Editorial

A warning against complacency

A warning against complacency Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Indonesia's environment minister, last week spoke with honesty unusual in the Indonesian government, regarding the catastrophic fires spreading through the country. "We were operating on

In power to plunder

In power to plunder PM John Howard's removal of John Sharp, David Jull and Peter McGauran from his front bench was widely applauded by the big business media on the grounds that we can't have a government tainted by any suggestion that its

Hands off native title! Land rights now!

Hands off native title! Land rights now! While pretending otherwise, Howard and his government are trying to push through with "bucket loads of extinguishment", as deputy PM Tim Fischer rather aptly, if undiplomatically, described the racist

TCF tariffs

TCF tariffs "It is designed to give people a greater sense of job security", John Howard said of his government's decision to freeze tariffs on textiles, clothing and footwear for five years from 2000. The prime minister chose his words

Environment before profits

Environment before profits "Australia has the opportunity to lead the world as a clean and green nation, an objective which is not only environmentally responsible but will produce major economic benefits and job opportunities for the

Equalise the age of consent

Equalise the age of consent The NSW Wood Royal Commission recommendation that age of consent laws in the state be set at 16 years for both heterosexual and homosexual sex has flushed out many a conservative moralist and homophobe. Justice

Fight to preserve Jabiluka

Fight to preserve Jabiluka As expected, the federal government has given Energy Resources of Australia the go-ahead to mine uranium at Jabiluka in Kakadu. It is a short-sighted, stupid and potentially dangerous decision. In making the

Chairman Wallop and Chairman Tim

Chairman Wallop and Chairman Tim The federal government last week provided, not one, but two ministers to entertain the guests at a conference in Canberra dedicated to preventing any meaningful action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The

Nonsense about taxes

Nonsense about taxes @box text intro = What do the following have in common: (a) the tax situation before the High Court's August 5 overturning of state taxes on petrol, tobacco and alcohol; (b) the tax situation after that ruling; (c) the

Media racism

Editorial: Media racism Media racism @box text intro = "Korean gangs blamed for new city crime war" was the banner headline on the Sydney Morning Herald on July 28. What better way to spur newspaper sales on a slow news day than to publish

A 'cure' that must be resisted

Editorial: A 'cure' that must be resisted A 'cure' that must be resisted @box text intro = John Howard has sharply escalated his blame-the-victim campaign — a predictable response to recent poll results showing that the Coalition is

A dishonest response

Editorial: A dishonest response A dishonest response @box text intro = Prime Minister John Howard, speaking on Thursday Island on July 9, responded to criticism of his government's record on race issues by thumping the nationalist tub. "...