Kim Wingerei blog posts
“Without idealists, the pragmatists would have nothing to do…”

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...

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...

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...

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....

The digital media farce continues as nothing changes
Nine Entertainment is the latest of the old media companies to announce deals with Google and Facebook. For a fraction of what they once thought they deserved, and without any of the benefits to consumers which the Digital Bargaining Code bill purported to provide. In...

My week with Malcolm and the hypocrisy of our democracy
Otto von Bismarck (in)famously said: “Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable - the art of the next best”. It is a sentiment I abhor. And Malcolm Turnbull’s tome of atonement - “A Bigger Picture” - unwittingly demonstrates with abundant clarity that the...

Latest Podcast – talking #auspol with Denise Shrivell
Always a pleasure talking to Denise Shrivell – the ‘founder’ of the #auspol tag on Twitter and a daily voice of reason and compassion. We cover everything from bushfires to Facebook and the changing media landscape.

Clever Politics is Rarely Visionary – the Particracy Rules
We live in a particracy, not a democracy. Clever politicians rule the roost, devoid of vision, focused on the short term and sheltered by a complicit media. There is only one way to change it.

The curious case of a merger opposed
The ACCC is trying to stop TPG and Vodafone from merging – if they succeed, they are bound to fail on appeal. Clver strategy or over reach?

Turnbull’s Legacy – killing the NBN in the name of party politics
NBNCo recently released its updated corporate plan, laying bare the folly of the MTM strategy engineered by Malcolm Turnbull in the name of party politics. Nothing was achieved by that other than a sub-standard network at the same cost.

Political bribery and a Federal ICAC
Political bribery includes donations of all kinds. Being clear about this should precede establishing a federal Independent Commission against Corruption .

Paper Emperors – Sally Young Interview
Interview with Sally Young about her book – Paper Emperors – also offering great insights into the current media landscape in Australia,