ABC’s Andrew Probyn yesterday — the actual spreadsheet, the exact scores of those clubs funded and those overlooked, the warnings McKenzie explicitly received — have managed to make her position even more tenuous.
But if she does resign or is sacked, is she headed for a life of shame, disgrace and a modest job in retail? Far from it. We hear McKenzie’s a hot tip for the high commissioner job in New Zealand.


crikey--2020-01-29--Bridget McKenzie forgot about her gun club, but found time to declare other gifts. What gives?

Bridget McKenzie forgot about her gun club , but found time to declare other gifts .
What gives ?
Bridget @ @ @ @ @ gifts – so why was a membership to a gun club that received a sports @ @ @ @ @ federal sports minister Bridget McKenzie is under fire for failing to declare that she received @ @ @ @ @ Clay Target Club at the time the club was granted $ 36,000 under the now @ @ @ @ @ .

Former federal sports minister Bridget McKenzie is under fire for failing to declare that she received a membership to the Wangaratta Clay Target Club at the time the club was granted $36,000 under the now infamous Community Sport Infrastructure program.
Her reason? The office of the now agriculture minister says she didn’t need to declare the gift, valued at $180 according to her office, because it was below the declaration threshold of $300.
So, Crikey decided to check on McKenzie’s statement of registrable interests going back to August 2016 to see if the minister only ever declared gifts valued at over $300.


crikey--2020-01-29--Tony Abbott enters the nation’s bedrooms once again

Tony Abbott enters the nation ’ s bedrooms once again Tony Abbott wants middle-class women to have more kids .
@ @ @ @ @ and the former PM 's record on women 's issues .
Tony Abbott -- fierce @ @ @ @ @ duty to bear children and defender of the middle-class -- has called on middle-class women @ @ @ @ @ saying the current fertility rates for this demographic are a `` real problem '' .

Tony Abbott — fierce protector of a woman’s duty to bear children and defender of the middle-class — has called on middle-class women to have more kids, saying the current fertility rates for this demographic are a “real problem”.
The former prime minister and, how could we forget, former minister for women, told audiences at the Centre for Independent Studies: “That is a real problem in every western country: middle class women do not have enough kids. Women in the welfare system have lots of kids. If you’re very wealthy you can afford to have as many kids as you want.
Abbott was speaking at the book launch of Restoring Hope: Practical Policies to Revitalise the Australian Economy, by his former chief economist Andrew Stone.


crikey--2020-01-29--Where do the unions stand on Labor’s climate dilemma?

Crikey asked Australia 's biggest unions what kind of climate policies they want .
The answers show they 're divided @ @ @ @ @ find a position on climate change that will satisfy voters who are more worried about @ @ @ @ @ of this summer ’ s devastating bushfires .

Labor is scrambling to find a position on climate change that will satisfy voters who are more worried about global warming in the wake of this summer’s devastating bushfires.
Its current position is one that supports the Paris Agreement’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050, while still backing Australia’s coal industry.
But as Labor walks this delicate tightrope, where do its union backers stand?


crikey--2020-01-28--Removal of asbestos, no way. New swizzle sticks, you bet! The other McKenzie spreadsheet

Another day , another spreadsheet .
Hot off the heels of the ABC ’ s detailing ( in technicolor ) @ @ @ @ @ deserved a sports grant from Bridget McKenzie but didn ’ t get one , Crikey @ @ @ @ @ .
This one would be funny if it weren ’ t so , well , @ @ @ @ @ might be the smoking gun .
Read on :


crikey--2020-01-29--Rort and sold: to recap, here is the case against McKenzie

Rort and sold : to recap , here is the case against McKenzie The PM is trying to rewrite history @ @ @ @ @ .
Here are the facts .
During Scott Morrison 's National Press Club address this @ @ @ @ @ whether he thought there was anything wrong with using public funds for political interests .

During Scott Morrison’s National Press Club address this week, he was asked whether he thought there was anything wrong with using public funds for political interests.
Unsurprisingly, he “rejected the premise” of the question: “that’s not why we did it”.
OK, so what did then sports minister Bridget McKenzie actually do with money destined for community sporting clubs?


crikey--2020-01-29--Give ’em nothing, take ’em nowhere: bereft Morrison cannot lead

Give ’ em nothing , take ’ em nowhere : bereft Morrison can not lead Whatever the reason for Scott @ @ @ @ @ , the prime minister had nothing to offer the country at a time when leadership @ @ @ @ @ his National Press Club speech to mark the start of the political year yesterday , @ @ @ @ @ at least for now , Scott Morrison has nothing to offer .

After his National Press Club speech to mark the start of the political year yesterday, it’s clear that, at least for now, Scott Morrison has nothing to offer.
It looks like 2020 will be another year of doing nothing. There will be a pretense of action, and copious amounts of marketing spin, but Morrison, the most hollow prime minister in living memory, has nothing, at a moment when the country needs leadership more than at any stage in recent decades.
It’s also clear — to the extent that it might not have been from his stint at Tourism Australia — that Morrison isn’t a particularly good marketer. His speech made “where the bloody hell are you?” look like genius.


crikey--2020-01-29--After the fires, some new challenges: dead fish, the ice spike and fewer tourists

After the fires , some new challenges : dead fish , the ice spike and fewer tourists A huge percentage @ @ @ @ @ has almost certainly gone up in smoke .
These things all have roll-on effects .
@ @ @ @ @ caused deaths , property damage , natural habitat destruction , and a devastating loss of @ @ @ @ @ be other less foreseeable effects too .

