Tag: ALP Government,

Israel

Australia must recognise Palestine to promote peace – Pearls and Irritations

22nd October 2023, Melbourne, Victoria, Australian. The Palestinian Flag and the blurred faces of Supporters of the Pro Palestine Rally, Credit: Contributor: P.j.Hickox / Alamy Stock Photo

If we don’t recognize Palestine we don’t recognize that Israel has killed and wounded over 120,000 people and has continued to illegally occupy seize and settle land disposed of the people living there. Basically, we are washing our hands of the matter like Pontius Pilate. Pilate washed his hands in front of the crowd before announcing, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” The Jewish people shouted in response, “His blood be on us and our children.” It’s a passage that would be used for millennia to persecute the Jewish people.

In opposition, our prime minister and the Labor Party were fierce champions of Palestine and passionate voices for justice. I ask that we summon that spirit of old and do the same in power. Let historians write of us that we were on the right side of history, that we boldly reinforced international law, and that we were a shining beacon and voice for freedom.

It is time to recognise Palestine.

Source: Australia must recognise Palestine to promote peace – Pearls and Irritations

Climate Change

Government heat map ‘wake up call’ to stop burning fossil fuels – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Climate Media Centre

Advocacy groups have welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s announcement of a heat mapping tool to assist affected communities deal with the worst of extreme heat, but have called on government to do more to address the root cause, climate change caused by the continued use of fossil fuels.

Source: Government heat map ‘wake up call’ to stop burning fossil fuels – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Asylum Seekers

Australia’s Border Farce. Stops a boat, ignores the planeloads, targets the 0.05% – Michael West

Kimberley boat arrival

Last week, Australian Border Force deployed one hundred officers to detain a dozen asylum seekers on the Kimberley Coast. Meanwhile, an estimated 2000 asylum seekers arrive in Australia by plane every month. Duncan Graham reports from Indonesia.

Source: Australia’s Border Farce. Stops a boat, ignores the planeloads, targets the 0.05% – Michael West

Israel

Western Empire bombs Yemen to protect Israel’s genocide operations In Gaza – Pearls and Irritations

Red Sea. 09th Jan, 2024. Image taken from the bridge of HMS Diamond, seen here firing her Sea Viper missiles in the Red Sea on 10/01/2023. Overnight, HMS Diamond along with US warships undertook the largest attack on the Houthis in the Red Sea. Deploying Sea Viper missiles and guns, HMS Diamond destroyed multiple attack drones heading for her and commercial shipping in the area with no injuries or damaged sustained to HMS Diamond or her crew. Image: Alamy/ UK Ministry of Defence via Credit: Sipa USA/Alamy Live News

The US and UK have reportedly struck over a dozen sites in Yemen using Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, backed by logistical support from Australia, Canada, Bahrain and the Netherlands. A statement from President Biden asserts that the strikes against “targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels” are a “direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea”.

Source: Western Empire bombs Yemen to protect Israel’s genocide operations In Gaza – Pearls and Irritations

and

South Africa, beacon to the world, shames Australia’s enabling of Israeli genocide

Israel’s defence relied on dismissing South Africa’s arguments as implausible, making many assertions it could not really offer conclusive evidence for, and some fancy legal gymnastics. It shared excerpts from its War cabinet documents to prove Israel has taken every precaution to protect civilians and argued they are the only record that matters, not the rhetoric referred to by South Africa of genocidal intent. I hope this will not fool the judges.

Will Israel’s “assurances” be taken seriously by the judges?

ALP Government,

Let us punish immigration detainees twice – » The Australian Independent Media Network

What is particularly disappointing is the way the Albanese Government has so abjectly accepted Dutton’s scaremongering and confected moral panic. Rapists and murderers exist within Australia’s population. If they have served their sentences, they are free to re-join society. But not if they are on a visa, or stateless.

Source: Let us punish immigration detainees twice – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Israel

Acting Prime Minister Marles does not believe Palestinian hospitals should be allowed fuel – Pearls and Irritations

Damage in Gaza Strip during the October 2023

ALP Shame

The Australian government must withhold all political support from the Israeli government while the killing of Palestinian civilians and destruction of their infrastructure continue. And yet, what hope? On 25 October when acting Prime Minister Richard Marles was asked on radio whether fuel should be allowed into Gaza to allow hospitals to function; he could not bring himself even to utter a simple “yes”.

