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Tuesday, 04 July
23:42
Listings remain low, but... "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
23:23
Quick as a flash, nothing happened "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
21:21
Yeah Nah Pasaran! #168 w Isabella Currie on The Wagner Group : July 6, 2023 "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
Thank you to everybody who donated to 3CR during Radiothon. With your help YNP! managed to raise just over $7,000 for the station in order to stay radical and continue to provide a vital platform for the issues that get Continue reading
16:02
Executions Human Rights forsworn and Wars fought "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
By Andrew Klein In these days of mass communication and glib reportage, carefully presented and stage managed by the powers that be the reality of death in its many guises often presents more of a picture of entertainment, or at best, outrage at a distance. Many Australians were outraged by the executions carried out in
The post Executions Human Rights forsworn and Wars fought appeared first on The AIM Network.
16:00
Dutton's defence of Berejiklian oozes Liberal contempt for women "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
Just when you thought the Liberals might be running out of new ways to demean women, along comes Opposition Leader Peter Dutton with his defence of disgraced former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Berejiklian was last week found by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct. This included failing to disclose her close personal relationship with former disgraced Liberal MP for Wagga, Daryl Maguire, and failing to report her knowledge of his involvement in corrupt dealings.
Dutton found himself caught between a rock and a hard place on the Berejiklian matter. He couldnt accept the ICAC findings without raising the spectre of pork barrelling by the previous Federal Government, for example, the sports rorts fiasco, the regional rorts, the pool rorts and the road rorts. As Ms Berejiklian herself observed everybody rorts. Its not illegal, however, it is corrupt.
Dutton launched a novel defence of Berejiklians actions. Shed fallen in love with a dud, he declared. Shes not corrupt she just made a...
15:15
Costly Amalgamations: The University Merger Mania "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
Never trust the musings of university management, with their uplifting visions of sunlit glory, their honey-laced promises of healthy workplaces, staff and students. Being several steps removed from the trench, the field, the library, they are the last to be asked about anything of any consequence in the fields of teaching and research. But that
The post Costly Amalgamations: The University Merger Mania appeared first on The AIM Network.
14:45
The reasons why for you to vote Yes "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
The 1967 referendum bill was passed by Parliament because the international community were taking a dim view of Australias treatment of First Nations. First Nations were being excluded as people to count in the census, and those same international observers were cognisant of Queensland and Western Australia resisting pressure to close down the dreadful First
The post The reasons why for you to vote Yes appeared first on The AIM Network.
13:40
Race Riots and Culture Wars "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
What was it like?
What?
Parisduring the riots.
Were there riots?
Every country has its railroad tracks. And some people are inevitably on the other side of them. In Paris, poor people tend to live in the suburbs. One of them got killed by police last week. Those of us in the centre of town barely noticed.
Nationwide, the French seem to be having their own George Floyd moment.
Heres CNN:
Chaos, destruction and confrontations have led to curfews in some towns around the capital. Bus and tram services faced disruptions with a nationwide shutdown ordered for 9:00pm on Friday to try to stem another night of violence.
Areas within some of Frances major cities have erupted in violence for several successive nights after a teenager named Nahel Merzouk, reportedly of Algerian descent, was fatally shot by police an incident caught on video.
More than 800 people were arrested the night of 29 June, as outrage continued to intensify. Merzouks death appears to have become a flashpoint for anger about racial inequality in France and claims of police discrimination.
Culture warriors
Meanwhile, racism is a big deal in the US too. There is a whole brigade of culture warriors ready to call it outstamp it outand duke it out. They see racism everywhere.
The Daily Beast: White Professor Disgusts Women Historians Conference:
A conference for female historians this weekend was plunged into turmoil when a prominent white academic speaking at the main event said her professional life would have been easier if she were black.
She was immediately called out for her blatantly racist remarks, and refused to apologise, let alone listen, to the reason why her remarks were horrifyingly wrong
And heres another click-baiting headline from something called BuzzLoving:
White men are a danger to society, says a member of San Franciscos reparations committee.
This past weekend, the US press reeled and railed over the Supreme Courts latest decision on universities race-based admissions programs. In brief, the court recognised that you cant discriminate in favour of one group (blacks, for example) without discriminating against another (Asians, for instance).
This anti-racist decision was immediately attacked asyesracism!
Fox News:
...Jemele Hill accuses Asians of carrying the water for white supremacy for backing affirmative action decision.
