Can You Help?

This website is in imminent danger of being shut down. It has been online since 1995, but the personal circumstances of the owner, Malcolm Farnsworth, are such that economies have to be made. Server costs and suchlike have become prohibitive. At the urging of people online, I have agreed to see if Patreon provides a solution. More information is available at the Patreon website. If you are able to contribute even $1.00/month to keep the site running, please click the Patreon button below.


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The Result Of Clive Palmer’s Al Gore Stunt: Carbon Tax Abolished, ETS Dead

The cynicism of today’s stunt by Clive Palmer became clear late tonight as the Palmer United Party leader confirmed that his senators will vote for the abolition of the carbon tax and the emissions trading scheme.

Palmer

Earlier today, Palmer called for the establishment of an emissions trade scheme (ETS) that would only come into force once China, the United States, the European Union, Japan and Korea had also taken action to establish similar schemes. International action of this order is all but impossible to imagine. [Read more…]


Day 10: Rituals, Women And A Moment To Behold

Election campaigns bring with them many absurd rituals.

One is the knowing commentator who asserts that Abbott or Gillard is doing something or other because the party’s “internal polling” is telling them such-and-such. Of course, I always put this person down as uniquely privy to information from the most confidential of sources inside one or other of the parties.

Another is the ritual incantation that the campaign is an insult to our intelligence because the political parties dare to use slogans and catchphrases. Before long, this election becomes the most hollow in our history – again.

I was reminded of another ritual yesterday when I saw a couple of body language “experts” on morning television offering profound thoughts on Julia Gillard’s waving hands in Sunday night’s debate. These political authorities pop up every election. [Read more…]


Second Keating Ministry – 1993

This is the full list of Prime Minister Paul Keating’s Second Ministry, sworn in on March 24, 1993, following the 1993 federal election.

Paul Keating became Prime Minister in December 1991. The Labor government he led won its fifth successive election win in March 1993. [Read more…]