Australia’s ongoing bushfires have caused deaths, property damage, natural habitat destruction, and a devastating loss of wildlife. But there will be other less foreseeable effects too.
Crikey takes a look at some of the unexpected things that may emerge from our summer on fire.
More people turning to meth
Healthcare professionals may see a spike in methamphetamine and other drug use, following the destruction of cannabis crops in northern-NSW bushfires.


crikey--2020-01-29--The bushfire culture war presents a huge challenge for leaders in marginal seats

The bushfire culture war presents a huge challenge for leaders in marginal seats These areas are the litmus test of @ @ @ @ @ they think of the ongoing crisis ?
If the last fortnight has taught us nothing @ @ @ @ @ Scott Morrison heads a government that is acutely conscious of the sensitivity of marginal seats @

If the last fortnight has taught us nothing else, it’s that Scott Morrison heads a government that is acutely conscious of the sensitivity of marginal seats.
So it presumably hasn’t escaped his notice that a number of such seats have been at the centre of another issue bedevilling the government — the ongoing bushfire crisis.
For the most part, bushfires are associated with the country, which is in turn associated with conservative politics. This is a fact reflected in the hard climate skepticism of a number of those who represent the most heavily impacted areas.


crikey--2020-01-30--Biloela family is ‘very worried’ about coronavirus Christmas Island plan

The family are the only people being housed at the detention centre .
Soon they 'll be trapped in a @ @ @ @ @ of four who are currently the sole occupants of the Christmas Island detention centre did @ @ @ @ @ ’ s imminent plans to airlift and quarantine Australians from Wuhan at the centre until @ @ @ @ @ .

The family of four who are currently the sole occupants of the Christmas Island detention centre did not know of the government’s imminent plans to airlift and quarantine Australians from Wuhan at the centre until called by Crikey yesterday afternoon.
Asylum seeker Priya Murugappan started crying when called by Crikey and said: “I am very worried about how to protect my children. I want the government to transfer us back to Australia immediately so we are not at risk”.
In our interview, Priya outlined her concerns for the welfare of her daughters, Tharunicaa, 2, and Kopika, 4.


crikey--2020-01-30--Labor’s flag pledge is a poor substitute for progressive thinking

Labor has rejected real change in favour of symbols and gimmicks .
But the crucial art to this schtick is @ @ @ @ @ away with .
Seven years ago , during the 2013 election campaign , there was @ @ @ @ @ Leagues Club in Brisbane -- just about the most blokey place you could have , @ @ @ @ @ rights meeting in a UFC changing room I guess .

Seven years ago, during the 2013 election campaign, there was a debate at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane — just about the most blokey place you could have, outside of a men’s rights meeting in a UFC changing room I guess.
(In the foyer, they had a statue, over a fountain, of a bronco rampant, and I do mean rampant. You could have hung your coat on that thing. Your club fees at work.)
There, Tony Abbott — remember him? — was spruiking his scheme for paid parental, mostly maternity, leave. It was something not popular with his party, nor much of the base.


crikey--2020-01-30--Nationals’ leadership chaos paralyses a rudderless government

Bridget McKenzie will only be sacked if the costs of keeping her outweigh the costs of dumping her — and @ @ @ @ @ are amplifying those costs .
Nationals , it seems , never go easily .

Nationals, it seems, never go easily.
Barnaby Joyce lashed out furiously at Malcolm Turnbull even as a sex scandal ended his role as deputy prime minister in early 2018.
Ultimately Joyce was forced out not by an irrelevant marriage breakdown but serious allegations — still unresolved — of sexual harassment against him.


crikey--2020-01-31--Did Contagion get it right? Why we need to be careful blaming China for the coronavirus

Did Contagion get it right ?
Why we need to be careful blaming China for the coronavirus Films often depict @ @ @ @ @ countries .
What does this say about our attitudes , and how does it shape @ @ @ @ @ ?

Contagion (2011). World War Z (2013). Outbreak (1995).
Aside from all being fictitious medical disaster blockbusters tracking the spread of a deadly virus, the films share a common enemy: the non-Western world.
In Contagion, an infected pig in a Macau restaurant gives the virus to patient zero. While patient zero isn’t identified in World War Z, the zombie-like infected are first encountered by Indian troops. And the deadly Motaba virus that Dustin Hoffman and Morgan Freeman fight off in Outbreak is discovered in the African jungle.


crikey--2020-01-30--Attorney-General’s Department makes bold new commitment to transparency

Kudos to the Attorney-General 's Department and its commitment to transparency — by broadcasting the email addresses of everyone on @ @ @ @ @ since the official Commonwealth lobbyist register was transferred from the Department of Prime Minister and @ @ @ @ @ Attorney-General 's Department , Christian Porter 's bureaucrats have made every post a winner .
@ @

Ever since the official Commonwealth lobbyist register was transferred from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet next door to the Attorney-General’s Department, Christian Porter’s bureaucrats have made every post a winner. Not.
Things did, however, improve recently when AGD actually managed to get the search function working so that you don’t have to scroll through all 300-odd names to see which company was represented by whom.
But earlier this week, the lobbyist register team racked up a new achievement when they emailed registered lobbyists about mandatory reporting requirements and failed to BCC the address list. This meant that the email addresses of every registered lobbyist were broadcast to their competitors.


crikey--2020-01-30--Facebook takes a modest stand for truth (and other news you may have missed)

Facebook takes a modest stand for truth ( and other news you may have missed ) Facebook 's small victory @ @ @ @ @ broken promise in SA .
And bad news for backpackers .
After a big week @ @ @ @ @ the stories you may have missed .

From freight to fraught
For a little while, GlobeLink was the hottest concept in South Australia — an ambitious economy supercharging strategy which was part of then-opposition leader Steven Marshall’s promise for SA ahead of the last state election.
The centrepiece of this “generational upgrade to SA’s road and rail network” was a 24-hour freight airport and distribution hub in Monarto. This multi-billion investment in the local economy was launched with great excitement in The Sunday Mail, complete with sexy concept art suggesting the state was actually building a futuristic spaceport.


crikey--2020-01-30--Want to decarbonise faster? We need to become more productive

If we do n't do it right , we risk walking into ruin .
Decarbonising the Australian economy is vital @ @ @ @ @ The longer we put it off , the quicker we need to do it to @ @ @ @ @ by 2050 .

