In 1688 when the British Parliament dethroned James II and established political supremacy over the monarchy, its bill of rights became the fundamental, durable instrument of constitutional law. In article 9, the bill declared "freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament". In other words, MPs bestowed on themselves a right to say in Parliament what they liked, without putting themselves at risk of being sued for defamation A privilege doing MPs' business [Parliament in hot water over 'love' ]
Eye on Politics & Law Lords: States told to drop taxes or lose GST
In a speech that set out a new framework for his industrial relations and tax agenda and federal-state relations, John Howard last night attacked state governments for their "underwhelming performance".
The federal Treasurer, Peter Costello, has spelt out his threat to deprive the states of $35 billion in annual GST revenue unless they eliminate taxes of their own, as the Prime Minister vowed to override the states to impose economic reforms and deregulation.
• The GST was introduced to abolish other taxes [Old flaws in federalism rise again Exposing rawness of the GST deal ; Business wants top tax rate cut to 30% Hugh Morgan: Business Council seeks income tax changes ]
• · Blog Herald: This will be a blogging election: bloggers, already a political and media force in the US, will have real visibility in the UK for the first time. Blogging the UK - British Elections 2005 ; Perfect! Election Slogan!; Digital politicking will put the snap into 2005 election
• · · 'Labour' magazine offers guide to damaging Blair; Sky News : Poll Cheat Ex-Councillor Faces Jail
• · · · The State Opposition Leader, John Brogden, will make the development of NSW infrastructure the key to his election hopes in 2007. Brogden pins hopes on great works ; Paul Nicolaou: You could've thought another papal funeral but Christine Lacy wasn't fooled Crowds flock to Brogden bandwagon ; Google: Brodgen pledges IR, tax & infrastructure changes
• · · · · Labor is ready at last to search its soul about the folly of the past Paranoia split Labor for 25 years ; Charles Ponzi had a crime named after him His Last Name Is Scheme ; As well as raising the issue of whether the law should be clarified on what tactics are allowable in local government elections, the Isaac & anor v Nannelli case is a reminder that the State Electoral Office does not enforce its own regulations Candidates in local government elections who dishonour preference deals are not guilty of any "irregularity" under the Local Government Act Election complaint dismissed
• · · · · · According to FAA records, Bayard Marketing's lone corporate officer is a man called, Leonard T. Bayard. There is no contact information available for Bayard. Indeed, there's no public record of Bayard at all. No residential address. No telephone numbers. Nothing. 9/11: Who is behind the Gulfstream V jet? ; Russian emigre tycoon Boris Berezovsky claims that he has the tape recordings made by Mykola Melnychenko, the fugitive former bodyguard of former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, in Kuchma's office in 1999-2000 Berezovsky And The Ukraine's Politically Explosive Tapes ; Many observers believe the recordings may shed light on the murder of journalist Heorhiy Gongadze and secret sales of Ukrainian arms to rogue states such as Iraq and Iran Berezovsky, ahead of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko's visit to the United States, has accused Kyiv of being unwilling to solve the Gongadze puzzle