ALP factions no match for squabbling libs
- From: The Australian
- July 27, 2010
- 4 comments
Illustration: Bill Nicholson Source: The Australian
SINCE the Berlin Wall came down it’s been pretty hard to find a socialist anywhere. The Communist Party of Australia hasn’t been around for decades.
The revelation by Mark Aarons in his new book about the CPA (which was the family business created by Mark’s father, Laurie) that two prominent Labor identities — senators Arthur Gietzelt and Bruce Childs — were joint ticket holders through the 1950s, 60s, 70s and even into the 80s, is in fact old news to some.
I can remember a midnight summons to Bob Hawke’s office in the old Parliament House so he could tell me all about it after ASIO briefed him in the early to mid-80s.
Now there is no party of the Left to secretly join.
When I joined the ALP in 1966, there was a real ideological debate to be had. There was a real Right that believed in winning elections and a real Left that believed in losing.
Abbott wants dole clampdown
Abbott wants dole clampdown AAP July 27, 2010, 8:10 pm 36 comments Related Links Reissuing to clarify 4th par. By Cathy Alexander SYDNEY, July 27 AAP – Everyone on the dole could have half their payments quarantined for spending on essentials if the coalition wins the election. Opposition leader Tony Abbott says he would Continue Reading →
Labor rejects food security concerns
Labor rejects food security concerns
Updated
While Labor’s election campaign is firmly focused on a sustainable population policy, critics say the party has failed to come to grips with the nation’s future food security.
An investigation by ABC News Online, Background Briefing and the PM program has uncovered concerns about the creeping acquisition by foreign interests, including foreign governments, of Australia’s farms, including water rights and downstream production assets.
Greens Senator Christine Milne is calling for a national food security plan.
“I think it is essential the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) has a look at this issue of what is going on in Australia in terms of who owns our land and where that food will go in the end,” she said.
“But you can’t do that until you have a national food security plan.”
Agriculture experts say the FIRB has fundamental shortcomings and many land purchases are taking place without adequate scrutiny because the transactions are too small.
The sale of agricultural land is exempt under the rules of the FIRB unless the sale exceeds $231 million.
Agriculture Minister Tony Burke was not available for interview about the calls for a food security plan nor could he offer a statement to the ABC.
But assistant treasurer Nick Sherry did respond, saying foreign ownership of Australian agricultural land is low, and a steady flow of investment is vital for creating jobs.
“Australian farmers and agricultural companies are entitled to sell their assets in their best interests,” he said.
BP stations across London put out of action by Greenpeace Volunteers
BP stations across London put out of action by Greenpeace volunteers
Posted by jamie on 27 July 2010.
This morning, starting at 5.30am, teams of Greenpeace volunteers have been shutting down BP stations across London. We aim to close dozens down this morning.
Watch the action as it happens – pictures, video and text updates from the teams.
The teams – each named after an animal threatened by BP’s reckless oil exploration – fanned out across the capital in their electric and hybrid cars, going station to station and disabling the pumps.
Why today? Because BP is expected to announce later the appointment of Bob Dudley as the company’s new head to replace the gaffe-prone Tony Hayward, who led BP during the disastrous Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
We want to send a strong message to BP’s new boss to ditch the spin and actually move ‘beyond petroleum’.
No one assassinated Rudd, he simply topped himself
No one assassinated Rudd, he simply topped himself
- From: The Australian
- July 27, 2010
- 32 comments
THERE must be two Kevin Rudds. The one being elevated to sainthood by the commentariat and the one described in The Sydney Morning Herald by former press gallery doyen Alan Ramsey, as a “prissy, precious prick”.
There is no shortage of Rudd believers, many of them prominent citizens, who have sprung to his defence to portray him as a victim “assassinated” by a duplicitous Julia Gillard, backed by Labor powerbrokers.
Nonsense. Rudd’s “assassination” was all his own work.
In my column on June 28 I described how our relations got off to a rocky start 18 years ago when I responded to an article describing K. Rudd, or Dr Death as he was affectionately known, because it was he who determined what went through cabinet.
Gillard falters on tax rate question
Gillard falters on tax rate question
Updated
Questioned on tax: Julia Gillard. (AAP: Alan Porritt)
Prime Minister Julia Gillard faced a barrage of questions over when the Government’s company tax rate would kick in during a feisty radio interview this morning.
Revenue from the Government’s mining tax will be used to cut the company tax rate from 30 per cent to 29 per cent.
During an interview on Macquarie Radio with Alan Jones, Ms Gillard attempted to focus on Government claims that the Opposition’s paid parental leave scheme will push up grocery prices.