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GONSKI GAMES
politicoz
The plans for education reform funding have been announced, provoking the sort of virulent criticism we've come to expect of any major Gillard government announcement. The government aims to increase schools funding by $14.5 billion over the next …
GERALDTON HARBOUR
politicoz
After an 8000 kilometre journey by sea, 66 asylum seekers arrived in Geraldton harbour on Tuesday. Sailing directly from Sri Lanka, they had somehow avoided all Border Protection surveillance. They were aimed for New Zealand, they declared, and asked …
REWRITING HISTORY
politicoz
John Howard gave a speech this week about his decision to go to war in Iraq. Refusing any of the criticism of the decision, he said the belief in weapons of mass destruction was the government's main justification for war. It may seem like a distant, …
EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN
politicoz
The Coalition announced its broadband plan yesterday, but many questions remain unanswered. The key ones revolve around the existing copper network. A Coalition government would need to acquire it from Telstra. Turnbull last night told the ABC's …
THE LAST MILE
politicoz
The Coalition today announces its alternative broadband plan, its first major policy release since the start of the year. Malcolm Turnbull says the plan will cost $20 billion and be completed by 2019. It will use existing assets, including cable TV networks, …
DIPLOMATIC NICETIES
politicoz
Leading the most senior Australian delegation ever to visit China, Julia Gillard became one of the first world leaders to meet new Chinese president Xi Jinping. The visit comes at a time of heightened tension throughout the Asian region. This is …
EMPTY NESTERS
politicoz
After all the hullabaloo, the proposed superannuation changes were announced this morning. Far from being a 'Cyprus-style' grab on working people's nest eggs, or a recipe for class war, they appear modest, sensible and designed for the long-term. From …
COUNTING MILESTONES
politicoz
With the political media concerned primarily with the ALP's internal problems and the nest eggs of the wealthiest Australians, three major milestones in Australian public life, affecting the nation's most disadvantaged citizens, have passed virtually …
THE TWO TONYS
politicoz
In today's Australian, Paul Kelly writes about the 'Two Tonys'. He describes the campaign to re-make Tony Abbott into a prime ministerial figure. On the one hand, we're to understand Tony is a kinder, gentler, more moderate family …
CALL AND RESPONSE
politicoz
It is hard keeping track of the strange dynamics of ALP politics at the moment. Far from the unity that might have been expected after the failed leadership bid, its members have begun to wage a cold war to claim the mantle of 'true believers'. …
SNAKE IN THE GRASS
politicoz
The dire warnings about the future of the ALP are arriving hourly. With new polls pointing at a generational wipeout, commentators and Labor elder statesmen are lining up to offer their prognostications and advice. They are under no illusion about …
HOME BY CHRISTMAS
politicoz
Usually an announcement like this would be a big deal - it's almost a trope of war reporting. But the withdrawal of the bulk of Australia's troops from Afghanistan by Christmas has been barely reported. Arguably, this lack of discussion …
BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES
politicoz
Julia Gillard unsurprisingly put a premium on loyalty in her ministerial reshuffle. Most of the vacated portfolios were loaded onto trusted allies Craig Emerson, Gary Gray, Greg Combet, Mark Dreyfus and Tony Burke. Anthony Albanese also picked up new …
