Paul Austin
@paulnaustin.bsky.social
📤 252
📥 175
📝 237
Media professional. Politics, economics, sport, culture, society, the lot.
[email protected]
‘Beyond the Iran and Ukraine conflicts, there will almost certainly be another international gas price spike sooner or later. When that happens, we will be glad to have a super-profits tax.’ Tony Wood from Grattan Institute in today’s Weekend Australian
theaustralian.com.au/business/minin…
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https://theaustralian.com.au/business/minin…
5 days ago
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Don’t worry, Trump is toast and America will bounce back. Phew.
www.afr.com/policy/forei...
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Don’t worry, friends, Trump is toast and America will bounce back
Famed Democrat strategist James Carville says the rest of the world underestimates the ability of America to recover from Donald Trump’s presidency as his power ebbs.
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/don-t-worry-friends-trump-is-toast-and-america-will-bounce-back-20260301-p5o6i0
6 days ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Rhett Bartlett
7 days ago
From my vault: Without a shadow of a doubt, DENNIS COMETTI'S greatest one-liner, was after Tony Lockett kicked his 1300th goal, and they crossed to him at the other game.
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Nick Feik
7 days ago
Australian political parlance: “We have been very clear about…” = We are all over the place on this issue
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‘A billion-dollar empire of harm’ How gambling took over Australia
#auspol
#PetaMurphy
theconversation.com/a-billion-do...
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‘A billion-dollar empire of harm’: how gambling took over Australia
At some point, Australia must accept that it is time to break the chokehold commercial gambling has on this country.
https://theconversation.com/a-billion-dollar-empire-of-harm-how-gambling-took-over-australia-272343?utm_medium=article_native_share
7 days ago
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My boss wrote a piece in support of migration – and migrants. It’s good. Makes me proud.
#auspol
grattan.edu.au/news/migrant...
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Migrants are who we are - Grattan Institute
When political opportunists come for migrants, it is kids in schools across this country who bear the scars.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/migrants-are-who-we-are/
12 days ago
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‘The May budget needs to put more meat on the bones of how and when NDIS growth will be contained to between 5% and 6% – this is a reasonable target, but it won’t materialise without a more ambitious plan.’ Grattan Institute disability policy expert Sam Bennett
#auspol
www.afr.com/companies/he...
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NDIS autism costs blow out to a record $10b annually
The number of older children and adults being diagnosed with autism is surging, costing the taxpayers billions more each year.
https://www.afr.com/companies/healthcare-and-fitness/ndis-autism-costs-blow-out-to-a-record-10b-annually-20260224-p5o54e?utm_source=afr-web&utm_medium=share_article&utm_campaign=companies&utm_term=product_feature
14 days ago
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Steaks on a plane? No thanks.
www.afr.com/life-and-lux...
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Why you shouldn’t order steak on a plane – and what to order instead
Every airline has a signature dish. The best reflect not just the carrier but the nation it flies from.
https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/travel/why-you-shouldn-t-order-steak-on-a-plane-and-what-to-order-instead-20251120-p5nh9f?utm_source=afr-web&utm_medium=share_article&utm_campaign=life-and-luxury&utm_term=product_feature
16 days ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Grattan Institute
20 days ago
‘Since the Economic Reform Roundtable last year, the consensus that came out of that was there is an intergenerational problem in taxation.' Listen to our expert, Brendan Coates, talk all things housing and taxation with Peter Martin on ‘The Economy, Stupid':
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
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The Most Explosive Tax Debate in Australia Is Back - ABC listen
Australia does something a bit weird: if you make money selling a house or shares, you get taxed at half the rate you’d pay on your actual job. Nice if you’re the one pocketing the profit… not so grea...
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-economy-stupid/the-most-explosive-tax-debate-in-australia-is-back/106306992
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The Prime Minister seems to have a severe case of fast train fever. In this comprehensive report, the Grattan Institute shows why bullet trains are a very bad idea for Australia.
#auspol
#transport
grattan.edu.au/report/fast-...
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Fast train fever: Why renovated rail might work but bullet trains won’t - Grattan Institute
Australia should dump the decades-old dream of building an east-coast bullet train. Read our new Grattan Institute report, Fast Train Fever.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/fast-train-fever/
22 days ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Grattan Institute
24 days ago
We need restraint, not a razor Our CEO, Aruna Sathanapally, in The Australian Financial Review on the 3 things the Treasurer should do in Budget 2026 — and the 1 thing he should not do.
