Turned to writing at 60, reckon that'll do for the next 30 years, then I'll become a musician - after that, who knows, maybe a wizard...
The Norwegian election was fought and won on climate policy. Are there lessons for Australia?
Despite its lowest polling in 20 years, the Norwegian Labour Party will form a coalition government after a campaign largely focussed on the environment and renewable energy. Is this a sign of things to come for our federal election? Norway is in a unique position. It...
High Court ruling on Facebook comments a high risk for publishers; high time for reform
n its recent ruling the High Court decreed that commercial publishers have responsibility for comments made on their Facebook pages. In the absence of a 21st century legal framework covering this newfangled thing called the Internet, the Court's reasoning for the...
The Other 9/11: secrecy fight over Australian spies helping CIA overthrow Chile’s President
On the eve of it's 48th anniversary, documents just declassified by the Australian National Archives show the extent to which the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) worked closely with the CIA in the lead-up to the Coup-d'état in Chile in September 1973....
Pandemic paranoia – the penal colony strikes back at those pesky Australians who left
Ever since the pandemic started, Australia has restricted the ability of its citizens to travel overseas in ways few other countries outside of North Korea have done. It is now using the biosecurity laws to also deter those who live overseas from coming back. On...
ASIC charging 130% late fees to small business. What’s the scam?
ASIC – the Australian Securities and Investment Commission – manages the register of businesses as part of its remit. If you have a company it will charge you $267* per annum for the privilege. But whatever you do, don’t pay that bill late! Miss the...
Is the ACCC protecting telco consumers or fattening up NBNCo for sale?
This post was featured in Michael West Media (michaelwest.com.au) on 31 July 2021. Is the ACCC helping the Government get the best price for the sale of NBNCo? The competition regulators are doing consumers no favours hindering investment in new telco infrastructure....
Google dodges regulation, hits advertisers with “regulatory” charges: What’s the Scam?
Google's parent Alphabet is making record profits, $US18.5b in the last quarter alone, almost 30% of revenue. But it is not enough, Google feels so aggrieved by the mostly non-existing "digital services regulations", it is charging advertisers more; so a 5% surcharge...
The world is in a crisis of our own making – is it sowing the seeds of change?
The world is in a crisis. And many of our leaders are failing us. People are despondent, angry and sad, many unable to see their loved ones, many more not knowing how to cope. There is no end in sight, unless we look beyond the concreted corridors of power....
Bali is leading the vaccination race, welcoming tourists soon, but not Australians
Sports rorter Bridget McKenzie back on the front bench courtesy of Barnaby Joyce
Bridget McKenzie was forced to resign in February 2020 after the "sports rorts" affair but, as are the ways of the National Party, misdeeds are quickly forgotten if you back the right leader at the right time. So just like her good buddy, recently resurrected National...
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