The absurd theatricality of New Labour's manifesto launch was designed to underscore the Prime Minister's political dominance, but it served, rather, to highlight how his authority is slipping away. A manifesto composed by control freaks
Eye on Politics & Law Lords: War and profit: doing business on the battlefield
The past fifteen years have seen a rapid growth in private sector firms supporting military operations. More recently, the ADF has employed the private sector to varying degrees in East Timor, Bougainville, Afghanistan and Iraq. This paper puts forward four recommendations on how the ADF could work with the private sector. A summary of the report is available online
• The Colour of Power [At a time when dissatisfaction with politicians is glaringly evident, the solution is not less democracy, of course; it is deeper democracy. Citizens and governments: stroppy adversaries or partners in deliberation? ; The question of ‘failed states’: Australia and the notion of state failure ]
• · Howard’s backbenchers make their mark Government backbenchers are back in the spotlight ; In the clear: Knowles did not bully nurses ; Politics can be a tough business, even for the most ruthless of practitioners. The tension showed yesterday in the public performance of this hard man of the NSW Right - a wound-up spring visibly trembling to keep his agitation under control. Minister keeps emotions bottled up as Premier pledges his loyalty
• · · THE State Government could reap as much as $400 million from first-time land tax payers, in a revenue grab which has been linked to $30-a-week rent rises. Landing $400m tax load ; Homes in Sydney and Melbourne have been ranked among the most unaffordable in the developed world as people move from quarter acre blocks to inner city units. Sydney, Melbourne simply not affordable
• · · · Gold Coast businessman Ron Bakir hopes to up the ante on the Schapelle Corby case by raising a $1 million reward for the truth. $1 million reward for truth ; The $85 billion tax/welfare churn; Kerry Packer-aligned Betfair has threatened legal action against the Australian racing industry for restraint of trade Packer to sue racing bodies
• · · · · Update: In breaking news Rodney Adler has been sentenced to a minimum of two and a half years in jail related to his time at failed insurer HIH Judgement day ; Police red-faced after officer leaves DNA evidence on train
• · · · · · Peta Seaton the lofty NSW shadow treasurer Game's up for Peta ; NSW looms as the key obstruction to the plan of the Federal Treasurer, Peter Costello, to force the states to cut a series of business taxes in exchange for preserving their GST revenue NSW holds out on tax overhaul ; A business group has a powerful ally in its bid to keep defamation rights for companies A law unto themselves, or so they hope