crikey--2020-10-13--Berejiklian’s personal mistake enabled the same sordid NSW mess we’ve seen for decades

We thought Gladys Berejiklian was one of the good ones .
But her personal decisions reinforced the entrenched NSW culture @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's sad that a politician as competent and hard-working as Gladys Berejiklian now @ @ @ @ @ her association with spiv -- and allegedly worse -- Daryl Maguire .
Berejiklian herself did @ @ @ @ @ have gained anything by Maguire 's ever-more convoluted efforts to pay off his debts and @ @ @ @ @ `` Pie in the sky , '' she called them .
But Berejiklian 's sin @ @ @ @ @ , but what she tolerated and , to an extent , enabled : the toxic @ @ @ @ @ politics of NSW .
Games of Mates is the on-the-money term devised by Cameron Murray @ @ @ @ @ how shonks and spivs -- in the guise of property developers , miners , bankers @ @ @ @ @ exploit political and bureaucratic connections to tilt the regulatory field in their favour .

It’s sad that a politician as competent and hard-working as Gladys Berejiklian now finds herself forever tarnished by her association with spiv — and allegedly worse — Daryl Maguire. Berejiklian herself did nothing wrong and wouldn’t have gained anything by Maguire’s ever-more convoluted efforts to pay off his debts and land a big score. “Pie in the sky,” she called them.
But Berejiklian’s sin is not what she did, but what she tolerated and, to an extent, enabled: the toxic “Games of Mates” politics of NSW.
Games of Mates is the on-the-money term devised by Cameron Murray and Paul Frijters to describe how shonks and spivs — in the guise of property developers, miners, bankers and other business people — exploit political and bureaucratic connections to tilt the regulatory field in their favour.


crikey--2020-10-13--Why we need a real federal ICAC: Morrison’s joke wouldn’t have caught Maguire

As Australian politics descends further into a swamp of scandal and misconduct , the need for a properly effective federal @ @ @ @ @ farce proposed by the Morrison government -- is greater than ever .
Some of the @ @ @ @ @ Daryl Maguire 's attempt to help out Louise Raedler Waterhouse in her quest to maximise @ @ @ @ @ of land near the new airport in Western Sydney have a certain familiarity .
The @ @ @ @ @ federal Department of Infrastructure paid ten times more than they should have to buy some @ @ @ @ @ from a Liberal donor was because they demanded that a valuer calculate what the block @ @ @ @ @ was rezoned to maximum potential use .

Badgerys Creek airport. Rezoning. Road access. A murky deal.
Some of the details from disgraced NSW MP Daryl Maguire’s attempt to help out Louise Raedler Waterhouse in her quest to maximise the value of a parcel of land near the new airport in Western Sydney have a certain familiarity.
The ostensible reason bureaucrats in the federal Department of Infrastructure paid ten times more than they should have to buy some land adjacent to Badgerys Creek from a Liberal donor was because they demanded that a valuer calculate what the block would be worth if it was rezoned to maximum potential use.


crikey--2020-10-13--Women in politics: the good, the bad, and the downright dumb

Female politicians are in the limelight at the moment — but maybe being as bad as the blokes was n't their wisest move .
You can ’ t say female politicians aren ’ t getting equal time at the moment — for good and bad .
Let ’ s start with the good .
In New South Wales , Queensland and New Zealand the political fight is between parties headed by female candidates .
The bad is that in two of those contests the female leaders are in the spotlight for scandals around corruption allegations .
Let ’ s start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written — and plenty more to come — on Premier Gladys Berejiklian ’ s fight for survival after revelations of her close personal relationship with a disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire .
Sure she gave a gracious and brave press conference admitting she “ stuffed up ” in her personal life , taking the blame for her bad relationship choices , assuring that she was still the same honest hardworking person of integrity and vowing she would stay on to fight for the people of NSW .
Her supporters , including the blokes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have publicly stood by her .
For now .
But much will depend on how Maguire behaves in the ICAC witness box later this week .
One interesting name that jumped to her defence this morning was former PM and longtime friend Malcolm Turnbull who has not said whether the Berejiklian affair would have breached his infamous “ bonking ban ” .
Those prominent women with a zero tolerance attitude to sexual harassment in the workplace might want to note that the premier was indeed Maguire ’ s boss as evidenced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the end .
The irony of course is that whatever poor judgement she has shown pales when compared with her deputy and mooted successor Dominic Perrottet ’ s controversial behaviour in the recent icare scandal .
The fact that the Labor opposition leader in NSW is also female means Jodi McKay has not held back in exploiting Berejiklian ’ s problems .
That McKay is in her job because of a sexual harassment scandal by her predecessor Luke Foley is long forgotten in the bearpit , or should that be cesspit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the closed border the October 31 Queensland election was upended this morning after the news that Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has been referred to the electoral watchdog by her own LNP party .
The allegations involve suspicious donations after a series of meetings involving wealthy donors , property figures and federal Queensland heavyweight Peter Dutton which could be illegal under Queensland laws .
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had her own problems with her female deputy , Jackie Trad , who was forced to resign only months ago over corruption allegations .
With the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wary that it might be tighter than expected , Frecklington will be the issue .
Meanwhile New Zealanders head to the polls this weekend with the choice between incumbent Labor PM Jacinda Ardern and opposition Nationals leader Judith “ Crusher ” Collins .
Saint Jacinda is still firm favourite , and short of a Gladys style fall from grace in the coming days it looks like she will be the one giving the female pollies a good name .
Though maybe being as bad as the blokes is true equality .
NOTE : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the name of a previous NSW Labor leader .

You can’t say female politicians aren’t getting equal time at the moment — for good and bad.
Let’s start with the good. In New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand the political fight is between parties headed by female candidates.
The bad is that in two of those contests the female leaders are in the spotlight for scandals around corruption allegations.


crikey--2020-10-13--Campus rape case ruling a blow to Bettina Arndt’s ‘kangaroo court’ crusade

A judgment that had the men 's rights activist crowing has just been overturned on appeal .
The following story @ @ @ @ @ .
Y and Z were medical students , well into their degrees at the University @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , they were both on clinical placement at a rural town , staying in @ @ @ @ @ Z , on the night in question Y sexually assaulted her three times , digitally @ @ @ @ @ without her consent and in fact against her explicit objections .
Z ’ s complaint @ @ @ @ @ time later , resulting in Y being called before the university ’ s disciplinary board @ @ @ @ @ had “ sexually assaulted [ Z ] by subjecting her to unsolicited acts of physical @ @ @ @ @ its student misconduct policy .

The following story contains descriptions of sexual assault.
Y and Z were medical students, well into their degrees at the University of Queensland. In April 2018, they were both on clinical placement at a rural town, staying in student accommodation. According to Z, on the night in question Y sexually assaulted her three times, digitally penetrating her anus and vagina without her consent and in fact against her explicit objections.
Z’s complaint to the university came some time later, resulting in Y being called before the university’s disciplinary board to answer charges that he had “sexually assaulted [Z] by subjecting her to unsolicited acts of physical intimacy” in breach of its student misconduct policy.


crikey--2020-10-14--Knowing who’s meeting with whom is crucial to stop corruption. Morrison doesn’t want it

When it comes to who 's courting whom federally the public is in the dark because there are n't even basic anti-corruption measures in place .
The revelation that New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian met with two convicted criminals at the behest of partner Daryl Maguire — after they had been knocked back for meetings by more junior ministers — is another staggering example of her misjudgement , and further evidence that she not merely turned a blind eye to but enabled the sordid activities of her spiv boyfriend .
It also again demonstrates how far ahead NSW is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparency and accountability .
The exposure of Maguire ’ s misconduct in 2018 , renewed investigations into him since , the revelation of his relationship with Berejiklian and attempts to exploit his connection to her , has already demonstrated yet again the importance of a genuinely independent and unfettered anti-corruption body that can conduct public investigations and make findings of corruption .
As Crikey noted yesterday , the contrast with the pathetically weak federal integrity body offered — but never acted upon — by Scott Morrison couldn ’ t be more extreme .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t investigate Maguire , couldn ’ t conduct a public investigation and couldn ’ t find his conduct corrupt — if it existed , which the government has shown no signs of seeking to achieve .
There ’ s another key transparency tool that the Morrison government refuses to consider : meetings diaries for ministers .
We knew something stank about Berejiklian ’ s meeting with the two publicans with criminal records back in 2018 when the release of her meetings diary for October 2017 confirmed she ’ d met with them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected was her boyfriend at that point .
NSW has been publishing ministerial meetings diaries since 2014 , when it followed Queensland in making available details of who premiers and ministers met with .
The ACT now also publishes ministerial diaries .
New Zealand has ministerial meeting diaries .
The UK government was forced by courts to publish diaries in 2015 .
Regional governments there do too .
Federal ministers ( and shadow ministers ) , however , can meet anyone they like without any fear of the meeting being revealed .
Who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is kept a secret .
It ’ s another example of how , when it comes to federal politics , the basic mechanisms to prevent corruption are entirely absent and we ’ re operating in the dark in trying to identify who is trying to meet ministers to bend regulations to suit their business interests .
NSW also has far more rigorous political donations laws .
Property developers and gaming interests are banned from donating , there ’ s a ( currently $ 6600 ) cap on donations ; donations above $ 1000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t hide behind the claim they ’ re “ buying ” seats at fundraisers in order not to report .
While transparency and integrity measures haven ’ t stopped corruption in NSW , they have made it easier to detect and gather evidence of it .
The Commonwealth , however , has a pro-corruption institutional environment in which corrupt ministers and business interests keen to game regulatory outcomes can flourish .
As for Berejiklian , even without damning evidence from Maguire today and tomorrow , her credibility is permanently damaged by her meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are men who successive gaming ministers had refused to meet .
This is the insidious style of NSW politics : when ministers do the right thing and avoid being lobbied inappropriately , they can be short-circuited by someone exploiting a connection elsewhere .
In this case , with the premier .
The group Berejiklian met with failed to get the outcome they wanted .
Maguire , it seems , failed at every scheme he tried .
At least we had some visibility of his efforts .
How many shonks and spivs are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to influence Morrison and his ministers — or , for that matter , Labor ’ s Anthony Albanese and his team ?
We have no idea .

