In recent years, we have witnessed three individual politicians who have used the techniques of the authoritarian leader, fear, negativity, misinformation and lies. I refer to Tony Abbott, Scott Morrison and the now opposition leader Peter Dutton. All have used the methods of an authoritarian ruler.
The first thing Sarah* knew about her identity being hacked was when a man turned up on her parents’ doorstep asking for the sexual services he’d paid for online.
Then, things got even crazier.
Source: Medibank and Optus hacks spark warning over identity theft risks from former victims – ABC News
Australian FinTech companies collect your bank customer registration number and your password to access your bank accounts; and they keep that access even if you no longer use their services. Cyber security expert Manal al-Sharif explores privacy rorts.
Source: Optus Hack just tip of the iceberg. FinTechs harvest bank details and passwords, can sell them too
Morrison the ad-man with no real political ideas other than to win. None on how to move a Nation forward but back, “Back to the Future” and channel Menzies. No surprise he’s finding high profile figures and supporters telling him to ” “Shuduppa his a Face”
It did not take long for the nation’s national security establishment to correct the record. In two extraordinary interventions the nation’s current spy boss, Mike Burgess, and one of Australia’s most respected ever public servants, Dennis Richardson, both accused the government of seeking to politicise national security at a cost to the national interest. ( Along with Twiggy Forrest who told him to stop )
The result was a perceptible drop in tempo. Mr Morrison used the office of the Prime Minister of Australia to take a risk this week. His charged rhetoric about Australia’s largest trading partner (CHINA) risks exposing him to a public perception of a leader prepared to burn the house down for political advantage.
But has it paid off, by the cynical standards of political tactics? Being so reprimanded by authoritative voices on overstepping the bounds on national security has not burnished Mr Morrison’s prime ministerial image.
Source: Scott Morrison takes a major political risk. We’ll soon find out of it pays off
AUSTRALIA IS entering treacherous waters. After more than a quarter-century of economic growth, the country has now gone into recession. And not just any recession — the deepest downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s. The recession brings many self-evident problems, from high rates of unemployment to widespread business failures. But there is a less obvious danger that we overlook at our peril — the role of vested interests in the economic recovery.
Recession: With recovery comes hidden risk
In the absence of a cure, it is widely touted that the virus can be managed as Australia attempts to get back to “normal”. Attempting to manage the mystery that is COVID-19 equates to punching at shadows.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has disclosed for the first time that a top-secret military submarine hit by a fatal fire three days ago was nuclear-powered, prompting Russia’s defence minister to assure him that its nuclear reactor had been contained.
Key points:
42 per cent of home loan customers told banks they had incomes in excess of $500,000 last year
Westpac is the first bank to face ASIC court action over irresponsible lending allegations
Mortgage contracts can be voided if the bank provides credit to someone who cannot afford it
olddogthoughts 