Source: Acting Prime Minister Marles does not believe Palestinian hospitals should be allowed fuel – Pearls and Irritations

Israel

Palestinians will not surrender to occupation and apartheid – Pearls and Irritations

Flags of Palestine and Israel painted on cracked wall. Palestinian conflict

Every drop of Palestinian and Jewish bloodshed is on the hands of the United States, Australian, and Western countries politicians who closed their eyes to the aggression, occupation, ethnic cleansing, and violation of international laws and resolutions carried out by Israel against the Palestinian people for more than seventy-five years.

Source: Palestinians will not surrender to occupation and apartheid – Pearls and Irritations

Media

The Voice reveals the urgent need for truth reforms – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Image of the Australian Indigenous Flag overlaid with the words truth lies.

The ABC needs the many recommendations to strengthen its independence from political interference implemented.

The Greens and independent candidates are correct: there should be no exemption for “professional news content” in the attempt to crackdown on social media misinformation.

This domestic program ought to be more straightforward than the daunting challenge of dealing with international mis- and disinformation fomented on the internet. That ‘X’ is so much worse for bigotry and disinformation than Twitter illustrates two key points. The settings implemented by management can work to limit disinformation. It also illustrates the damage of leaving massive platforms in private hands.

Robert Reich recently posted this message: “The forces undermining our democracy, polluting our planet, and stoking hatred are counting on you to give up.

“They have money.

“They have megaphones.

“And they have an even more powerful weapon – one that’s harder to spot but incredibly effective: Cynicism.

“Don’t give up.”

The Albanese government has the power to ensure that Australian political speech is as truthful as possible in a world where reliable information is both difficult to determine and utterly crucial.

 

Source: The Voice reveals the urgent need for truth reforms – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Australia

Evidence that Gas and Oil are Bad for Our and the Planet’s Health is Piling Up, but Governments turn a Blind Eye

It’s incomprehensible, then, that many of our politicians support “unlocking the Beetaloo Basin” in the Northern Territory and developing another 48 oil and gas projects across Australia.

Source: Evidence that Gas and Oil are Bad for Our and the Planet’s Health is Piling Up, but Governments turn a Blind Eye

Healthcare

New prescription policy means cheaper medicines

medicine

New Policy hears the Pharmacy Guild scream

Millions of Australians living with ongoing health conditions can get cheaper medicines under the first stage of the federal government’s 60-day dispensing policy.

Source: New prescription policy means cheaper medicines

Uncategorized

Climate change crisis reality is hugely expensive

climate change Kohler

If The ALP Government is already dragging its feet on Climate Change why is Sky News After Dark complaining? Any wonder there’s been a seemingly corporate shift in attitude. I say seemingly because the ALP isn’t threatening their reality.

This year’s federal budget contained a bunch of new spending measures, but they mostly start with ‘m’ for millions not ‘b’ for billions. The total is well short of $37 billion, let alone $116 billion.

Source: Climate change crisis reality is hugely expensive

Whistleblower

Spies Like Us: how natsec and Attorneys-G meddle with justice, whistleblower David McBride – Michael West

David McBride

“National security claims” too easily trump the delivery of justice. Afghan war crimes whistleblower David McBride is a case in point.

Dreyfus seems quite content with an unfair prosecution and one that is infected by improper motive. He’s quite happy for a court, deprived of context and adjudicating to the strict letter of the law (that Dreyfus himself has said were not fit for purpose).

It’s within his authority to do so. The public interest in halting the prosecution is clear. But sadly the Attorney’s been captured by the security apparatus. The AAT Deputy President’s revelation two weeks ago proves that. 

Dreyfus is willing to rubber stamp a confidentiality order that improperly tilts the adjudication in favour of the security establishment. He’s unwilling to correct an injustice that would cross the path of that same establishment,

In this, Dreyfus is like many of our senior Labor and Coalition politicians. Over more than two decades they’ve poured hundreds of billions into the national security apparatus which is now bigger, more powerful and influential than it has ever been. 

In Parliament, applause is regularly showered on our spies, police and security bureaucrats. They can apparently do no wrong.  But privately the politicians are fearful. They fear what might happen to their secrets if they aren’t totally supportive of “national security”.  No one in government or opposition wants to get offside with the secret state.  