The revelation that New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian met with two convicted criminals at the behest of partner Daryl Maguire — after they had been knocked back for meetings by more junior ministers — is another staggering example of her misjudgement, and further evidence that she not merely turned a blind eye to but enabled the sordid activities of her spiv boyfriend.
It also again demonstrates how far ahead NSW is of the Commonwealth in terms of basic transparency and accountability.
The exposure of Maguire’s misconduct in 2018, renewed investigations into him since, the revelation of his relationship with Berejiklian and attempts to exploit his connection to her, has already demonstrated yet again the importance of a genuinely independent and unfettered anti-corruption body that can conduct public investigations and make findings of corruption.


crikey--2020-10-13--Morrison’s big trip north creates headaches for Labor ahead of state election

Scott Morrison 's visit to Queensland could well be the biggest threat the Palaszczuk government faces in its bid to @ @ @ @ @ from the state ’ s border policy or a surprise outbreak of COVID-19 , Scott @ @ @ @ @ Queensland this week could be the biggest play of the state election campaign .
It @ @ @ @ @ threat the ALP faces in its bid for another term .
Morrison has proved popular @ @ @ @ @ the fact that there is not one federal Labor seat north of Brisbane .
Take @ @ @ @ @ of the state , and you won ’ t find a touch of red anywhere @ @ @ @ @ tip of the cape .

Aside from the state’s border policy or a surprise outbreak of COVID-19, Scott Morrison’s visit to Queensland this week could be the biggest play of the state election campaign.
It could also be the biggest threat the ALP faces in its bid for another term.
Morrison has proved popular in Queensland, evidenced by the fact that there is not one federal Labor seat north of Brisbane. Take a look at a map of the state, and you won’t find a touch of red anywhere between Brisbane River and the tip of the cape.


crikey--2020-10-14--Apocalypse when? Mike Pezzullo and the end of the world as we know it

The prospect of Armageddon has been keeping the Home Affairs boss awake at night .
And he wants us all @ @ @ @ @ .
Mike Pezzullo is worried about the apocalypse .
In a speech at the Australian @ @ @ @ @ the powerful Home Affairs boss outlined his vision of the various events which could end @ @ @ @ @ .
A year ago , few would have seen a global pandemic coming .
Now @ @ @ @ @ thinking about other security threats , like pandemics , which could come from nowhere and @ @ @ @ @ modern life as we know it .
Sure there 's climate change and extreme weather @ @ @ @ @ to worry about other stuff straight out of the realm of science fiction : super-volcanic @ @ @ @ @ ; a powerful geomagnetic storm rendering all electronic technology obsolete ; a crippling cyber-attack sending @ @ @ @ @ threat ( seriously ) of terminator-like AI ; an asteroid hitting Earth ; a nuclear @ @

Mike Pezzullo is worried about the apocalypse. In a speech at the Australian National University last night, the powerful Home Affairs boss outlined his vision of the various events which could end civilisation as we know it.
A year ago, few would have seen a global pandemic coming. Now Pezzullo warns we should start thinking about other security threats, like pandemics, which could come from nowhere and dramatically alter the course of modern life as we know it.
Sure there’s climate change and extreme weather events but Pezzullo wants us to worry about other stuff straight out of the realm of science fiction: super-volcanic eruptions blocking out the sun; a powerful geomagnetic storm rendering all electronic technology obsolete; a crippling cyber-attack sending us spiralling offline; the threat (seriously) of terminator-like AI; an asteroid hitting Earth; a nuclear apocalypse.


crikey--2020-10-14--The numbers game: what triggers COVID-19 lockdowns and freedoms?

NSW has again recorded more daily cases than Victoria , but remains quite open .
Is the approach to lockdown @ @ @ @ @ ?
For the second time in a week , yesterday NSW recorded more new daily @ @ @ @ @ In Sydney , masks have all but been abandoned , with restrictions on outdoor venues @ @ @ @ @ eased .
In Melbourne , residents are still confined to their houses for 22 hours @ @ @ @ @ has been subject to one of the longest and harshest lockdowns in the world , @ @ @ @ @ single digits .
This morning , the state recorded seven new cases in the past @ @

For the second time in a week, yesterday NSW recorded more new daily COVID-19 cases than Victoria.
In Sydney, masks have all but been abandoned, with restrictions on outdoor venues and concerts about to be eased. In Melbourne, residents are still confined to their houses for 22 hours a day.
Greater Melbourne has been subject to one of the longest and harshest lockdowns in the world, despite case numbers dropping to single digits. This morning, the state recorded seven new cases in the past day.


crikey--2020-10-15--Can Victoria’s lockdown last when the numbers don’t add up?

The Andrews government 's argument for lockdown is looking shakier by the day .
Last week former Victorian cabinet member @ @ @ @ @ Somyurek claimed that Daniel Andrews wanted to be the Jacinda Ardern of Australia .
He @ @ @ @ @ roadmap is far stricter than anything seen in New Zealand .
Or anywhere in the @ @ @ @ @ It appears that Victoria ’ s stage four restrictions have been little more than a @ @ @ @ @ who has confused politics and science horribly , while completely ignoring livelihoods -- as well @ @ @ @ @ leading epidemiologists , mental health experts and even the World Health Organization .
Ever the @ @ @ @ @ clearly picked up the growing tension in recent days , and after two months is @ @ @ @ @ step of his strict roadmap and quietly allow Victoria to move to the next “ @ @ @ @ @ which is likely to allow some outdoor activities as well as slightly larger family gatherings @

Last week former Victorian cabinet member and accused branch stacker Adem Somyurek claimed that Daniel Andrews wanted to be the Jacinda Ardern of Australia. He was wrong. Andrews’ roadmap is far stricter than anything seen in New Zealand. Or anywhere in the world for that matter.
It appears that Victoria’s stage four restrictions have been little more than a science experiment for a premier who has confused politics and science horribly, while completely ignoring livelihoods — as well as the views of most leading epidemiologists, mental health experts and even the World Health Organization.
Ever the skilled operator, Andrews has clearly picked up the growing tension in recent days, and after two months is preparing to junk the next step of his strict roadmap and quietly allow Victoria to move to the next “stage” on Sunday, which is likely to allow some outdoor activities as well as slightly larger family gatherings.


crikey--2020-10-14--Charities pay for Liberal fundraisers despite regulator’s no-no to political donations

Charities are n't meant to make political donations , but the Liberal Party has received tens of thousands of dollars from registered charities .
The Liberal Party is harvesting tens of thousands of dollars in donations from registered charities .
This despite the fact that charities are not supposed to make donations to political parties .
The regulator is the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission ( ACNC ) whose website appears to make it clear that making political donations is a disqualifying action for charities .
Nonetheless , Michael West Media has identified a number of donations to the Liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Among disclosures to the NSW Electoral Commission : • The Armenian Relief Society paid $ 2970 to have breakfast with Premier Gladys Berejiklian in March last year • The Cerebral Palsy Foundation paid $ 1790 to have dinner with the Premier in May 2018 • The Sydney Children Hospital Foundation paid $ 1900 to have a conversation with the premier .
The ACNC was contacted for comment but declined to provide a response to questions on the record .
A request for an interview with Commissioner Gary Johns is yet to receive a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from both community donors , corporate donors and contributions from government .
In the case of Cerebral Palsy Foundation , more than half its income is from government grants .
Bizarrely then , the foundation donates a bit of money to the Liberal Party and the Liberal Party in government gives the foundation quite a bit more money .
To stress the scandal here : charities are giving money from community donors to a political party to use for its campaigning to stay in power and that political party , which controls the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not Liberal Party money — to donate to the charity .
Should a charity support ( or oppose ) a particular political party or candidate ?
No , because the charity will run the risk of being found to have a disqualifying political purpose , and therefore not being a registered charity .
Should a charity donate money to a particular candidate or political party during an election campaign ?
No , because the charity will run the risk of being found to have a purpose of supporting a particular candidate or party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think carefully before deciding to attend an event organised by a political party .
Should a charity attend fundraising events for a political party or candidate for office ?
Is the event a fundraiser for a political party or candidate ?
If so , the charity runs the risk of being found to have a purpose of promoting a political party or candidate .
Has the attendance fee been priced to include a surplus for political fundraising purposes ?
If so , the charity runs the risk of being found to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate .
If these matters are not clear , the charity should inquire about the nature of event .
The charities mentioned in this story were all contacted for comment .
As yet , none have been available to discuss the matter .
This article first appeared at Michael West Media and is reproduced with permission .

This article first appeared at Michael West Media and is reproduced with permission.
The Liberal Party is harvesting tens of thousands of dollars in donations from registered charities. This despite the fact that charities are not supposed to make donations to political parties.
The regulator is the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) whose website appears to make it clear that making political donations is a disqualifying action for charities.


crikey--2020-10-16--From COVID immunity to racist babies: five times Twitter has taken action against the Trump campaign

When tweets go to far ... “ Terrified toddler runs from racist baby ” : A video showing a black toddler running away from a white one with a fake CNN banner shared by Trump was labelled by Twitter as “ manipulated media ” .
“ I ’ m almost immune ” : In August Twitter banned a video clip posted from Trump ’ s campaign account , which showed Trump telling a Fox News host he and his family were “ almost immune ” from COVID-19 , for violating misinformation rules .
“ When the looting starts , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to looting and protests in Minneapolis following the violent death of George Floyd at the hands of police , the phrase has racist origins dating back to the civil rights era .
Twitter flagged the tweet for violating its rules against inciting violence , putting it behind a warning but allowing the public to still view it .
“ INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election ” : Twitter placed a misinformation warning on Trump ’ s tweet stating mail-in voting ballots lead to fraud .
Hydroxychloroquine praise : A video of a discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump Jr led to a temporary suspension .

