Kim Wingerei blog posts
“Without idealists, the pragmatists would have nothing to do…”
Back to first principles: a blueprint to revive Australian democracy
Parliament is in recess and another year has gone without the Morrison government honouring its promise to establish a federal ICAC. It is clearly reluctant to do so at all, while rorts and scandals continue to erode trust in our politicians.
$1.6b handout to Telstra’s Andy Penn to head off the Chinese
Why was Telstra slotted $1.6b by the Morrison government to buy Digicel, and how is it Telstra shares slumped by one-third during the bull market? It’s corporate welfare on steroids. Another bizarre intervention in what Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg like to...
Dodgicel: Andy Penn given more billions, this time to beat China to a telco takeover
Why the blazes was Telstra slotted $1.6bn by the government to buy Digicell and annoy the Chinese, and how is it Telstra shares slumped by one-third during the bull market when they cooly took $100bn in public money? Kim Wingerei checks on the charmed existence of...
Crossword clues and bullying – the influence of Australia’s pro-Israel lobby unveiled
The intimidating influence of Australia's pro-Israel lobby does not only limit what mainstream media outlets dare publish, it forces self-censorship on editors and journalists alike, writes John Lyons in his latest book - Dateline Jerusalem: Journalism's toughest...
Crossword clues and bullying: the almighty power of the Australian pro-Israel lobby
The influence of Colin Rubenstein and his lobby group does not just limit what mainstream media outlets dare publish, it forces self-censorship on editors and journalists alike, writes John Lyons in his latest book. In 2019, Fairfax’s Sydney and Melbourne...
The voices of independents being heard and aiming high
There is a strong feeling of change in many electorates around Australia. The “Voices Of” movement is gathering steam as more than 30 such groups are looking to field candidates at the next federal election. The recent announcement of Kylea Tink as an independent...
“Voices Of” ignites 30 independent movements across Australia
The "Voices Of" movement is gathering steam as more than 30 independent groups seek to field candidates at the next Federal election. Kim Wingerei reports on the new force for political disruption.
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...
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