Latest Age Pension increase is an insult that does almost nothing to address years of neglect

The following is a statement by the president (Victoria) Joe Montero on behalf of and endorsed by the Steering Committee of Fair Go For Pensioners

The announced new age pension rise coming in effect on 20 March is being used to pretend that this group of pensioners are getting good deal. The truth is that they are still being cheated. The new base rate of $510 per week, or $8.80 for singles and $14.70 for couples, does little to address years of neglect. This miserly rise is an equivalent of two cups of coffee and a newspaper and does little to correct years of decline. Continue reading Latest Age Pension increase is an insult that does almost nothing to address years of neglect

Video: A thank you and an update from Stella Assange

Over the two day public hearing on the 20-21 February 2024, thousands of people took to the streets. We cannot thank you enough for speaking up, showing up and standing up for Julian Assange. His fight is all our fights. Thank you. However, the fight continues. If you are able to contribute financially, please consider becoming a paid subscriber on Stella’s Substack:

https://substack.com/@stellaassangesu… Continue reading Video: A thank you and an update from Stella Assange

UN expert says Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians

In this exclusive (The Guardian 27 February 2023) Nina Lakhani comments on the Israeli strategy to starve Palestinians and calls this an act of genocide in Gaza. The United Nations is speaking more loudly about this now and continuing its call for a ceasefire. She interviews Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food. Continue reading UN expert says Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians

Economic forecasters give a glimpse of the truth for once

 By Joe Montero

Some of the agencies that tell us how the Australian economy is going seem to be exhibiting a bit of honesty. The reason for saying this is that analysis and predictions are routinely conditioned by business needs. Institutions like banks and financial advisers, and others profiting from providing good news to their clients, have an incentive to mould their reports in this direction, Government agencies have their own incentive to take account of the political agenda of the government that that employs them.

On top of this, there is the orthodoxy of the existing dominant political theory that the role of government is to lift the morale of investors and let the market take care of the rest. Continue reading Economic forecasters give a glimpse of the truth for once

Will Biden choose Gaza ceasefire or devastating regional war?

The following (published by Comon Drams 25 January 2024) by Media Benjamin cofounder of Codepink and rights organisation Global Exchange, with Nicolas Davies, independent journalist, and researcher for Codepink, is about the dangerous road being taken by President Joe Biden. In addition to providing carte-blanche support to the slaughter of Palestinians, he is following the game plan of the Netanyahu government in Israel that is extending its attack on Gaza into other theatres. The intention, it is suggested, is to draw in United States ground forces, even if it risks regional and world war.

Continue reading Will Biden choose Gaza ceasefire or devastating regional war?

Albo’s tax cuts change more public relations than substance

By Joe Montero

Anthony Albanese faced a great deal of opposition to his promise to keep Scott Morrison’s promise for big tax cuts for the very rich since the day of the election that made him Prime Minister. In fact, it threatened to Cause instability within the Labor Party. The angst was just contained in last year’s national party conference in Brisbane last year. Continue reading Albo’s tax cuts change more public relations than substance

Australia demands a change in direction according to the latest Essential Poll

By Joe Montero

In the wake of the fiasco of the voice referendum and a response to Israel’s attack on Israel that pleases no-one, the Essential Poll commissioned by the Guardian newspaper has revealed that more people disapprove than approve of Anthony Albanese’s performance as Prime Minister of Australia and the direction in which the country is going. Continue reading Australia demands a change in direction according to the latest Essential Poll

The cost of housing crisis is still here and waiting for an answer

Contributed

Saying that its in the interests of most people for something rea l to be done to fix the cost of housing crisis is a no brainer. So, we must ask why so much effort is being spent by big media pitting younger against older Australians? The answer is obvious. Big media is more interested in advertising making money from the property industry, and politicians love whatever takes the attention of their failure and the opportunity to apply divide and rule. Continue reading The cost of housing crisis is still here and waiting for an answer

Official site of the May Day Committee (Malbourne)