Decarbonising the Australian economy is vital and will cost money. The longer we put it off, the quicker we need to do it to get to net zero emissions by 2050.
Australia will need new power plants, some new transmission lines, new battery storage, new appliances and many other changes. It will be a much softer hit to the economy if we spend that money over several decades rather than just one. This is why getting cracking on decarbonisation is vital — to spread the cost out over time.
Governments and companies can act as a buffer for the costs for a time by paying upfront and holding debt, but this can’t last forever. We will pay back government debt with taxes and pay back company debt via higher prices, lower wages, and lower returns on investments.


crikey--2020-01-30--Grubby political donation laws enable corruption

A federal ICAC inquiring into federal donations would go a long way towards addressing federal rent-seeking and corruption .
Ever @ @ @ @ @ spent on the 2019 election campaign ?

Ever wondered how much Clive Palmer spent on the 2019 election campaign?
That question will be answered, along with many others, at 9am on Monday when the AEC does its annual political donations dump, this time for the 2018-19 financial year. Watch for it here.
The ASX profit reporting season also kicks off in earnest next week where investors will be told how companies performed in the six months to December 31, 2019.


crikey--2020-02-05--Only one major bank still tries to hide its political donations from voters

Only one major bank still tries to hide its political donations from voters Unlike its peers , one major bank @ @ @ @ @ know how often it buys access to politicians .
Which bank ?
This year 's @ @ @ @ @ Australian Electoral Commission ( AEC ) give us a great example of how , for @ @ @ @ @ corporations , disclosure of contributions to political parties is , to a large extent , @ @

This year’s political donations data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) give us a great example of how, for some of Australia’s biggest corporations, disclosure of contributions to political parties is, to a large extent, voluntary.
Yesterday, Crikey reported on how donations from the big four consulting firms have surged while donations from the big four banks had declined.
But a closer look shows that’s not the full story. It’s true that donations from the Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac and NAB have, collectively, fallen a lot since five years ago — from $600,000-700,000 a year to, as we’ll explain later, around half that. NAB stopped giving altogether in 2016. And for 2018-19, the Commonwealth Bank and ANZ reported no donations to the AEC.


crikey--2020-02-06--How to rort-proof grant programs: delete politicians

The persistence of grant rorting suggests politicians ca n't be trusted with administering grants programs .
Bureaucrats are n't perfect @ @ @ @ @ and misuse taxpayer money .
It 's a basic principle of democracy that elected officials @ @ @ @ @ important decisions -- including how to spend taxpayer money .
They 're the ones accountable @ @ @ @ @ public servants .

It’s a basic principle of democracy that elected officials, not bureaucrats, make important decisions — including how to spend taxpayer money. They’re the ones accountable to the electorate, not public servants.
But politicians themselves admit they can’t be trusted with certain decisions.
They acknowledge various forms of regulation must be independent of politics — corporate and prudential regulation, media regulation, competition regulation. In the 1990s, we decided the conduct of monetary policy was too important to be left to politicians, so the RBA was made independent.


crikey--2020-02-05--Forget emissions, it’s all about the fuel: where alt-climate ideas grow

Forget emissions , it ’ s all about the fuel : where alt-climate ideas grow Their views may not yet @ @ @ @ @ groups of alt-environmentalist climate sceptics are spreading like wildfire .

Institute for Public Affairs
The Institute for Public Affairs (IPA) is perhaps the best-known of Australia’s free market think tanks, though its funders are a closely-kept secret.
The institute has “concluded” that hazard reduction and fuel loads are “clearly” the primary issue in the spread of bushfires and that the government needs to get rid of the red tape which has got in the way of clearing vegetation.
“Native Vegetation Laws in Australia need to be completely overhauled to empower property owners,” said IPA head John Roskam.


crikey--2020-02-05--We asked for Scott Morrison’s position description. This is what we got back

We asked for Scott Morrison ’ s position description .
This is what we got back Scott Morrison could do @ @ @ @ @ still hit all his KPIs ... Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set to announce his @ @ @ @ @ the wake of the National Party spill and Bridget McKenzie 's departure .

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced his new cabinet, reshuffled in the wake of the National Party spill and Bridget McKenzie’s departure.
And it turns out that’s pretty much the only strict requirement of his job.
Crikey asked the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for the prime minister’s formal job description. According to a spokesperson from the department:


crikey--2020-02-05--Bush logic: behind the influential group fuelling climate denialism

What is the climate-denying Saltbush Club — and who 's on the member roll ?
A national poll has found @ @ @ @ @ to see more action on climate change .

A national poll has found a majority of Australians want to see more action on climate change.
At the same time it revealed a deepening partisan divide around acceptance of the climate science: almost 40% of Liberal and National voters — against 9% of Labor voters — say they have “serious doubts” as to whether climate change is happening.
With the public debate increasingly muddied by misinformation and vested interests, Crikey takes a look at the influencers shaping public perceptions — and political action — against faster action tackling climate change.


crikey--2020-02-06--Iowa makes a mockery of actual democracy and delivers The Donald a win

Iowa makes a mockery of actual democracy and delivers The Donald a win Whoever really won the Iowa caucus , @ @ @ @ @ .
So the winner of the Iowa Democratic caucus this week was ... no one @

So the winner of the Iowa Democratic caucus this week was… no one.
Two days after a vote which used to be tallied by a show of hands, and then a series of phone calls, the world is still waiting on a decisive result after the failure of, guess what, an app.
On the basis of the figures that said widget has been willing to give up, Bernie Sanders is (at time of writing) in the lead on raw vote but is coming in second to Pete Buttigieg in total state delegate counts.


crikey--2020-02-06--Nats crisis: should the media focus less on the people behind the politics?

Nats crisis : should the media focus less on the people behind the politics ?
As we face another round @ @ @ @ @ , is it time for journalists to reappraise their interest in covering leadership stories ?
@ @ @ @ @ the coming weeks and months will play out for the Nationals leadership ?

