That the Australian government now recognises that the pandemic is not over is a positive development, and a major shift from the attitude of the previous Morrison government. A National Cabinet meeting has just decided to reinstall and extend the $750 support payment that ended on 30 June till 30 September. Continue reading Pandemic support must continue for as long as it takes
The Novak Djokovic saga has been an embarrassment. The spectacle of a tennis star landing in Australia and the day in day out, will he stay or won’t he stay saga should not have taken place. That it did, told the world that double standards operate in Australia. Continue reading The Novak Djokovic scandal should never have happened
The new Omicron variant of Vovid-19 is out now, and it has arrived in Australia. The first case has been detected in Sydney. Anyone who knew anything about Covid and had even a basic of understanding about how viruses are prone to mutate and become more infectious, knew that pandemic is far from over. Continue reading Australia is not properly prepared for the more deadly Covid variant
Behind Merck’s new Covid-19 pill there is a story about how this pharmaceutical multinational has used its position to make a huge monopoly profit from the Covid-19 outbreak. And this is just one of the giants exploiting sickness on an unprecedented scale. Continue reading Merck uses price gauging to profiteer from the pandemic
The Morrison government’s decision to start withdrawing emergency support is a kick in the teeth for those who find themselves out of work because of Covid. Contrast this with the generous loan facility to be set up for mining projects, and protection against loss from real estate promised to banks, and other lending institutions. This comes on top of generous handouts already given to mates. Continue reading COVID payments to end and this will hurt Australia
The Olympic games will end in a few days. The mighty achievements of the athletes, pushing to the limits of human capacity, is a monumental achievement that draws in the world. They are also big business, and this creates a contradiction between the stated values of excellence, friendship, and respect and the crass greed of commercialisation and cheap politics. Continue reading The Olympic Games would be much healthier if not subject to the control of big money
The rise of the new and more virulent Delta strain Covid virus has exposed insufficient preparation across Australia. Far too little attention has been paid to mobilising people and resources to prepare for the certainty of new outbreaks of infection. Continue reading Delta COVID variant has exposed Australia’s failure to be properly prepared
The risk is real. It is now clear that the COVID pandemic is far from mover. This is nobody’s fault; Australia could be responding better. Australia has been lucky so far and escaped lightly, compared to other countries. Continue reading COVID danger is spreading again and Australia must do better
Continue reading Doctors reveal crisis in Australian emergency departments
by Jim Hayes
Scott Morrison and his government are carrying out another major attack on Medicare. This time via an overhaul to raise health costs and downgrade the quality of access to care at the same time. This is not the first cut. Medicare has been chipped away at for years, and unless it is stopped, the cutting will continue. Continue reading New Medicare cut is part of ambition to destroy Australia’s affordable public health system