Of course, that doesn’t absolve Dreyfus. Of all our Federal Ministers he’s the one with specific responsibility as first law officer to uphold the integrity of our legal system, especially the vital principle of open justice.  

He’s failing to do his duty because he’s weak in the face of Australia’s national security apparatus. He lacks the moral fortitude to sit in the Attorney-General’s seat. 

As a result of his cowardice a good man will go to jail and, at the same time, democratic integrity will suffer.

Source: Spies Like Us: how natsec and Attorneys-G meddle with justice, whistleblower David McBride – Michael West

Australia's Shame

The United States has put Australia back in its place … again

After a rather extraordinary month of steadily escalating defence PR and conspiracy opportunities, Australia was sat on its backside over the weekend and reminded to know its subservient place.

Source: The United States has put Australia back in its place … again

Australia's Shame

Australia scores zero for taking action to protect our health from climate change

Global healthcare concept. World globe crystal glass on blue stethoscope on glossy desk. Health and medical science. Worldwide wellness business Image: iStock

Climate change poses major threats to the health of all people globally. Australia has been slow to recognise this. In an assessment of the health-related content of 58 nations’ plans to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, Australia scored zero.

Source: Australia scores zero for taking action to protect our health from climate change

jobs, Jobs Jobs

Albo’s team sets employment records, despite job categories disappearing

There is no “I” in Team and the ALP proves it.

IN HIS FIRST YEAR as Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese has increased the number of Australians in the paid workforce by 3.44% to an all-time high of 14 million plus a few. That gives Albo the best record of any prime minister from Malcolm Fraser onwards, when the current data series began.

Source: Albo’s team sets employment records, despite job categories disappearing

Uninformed Comment

Why the Conservatives cannot win the next election and why Labor will go early – » The Australian Independent Media Network

If they do go early they’ll burn their greatest asset Peter Dutton

You are probably thinking, referring to the headline, that it is a stupid thing to say, and on the one hand, you might be right given the Government still has two years to serve. On the other, going early when your chances of winning are second to none is a good idea.

Source: Why the Conservatives cannot win the next election and why Labor will go early – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Australia finally joins global efforts to stop terrorists getting easy finance

AUSTRALIA HAS BEGUN its long, slow climb out of the sewers of sleaze and corruption now a new government committed to integrity has replaced the grimy and incompetent Coalition.

Source: Australia finally joins global efforts to stop terrorists getting easy finance

Informed Comment

Defense Review Binds Australia to US War Agenda

 

 

It doesn’t get any less self-reliant and sovereign than just handing over your nation’s military to a more powerful nation with a “There ya go mate, use it however you reckon’s fair.” You really could not come up with a more egregious abdication of national sovereignty if you tried.

And yet Australia’s prime minister babbles about sovereignty and self-reliance while doing exactly that.

Just annex Australia and make it the 51st state already. At least that way Australians would get a pretend vote in America’s fake elections.

 

 

 

Source: Defense Review Binds Australia to US War Agenda

Money

World pressure ramps up, Australia finally moves on money laundering by lawyers, accountants and the property lobby – Michael West

MoneyLaundering

After 16 years governments dithering, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus is moving to introduce Tranche 2 of Australia’s money-laundering laws, finally tackling the powerful lawyer, accounting and property lobbyists. Nathan Lynch reports.

Source: World pressure ramps up, Australia finally moves on money laundering by lawyers, accountants and the property lobby – Michael West

Julian Assange

Julian Assange – when “quiet diplomacy” means diddly squat – Michael West

Penny Wong

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has all but confirmed in Parliament the government is doing nothing to bring the world’s foremost political prisoner home. What’s the scam with “quiet diplomacy”?

Source: Julian Assange – when “quiet diplomacy” means diddly squat – Michael West

Pollution

Minister confident of pollution safeguard’s success

Chris Bowen

Surely the capping of the government passing new fossil fuel endeavors needs to reflect what it expects of others. After all the government isn’t excluded from setting an example we all must follow?

The safeguard mechanism would lead to the biggest 215 polluters being forced to cap their emissions, with companies that breach the limit required to buy carbon offsets or trade their emissions with other firms.