Does anyone not know how the coming weeks and months will play out for the Nationals leadership?
The Nats may have their own tweaks on the process — like not revealing the numbers in the leadership ballot, thereby letting all sides make self-serving claims — but we’ve already seen the rituals we’ve grown so used to since 2010, when Labor, to its eternal shame, began the process of knifing serving leaders while in government.
The pre-spill posturing. The careful leaking of fake vote counts ahead of the ballot. The pro forma declarations of unity from the winner and loyalty from the challenger — even if Barnaby Joyce’s Cincinnatian pledge to return to his farm was as unhinged as most of his public statements.


crikey--2020-02-07--Why do politicians sound so fake? We asked a linguist to explain

There are four main principles of conversation that normal people follow .
Politicians follow basically none of them .
There @ @ @ @ @ had listening to politicians these days .
This was confirmed by interviewer David Speers recently @ @ @ @ @ over the ABC ’ s Insiders .

There is little joy to be had listening to politicians these days. This was confirmed by interviewer David Speers recently as he prepared to take over the ABC’s Insiders.
People are just switching off, Speers noted. His explanation? “Our leaders just don’t talk to us in the way that real people do.”
Linguistics can shed light on what he means by this.


crikey--2020-02-06--Maths and Mathias: finance minister needs a lesson on political donations

Maths and Mathias : finance minister needs a lesson on political donations Mathias Cormann 's maths lets him down once @ @ @ @ @ during 2018 's prime ministerial coup that Peter Dutton ’ s best mate Mathias Cormann @ @ @ @ @

It became apparent during 2018’s prime ministerial coup that Peter Dutton’s best mate Mathias Cormann couldn’t count.
Yesterday, the finance minister and Coalition Senate leader also proved that he’s a duck-and-weave merchant of the highest order when it comes to political donations.
Greens deputy leader Larissa Waters asked Cormann the following straight-forward question in the Senate:


crikey--2020-02-06--What does being PM do to your face?

What does being PM do to your face?

Politics can be a real kick in the face .
If fame is a mask that eats into the face @ @ @ @ @ mask and just lets the elements have at you .

If fame is a mask that eats into the face, politics dispenses with the mask and just lets the elements have at you.
That’s not to say looks are important when picking a politician. But Crikey thought it might be instructive to compare and contrast how our leaders’ looks have fared in the job.
Scott Morrison
Sure, he wasn’t exactly a picture of youth when he took over (the man looked like he was nearing retirement in his 20s), but his 18 months in charge have visibly aged him. His hair is retreating in all directions from the top of his head, and what remains is increasingly paper white rather than stormy grey.


crikey--2020-02-06--Clive’s spending big on another election (and other news you may have missed)

Clive ’ s spending big on another election ( and other news you may have missed ) Liberals tackle a @ @ @ @ @ , and the Paladin scandal that would n't die .
After a big week in @ @ @ @ @ stories you may have missed .

Faction action loses traction
When Cory Bernardi announced that he was stepping down from the Senate and returning his seat to the Liberals from his own Australian Conservatives — having gone to the great political bonfire in the sky — it seemed like a touching rapprochement between the rogue senator and the party he abandoned.
And yet this sweet federal prize now threatens to tear the South Australian Liberals apart.
It had been all but assumed that the seat would be easily won by lawyer Morry Bailes, beloved by the party’s right faction, until state legislative council president Andrew McLachlan threw his hat in the ring at the last minute as the preferred candidate for the moderate faction, with the support of the Young Liberals.


crikey--2020-02-06--Denmark’s big dry is a bitter taste of our climate-changed future

Denmark ’ s big dry is a bitter taste of our climate-changed future With decreased rainfall and increased fire risks @ @ @ @ @ solutions is over .
As I drive down to Denmark , one of a few @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wild south coast , ABC NewsRadio delivers a welcome relief from rolling east @ @ @ @ @ town measured 31 millimetres of rain the previous day .

As I drive down to Denmark, one of a few small towns strung along WA’s wild south coast, ABC NewsRadio delivers a welcome relief from rolling east coast fires coverage: the town measured 31 millimetres of rain the previous day.
Still, something is amiss. This is a place, locals tell me, that “rains 11 months of the year and water drips from the trees the other month”.
Since 2014, Denmark has had four of its driest years on record. Annual rainfall over the past century was 1084 millimetres a year — higher than Melbourne’s — but in 2019 that was down to 771 millimetres. That’s a 29% drop, and in nearby Jerramungup the fall was even sharper (down from 430 millimetres to just 263 millimetres).


crikey--2020-02-06--Unravelling the coronavirus: what does it do and how does it spread?

Unravelling the coronavirus : what does it do and how does it spread ?
There is a lot of misinformation @ @ @ @ @ — Crikey asks the key questions .
Despite affecting over 24,000 people , causing more @ @ @ @ @ whole lot more paranoia , coronavirus is only now about to get a proper name @

Despite affecting over 24,000 people, causing more than 500 deaths and a whole lot more paranoia, coronavirus is only now about to get a proper name.
Coronavirus technically refers to a broader category of viruses, and so far scientists have been using the placeholder name 2019-nCoV to describe the disease. Naming a new virus is harder than it looks. The perfect name can’t have the potential to be misleading, or have discriminatory references to places or people. It also needs to be sufficiently short, descriptive and catchy.
But finding a name isn’t the only thing confusing scientists and the general public. It turns out there’s an awful lot we still don’t know about the virus.


crikey--2020-02-09--Diversity in adversity: how Australian media is failing the coronavirus test

Diversity in adversity : how Australian media is failing the coronavirus test Our news media needs expertise and resources .
@ @ @ @ @ the ABC that 's delivering .
The coronavirus -- officially now 2019-nCoV -- is a @ @ @ @ @ of journalism .
How to keep communities informed ?
Authorities accountable ?
Avoid panic ?

