crikey--2020-07-07--The government has improved abortion access during the pandemic. Doctors are fighting to keep it tha

The government has improved abortion access during the pandemic. Doctors are fighting to keep it that way

To help women safely access abortion services via telehealth , the government would need only to keep doing what services @ @ @ @ @ decades : nothing .
In March the government introduced temporary Medicare rebates for telehealth appointments @ @ @ @ @ face-to-face appointments for maladies that could be managed with an over-the-phone consultation during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ for telehealth consultations for early medical abortion -- the termination of a pregnancy in the @ @ @ @ @ using the abortion drug RU486 .
Now the country ’ s sexual and reproductive healthcare @ @ @ @ @ to keep the rebate beyond its September expiry date .
“ It was a very @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic , ” says Family Planning NSW medical director Dr Deborah Bateson .
@ @ @ @ @ opens up access for women including for those in rural areas where services are limited @ @

In March the government introduced temporary Medicare rebates for telehealth appointments in an effort to minimise face-to-face appointments for maladies that could be managed with an over-the-phone consultation during the pandemic.
This included a rebate for telehealth consultations for early medical abortion — the termination of a pregnancy in the first nine weeks of gestation using the abortion drug RU486. Now the country’s sexual and reproductive healthcare providers are petitioning the government to keep the rebate beyond its September expiry date.
“It was a very positive thing to come out of the pandemic,” says Family Planning NSW medical director Dr Deborah Bateson. “[This rebate] opens up access for women including for those in rural areas where services are limited.”


crikey--2020-07-08--It’s time to give COVIDSafe the flick

It’s time to give COVIDSafe the flick

Millions of dollars down the drain for an app that barely works — COVIDSafe is a dud and the government needs to fix it or flick it .
You might think that if a government spent millions of dollars on an app designed to help identify people exposed to the coronavirus they ’ d make sure it actually worked .
What has emerged is that our COVIDSafe tracing app was launched before it had been properly tested .
Worse still , the people charged with building the app apparently knew it wasn ’ t compatible with an iPhone , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also became obvious that it doesn ’ t much like iPhones talking to Android devices , either .
With at least one state seemingly on the verge of a second wave , borders being closed , the state capital sealed off , and the economy collapsing , it would be nice to have a tracing up that actually works .
It could even save lives .
We don ’ t know what the prime minister was told , but not only did Scott Morrison tell people to download the app , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t , we ’ d face continuing restrictions in our daily lives .
Long after they knew that COVIDSafe is a dud , the government was running television ads that clearly implied we ’ d be safer if we downloaded it — adding to the cost of this flawed IT project .
So far , Boston Consulting Group is said to have been paid $ 885,000 and Amazon Web Services ( Amazon ) $ 710,000 for hosting the data collected .
Add to that the staff time for bureaucrats in the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Digital Transformation Agency .
So far , Victoria is the only state we know to have used the app .
That is , the only state to have downloaded data from an infected person .
However , they have not been able to identify anyone not found through manual tracing .
In other words , the app has failed in its mission to maintain a record of casual contacts who were within a 1.5 metre radius for at least 15 minutes .
An Oxford University report suggests around 60 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracing app to be effective .
The federal government initially said it wanted 40 percent take-up , but take-up has stalled at roughly 25 % .
According to a policy paper from the Auckland University of Technology , the University of Queensland , the University of Auckland and Massey University , COVIDSafe is unlikely to help prevent the spread of the virus .
Boris Johnson ’ s UK government has dumped its tracing app , which had the same basic design faults as ours .
A review of the COVIDSafe app by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the right technology experts to ensure the app was fit-for-purpose from day one .
Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick says the government was dishonest when it launched the COVIDSafe app knowing it wasn ’ t working .
Senator Patrick has an IT background and knows what he ’ s talking about .
This exercise is yet another example of a recent tendency for ill-designed IT schemes to be foisted upon us .
Remember the 2016 Census and the problematic introduction of My Health Record .
People are wondering about the security of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is downloaded and available for scrutiny by how many public servants .
The Attorney-General ’ s Department declined to give the Senate hearing a guarantee that their legislation would override the US Cloud Act , which requires companies to hand over data if requested to do so by American security agencies .
This is important given that our data is stored with Amazon , a US company .
At the heart of the problem with COVIDSafe is peoples ’ sense that they can not trust their governments when it comes to technology .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVIDSafe app is a dud and the government needs to fix it or flick it .
This article was originally published at The New Daily .
Laurie Patton is a former CEO / Executive Director of Internet Australia , the NFP peak body representing the interests of Internet users .
He is currently vice-president of the Telecommunications Society ( TelSoc ) .
However , the views expressed here are his own .

You might think that if a government spent millions of dollars on an app designed to help identify people exposed to the coronavirus they’d make sure it actually worked.
What has emerged is that our COVIDSafe tracing app was launched before it had been properly tested.
Worse still, the people charged with building the app apparently knew it wasn’t compatible with an iPhone, which is the single most popular mobile device.


crikey--2020-07-08--Does Australia’s big defence spending actually make any sense?

We 've reached our goal : defence spending is at 2 % of the GDP .
But do n't celebrate @ @ @ @ @ pretty dopey target .
Australia has a bipartisan commitment to spend 2 % of its @ @ @ @ @ how was that decided ?
As this chart shows , by spending just under 2 @ @ @ @ @ above the global median as far as share of the economy goes -- but still @ @ @ @ @ short of the 2 % target for several years , but this year , with @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus recession , we might finally achieve it .

Australia has a bipartisan commitment to spend 2% of its GDP on defence. But how was that decided?
As this chart shows, by spending just under 2% on defence we are above the global median as far as share of the economy goes — but still mid-pack.
Australia has fallen short of the 2% target for several years, but this year, with GDP in retreat thanks to the coronavirus recession, we might finally achieve it.


crikey--2020-07-09--The fiscal cliff will be replaced with a fiscal slope (as it should)

The fiscal cliff looms no more : the Victorian outbreak has resolved an increasingly urgent debate about what support the @ @ @ @ @ .
The six week lockdown of Australia 's second largest city and home of nearly @ @ @ @ @ has resolved a major issue for the federal government -- and allowed Scott Morrison to @ @ @ @ @ national leader .
Even as the number of Victorian cases first crept , then leapt @ @ @ @ @ was still locked into what was universally termed the fiscal cliff , which in turn @ @ @ @ @ confidence of business and households .
With September rapidly approaching , how would households cope @ @ @ @ @ ?
How would businesses and workers cope with the end of JobKeeper ?
How many @ @ @ @ @ sending the unemployment rate soaring ?

The six-week lockdown of Australia’s second largest city and home of nearly 20% of its workers has resolved a major issue for the federal government — and allowed Scott Morrison to add to his credentials as national leader.
Even as the number of Victorian cases first crept, then leapt, up the federal government was still locked into what was universally termed the fiscal cliff, which in turn was starting to affect the confidence of business and households.
With September rapidly approaching, how would households cope with cuts to JobSeeker payments? How would businesses and workers cope with the end of JobKeeper? How many business would shut forever, sending the unemployment rate soaring?


crikey--2020-07-09--How did Victoria get here? Examine the lack of diversity in decision-making