Harvard pledged to go forth and sin no moreat least not openly. It said, however, that it would continue to take other circumstances, beyond test scores and academic achievements, into account.
13:40
How Do You Hold onto a Bird in the Hand? "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
One of the best pieces of advice I received early in my financial advisory career came from a seasoned investment professional.
His words still ring in my ears
Vern, whenever you hear this five-word preface you cant go wrong buying, thats the moment when everything can go wrong.
Why?
Because once every man and his dog thinks something is a sure bet, cant fail, one-way trip to assured wealth, it means that all risk has been discounted out of the investment equationand thats when an investment contains its most risk.
The only thing thats guaranteed in this business is there are no guarantees.
There are two components to an investmentincome and capital gain.
Neither is assured.
For example, in April 2020, during the COVID meltdown, APRA Chairman, Wayne Byres, penned a letter to the banks, stating:
APRA expects ADIs [Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions] and insurers to limit discretionary capital distributions in the months ahead, to ensure that they instead use buffers and maintain capacity to continue to lend and underwrite insurance
As reported by IG Capital at the time
In response to APRAs letter; Macquarie analysts today said that the big four banks may be forced to either reduce or suspend their next wave of dividends completely.
Looking at a stressed scenario; Macquarie posits that bank losses could run as high as $2527 billion per bank. In this possible world, the banks ability to pay dividends (without raising equity) materially diminishes, it was noted.
Recent history has taught us that other sources of income are not set in stone either.
In 2010, with the RBA cash rate around 5%, who would ever have thought a decade later, money in the bank would earn next-to-nothing?
Who could have anticipated how work-from-home would upset the commercial property applecart?
With higher vacancy levels, per-square-metre rent rates have
come under pressure.
Landlords have suffered a double whammyfalling rental income and
lower property values.
Nothing is ever absolutely guaranteed
Things happen that can change market dynamics.
And what was once placed in the category of you cant go wrong buying, suddenly shifts to how did we get this so wrong?
Of the two types of investment returns, income is perceived as the bird in the hand, while growth is the two in the bush.
So, how do you increase the odds of holding onto that bird in your hand?
With the guidance of someone who has been there and done that.
This is an unashamed plug for my good mate, Greg Canavan
Ive been in this business for 37 years and have seen a lot of investment professionals.....
12:26
The Ignorant Imperative: Hannah Gadsby on Pablo Picasso "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
The humourless comedian Hannah Gadsby has much to thank one of the twentieth centurys titans of art. By placing him in the stockade of feminist disapproval, the Australian was picking the easiest target and avoiding the most profound questions of his oeuvre. To be so personal, and play the man with such indignation, is the
The post The Ignorant Imperative: Hannah Gadsby on Pablo Picasso appeared first on The AIM Network.
12:00
POEM: An Ode to Senator Thorpe "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
This poem is an *IA Writing Competition (fiction category) entry.
AN ODE TO SENATOR THORPE
It's a new generation and pronouns are the rage,
Plus a new batch of pollies have taken the stage.
Of all of them though, there is who stands out,
And it's Senator Thorpe, without a shadow of doubt.
On the coattails of the Greens, she came by Harley to town,
Championing minorities and sticking it to the Crown.
Some people are asking, Is she barking mad?
In fairness it was Bolt and Sky News who elected to give a platform
to her dad.
Now widely criticised for making a fuss,
But imagine your own father throwing you under the bus!
Evicted from a strip club with verbal abuse her great crime,
Some may just argue she's ahead of her time.
But how was Barnaby Joyce, commenting with presumption,
About someone else's alcoholic consumption!
Man-handled by police I've been there myself,
If politics was about realness, she'd be top shelf.
Everyone seems to have had a go at ripping her down.
But she's not one to mess with how about that Van clown?
On the Parliament's stage she told Pauline where to go,
But there are just so few who haven't wanted to, though.
To their discredit, no sisters have paused the great goad,
Easier to paint her crazy it serves their cause so.
Condemned by so many and told to go take a hike,
In fairness, with chance, I'd ride a great Martin bike!
Neither poised nor polished, but should she need be?
A woman after my own heart you get what you see.
She is not fit for parliament, says Van like white
Sir.
Or could it be the great halls, aren't ready for her?
Running scared and desperate to stop her calling them out.
Perhaps running scared of the fact she is gaining some clout.
