John Kerin’s contribution to the success of the Hawke-Keating government has been grievously understated and uncelebrated. (more…)
Gordon Gregory
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Election coverage: ridiculous questions, irrelevant answers
There has been justified criticism of journalists’ fondness for gotcha questions. But there is a broader and more costly crisis in the way that election campaigns are structured and covered by media. (more…)
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The Clayton’s but secret Covid national plan
Those hoping for clarification on the national COVID-19 plan from last week’s national cabinet meeting will be disappointed. The main outcome from the meeting was a statement about the importance of its discussions and documents remaining “cabinet in confidence”.
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Vaccinating aged care staff: mismanagement by Scott Morrison’s government.
Calling something as poorly designed as Australia’s Covid vaccination system ‘a rollout’ gives wheels a bad name. The failure to manage effectively the identification of priority groups for coronavirus vaccination, and to deliver vaccines to them, has to date been an awful failure of public administration.
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Making good use of the AstraZeneca in which we are ‘awash’
Thanks to the Delta variant, the Covid-19 pandemic is now a national crisis. If the vaccine roll-out can find both the urgency and the administrative efficiency required, the immediate challenge stemming from an excess supply of AstraZeneca and an acute shortage of Pfizer can be met. While steps are being taken to divert Pfizer from second doses to first, the large numbers who are waiting for the second AstraZeneca can be invited to have their second after less than 12 weeks have elapsed.
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The right answer to Jack’s question can help use all that AstraZeneca
Jack1 from Bathurst phoned into Life Matters this week. He thought to help the Covid vaccine situation by bringing forward his second AstraZeneca jab. But no one could tell him what effect that would have on the efficacy of his jabs. (more…)
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Covid 19 has revealed the weaknesses but also the importance of globalisation.
If enough of us ever get vaccinated to get over the immediate emergency, it will be useful to take time to reflect on the medium-term implications of the global pandemic for the governance of Australia and the world. There is much to be done and much we can learn.
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Breaking news: new leader for Labor for Coal
The Federal Member of Parliament for a coalmining seat in New South Wales has today been re-elected Leader of Labor for Coal (LfC). Asked what she thought was expected of her in the position, Ms Taken said that one of her first priorities will be to maintain the close political, philosophical and organisational relationship with the ALP.