Instead of blaming 'rule-breaking ' individuals for the rise of coronavirus cases in Melbourne , look at how diverse the decision-makers are .
It was hard to watch Premier Daniel Andrews ’ speech yesterday in which he said , and I quote ( very loosely ) , “ All you Victorians are terribly naughty for misbehaving and now I , as a benevolent leader , must once again lock you down.
” Despite the fact that , overall , the Victorian government ’ s response has been acceptable , and arguably better than the response from the opposition ( which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer bats in the leafy suburbs along the Yarra ) , this was rather unkind .
The premier could have explained , instead , that despite an extremely high level of compliance with the hardest and longest restrictions , a series of both foreseeable and unforeseeable events ( in the middle of a pandemic that is only worsening in other parts of the world ) had resulted in a rising case load and the need to increase restrictions again .
How did this happen ?
The hotel quarantine program seems to have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community .
With as much as five minutes ’ training , guards from a variety of firms were given the job of overseeing the quarantined returned-travellers , making them feel safe , avoiding any demonisation of their condition since they hadn ’ t done the slightest thing wrong in travelling overseas , and making sure they were appropriately supported in their two weeks of isolation while maintaining strict infection control .
But of course , that ’ s not what they were tasked with doing .
Rather they were given the job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had committed the terrible crime of not loving Australia enough to just stay within its borders were kept in their place so they couldn ’ t contaminate the rest of us .
Should we be surprised if it is really true that some of the travellers commenced illicit relationships with the guards , or that the guards took insufficient precautions with the sharing of cigarette lighters ?
Arguably , the use of police or the Australian Defence Force would not necessarily have led to either people feeling safer , or to better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminals has , over the last 3000 years of recorded history , repeatedly been shown to result in some of those people behaving like criminals .
And giving people power to detain other people has , over the last 3000 years of recorded history , repeatedly been shown to result in some of those people wielding that power in inappropriate ways .
From the very start , some people have escaped hotel quarantine , others have attempted to escape , and yet others , more compliant , have simply complained bitterly about feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threats from the guards , regardless of the type of badge worn by those guarding them or the State in which they were held .
Throughout , the response of the government has been the same to this as it has been to everything else : “ We appreciate that we are asking you to endure something unpleasant , but stopping the pandemic is the most important of all competing policy priorities right now and that includes the physical and mental wellbeing of whichever minority or disadvantaged group that is disproportionately affected.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of hotel quarantine , their now clearly valid criticisms were written off as middle-class whinging .
Even this week , we heard NSW Police insist that a two-week stay in a five-star hotel was not so onerous after a woman was so distressed that she tried to escape , without a moment ’ s consideration that perhaps there might be something wrong if thousands of people complain and some try to flee .
In Victoria there has been no consideration more important than infection control .
We are not , after all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t practise any infection control at all .
But here is the problem : infection control is not primarily about viruses , it is about the people in whom the virus resides , and those people have concerns and fears that are not secondary to the virus .
Amazingly , most people think of themselves as people first , and vectors of viral transmission somewhere between twelfth and sixteenth .
So it was that the strictest government , with only our best interests at heart , relaxed restrictions on social gatherings proximate to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were no representatives of relevant groups on any of the relevant committees , and it simply did not occur to the well-meaning thoughtful people in the corridors of power that such a festival existed , or that if permission to gather in homes in groups of twenty and presumably share food was given , then people would , in fact , gather in groups of 20 , and share food .
It also did not occur to them that many of those people were also those who had worked outside the home throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slaughtering animals and packing and serving groceries , driving taxis , manning petrol stations , caring for the elderly or young children , and undertaking cleaning — constantly exposed in an environment where the public health officials had always warned there was a low level of community transmission .
And when all these families congregated together , abiding by the published rules of the day , they were not misbehaving in any way .
These were not visits to the proverbial third-best friend from primary school ; they were the culturally important celebrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits .
And if , after months of such exposure undertaking front line work , parts of our society felt ill , there were significant barriers to presenting for testing , or agreeing to a test due to additional systemic issues .
People who didn ’ t have a Medicare card didn ’ t know they could be tested ; people on temporary , refugee or other visas , trying to fly under the radar , worried about the sharing of contact details and location information with local and federal bureaucracies ; casual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while awaiting results and the consequent loss of critical income ; and the lack of understanding as to when they needed to get tested or where to go .
Unfortunately , the political bubble is not just a problem with Canberra .
Most recently we have seen the locking down of 3000 people in public housing towers .
From the very beginning the residents of these towers have been paternalistically cast as so vulnerable and disadvantaged that they can ’ t be expected to comply with public health orders or to appreciate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , people from the countries that continue to deal with infectious diseases every day and have for centuries ( and in some cases , whose countries of origin have had an even better public health response than most Western nations ) , can not be expected to understand what the very important white men are asking them to do .
Instead of congratulating them for avoiding the spread of contagion for three months in among the most challenging conditions for hygiene and physical distancing any group in this country has faced , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions of strict detention .
Now there is a field hospital outside the public housing towers for general medical issues , set up so the residents of the housing towers will not spread viruses in our public hospitals , a mother who can not provide breast milk to her premature infant who is in hospital because no one thought to offer her priority testing and safe haven in a separate hotel , and sustenance in the form of a series of mal-selected foodstuffs .
I ’ ve learnt this week that apparently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency and the ability to cook ; that it was seemingly impossible for any government agency to ask a single detainee for a list of basic groceries that would feed a family for a week ( which would have been written out in five minutes , and could have been turned into 1000 boxes of food by any major supermarket in the space of a single morning ) ; and that the adjective “ culturally appropriate ” , when applied to food delivered to these detainees , often means “ generic food ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ultimately , the cause of these issues , and the ongoing problems with the response stem from the same commonality — in the corridors of power , not enough people look around and ask : “ Who is not in this room , but should be ?
” Our society is diverse , in many ways , and yet , whole swathes of it are written off as uninterested in participation , or unable to engage .
The reality is that most people have important insights , and hold a key to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be said to be disengaged ; rather they are excluded .
Their exclusion from the political processes that drive our society is a form of violence at the best of times ; but in a pandemic , this oppression will bleed out and cause impacts on everyone ’ s lives .
This is not the first pandemic .
Nor are we the first country to bear the brunt of this current pandemic .
In other countries , it is the abattoirs , the meatworks , and the high-density housing that has caused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the current issues in Victoria were entirely foreseeable .
It is bad luck that the infection seeded these locations in Victoria , but the conditions for their growth and spread exist everywhere .
To every laughing Queenslander or New South Welshperson , I would say that your city has these issues too , and as in Victoria , it will take only a tiny spark to light the inferno .
It can be easy to kid oneself that as a generally benevolent leader , or a benevolent government , that all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best of the government ’ s abilities .
But the reality is that unless the most marginalised people have a seat at the table , no policy maker can truly understand the issues .
Consultation is a laborious process and often skipped ; but having diversity at the table means that there will always be a set of eyes and ears on all critical decisions , to make sure that holes in any response are not being missed .
Public health has , for its long existence , run close to moralism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean and healthy from the dirty and infected .
The sanitation campaigns of the 19th Century were as much aimed at the moral degeneracy of an overpopulated working class as they were at the foul smells of industrialising Europe .
We are quick to forget that the author of the first Public Health Act in England was also the architect of the workhouse .
The best public health resists this tendency and puts people first .
Only then can it be effective .
If people do not believe they are safe , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are afraid the police will harass them , they will not seek assistance .
If they expect their fears will be ignored , they will not speak up .
And most importantly , if they do not believe the government is acting proportionately and treating them with respect , they will not comply .
This article was originally published at Women ’ s Agenda and is republished here with permission .

It was hard to watch Premier Daniel Andrews’ speech yesterday in which he said, and I quote (very loosely): “All you Victorians are terribly naughty for misbehaving and now I, as a benevolent leader, must once again lock you down.”
Despite the fact that, overall, the Victorian government’s response has been acceptable, and arguably better than the response from the opposition (which was to call for more golf and fewer bats in the leafy suburbs along the Yarra), this was rather unkind.
The premier could have explained, instead, that despite an extremely high level of compliance with the hardest and longest restrictions, a series of both foreseeable and unforeseeable events (in the middle of a pandemic that is only worsening in other parts of the world) had resulted in a rising case load and the need to increase restrictions again.


crikey--2020-07-08--Crisis in higher ed looms as Chinese students pledge never to return to Australia

With an economic crisis looming , if foreign students stay away Australia is in big trouble .
If a new @ @ @ @ @ researchers from Swinburne University of Technology is self-fulfilling , Australia ’ s higher education sector @ @ @ @ @ .
Just over 1000 Chinese students and prospective students took part in the survey , @ @ @ @ @ in early June .
Fewer than 50 % of those who had studied overseas planned @ @ @ @ @ of prospective international students were reluctant to study abroad .
This represents a giant upheaval @ @ @ @ @ a growth industry -- Chinese families spend very large sums on education , and international @ @ @ @ @ time had a good reputation in China .
But in the time of coronavirus there @ @ @ @ @

If a new survey conducted in China by researchers from Swinburne University of Technology is self-fulfilling, Australia’s higher education sector is set to be eviscerated.
Just over 1000 Chinese students and prospective students took part in the survey, reported in The Conversation, in early June. Fewer than 50% of those who had studied overseas planned to return and 60% of prospective international students were reluctant to study abroad.
This represents a giant upheaval in what has long been a growth industry — Chinese families spend very large sums on education, and international qualifications have for a long time had a good reputation in China. But in the time of coronavirus there are more important concerns.


crikey--2020-07-09--Plan B for dealing with COVID? Plan A would be even better

The coronacrisis seems to have caught every government — federal and state — like a deer in the headlights .
@ @ @ @ @ real leadership .
That did n't last long did it ?
The right and everyone @ @ @ @ @ ; the now unified right-wing media of News Corp and Nine piling on hard .
@ @ @ @ @ it for putting things in the hands of private contractors -- part of the standard @ @ @ @ @ that actual government books .
Instead they were being slated for some sort of undefined @ @ @ @ @ material etc etc .
The plan was obvious : make the Berejiklian government look good @ @ @ @ @ the old `` party of government '' dichotomy .

That didn’t last long did it? The right and everyone else throwing shade on Victoria; the now unified right-wing media of News Corp and Nine piling on hard.
Well the Andrews government deserved it for putting things in the hands of private contractors — part of the standard method of keeping everything off that actual government books.
Instead they were being slated for some sort of undefined socialistic-ish inefficiency, not officer material etc etc. The plan was obvious: make the Berejiklian government look good by comparison, and re-establish the old “party of government” dichotomy.


crikey--2020-07-09--Nightmare scenario looms for higher education — but there’s no obvious solution

Closed borders and a stressed quarantine system are signs of a devastating time ahead for universities dependent on foreign students @ @ @ @ @ from its $ 38 billion export revenue higher education sector unless the government and university @ @ @ @ @ problem created by the Melbourne lockdown and the need to further curb what is already @ @ @ @ @ arrivals at airports across the country .
And with all international flights to Melbourne suspended @ @ @ @ @ least a small number of foreign students to return to Victoria have been put on @ @ @ @ @ problems exposed in the Victorian quarantine system for incoming travellers , and other states warning @ @ @ @ @ the federal government is moving to cut down on inbound international travel -- which at @ @ @ @ @ Australians returning from overseas .

Australia faces major losses from its $38 billion export revenue higher education sector unless the government and university leaders can resolve a diabolical problem created by the Melbourne lockdown and the need to further curb what is already just a trickle of foreign arrivals at airports across the country.
And with all international flights to Melbourne suspended, plans to allow at least a small number of foreign students to return to Victoria have been put on hold.
But with major problems exposed in the Victorian quarantine system for incoming travellers, and other states warning their systems were struggling, the federal government is moving to cut down on inbound international travel — which at the moment is almost entirely Australians returning from overseas.


crikey--2020-07-10--Morrison makes two thirds of the right call on Hong Kong. China’s rage proves it

The government has made the right call in dumping its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and allowing students and temporary @ @ @ @ @ is it genuinely concerned about human rights , or just about picking up `` talent @ @ @ @ @ twin decisions to suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong , and to offer de @ @ @ @ @ Kong citizens already here , is that rare thing -- the right moral , economic @ @ @ @ @ Its position on future opportunities for Hongkongers to flee China 's tyranny , however , @ @ @ @ @ .
The government 's preferred explanation for its decisions yesterday is that China 's imposition @ @ @ @ @ security law '' on Hong Kong `` constitutes a fundamental change of circumstances '' .