“Terrified toddler runs from racist baby”: A video showing a black toddler running away from a white one with a fake CNN banner shared by Trump was labelled by Twitter as “manipulated media”.
“I’m almost immune”: In August Twitter banned a video clip posted from Trump’s campaign account, which showed Trump telling a Fox News host he and his family were “almost immune” from COVID-19, for violating misinformation rules.
“When the looting starts, the shooting starts”: Posted by Trump in response to looting and protests in Minneapolis following the violent death of George Floyd at the hands of police, the phrase has racist origins dating back to the civil rights era. Twitter flagged the tweet for violating its rules against inciting violence, putting it behind a warning but allowing the public to still view it.


crikey--2020-10-16--Who is left to trust when politicians are trying to destroy independent bodies?

To deal with a pervasive culture of corruption in Australia , we need strong , independent regulators .
The federal government is committed to undermining independent bodies and bringing them under its control .
With Australia a banana republic in which self-interest , non-accountability and corruption — in soft or hard forms — pervades business and politics , we have only a limited number of institutions that we can trust to protect the public interest from politicians and the vested interests that control them .
But many of them are under attack from the politicians that they threaten .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its famed central agencies , now hopelessly politicised , sources of independent , high-quality policy advice are becoming rare .
The Productivity Commission ( PC ) remains independent and willing to criticise government economic policies — particularly its failure to pursue a carbon price , its facile obsession with managed trade deals , and its steady re-embrace of protectionism .
But there are concerns about the PC .
In 2019 , Scott Morrison appointed longtime Liberal Party staffer Michael Brennan to replace outgoing chair Peter Harris , who was often outspoken in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government ’ s secrecy around the failed Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal .
Brennan has reasserted Liberal Party orthodoxy in the role , insisting the recession is a supply-side problem , not one of demand , and the economy needed deregulation and a reduction in industrial relations protections .
Early this year , Brennan ’ s predecessor Harris mocked what he called “ [ trotting ] out that old whipping dog , red tape ” for “ another beating ” .
And while the Reserve Bank long ago took Treasury ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credible economic policy institution and remains independent , don ’ t forget Tony Abbott considered a plan to bring the bank more under his control by appointing an external conservative figure to replace Glenn Stevens .
The Australian National Audit Office ( ANAO ) under auditor-general Grant Hehir has expanded its role as a thorn in the side of the public service , repeatedly exposing bungling and rorting by bureaucrats and ministers , most spectacularly with its exposure of systematic rorting of the sports infrastructure grants program by Bridget McKenzie and Scott Morrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government has slowly chipped away at the ANAO ’ s budget .
In the last Labor budget , the ANAO received around $ 72 million , with its budget forecast to rise to $ 76 million by 2016 .
The Abbott government cut that back , keeping the ANAO to around $ 72 million in ensuing years , until in 2017 the Turnbull government sliced $ 2 million a year from its budget .
In each successive budget since then , including the recent one , the ANAO has had $ 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will now only receive $ 68.6 million this year .
In that time , it has gone around 350 staff to 320 .
The government has been more successful at nobbling Australia ’ s most trusted media outlet , the ABC , with budget cuts and a persistent campaign of intimidation and harassment that has cowed the ABC ’ s news division into compliance and responsiveness to Coalition criticism .
The Coalition has also been a persistent critic of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption , and even engaged Margaret Cuneen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help design the risible federal integrity body that has fallen into a hole since it was proposed more than two years ago .
Many of the design features of the Morrison “ integrity ” model reflect the constant attacks by News Corporation on ICAC , which were renewed today despite the clear public interest in the revelation of close links between the premier and a corrupt MP .
The Coalition ’ s preferred model for independent regulators is weak and underfunded : it gutted the corporate regulator ASIC when it was elected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Its aged care regulator is hands-off and reluctant to intervene in the deeply rotten private aged care sector .
And it has systematically stacked the Administrative Appeals Tribunal — the front line for litigation against government decisions — with Coalition appointees .
The lessons from the multiple scandals unfolding now is that genuinely independent , well-resourced and properly empowered regulators , run by non-partisan figures , are crucial to exposing and deterring corruption and misconduct by politicians and business people .
That seems to be the last thing the Morrison government wants .

With Australia a banana republic in which self-interest, non-accountability and corruption — in soft or hard forms — pervades business and politics, we have only a limited number of institutions that we can trust to protect the public interest from politicians and the vested interests that control them.
But many of them are under attack from the politicians that they threaten.


crikey--2020-10-15--Until ICAC speaks, let Gladys get on with the job

It 's time to stop asking our leaders to be robots , and blaming women for the failures of men @ @ @ @ @ of Premier Gladys Berejiklian should end now , and not be revisited unless ICAC makes @ @ @ @ @ involvement in corrupt conduct .
First , the premier is doing an excellent job of @ @ @ @ @ keeping us safe from COVID-19 , while also keeping schools and the economy functioning .
@ @ @ @ @ is some trivial achievement , consider that Victoria remains under lockdown , while we continue @ @ @ @ @ Getting rid of a pragmatic and effective leader in these circumstances is a huge and @ @ @ @ @ you think these sorts of transitions always end well , just consider what countries like @ @ @ @ @ to take an expansive approach to ousting leaders associated with , but not directly involved @ @ @ @

Calls for the resignation of Premier Gladys Berejiklian should end now, and not be revisited unless ICAC makes findings of her direct personal involvement in corrupt conduct.
First, the premier is doing an excellent job of an exceptionally difficult task: keeping us safe from COVID-19, while also keeping schools and the economy functioning. And lest you think that is some trivial achievement, consider that Victoria remains under lockdown, while we continue to enjoy semi-normal life.
Getting rid of a pragmatic and effective leader in these circumstances is a huge and unnecessary gamble. And if you think these sorts of transitions always end well, just consider what countries like Brazil have witnessed since deciding to take an expansive approach to ousting leaders associated with, but not directly involved in, corruption.


crikey--2020-10-15--Ardern set for a win, but the question is, how big? Oh, and the ACT Libs looking likely

Antipodean election junkies are preparing for a double dose tomorrow as voters go to the polls in New Zealand and @ @ @ @ @ Antipodean election junkies are preparing for a double dose tomorrow as voters go to the @ @ @ @ @ the Australian Capital Territory .
Elections here and abroad have given progressives little to cheer @ @ @ @ @ but New Zealand at least looks certain to change that .
If the polls are @ @ @ @ @ question is whether Jacinda Ardern 's Labour government can achieve a majority in its own @ @ @ @ @ has done since proportional representation was introduced in 1996 , or if it needs outside @ @ @ @ @ find readily to hand from the Greens .
A Labour win of one kind or @ @ @ @ @ since the onset of COVID-19 at the start of the year , in which time @ @ @ @ @ has gone through three leaders .

Antipodean election junkies are preparing for a double dose tomorrow as voters go to the polls in New Zealand and the Australian Capital Territory. Elections here and abroad have given progressives little to cheer about in recent years, but New Zealand at least looks certain to change that.
If the polls are remotely accurate, the only question is whether Jacinda Ardern’s Labour government can achieve a majority in its own right, which no party has done since proportional representation was introduced in 1996, or if it needs outside support, which it should find readily to hand from the Greens.
A Labour win of one kind or another has looked beyond doubt since the onset of COVID-19 at the start of the year, in which time the conservative National Party opposition has gone through three leaders.


crikey--2020-10-15--The Uluru statement is not Lego. The Greens can’t rearrange it to suit their ideals

The Greens have jettisoned an election promise in favour of a new position developed without any serious engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people .
Lost amid the coverage of the budget last week was a significant announcement by Greens leader Adam Bandt , who declared the party was walking away from the ground-breaking consensus reached by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the Uluru Statement from the Heart .
Bandt said the order of the reforms in the Uluru Statement should be changed from Voice , Treaty , Truth and retrofitted to the Greens ’ preference of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uluru Statement is an historic cultural and political reform statement — not a lego set that can be taken apart and remodelled on a whim .
This policy shift represents a broken 2019 election commitment when the Greens promised to “ provide $ 183 million for the consultation and referendum process to establish a representative body like a Voice to Parliament ” .
Just a year on , this commitment has now been jettisoned in favour of the Greens ’ new position that has been developed without any serious engagement with Aboriginal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the depth or scale of the process that led to the Uluru Statement .
Indeed , the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders who worked tirelessly for years to build a multi-partisan consensus on constitutional reform did not even warrant a courtesy call about the policy shift .
They learned about it in the news .
This is not just a cosmetic reordering .
It is a policy announcement by the third force in Australian politics that has lasting implications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people .
Prioritising truth-telling may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it fundamentally misunderstands what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know : of the three reforms , truth-telling is the hardest and will likely take generations to fulfil .
Real truth-telling is not the kumbaya version where we share a few stories around a fire or dedicate an annual week of reflection , but a deep , searching examination of the cultural , social , and most importantly , institutional truths that underpin Australia ’ s understanding of its own history , its relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not victims tethered to our past , but as the great poet and Elder of my people Oodgeroo Noonuccal wrote , “ the past is all about us and within ” .
The impact of the past plays out in our present through the education , health , welfare and justice systems that cause disproportionate physical , mental , emotional and spiritual harm to too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people .
You can hear it in the plaintive cry of the Uluru Statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most incarcerated people on the planet .
We are not an innately criminal people .
Our children are aliened from their families at unprecedented rates .
This can not be because we have no love for them.
” Australia does not currently have the institutional crucible to hold the necessary heat to forge a more truthful and just expression of our shared nationhood .
A royal commission is one of our nation ’ s most powerful mechanisms for truth-telling , yet as we approach the 30-year anniversary of the inquiry into Aboriginal deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islander people are still dying in watchhouses and prisons at a rate of one person every three weeks .
We do not suffer a lack of moral righteousness on these issues .
The “ torment of our powerlessness ” , as described in the Uluru Statement , is our status as an extreme minority that is unable to effectively and consistently influence the institutions and systems that determine the policy and legislative responses that disproportionally impact our people .
Without the foundational structural and institutional reform , truth-telling will be a tick-a-box exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after months of dialogues across the country involving sessions on civics , history and constitutional law as well as the all-important conversations about political viability , Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people prioritised a Voice to Parliament enabled by the constitution in the Uluru Statement .
Granted , it doesn ’ t evoke the poetic possibility of truth-telling or animate the long-held passion for treaties .
But a Voice responds to the most foundational need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to influence real change : structural empowerment .
A Voice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a practical and fair means for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to effectively influence policy and laws while creating the institutional scaffolding from which treaties and truth-telling can be constructed .
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people created a cultural , intellectual and political masterpiece through the Uluru Statement from the Heart that is an invitation to “ walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future ” .
Walk with us .
Don ’ t tell us yet again where to go .