The coronavirus — officially now 2019-nCoV — is a story that demands the best of journalism. How to keep communities informed? Authorities accountable? Avoid panic?
Here’s how China’s Caixin gets to the heart of the story in an in-depth report:


crikey--2020-02-09--Solving climate change means putting a price on carbon

Tackling climate change requires putting a price on carbon .
A carbon tax is the best way to do that @ @ @ @ @ , Crikey taps into the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to @ @ @ @ @ climate change Tackling climate change requires putting a price on carbon .
A carbon tax @ @ @ @ @ do that .
At the same time , households need to be compensated for increased @ @ @ @ @ not be disadvantaged .
The Australian Carbon Dividend Plan that Rosalind Dixon and I have @ @ @ @ @ .
It involves a $ 50 per tonne tax on carbon , which is rebated @ @ @ @ @ citizen .
Exporters to countries without a comparable scheme receive a rebate for taxes paid @ @ @ @ @ countries are charged a fee .
The Climate Leadership Council ’ s plan which inspired @ @ @ @ @ former US federal reserve chairs and 27 Nobel laureates .
Richard Holden is a professor @ @ @ @ @ of New South Wales .

In The Daily Fix, Crikey taps into the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to problems. This week: climate change
Tackling climate change requires putting a price on carbon. A carbon tax is the best way to do that.
At the same time, households need to be compensated for increased prices, and exporters must not be disadvantaged.


crikey--2020-02-09--Mining companies try to handle the heat from Australia’s bushfires

Mining companies try to handle the heat from Australia ’ s bushfires Splashing cash around might n't be enough to @ @ @ @ @ summer of devastating bushfires .
Faced with mounting criticism over their contribution to climate change @ @ @ @ @ to turn public perception .

Faced with mounting criticism over their contribution to climate change, mining companies are trying to turn public perception.
Glencore Australia, which, in part, mines and exports coal, has “optimised” its Google search result to boast about its $1 million donation to Australian bushfire relief and recovery.
But there’s more to it than splashing money around.


crikey--2020-02-10--Steggall’s climate bill shows a bright idea rising from the ashes

Crossbenchers want to get rid of the biggest hurdle to effective climate policy in Australia : politicians .
But to @ @ @ @ @ to go much further .
Independent MP Zali Steggall 's climate change bill , launched @ @ @ @ @ seeks to remove the primary impediment to serious climate action in Australia : major party @ @

Independent MP Zali Steggall’s climate change bill, launched this morning in Canberra, seeks to remove the primary impediment to serious climate action in Australia: major party politicians.
The bill advocates a souped-up independent climate authority — though, crucially, it still leaves government ministers in charge of implementation.
Steggall, who knocked off former prime minister Tony Abbott in his north Sydney seat of Warringah in last year’s election, is backed by fellow independents Rebekha Sharkie, Helen Haines and Andrew Wilkie.


crikey--2020-02-10--Australian universities are ‘frantic’ amid coronavirus fallout

This situation could quickly transform from problematic into a full-blown crisis .
For now , universities are left in the @ @ @ @ @ $ 35 billion international student sector will take a further hit after authorities in China @ @ @ @ @ for a second month to stem the spread of the coronavirus .

Australia’s $35 billion international student sector will take a further hit after authorities in China cancelled critical English language tests for a second month to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test is a cornerstone
requirement for foreign students to enrol in almost all Australian university
courses.
The sector is concerned that test rooms will also be shuttered in March and possibly into the middle of the year.


crikey--2020-02-10--Bolt takes a massive dive with his climate mea culpa

The right is strategically rethinking its position on climate change .
Keep an eye out for the spin .
There @ @ @ @ @ what constitutes the most difficult dive in official competition , but some say it 's @ @ @ @ @ with four-and-a-half twists .

There is some dispute as to what constitutes the most difficult dive in official competition, but some say it’s the back one-and-a-half somersault, with four-and-a-half twists.
It has a degree of difficulty of 3.6, but you don’t have to vanish up your own arsehole at the end of it. That’s what Andrew Bolt has done in his column this morning, which begins with a series of mea culpas about climate change.
It starts:


crikey--2020-02-11--Revealed: Angus Taylor’s long history with bad maths

Australia 's Energy Minister has form with questionable numbers — numbers which may have gone on to affect government policy @ @ @ @ @ longer investigating the incident , Angus Taylor appears to have got away with using a @ @ @ @ @ to attack Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore .

With the AFP no longer investigating the incident, Angus Taylor appears to have got away with using a falsified document and inflated numbers to attack Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
Taylor has form in this arena. He’s also used questionable numbers in an attempt to destroy the wind industry.
It was July 2013 and Angus Taylor, making his run for parliament, was the star at an anti-windfarm rally hosted by 2GB’s Alan Jones.


crikey--2020-02-10--Morrison’s authority and vulnerability two sides of the same coin

Morrison ’ s authority and vulnerability two sides of the same coin Disunity used to be death in politics .
@ @ @ @ @ ranks of the Nationals realise that they , like Scott Morrison , can benefit from @ @ @ @ @ Morrison had unprecedented authority as prime minister ?

Remember when Scott Morrison had unprecedented authority as prime minister?
It wasn’t just after the election last May, when journalist after journalist spoke of “once-in-a-generation authority“, “that rarest and most inscrutable of political assets“, “a rare opportunity to craft an agenda for a new government and a vision for a continent“.
As late as September, Morrison had, according to The Australian‘s Dennis Shanahan, “the most stable leadership, the strongest party unity, the least internal dissent, the clearest policy prescription and the best political strategy of any government in 30 years.”


crikey--2020-02-10--PM’s secret trial is simply not good enough, says former top public servant