The government’s twin decisions to suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong, and to offer de facto permanent residency to Hong Kong citizens already here, is that rare thing — the right moral, economic and foreign policy call.
Its position on future opportunities for Hongkongers to flee China’s tyranny, however, is tone deaf and over-thought.
The government’s preferred explanation for its decisions yesterday is that China’s imposition of a draconian “national security law” on Hong Kong “constitutes a fundamental change of circumstances”.


crikey--2020-07-10--Why a second lockdown will test governments to the limit

A second lockdown is not the first lockdown on rewind .
Governments and their advisers need to show they understand @ @ @ @ @ will be much harder than the first .
That 's because of a psychological quirk @ @ @ @ @ effect , a cognitive bias related to the broader concept of loss aversion .
In @ @ @ @ @ they have been given or purchased far more than things of similar value that belong @ @ @ @ @ on the shelf .

A second lockdown will be much harder than the first.
That’s because of a psychological quirk behavioural economists call the endowment effect, a cognitive bias related to the broader concept of loss aversion.
In essence, people value things they have been given or purchased far more than things of similar value that belong to others or are sitting on the shelf.


crikey--2020-07-09--The race for Cormann’s job: which business heavyweight will win out?

Just who is in line for Mathias ' old job ?
For Western Australia ’ s business and political elite @ @ @ @ @ Holy Grail of jobs : a Liberal Senate seat over east to get the state @ @ @ @ @ national agenda .
That prize is up for grabs with the announcement that Mathias Cormann @ @ @ @ @ the end of the year .
A shopping list of Perth identities has already emerged @ @ @ @ @ names plucked from the state ’ s powerful business and mining lobbies .

For Western Australia’s business and political elite, it’s the Holy Grail of jobs: a Liberal Senate seat over east to get the state’s interests onto the national agenda.
That prize is up for grabs with the announcement that Mathias Cormann will retire from politics at the end of the year.
A shopping list of Perth identities has already emerged, with most of the names plucked from the state’s powerful business and mining lobbies.


crikey--2020-07-09--Victoria: a state overflowing with inconsistencies, anomalies  and infections

Despite early successes , the Victorian approach to beating COVID-19 had some glaring inconsistencies .
Did this cause the second @ @ @ @ @ the rest of Australia is probably looking at Victoria with a fairly large dose of @ @ @ @ @ the only thing better than not being in lockdown is seeing someone else in lockdown @ @ @ @ @ across his government , Dan Andrews has somehow maintained significant support from Victoria -- an @ @ @ @ @ ( though that was before the current lockdown ) , and slavish adoration across social @ @

Right now, the rest of Australia is probably looking at Victoria with a fairly large dose of schadenfreude.
After all, the only thing better than not being in lockdown is seeing someone else in lockdown.
Despite the ongoing ineptitude across his government, Dan Andrews has somehow maintained significant support from Victoria — an approval rating of 67% (though that was before the current lockdown), and slavish adoration across social media.


crikey--2020-07-09--Oh great, the sovereign citizens have returned (and other news you may have missed)

Australia 's 'sovereign citizens ' movement is having a moment under lockdown , South Australia finds a terrible way to fix truancy , and countries are starting to open their borders .
Dear reader , do you hear the people sing , singing the songs of how they ’ re not subject to the laws of the land or the impost of taxation ?
Then , friend , you ’ re hearing the triumphant return of Australia ’ s small but vocal community of sovereign citizens -- and oh , what a joyous cacophony they make !
If the term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s because sovereign citizens are mainly US-based conspiracy theorists who believe there are secret loopholes in the legal framework which allow citizens to bypass things like paying tax or criminal prosecution by essentially reciting a magic legal-spell -- the human equivalent of those online ads which promise weight loss or sexual potency using this one weird trick doctors don ’ t want you to know .
They can sometimes be spotted doing things like spelling their name with weird punctuation in order to differentiate their tax-free identity from their “ corporate ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts once wrote a long , rambling affidavit to then-PM Julia Gillard signed “ Malcolm-Ieuan : Roberts.
, the living soul ” in which he demanded that she pay him $ 280,000 if she didn ’ t answer a bunch of his questions about why he wasn ’ t subject to the carbon tax .
Bless .

Sovereign citizens hit the road
Dear reader, do you hear the people sing, singing the songs of how they’re not subject to the laws of the land or the impost of taxation? Then, friend, you’re hearing the triumphant return of Australia’s small but vocal community of sovereign citizens — and oh, what a joyous cacophony they make!
If the term doesn’t ring a bell it’s because sovereign citizens are mainly US-based conspiracy theorists who believe there are secret loopholes in the legal framework which allow citizens to bypass things like paying tax or criminal prosecution by essentially reciting a magic legal-spell — the human equivalent of those online ads which promise weight loss or sexual potency using this one weird trick doctors don’t want you to know.
They can sometimes be spotted doing things like spelling their name with weird punctuation in order to differentiate their tax-free identity from their “corporate” selves, which is likely why former One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts once wrote a long, rambling affidavit to then-PM Julia Gillard signed “Malcolm-Ieuan: Roberts., the living soul” in which he demanded that she pay him $280,000 if she didn’t answer a bunch of his questions about why he wasn’t subject to the carbon tax. Bless.


crikey--2020-07-10--As China twists the knife, how serious is Australia about defending Taiwan and Hong Kong?

The US and Australia say they are prepared to defend Taiwan against Chinese encroachment .
But with Hong Kong in @ @ @ @ @ anything more than just Western posturing ?
Now that Beijing has imposed its harsh new @ @ @ @ @ Kong , the next big question is if -- or when -- will Xi Jinping @ @ @ @ @ ?
With so-called Taiwanese “ reunification ” with the mainland is at the very top @ @ @ @ @ ’ s colonising wishlist , that question then begs one for Australia : would we @ @ @ @ @ Taiwan ?
Beijing has long held out the offer to Taiwan of “ reunification ” @ @ @ @ @ “ one country , two systems ” formula it sold to the United Kingdom over @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong could keep its Common Law legal system , relative political independence and civil @ @ @ @ @ for 50 years .

Now that Beijing has imposed its harsh new National Security Laws on Hong Kong, the next big question is if — or when — will Xi Jinping make his move on Taiwan?
With so-called Taiwanese “reunification” with the mainland is at the very top of the Chinese Communist Party’s colonising wishlist, that question then begs one for Australia: would we join a US-backed defence of Taiwan?
Beijing has long held out the offer to Taiwan of “reunification” in the shape of the “one country, two systems” formula it sold to the United Kingdom over Hong Kong. It promised Hong Kong could keep its Common Law legal system, relative political independence and civil rights from the 1997 handover for 50 years.


crikey--2020-07-10--Morrison makes two-thirds of the right call on Hong Kong. China’s rage proves it


crikey--2020-07-13--TikTok’s troubles grow as tit for tat trade war focuses on Chinese technologies

TikTok is leaving Hong Kong , but will distancing itself from Beijing stop it from becoming the next Huawei ?
@ @ @ @ @ from Beijing , Chinese youth-focused social media application TikTok could well be the next Huawei @ @ @ @ @ group banned from having a place in telecoms networks in an growing number of Western @ @ @ @ @ in India last month -- along with another 58 Chinese applications -- and by Australia @ @ @ @ @ in January , about the same time as the US Defense Department and armed forces @ @ @ @ @ .
TikTok is being reviewed by the US government and is under pressure from hawks @ @ @ @ @ face of it , it 's a seemingly harmless ultra-short video making tool .
TikTok @ @ @ @ @ has been in the 16 to 24 age group , but that is now beginning @ @ @

Despite efforts to distance itself from Beijing, Chinese youth-focused social media application TikTok could well be the next Huawei Technologies — the Chinese technology group banned from having a place in telecoms networks in a growing number of Western nations.
TikTok was banned in India last month — along with another 58 Chinese applications — and by Australia’s Department of Defence in January, about the same time as the US Defense Department and armed forces enforced restrictions on the app. TikTok is being reviewed by the US government and is under pressure from hawks in Canberra.
On the face of it, it’s a seemingly harmless ultra-short video making tool. TikTok’s initial user base has been in the 16 to 24 age group, but that is now beginning to expand.


crikey--2020-07-12--Maternal death, teenage pregnancy and unsafe abortion: the ‘shadow pandemic’ following the outbreak

Reproductive health and abortion providers say they are preparing for a 'shadow pandemic ' following a wave of unintended pregnancies @ @ @ @ @ .
A heavily pregnant 19-year-old with high blood pressure lost her baby and went partially @ @ @ @ @ away from a Port Moresby hospital in April , as the hospital had no temperature-testing @ @ @ @ @ not carrying COVID-19 .
One of the country ’ s obstetrics experts then advised women @ @ @ @ @ to fall pregnant in the next two years .
But according to the latest projections @ @ @ @ @ Fund , a lockdown of just six months will result in 7 million unintended pregnancies @ @ @ @ @ ongoing impact of the pandemic in a country with a high maternal mortality rate and @ @ @ @ @ services .

A heavily pregnant 19-year-old with high blood pressure lost her baby and went partially blind after she was turned away from a Port Moresby hospital in April, as the hospital had no temperature-testing facilities to confirm she was not carrying COVID-19.
One of the country’s obstetrics experts then advised women in Papua New Guinea not to fall pregnant in the next two years. But according to the latest projections from The United Nations Population Fund, a lockdown of just six months will result in 7 million unintended pregnancies.
Experts worry about the ongoing impact of the pandemic in a country with a high maternal mortality rate and scarce access to family planning services.


crikey--2020-07-12--It’s time to talk about the worst-case scenario

No one wants to be Chicken Little .
But , with no 'obvious ' way out of the pandemic , we need to consider even the uncomfortable information .
Though little else appears to be getting done , the global coronavirus pandemic is at least reminding us of the nature of risk and risk assessment , and how little the latter has to do with the former in absolute terms .
Here , Victoria is getting yelled at by the rest of Australia for a new flare-up involving a few hundred cases , and the country has locked down against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the thing still raging -- 500 new cases a day , 44,800 deaths so far -- lockdowns are easing , people are being given vouchers to dine out , and the gyms are reopening next month .
The UK is not the US , where virus denialism has become a right-wing cause ; it remains a relatively rational society .
The push to reopen is clearly coming from the capital , but the absence of a unified pushback suggests that it is largely being consented to -- that the risk assessment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at variance .