Who would actually write this, I hear the hacks say,
It's not even fiction burn the rulebook, she'd
say.
A controversial poem, perhaps, but let it be known,
Senator Thorpe this is an ode.
Let all young girls take a sip from her cup,
If only we were all a bit more Lidia as we grew up.
...
11:24
An unfinished political obituary for Stuart Robert, a flat circle "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
An unfinished political obituary for Stuart Robert, a flat circle
...10:46
TRT World interview on Israeli invasion of Jenin "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
My interview on global broadcaster TRT World about Israels invasion of the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank and the logic of Israels escalating violence.
The post TRT World interview on Israeli invasion of Jenin appeared first on Antony Loewenstein.
10:11
Non-government health expenditure for 2019-20 "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
Successful.
09:59
The EU risks repeating another vaccine apartheid with new deals with vaccine companies "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
July 4, 2023: Reuters reports that the European Commission has contracted several European vaccine production companies, such as Pfizer, to reserve capacity to make the EU up to 325 million vaccines a year in case of another future global health emergency. The contracts also obligate the companies to be adequately responsive to crises, including by stockpiling supplies where necessary.
The announcement of these contracts has been met with backlash from members of the Peoples Vaccine Alliance advocating for equitable access to medicines who claim they threaten to repeat the vaccine inequity experienced during Covid-19. As of June 2023, only 35% of people in low countries have received a Covid vaccination compared to 73% in high income countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) dubbed this inequity a vaccine apartheid which led to large-scale, preventable deaths in the global South.
The EUs announcement of its vaccine contracts comes alongside discussions of a Global Pandemic Agreement by the WHO. The agreement aims to avoid a repeat of the "catastrophic failure" of the Covid pandemic and includes a commitment to reserve up to 20% of any tests, vaccines or treatments for low-income countries in a future global health emergency. However, there are concerns that inward-looking measures to protect supply lines, such as the EUs, threaten the Global Pandemic Agreement and undermine initiatives to ensure equitable access to medicine.
Read Reuters reporting on this subject here and a press release by the Peoples Vaccine Alliance here.
09:55
The 13th Interest Rate Rise OR Lucky For Some "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
Now, I know that some of you have no interest in sport so the fact that Im using a sporting analogy may put you off, but if you just remember its an analogy and stick with it, youll soon see that it was an appropriate comparison. On the other hand, when I start talking about
The post The 13th Interest Rate Rise OR Lucky For Some appeared first on The AIM Network.
08:00
News Corp condemns ICAC and stands for corruption "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
With the release of NSW ICACs findings on Gladys Berejiklian, an editorial in The Australian has condemned the Commission and made a bold stand for corruption, writes David McIlveen.
LAST WEEK saw the official opening of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the release of the long-awaited findings from the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on former Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Quite a week.
It makes for a useful occasion to reflect on corruption in Australian politics and the media, and to point out the people politicians, publications and hacks that line up to side with the guilty, attack the accountability body, and provide every lame excuse to downplay or dismiss the findings of corruption. Presumably in hopes of weakening the public unity in condemning something so clearly against its interests.
The few senior current and former Liberals that provided comment on the findings were as predictable as they were vacuous and unprincipled in their responses, and dont deserve any serious treatment. Their contempt for evidence and ICACs hard work and careful deliberation is fitting with the Liberal brand. Just let us use the Treasury as our own private bank account, you can hear them thinking.
The funambulist nature of the Murdoch press is always a little more interesting, however, as its forever obliged to try to present itself as for the people to its limited readership, while simultaneously promoting the interests of the Liberal Party and its associates.
Lets look at The Australians editorial position on the NSW ICAC findings, for...
07:21
In which the pond cuts back on its diet for a leaner, meaner, dot point laden Groaning ... "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
The pond regrets to advise that, despite a splendid surge in comments yesterday, today is a leaner and meaner cut down post.
Why so? Well there were the usual alarums in the tree killer edition ...
04:36
Building pipeline continues to decline "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
04:09
Scream if you wanna fall faster... "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
03:44
Stock for sale falls further "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
Capital city vacancy rates remained at a record low of 1.1 per cent.
Monday, 03 July
18:01
Vice Admiral Jonathon Mead to be Director-General of New Australian Submarine Agency "IndyWatch Feed Enviro.au"
New Australian Submarine Agency to manage nuclear subs, by Brian Hartigan 2 July 23
The Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) which will be responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of the nuclear-powered submarine program has been officially established.
Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead is the new agencys inaugural Director-General.
Minister for Defence Richard Marles said that as chief of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce, Vice Admiral Mead demonstrated his leadership and judgement in supporting the establishment of the pathway to acquire this critical capability through the AUKUS partnership.
This is a significant day, marking our next step towards the acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, which is the single biggest investment in our defence capability in our history, Mr Marles said..
ASA currently has more than 350 staff from the Australian Defence Force and Australian Public Service, including many who have transitioned from the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce and others who have joined recently.
It is expected to almost double to more than 680 staff over the next year, drawing on a diverse skillset required to deliver this significant endeavour.
ASA will be headquartered i...
17:17
Australian Vintage [ASX:AVG] Shares Jump 10% as It Undertakes Strategic Review "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
Australian Vintage [ASX:AVG], the company behind popular wine brands Tempus Two, McGuigan, and Nepenthe, has announced the initiation of a strategic review to explore options to unlock shareholder value.
Investors were relieved at the news, with the share price jumping by 10% today, trading at 43 cents per share.
The decision comes in light of the challenging business environment faced by AVG, including inflationary impacts, pressure from consumer trends, and tough market dynamics affecting pricing.
The market has reacted to these challenges, with AVGs shares declining by nearly 40 % over the past year. While the company experienced a surge in demand during the pandemic as consumers shifted to at-home consumption, reaching a 13-year high of 89 cents between March 2020 and June 2021 it remains a far cry from the highs witnessed in the early 2000s.
Source: Trading View
Australian Vintage explores alternatives
Australian Vintage announced today the beginning of a strategic review by corporate advisory firm E&P to explore options to unlock shareholder value in a challenging environment.
The decision to undertake the review comes in the wake of a challenging mid-June trading update for Australian Vintage, which highlighted the impact of the cost-of-living pinch on demand for affordable wines among Australian consumers.
The company responded by cancelling its final dividend and announcing a $9 million cost-cutting plan to mitigate ongoing inflationary pressures and the negative effects of excess wine capacity on margins.
Despite these challenges, AVG has managed to increase its market share across all key geographies, particularly in the rapidly growing Zero and Low-alcohol wine markets.
Craig Garvin, the former Australian CEO of Parmalat dairy business, leads Australian Vintage as its CEO...
16:32
Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
Successful.
16:18
A Brief Guide to Product Marketing "IndyWatch Feed National"
Effective product marketing is crucial for the success of any company in todays competitive business landscape. Whether youre looking to sell digital products or provide services, the principles of product marketing can greatly assist you in increasing sales, establishing a trustworthy brand, and developing customer loyalty.
Regardless if youre running a small business or a large corporation, its important to have a solid understanding of product marketing.
In this blog post, we will be diving into the world of product marketing. Well discuss what it involves, how its different from general marketing, the important tasks product marketers handle, and some effective strategies to boost your products success.
How is Product Marketing Different from General Marketing?
Simply put, product marketing is about specificity. Unlike general marketing, which focuses on building broader brand awareness and customer acquisition, product marketing zooms in on a specific product or service. It aims to effectively communicate the value proposition, features, and benefits of a product to the target audience. This is done with the hopes of influencing customer behaviour and increasing product sales.
Here are the key differences between product marketing and general marketing as a whole:
- Focused audience targeting
Product marketing zeroes in on a specific group of consumers with the aim of understanding their needs, preferences, and pain points. This enables product marketers to create tailored product campaigns that resonate with their target demographic.
- Product-specific marketing
Through product marketing, you can craft compelling narratives that highlight the unique features, benefits, and value proposition of a specific product. Product-specific marketing aims to differentiate the product from competitors and showcase its particular advantages to the target audience.
What Does a Product Marketer Do?
Product marketers often wear multiple hats and have to work with several other departments within a company.
Here are some of the key responsibilities of product marketers:
- Market research and cross-functional
collaboration
Product marketers conduct thorough market research to understand the target audience, industry trends, and competitive landscape. They gather valuable customer insights, analyse market data, and identify opportunities for product differentiation.
To create a comprehensive go-to-market strategy, product marketers also collaborate with cross-functional teams, including the product management and sales teams. An effective go-to-market strategy might involve defining target segments, setting pricing strategies, identifying distribution channels, and planning promotional activities.
- Developing product positioning and......
