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
To suggest that worry about where the global economy is heading is serious is something of an understatement. Underlying the mood is the decision of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to release $650 billion to help member nations in trouble. Continue reading IMF moves to provide $650 billion in aid for the crisis
The cost of living is rising in Australia. Last week’s revealed figures are an increase of 6 percent in the cost of fruit, 13.5 percent for medical services, 4.9 percent for footwear, 4.9 percent for furniture, and 5.9 for petrol. This doesn’t include the ongoing rise in the cost of housing. Continue reading Rising living costs and low wages are hints of a faltering economy
Continue reading Europe’s flooding shows climate solutions must be driven by people power
By Joe Montero
The new bipartisanship on taxation policy will prove to be a disaster for Australia. This is about cutting tax for the wealthiest 10 percent of Australians. It means that the bipartisanship extends to making us an even less equal nation. Continue reading Cutting the top tax rate is wrong
Australia has long been far too dependent on foreign investment. The major negative consequences have been dominant ownership by overseas investor ownership and decision making power over the Australian economy and politics. Continue reading Foreign investment is falling but is still in control
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
Last Friday, the Port of Melbourne was shut down by determined members of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA). They did this to send a message to tugboat operator Svitzer. The dispute is over negotiations for a new workplace agreement have stalled for 18 months, causing growing uncertainty. Continue reading The new battle on Melbourne waterfront to defend rights at work
The LIFE campaign held its first online tutorial on 6 June. It concerned the Cashless Welfare Card, what it’s doing to people put on it and the plan to roll it out to all pensioners, people on disability, the unemployed single parents, and students. This is a major crackdown on the most vulnerable sections of the community, and it takes away basic rights as a citizen of Australia. Continue reading Video: Cashless Welfare Debit Cards: Lived experience and other facts and stats
