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Section: Australia

  • AUSTRALIA

    Labor's poor political antennae

    • John Warhurst
    • 30 May 2011
    10 Comments

    The Government's free set-top box scheme is facing community and Opposition claims that it is wasteful and will tempt rorters and shysters. What should be a feel-good scheme has become a cavalcade of the disgruntled. This tells us a lot about politics and policy-making.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    O'Farrell makes a sham of government guarantees

    • Michael Mullins
    • 30 May 2011
    13 Comments

    Earlier this month, NSW premier Barry O'Farrell announced he would dishonour the guarantee made to those who signed up to the previous Labor Government's Solar Bonus Scheme. Undermining the 'sacred' bond of a guarantee can seriously damage the spirit of public trust.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    When 'sorry' is not enough

    • Mark Green
    • 26 May 2011

    The US Catholic Bishops' pastoral letter 'Economic Justice for All' says the extent of the suffering of the poor 'is a measure of how far we are from being a true community'. It is difficult to imagine how justice can be done for the Stolen Generations without compensation, redress and reparation.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    The moral challenge of accepting an apology

    • Binoy Kampmark
    • 26 May 2011
    6 Comments

    Often the reconciliation debate is framed around matters of the perpetrator's reaction, rather than that of the victim, who holds a superior moral currency. Could it be ever feasible for Australia's Indigenous community to countenance unconditional forgiveness?

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Quitting Afghanistan cold turkey

    • Shahram Akbarzadeh
    • 25 May 2011
    7 Comments

    President Obama appears to have given in to domestic pressure for prompt withdrawal from Afghanistan. But a complete withdrawal could have major ramifications for the region and ultimately for US interests.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    School chaplains and pink batts

    • Michael Mullins
    • 23 May 2011
    32 Comments

    One religious group has described the National School Chaplaincy Program as a ‘God-given opportunity to go and make disciples’. Religious agnostics with a broad knowledge of religion could be better suited as mentors for young people coming to terms with their spiritual identity.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Labor worse than Howard on asylum seekers

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 23 May 2011
    43 Comments

    Labor has gone beyond the worst features of the Howard Government by betraying the central principle underlying any ethical refugee policy. One can only imagine what the Coalition Government that will most likely follow the next election will build on this abrogation of principle.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Philippines bishops' contraception conundrum

    • Fatima Measham
    • 18 May 2011
    30 Comments

    While Catholic bishops in the Philippines have opposed modern forms of birth control, the public paralysis this has engendered over sexual health care has led to high rates of abortion. The Philippine Catholic Church can thus be seen to be at odds with its ministry for the poor.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Bishops sad not mad over Morris sacking

    • Michael Mullins
    • 16 May 2011
    17 Comments

    While the Australian bishops' letter indicates that they accept the decision to sack former bishop of Toowoomba Bill Morris, there is nothing to suggest that they agree. In fact they carefully distance themselves from the decision.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    The Scots' war on everything British

    • Duncan Maclaren
    • 13 May 2011
    16 Comments

    The Scottish National Party government has rid Scots of the sense of inferiority hammered into them by the British state. Australians, given their outrage over the banning of The Chaser's royal wedding commentary, know something of how this feels. The British state is past its use-by date.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Mixed Budget blessings

    • Paul O'Callaghan
    • 11 May 2011
    7 Comments

    The Budget contains a number of positive measures to promote mental health, employment and training. But without greater investment in individualised support for job seekers and those on disability support pensions to assist their transition to work, we are not likely to see major change.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Border Protection's selective rescue

    • Tony Kevin
    • 10 May 2011
    15 Comments

    Last November, a refugee boat was lost at sea en route to Christmas Island. It's presumed the 97 on board perished. Evidence suggests Australia's Border Protection Command selectively chooses to make little or no effort to find and help SIEV boats in possible distress.

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