Lost amid the coverage of the budget last week was a significant announcement by Greens leader Adam Bandt, who declared the party was walking away from the ground-breaking consensus reached by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Bandt said the order of the reforms in the Uluru Statement should be changed from Voice, Treaty, Truth and retrofitted to the Greens’ preference of Truth, Treaty, Voice.
The Uluru Statement is an historic cultural and political reform statement — not a lego set that can be taken apart and remodelled on a whim.


crikey--2020-10-15--Over a Daryl: premier pays a high cost for having a friend with dubious benefits

How on earth did Gladys Berejiklian end up with Daryl Maguire , in a relationship that lets Robert Borsak take @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s the stuff of chick lit and romantic comedies .
Well-brought-up girl falls @ @ @ @ @ ends up destroying her life .
From Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky , Madame Bovary @ @ @ @ @ Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire , the Good Girl Gone Bad is a timeless theme .
@ @ @ @ @ is , of course , Lady Diana .
While married to Prince Charles she hooked @ @ @ @ @ an absolute bounder who revealed all about their five-year affair and tried to sell her @ @ @ @ @ .
After Hewitt , she threw herself into the arms of Dodi Al-Fayed , a @ @ @ @ @ happened to be the nephew of Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi .
So what is @ @ @ @ @ of North Ryde High and president of the Young Liberals -- doing with Maguire , @ @ @ @ @ Wagga ?

It’s the stuff of chick lit and romantic comedies. Well-brought-up girl falls for very unsuitable boy who ends up destroying her life. From Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky, Madame Bovary and Rodolphe, to Gladys Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire, the Good Girl Gone Bad is a timeless theme.
The best example of this is, of course, Lady Diana. While married to Prince Charles she hooked up with James Hewitt, an absolute bounder who revealed all about their five-year affair and tried to sell her personal letters after she died. After Hewitt, she threw herself into the arms of Dodi Al-Fayed, a notorious cocaine-snorting playboy who also happened to be the nephew of Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi.
So what is Gladys — former school captain of North Ryde High and president of the Young Liberals — doing with Maguire, an ersatz Obeid from Wagga Wagga?


crikey--2020-10-16--Yesterday’s Papers: Bad romance springs eternal in NSW parliament

Welcome to Yesterday 's Papers , a fortnightly musical playlist themed around topical events .
This week ... bad romance @ @ @ @ @ .
Welcome to Yesterday 's Papers , a fortnightly musical playlist themed around topical events @ @ @ @ @ , inevitably , is Bad Romance , inspired by the various political calamities that have @ @ @ @ @ as relationships break down .
Musically -- because we could all do with something soothing @ @ @ @ @ is doo wop and pop from the '50s and '60s , where immaculately turned-out vocal @ @ @ @ @ teens about the punishments endured for no crime except loving .

Welcome to Yesterday’s Papers, a fortnightly musical playlist themed around topical events.
This week’s theme, inevitably, is Bad Romance, inspired by the various political calamities that have befallen our leaders this week as relationships break down.
Musically — because we could all do with something soothing — our theme this week is doo wop and pop from the ’50s and ’60s, where immaculately turned-out vocal groups sang mini-operas for sad teens about the punishments endured for no crime except loving.


crikey--2020-10-16--Berejiklian is the custodian of government probity. She failed that test

'Can Gladys Berejiklian survive as premier ? '
has been the question of the week .
Should she survive is @ @ @ @ @ `` Can Gladys Berejiklian survive as premier ? ''
has been the question of the @ @ @ @ @ is a whole other question .
The revelations have come at dizzying speed since Berejiklian @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of the week .
The straight-as-a-die premier 's secret affair with an MP @ @ @ @ @ corruption has made for a seductive narrative of a trusting woman wronged by a cad @ @ @ @ @ central force of the case that confronts Berejiklian , which is that she failed in @ @ @ @ @ KPIs : to maintain the integrity of her government .

“Can Gladys Berejiklian survive as premier?” has been the question of the week. Should she survive is a whole other question.
The revelations have come at dizzying speed since Berejiklian first appeared at ICAC at the beginning of the week. The straight-as-a-die premier’s secret affair with an MP bent on a path of corruption has made for a seductive narrative of a trusting woman wronged by a cad.
Yet it obscures the central force of the case that confronts Berejiklian, which is that she failed in one of her most important KPIs: to maintain the integrity of her government.


crikey--2020-10-16--What does it take for Twitter to ban the Trump campaign’s tweets?

More and more accounts connected to the US president are being targeted by the social media platform .
What are @ @ @ @ @ ?
More and more Twitter accounts linked to the Trump campaign are being suspended .
@ @ @ @ @ the @ TeamTrump election campaign account , along with White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany @ @ @ @ @ an article by the New York Post which alleged Democratic nominee Joe Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ had business dealings with a Ukrainian energy company .
Twitter moved to stop people from @ @ @ @ @ it violated platform policies by using information contained via hacking , containing private information or @ @ @ @ @ physical harm , .

More and more Twitter accounts linked to the Trump campaign are being suspended. This time, it was the @TeamTrump election campaign account, along with White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
Their crime? Sharing an article by the New York Post which alleged Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, had business dealings with a Ukrainian energy company.
Twitter moved to stop people from sharing the story, saying it violated platform policies by using information contained via hacking, containing private information or putting people at risk of physical harm, .


crikey--2020-10-19--Billionaire Stokes gets his man in Perth

Basil Zempilas ' election campaign was hard to ignore , given his status as the star of Kerry Stokes ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
Well , The West backed a winner for Perth and The West won .
@ @ @ @ @ the new Lord Mayor of Perth , in a victory that could only be labelled @ @ @ @ @ media personality ’ s election campaign was hard to ignore , given his status as @ @ @ @ @ Stokes ’ omnipresent Seven West Media empire .

Well, The West backed a winner for Perth and The West won.
Basil Zempilas has been elected the new Lord Mayor of Perth, in a victory that could only be labelled as… entirely predictable?
The media personality’s election campaign was hard to ignore, given his status as the star of billionaire Kerry Stokes’ omnipresent Seven West Media empire.


crikey--2020-10-19--Let’s count the ways NSW voters have been unlucky in love

News Corp has painted Gladys Berejiklian as a chick-flick protagonist unlucky in love .
But it 's the people of @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I loved him ... but I 'll never speak to him again .
@ @ @ @ @ News Corp turned Gladys Berejiklian 's secret five-year relationship ( or is it six , @ @ @ @ @ crooked MP Daryl Maguire into a chick flick .
Not only that , but Berejiklian @ @ @ @ @ with a Sunday Telegraph treatment which hits all the messaging a premier would want while @ @ @

“I loved him … but I’ll never speak to him again.”
And with that, News Corp turned Gladys Berejiklian’s secret five-year relationship (or is it six, or seven?) with crooked MP Daryl Maguire into a chick flick.
Not only that, but Berejiklian was willing to play along with a Sunday Telegraph treatment which hits all the messaging a premier would want while under siege.


crikey--2020-10-19--A state riddled with sleaze needs a credible leader. Berejiklian’s authority is shot

NSW needs a leader with high personal standards and the authority to impose those standards on their colleagues .
Gladys @ @ @ @ @ Can anyone now seriously imagine Gladys Berejiklian staging the kind of face-off she engineered with @ @ @ @ @ mates a few weeks ago ?
Of course not .
Her political authority is gone @ @ @ @ @ too .
Berejiklian lecturing anyone else about standards of conduct is now laughable .
The @ @ @ @ @ know what she should n't have known when it came to her boyfriend is no @ @ @ @ @ criticise anyone else for their poor judgment .
What does she do in the next @ @ @ @ @ who vacillates between telling the Murdoch tabloids about how she hoped to marry Maguire and @ @ @ @ @ relationship was n't intimate or of sufficient status to tell her family about ca n't @ @ @ @ @ with parliamentary and ministerial codes of conduct .

