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...
Big Four ‘under scrutiny’. Another committee, another report, and forty recommendations
The PwC multinational tax avoidance scandal has led to a slew of parliamentary inquiries, reports and much handwringing. The latest includes no less than 40 recommendations. But will anything change? Kim Wingerei reports. The Parliamentary Joint Committee on...
A Ministry of Mediocrity
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
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.
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
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…
Oregon Pain – Experts on Fakery
The so called Oregon Petition is a good example of how to create an illusion of scientific argument by using the language of expertise and ignoring relevance.
Why do I do what I do – my manifesto
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!
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!
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!
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