16:00
Gladys Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire a latter-day Bonnie and Clyde "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption determined that former Premier Gladys Berejiklian had engaged in serious corruption along with her lover, Daryl Maguire. Michael Galvin explores the partnership of NSW's infamous corrupt couple.
THERE SHOULD BE a special place in Australian history for Daryl Maguire, Gladys Berejiklians Hokis. The nation owes a debt of thanks to the NSW ICAC for preserving so many recordings of Dodgy Dazza speaking on the phone to his lover, former Premier Berejiklian.
But first, a couple of thoughts about the disgraced former NSW Premier herself.
Whether or not Berejiklian was as corrupt as Maguire is an open question. But when it comes to his many illegal schemes to make money on the back of his position as a NSW MP, it is the view of this writer that Berejiklian cannot claim total innocence.
Why not? Because she had motive. It was in the former Premier's interests for Maguire to make as much money as he could. It is clear from her own words on the phone to him that she wanted and was looking forward to enjoying overseas holidays and other expensive lifestyle choices with him. Yet Maguire kept telling her how poor he was, how much he was in debt, how much his children were costing him and on and on.
Yes, Berejiklian told Maguire that she was quite capable of covering her own travel and other expenses. From the text messages, it appears Maguires ego was fragile and insecure and, therefore, Gladys knew he had to make money in order to have the life together to which they aspired.
So, Berijiklian had motive and she was not stupid...
14:25
Why doesnt she just leave? Why did you stay? "IndyWatch Feed National"
We hear it said often, especially when there is a high profile domestic violence case in the media.
When high profile cases of violence against women are in the media, the air waves fill with outrage, calls to action, compassion, political responses and inevitably someone somewhere will say: Why didnt she leave? and Why did she go back?.
Those of us who work in womens domestic and family violence shelters hear her stories and witness her tears and sometimes are asked to be her voice at a time when just taking the next breath takes a huge amount of energy.
This poem is dedicated to those women who are living in domestic violence or have come through it and have had those words asked of them :
Why didnt you just leave?
Im sorry I cant hear you
what did you say?
My ears are blocked and heavy
From vicious words that have been hurled my way
There used to be sweet words and promises
and whispered romance in my ears
I now I find myself wondering
Can ears become blocked with all those tears?
...
14:00
Australian Dollar and Bitcoin "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
1.00 AUD = 0.00002 BTC
0.00010 BTC = 4.65 AUD
Converter
13:20
A large government presence required for energy transition does not mean massive deficits are required "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
There appears to be confusion among those interested in Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) as to what the implications for a green transition that will fasttrack the transition to renewable energy will require by way of government. I regularly see statements that government deficits will have to be massive for extended periods because the private (for
12:54
Getting rich on their own supply: the housing crisis and capitals supply-side solutions "IndyWatch Feed National"
At precisely the moment that the housing crisis has caused centre-left parties and think tanks to begin proposing price controls on rent, and calling this a democratic question rather than an economic one, the financial world is working to insulate itself from democratic control.
The post Getting rich on their own supply: the housing crisis and capitals supply-side solutions appeared first on Overland literary journal.
12:24
Monday Message Board "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
Post comments on any topic. Civil discussion and no coarse language please. Side discussions and idees fixes to the sandpits, please.
Im now using Substack as a blogging platform, and for my monthly email newsletter. For the moment, Ill post both at this blog and on Substack. You can also follow me on Mastodon here.
12:15
Escaping the ScapeGoat trap "IndyWatch Feed National"
Being a family scapegoat refers to a role or dynamic within a family system where one person is consistently blamed, criticised, or targeted for the familys problems and dysfunctions. The one who receives the eye rolls, plaintive sighs, admonishments and fault finding. The scapegoat can serve to unite a non-communicative family as they highlight the flawed member and extrapolate on their faults whilst not examining their own.
Image source- Stock
The scapegoat is often seen as the troublemaker or the overly sensitive, too emotional or unreliable one responsible for all the familys issues, while other family members are idealised or considered unflawed and non-problematic by comparison.
This unhealthy family dynamic can have a profound impact on the scapegoats well-being and self-esteem as the scapegoat is frequently the target of unfair accusations, verbal abuse, or emotional manipulation within the family.
They may be blamed for things that are not their fault, held responsible for the actions of other family members, or constantly singled out for their perceived flaws or shortcomings.
For example if the scapegoat speaks out about fa...
