This monsoon only proved that there is absolutely no drainage system in the city Monster Monsoon at Maharashtra
Eye on Politics & Law Lords: Make mistakes, a departing leader offers a tip
Bob Carr spent his last afternoon as Premier teaching teenagers the art of speechwriting, the importance of joining a political party and the downbeat truth that life is never perfect
What is it about sunny weekends in Sydney? A week ago Bob Carr told us that a combination of Sydney sun and a good bottle of Chardy prompted him to quit politics. This morning his deputy Andrew Refshauge surprised everyone by following suit, even observing that it had been "a very sunny weekend" when he realised it was the right time to move. But, asks Christian Kerr of Crikey fame, was it really the sun that made him quit or storm clouds massing on the political horizon? Slash, burn and cast off Carr
• Head for the bear pit, kids [Resignations expose ALP's fault lines ; High profile minister Michael Costa has been given the finance portfolio and responsibility for delivering infrastructure in Premier Morris Iemma's new cabinet Iemma names new cabinet line-up for NSW]
• · When Philip Egglishaw last visited Sydney and Melbourne, he left behind a who's who and how-to guide to tax avoidance. John Garnaut has insider’s insider story Jet lag snares a tax haven tout ; Twenty-two judges face prosecution for not lodging tax returns for 2003-04 after they failed to heed final warnings by the Tax Office. Bob Debus, also offered the Tax Office more assistance if disclosure rules could be relaxed Tax Office clampdown ; NSW has scrapped its vendor duty and is now entitled to its fair share of GST revenue Fair Share
• · · I was lucky enough to see the première of David Bradbury’s latest film, Blowin’ in the Wind Blowin’ in the wind ; Two-thirds of Australians, including half of Coalition voters, believe Australia is more at risk of terrorist attack because of the Iraq war, and are willing to sacrifice privacy and civil liberties for protection from it Safety before liberty
• · · · The extra layer might only have been insulation against the light wind and cool of the hour, but an overcoat almost made him look like a spy I spy with my little eye something beginning with deputy commissioner ; Raimond Gaita Detention laws that erode rights are more a threat to our society than terrorists ; Keelty backs agent: extremists are here
• · · · · He's got the Order of Australia, but Harry Seidler is not an Aussie ; The Federal Government moved quickly to undo a hidden decision which stripped Harry Seidler of his citizenship 20 years ago Seidler a citizen again, as bureaucrats pass the buck ; Father of Paola, Paolo Totaro, Foundation chairman, NSW Ethnic Affairs Commission writes. Is there no end to the stupidity, no limit to the indecency of the Department of so-called Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs? Seidler shows lunatics are still running the asylum
• · · · · · Sydney's new radio station Vega 95.3 got off to a flying start with Bob Carr calling mornings host Wendy Harmer a "smart arse" Harmer the charmer ; John Singleton is worth $285 million Coffee on queue