Though little else appears to be getting done, the global coronavirus pandemic is at least reminding us of the nature of risk and risk assessment, and how little the latter has to do with the former in absolute terms.
Here, Victoria is getting yelled at by the rest of Australia for a new flare-up involving a few hundred cases, and the country has locked down against us. Meanwhile in the UK, with the thing still raging — 500 new cases a day, 44,800 deaths so far — lockdowns are easing, people are being given vouchers to dine out, and the gyms are reopening next month.
The UK is not the US, where virus denialism has become a right-wing cause; it remains a relatively rational society. The push to reopen is clearly coming from the capital, but the absence of a unified pushback suggests that it is largely being consented to — that the risk assessment of the publics of the two countries is at variance.


crikey--2020-07-13--The Schwab Test: As the world knows more, we might learn how to panic less

The Schwab Test : As the world knows more , we might learn how to panic less The decision to @ @ @ @ @ have been the correct one .
But now we 're in July , with more @ @ @ @ @ less clear cut .
When the facts change , I change my mind .
What @ @ @ @ @ ?
The world has two fairly polarised views on COVID-19 .
The popular view is @ @ @ @ @ dangerous and we need to take whatever actions are necessary to suppress ( or eliminate @ @ @ @ @ up with a miracle vaccine .

Keep reading the latest COVID-19 data and what it means for the lockdown...
Become a subscriber to get full access to the website, as well as our premium newsletters.


crikey--2020-07-14--The politics of the pandemic are yet to begin

History suggests it is only once the pandemic is over and the government has to deal with the recession that @ @ @ @ @ its handling .
While ordinary Australians were worrying about -- or taking schadenfreude from -- @ @ @ @ @ Victoria last week , the political class stopped to engage in some tea leaf-reading about @ @ @ @ @ .
Eden-Monaro ended up being won -- to the chagrin of many in the press @ @ @ @ @ by Labor ’ s Kirsty McBain over Liberal climate denialist Fiona Kotvojs , in what @ @ @ @ @ for Labor leader Anthony Albanese .
Having passed that test , Albanese will have others @ @ @ @ @ Like Julia Gillard , who was forever facing “ tests ” and entering “ crucial @ @ @ @ @ ll always be another hurdle he ’ ll have to clear .

While ordinary Australians were worrying about — or taking schadenfreude from — the growing viral outbreak in Victoria last week, the political class stopped to engage in some tea leaf-reading about a by-election in rural NSW.
Eden-Monaro ended up being won — to the chagrin of many in the press gallery and News Corp — by Labor’s Kristy McBain over Liberal climate denialist Fiona Kotvojs, in what was billed as a test for Labor leader Anthony Albanese.
Having passed that test, Albanese will have others set by political journalists. Like Julia Gillard, who was forever facing “tests” and entering “crucial periods”, there’ll always be another hurdle he’ll have to clear.


crikey--2020-07-14--Palace letters show just how much the Queen knew about the Dismissal

More than 200 letters between former governor-general Sir John Kerr and Queen Elizabeth II , released today after a long @ @ @ @ @ how much Buckingham Palace knew about Gough Whitlam 's dismissal before it happened .
A @ @ @ @ @ letters between former governor-general Sir John Kerr and Queen Elizabeth II has revealed for the @ @ @ @ @ Palace knew of the 1975 dismissal of Gough Whitlam 's ALP government .
The letters @ @ @ @ @ the website of the National Archives of Australia , show that on the day of @ @ @ @ @ 1975 , Sir John Kerr wrote to the Queen : I should say I decided @ @ @ @ @ took without informing the palace in advance because , under the Constitution , the responsibility @ @ @ @ @ was of the opinion it was better for Her Majesty not to know in advance @ @ @ @ @ course my duty to tell her immediately .

A collection of more than 200 letters between former governor-general Sir John Kerr and Queen Elizabeth II has revealed for the first time how much Buckingham Palace knew of the 1975 dismissal of Gough Whitlam’s ALP government.
The letters, released this morning via the website of the National Archives of Australia, show that on the day of the Dismissal, November 11 1975, Sir John Kerr wrote to the Queen:


crikey--2020-07-14--Ordinary Australians deserve a say in the big decisions to come

Our leaders have been somewhat effective at practically addressing the coronavirus pandemic so far .
But the authoritative , top-down @ @ @ @ @ mobilisation is quickly losing its utility The now-cliched `` unprecedented '' should be retired as @ @ @ @ @ .
They remain extraordinary , terrifying , uncertain , no doubt .
But we ’ @ @ @ @ @ enough to reflect on what has worked for Australia , and learn from other countries @ @ @ @ @ are still operating under a governance paradigm built hastily in the first weeks of the @ @ @ @ @ never sold to the public as permanent reforms .
On Friday , a meeting of @ @ @ @ @ appoint a member of the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission to chair a new hotel quarantine @ @ @ @ @ , none of these forums even existed .
Premised on a war-like `` state of @ @ @ @ @ mostly emphasise the speed and decisiveness of elite messaging , at the potential expense of @ @ @ @ @ people ’ s experiences on the ground .

The now-cliched “unprecedented” should be retired as a descriptor of our times. They remain extraordinary, terrifying, uncertain, no doubt. But we’ve been at this long enough to reflect on what has worked for Australia, and learn from other countries.
Nonetheless, our politicians are still operating under a governance paradigm built hastily in the first weeks of the pandemic, whose elements were never sold to the public as permanent reforms. On Friday, a meeting of the national cabinet decided to appoint a member of the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission to chair a new hotel quarantine inquiry. Four months ago, none of these forums even existed.
Premised on a war-like “state of exception“, these bodies mostly emphasise the speed and decisiveness of elite messaging, at the potential expense of hearing and reacting to affected people’s experiences on the ground.


crikey--2020-07-14--How are unis marketing education during the pandemic?

Between the lack of international students and the general underfunding , Australian unis are in very bad shape .
Universities are facing massive losses as international students drop their plans to study in Australia .
In China , fewer than 50 % of those who had studied overseas plan to return , with 60 % of prospective international students now reluctant to study abroad .
At some Australian universities , international students make up 30-40 % of the total revenue .
The latest modelling has universities braced for losses of up to $ 16 billion by 2023 .
The middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and border closures still in place , is a strange time to be marketing to international students .
But , given institutions ’ reliance on them , they might have to .
What are Australian unis doing ?
Last week a number of Australian business leaders and university vice-chancellors participated in “ Australia Welcomes You ” — a damage-control campaign co-created by the Chinese Australian Forum .
They posed with signs reading “ Australia welcomes you ” , and the photos were shared on Chinese social media platforms .
In April , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) partnered with a social learning platform to promote Australian universities with free courses and digital certificates .
The program has been extended until the end of the month , with more than 650,000 students across more than 200 countries signing up for online courses .
But as far as advertising goes , that ’ s about it .
A Crikey search found that none of the “ Group of Eight ” universities have current paid ad campaigns on Facebook ( though there weren ’ t many prior to the pandemic ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be advertisements placed on popular education and student placement websites .
Experts said they weren ’ t aware of many campaigns either .
Sociologist Dr Angela Lehmann is an honorary lecturer at the Australian National University and adjunct assistant professor at Xiamen University in China .
She told Crikey that the focus was on already-enrolled students and universities ’ online capabilities .
“ This marketing approach has been existing students or those who have enrolled … the sector needs students to be continuing with their studies online to prevent them from deferring , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring small groups of students back into Australia to complete their degrees has been put on pause as the pandemic accelerates in Victoria and around the world .
Associate professor in entrepreneurship and innovation at Swinburne University Marina Zhang told Crikey she was aware of increased scholarships , but few ads or campaigns .
Head of scholarships and professional learning at Victoria University Maxwell Winchester told Crikey there wasn ’ t much point in advertising during a pandemic .
“ I guess universities are feeling like they can ’ t advertise , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Canada , universities are considering paying for hotel rooms for returning international students , with visa application centres reopening around the world .
France has opened its borders to international students from the start of this month , with international students ’ visas processed as a priority .
Meanwhile , universities in the US are scrambling to reopen .
International students face being stripped of their visas if they don ’ t attend face-to-face classes , with some returning students denied from re-entering the country .
One survey found prospective Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US thanks to reformed visa policies .
UK universities are also recognising other English test results after the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ) exams were cancelled .
Chinese university marketing agency China Higher Education reported Chinese universities have invested in scholarships and promotional campaigns .
Some universities in China offered “ companionships ” to international students , pairing a local student with an international arrival .
The programs sparked outrage after Chinese female students were commonly paired with male international students .
What approach should Australia take ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent out : one to international students , and one to the Australian community .
“ We need to have our communities onboard with this sector , aware of international education and its link to tourism , retail and housing , ” she said .
Secondly , universities have to focus on students ’ experiences .
“ There ’ s a sense they ’ re being forgotten , and there ’ s a lot of anxiety … making sure students are welcome and being provided with support needs to be a key marketing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Australian universities need to address their perception problem .
Her research , which is yet to be published , shows they ’ re perceived in China as easy to get in to .
“ The lower entry level is perceived as lower quality , so that puts competitiveness in the Chinese job market in a compromised position , ” she said .
Australian universities also don ’ t offer many work experience opportunities compared to universities in the US .
“ That ’ s the weakest point in terms of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ You see people coming to Australia because they couldn ’ t get into the top-tier university in China , get a degree with no work experience and then go back to that competitive Chinese market.
” In comparison , Winchester said little needed to be done to entice students , thanks to both education and health quality in Australia .
“ I don ’ t know if we need to market ourselves … the US and the UK are marketing for us because we ’ re handling the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The message you need to get out is ‘ you ’ re safer here than in the US … Australia has a good lifestyle , fresh air and we ’ re good at dealing with pandemics ’ .
” Importantly , Winchester added , Australian unis ultimately need to move away from relying on Asian markets and consider other areas , such as Africa .
“ What this pandemic shows is how vulnerable and unsustainable our system is , ” he said .
“ Domestic enrolments are still going strong … the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of students , but underfunding .
”

