There is nothing which agitates much of the ‘Anglosphere’ media more than a young attractive woman in power. The latest example of the phenomenon is the treatment of 37-year-old Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin. (more…)
Noel Turnbull
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Nationals and the Voice: How to derail policy you oppose but the public doesn’t?
One of the most difficult tasks facing politicians – particularly conservative ones – is how to derail a policy which is popular and principled but which you oppose. (more…)
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55% of Teal voters were Labor and Green supporters
While we worry about social media misinformation we overlook that one of the main sources of misinformation about politics is mainstream media. (more…)
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How the UK is developing the characteristics of a failed society
A new book about Birmingham and its role in shaping modern Britain illuminates how the UK moved from the world’s first industrialised nation to financialisation and deindustrialisation to many of the characteristics of a failed society. (more…)
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Roy Morgan survey: Who is the most distrusted media brand?
The latest Roy Morgan Trust and Distrust survey has listed the most distrusted media brands in Australia. Which brand came out on top? (more…)
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Classrooms of hope and inspiration: Why is Sky News so angry about them?
The usual suspects in their regular appearances on Sky News After Dark or on the hustings are horrified by what they think is going on in our schools. Yet seeing what is actually going on is heartening for the rest of us. (more…)
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Climate change risk second only to nuclear war
Could anthropogenic climate change result in worldwide societal collapse or even human extinction? (more…)
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Why are the Greens opposing the Voice?
As the Greens flirt with a serious loss of electoral support over its policy on the Voice to Parliament, the puzzling question is why they are doing it. (more…)
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What is it with pollies, tanks and defence waste?
What is with politicians and tanks and other armoured vehicles? (more…)
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The Murdoch media is in a class of its own with news replaced by propaganda
In declining order of trust: The Age, SMH, Guardian online, News com.au, Sky News, Herald Sun and Daily Telegraph come below the 50% mark with Sky News boasting the highest don’t trust rating. Would someone please remind us who owns the four at the bottom of the trust scale? (more…)
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Rupert falls out with Jerry and Donald
In the space of a few weeks Rupert Murdoch has dumped both Jerry Hall and Donald Trump. One dumped for threatening to cost him money and one because he can no longer deliver Rupert’s other love-power. (more…)
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The devil might not have the best tunes
The ongoing success of Republicans and US right wingers might be characterised as being due to the devil having the best tunes. (more…)
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The US, institutions and political violence
It is no longer completely ridiculous to ponder whether the US might be heading towards a new low level civil war. (more…)
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Hubristic Greens
There is one area in which the Greens are out in a class of their own – hubris. (more…)
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If only…..Australia
It would be easy to develop a history of recent Australian history around the theme of if only. (more…)
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The lack of trust in Morrison and the media
The latest Roy Morgan Research Trust and Distrust quarterly report is bad news for Scott Morrison and the media. (more…)
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Once upon a time workers had trade union support
Many workers today – whether casuals or professionals – would love such a life today.Once upon a time, more than a century ago, stonemasons working on new Melbourne University buildings walked off the job in their campaign to win an eight hour working day. (more…)
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Australia is more corrupt than ever, but the media stays quiet
Australia has a deteriorating global corruption ranking — and the mainstream media is ignoring it entirely.
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Out of focus: the pitfalls of political market research
Political parties spend big on focus group research with the approach of an election – but changes in methodology raise questions over its worth.
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Tactical voting: Labor supporters can tip balance towards independents
The push to elect independent — mainly female — candidates in Coalition seats in 2022 will partly rely on co-operation from “the other side”.
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Fossil fuels: the campaign to force PR agencies to clean up their act
The links between advertising agencies and the oil and gas industry are coming under increasing pressure through name-and-shame tactics.
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What successful capitalism can teach Scott Morrison
Corporate leaders who show empathy and kindness and foster a positive culture are the most successful — the PM should take heed.
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More winning suggestions for Labor to take on board
Our recent 10-point plan for an ALP victory at the next election prompted a reaction that shows many voters desperately want Labor to stand for something.
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Surge in independent candidates illustrates mistrust of the party system
A report into the state of Australian politics should serve as a wake-up call for the major parties — and anyone who cares about the nation’s future.
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A 10-point winning strategy for Labor
The Albanese-led Opposition is having trouble cutting through to voters despite the Morrison government’s corruption and waste — here’s a plan to turn things around.
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PM ignores our modelling experts and hires a controversial global consultant
The awarding of a $6 million climate modelling contract to McKinsey was no surprise given the government’s record of rorts, secrecy and corruption. (more…)
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Liar, liar pants on fire
It is commonly believed if you are going to consistently tell lies you need either a good memory or a hide like a rhinoceros. These days neither seems to be necessary.
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Will Australia learn from Saigon?
It is a few months more than 179 years since 4,500 British and ‘Native’ troops and 12,000 camp followers were forced to leave Kabul.
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The mystery political staffer running government rorting.
It is now known that one person in the Prime Minister’s office drew up the spreadsheets for both the sports and car park rorts. (more…)
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Commemoration is the second casualty of war
The Australian Government is very, very slow to address veterans’ problems – witness the tardiness on the veterans’ suicide issue – yet it is always quick off the mark to dream up some new commemoration of conflict. (more…)