This is not a budget – it’s a fudget!
It will be remembered as the mother of all Swan dives by ‘Khemlani Kev’ (for those who can’t remember, Tirath Khemlani was a shady Pakistani money lender of last resort for the economically disgraced Whitlam government in 1975). (more…)
My life was greatly influenced by my conscription into the army in 1965. At the time I was working in a Country Roads Board camp at Nowa Nowa in East Gippsland, playing football in nearby towns at the weekend, getting into a bit of strife from time to time and enjoying the company of my mates from my hometown of Orbost. (more…)
There is no better education for politics than handing out brochures at a polling booth on Election Day. By this stage of the political cycle political parties have selected their candidates and independents have made a commitment to throw their hat into the ring. (more…)
Camden is a quintessential Australian town. The Hawkesbury-Nepean river system provides a clear divide between city and country and surrounding flood plains provide a natural moat against the ravages of urban sprawl which has destroyed the formerly rural aspect of outer metropolitan towns such as Liverpool and Campbelltown. Heritage listed properties fill the gaps left by mother nature. (more…)
Labor’s spin doctors are conditioning us for a gloomy outlook next year.
Over the past 12 months the term ‘working families’ was included in every utterance from Kevin 07. His promises to introduce ‘fuel-watch’ and ‘grocery watch’ were literal. All he did was watch them go up . . . and up . . . and up! Not only did Kevin 07 watch them go up – he set up two taxpayer funded organisations to watch them as well! We are slowly learning that the devil is always in the detail with Kevin 07. After all he never did say he would bring them down – all he promised to do was actually watch them. That box has now been ticked. Thank you Kev! (more…)
The Hon. CHARLIE LYNN [6.16 p.m.]: I served in Vietnam with the Royal Australian Engineers in 1967. I was 21 years of age at that time and, whilst I did not really understand the politics of the war, I was aware of the fear that had been embedded in our minds during our school years about the spread of communism. I volunteered for active service because I thought it was the right thing to do. During my time in Vietnam I observed the destruction brought about by decades of war and the poverty of the people. They lived in squalid conditions and always under a veil of fear from both sides of the war. I often wondered how well they would do, with the work ethic they had, in a free, democratic country. (more…)
But the honour of representing one’s community at any of the three levels of government in our society far outweighs the barbs and criticisms that one must inevitably cop.
Individuals get elected as independent members or as part of a political party. They party they choose is one that represents their beliefs and values. Many are influenced by their parents who pass on their values as part of the nurturing process of raising a child. (more…)
When Bob Carr and Michael Egan tried to reform the electricity industry in 1997 they were soundly defeated by union heavyweights John Della Bosca and Michael Costa who were well supported by left-wing geriatrics in the NSW Parliament. ‘The Hogg/Egan proposition is a suicide note to the Australian Labor Party’ thundered Ian McDonald. (more…)
United States sub-prime mortgage investment market. The subject had as much meaning as an error message on a computer screen. It’s a geek language known only to whiz kids and nerds in the financial sector. The rest of us barely understand the pages of ‘explanatory’ notes we have to read before signing a mortgage document. (more…)
The election result was a decisive win for Labor. Workchoices was the major point of difference between the two parties with the issue being driven by the union movement. The stakes for the unions were high and they had no hesitation in pouring $30 million of members’ funds into the campaign. Small business owners will have much to worry about as unions will expect a high return on their investment in Labor’s victory. (more…)