#auspol
#TaxReform
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We need restraint, not a razor - Grattan Institute
3 things the Treasurer should do in Budget 2026 — and 1 thing he should not do.
https://buff.ly/o0gaJgG
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Election 2025: Where the money came from Clear, cut-through analysis by Kate Griffiths and Matt Bowes from Grattan Institute
#auspol
#parliament
#democracy
grattan.edu.au/news/electio...
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Election 2025: Where the money came from - Grattan Institute
New data underscore the need to improve the rules about money in politics.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/election-2025-where-the-money-came-from/
about 1 month ago
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Ah, no
www.afr.com/policy/econo...
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Should taxpayers fund $50,000-a-year private schools?
Parents and children deserve choice in education. But should high-fee institutions be subsidised, even if it’s only $4000 or $5000 a year for each student?
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/should-taxpayers-fund-50-000-a-year-private-schools-20260202-p5nytv
about 1 month ago
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The government has promised a $25b boost to hospital funding – but only hints at real reform Sharp analysis of today’s National Cabinet deal, by @GrattanInst health policy guru @PeterBreadon
#auspol
#NDIS
theconversation.com/the-governme...
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The government has promised a $25 billion boost to hospital funding – but only hints at real reform
The deal struck between states and territories and the federal government follows a long-running standoff. Here’s what’s been agreed, and what’s still missing.
https://theconversation.com/the-government-has-promised-a-25-billion-boost-to-hospital-funding-but-only-hints-at-real-reform-274617?utm_medium=article_native_share
about 1 month ago
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The quiet – and concerning – slide in school attendance By The Educator, with a little bit of help from my colleagues at Grattan Institute
#auspol
#education
www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/the...
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The quiet slide in school attendance
England's response offers lessons Australia could adapt
https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/the-quiet-slide-in-school-attendance/288765
about 2 months ago
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“I'm old enough to remember when people said the grid will never hold up with 20% renewables in it – and the grid is still holding up now.” Grattan Institute energy expert Alison Reeve on a watershed week on Australia’s long road to net zero.
#auspol
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
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For the first time, renewable energy is supplying most of our power
Renewables became the dominant energy supply for an entire quarter in the final three months of last year, helping the grid skate through the early days of a scorching summer.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/for-the-first-time-renewable-energy-is-supplying-a-majority-of-our-power-20260116-p5nun6.html
about 2 months ago
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How to save the NDIS By former Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry, with a little help from my colleagues at the Grattan Institute
www.theaustralian.com.au/health/carin...
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https://www.theaustralian.com.au/health/caring/the-ndis-has-become-a-luxury-liner-why-we-need-more-smaller-boats/news-story/27fbd0a7a8fb343ab27538b8ede0fd16
about 2 months ago
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Melbourne is better than Sydney. Exhibit 214:
www.theage.com.au/business/com...
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Kyle and Jackie O hit rock bottom in Melbourne
The provocative duo recorded their worst audience share in the market, ending the most recent survey period with 1000 fewer listeners than the same period in 2024.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/kyle-and-jackie-o-hit-rock-bottom-in-melbourne-20260120-p5nvcq.html
about 2 months ago
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Get off X. It’s a cesspit.
#auspol
#Musk
#ChildAbuse
#porn
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
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Time to get off X, prime minister. It’s repulsive
Now would be a great time for the federal government and the opposition to review their use of the platform they condemn.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/time-to-get-off-x-prime-minister-it-s-repulsive-20260110-p5nt35.html
about 2 months ago
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There once was a Pommy cricketer called Duckett…
3 months ago
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Tackling the school attendance crisis is a moral imperative for Australia’s political class. An end-of-school-year call to arms by Grattan Institute education policy experts Amy Haywood and Jordana Hunter.
#auspol
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/12...
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Australia’s school attendance crisis needs urgent national action
School attendance has been sliding for more than a decade, with more than a million Australian students now missing significant classroom time. Governments have set ambitious targets to reverse the tr...
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/12/poor-school-attendance-is-the-problem-hiding-in-plain-sight/
3 months ago
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The Grattan Institute 2025 Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister (our Top Six books of the year) is out – the honeymoon edition! Read all about it here:
#auspol
#books
#writing
grattan.edu.au/news/prime-m...