12:07
Honduras risks losing $11 billion in ISDS case after repealing laws created by authoritarian government "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
June 30, 2023: US company Prspera has launched a $11 billion dollars Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claim against Honduras for repealing a controversial law.
ISDS is a mechanism within some trade agreements which enables foreign (but not local) investors to sue governments for millions and even billions of dollars of compensation if they can argue, among other reasons, that a change in domestic law or policy has reduced the value of their investment.
Honduras law, passed by corrupt officials of the post-coup Honduras government, allowed foreign investors to establish Economic Development and Employment Zones (ZEDE). ZEDEs are essentially private cities outside of the jurisdiction of the government which grant investors the power to create their own security forces, governance systems, regulations and separate courts.
The recently elected democratic government has repealed the ZEDE law to ensure that democratic governance applies to these zones. Despite strong public support for the repeal, and the concern over the threat of ZEDEs to democratic protections, Honduras risks losing nearly two-thirds of its national budget if Prsperas case is successful and will have to spend millions defending the case.
You can read more about this case here, or about the dangers of ISDS in AFTINETs updated briefing here.
12:03
The similarity between Peter Dutton and pizza oven smoke "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
The Guardian recently reported that in the eyes of the American conservatives the pink haired liberals are killing the New York Pizza. Unsurprisingly, the conservatives have added 2 and 2 and got 5, helped by News Corps New York Post. The real story is in 2016, New York City legislated that filters be installed on the
The post The similarity between Peter Dutton and pizza oven smoke appeared first on The AIM Network.
11:51
The obsession with surpluses "IndyWatch Feed Economics.au"
The Federal Government has posted the first actual surplus for 15 years as distinct from a projected surplus with celebratory coffee mugs just before covid struck.
The essential lesson is not to get stuck on the mantra of surplus good, deficit bad and that that is the be-all and end-all of budgetary (or fiscal) policy. Governments are not like households. They do not have to keep spending within the bounds of income or go bankrupt.
And besides, as every mortgage holder knows, some debt is a good because it generates wealth in the long term.
The Government should not be congratulated on delivering a surplus (of $19 billion). Rather it should be congratulated on doing fairly well the other important elements of budgetary policy: tweaking according to whether the economy is inflationary, on one hand, or sliding into recession on the other; redistributing wealth in measured ways; promoting good economic activity and discouraging bad activity by applying taxes or tax breaks; and delivering services that people might otherwise not be able to afford.
A surplus right now is good, not because surpluses are good per se, but because the economy is in an inflationary mode which needs braking. It is better that the sledge-hammer of high interest rates does not do that alone.
Similarly, when then Treasurer Josh Frydenbergs black surplus coffee mugs turned red with embarrassment after covid struck he should not have been condemned for running a deficit because deficits are bad per se. Rather, he should have been applauded for tipping money into households when it was needed.
If there had been no covid and Frydenbergs surplus had eventuated, there still would have been good grounds for saying his fiscal policy was deeply flawed. Taking the wrecking ball the government service and vast hand-outs to mates and marginal seats for projects of dubious economic merit are no way to run fiscal policy. It was the equivalent of a household borrowing to finance holidays rather than a house.
From the 1990s, the Coalition successfully convinced much of the broader community that its obsession with surpluses was warranted. However, that obsession disguised a more passionate, but flawed, agenda: that of reducing government spending and thereby...
11:31
Britain's SAS hosted a serial killer "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
In 2020, the Brereton report found that the Australian SAS had murdered 39 Afghan civilians and committed war crimes. The British government is finally reviewing the actions of its own special forces in Afghanistan, and it looks like the death toll is at least twice as high:
Eighty Afghans may have been victim of summary killings by three separate British SAS units operating in the country between 2010 and 2013, lawyers representing the bereaved families have told a public inquiry.And these are the murders they have admitted to. There'll be a lot more they've covered up and kept secret.[...]
Afghans were often killed after allegedly producing weapons when separated from their wider family by SAS soldiers, but there were five incidents where the number shot dead exceeded the number of weapons found.
The fresh claims are cited in a document submitted by the law firm Leigh Day, based on previous Ministry of Defence court disclosures, to a new public inquiry into allegations of war crimes committed by SAS soldiers in Afghanistan.
Appallingly, nearly half the admitted death toll is due to a single soldier, who had a policy of murdering all "fighting-age males", regardless of whether they posed any threat. Which seems both genocidal, and the actions of a straight-up serial killer.
