Friday, September 27, 2019

TEAR DOWN THAT WALL: Woolcott

It is a reflection of my age that one of the first records I can ever recall is ‘Things ain’t what they used to be’ ...


Democracies are generally thought to die at the barrel of a gun, in coups and revolutions. These days, however, they are more likely to be strangled slowly in the name of the people.

That’s the introduction to editorial comment in the most recent Economist. The editors are understandably critical of populists who “sneer at elites, even if they themselves are rich and powerful”. They also warn of the tide of cynicism that has led citizens to hold politics in contempt and has led politicians to vandalise traditions and institutions with impunity.


Woolcott calls for flatter earthy organisations and more collaboration ...
This APS review will be different, says Commissioner
TEAR DOWN THAT WALL: Woolcott calls on the APS to be “less hierarchical” and more collaborative


“The world’s 500 largest companies generated $32.7 trillion in revenues and $2.15 trillion in profits in 2018. Together, this year’s Fortune Global 500 companies employ 69.3 million people worldwide and are represented by 34 countries. Click here to view past years’ lists: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010
InteractiveVisualize the Global 500
“Each year a whole host of factors – the global economy, trade policies, mergers and acquisitions and corporate upheaval among them – push and pull at the Global 500 rankings. To help you quickly see how each country is represented on the list, we put the Global 500 on a world map. Now you can see each company’s location, revenue and profit at a glance. We also invite you to take a look at how each Global 500 company has moved around in the ranks over the past two decades.”


Landcom chair kicked staff member, documents show

Landcom chairwoman Suzanne Jones was found to have kicked the shin of one of her staff members and behaved "in an aggressive, intimidatory and inappropriate manner" toward them — but remains in her job.


A “Marketplace Of Ideas” Is An Unworkable Idea


The metaphor of a “marketplace of ideas,” where some sort of rational choice theory means the eventual selection of the best quality information, looks naive in an environment where junk news driven by bots and trolls and other forms of non-transparent amplification floods the web, spreading faster than any byte of truth. – The American Interest




ALI KAZAK. On the Middle East, Tim Fischer was a man of courage and integrity.

Tim Fischer belongs to a unique generation of politicians we are farewelling fast; a generation such as Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser and Bob Hawke. A generation which whether you agreed with their ideology or not you could not but respect.Continue reading 



CLINTON FERNANDES. Worried about agents of foreign influence? Just look at who owns Australia’s biggest companies (Conversation 12-9-19)



The attention being given to possible covert influence being exercised by China in Australia shouldn’t distract us from recognising that very overt foreign influence now occurs through investment. Continue reading 


RICHARD BROINOWSKI. Pernicious Secrets



Brian Toohey begins his new book Secret with a deliciously revealing quote from Harold Thorby, Australian Minister for Defence in 1938: ‘We the Government have vital information which we cannot disclose. It is upon this knowledge that we make decisions. You, who are merely private citizens, have no access to this information. Any criticism you make of our policy, any controversy about it which you may indulge, will therefore be uninformed and valueless. If, in spite of your ignorance, you persist in questioning our policy, we can only conclude that you are disloyal.’

KIM WINGEREI. Defining bribery is more important than an ICAC


As much as we should welcome the long overdue Federal ICAC, without redefining what should be the limitations of political influence it will be another toothless body which will struggle for relevance and fail in its intent.


PETER SAINSBURY. Revolving doors and roulette wheels



CBD is the daily scuttlebutt column in the Sydney Morning Herald. Monday’s offeringsincluded a piece that provided examples of the revolving door for staff between the inaptly named Responsible Wagering Australia and the ALP. I strongly recommend it.Continue reading 


On Schwartz Media’s 7ampodcastElizabeth Kulas asks Rick Morton just what Morrison means by his statement:

Quiet Australians have a trust deficit with the public service. I want the APS [the public service] to have a laser-like focus on serving these quiet Australians, those who don’t meet here, and you never hear from, largely.

It’s about the middle class Morrison says – although how one can have a “laser-like” focus on a broad class defies imagination and the rules of logic (but these aren’t Morrison’s strong points). It’s about mistrust, says Morton, even though there is ample evidence that while people mistrust government, they hold far more respect for the public service. (In the  most recent Essential Report on trust, the Commonwealth Public Service scores almost twice the level of trust as political parties.) He suggests that Morrison is trying to deflect mistrust in government to the public service – a task at which he may well succeed as he shapes it into a mere administrative arm of the Coalition.

The 7 Most Dangerous Technology Trends In 2020 Everyone Should Know About Forbes – “As we enter new frontiers with the latest technology trends and enjoy the many positive impacts and benefits it can have on the way we work, play and live, we must always be mindful and prepare for possible negative impacts and potential misuse of the technology. Here are seven of the most dangerous technology trends…” Drone Swarms; Spying Smart Home Devices; Facial Recognition; AI Cloning; Ransomware, AI and Bot-enabled Blackmailing and Hacking; Smart Dust; and Fake News Bots.

Roger Scott. A Response to ‘Trust Me, I’m an Expert

The podcast ‘Trust Me, I’m An Expert (10 September) is one of The Conversation’s rare forays into Queensland politics. It is a podcast from a much-valued series of gatherings held regularly at the Avid Reader bookshop in Brisbane’s West End.Continue reading 

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