Can anyone now seriously imagine Gladys Berejiklian staging the kind of face-off she engineered with John Barilaro and his koala-killing mates a few weeks ago?
Of course not. Her political authority is gone. Her moral authority, too. Berejiklian lecturing anyone else about standards of conduct is now laughable. The woman who knew enough to know what she shouldn’t have known when it came to her boyfriend is no longer in any position to criticise anyone else for their poor judgment.
What does she do in the next ministerial scandal? A premier who vacillates between telling the Murdoch tabloids about how she hoped to marry Maguire and insisting to ICAC that the relationship wasn’t intimate or of sufficient status to tell her family about can’t complain about others being jesuitical with parliamentary and ministerial codes of conduct.


crikey--2020-10-18--How fake news works — with the assistance of mainstream media

With a new email scandal in the US , traditional media is falling into the same old traps .
There @ @ @ @ @ the fake news station this past week : all the old media regrets over coverage @ @ @ @ @ seemed suddenly forgotten , bringing the long campaign for reliable news to an inflexion point @ @ @ @ @ to publish ( and amplify ) a questionable report based on hacked documents of doubtful @ @ @ @ @ ’ s villains -- Facebook and Twitter -- that were more cautious , responsible or @ @ @ @ @ point of view ) than traditional media .
No good deed goes unpunished : the @ @ @ @ @ for restraint , with increased calls for regulation .
And there ’ s a new @ @ @ @ @ the Murdochs up to ?

There’s been movement at the fake news station this past week: all the old media regrets over coverage of Clinton’s emails seemed suddenly forgotten, bringing the long campaign for reliable news to an inflexion point.
As old media rushed to publish (and amplify) a questionable report based on hacked documents of doubtful origin, it was 2016’s villains — Facebook and Twitter — that were more cautious, responsible or censorious (depending on your point of view) than traditional media.
No good deed goes unpunished: the platforms may pay the price for restraint, with increased calls for regulation. And there’s a new question: just what are the Murdochs up to?


crikey--2020-10-18--‘Poor Gladys’ spin goes into overdrive, but voters are no closer to the truth

The NSW Premier has gone full Mills and Boon to exploit female sympathy .
You could almost forget this is a corruption scandal .
Oh dear .
Be still my beating heart .
With yesterday ’ s “ Yes I loved him , but I ’ ll never speak to him again ” front-page story , the Gladys Berejiklian affair has officially jumped the bedpost and gone from political soap opera to full Mills and Boon .
The NSW Premier gave her first interview since the scandal erupted a week ago , but The Sunday Telegraph exclusive was with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That says it all really .
It ’ s a cynical and desperate piece of spin .
Sharp writes that the “ romantically inexperienced politician ” is “ shattered ” ; she ’ s “ shedding bitter tears in private ” and “ paying a painful price ” for “ loving and trusting ” disgraced MP Daryl Maguire , the man she had to sack “ brutally ” over corruption allegations in 2018 .
The cringeworthy story was complete with a photo of the doe-eyed premier in jeans but still with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given up on love , ” she declared .
So what exactly did we learn from all the dross ?
She loved him .
She thought they could be married even though she also said the relationship wasn ’ t of “ sufficient status ” to tell even her closest family before her sensational appearance at the Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing last Monday .
It ’ s not clear if she was so obsessively private that she did not trust them with her secret , or whether she was just embarrassed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charming they expected for their Glad .
Again she skirted around the grubby details of exactly what transpired in private between them , stating only “ it wasn ’ t a traditional type of relationship ” .
But her attempts to avoid the word “ intimate ” were undermined by the paragraph where Sharp wrote that “ according to her , [ it ] became something more around 2015 when the pair became intimate ” .
It ’ s clear the piece , presumably brokered by Berejiklian ’ s media director , former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploit female sympathy and the “ poor Gladys ” narrative to divert attention away from the broader issue of corruption .
Conveniently , The Sunday Tele story was accompanied by a YouGov poll claiming that women believe she has done nothing wrong .
What next ?
An # IStandWithGlad ” campaign by the Murdoch press which has traditionally been unsympathetic to Berejiklian as a woman , a moderate and a mate of Malcolm Turnbull ?
Scott Morrison was hardly a huge fan either , and her superior PR during the summer bushfire crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the two offices .
( Some Canberra staffers were even rumoured to have nicknamed her “ Anne Frank ” for her resemblance to the famous photo of the teen Nazi victim ) .
When a second disaster hit , the PM learned to publicly laud her popular efforts , even though he was a tad tardy to # StandWithGlad this week .
He must have seen those polls , because within a day he came to the defence of our damsel in distress .
To be fair , not all the fairytales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side .
On the same day , the rival Nine Sunday paper The Sun-Herald featured an opinion piece by former Labor premier and now Senator Kristina Keneally using feminism in her call for Berejiklian to resign .
Indeed she has — all the way to the ICAC witness box .
Keneally is still dogged by her close political ties with corrupt powerbrokers Eddie Obeid and Joe Tripodi .
A crucial difference between the two women was that while Gladys ended up sacking Maguire for corruption , Keneally promoted the disgraced Ian Macdonald straight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as premier .
Macdonald later went to jail for his involvement with Obeid ’ s grubby schemes , but Keneally prefers to rewrite that aspect of the tale .
Gladys could say “ I will not be lectured on political ethics by that woman .
I will not ” .
Instead she continued the pitiful “ poor Gladys ” performance on radio this morning : “ I wasn ’ t experienced in dating ” , “ privately there were tears ” , “ he wasn ’ t even my boyfriend ” .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # poorGladys trending on Twitter this morning .
But for how long ?

Oh dear. Be still my beating heart. With yesterday’s “Yes I loved him, but I’ll never speak to him again” front-page story, the Gladys Berejiklian affair has officially jumped the bedpost and gone from political soap opera to full Mills and Boon.
The NSW Premier gave her first interview since the scandal erupted a week ago, but The Sunday Telegraph exclusive was with the paper’s gossip writer Annette Sharp. That says it all really. It’s a cynical and desperate piece of spin.
Sharp writes that the “romantically inexperienced politician” is “shattered”; she’s “shedding bitter tears in private” and “paying a painful price” for “ loving and trusting” disgraced MP Daryl Maguire, the man she had to sack “brutally” over corruption allegations in 2018.


crikey--2020-10-18--Poisonous tax reform proves less than fatal yet again in Canberra

Despite being gifted an apparently guaranteed vote-winner , the ACT Liberals have failed again .
Maybe land tax is n't the political killer it 's made out to be .
What kind of political party goes 19 years and six elections without a win ?
In an election where some voters were n't even alive the last time there was a Liberal government , the ACT Liberals not merely failed to dislodge the Labor-Greens coalition under Andrew Barr but went backwards , likely losing a seat in Canberra 's inordinately complex electoral system .
Part of the reason is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liberals have gone from being a pragmatic centrist party under Kate Carnell and Gary Humphries to a clutch of bitter right-wingers led by the reactionary Alistair Coe , the only political leader in the country to oppose marriage equality , and Senator Zed Seselja , another marriage equality opponent and hardline anti-choice campaigner .
Humphries understandably quit the party in disgust in 2014 .
In the most progressive electorate in the country , the ACT Liberal Party is riddled with climate denialists , right-to-lifers , euthanasia opponents and even monarchists ( a position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seselja , who is a republican ) .

What kind of political party goes 19 years and six elections without a win? In an election where some voters weren’t even alive the last time there was a Liberal government, the ACT Liberals not merely failed to dislodge the Labor-Greens coalition under Andrew Barr but went backwards, likely losing a seat in Canberra’s inordinately complex electoral system.
Part of the reason is that during those 19 years, the Canberra Liberals have gone from being a pragmatic centrist party under Kate Carnell and Gary Humphries to a clutch of bitter right-wingers led by the reactionary Alistair Coe, the only political leader in the country to oppose marriage equality, and Senator Zed Seselja, another marriage equality opponent and hardline anti-choice campaigner. Humphries understandably quit the party in disgust in 2014.
In the most progressive electorate in the country, the ACT Liberal Party is riddled with climate denialists, right-to-lifers, euthanasia opponents and even monarchists (a position that is beyond the pale even for Seselja, who is a republican).


crikey--2020-10-18--The death of populism? Kiwi and ACT elections signal tough times for ‘disruptors’

These two election results show a renewed support for the left .
But how much can we really read into @ @ @ @ @ results in our own corner of the globe on Saturday and the seemingly imminent defeat @ @ @ @ @ is mounting evidence that the right-wing populist moment is now in the rear-view mirror .
@ @ @ @ @ obituaries were being written for social democracy , Jacinda Ardern has led New Zealand 's @ @ @ @ @ comprehensive win in its history , making her the first leader of a majority government @ @ @ @ @ representation in 1996 .
Of course , the result may not reflect a move to @ @ @ @ @ a renewed regard for political professionalism and a corresponding disillusionment with the `` disruptive '' @ @ @ @ @ Trump and Boris Johnson -- their deficiencies in managing the actual work of government have @ @ @ @ @ of a real crisis .

Between two election results in our own corner of the globe on Saturday and the seemingly imminent defeat of Donald Trump, there is mounting evidence that the right-wing populist moment is now in the rear-view mirror.
A few short years after obituaries were being written for social democracy, Jacinda Ardern has led New Zealand’s Labour Party to the most comprehensive win in its history, making her the first leader of a majority government since the country introduced proportional representation in 1996.


crikey--2020-10-18--Four political lessons from Ardern’s landslide — and it ain’t great news for Albo

Jacinda Ardern has led her party to its greatest electoral victory in more than 50 years .
What can she teach politicians on this side of the Tasman ?
Jacindamania strikes again .
On Saturday , New Zealand ’ s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led her Labour Party to its greatest election victory in over 50 years , one that offers some clear lessons to politicians on this side of the Tasman .
First : keeping your citizens safe during a pandemic is a major vote winner .
Immediately before COVID-19 struck , the NZ Labour Party led the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The election landslide saw Labour triumph 49 % to 27 % .
In other words , the gap widened from 5.5 % pre-COVID to a remarkable 22 % by election day .
That was despite the New Zealand economy contracting by a frightening 12 % in the June quarter .
The determination of the premiers of Queensland and Western Australia to keep their borders shut shows that they recognise the huge electoral benefits of controlling the disease .
President Donald Trump either never had that realisation or decided that it was all too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Jacindamania strikes again. On Saturday, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led her Labour Party to its greatest election victory in over 50 years, one that offers some clear lessons to politicians on this side of the Tasman.
First: keeping your citizens safe during a pandemic is a major vote winner. Immediately before COVID-19 struck, the NZ Labour Party led the National Party 42.5% to 37%. The election landslide saw Labour triumph 49% to 27%. In other words, the gap widened from 5.5% pre-COVID to a remarkable 22% by election day. That was despite the New Zealand economy contracting by a frightening 12% in the June quarter.


crikey--2020-10-19--Where’s the science? Experts divided about Victoria’s new COVID-19 restrictions

Restrictions are easing in Victoria , but are they based on science ?
Melburnians have experienced their first taste of @ @ @ @ @ get their hair cut ; joggers can go for as many runs as they like @ @ @ @ @ from two households can meet outdoors for a picnic or to play tennis ; and @ @ @ @ @ home in regional Victoria .
After more than 100 days of one of the strictest @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a breath of fresh air .
But the new rules have left @ @ @ @ @ arguing there ’ s no evidence to support the slow-moving easing of restrictions .
In @ @ @ @ @ Age yesterday , three public health experts criticised Melbourne ’ s slow response , arguing @ @ @ @ @ the radius bubble .