Source: Minister confident of pollution safeguard’s success

Capitalism

Jim Chalmers manifesto in favour of values-based capitalism – Pearls and Irritations

Treasurer Jim Chalmers at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Image: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Given the LNP’s approach “do nothing” privatise the market Chalmers can’t be all wrong if we judge the LNP did a fantastic job these past 10 years for the country. Nope Nope Nope brought them to government, through government and still echoes in opposition. Abbott never really left the LNP or the Monkey Pod Room. However isn’t Value Based Capitalism a partnership that has never really worked?

Thus, instead of the neo-liberal model that relies purely on market prices to determine the allocation of resources, with no interference by the state, Chalmers argues persuasively that his “values-based capitalism”, based on “well-designed and well-informed markets, can “facilitate flows of capital into priority areas, and ultimately make progress on our collective problems and purpose.”

Source: Jim Chalmers manifesto in favour of values-based capitalism – Pearls and Irritations

Democratic Socialism

Democratic socialism in Australia: why it’s time again – Pearls and Irritations

Parliament of Australia in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

It’s Time Again The new Labor Albanese Government with a two-house majority has an opportunity to pick up the mantle of Whitlam, Hawke and Keating and move Australian society back towards a more equitable and independent position. Let us NOT start another political party! There have been many such attempts before and these have obviously failed. Our best chance this time is to get behind the ALP itself.

Source: Democratic socialism in Australia: why it’s time again – Pearls and Irritations

Electricity

Leading economists back federal government action to curb rising gas and electricity prices

Australia’s top economists have overwhelmingly endorsed intervention to restrain gas and electricity prices, with only three of the 47 leading economists surveyed believing the best thing the government can do is to leave things to the market.

Source: Leading economists back federal government action to curb rising gas and electricity prices

Informed Opinion

Labor really, really needs to break some different promises | The Shot

The narrative needs to be that Australia is now aiming so much higher than the previous government ever imagined, that being locked into their mediocre, just-enough, low-tax policies is neither virtuous nor honourable, and in fact, a betrayal of the next generation.

And he needs to do it sooner rather than later, because an ineffective damp lettuce leaf is not going to be the Opposition Leader forever.

Source: Labor really, really needs to break some different promises | The Shot

Informed Comment

A Budget that will marry economics with the common good – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The common good, or empathy for it, should be at the centre of any political philosophy. However, it is more likely to be found on the left than the right. ( John Lord )

Source: A Budget that will marry economics with the common good – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Enviroment

New koala action plan another policy failure

Am I turning Green?

A new conservation plan designed to protect koalas is once again failing to save the species from extinction, writes Sue Arnold.

REGRETTABLY, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s latest environmental policy announcement, The Threatened Species Action Plan, is short on details and fails to address the substantive issues driving Australia’s extinction crisis.

Source: New koala action plan another policy failure

Informed Comment

Put niceties aside, Albo – » The Australian Independent Media Network

I was immediately taken aback when I read that the Opposition was negotiating “in good faith” with the Government for their support in introducing the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC).

Good faith sounds more like bargaining for an exemption from the obvious. At first, I thought I was mistaken.

Source: Put niceties aside, Albo – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Federal ICAC: Dutton says government is making compromises

Why on earth is Labor dealing with Dutton on a federal ICAC?

Labor will argue that an anti-corruption body that isn’t supported by the opposition risks charges of illegitimacy and abolition at the next change of government. Well and good — if the Coalition wants to go to the next election promising to abolish a federal ICAC, let them knock themselves out. Labor would do far better to be seen to negotiate with the teal independents and David Pocock, strengthening their case to voters at the next election to keep their seats. Tomorrow has become a significant test for Labor: once the legislation for a federal ICAC is unveiled, we can see whether Labor is serious about integrity, or has indeed been preparing a major party stitch-up.

Source: Federal ICAC: Dutton says government is making compromises

Informed Comment

Angst over corruption watchdog, first Queen’s death, now fear of Dutton deal – Michael West

National Anti-Corruption Commission, Peter Dutton

Reports that Labor is in talks with Peter Dutton over the looming Federal Integrity Commission laws have spread alarm Anthony Albanese might walk back on his pledge for a credible anti-corruption body. Callum Foote reports on the timing, the critical detail, the delays and the latest scare.

Source: Angst over corruption watchdog, first Queen’s death, now fear of Dutton deal – Michael West

Inconvenient truth

Australia’s partner visa is an inhumane travesty, and Labor’s all-in with it | The Shot

The utterly inhumane, unconscionable treatment of asylum seekers and refugees is the most visible and horrific example of this, again, bipartisan cruelty. But people are so (rightfully) fixated on it that they tend to overlook the others. We should look at the others, though, because the partner visa is an exercise in cruelty all by itself. 