In Australia, the Brereton report got to the truth, and led to consequences. An entire SAS unit was disbanded for its crimes, and criminal trials are imminent. In the UK, with its long history of official coverups, and with politicians trying to "draw a line" under historic crimes to prevent embarrassment to the power structure, I don't think we can have any confidence that anything will be done. Britain will not provide justice for its crimes. Instead, these war criminals and their political accessories and co-conspirators will have to be sent to The Hague.
11:25
China Pacific Takeover "IndyWatch Feed National"
J.G.Olsen / Financial Expositor
Possibly the Globalists most significant common ancestor, the Macedonian Ptolemy, in 305 BC declared himself Saviour and moved the capital of Egypt out of Memphis to Alexandria, the new great city on the Mediterranean coast. Pyramids went out of style for a while but are more recently roaring back in as definitive fashion statements around...
11:18
Membership application approved, official induction ceremony this Wednesday. "IndyWatch Feed National"
PS - while we're at it, a couple of decades here and there can't hurt!
11:02
"Lets lynch the landlord" as policy "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
Last month the Greens released their tax policy, was was basicly eat the rich. Over the weekend they followed it up with their rental policy. The short version? lets lynch the landlord:
Rents controls would limit how much landlords could increase the rent by each year. The cap would never be higher than 3 percent, which is the upper limit of the Reserve Bank's inflation target.Less headliney, but also important: relaxing Labour's austerity limits on Kainga Ora, allowing them to build even more state houses. Which would restore some balance to the rental sector.Landlords would not be allowed to raise rents beyond this limit unless they have made substantial improvements to the property.
The controls would also be property based rather than tenancy to prevent landlords putting up the rent between tenants.
A Rental Warrant of Fitness would guarantee all rental homes were safe, warm and healthy to live in.
A national register of all landlords and property managers would keep track of how many properties were rented, ownership, how much rent was charged over time, and compliance with the Rental Warrant of Fitness.
Naturally, landlords hate it, making their usual threat to sell up. Which is a feature, not a bug, because unless they turn arsonist, the houses will still be there. They'll just be parasite free. Economists also hate it, but given that their "discipline" is basicly making excuses for the rich, they would. And as with MMP, the Wal Footrot principle applies: want a reason to vote for it? Just look at the people telling you not to.
[With thanks to the Dead Kennedys for the post title]
09:12
The Eastern Star. "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
The Eastern Star.
I call that star in the early morning sky,
The Eastern Star..for know not I,
The names given to stars of the night,
Save those sung in songs of delight.
I confess I know not, so many things,
Like the names of public holidays,
Peoples names, and sundry things,
Of deep regret I have to sling..
But I do know the difference,
Between what is intoned,
As a lonely life against a life alone.
Myself, if I can but quote;
Married with children, not to gloat,
But to example a situation done,
Yet to me, I live in this life alone.
For there is one part of my soul,
I would not like to have others know,
Of thoughts I think nor ideas I sow,
Not for want of any scant disgust,
But rather because I have so little trust,
Or faith that the public mob (scuse my scorn),
Would not banter and laugh to so forlorn,
At my silly dreams and colourful plans I lay,
Should ever such come to the light of day..
So best I live in this life alone,
With all my angels, demons and dreams convolved,
Rather than see myself be publicly scold,
And let what is personal, not obscure personality,
Be the measure of my worth in social equity,
And so leave The Eastern Star shine down on me.
(Joseph Carli.)
08:39
Bill Gates' An open Letter to Hobbyists 1976 "IndyWatch Feed National"
See Wikipedia article:
08:23
Northern Territory government steps up support fracking industry "IndyWatch Feed Enviro.au"
Contributed by Adam Carlton
A new law in the northern Territory which allows fracking companies exploring for gas to start selling before they go through the project approval process is designed to turn this process into a rubber stamp. This law was introduced into the NT parliament in October last year. The state government hopes that this will give rise to the growth of the industry.
The new law, in the form of an amendment to the Petroleum Act, was approved by the parliament last year. Now the claim that the recommendations that the Pepper inquiry has been met is used to encourage companies to make use of the new law. This is a lie. Even though the inquiry had been meant to be a rubber stamp, it did raise a list of needs before a go ahead can be considered. These needs have not been covered, and the green light was given in May.