Melburnians have experienced their first taste of freedom. Shaggy locals can get their hair cut; joggers can go for as many runs as they like; up to 10 people from two households can meet outdoors for a picnic or to play tennis; and two guests can visit at home in regional Victoria.
After more than 100 days of one of the strictest lockdowns in the world, it’s a breath of fresh air. But the new rules have left epidemiologists divided, with some arguing there’s no evidence to support the slow-moving easing of restrictions.
Epidemiologists divided
In an opinion piece in The Age yesterday, three public health experts criticised Melbourne’s slow response, arguing there was no logic behind the radius bubble.


crikey--2020-10-20--Premier’s sympathy tour sinks to new low after desperate interview with sleazy Sandilands

Forget corruption allegations , or even her personal life choices — the premier now appears to lack even basic common sense as she desperately courts the sympathy vote .
Any lingering doubts about Gladys Berejiklian ’ s judgment were put to rest yesterday after a sleazy interview with shock jock Kyle Sandilands .
She obviously has none .
Forget her political acumen over corruption allegations , or even her personal life choices — she ’ s now appears to be lacking even basic common sense as she desperately courts the sympathy vote .
Our lovelorn heroine , emboldened after her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ papers , spent yesterday reprising her role of wronged woman live on Sydney radio — all while protesting how private she really is .
First up was 2GB ’ s Ben Fordham oozing sympathy .
Gladys obliged by reprising her best lines , except for one adlib claiming disgraced MP Daryl Maguire was never actually her boyfriend .
Which begs the question : what exactly was he to her if not a boyfriend or lover ?
This inconsistency is now vexing everyone from lawyers , warning of the dire legal consequences of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly weary NSW voters who simply want to know if she bonked him or not .
Enter Sandilands .
A quick google will throw up a litany of salacious remarks .
Last month he was found to have breached decency standards in the broadcasting code with offensive comments about the Virgin Mary .
Then there was last week ’ s gem when he said he always thought Berejiklian was “ a mad lesbian ” .
Obviously the perfect choice for an interview with a serious premier in the midst of a sensitive sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his co-hosts were terribly excited she chose to come on their show , gushing about her “ getting her freak on ” .
There was sniggering with her about “ secret sex being the best sex ” , while at one stage he claimed to have much in common with her , having had sex with seven of his co-workers at a Perth radio station .
Wait , there ’ s more .
The premier , who was once offended to be asked by Fordham whether she ever had an abortion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether she ’ d ever “ dabbled ” in same=sex relationships .
“ No ” she replied coolly , before quoting Seinfeld : “ not that there ’ s anything wrong with that.
” Still , with the first polls showing that the public is still behind her despite it all , goodness knows what she has planned next .
She only half denied to Kyle she ’ s in the running to be the next Bachelorette .
Meanwhile in the more boring world of actual politics , things were heating up even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews .
Berejiklian will be forced to hand over correspondence from her personal email account after a vote in the NSW Upper House last night .
The account first came up during the ICAC hearings last week and her opponents successfully moved for the emails to be made public to shed light on other scandals engulfing the Berejiklian government .
( Yes there are other ones , including the icare insurance one and a community grants rort ) .
With echoes of the Hillary Clinton personal server debacle , her opponents could barely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Mark Latham said it was “ time to open the blinds and shine a light on what the government has been doing ” .
“ That might be the premier ’ s lover and his dirty disgusting deals for financial gain or it might be the way in which there seems to be a magic government funding program that has no official documentation of any description ” .
And let ’ s not forget the Australian Federal Police have just begun an investigation into a suspicious $ 30 million land deal by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s the same Badgerys Creek region where dastardly Daryl was doing his own dodgy land deals and boasting to his sweetheart Gladys who was caught on ICAC wiretaps saying “ I don ’ t want to know about that ” .
Premier , we feel the same about your love life .
Unfortunately , we can ’ t just pretend we haven ’ t heard .
Janine Perrett is a journalist , broadcaster and commentator on business and politics .
She has four decades of experience working in newspapers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US .

Any lingering doubts about Gladys Berejiklian’s judgment were put to rest yesterday after a sleazy interview with shock jock Kyle Sandilands.
She obviously has none.
Forget her political acumen over corruption allegations, or even her personal life choices — she’s now appears to be lacking even basic common sense as she desperately courts the sympathy vote.


crikey--2020-10-20--More lockdowns, vaccine delays, 12,000 mutations: the global virus picture

With the virus seemingly under control in Australia , it 's easy to forget that much of the rest of @ @ @ @ @ so well .
Australia could be heading toward a COVID-normal summer .
Victoria 's lockdown @ @ @ @ @ wave reigned in , state borders are set to reopen , and the first Kiwi @ @ @ @ @ overseas , the picture is far less rosy .
Global cases of coronavirus rose by @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday , a reminder of how the pandemic continues to cause havoc .
Restrictions @ @ @ @ @ where cases are surging .
And despite optimism about the prospects of a vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ could continue well into next year .
Europe is paying the price for a hasty @ @ @ @ @ numbers threatening to spiral out of control .
Italy , which came to symbolise the @ @ @ @ @ the first wave recorded over 10,000 new cases last week , its highest total ever @ @ @ @ @ , daily numbers are closing in on 20,000 .

Australia could be heading toward a COVID-normal summer. Victoria’s lockdown is easing with the second wave reigned in, state borders are set to reopen, and the first Kiwi travellers are here.
But overseas, the picture is far less rosy. Global cases of coronavirus rose by a daily record of 400,000 on Saturday, a reminder of how the pandemic continues to cause havoc. Restrictions are returning across Europe, where cases are surging. And despite optimism about the prospects of a vaccine, ongoing restrictions to everyday life could continue well into next year.
Western failure?
Europe is paying the price for a hasty summer reopening, with case numbers threatening to spiral out of control. Italy, which came to symbolise the sheer terror and devastation of the first wave recorded over 10,000 new cases last week, its highest total ever. In the United Kingdom, daily numbers are closing in on 20,000.


crikey--2020-10-20--Introducing the Crikey Spiv-tionary. Now taking submissions

There are some terms you only hear in conjunction to high-level dodginess .
Take Daryl Maguire , for example ... What with one thing and another , Crikey has decided it ’ s necessary to put together a Spiv-tionary for terms that you only hear in conjunction with high-level dodginess .
Starting with : A “ tickle from up top ” : A new ( and slightly gross ) phrase from Daryl Maguire , it means to secure help for a deal from a more powerful source that yourself .
ICAC-able : Activity or material able to be captured and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For example : “ Former NSW MP Daryl Maguire has conceded that his desperate campaign to secure a ‘ tickle from up top ’ by sharing Gladys Berejiklian ’ s email address with a “ pissed off ” Louise Waterhouse was an ‘ ICAC-able ’ offence.
“ Please , dear readers , send us some suggestions for other words and phrases you only hear in shonky circumstances .
Charlie writes about industrial relations , politics and culture .
Prior to Crikey he worked across government and unions and was a researcher on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He hosted the The Alternative History on Triple R , and is an occasional host on Breakfasters .

What with one thing and another, Crikey has decided it’s necessary to put together a Spiv-tionary for terms that you only hear in conjunction with high-level dodginess. Starting with:
A “tickle from up top”: A new (and slightly gross) phrase from Daryl Maguire, it means to secure help for a deal from a more powerful source that yourself.
ICAC-able: Activity or material able to be captured and investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.


crikey--2020-10-19--As one corruption scandal threatens Gladys’ job, another keeps her in power

Is the icare scandal enough to keep Dominic Perrottet away from NSW 's top job ?
If there is one @ @ @ @ @ thankful for , it ’ s icare .
The workers ' compensation scheme , now @ @ @ @ @ well be keeping her in a job , thanks to the stain it has left @ @ @ @ @ young and ambitious Dominic Perrottet .
Perrottet has long been considered an obvious replacement for @ @ @ @ @ explosive revelations at the Independent Commission Against Corruption ( ICAC ) last week threatened to @ @ @ @

If there is one thing Gladys Berejiklian can be thankful for, it’s icare.
The workers’ compensation scheme, now synonymous with scandal, may well be keeping her in a job, thanks to the stain it has left on her treasurer, the young and ambitious Dominic Perrottet.
Perrottet has long been considered an obvious replacement for Berejiklian, even before the explosive revelations at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) last week threatened to end her premiership.


crikey--2020-10-19--Secret airport land deals set to expose rotten public service practices

The Leppington Triangle scandal is looming as one of the most damaging in decades — but for the bureaucracy , not for politicians .
The public servant at the centre of the extraordinary valuation process for the Leppington Triangle that generated a result 10 times greater than the worth of the parcel of land is the focus of an investigation initiated by the Department of Infrastructure in what could become the biggest Public Service scandal since the 1990s .
There are multiple inquiries and investigations underway into the debacle that saw the Department of Infrastructure hand nearly $ 30 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of land near Western Sydney Airport in 2018 when it was worth barely $ 3 million .
The Australian Federal Police ( AFP ) have been investigating the matter since July 10 , after the Australian National Audit Office ( ANAO ) became alarmed at what it had discovered in its audit and referred the matter to the police .
This was the first time the ANAO had ever referred a matter to police , and reflected that they had uncovered information `` that could n't be explained '' and which `` was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defrauded '' , according to Auditor-General Grant Hehir , speaking to an estimates hearing late last night .
Hehir took the unprecedented step of personally contacting AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw , long before the audit itself was completed .