Universities are facing massive losses as international students drop their plans to study in Australia. In China, fewer than 50% of those who had studied overseas plan to return, with 60% of prospective international students now reluctant to study abroad.
At some Australian universities, international students make up 30-40% of the total revenue. The latest modelling has universities braced for losses of up to $16 billion by 2023.
The middle of a pandemic, with travel restrictions and border closures still in place, is a strange time to be marketing to international students. But, given institutions’ reliance on them, they might have to.


crikey--2020-07-15--No time to wait for a knight in shining armour as the virus spreads its wings once more

We need to accept that a vaccine for COVID-19 is a long way off and start thinking about how to @ @ @ @ @ meantime .
In 2019 Greta Thunberg caught the attention of the world when she thundered @ @ @ @ @ economic growth ” .
Now in 2020 we have a new fairytale : coronavirus is @ @ @ @ @ fearsome wings and breathing fire while the world cowers in its tower .
Our response @ @ @ @ @ for the vaccine in shining armour to rescue us .
Or an effective treatment of @ @ @ @ @ little better than hydroxychloroquine or dexamethasone ( or a glug of Drano ) .
Which @ @ @ @ @ as a knight .
More a squire , perhaps , armour somewhat tarnished .

In 2019 Greta Thunberg caught the attention of the world when she thundered about “fairytales of eternal economic growth”.
Now in 2020 we have a new fairytale: coronavirus is the dragon, spreading its fearsome wings and breathing fire while the world cowers in its tower.
Our response? Hunker down and wait for the vaccine in shining armour to rescue us. Or an effective treatment of some kind, something a little better than hydroxychloroquine or dexamethasone (or a glug of Drano). Which maybe doesn’t count as a knight. More a squire, perhaps, armour somewhat tarnished.


crikey--2020-07-14--‘Our trust was betrayed’: John Menadue, Whitlam’s top bureaucrat, calls out the palace

The ruling class abused its power , deliberately deceiving an elected prime minister .
While John Kerr was insinuating himself @ @ @ @ @ Whitlam was making it clear to me and others that he would not be involving @ @ @ @ @ book Things You Learn Along the Way , published in 1999 , I mentioned how @ @ @ @ @ the possibility of the Australian government making contact with the palace in view of the @ @ @ @ @ lie ahead .
I was secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet at @ @ @ @ @ in the book :

While John Kerr was insinuating himself with the palace, Gough Whitlam was making it clear to me and others that he would not be involving the palace.
In my book Things You Learn Along the Way, published in 1999, I mentioned how we had canvassed with Whitlam the possibility of the Australian government making contact with the palace in view of the possible political difficulties that might lie ahead. I was secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet at the time.
I said in the book:


crikey--2020-07-15--Yes, the Queen did have a hand in the Dismissal

If you ca n't see the palace played politics you 're fooling yourself — or trying to fool others .
@ @ @ @ @ day and a night luxuriating in the folds of the Kerr-palace letters the first thing @ @ @ @ @ wow .
Wow .
Maybe you have to know what you 're looking for but @ @ @ @ @ It exposes how the power relations of the UK and Australia worked and still work @ @ @ @ @ the Whitlam government dismissal , the clash of personalities that drove it to some degree @ @ @ @ @ the character of Sir John Kerr .
And with all that are its gaps and @ @ @ @ @ unsaid and unspoken but which guided the players and may be of greater significance .

Well after more than a day and a night luxuriating in the folds of the Kerr-palace letters the first thing one can say is: wow. Wow. Maybe you have to know what you’re looking for but this collection is dynamite.
It exposes how the power relations of the UK and Australia worked and still work, the many forces behind the Whitlam government dismissal, the clash of personalities that drove it to some degree and, most extraordinarily, the character of Sir John Kerr.
And with all that are its gaps and absences, all that is unsaid and unspoken but which guided the players and may be of greater significance.


crikey--2020-07-15--What does the governor-general do — and how much does it cost the country?

As the Palace Letters put the role of Australia 's governor-general back in the spotlight , Crikey takes a look @ @ @ @ @ is .
Yesterday ’ s long-awaited release of the Palace Letters could breathe some life @ @ @ @ @ republican movement .
More evidence of then-governor-general Sir John Kerr ’ s mendacity in the @ @ @ @ @ role of the Queen 's representative back in the spotlight .
But what exactly do @ @ @ @ @ much does the nation spend on them ?
The governor-general ’ s work -- managing @ @ @ @ @ the official household and properties ” and administering the honours system -- is facilitated by @ @ @ @ @ her official secretary .

Yesterday’s long-awaited release of the Palace Letters could breathe some life into Australia’s dormant republican movement. More evidence of then-governor-general Sir John Kerr’s mendacity in the Whitlam government dismissal puts the role of the Queen’s representative back in the spotlight.
But what exactly do governors-general do — and how much does the nation spend on them?
Governors-general by the numbers
The governor-general’s work — managing official duties, maintaining “the official household and properties” and administering the honours system — is facilitated by the office of his or her official secretary.


crikey--2020-07-15--For some, the pandemic has made it harder to get out of Australia than in

The coronavirus lockdown makes getting into the country almost impossible .
But getting out is no easy feat either .
@ @ @ @ @ closed and will stay closed until some time next year as coronavirus cases surge in @ @ @ @ @ .
A cap on international arrivals has been implemented , forcing airlines to cancel flights @ @ @ @ @ announced all international flights -- excluding to New Zealand -- will be cancelled until March @ @ @ @ @ people can book a coveted flight out of the country it does n't mean they @ @ @ @ @ it : Australian citizens and permanent residents -- even those with dual citizenship -- aren @ @ @ @ @ Australia without a strict exemption pass .

Australia’s borders are closed and will stay closed until some time next year as coronavirus cases surge in Australia and around the world.
A cap on international arrivals has been implemented, forcing airlines to cancel flights en masse. Qantas has announced all international flights — excluding to New Zealand — will be cancelled until March 2021.
But even if people can book a coveted flight out of the country it doesn’t mean they’ll be able to board it: Australian citizens and permanent residents — even those with dual citizenship — aren’t allowed to leave Australia without a strict exemption pass.


crikey--2020-07-16--Conflict of Interest: Pubs are in trouble, so who gets to write the new rules? The pubs!

With powerful forces pushing to keep NSW pubs open , will the government inadvertently allow venues to be ground zero for a second wave ?
It ’ s one of the oldest tricks in the lobbying handbook : if you want favourable regulations , write them yourself .
The powerful Australian Hotels Association took that to new extremes this week with a promise to introduce new restrictions in New South Wales pubs to allow them to continue to open — even in the face of a growing outbreak at the Crossroads Hotel in Sydney ’ s south west .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in charge of the state ’ s coronavirus response , Premier Gladys Berejiklian handed over the microphone to AHA ’ s NSW chief John Whelan at a press conference on Tuesday , thanking Whelan ’ s organisation for “ proactively coming forward ” and working with the government to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading at large gatherings .
“ It was actually the AHA ’ s advice to us which said that if you reduce bookings from 20 to 10 , it reduces the likelihood for people who may mingle , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good example of industry and government working together to reduce the risk during a pandemic.
” While acknowledging the virus spreads more rapidly in indoor environments ( such as pubs ) , the premier declared that the new restrictions , developed in partnership with the industry , would be enough to curtail the virus without further shutdowns .
The new restrictions include reducing the number of people sitting at a table from 20 to 10 , and stationing hygiene marshals at pubs to take details and ensure businesses are meeting hygiene and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If the AHA ’ s motivations weren ’ t already clear , The Guardian revealed on Wednesday that the AHA , alongside powerful gaming lobby ClubsNSW , had been in urgent talks with the government since the cluster at the Crossroads Hotel began , in an effort to avoid measures that would potentially see the industry , or parts of the industry , shut down again .
Both groups had reportedly issued blunt warnings against further shutdowns , saying the move would cripple operators and result in some businesses not reopening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases stemming from the Crossroads cluster , it raises the question of whether the new restrictions will do anything to slow the spread of the virus , or if it ’ s just a case of the industry writing its own rules .
Crikey asked the NSW government who would be responsible for placing the marshals in pubs and policing the new restrictions .
It didn ’ t respond to questions , but Crikey understands the marshals will be employed , trained and supervised by the hotels themselves .
Tuesday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far from the first since the crisis began , with even health decisions being deferred to the industry for consideration .
In May , when the government announced pubs , clubs and restaurants would be allowed to seat up to 50 people from June 1 , the minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the decision had been made after liaising “ exhaustively ” with both the AHA and ClubsNSW .
“ This has been really considered and thought-out to make sure we have the best regulatory settings in place , ” Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government negotiated with the industry over the ability for people to be able to walk up to the bar and order a drink , rather than be confined to table service .
Chief health officer Kerry Chant said at the time she was “ absolutely concerned ” about people mingling at bars .
But Health Minister Brad Hazzard was more relaxed : “ The preference at this stage for public health is that people sit at a table , ” he said .
“ But let ’ s listen to the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practical and if that works.
” Then , when NSW became the first state to allow gambling on the pokies since the COVID-19 shutdown — even ahead of Prime Minister Scott Morrison ’ s own anticipated reopening date — the ABC revealed the industry boasted to its members that it had “ heavily influenced ” state government decision-making .
Minister Dominello said that the decision had been driven by both health and economic considerations .
“ We are working closely with a range of industry groups to save businesses and jobs , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be closely supervised , ” he said .
Gambling , alcohol and tobacco companies have been banned from donating to NSW election campaigns since 2010 .
But the laws still allow “ not-for-profit ” associations , such as industry groups , to donate , even if they represent these interests .
Last year the AHA emerged as one of the largest federal political donors in the country , with declared political gifts soaring from $ 153,000 in 2016-17 to $ 1.1 million in 2017-18 .
The AHA ’ s power also comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It represents some of the biggest names in corporate Australia , including Woolworths-controlled ALH group , the country ’ s biggest poker machine venue operator , and James Packer-backed Crown Resorts .
Whelan himself is a former Labor party staffer , and son of former NSW police minister Paul Whelan .
And representing the group ’ s interests in Canberra is Michael Photios , a Liberal party heavyweight and former NSW minister .
With so many powerful forces pushing to keep NSW pubs open , will the government inadvertently allow these venues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave ?
Is NSW putting industry profits before public safety ?
Are pubs ready to open ?
Let us know your thoughts by writing to [ email protected ] .
Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey ’ s Your Say section .

