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SWEEPING POWERS
politicoz
Julia Gillard announced a royal commission into child sex abuse and institutional responses to it around the nation. Thousands of organisations will fall within its scope, from religious to state welfare organisations, from scout to sport clubs, schools …
FOSSILS AWAY
politicoz
The energy white paper launched yesterday makes a mockery of the government's efforts to combat climate change.The paper has three central ideas for Australia: to reform and deregulate the local energy market; to encourage the use of renewable energy …
CRIMES IN THE CHURCH
politicoz
The calls for a royal commission into child sexual abuse in the Catholic church will keep building, and for good reason.Horrific stories have emerged in the past fortnight, mostly care of the parliamentary enquiry in Victoria and the public statements …
A CHANGE IN POLITICS
politicoz
Yesterday's election result may well change politics. Not because Obama's message was new (it wasn't), or especially smart or progressive, but because, in every facet, the election result highlighted the superiority of data-led political campaigning and …
THE BIG SHOW
politicoz
It's time for the big show. As you read this, votes are being counted following the biggest political event on the planet: the US elections.Although media outlets (including our own) continue to announce that it's too close to call, the serious polling …
THIS WEEK’S FEATURE
politicoz
With parliament not sitting, and Julia Gillard on a six-day Asian visit, it may be a quiet week in Australian politics.There will be ongoing discussions about whether or not the government will deliver the promised budget surplus. And there'll be increased …
WHAT WAS MORE ABSURD?
politicoz
How quickly the worm turns. The media needs political drama and now it's all about Tony.Commentators have noted that he's been discombobulated since the introduction of the carbon tax and the allegations of sexism and past bad behaviour. But it's the …
ALL THAT INDEPENDENCE
politicoz
The independents in parliament are displaying undeniable independence this week.Craig Thomson has come out strongly against the Labor migration excision plan, calling it an absurd proposal that panders to rednecks.Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott, Bob Katter …
IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
politicoz
Parliament resumed this week. The polls have shifted, giving the Gillard government breathing space, but if anyone was expecting that to alter the parliamentary dynamic they were sadly mistaken.The government, seemingly riding high after weeks, …
A MESSAGE TO ASYLUM SEEKERS
politicoz
The Gillard government is reportedly planning to excise the entire Australian continent from the Australian migration zone, for asylum seekers who arrive by boat.This is not a joke, surreal as it may seem.It is a symptom of the deranged state of asylum …
OUR ASIAN CENTURY
politicoz
Yesterday Prime Minister Gillard launched a White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century. The Paper is an ambitious and positive attempt to recapture the Asian 'vision' for Australia that became a hallmark of the Hawke/Keating governments. It's an update …
STRIKE UP THE BAND
politicoz
Once again the national political conversation returns to the Gillard government's original sin.The extensive coverage of Maxine McKew's new book focuses on what Gillard knew about Rudd's ouster and when, and McKew falls very much into the Rudd camp in …
TAXING
politicoz
When it comes to taxation, the government cannot take a trick.Ever since the furore over Kevin Rudd announcing the mining 'super-profits' tax without consulting industry, the government has tried to show itself willing to work with industry and big business …