The public servant at the centre of the extraordinary valuation process for the Leppington Triangle that generated a result 10 times greater than the worth of the parcel of land is the focus of an investigation initiated by the Department of Infrastructure in what could become the biggest Public Service scandal since the 1990s.
There are multiple inquiries and investigations underway into the debacle that saw the Department of Infrastructure hand nearly $30 million to a Liberal donor for a parcel of land near Western Sydney Airport in 2018 when it was worth barely $3 million. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have been investigating the matter since July 10, after the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) became alarmed at what it had discovered in its audit and referred the matter to the police.
This was the first time the ANAO had ever referred a matter to police, and reflected that they had uncovered information “that couldn’t be explained” and which “was suggestive that the Commonwealth may have been defrauded”, according to Auditor-General Grant Hehir, speaking to an estimates hearing late last night. Hehir took the unprecedented step of personally contacting AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw, long before the audit itself was completed.


crikey--2020-10-19--‘The stories are heartbreaking’: is the prevention worse than the disease for elderly Australians in

‘The stories are heartbreaking’: is the prevention worse than the disease for elderly Australians in lockdown?

There is no doubt that lockdowns and social distancing are our best measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
But as neurologist Kate Ahmad has seen first hand , the loneliness and loss of independence has been devastating for many elderly Australians .
Sydney ’ s northern suburbs , where I work , have escaped the worst of this pandemic .
Early on , I was anxious .
Many of my patients are elderly , or are suffering from complex genetic or autoimmune problems , and I knew they would be particularly vulnerable .
I told them to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our chief medical officers .
As of today , our statistics look good .
But something more is happening behind the scenes , particularly affecting those who don ’ t have loud voices , or the capacity to express their concern .
One of my long-term patients , who needs a walking frame , entered my clinic room not long ago .
Instead of a cheery greeting , her eyes stayed on the floor , her previous wit and spark dulled .
Her carer told me that her nursing home would no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so she hadn ’ t been able to play the church organ .
“ Music was her whole life , ” her carer said .
She ’ d tried to play the piano at the nursing home , but progressive neurological disease means that skills that are lost are never able to be regained .
Another elderly man deteriorated so much that he went from being engaged in his grandchildren , interested in the outside world , to finding it hard to even follow a television show from start to finish .
Further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Disease .
Pandemic lockdowns may not cause dementia , but they certainly seem to contribute to accelerated progression .
Adequate mental functioning becomes inadequate once society throws in loneliness , isolation from family and friends , decreased movement and loss of challenging activities like driving and shopping .
It ’ s not a decline which will recover .
I am loathe to put people on pharmaceutical antidepressants unless they are really needed , especially older people who are particularly sensitive to the side effects .
But in 2020 , they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are heartbreaking .
One man almost lost his will to go on once he was unable to have his grandchildren visit him in his nursing home .
Another man is distraught that he can not visit the nursing home to share happy childhood anecdotes with his slowly withering sister ; her mind addled by dementia , and only activated by memories from long past .
Others have been imprisoned with kindness by their children ; some of them have barely left the house since March .
But if you don ’ t leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get any of the injections of brain and mood fuel that we take for granted — the smile from the grocery store cashier , the vitamin D from the walk to the park , the elevated heart rate from finding the perfect present for a new granddaughter at the local store .
If you live alone , the loneliness can be stifling .
There is no doubt that lockdowns , quarantine and social distancing are our best measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
We accept however that there are drawbacks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of missed medical appointments and screening , decreased exercise , increased domestic violence and mental health problems in children .
We must also think of our elderly .
Particularly those in nursing homes who are often physically and cognitively frail .
They often already have a diagnosis of dementia or Parkinson ’ s disease .
They may already be receiving treatment for depression .
Measuring decline or unhappiness can be much harder .
Conversations with my colleagues reveals that we are all seeing the same thing .
And while it may be easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old lives , they also grapple with the fear of a virus which will kill one in six of those of their age who contract it , along with the terror of knowing that a COVID-19 death is often a lonely one .
I hope we can start to measure how COVID-19 affects the twilight of life ; how many happy days are stolen , and how many independent functions are lost .
We must ensure the prevention is not worse than the disease .
Kate Ahmad is a Sydney neurologist with interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , environmental conservation , social justice , women ’ s rights and refugees .

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crikey--2020-10-19--A matter of life or death: how Labor wedged the opposition ahead of Queensland poll

Queensland Labor 's late election push on euthanasia presents a challenge the opposition will find hard to mount .
Queensland @ @ @ @ @ hard decisions in government , has become bold with its campaign promise to legalise euthanasia @ @ @ @ @ to make the hardest decision of all -- life or death .
The promise comes @ @ @ @ @ election into a virtual referendum on euthanasia , but it presents a challenge the LNP @ @ @ @ @ mount .
And that ’ s the life or death conundrum for its campaign .
@ @ @ @ @ supports a conscience vote of MPs on whatever laws are proposed , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ not commit to introducing any laws at all if ( as appears increasingly unlikely ) @ @ @ @ @ 31 .

Queensland Labor, which has ducked hard decisions in government, has become bold with its campaign promise to legalise euthanasia, giving voters the right to make the hardest decision of all — life or death.
The promise comes too late to turn this election into a virtual referendum on euthanasia, but it presents a challenge the LNP opposition will find hard to mount. And that’s the life or death conundrum for its campaign.
While the LNP says it supports a conscience vote of MPs on whatever laws are proposed, it’s almost certain that it will not commit to introducing any laws at all if (as appears increasingly unlikely) it forms government after October 31.


crikey--2020-10-20--Does mining really employ more Indigenous people than any other industry?

