It's inconceivable that in any other western democracy, a national leader would tolerate a cabinet minister behaving as a parallel figure on the world stage and actively undermining the whole edifice of government at home. Yet that's precisely what Australia's Julia Gillard is doing through her failure to crush the audacious come-back campaign … [Read more...] about #20 A NATION HOSTAGE TO ONE MAN’S EGO
#19 SAVING THE MANGY FLYING KANGAROO
Grubsheet boards a Qantas flight to Perth this weekend with the same trepidation that now routinely accompanies our every trip on the iconic national carrier. For once, our client is paying for us to fly in the "pointy end" but we still share some of the burdens of those less fortunate souls in "cattle class" - the same fetid air and disconcerting … [Read more...] about #19 SAVING THE MANGY FLYING KANGAROO
#18 CHAIRMAN FRANK’S PACIFIC COUP
Australia's impotence in influencing events in its own backyard is being demonstrated in dramatic fashion this week as the Fijian dictator, Frank Bainimarama, fulfils his long-held ambition to assume the chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. All of the other Melanesian leaders - from Papua New Guinea, the Solomons, Vanuatu plus the Kanak … [Read more...] about #18 CHAIRMAN FRANK’S PACIFIC COUP
#17 THE LIGHT ON THE HILL EXTINGUISHED
The Australian Labor Party's worst election result in New South Wales in more than a century can't simply be written off as an enraged electorate taking its revenge on a corrupt and incompetent government. It's also the writing on the wall for federal Labor as its traditional support base of aspirational blue and white collar workers and … [Read more...] about #17 THE LIGHT ON THE HILL EXTINGUISHED
#16 SUPPING WITH THE DEVIL
Tony Abbott is playing with electoral fire with his latest foray outside the doors of the parliament to join what the organisers described as a grassroots protest against the Government's carbon tax but seemed more like a gathering of the looniest of Australia's looney right. The opposition leader seems to have no compunction whatsoever to be seen … [Read more...] about #16 SUPPING WITH THE DEVIL
#15 POSTCARD THEODORE: SURVIVING DISASTER
With so much loss of life from recent natural catastrophes in Japan and New Zealand, the floods and cyclone that swept north-eastern Australia at the start of the year have largely become yesterday's news for all but those directly affected. Yet up and down the Queensland coast and hinterland, there are inspiring stories of resilience and the human … [Read more...] about #15 POSTCARD THEODORE: SURVIVING DISASTER