It’s easy for politicians to rail about rising power prices. Ross Garnaut’s latest on electricity generation delivers some stern truths to politicians and to Big Carbon, writes Ben Eltham Read Ben’s incisive article in New Matilda
Monthly Archives:: March 2011
James Arvanitakis| GetUp! And Then What?
GetUp! has successfully mobilised hundreds of thousands of Australians – to sign online petitions. Progressive causes need members who’ll do more than tick a box, says James Arvanitakis Read James’ article about how online activism threatens progressive politics in New Matilda here
Ben Eltham | Where’s The Silver Lining?
The bar was set low for Labor on the weekend – but high hopes for the Greens were disappointed. Ben Eltham trawls through the wreckage of the NSW election. What does Ben make of the Coalition’s agenda now that they are in office with a huge authority and massive electoral mandate? Read Ben’s article in New Matilda here.
Talk. Think. Drink. | Our Debt to Nature
The Centre for Policy Development and Essential Media Communications presents: Our debt to nature - We need what nature provides, but do we really know how much we’re using & how much is left to use? Pati Poblete | Global Footprint Network Join us upstairs at The Norfolk Hotel on Thursday, 7 April at 5.30pm to hear Pati Poblete from the international think … more
Tim Hamilton | Costing us the house: Reforming policy for affordability
In 2007 Associate Professor of Economics and Finance at the University of Western Sydney, Steve Keen, wrote a paper for the Centre for Policy Development, Deeper in Debt: Australia’s Addiction to Borrowed Money, where he warned that Australia’s current borrowing trends cannot go on forever (Keen 2007). According to the Reserve Bank: Australians now owe financial institutions more than $1 … more
Ian McAuley | Is Barry A Big Spender?
After the landslide, NSW voters expect to see earthworks from Barry O’Farrell very soon. How will Barry spend up big to fix the state’s infrastructure? He’ll need to go cap in hand to the Commonwealth, writes Ian McAuley. Read Ian’s quick & sharp analysis in the aftermath of the NSW state election in New Matilda here.
Ben Eltham| He’s a Can-Do Guy, But Can He Do It?
The move from local to state politics will test the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s mettle. He has a real chance of winning – but if he doesn’t, he’ll take the Liberal-National Party down with him. Read Ben’s article on whether Campbell Newman can unite the LNP and take on a resurgent Premier in Anna Bligh in New Matilda here
James Arvanitakis & Spike Boydell|Is Crown Land Indigenous Land?
What happens to Crown land if we ditch the monarchy? Spike Boydell and James Arvanitakis think Prince William’s visit provides a good opportunity to rethink republicanism in the context of reconciliation. Read James’ and Spike’s thoughtful piece on what an Australian Republic should look like in New Matilda here
Ben Eltham| Our Asylum Seeker Policy is Brutal
Australia’s leaders continue to make political hay from the suffering of asylum seekers. Our system of mandatory detention is morally bankrupt, and must be abandoned, writes Ben Eltham Read Ben’s scathing critique of Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers in the wake of rioting in Christmas Island Detention Centre in New Matilda here