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Announcing Grattan Institute’s 2025 Summer Reading List for the Prime Minister - Grattan Institute
We are delighted to announce Grattan Institute's Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List for 2025.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/prime-ministers-summer-reading-list-2025/
3 months ago
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The Saturday Paper: “Linda Reynolds looks forever like someone about to send her main back to the kitchen. She has been victimised by life. Everything is an injustice and all of it done to her. According to court documents, her middle name is Karen.”
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2025/11/22/l...
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On Linda Reynolds and Janet Albrechtsen
A little over a week ago, Linda Reynolds gave her first interview since winning her defamation case against Brittany Higgins. She gave it to Janet Albrechtsen, the right-wing columnist whose texts and...
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2025/11/22/linda-reynolds-and-janet-albrechtsen
4 months ago
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How to fix public hospital funding An important new Grattan Institute report that should be compulsory reading for the Prime Minister and the Premiers
#auspol
#nswpol
#springst
#health
grattan.edu.au/report/smart...
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Smarter spending: Getting better care for every hospital dollar
Australian governments waste $1.2 billion a year on avoidable spending in public hospitals which does nothing to improve patient care.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/smarter-spending-getting-better-care-for-every-hospital-dollar/
4 months ago
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Memo to the Libs and Nats: net zero is not a political plaything or a virtue-signalling culture war trope. Grattan Institute expert Alison Reeve injects some facts and evidence into Australia’s energy and climate-change debate.
#auspol
#coal
Via The Age
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
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https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/yes-your-energy-bills-have-gone-up-turning-net-zero-into-a-culture-war-will-send-them-higher-20251116-p5nfpp.html
4 months ago
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It’s a mirage of an energy and climate change policy The Liberals’ plan won’t reduce power prices and it won’t reduce emissions substantially, writes Grattan Institute policy guru Tony Wood in the Financial Review
#auspol
#coal
#renewables
#NetZero
grattan.edu.au/news/a-mirag...
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A mirage of an energy and climate change policy - Grattan Institute
The Libs’ plan won’t reduce power prices and it won’t reduce emissions substantially.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/a-mirage-of-an-energy-and-climate-change-policy/
4 months ago
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Melbourne is a great city, but… Grattan Institute housing policy expert Joey Moloney puts the case for higher density across the suburbs, including Ivanhoe, Fairfield, and Newport
#auspol
#springst
#planning
grattan.edu.au/news/melbour...
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Melbourne needs lots of new homes—quickly - Grattan Institute
The planning system needs to change so the city can stay great.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/melbourne-needs-a-lot-of-new-homes-quickly/
4 months ago
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The longest city is short on homes Why Perth needs planning reforms, by Grattan Institute housing policy experts Joey Moloney and Ashleigh Chang in today’s West Australian
grattan.edu.au/news/the-lon...
#auspol
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The longest city is short on homes - Grattan Institute
Perth needs planning reform.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/the-longest-city-short-on-homes/
4 months ago
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To fix the economy, fix housing. Brendan Coates, Joey Moloney, and Matthew Bowes summarise their blockbuster new Grattan Institute report on Australia’s housing crisis.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
#auspol
#nswpol
#springst
#Insiders
Via Pearls and Irritations
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To fix the economy, fix housing
Australia’s economy is in a post-pandemic slump. To dig us out, state and federal governments must tackle the chronic shortage of housing in our biggest cities.
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/to-fix-the-economy-fix-housing/
4 months ago
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Why Australia needs a housing policy revolution – and what it will mean for your suburb. Major new Grattan Institute report by Brendan Coates, Joey Moloney, and Matthew Bowes.
#auspol
#nswpol
#springst
#Planning
#Heritage
grattan.edu.au/report/more-...
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More homes, better cities: Letting more people live where they want
Three-storey townhouses and apartments should be permitted on all residential land in all capital cities as part of a concerted policy assault on Australia’s housing crisis.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/more-homes-better-cities/
4 months ago
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Tony Abbott and the Ladybird view of history Jane Lydon runs the rule over Abbott’s Australia
theconversation.com/tony-abbotts...