Philip Gaetjens ' review of the sports rorts scandal should have set an example for the public service .
Instead its only purpose was to get the government off the hook .
The report by the secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Phil Gaetjens into Bridget McKenzies ’ handling of the Community Sport Infrastructure grants fails to address key questions and raises serious concerns about the relationship between the government and the public service .
For a start the Gaetjens ’ report should have been publicly released so that we could all satisfy ourselves that justice had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evidence considered and the reasons for the judgement are not released does not satisfy any standard of accountability .
However , the minister , Bridget McKenzie , has now resigned from cabinet — on what she appears to regard as a technicality — and the government would clearly like us all to now move on and forget this incident .
Nevertheless , we should continue to be concerned by Gaetjen ’ s finding of not guilty to the more substantive charge by the auditor general that “ There was bias in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] was not consistent with assessed merit of applications ” .
The key evidence cited by the auditor general was that just over half the grants approved by the minister were not recommended by Sport Australia .
In effect , the Minister ignored the assessment by Sports Australia against the known criteria , and instead the auditor general found that : On the other hand , according to the prime minister , Gaetjens allegedly found that “ the data indicates applications from marginal or targeted seats were approved by the minister at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of other applications from other electorates at 36 % ” .
And on this evidence Gaetjens allegedly found “ no basis for the suggestion that political considerations were the primary determining factor ” .
Frankly I find these ( unsubstantiated ) findings by Gaetjens difficult to reconcile statistically with the evidence produced by the auditor general .
For Gaetjens to be right , applications from the marginal and targeted electorates would have had to run at double the overall rate to be consistent with the eventual electoral distribution of the grants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bias in the application rates beggars belief and I query the government ’ s defence on these grounds .
However , the other line of defence by the minister and the government is that she had the right to use her discretion and determine her own allocation of these grants , irrespective of any criteria and assessment against those criteria .
No-one denies that ministers should have discretion ; it is they who are elected , not public servants .
Nevertheless , as David Solomon pointed out , ministers are bound by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ministerial discretion .
That code requires them to act with due regard for the integrity , fairness , accountability , responsibility and the public interest .
In relation to grants programs , compliance with the code of conduct usually means ministerial discretion is limited to ministers determining the criteria for assistance , but not deciding which individual applications most merit assistance .
In any event , reasons must be given and documented for how ministers exercised their discretion .
Indeed , some may remember that it was Ros Kelly ’ s inability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to a negative finding by a House of Representatives committee , and Kelly losing her job as the minister responsible for a similar sports grants program 27 years ago .
Thus , the obvious question that the Gaetjens ’ report should have addressed is : what is different this time ?
If McKenzies ’ department had been responsible for administering this Sports grants program , then she would have had to abide by the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Guidelines ( CRGGs ) .
In that case McKenzie would have had to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way as Sports Australia did in conducting their assessment for their recommended allocation of these grants .
Furthermore , the government has now accepted the recommendation by the auditor general that the present exceptions should be removed and that in future all programs should be bound by the CRGGs .
But that seems to be tantamount to admitting that McKenzie should have been bound by these rules this time too .
So the fact that she got off on this unfortunate technicality doesn ’ t excuse her ethically for not following the code @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this leave us in relation to the Gaetjens ’ report ?
Personally , having also been the secretary of the prime minister ’ s department and cabinet , and having been involved in a similar situation , I find the fact that Gaetjens ’ report apparently ignored these fundamental considerations of good government and ministerial conduct inconceivable .
In my view the Gaetjens ’ report reflects poorly on its author .
It would seem on the evidence that Gaetjens has produced a report whose only purpose was to get the government off a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McKenzie guilty on the grounds of political bias in her administration of these grants would have implicated other ministers and/or their offices , and therefore she was exonerated on this charge .
However , as head of the public service , Gaetjen ’ s first duty is to uphold its values and integrity .
And as set out in its enabling legislation , the Australian Public Service is meant to be apolitical , serving not only the government but also parliament and the Australian public .
Gaetjens should be setting an example for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head of any organisation has their greatest impact on its culture .
My other concern about this sports rorts saga is what it tells us about the prime minister ’ s attitude to the public service .
As the High Court has found : “ the maintenance and protection of an apolitical and professional public service is a significant purpose consistent with the system of representative and responsible government mandated by the constitution ” .
But the Gaetjens ’ report reinforces doubts about whether Morrison accepts the independence and impartiality of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the back of the Morrison government ’ s rejection of all the recommendations from the independent Thodey Review of the APS which would have strengthened that independence , and therefore reinforces that concern .
In contrast , John Howard said in his 1997 Garran Oration : On the evidence of the last few months , Scott Morrison has failed to live up to his mentor ’ s precepts — indeed , he seems to positively reject them .
Michael Keating is a former head of the Departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Relations .
He is presently a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University .
This article first appeared in John Menadue ’ s Pearls and Irritations .

This article first appeared in John Menadue’s Pearls and Irritations.
The report by the secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Phil Gaetjens into Bridget McKenzies’ handling of the Community Sport Infrastructure grants fails to address key questions and raises serious concerns about the relationship between the government and the public service.
For a start the Gaetjens’ report should have been publicly released so that we could all satisfy ourselves that justice had been done.


crikey--2020-02-10--Wake up, Australia: the government is shattering the rule of law

Wake up , Australia : the government is shattering the rule of law Whether Morrison and his gang are aware @ @ @ @ @ doing is unclear , but their shameless refusal to submit to the law is lethal @ @ @ @ @ the law is gone , what happens ?

When the law is gone, what happens?
Consider the sports rorts affair. The political shit has been spraying off the fan for weeks, with revelation after revulsion about the Coalition government’s lavishing of public money on “grants” chosen solely to get itself reelected.
It’s fraud, theft, corruption on a massive scale, numbing in its brazenness.


crikey--2020-02-10--Government, industry need to work together in the fight against climate change

A clear policy position on climate change is needed to help the energy industry move forward .
In The Daily @ @ @ @ @ the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to problems .
This week @ @ @ @ @ first thing the current government needs to do is acknowledge that our climate is changing @ @ @ @ @ taking action to address this .
As far as the energy sector is concerned , @ @ @ @ @ the industry working on new technologies and system improvements that will help to address the @ @ @ @ @ on the climate .
There is undoubtedly more that can be done , and a @ @ @ @ @ the industry move forward .
We also need to acknowledge that Australia ’ s energy @ @ @ @ @ , which can not be completely overhauled overnight .
Step change , sensibly managed , @ @ @ @ @ and the government needs to work with industry to formulate the steps required to do @ @ @ @ @ the editor of Energy Magazine .