It’s one of the oldest tricks in the lobbying handbook: if you want favourable regulations, write them yourself.
The powerful Australian Hotels Association took that to new extremes this week with a promise to introduce new restrictions in New South Wales pubs to allow them to continue to open — even in the face of a growing outbreak at the Crossroads Hotel in Sydney’s south west.
In an extraordinary show of just who is in charge of the state’s coronavirus response, Premier Gladys Berejiklian handed over the microphone to AHA’s NSW chief John Whelan at a press conference on Tuesday, thanking Whelan’s organisation for “proactively coming forward” and working with the government to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading at large gatherings.


crikey--2020-07-16--What UNSW’s job cuts mean for the higher education sector

The University of NSW says it has to cut nearly 500 jobs to cope with the fallout from the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ follow ?
The University of NSW ( UNSW ) has announced it will be cutting @ @ @ @ @ the latest sign of the carnage inflicted on the higher education sector by the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ of $ 370 million , vice-chancellor Ian Jacobs said that despite cutting discretionary spending and @ @ @ @ @ university still had to find further savings .
UNSW will lose about 7.5 % of @ @ @ @ @ merge three faculties , in what could be a sign of things to come for @ @ @ @ @ Australian universities had become increasingly dependent on international students , mostly from China .

The University of NSW (UNSW) has announced it will be cutting nearly 500 jobs, in the latest sign of the carnage inflicted on the higher education sector by the pandemic.
Facing a budget shortfall of $370 million, vice-chancellor Ian Jacobs said that despite cutting discretionary spending and some management salaries, the university still had to find further savings. UNSW will lose about 7.5% of its academic staff, and merge three faculties, in what could be a sign of things to come for universities.
Why are universities struggling?
For years, Australian universities had become increasingly dependent on international students, mostly from China.


crikey--2020-07-16--The Palace Letters remind us of the real issue: our democracy is flawed

Replacing the role of governor-general would fix one problem and create another .
The harder work of fixing our flawed democracy would be a far better idea .
The Palace Letters reveal that in 1975 the British monarchy , through the Queen ’ s private secretary , directly interfered in Australia ’ s politics by playing a significant role in the dismissal of the Whitlam government .
That act , offensive to Australia ’ s notion of its own sovereignty , will give a boost to the republican movement .
It reminds us of the utter weirdness of the constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our head of our state .
Ironically , if it was properly considered ( it won ’ t be ) , the 1975 saga adds no strength to the current republican cause and arguably undermines one of its key elements .
Australia ’ s constitutional structure is a bastard child of the UK ’ s Westminster democracy , itself an anachronistic collection of laws and conventions .
While the Westminster system is routinely held up as the apotheosis of democracy , it has several fatally undemocratic flaws .
Democracy requires , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the three branches of government : legislative , executive and judicial .
In Australia , while the judiciary is fully independent , the legislature ( parliament ) and executive arms are a confused mess .
The democratic principle that parliament ( being directly representative of the people ) should be sovereign is not reflected in our system .
Instead , parliament is effectively subservient to the executive , as the government in power controls the parliament ’ s legislative agenda through party room discipline .
In practical terms , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polity is not the parliament but the prime minister , a role not even mentioned in the constitution .
The problem is compounded by the constant creep of the executive into the realm of law-making , by multiple means such as delegated legislation , ministerial powers , unelected governmental authorities with wide discretionary powers and rampant spending of public money with no legal authority whatsoever .
Parliament ’ s impotence in response to sports rorts and other outrages proves who really holds the reins .
Then there is the governor-general , proxy under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the monarchists claim , she is our true head of state .
The Queen is the head of the executive government , theoretically conducting its operations through her ministers and the public service .
That ’ s why the ministers do that swearing-in thing at Yarralumla when they take office , because they serve at the governor-general ’ s pleasure .
However , as the head of state , the governor-general signs parliament ’ s acts into law , opens and closes parliament and commissions the prime minister to form government .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers , which Sir John Kerr used to dismiss Whitlam .
The result is a hopeless confusion between the governor-general , prime minister and parliament as to who is the boss of whom .
As 1975 ’ s crisis exposed , only conventions ( unwritten and unenforceable agreements as to how everyone will behave ) allow it to function at all .
This mess is a historical overhang from the compromises that accompanied the progressive transference of power from the monarchy to parliament in the UK , from Magna Carta to the Glorious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead in the end , but the hereditary monarchy hung on as titular head of government , mostly just going along with the government of the day but retaining undefined prerogative powers .
We inherited the anachronism of the monarchy , but along with it the odd notion that democracy requires a head of state .
There is no reason in truth why that should be so ; in a pure democracy , parliament — elected by the people — should be sovereign and answerable only to the people .
Parliament makes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The executive is parliament ’ s delegate in that system , not the other way around as is the practical case in Australia .
We don ’ t need parliament ’ s acts to be approved by an unelected person once passed ; the formal stuff is pointless pageantry only .
That just leaves the reserve powers , which is where the real argument lies .
What if the government goes rogue ?
Don ’ t we need an independent head of state who can step in and protect democracy ?
The only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force the parliament back to the people by fresh elections .
That power could comfortably reside with the High Court .
No head of state required .
More importantly , what if the head of state goes rogue ?
As Kerr certainly did , encouraged by his imperial masters ?
Do you know how we get rid of a bad governor-general ?
We have to ask the Queen to sack them .
We are no less exposed today than in 1975 to an anti-democratic act like Kerr ’ s .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ palace ’ s involvement ; that wouldn ’ t happen today .
However , there is nothing to stop a future governor-general from overriding the people ’ s will as expressed through their election of members of parliament , using ill-defined powers and not breaking the law .
Imagine if one of our governments broke convention by installing a partisan hack as governor-general , someone who would happily burn down our fragile democracy for party gain ?
That could happen .
The republican movement in its current iteration calls for the minimal step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Queen ) with a president .
Same powers , just no monarchical link .
Great , but it won ’ t solve any of the problems I ’ ve mentioned .
In fact , if we ended up with an elected head of state as most republicans favour , that role would become necessarily political .
And , inevitably therefore , the risks to our democracy which our flawed constitutional model has embedded would become even greater than they are today .
As attractive as is the notion of just doing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — president for governor-general throughout — the harder work of fixing our flawed democracy would be a far better idea .
Does Australia ’ s political system need an overhaul ?
Let us know your thoughts by writing to [ email protected ] .
Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey ’ s Your Say section .

The Palace Letters reveal
that in 1975 the British monarchy, through the Queen’s private secretary,
directly interfered in Australia’s politics by playing a significant role in
the dismissal of the Whitlam government.
That act, offensive to Australia’s notion of its own sovereignty, will give a boost to the republican movement. It reminds us of the utter weirdness of the constitutional arrangement that still has the Queen as our head of our state.
Ironically, if it was
properly considered (it won’t be), the 1975 saga adds no strength to the
current republican cause and arguably undermines one of its key elements.


crikey--2020-07-15--The way we work is changing forever. Bring on the three-day weekend

Hours worked in Australia have been trending downwards some time .
And that was before the coronavirus hit .
Is @ @ @ @ @ more and more likely ?
One good thing we might get out of this pandemic @ @ @ @ @ .
Hours worked in Australia have taken a big step down , as the following @ @ @ @ @ unlikely to snap back easily , as the most recent fall in average hours worked @ @ @ @ @ has been in place for some time .
The above graph shows that the fall @ @ @ @ @ in place since 2008 .
I went looking for evidence of what was happening prior @ @ @ @ @ Bureau of Statistics ( ABS ) has data back to 1991 , and it shows @ @ @ @ @ steadily from 1991 to 2008 .
This is a long-term thing .

