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...
Pokies junkets. ‘Free’ study tours to Vegas not so free
The NSW Liquor and Gaming regulator has completed an investigation into gaming machine manufacturers’ paying for overseas trips for pokie club executives. What’s the scam? The scam is ‘pay to play’ – how six gaming machine manufacturers offered free ‘education’ trips...
Optus chose its own ACMA fine, proofread the PR – What’s the Scam?
Telco regulator ACMA gave Optus the opportunity to comment on its own proposed fines for misconduct, and the comms too. What’s the scam? The scam is like you getting a parking fine with a cover letter saying the fine is between $150 and $300, but first, we’d like to...
Poll claims almost half the world’s population, 20% of Australians antisemitic
If a survey undertaken by the US-based Anti-Defamation League is to be believed, 4.7m Australians are antisemites. Is that really true? Kim Wingerei looks at the data. According to the ADL survey, “anti-Jewish sentiments are at an all-time high globally, revealing...
Labor’s $3 billion NBN campaign pitch. What’s the scam?
An extra $3B in funding for the National Broadband Network, Labor adds NBN nirvana to its campaign pitch. What’s the scam? The scam is that the investment does not mean any new fast broadband connectionsf. All it means is that NBNCo will have the money to complete...
AUKUS propelled rockets to take off from Arkansas? What’s the scam?
The AUKUS Forum continues to amaze. Its latest initiative endeavours to extend AUKUS submarines to rockets. Or at least get on the AUKUS gravy rocket. What’s the scam? The scam is the many ways a private group of AUKUS enthusiasts is endeavouring to get its hands on...
Peter Dutton could face legal action for racial discrimination
A group representing Jewish, Palestinian and Muslim communities have lodged a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission claiming Peter Dutton has engaged in racial vilification and discrimination. Kim Wingerei reports. The legal action requests a public...
Airfares rocket, Rex gets parachute, Coldplay to blame. What’s the scam?
With Rex Airlines pulling capital city routes, the ACCC says fares have risen up to 95%. Meanwhile, the Government has announced a $80m funding deal for Rex. What’s the scam? The scam is that the Rex package will not make any difference to airline competition on major...
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...
ASIC obfuscates, dithers and delays at Senate Estimates. What’s the scam?
The upper echelons of ASIC (the Australian Securities and Investment Commission) fronted the Senate this week, unable to respond satisfactorily to most questions from assorted Senators. What’s the scam? The scam is how ASIC demonstrated yet again that it is a...
BRICS and Bats: the global world order is changing, but who would know?
This week marked an historic occasion in the decline of American imperialism, the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, where 13 new states signed up. Many more are queuing. The world is realigning. But you won’t hear much about it in the media. Michael West and Kim Wingerei...