In praise of the Senate
Michelle Grattan reminds us today (Saturday 13) of the great value of Senate Committees in scrutinising the executive of government, 50 years after they were introduced. And she should know …
Robodebt incompetence – who pays?
It now appears the cost of the damage done to people by Robodebt is around $1 billion. We don’t begrudge anyone compensation but this is a massive cost that should have …
Robodebt payback
The Government has just said it will repay $721 million raised by 470,000 debt notices unlawfully imposed on welfare recipients in one of the most punitive and incompetent debacles yet …
Alan Jones
Racist, sexist, opinionated, offensive and contemptuous. Worse, Jones is a bully who wielded power over politicians, incited hatred and violence, promoted our most base instincts. Who could forget his vicious …
We live in changing times
Australians are living through unprecedented changes in their daily lives and movements, especially travel – between states and internationally. Western Australia, with its long history of flight connections to Europe …
There’s an app for that, updated
These are difficult times and, while on the way to being easier, we need to be careful. The Government wants us to use its newly-developed app for smartphones – TraceTogether …
Select committee no substitute
It is somewhat reassuring that a Senate Select Committee has been established to ‘inquire into the Australian Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.’ However, it is still preferable for Parliament to sit.
Defend democracy
Barry Jones says 40 years ago he feared it would require a great crisis to bring a more rational, evidence-based approach to long term problems.
Democracy under threat
Two things have happened in the past two weeks that should be of great concern to all Australians. Craig Hill, National Vice President Australian Democrats @AustDems First, the Prime Minister …
PM a bit rich on hoarding
Having implored people to ‘stock up on essentials’ it’s a bit rich to now call them unAustralian for doing so. Why make the call in the first place? There was …