One good thing we might get out of this pandemic: a permanent three-day weekend.
Hours worked in Australia have taken a big step down, as the following graph shows. That is unlikely to snap back easily, as the most recent fall in average hours worked simply extends a pattern that has been in place for some time.
The above graph shows that the fall in work hours has been in place since 2008. I went looking for evidence of what was happening prior to 2008. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has data back to 1991, and it shows hours worked were also falling steadily from 1991 to 2008. This is a long-term thing.


crikey--2020-07-15--All those in favour of having a memory, say aye. (The goldfish have it, apparently)

Politicians probably think voters have short memories so they can get away with doing sharp U-turns .
But the tyre marks give them away .
Politicians like to boast they have a memory longer than a goldfish — apparently only three seconds — but I beg to differ .
Let ’ s start with Scott Morrison ’ s ill-timed visit to the footy on Saturday .
Eight months on from the Hawaii debacle and we thought the prime minister had well and truly learned his lesson on the optics of cavorting in a crisis .
It was only last Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be off for a couple of days this week to join the family outside Sydney , but assured us that just because he wasn ’ t in front of a camera didn ’ t mean he wasn ’ t monitoring the Victorian lockdown as “ we ’ re all Melburnians now ” .
But he must have forgotten his “ ich bin ein Melburnian ” moment by the next day when he was photographed at an NRL game — sans family , mask and strict social distancing — sporting a stubby and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran a critical column by Caroline Overington : “ It was not a good look ” and was “ a dumb thing to do ” .
That column obviously slipped through the keeper and was soon replaced with another staunchly defending him .
Speaking of replacements and short memories at News , what about the untimely tweet of chair Michael Miller on Monday touting for “ a dozen news-hungry reporters ” to “ embed ” in regional communities for its new digital push ?
He seems to have forgotten only two months ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs .
He must have also forgotten that a dozen seasoned journos had just been made redundant at The Australian flagship — his tweet came as Paul Maley and others were taking to Twitter about their departure .
Presumably they were not hungry enough — literally — as we assume News will replace its experienced older and more expensive journos with cheaper ones .
Back to the pollies and New South Wales Premier Goldfish Gladys hasn ’ t learned that in a coronacrisis you should never say never .
Despite Berejiklian ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and insisting she would never impose one between NSW and Victoria , she was forced into a U-turn .
Then she hit the airwaves on Wednesday declaring NSW would absolutely not impose lockdowns because all that uncertainly would affect confidence .
How long do we give that ?
Usually Berejikilian is not averse to a bit of uncertainty and inconsistency .
There are the many bad U-turns and the occasional good one — her last-minute reversal on the Powerhouse Museum move .
Pity she didn ’ t change her mind sooner on tearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build a white elephant that won ’ t be in demand so much these days .
But U-turn of the week goes to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson finally banning Huawei , which he is blaming on the pandemic not his previous mistake .
Though doctors now think COVID does affect a victim ’ s memory .
Pollies probably think they can have short memories because the voters do too .
As for goldfish , scientists now believe their recall can last a few months rather than a few seconds — which is @ @ @ @ @ @

Politicians like to boast they have a memory longer than a goldfish — apparently only three seconds — but I beg to differ.
Let’s start with Scott Morrison’s ill-timed visit to the footy on Saturday.
Eight months on from the Hawaii debacle and we thought the prime minister had well and truly learned his lesson on the optics of cavorting in a crisis.


crikey--2020-07-17--The young and the reckless — when student politics descends into scandals, sexism and bullying

Are young party members being exploited by political hierarchy , or is it time that parliamentary hopefuls are held accountable @ @ @ @ @ politics -- the springboard into many notable political careers -- can be hostile , exploitative @ @ @ @ @ demonstrated by last month ’ s revelations of former Victorian Labor MP Adem Somyurek ’ @ @ @ @ @ But when young party members are involved in repeated scandals , what habits are our @ @ @ @ @ recent Age/60 Minutes investigation into Somyurek ’ s alleged orchestration of branch stacking on an @ @ @ @ @ based on dozens of phone and video recordings obtained by Nine , implicate him and @ @

Student politics — the springboard into many notable political careers — can be hostile, exploitative and hierarchical, as brutally demonstrated by last month’s revelations of former Victorian Labor MP Adem Somyurek’s alleged branch stacking.
But when young party members are involved in repeated scandals, what habits are our future politicians forming?
The recent Age/60 Minutes investigation into Somyurek’s alleged orchestration of branch stacking on an “industrial scale”, based on dozens of phone and video recordings obtained by Nine, implicate him and others.


crikey--2020-07-17--The Palace Letters: what happened to the key people involved

As the Palace Letters shed light on the backstage drama of the Dismissal , Crikey looks at the eccentric cast @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , the Palace Letters revealed the behind the scenes footage from the Whitlam dismissal @ @ @ @ @ could be starting to make a real comeback .
But the letters also shed a @ @ @ @ @ eccentric assortment of characters , some familiar , others forgotten beyond high school history lessons @

On Tuesday, the Palace Letters revealed the behind the scenes footage from the Whitlam dismissal.
Whitlam nostalgia and republicanism could be starting to make a real comeback.
But the letters also shed a bit of light on an eccentric assortment of characters, some familiar, others forgotten beyond high school history lessons.


crikey--2020-07-17--The PM, the spy and the governor-general: what John Kerr didn’t tell the palace

The Palace Letters fill out perfectly the ongoing mystery of John Kerr 's true mission : the preservation of the US intelligence apparatus in Australia It was Monday November 3 , 1975 , and on a practice track somewhere in Melbourne , champion horse Think Big was being taken for a light canter .
It was the day before the Melbourne Cup , and the 1974 winner was widely tipped to get the double .
Think Big — she was a crowd favourite and the name was much in the air .
Was it on the minds of the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they descended on Melbourne for the race that stops a nation ?
Sir John Kerr and Gough Whitlam would all be in town that momentous day , as Sir John would tell the palace in his letter about that day .
With the Palace Letters now available , we can see clearly what a momentous day this was — measured not only by what John Kerr told the Palace , but by what he didn ’ t .
Monday November 3 was the start of the last full week that the supply crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to be made as to whether a pre-Christmas election could be called — either a half-Senate or a double dissolution .
That would have to be done by Tuesday November 11 , for a December 13 poll ( December 20 was out of the question ) .
Opposition leader Malcolm Fraser had announced his intent to block supply on October 15 .
But his early confidence was already slipping .
Whitlam had turned the crisis into what both Kerr and the Queen ’ s secretary Martin Charteris would call a 1909/1910 moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ H. Asquith ’ s breaking of the power of the House of Lords .
Thus , Kerr notes that Fraser had come to see him with a compromise — if Whitlam agreed to a House of Representatives election by mid-1976 ( a year early ) , then Fraser would accept a half-Senate election before Christmas .
At a Melbourne Cup eve function , Kerr passed on the offer to Whitlam and Whitlam told him there would be no deal whatsoever But it ’ s what Kerr didn ’ t mention that is of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday November 2 , in a speech at Port Augusta , Whitlam had announced that National Country Party leader Doug Anthony was tied up with a CIA agent operating clandestinely in Australia , and accused the NCP of getting CIA funding .
Whitlam hadn ’ t named him , but on the morning of Monday November 3 , in the AFR , Brian Toohey had .
He was Richard Stallings , first director of the Pine Gap spy facility in the 1960s , who had returned to Australia in the ’ 70s as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the revelation of Stallings ( and others ) would send the national security establishment into uproar .
Why ?
Well , because the US government regularly gave the Australian government a list of CIA agents operating in Australia .
Stallings wasn ’ t on that list , but he was on a second list which included deep cover agents , and which was provided only to ASIO , ASIS and permanent defence head Arthur Tange .
Whitlam ’ s intention to , as prime minister , name Stallings in parliament as an unlisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uproar .
For the national security establishment , Whitlam ’ s punchy attitude was a clear indication that he had gone rogue .
By 1975 , US-Australia relations were at a low ebb .
The US national secretary establishment had been gunning for the Whitlam government since attorney-general Lionel Murphy ’ s raid on ASIO HQ in 1973 .
ASIO had been letting violent , fascist Croatian Ustashe groups run wild in Australia , as a way of preventing a visit by the Yugoslavia president Josip Broz Tito , the key player in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This was seen as unforgivable , according to CIA counter-intelligence guru James Jesus Angleton ; a government raid on the “ crown jewels ” of inter-agency shared intelligence .
Through 1975 things were heating up .
In December 1974 , Whitlam had endorsed Labor MP Rex Connor ’ s search for billions in petro-dollars loans , to bypass the priority hold British banks had on Australian capital raising ; the ASIO head had been replaced by a non-spy ; and the ASIS head had been sacked for running an off-the-books mission in newly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishment had presumed Whitlam to be a pro-US centrist figure .
It now looked like he had been captured by the party ’ s anti-US left .
By far the most alarming gesture was Whitlam ’ s raising of the leases on US bases , particularly Pine Gap .
These were due for renewal on December 9 , and it was hitherto thought to be a formality .
But in early 1973 , Whitlam had told US ambassador Walter Rice that the bases would become an issue if the US continued to heavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of export markets .
The revival of that threat so close to lease renewal was a nightmare .
In his Port Augusta speech , Whitlam had asserted that the National Country Party was funded by the CIA .
He was going for broke .
Now here ’ s what ’ s significant in the Kerr letter of November 3 : he makes no mention of any of this at all .
Having kept the palace updated on the political situation at a level of such detail that he asked whether it was perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirely leaves out matters pertaining to national security — and to the unity of the Commonwealth .
Why would that be ?
The plain fact is that Sir John Kerr was now the servant of two masters .
He was a former CIA asset who had become a British high-Tory type .
He was desperate to serve both , while keeping them apart .
History has bequeathed us the top-hatted drunk .
But the real John Kerr was an entirely different man , about which I ’ ll say more next week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Marxist radical in the 1930s who got taken up by powerful forces in World War II and became , in the late 1940s , both an anti-communist and a client of CIA front groups , such as the Australian Association of Cultural Freedom , of which he made a failed tilt to be president .
The British bling and fawning came later , and very much as a consolation prize .
Kerr saw himself as a man in history , part of the double movement — people called to the radical left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then called to US support by the squalor of Stalinism .
So I do not believe for a second that he was unaware of the back-and-forth over US bases and CIA sleeper agents .
We know that he quizzed Whitlam at length over the sacking of the head of ASIS — yet that doesn ’ t appear in the letters either .
We know that Kerr had an official , calendared meeting with chief defence scientist John Farrands on October 28 .
A week earlier , Whitlam ’ s staff had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents in Australia — with Tange providing the “ outer ” list which had not included Stallings .
Tange had not , at that stage , known that Whitlam ’ s office had Stallings name .
Farrands was one of the few Australians who knew how Pine Gap really worked and its huge importance to the US empire — that it not only gave the US an edge on the USSR in monitoring ( in breach of treaties ) , but was a pioneer in mass surveillance of general communications , hoovering up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet with Kerr would appear to be part of a decision by Tange and others to do an “ end run ” around Whitlam .
Did Kerr raise these matters with Whitlam at the November 3 Cup Day eve meeting ?
It would seem unlikely he did not , since there is no indication that Kerr observed any propriety boundaries in general discussion of politics .
Things were moving fast now , as Brian Toohey related .
On Tuesday November 4 Whitlam ’ s defence minister Bill Morrison went to see NCP leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tange , now Morrison ’ s servant , had been Morrison ’ s boss ) to try and talk him out of challenging Whitlam on Stallings CIA membership ( Anthony had not known Stallings was CIA ) .
Anthony refused , and on Thursday November 6 tabled a question on notice for Tuesday 11 November regarding the matter .
On Saturday November 8 things kicked up a notch , with the arrival of a telex from Ted Shackley , head of the CIA ’ s East Asia desk , to his ASIO opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if ASIO , basically , couldn ’ t keep its own government in line .
The telex went to Tange on Sunday November 9 , and to Whitlam ’ s office on Monday November 10 ( an indication of where the power lay ) .
Farrands would later tell Toohey that he had briefed Kerr by phone that weekend regarding the Shackley telex — the scientist ’ s involvement in this lobbying can only have been because of the importance of the bases .
Farrands would later deny he had said such ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitlam the same afternoon as he spoke to Farrands – the occasion was a Canberra garden party ) .
Tange would deny that Farrands had briefed Kerr at all , save for the calendared October 28 meeting which was listed as a “ get to know the public servants ” meet .
But Tange would later slip up .
In his posthumously-published memoirs , he records a “ November meeting ” between Kerr and Farrands .
Was this the phone briefing of November 8-9 ?
Or was it a November 3 meeting at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Farrands somtimes worked out of because it was the base for the Defence Signals Directorate , the Australian liaison with the US operators of Pine Gap ?
On Monday November 10 , Tange and Farrands tried to persuade Whitlam , via a briefing note , to answer Anthony ’ s question the next day by using the official US line that Stallings was merely a US defence department ex-employee .
Whitlam refused to mislead parliament .
He never got the chance ; Kerr sacked him before Question Time was due to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known for some time ( though previously no one appears to have twigged that Tange inadvertently owned up a November Farrands-Kerr meeting ) , but the revelation of the Palace Letters fills it out absolutely .
Why ?
Because at the beginning of the week Sir John Kerr is still referring to the Senate votes on supply as “ deferrals ” , remarking that the government has funds until the end of November — and treating the matter , in conversation , as if it was still a party political stoush .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 10 , he is seeking more urgent advice on the use of “ reserve powers ” .
Importantly , he asks not only whether they still exist in a usable form ( which was a real question at the time ) but , crucially , whether they would have had to be exercised the first time the Senate blocked supply .
In other words , Kerr is asking whether reserve powers are somehow tied to the events of parliament , or whether they retain an absolute and arbitrary character .
He gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarters : from right-wing high court chief justice Garfield Barwick who reaffirms their independent character ; and from the palace , which supplies the argument from Canada ’ s King-Byng affair of the 1920s .
But Barwick ’ s written advice , which arrived on November 10 , is perfunctory — it simply asserted that the powers continue to exist .
And the palace affirms the governor-general as the people ’ s representative in the older framework of dominion status .
That interpretation is anti-democratic and leads to absurdity — as it did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately passed a no confidence vote in Malcolm Fraser and a confidence vote in the “ member for Werriwa ” .
How did Kerr deal with that ?
He told the Palace on November 20 that he presumed the reserve powers to carry over beyond the crisis , and to give him the authority to prorogue parliament until the election , refusing any communication from the House of Reps speaker , with Fraser ’ s commission as caretaker PM still in tact .
What was one of the duties that befell him as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gap lease falling due on December 9 , four days before the election .
Which of course Fraser duly did .
As Barwick said later , “ Sir John did his duty ” .
So did Farrands .
After denying he had said he had briefed Kerr , he ended his career being made a Companion of the Order of the Bath , a rare honour indeed .
After the Dismissal , Kerr would include a clipping of an article by Brian Toohey outlining the Stallings affair — which would seem to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give strong weight to the evidence that Kerr was crucially influenced by the US-alliance crisis to make a decision for an arbitrary dismissal at a date and in a manner that , two weeks earlier , he does not appear to have been contemplating .
Quite a lot happened on Monday November 3 , 1975 .
The next day Think Big thundered home to get the Melbourne Cup double .
And Sir John Kerr began thinking big himself .