Matt Canavan says mining employs Indigenous people at a greater rate than any other industry .
Is he correct ?
The recent destruction of Indigenous heritage sites in the western Pilbara has brought the relationship between mining giants and traditional landowners into sharp focus , with a Senate inquiry under way to examine the actions of mining corporations .
Following a public outcry over Rio Tinto detonating explosives near sites dating back more than 46,000 years , BHP announced that it would not disturb its sites without further consultation with the Banjima people , the traditional landowners at its South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt Canavan immediately took to Twitter , arguing the Banjima people wanted the mine to proceed in order to create jobs in the area .
“ This is the problem with a witch hunt , ” he tweeted .
“ It always ends in an over-reaction .
Mining employs Indigenous people at a greater rate than any other industry .
You don ’ t help Indigenous people by stopping mining.
” As pressure mounts and former West Australian premier Colin Barnett calls for a royal commission into the destruction , RMIT ABC Fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hire Indigenous people at the greatest rate ?
Canavan is correct , but his claim does not paint a complete picture of Indigenous employment .
While the mining industry , as a proportion of its workforce , employs Indigenous people at the highest rate , it ’ s important to note that many more Indigenous Australians work in other sectors of the economy .
According to census data , Indigenous Australians account for 3.8 % of the mining workforce , well above the average of 1.7 % for all industries .
The next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in public administration ( 2.8 % ) and in a category called “ other services ” ( 2.1 % ) .
However , while mining employs 6,652 Indigenous Australians , nearly four times that number work in healthcare and social assistance ( 26,178 ) .
Almost 20,000 Indigenous people also work in public administration and safety , and 17,176 in education and training .
Although the Australian Bureau of Statistics ( ABS ) cautions that the census may undercount the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population , experts said it was still the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One expert also noted that although mining is a major employer of Indigenous people , increasing automation in the industry posed a greater risk to Indigenous jobs than stricter rules around protecting cultural heritage .
Census data is the most reliable measure for testing Canavan ’ s claim , experts spoken to by Fact Check said .
This is despite the fact that the data may undercount the Indigenous population by as much as 17.5 % , according to the ABS , which collects and analyses the data .
Michael Dockery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Economics and Finance at Curtin Business School , told Fact Check that “ as Indigenous people represent only around 3 % of the population , most sample-based surveys don ’ t have enough Indigenous respondents to make accurate inferences ” .
Francis Markham , a research fellow at the Australian National University ’ s Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research told Fact Check that in the absence of alternative data , relying on percentages broadly allows for any undercounting because “ it assumes that somebody who is not counted is equally as likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industries as someone who is counted ” .
The census data shows that Indigenous Australians account for 3.8 % of the mining workforce , well above the national average of 1.7 % .
In percentage terms , the next highest workforce representations of Indigenous people were in public administration ( 2.8 % ) and a category known as “ other services ” that includes industries such as repair and maintenance and professional services ( 2.1 % ) .
However , when Indigenous employment is measured in absolute numbers , the picture is very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall .
In 2016 , the mining sector employed around 177,640 people , of whom 6,652 were Indigenous .
By contrast , industries such as healthcare and social assistance are much bigger employers : a total of 1,351,018 people were employed , of whom 26,178 were Indigenous .
Rio Tinto ’ s destruction of the two Juukan rock shelters in May was widely criticised as being irresponsible .
Shareholders were among those who condemned the blast , triggering a board review of its cultural heritage management and resulting in an executive purge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as chief executive .
The blast has raised questions over the adequacy of legal protections for Indigenous heritage sites .
John Ashburton , chair of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama ( PKK ) Land Committee , which represents the area ’ s traditional land owners , said the loss was devastating .
“ Our people are deeply troubled and saddened by the destruction of these rock shelters and are grieving the loss of connection to our ancestors as well as our land , ” he said .
Ashburton said the PKK recognised they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed frustration that Section 18 of the WA Aboriginal Heritage Act prevented new information , such as the historical significance of the rock shelters , from being taken into consideration .
“ We recognise that Rio Tinto has complied with its legal obligations , but we are gravely concerned at the inflexibility of the regulatory system , ” he said .
The Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation , which represents the traditional landowners at BHP ’ s South Flank mine , also expressed concern about the ability of WA ’ s Aboriginal Heritage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant sites .
The corporation told the Senate inquiry that agreements had “ historically been negotiated in an environment of an extreme imbalance of power ” .
BHP has established a Heritage Advisory Council to inform future decisions regarding its South Flank mine .
Former WA premier Colin Barnett , whose government granted the right for the sites to be blasted , said that a Senate inquiry investigating the destruction was insufficient , and that Rio Tinto and successive governments had both failed to meet their responsibilities to protect Indigenous heritage sites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Australia ’ s top exports , its contribution to employment is often misconstrued .
ANU ’ s Dr Markham said : “ The mining industry isn ” t the biggest employer of Indigenous people — this line is often misinterpreted.
” Curtin University ’ s Dr Dockery said that the main contribution from mining to Australia ’ s economy was not related to jobs .
“ Mining is critical to the Australian economy in terms of output and particularly in terms of the value of exports , but because it is extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share of employment that belies its economic importance , ” he said .
Despite the strength of the economy pre-pandemic , and continuing strength of mining exports , Indigenous unemployment overall remains high .
The government ’ s 2020 Closing the Gap report found that the program had fallen short in reaching the majority of its targets , including for employment .
“ The target to halve the gap in employment outcomes within a decade was not met , ” it said .
It found that in 2018 , the Indigenous employment rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75 % for non-Indigenous Australians .
Queensland University emeritus professor David Brereton , a resources sector expert , told Fact Check more research was needed at a national level to understand how jobs were being distributed .
Dr Bereton said there had been a concerted effort by mining companies to hire and retain Indigenous staff .
But localised research conducted at the former Century mine in the Gulf of Carpentaria had shown that not all employment figures were equal in value .
“ The real measure of impact and benefit is whether you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t been in the mainstream labour market — and whether they stay in work after , ” he said .
Dr Bereton said this metric was critical to understanding the true value of employment but was rarely tested .
He also flagged a potential risk that automation posed to the future employment prospects of Indigenous people in the mining sector — especially when it came to iron ore. “ Of all the factors that are going to make it more challenging in the future , stricter rules on cultural heritage would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s more likely to be factors around automation and remote operation.
” A report tabled in 2018 by UQ ’ s Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining , identified Indigenous people as being the most vulnerable to a decline in the need for entry-level and semi-skilled jobs in the sector , especially in remote areas where fewer alternative employment options were available .
Indigenous employment in the mining sector is unequally distributed along gender lines and in terms of proximity to major cities .
Consistent with the non-Indigenous workforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both the likelihood of being employed and what types of work are being undertaken .
A report produced by the Australian National University , based on census data , found that around 80 % of the Indigenous workforce in the mining sector was male .
Another recent study , published by the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research , found that disability , education and the history of incarceration were among the most important factors impacting labour force participation , but that some of these disproportionately affected women .
“ The labour supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for females than males , ” the study noted .
More broadly , the census data showed Indigenous females were less likely to be employed than males overall , with 44 % of males employed compared with 41 % of females .
Indigenous people living in remote areas were much more likely to be working in mining , accounting for 23.1 % of the Indigenous workforce .
In regional areas , it accounted for 6.7 % and in major cities , 3.7 % .
• Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation , Submission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 46,000 year old caves at the Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara region of Western Australia , 14th August 2020 • ABC News , Pilbara mining blast confirmed to have destroyed 46,000yo sites of ‘ staggering ’ significance , 26 May 2020 • Australian Bureau of Statistics , G51 Industry of employment by age by sex , • Australian Bureau of Statistics , 2071.0 – Census of Population and Housing : Reflecting Australia 2016 • Office of the Chief Economist , Resources and Energy Quarterly , June 2020 • The Guardian , Rio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice before blowing up Juukan Gorge , 8 September 2020 • University of Queensland , Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining , Indigenous Employment Futures in an Automated Mining Industry 2018 • Y Dinku and J Hunt , Factors associated with The Labour Force • Australian Bureau of statistics , Census of Population and Housing : Characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians 2018 • Australian Bureau of Statistics , Census of Population and Housing : Understanding the Increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Counts 2018

The claim
The recent destruction of Indigenous heritage sites in the western Pilbara has brought the relationship between mining giants and traditional landowners into sharp focus, with a Senate inquiry under way to examine the actions of mining corporations.
Following a public outcry over Rio Tinto detonating explosives near sites dating back more than 46,000 years, BHP announced that it would not disturb its sites without further consultation with the Banjima people, the traditional landowners at its South Flank mine.
Liberal National Party Senator Matt Canavan immediately took to Twitter, arguing the Banjima people wanted the mine to proceed in order to create jobs in the area.


crikey--2020-10-21--Just how much does Dan Andrews love the gambling industry?

The Andrews government is willing to bend over backwards for an industry riddled with crime and corruption — not to mention animal abuse .
Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula 's decision yesterday to allow hundreds of `` connections '' to attend horse races while the rest of Victoria remained in a slightly ameliorated lockdown -- a decision hastily reversed after a social media explosion -- is only the latest indulgence afforded to the animal racing industry by a government totally captive to it .
Whole industries in Victoria have been shut down to prevent the spread of infection ; others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had little or no infection , have had to significantly restrict operations .
But horse and dog racing have been allowed to continue , albeit without crowds , right through the pandemic even as Victorians were subjected to a curfew and a five kilometre radius for travel .
On August 3 , Premier Daniel Andrews even omitted racing from the `` non-essential '' industries that would be forced to stop operating in his state .
In doing so , the premier admitted that horse and dog owners would butcher their animals if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying `` there are some very significant animal welfare challenges there . ''

Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula’s decision yesterday to allow hundreds of “connections” to attend horse races while the rest of Victoria remained in a slightly ameliorated lockdown — a decision hastily reversed after a social media explosion — is only the latest indulgence afforded to the animal racing industry by a government totally captive to it.
Whole industries in Victoria have been shut down to prevent the spread of infection; others, such as construction, which have had little or no infection, have had to significantly restrict operations. But horse and dog racing have been allowed to continue, albeit without crowds, right through the pandemic even as Victorians were subjected to a curfew and a five-kilometre radius for travel.


crikey--2020-10-20--The biggest criminal threats occur in plain view, aided by some of our biggest companies — not nefar

The biggest criminal threats occur in plain view, aided by some of our biggest companies — not nefarious online networks

The government has long insisted the biggest threat to our security comes from sinister figures operating online .
In fact @ @ @ @ @ our highest-profile companies failing to enforce the law .
Since 2014 , the Coalition has @ @ @ @ @ some cases , dramatic -- expansions of security agency powers and curbs on basic freedoms @ @ @ @ @ threats of terrorism , organised crime and child abuse .
Data retention .
Powers to @ @ @ @ @ access corporate IT systems .
Spying on Australians on behalf of foreign governments .
Anti-whistleblower @ @ @ @ @ detention and interrogation powers .
Proposals to allow the discredited Australian Signals Directorate to spy @ @ @ @ @ been coupled with raids on journalists , the prosecution of whistleblowers , secret trials , @ @ @ @ @ Witness K and Bernard Collaery , all justified under `` national security '' .
All @ @ @ @ @ that embarrassed the Coalition .

Since 2014 the Coalition has insisted that significant — in some cases, dramatic — expansions of security agency powers and curbs on basic freedoms are needed to address the threats of terrorism, organised crime and child abuse.
Data retention. The powers to backdoor communications systems and compulsorily access corporate IT systems. Spying on Australians on behalf of foreign governments. Anti-whistleblower laws. Extensions of secret detention and interrogation powers. Proposals to allow the discredited Australian Signals Directorate to spy on Australians.
That’s been coupled with raids on journalists, the prosecution of whistleblowers, secret trials, the harassment and prosecution of Witness K and Bernard Collaery, all justified under “national security”. All, conveniently, in cases that embarrassed the Coalition.


crikey--2020-10-20--It just got easier for tattooed Australians to give blood, but for gay men the wait goes on

Restrictions on LGBTIQ blood donors are excluding up to a million Australians .
Why is Lifeblood still pushing donors away @ @ @ @ @ walk straight from the tattoo parlour to a blood donation centre to give plasma .
@ @ @ @ @ other hand , still have to remain celibate for a year before donating -- even @ @ @ @ @ or monogamous .
The new rules for tattooed Australians came into effect earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ Lifeblood tries to pull new donors -- especially those who aren ’ t afraid of @ @ @ @ @ amid dwindling donations during the pandemic .
But restrictions on LGBTIQ donors exclude up to @ @ @ @ @ blood -- a rule , community members say , is based on prejudice instead of @ @

Inked-up Aussies can now walk straight from the tattoo parlour to a blood donation centre to give plasma. Gay men, on the other hand, still have to remain celibate for a year before donating — even if they’re married or monogamous.
The new rules for tattooed Australians came into effect earlier this month as the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood tries to pull new donors — especially those who aren’t afraid of needles — into its centres amid dwindling donations during the pandemic.
But restrictions on LGBTIQ donors exclude up to a million Australians from giving blood — a rule, community members say, is based on prejudice instead of science.