Julia Gillard is finished as Australian prime minister, according to senior Labor Party figures who've turned their attention to identifying her successor. The smart money is on Bill Shorten, the former trade union leader who is Assistant Treasurer in Gillard's government. The only evident impediment to toppling Gillard is the threat from the … [Read more...] about #35 ODDS SHORTEN ON SHORTEN
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#34 THE POLITICS OF SABOTAGE
Fiji's tourism industry - a vital pillar of the local economy - could be set for a battering as Fiji-bound flights are targeted by Australian trade unionists acting in support of their Fijian counterparts. Members of the Transport Workers Union are threatening to disrupt flights to Nadi operated by Air Pacific and Jetstar - the two carriers … [Read more...] about #34 THE POLITICS OF SABOTAGE
#33 THE END OF THE WORLD
For all the furore that's erupted over the illegal practices of Rupert Murdoch's journalists in Britain, there's been precious little debate about how those practices have become almost routine in the news gathering efforts of many of his competitors. How much easier it is to demonise the infamous "Dirty Digger" than to have a rational discussion … [Read more...] about #33 THE END OF THE WORLD
#32 ARRIVEDERCI ROMA (AND “JU-LIAR” )
Grubsheet has been in Roma during the past week. No, not the Eternal City but the town of the same name in the western Darling Downs of Queensland, some 600 kilometers west of Brisbane. Roma has many of the typical features of a Queensland regional centre - a string of charming 19th century timber pubs with expansive verandas draped around gruesome … [Read more...] about #32 ARRIVEDERCI ROMA (AND “JU-LIAR” )
#31 THUMBS UP FOR SOME COUP MAKERS
Australia and New Zealand have a long history of misjudging events in Fiji and are adding to their litany of mistakes with their tacit support for the overthrow of the Bainimarama regime. Neither country - at leadership level - will acknowledge that this has now become official policy. Yet there are clear indications that Canberra and Wellington … [Read more...] about #31 THUMBS UP FOR SOME COUP MAKERS
#30 SAMOANS PLAYING WITH FIRE
The principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries is a cornerstone of international law yet that principle is being flagrantly breached by Samoa in its dealings with Fiji. In a remarkable development, the Samoan Government has publicly endorsed a campaign spearheaded by the renegade Fijian military officer, Ratu Tevita … [Read more...] about #30 SAMOANS PLAYING WITH FIRE