It was Monday November 3, 1975, and on a practice track somewhere in Melbourne, champion horse Think Big was being taken for a light canter.
It was the day before the Melbourne Cup, and the 1974 winner was widely tipped to get the double. Think Big — she was a crowd favourite and the name was much in the air. Was it on the minds of the nation’s leaders that morning, as they descended on Melbourne for the race that stops a nation?
Sir John Kerr and Gough Whitlam would all be in town that momentous day, as Sir John would tell the palace in his letter about that day. With the Palace Letters now available, we can see clearly what a momentous day this was — measured not only by what John Kerr told the Palace, but by what he didn’t.


crikey--2020-07-17--Heaven forfend! NASA rearranges the stars — and the traits of our leaders

The cosmos has been realigned with the introduction of a new star sign .
So what does it mean for the horoscopes of the people running the country ?
NASA has thrown astrology fans into complete and utter disarray after announcing a brand new 13th star sign : Ophiuchus , the snake bearer .
The unveiling of this new sign has meant millions of people ’ s horoscopes have changed with the calendar shift .
As NASA explains in a frank post that also rebukes astrology as unscientific and compares reading horoscopes to reading “ fantasy stories ” , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created by the Babylonians roughly 3000 years ago .
At the time , the Babylonians recorded constellations and split them into 12 to fit their calendar .
In doing so , they left poor Ophiuchus out .
If you add the 13th constellation to the mix , it clashes with the other constellations and the whole Zodiac system turns into an ( even bigger ) shambles .
So blame the Babylonians and not NASA , I guess .
But the real question is… what does this mean for our esteemed national leader ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Scott Morrison , who stays a Taurus despite the Zodiac revolt .
It ’ s fitting because Tauruses are known for being painfully stubborn , as well as stoic and determined .
You could say Morrison has been rather stubborn about cheering on the Sharkies and throwing back beers at the footy , despite the whole , you know , global pandemic going on .
You ’ d think he ’ d learnt from the last time he absconded to Hawaii while the whole country was burning .
You could also say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not admitting any fault when it comes to the sports rorts saga or remaining devout to fossil fuels .
Thanks to the Zodiac shift , Labor leader Anthony Albanese has been stripped of the “ dreamer status ” attributed to the Pisces star sign and gifted the rebellious streak of an Aquarius .
Apparently , there ’ s a deep sense of justice and fairness in all Aquarians .
You could draw some parallels here : Albanese grew up in public housing and has been a long-standing member of the union movement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ loners — which may explain why he lost the 2013 Labor ballot to Bill Shorten , one of the most unpopular Labor leaders in Australian history .
A quick Google search and you ’ ll even find Albanese talking about how lonely it is in the nation ’ s capital .
“ There isn ’ t a gathering place where people have a drink after work , ” Albanese told Guardian Australia .
“ They can get pretty isolated in these corridors.
” For Greens Leader Adam Bandt it ’ s once a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are known for being imaginative , romantic and empathetic .
Bandt ’ s ambitious Green New Deal sure speaks to this , with the Greens claiming investment in renewable energy and a commitment to zero emissions can create tons of new jobs .
Bandt will sadly have to dream on when it comes to getting the Coalition on board , who can ’ t even honour the Paris Agreement without creating some glaring loophole like carryover climate credits .
The One Nation leader was once dubbed a Gemini , considered the social butterfly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligent and adaptable .
It ’ s an ill-fit for Hanson , who struggles to string a sentence together , and has been barking the same old illogical racist rhetoric for decades .
She ’ s now been downgraded to a Taurus , which makes far more sense .
What other Zodiac sign could be so stubbornly committed to pursuing minorities and race-baiting vulnerable communities on breakfast television year after year ?
Homes Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was a tough-minded and secretive Scorpio , and now he ’ s a diplomatic and open-minded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong ?
Dutton , who recently tried to push for tougher laws to strip search refugees and remove their phones , doesn ’ t seem to crave the fairness supposedly desired by Libras .
What ’ s fair about locking refugees in hotel rooms , some of whom have been detained for seven years with no idea of when they ’ ll be freed ?
Or extending the waiting time for partner visas to two years and then allegedly intervening to allow your mates to get au pairs ?
The NSW Premier was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the Zodiac shift she ’ s now a charming and fair Libra .
It ’ s too bad Berejiklian has been recently been embroiled in allegations of rorting .
As Crikey ‘ s Georgia Wilkins reported , Berejiklian signed off on $ 12 million for an upgrade for the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club , a new skate park in Ryde and a Bondi Beach playground — all in councils that hadn ’ t been merged and in seats held by Liberal MPs .
The Victorian premier was previously characterised as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs .
Now he ’ s been redeemed as a Gemini , making him fast , witty and a bit erratic .
You ’ ll be pleased to know that Geminis are also known for getting “ on the beers ” .
Despite all his faults ( see : the red shirts scandal ) , Andrews has managed to attract a swathe of diehard Dan fans , with # IstandwithDan trending on Twitter yesterday , despite Victoria ’ s COVID-19 cases reaching the highest they ’ ve ever been .
So maybe NASA @ @ @ @ @ @

NASA has thrown astrology fans into complete and utter disarray after announcing a brand new 13th star sign: Ophiuchus, the snake bearer.
The unveiling of this new sign has meant millions of people’s horoscopes have changed with the calendar shift.
As NASA explains in a frank post that also rebukes astrology as unscientific and compares reading horoscopes to reading “fantasy stories”, the space agency says the Zodiac system was created by the Babylonians roughly 3000 years ago. At the time, the Babylonians recorded constellations and split them into 12 to fit their calendar. In doing so, they left poor Ophiuchus out.


crikey--2020-07-17--What happened to the key people involved in the Palace Letters?