#auspol
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Tony Abbott’s history of Australia wants us to be proud of men like him
Tony Abbott begins his book Australia: A History, by telling off professional historians – and laments the “cultural confusion” of our present moment.
https://theconversation.com/tony-abbotts-history-of-australia-wants-us-to-be-proud-of-men-like-him-268294
4 months ago
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Treaty yeah
www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
#auspol
#springst
#Australia
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The votes are counted and the quiet shattered as treaty arrives in Victoria
The first treaty with our First Peoples came after a long debate and even longer wait.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/the-votes-are-counted-and-the-quiet-shattered-as-treaty-arrives-in-victoria-20251030-p5n6nr.html?utm_content=picture_of_the_day&list_name=3C1D28D0-7E1E-4DC0-9DD3-A961CC5360DB&promote_channel=edmail&utm_campaign=am-theage&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=2025-10-31&mbnr=MzA3OTM2NTg&instance=2025-10-31-07-18-AEDT&jobid=31962669
4 months ago
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Nice
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Beddy
5 months ago
one of the ironclad rules of Australian journalism is that any story about voting must be accompanied by a picture of people voting in swimwear
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“Less about saving swimmers and more about serving cocktails” How $14m of public money to convert an ageing bayside pool to a heated indoor learn-to-swim centre is being misused to build a glitzy private social club on Williamstown’s heritage beach
www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
#springst
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Tensions flare in seaside suburb over ‘Bondi Icebergs’ proposal
Over seven years, the lifesaving club has gone through three rounds of redevelopment plans, and the neighbourhood is once again divided over the $14.5 million project.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/tensions-flare-in-seaside-suburb-over-bondi-icebergs-proposal-20251008-p5n0w1.html
5 months ago
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Here’s some good news: Play your cards right, and your household energy bills could halve by 2050 New Grattan Institute report by Alison Reeve and Tony Wood
grattan.edu.au/report/bills...
#auspol
#ClimateEmergency
#NetZero
#coal
#renewables
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Bills down, emissions down: A practical path to net-zero electricity
Australian household energy bills are set to halve by 2050, leaving ‘policy room’ for the federal government to cut emissions in the electricity sector without hurting households.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/bills-down-emissions-down-a-practical-path-to-net-zero-electricity/
5 months ago
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Australia’s workforce challenge Thoughtful new Grattan Institute series on building our workforce of the future
#auspol
#ausecon
#jobs
#migration
#AI
grattan.edu.au/australias-w...
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Australia’s workforce challenge - Grattan Institute
Grattan Institute’s six-part series on building our workforce of the future.
https://grattan.edu.au/australias-workforce-challenge/
5 months ago
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Three more reasons to object to the proposed over-development of Williamstown’s historic life-saving club: 1. Taxpayers’ money being used for private facilities 2. The ‘Members Only’ fence 3. A footprint that extends well beyond the club’s current fence line
thewestsider.com.au/is-the-willy...
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Is the Willy Beach Lifesaving Club set to become Australia’s most expensive?
Jason Bryce asks community to become engaged in the discussions over the new plans for the Williamstown lifesaving club.
https://thewestsider.com.au/is-the-willy-beach-lifesaving-club-set-to-become-australias-most-expensive/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Grattan Institute
5 months ago
Sydney remains ground zero for Australia’s housing crisis. Our housing policy expert Brendan Coates gives the NSW government credit for acting to get more housing built – and identifies what should happen now.
#auspol
#nswpol
grattan.edu.au/news/sydney-...
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Sydney remains ground zero for Australia’s housing crisis - Grattan Institute
The NSW government deserves credit for taking steps to get more housing built. Here’s what it should do next.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/sydney-remains-ground-zero-for-australias-housing-crisis/
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Gradually , then suddenly. Jacqueline Maley charts America’s descent into authoritarianism.
#Trump
#freedom
#democracy
www.smh.com.au/world/north-...
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Under Trump, America’s descent into authoritarianism may be unstoppable
Like the famous Ernest Hemingway quote, the demise of American democracy has happened gradually and now, all at once.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/under-trump-america-s-descent-into-authoritarianism-may-be-unstoppable-20250919-p5mwb9.html
6 months ago
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Comedy, power, and democracy. Steve Vizard rises to the occasion.
#JimmyKimmel
#Trump
www.afr.com/politics/jim...
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Jimmy Kimmel’s demise exposes how power fears ridicule
Comedy is not a sideshow. It is part of the main act. When comedy vanishes, rulers mistake themselves for the nation.
https://www.afr.com/politics/jimmy-kimmel-s-demise-exposes-how-power-fears-ridicule-20250919-p5mwce
6 months ago
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‘This week has been a watershed on Australia’s hard road to net zero. The main game now is implementation, as the spectre of climate change awaits.’ The verdict from Grattan Institute energy policy guru Tony Wood in the Financial Review
#auspol
#emissions
#targets
www.afr.com/policy/energ...