NT Environment Centre director Kirsty Howie said allowing the sale of exploratory gas before the recommendations were fully completed appeared to weaken the governments commitment to the recommendations of its own Pepper inquiry. Appeared, In this context using the word appeared is a polite way that it has.
Photo by Tristan Hooft/ABC News: Kirsty Howie
Wed been promised by the Northern Territory government that the industry would not move to production until numerous safeguards were in place, she said.
That includes things like offsetting all life cycle emissions produced in Australia from fracking and declaring water allocation plans in the regions to be affected.
Locals opposed to fracking and First Nation communities are not accepting this and gearing up to step up a battle that has already been going on for years. This is especially true for the Beetaloo Basin. Its big underground aquifer is threatened. A dozen test wells have already ben build here. Local community and first Nation opponents, intent of reversing this, have been joined by Northern Territory and across Australia pro-environment organisations.
08:06
In which the pond continues the Monday tradition of Caterist blather and the Major out for his usual march ... "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
In these troubled times, the pond often finds itself in the company of apostates, dissenters, heretics, deserters, traitors and nonconformists who've abandoned their old ways ...
So the pond was reading a rant by former Republican Mike Lofgren, There's no such thing as a conservative intellectual only apologists for right-wing power.
It's a long rant, but the thesis was simple enough, and summarised what the pond had learned over the years is what the reptiles at the lizard Oz yearn for day after day, month after month, year after year ...
2. The only acceptable society is based on Christianity.
3. We must obey tradition.
...
08:00
Media Watch faces backlash for supporting transphobia "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
ABC's Media Watch has stirred controversy by bothsiding the fight for trans rights, claiming the importance of reporting differing points of view. Dr Victoria Fielding reports.
*Also listen to the "https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dGQwa9ej5BYHz8qzVEqd6" target= "_blank">HERE.
IN 2017, during a White supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, a young woman was murdered when a White supremacist purposely drove his car into a crowd of people peacefully protesting White supremacy.
In response to this incident, then-President Donald Trump famously said:
You had some very bad people in that group, but you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides.
And:
I think there is blame on both sides.
Joe Biden responded to this statement in his video launching his bid for president in 2019, saying:
With those words, the President of the United States assigned a moral equivalence between those spreading hate and those with the courage to stand against it.
This same false moral equivalence, also referred to as bothsidesism, was on display in ABCs Media Watch story, Transgender TERF war, about anti-trans columnist and journalist, Julie Szego, losing her job at The Age.
Bothsidesism refers to presenting different perspectives in a notional debate as...
07:38
06:00
A Pacific Mobility Index to strategically guide the Pacific Engagement Visa "IndyWatch Feed Politics.au"
In this blog, we introduce the Pacific Mobility Index (PMI) as a tool to guide the implementation of the revolutionary Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) under its proposed annual 3,000 visa lottery ballot system.
Whilst the PMI we are proposing is currently only a concept, it promotes the strategic allocation of visas and aligns its rationale to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. It recognises the sensitive competing priorities in the region, and promotes regional agreement that aims to avoid tension. The PMI incorporates Australias own priorities for considerations of climate vulnerability and low access, and aims to strengthen the delivery of these highly prized visas.
The PEV is a first for Australia. It is a new visa that targets increased access to permanent migration pathways specifically for citizens of the Blue Pacific. In the interest of advancing and strengthening Australias ties, relationships and people-people connections to the Pacific, wider collective consultation in the region should foreground the successful delivery of the PEV.
Should the PEV roll out as initially announced by the Albanese government, citizens of 12 eligible Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, who have access to the internet or have family members that are technology savvy, will be able to make an online pre-application for a PEV. Four members (aside from Australia and New Zealand) from the apex regional body the Pacific Islands Forum the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Niue are not included. Eligible citizens will have the opportunity to enter a ballot, at a nominal non-refundable fee of A$25, to be randomly selected and then invited to apply for the visa. This is a tested and proven system that New Zealands Pacific Access Category Resident Visa has successfully delivered exclusively to citizens of Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tonga and Fiji.
When Labor first announced the PEV in opposition, it said that the 3,000 visas would be distributed on a pro rata basis. More recently, the government has said that visas would consider several factors including population size, di...
TUNE-IN
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12PM-2PM (NEW YORK) | 5PM-7PM (LONDON) | 2AM-4AM
(BRISBANE):
Gladys Berejiklian might avoid jail for her crimes, but
she has been branded for life as being seriously corrupt which is
the next best thing for people who believe in public accountability
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