Kim Wingerei blog posts

“Without idealists, the pragmatists would have nothing to do…”

Media Failures and Politics – Part One

Jun 16, 2019

Media power has been around “forever”, and Chomsky’s seminal work on manufacturing consent is as relevant as ever – media is failing its intended role of keeping the powers that be to account.

Independent media growth gathers pace!

Jun 12, 2019

Independent media growth in Australia is accelerating. As print media continues to decline, the mainstream media operators lose ground even faster in the online space. Independent media grew by 21.7% from February to May 2019.

Shadows of Uniformity

Jun 4, 2019

The new Shadow Cabinet mirrors the Government in more ways than intended, uninspiring in its uniformity, offering limited hope for new beginnings or imagination.

A Ministry of Mediocrity

Jun 1, 2019

In the (in)famous words of Donald Horne: “Australia is a lucky country run by mainly second-rate people who share its luck.” The new Morrison Government is a mostly uninspiring group lacking in diversity and bereft of vision.

The climate election that wasn’t

May 21, 2019

Climate inaction continues to be official government policy in Australia – it is a travesty and the blame is on everyone – including Labor and The Greens who had the opportunity to seize the day, but didn’t. Yet again.

The Battle of the One Percent won – for now.

May 20, 2019

This election proved to be no exception after all – politics is a battle over small margins, apathy reigns supreme among voters, the particracy rules and democracy is the loser every time.

Game of Votes

May 16, 2019

Just as Game of Thrones seems likely to end with a whimper, leaving someone in charge as corrupted by the process of getting there as the psychopath who crumbled under the weight of the rubble that killed the incumbent – Cersei Lannister – the Game of Votes may well end up proving that the more things change, the more they stay the same…

Why do I do what I do – my manifesto

Mar 21, 2019

After I quit my business almost three years ago, I am often asked by friends and people I meet "why do I do what I do"? My answer is a variation on the the theme of having found my purpose in writing, which is true. But like everyone that writes - or engages in any...

Independent media continues to grow!

Mar 19, 2019

Independent media continues to grow apace, while mainstream media is at best stagnant. Independent media grew by 9.7% in February 2019, compared to a paltry 1.1% at the big end of media town. A piece I wrote a couple of months ago resonated with readers and spurred me...

Keep it Simple, Stupid!

Feb 19, 2019

KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid – was widely used as a slogan in the computer industry throughout the eighties and nineties. “The Office” made it a meme – but it is an adage worth resurrecting as a guiding principle.

True Banking Reform is Long Overdue!

Feb 13, 2019

Banking reform is long overdue. The many sensible recommendations in the Banking Royal Commission report stops a long way short of true reform! (Part 2 of my analysis)
First published on MichaelWest

Political bastardy and silly politics

Feb 12, 2019

The franking credits scare campaign is working. Once again, sensible tax reforms is sacrificed on the altar of short-term politics and the absence of a holistic approach. Once again politics gets in the way of policy making. Once again, fear and obfuscation are winning.
First published on Independent Australia