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A step up in action to hit the 2035 emissions target is urgently needed
This week has been a watershed on Australia’s hard road to net zero. The main game now is implementation, as the spectre of climate change awaits.
https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/a-step-up-in-action-to-hit-the-2035-emissions-target-is-urgently-needed-20250917-p5mvx5
6 months ago
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The Albanese government has finally set a 2035 climate course – and it’s a mission Australia must accept. By Tony Wood from the Grattan Institute in The Conversation
#auspol
#NetZero
#emissions
#targets
theconversation.com/the-albanese...
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The Albanese government has finally set a 2035 climate course – and it’s a mission Australia must accept
The target seeks to balance positive action with pragmatism. Achieving it will requires a major policy step-up.
https://theconversation.com/the-albanese-government-has-finally-set-a-2035-climate-course-and-its-a-mission-australia-must-accept-264885
6 months ago
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‘The similarly ageless Patrick Dangerfield leaves divots, bruises, and trauma. Scott Pendlebury doesn’t leave a trace. He hovers above the game, popping in where he sees fit.’ Jonathan Horn on Pendles
#AFL
#Collingwood
#GoPies
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/s...
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From the Pocket: they may be old but Scott Pendlebury’s Collingwood are wily and hungry
The Magpies’ core group of self-driven, physically and mentally resilient senior players eat up the hard work to maintain high performance
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/17/from-the-pocket-they-may-be-old-but-scott-pendleburys-collingwood-are-wily-and-hungry
6 months ago
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Grattan talks to Grattan. Michelle Grattan, doyen of the parliamentary press gallery, talks to Tony Wood, energy and climate change policy guru at the Grattan Institute, about net zero, 2035, 2050, and all that.
#auspol
#climate
#targets
theconversation.com/politics-wit...
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Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tony Wood on ‘politics trumping climate policy’ and the hard road ahead
The energy expert says Australia’s only on track to cut its emissions by around 50% by 2035 – ‘so we’re going to have to step up the pace’ in the next decade.
https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-tony-wood-on-politics-trumping-climate-policy-and-the-hard-road-ahead-265474
6 months ago
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‘Getting shit done.’ Joel Deane on Dan Andrews. Typically insightful.
#auspol
#springst
www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/12/c...
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What Albo can learn from Dan 'getting shit done' Andrews
Much of the praise and criticism of Dan Andrews — who, like Kennett, incited adoration and hatred — is one-eyed, if not cross-eyed. Andrews was neither dictator nor saviour.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/12/catch-and-kill-joel-deane-anthony-albanese-daniel-andrews/
6 months ago
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The business case for corporate tax reform needs to be rather more sophisticated than just ‘cut our taxes’. Grattan Institute CEO Aruna Sathanapally writes for the Financial Review
#auspol
#ausecon
#GST
www.afr.com/policy/tax-a...
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Why the case for a corporate tax cut is tricky
If business wants change, it needs to do more than just call for “lower taxes”. It needs a clear model, a credible way to fund it, and a persuasive case.
https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/why-the-case-for-a-corporate-tax-cut-is-tricky-20250914-p5mutk
6 months ago
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Dan. Mate.
www.afr.com/rear-window/...
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Senior Liberal’s luxury hotel TV gaffe
Opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan outed his upscale accommodation while on a privately funded nuclear junket.
https://www.afr.com/rear-window/senior-liberal-s-luxury-hotel-tv-gaffe-20250909-p5mtp6
6 months ago
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The old man could play
#AFL
#AFLfinals
#GoPies
add a skeleton here at some point
6 months ago
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‘Well off the pace’ Grattan Institute education policy expert Amy Haywood slams weak student improvement targets
#auspol
#schools
#funding
educationhq.com/news/well-of...
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‘Well off the pace’: Grattan expert slams weak student improvement targets
Education ministers have set the achievement bar too low for Australian students, with current improvement targets at risk of locking in underachievement across some jurisdictions, experts from Gratta...
https://educationhq.com/news/well-off-the-pace-grattan-expert-slams-weak-student-improvement-targets-198789/
6 months ago
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