In a jungle clearing on a rocky outcrop in the Indian Ocean named after the most joyous event on the Christian calendar, a gaggle of Darth Vader lookalikes armed with batons and riot shields prepares for a decidedly joyless battle with unarmed men, women and children. Seventy Australian Federal Police officers are on Christmas Island to enforce … [Read more...] about #39 WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA
#38 TRIBUTE TO A GRAND LADY
Margaret Olley had a big weekend by anyone's standard, let alone for an 88-year old. On Saturday, Australia's Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, and her husband, Michael, brought around a picnic hamper for a lunch that extended through the afternoon, as others joined the gathering. And all weekend, The Grande Dame of Australian art shuffled about her … [Read more...] about #38 TRIBUTE TO A GRAND LADY
#37 PEOPLE TRADERS OF THE LEFT
There's something deeply disturbing about the way in which the left faction of the Australian Labor Party has accepted the shameful five-to-one people swap that the Government has struck with Malaysia. Never mind the one sided nature of the deal, which sees Australia ostensibly rid itself of 800 "illegal" refugees who paid people smugglers to come … [Read more...] about #37 PEOPLE TRADERS OF THE LEFT
#36 SINISTER SIDE OF A SOAP OPERA
There was many a bleary eye in the Antipodes the morning after the night before of Rupert Murdoch's extraordinary appearance before a House of Commons select committee investigating the phone hacking scandal that has gripped his global empire. It was certainly a strange experience for Grubsheet as we struggled through the driving rain in Sydney to … [Read more...] about #36 SINISTER SIDE OF A SOAP OPERA
#35 ODDS SHORTEN ON SHORTEN
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
#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