Unless you’ve had the audacity to fall in love with a foreigner, you’ve probably not thought about this blatantly racist and classist bit of fuckery. But it is nasty, and this Labor government has no intention whatsoever to un-fuck it. 

 

Source: Australia’s partner visa is an inhumane travesty, and Labor’s all-in with it | The Shot

Informed Comment

Just ousting Morrison and his cronies alone improved the tone of our governance, but is it enough? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They make the most of everything they have.( John Lord )

Source: Just ousting Morrison and his cronies alone improved the tone of our governance, but is it enough? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Victoria

Slaughter on Batman Avenue: Victoria gets election result three months early – Michael West

Slaughter on Batman Avenue: Victoria gets election result three months early – Michael West

If the Victorian election were a boxing match, the ref would have stopped the fight. Except that the election isn’t until November 26.

The fact that Melburnians suffered one of the world’s longest lockdowns under Covid won’t be enough to stop Premier Daniel Andrews gaining a third term.

Last weekend Andrews basked in the favourable publicity generated by his announcement of free university places for nursing students. As feelgood stories go, this was a ripper. Meanwhile The Weekend Australian proclaimed on its front page: ”The Andrews era to live on”. The paper’s Newspoll gave Labor a lead of 56-44 (two-party preferred) over the Coalition led by Matthew Guy.

The Liberals live in a world of pain caused by an internal scandal that has overshadowed Labor’s own internal scandals. Under Guy they ceded the plumb seat of Hawthorn in 2018, and now another stronghold, Kew, is likely to fall to a Teal independent.

Slaughter on Batman Avenue: Victoria gets election result three months early – Michael West
Informed Comment

They seem to have a plan – » The Australian Independent Media Network

NOPE, NOPE NOPE

Clearly Dutton is using the same tactics as Abbott did – total opposition – which is what got us into this ‘wasted decade’ in the first place.Despite the various ‘experts’ ruminations on when it was over, that’s probably why Albanese is still ‘enjoying a honeymoon’ three months after the election. There are promising signs the adults are in charge and have a long-term plan that doesn’t rely on marketing and coverups.

They seem to have a plan – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Indigenous Australia

After more than 200 years of waiting, Albanese puts forward a ‘simple’ proposition for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament – ABC News

After more than 200 years of waiting, Albanese puts forward a ‘simple’ proposition for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament – ABC News

After more than 200 years of waiting, Albanese puts forward a ‘simple’ proposition for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament – ABC News
ABC

Labor says new five-year funding for ABC will safeguard against arbitrary cuts and political interference | Australian Broadcasting Corporation | The Guardian

Australia’s communications minister Michelle Rowland outside the ABC headquarters in Sydney

Is the ALP government really ABC friendly or just better than the last mob?

In an interview with Guardian Australia on the eve of the ABC’s 90th birthday, Rowland said the Coalition “completely lied” about not cutting ABC funding in 2013 and the broadcaster had been harmed as a result. But she stopped short of agreeing with Kevin Rudd that the ABC had been “tamed” by cuts and incessant attacks.

Source: Labor says new five-year funding for ABC will safeguard against arbitrary cuts and political interference | Australian Broadcasting Corporation | The Guardian

LNP Economic Management

Bank for International Settlements warns global economy is ‘flashing red’

Australians who took large mortgages during the pandemic could be among the most exposed in the world as central banks drive up interest rates to stop inflation.

Just over a month ago, Josh Frydenberg was telling us just how good Australia’s fundamentals were looking. The LNP was the best economic manager. Well, that’s proved to be rubbish. However, now the LNP is already declaring the ALP’s honeymoon period over and blaming them for the immediate turnaround or revelations about the economy. The books are being audited and were found the story is in fact quite the opposite to what Morrison and Frydenberg had been selling but much closer to what the ALP have been saying all along. The facts aren’t what we have been told. The question now is who is going to pay?

Global economic indicators are flashing red with a real risk of stagflation, one of the world’s most senior economists has warned, and highly indebted Australians are among the most exposed to rising prices and slowing growth.

Source: Bank for International Settlements warns global economy is ‘flashing red’