In The Daily Fix, Crikey taps into the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to problems. This week: climate change.
The first thing the current government needs to do is acknowledge that our climate is changing, and then commit to taking action to address this.
As far as the energy sector is concerned, there are many people within the industry working on new technologies and system improvements that will help to address the impact fossil fuels are having on the climate.


crikey--2020-02-11--Why Queensland was forced to walk back a half-a-billion dollar idea

Why Queensland was forced to walk back a half-a-billion dollar idea A tweak on property taxes was meant to be @ @ @ @ @ the Queensland government .
Then it all went wrong .
It must have seemed like @ @ @ @ @ great little earner when the Queensland Treasury boffins floated it -- a few tweaks to @ @ @ @ @ more than half a billion dollars over four years .

It must have seemed like a brilliant idea and a great little earner when the Queensland Treasury boffins floated it — a few tweaks to property taxes that would raise more than half a billion dollars over four years.
The beauty of it? Only foreigners would pay. Voters wouldn’t
feel a thing.
Treasurer Jackie Trad announced the changes in her budget for 2019-2020 — released in June last year.


crikey--2020-02-11--Welcome to Collinsville, the new home of the climate wars

Welcome to Collinsville , the new home of the climate wars  This small Queensland town is at the centre @ @ @ @ @ coal-fired power .
Collinsville was once considered so left-wing that it earned itself the nickname @ @ @ @ @

Collinsville was once considered so left-wing that it earned itself the nickname “little Moscow”.
Now, the tiny mining town in northern Queensland is at the centre of a bitter dispute over coal-fired power between moderate Liberals and conservative Nationals.
The government announced over the weekend that it would spend $4 million on a feasibility study looking into replacing the town’s decommissioned coal-fired power plant. It follows a relentless campaign for new coal projects by rebel Queensland Nats, who are driving a wedge over climate in the Coalition as they eye the upcoming state election.


crikey--2020-02-11--Collapsing coast claims Collaroy. Again.

Last month , Crikey published an in-depth report on Australia 's coastal erosion .
This week , Sydney 's wild @ @ @ @ @ study .
As Crikey reported at the end of January , Australia is collapsing around @ @ @

As Crikey reported at the end of January, Australia is collapsing around its edges.
Hundreds of beaches — and the communities, landscapes and infrastructure attached to them — are under imminent threat from accelerating erosion.


crikey--2020-02-10--Morrison’s authority and vulnerability are two sides of the same coin

Morrison ’ s authority and vulnerability are two sides of the same coin Disunity used to be death in politics @ @ @ @ @ the ranks of the Nationals realise that they , like Scott Morrison , can benefit @ @ @ @ @ Scott Morrison had unprecedented authority as prime minister ?


crikey--2020-02-12--Another year, another Closing the Gap failure

Another year , another Closing the Gap failure It 's now a ritual that every February , the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ to achieve Closing the Gap targets .
Increasingly it 's also part of the ritual @ @ @ @ @ of Indigenous communities – without anything seemingly changing .
Every mid-February , early in the @ @ @ @ @ minister stands in parliament to deliver the annual report on Closing the Gap .
They @ @ @ @ @ heartfelt speech .
Scott Morrison will rise at lunchtime today and do the same .
@ @ @ @ @ year was one of his best .

Every mid-February, early in the parliamentary year, the prime minister stands in parliament to deliver the annual report on Closing the Gap. They always given an excellent, heartfelt speech.
Scott Morrison has today done the same. The speech he gave last year was one of his best.
And the speeches, no matter which prime minister of which party is delivering them, are always in service of explaining failure. Morrison is the fifth prime minister to deliver a Closing the Gap report, and every one has been the story of steady deterioration in performance — year after year after year after year.


crikey--2020-02-11--Anti-wind report powered Angus Taylor’s career. But who wrote it and why?

An Inq investigation into questionable figures used by Energy Minister Angus Taylor to discredit the wind industry raises questions about @ @ @ @ @ s former employer .
Management consultancy firm Port Jackson Partners is proud of its alumni @ @ @ @ @ and you will find the smiling faces of several well known and high-achieving Australians .
@ @ @ @ @ Sims , former Fairfax CEO Fred Hilmer , and chairman of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra @ @ @ @ @ Hilmer founded the firm together ) .

Management consultancy firm Port Jackson Partners is proud of its alumni. Go to its website and you will find the smiling faces of several well known and high-achieving Australians. This includes ACCC chairman Rod Sims, former Fairfax CEO Fred Hilmer, and chairman of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Terrey Arcus (Arcus and Hilmer founded the firm together).
And then there is Angus Taylor, the federal member for Hume and the nation’s energy minister.
A screenshot from the Port Jackson Partners website.
But Port Jackson appears to be less proud — and is certainly less forthcoming — about Taylor’s legacy with the company, in particular its study into the economics of wind turbines.


crikey--2020-02-11--High Court decision on Indigenous Australians exposes fault lines of our divided nation

First posed , the question sounds insane : can the Australian government deport an Aboriginal person ?
The High Court @ @ @ @ @ a decision as significant as Mabo .

First posed, the question sounds insane: can the Australian government deport an Aboriginal person? The High Court has answered it, in a decision as significant as Mabo.
Key clarification: this is not about Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people who are Australian citizens. It is about those who are not.
Daniel Love and Brendan Thoms identify as Aboriginal Australians. Love was born in, and is a citizen of, Papua New Guinea — Thoms, likewise, in New Zealand. They have lived in Australia since childhood, but never obtained citizenship.


crikey--2020-02-11--Australia should be leading the way on solar power

We have sunshine falling on vast areas of land that are too hot and dry to be productive in other ways , and we have the scientists and engineers to develop and apply the best available technology .
In The Daily Fix , Crikey taps into the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to problems .
This week : climate change .
Australia should become a world leader in solar electricity generation , both on rooftops and on a larger scale .
We have sunshine falling on vast areas of land that are too hot and dry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we have the scientists and engineers to develop and apply the best available technology for electricity generation and storage .
The federal government needs to facilitate the shift from fossil fuels to solar for most of our electricity generation , and we could become an exporter to Singapore .
Once we have abundant clean and cheap electricity , we can shift to electric cars .
That will leave meat and dairy as our major source of greenhouse gas emissions .
It will be more difficult , politically , for the government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way people are switching to plant-based foods means that it may happen anyway .
Peter Singer is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University .

