Crikey » Politics

Take an interactive walk down Haiti’s main street

Crikey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:43:34 +0000

A clever interactive photo feature at the NY Times allows you to view all the earthquake damage caused to one of Haiti's main streets, Grande Rue. With stores "cracked open like piñatas", the damage is distressing.

China’s deadliest weapon: the debt bomb

Crikey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:08:18 +0000

China's most powerful weapon isn't its three-million-strong army or its nuclear bomb: it's the $789 billion stranglehold it has over the US economy, putting America and the West at its mercy.

Great myths in Australian politics: GST almost cost Howard ‘98 election

Crikey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:28:33 +0000

The GST didn't nearly lose John Howard the election in 1998, instead it's the only reason he stayed in office. Just check out the Newspoll ratings before the GST announcement, says Stephen Spencer.

A quarter-billion dollar rort and the media plays dead. Wonder why?

Bernard Keane — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:23:36 +0000

The Government’s weekend handout to the free-to-air television networks -- $100-odd million this year and $150m next -– has sunk with barely a trace in the media.

Where did Joe’s mojo go?

Bernard Keane — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:23:14 +0000

Joe Hockey has been in a funk since the leadership spill and needs to snap out it for his party's sake.

Advice from Malcolm Tucker: nail the line, Ron Jeremy style

Crikey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:23:14 +0000

Crikey came up with some scenarios (OK ripped them off from real-life events) for the poisonous Malcolm Tucker from In the Loop to spin. Apologies in advance for the profanity and the lols.

For the love of Mike, that’s some paypacket…

Crikey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:20:37 +0000

Here's an exciting opportunity for an ambitious Labor Party hack to kick a $450K goal...

Abbott keeping mum on real parental views

Eva Cox — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:24:45 +0000

Despite his new paid parental scheme, Tony Abbot can't be trusted as a serious supporter of policies for women to combine parenting and paid work. His recent 'conversion' is totally superficial, writes Eva Cox.

Why no one wants to party with Russia

Crikey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:22:54 +0000

Russia is no longer cool, declares the Moscow Times: and it's all Putin's fault. Once known as a "wild, fun-loving and anything-goes" party town, it is now seen as "dreary, corrupt, uncouth and threatening".

Hope amongst the horror: Mexico’s miracle babies

Crikey — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:09:27 +0000

As injured Haitian children become embroiled in political and legal problems, Global Post interviews the 25 year olds pulled as newborns from the Mexico earthquake. Despite the disabilities and dead parents, it's not all doom and gloom.

Jack Marx: In defence of Belinda Neal

Crikey — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:35:54 +0000

Belinda Neal may not be the most likable of politicians, but she's the only Labor Parliamentarian with the cajones to tell Kevin Rudd where to go, says Jack Marx.

The FBI: In ur computer, readin ur history

Crikey — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:17:07 +0000

The FBI is pressing US Internet Service Providers to track and record users' internet browsing history, in what sounds like it would basically amount to mandatory wiretapping of almost every person in America.

Madonna King: Clouds of corruption darken the sunshine state

Crikey — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:12:57 +0000

Claims of police corruption have hit the QLD police again, with up to 20 police hauled in for secret questioning and accusations of drug and organised crime activity. Is another Fitzgerald Inquiry needed? asks Madonna King.

The poetry of war: Iraq soldiers turned authors

Crikey — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:59:50 +0000

War literature isn't anything new, but for US soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, the stories they are penning aren't focused on the horror but the honour of war. From blogs to books, NY Times examines the writings from the wars.

Danby: Damn it Downer, China is tricky

Crikey — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:21:23 +0000

Recently, ex-foreign minister Alexander Downer blasted the government's relationship with China, leaving MP Michael Danby none too happy about the criticism. China is more aggressive and friends with the most oppressive nations in the world now. Patronising advice by old timers isn't needed, says Danby.

Q: Did the kids embarrass Rudd? A: They pummelled him

Crikey — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:06:35 +0000

Last night Kevin Rudd appeared on ABC's Q & A with a bunch of troublesome school kids asking him the tough questions and smirking at his Ruddisms. They grilled Rudd so much he basically had burn marks. David Penberthy explains.

Colless: Don’t shoot the messenger, but Rudd’s talking rubbish

Crikey — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:31:31 +0000

Kevin Rudd has really dropped the ball lately, with waffling media messages and overly arrogant gestures. Compared to previous Lib leaders, it was easy for Kevin to appear capable. Abbott makes it harder, writes Malcolm Colless.

Turnbull: dealing blows or big blow-hard?

Crikey — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:03:18 +0000

Malcolm Turnbull laid into Tony Abbott’s climate change policy plan in a speech to Parliament yesterday. But did he deal a damaging blow to his Abbott's scheme, or come off looking like a sore loser? How the pundits saw it.

Abbott and Turnbull: a tale of two speeches

Crikey — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:37:58 +0000

Two Liberal leaders gave speeches in Parliament today. One was "forceful, well reasoned, cutting, intelligent and persuasive", says Grog. The other was given by Tony Abbott.

Turnbull takes aim at Abbott’s climate plan

Bernard Keane — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:14:17 +0000

Malcolm Turnbull has demolished Tony Abbott's climate action plan in a long speech to Parliament, putting the case for the government's CPRS far more eloquently and coherently than Kevin Rudd ever has, reports Bernard Keane.

Conroy tells movie industry, ISPs to kiss and make up

Stilgherrian — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:12:08 +0000

After last week’s Federal Court win for internet service provider iiNet, the movie industry was looking to the government to help them out. But the government has told it to sort out its own problems.

Joe Ludwig’s dad shows the real campaign finance agenda

Stephen Mayne — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:11:56 +0000

The Australian went back over a decade of returns from Labor Holdings Pty Ltd and concluded that this secretive Queensland investment arm has pumped $25 million into the ALP’s federal and state campaigns since 2000.

Uni campus’ reloadable ANZ card draws some heat

Crikey — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:11:52 +0000

In an Australian first, Sydney University and ANZ have announced an all-in-one access card, ID card and Visa reloadable prepaid card, as part of a move towards a "cash-free campus", writes Bhakthi Puvanenthiran.

Reality bites the “grand visions” of Northern Development – again

Bob Gosford — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:11:49 +0000

The idea of developing a bounteous “food bowl” that could ensure Australia’s food security long into the future has been a recurring political dream. But like most dreams, they usually get mugged by the grim realities of science and economics.

Rudd versus Abbott on climate change: what’s the difference?

Crikey — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:11:47 +0000

So what is on offer from the Government and the Opposition on climate change, and where does the truth lie? Andrew Macintosh explains all the troublesome acronyms.