In The Daily Fix, Crikey taps into the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to problems. This week: climate change.
Australia should become a world leader in solar electricity generation, both on rooftops and on a larger scale.
We have sunshine falling on vast areas of land that are too hot and dry to be productive in other ways, and we have the scientists and engineers to develop and apply the best available technology for electricity generation and storage.


crikey--2020-02-11--Is centrism the new denialism? Climate debate takes a strange turn to the middle

Is centrism the new denialism ?
Climate debate takes a strange turn to the middle Many in the media are @ @ @ @ @ finally end the stalemate on climate policy .
But such a consensus is likely to @ @ @ @ @ .
The response of climate denialists to a summer of catastrophe has veered from even @ @ @ @ @ Joyce and co ) to rhetoric about adaptation and transition ( News Corp , Scott @ @ @ @ @ reversal and insistence that climate change is not merely real but could be wonderful ( @ @ @ @

The response of climate denialists to a summer of catastrophe has veered from even more hysterical denialism (Barnaby Joyce and co) to rhetoric about adaptation and transition (News Corp, Scott Morrison) to a sudden reversal and insistence that climate change is not merely real but could be wonderful (Andrew Bolt).
In terms of actual policy outcomes, Morrison has given taxpayer support to one of his fossil fuel donors and $4 million for a study on a new coal-fired power plant. But some journalists continue to write as if the government really is “pivoting”.
The return last week of federal parliament for the year provided more material for another reframing of the issue.


crikey--2020-02-12--Closing the gap: how we’ve failed, and how we talk about that failure

Closing the gap : how we ’ ve failed , and how we talk about that failure The government has @ @ @ @ @ consistent failure of Close the Gap .
Scott Morrison 's 2020 effort is no different @ @ @ @ @ has just delivered a Closing the Gap report that -- like every single Closing the @ @ @ @ @ shows how many key benchmarks in achieving education and health equality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous @ @ @ @

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has just delivered a Closing the Gap report that — like every single Closing the Gap report before it — shows how many key benchmarks in achieving education and health equality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia are failing.
Crikey looks back at the original benchmarks, and the shifting of rhetoric around what success looks like.


crikey--2020-02-12--PM facing defamation claim over ‘anti-Semitism’ comment

A man is claiming Scott Morrison defamed him when the PM addressed a section 44 complaint again Josh Frydenberg .
@ @ @ @ @ Josh Frydenberg disqualified from parliament has launched a defamation action against Scott Morrison after the @ @ @ @ @ on the Treasurer as “ anti-Semitic ” .

The man attempting to have Josh Frydenberg disqualified from parliament has launched a defamation action against Scott Morrison after the prime minister described the move on the Treasurer as “anti-Semitic”.
Climate activist Michael Staindl, a resident of Frydenberg’s electorate of Kooyong, last year filed a petition alleging the Treasurer was disqualified by section 44 of the constitution because he is a citizen of Hungary due to his mother’s citizenship status.
Frydenberg denies the claim.


crikey--2020-02-12--A Sinn Féin ‘victory’ sends Ireland into uncertain waters

A surging Sinn Féin teaches the left that success can be found in the community that a 'progressive nationalism ' @ @ @

Go the Shinners!
At a time of fresh demoralisation and disarray for the left — to replace the last bout of demoralisation and disarray — there is a bit of good news with the victory in the Irish election of (*checks notes*) the former political wing of an urban guerilla/terrorist group.
Yes, in the Republic of Ireland election, Sinn Féin (“We Ourselves”) edged ahead of major parties Fianna Fáil (“right-wing pricks” — actually “Soldiers of Destiny”) and Fine Gael (“right wing pricks” — actually “Tribe of The Irish”) in the overall vote, with 24.5% to their rivals’ 22% and 20%.


crikey--2020-02-13--When Scotty met Ita: the burning issues for the ABC

When Scotty met Ita : the burning issues for the ABC What was on the agenda when Scott Morrison sat @ @ @ @ @ discuss the ABC 's future ?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his captain 's pick @ @ @ @ @ had a tete-a-tete today .
Here 's the agenda both needed to bring to the @ @

Want to know what ScoMo and Ita want from one another?
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crikey--2020-02-12--All the pros and cons of climate change — now, you can decide!

Sometimes choosing is hard !
But Crikey 's definitive list can help you decide whether this whole climate change hoo-ha @ @ @ @ @ good or bad .
In light of News Corp climatologist Andrew Bolt ’ s call @ @ @ @ @ a serious discussion about the costs and benefits of climate change , Crikey has prepared @ @ @ @ @ you decide whether climate change is , all in all , a bad thing , @ @ @ @ @ be doing more of .

Go deeper on the issues that matter.
Become a subscriber to get full access to the website, as well as our premium newsletters.


crikey--2020-02-12--No more excuses: we must stop fossil fuel development now

There 's no other way to get the climate system under control .
In The Daily Fix , Crikey taps @ @ @ @ @ and community leaders to find solutions to problems .
This week : climate change .
@ @ @ @ @ a ban on all new fossil fuel development of any kind .
Just ban them @ @ @ @ @ gas , coal , conventional gas .
It doesn ’ t matter if it ’ @ @ @ @ @ just ban every new fossil fuel development , that ’ s the only way we @ @ @ @ @ system back under control .
Then the next thing , over the next 20 to @ @ @ @ @ phase out the ones that do exist , to give yourself time to replace them @ @ @ @ @ place new transport systems and things like that .
But the first thing we must @ @ @ @ @ stop all new developments .
Will Steffen is a Climate Councillor and ANU emeritus professor @

In The Daily Fix, Crikey taps into the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to problems. This week: climate change.
The first thing: put a ban on all new fossil fuel development of any kind. Just ban them. So that includes unconventional gas, coal, conventional gas.
It doesn’t matter if it’s domestic or export, just ban every new fossil fuel development, that’s the only way we can possibly get the climate system back under control.