Australian Politics

Australia’s economy has gone from close to the worst-managed in the OECD, according to data from the IMF, the UBS, the World Bank, the OECD, Trading Economics and elsewhere, to near the top today.

The ABC’s unawareness of these major shifts is an indictment of its inability to monitor critical data.

In short:

Hundreds of previously secret cabinet records from 2004 have been made public in the National Archives' annual release.

The papers largely focus on Australia's ongoing role in the Iraq War as well as other geopolitical events and the broader economy.

What's next?

They keep hidden much detail on deliberations over the maritime border with Timor-Leste, which later became the subject of spying allegations.

Footage in link, description copied here:

Anonymous Submission 🎄 24.12.24

Christmas came early when, this week, the NWA's door was shattered, and the inside of their office ruined with a mystery liquid.

Overnight, the head office of the fascist group National Workers Alliance (NWA) was attacked by anti-fascists. The NWA has been acting as a bridge for uniting the far right under the guise of "working class organizing".

NWA has hosted three fascist events this year, with members of neo-nazi groups such as NSN attending each one, along with other far right figures. They also march most Saturdays through so-called melbourne CBD.

This office was the location of the most recent (failed) recruitment event for NWA.

Solidarity with all anti-fascist action taken in this colony. We must continue to shut down fascism everywhere, in the streets, in the workplace and in the community.

No mercy for fascists.

I suppose the Polish Club are glad they didn't host this time. More context.

"Having rescued the economy from damage done by the Coalition and stabilising government debt, the ALP is polling well for a second term in office."

• An interesting take from Koukalas from back in July. Still valid?

source: https://bsky.app/profile/purplepingers.bsky.social/post/3lcus4rblsk2n

In short:

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is expected to announce industrial action on Sydney's trains, after the NSW government lost a bid to ban the strikes.

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen says the government hasn't yet been notified by the union as to what specific industrial action will take place or when it will begin.

The NSW government has now lodged an application to the Fair Work Commission to limit the impact of industrial action.

The rally brought to attention the undemocratic nature of the CFMEU being placed under administration with Esther being just one example of a CFMEU official who was sacked without any due process.

KEY POINTS

• Australia's antisemitism envoy wants restrictions placed on when and where pro-Paletsinian protests can take place.
• One Palestinian advocate said Jillian Segal was trying to "silence critics of the Israeli government".
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he would support a ban on protests being held outside places of worship.

The central concern expressed by the Reserve Bank in defending its high-interest rate policy is that expectations of higher inflation may become entrenched, requiring a further, more painful round of contractionary monetary policy in the future.

By contrast, the RBA expresses no concern that the reduction in economic growth induced by its policies will lead to a permanent reduction in living standards.

LAST WEEK, News Corp’s newspapers The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Courier Mail and The Adelaide Advertiser caused controversy by publishing front page “exclusives” and “special reports” alleging that more gas is needed to avoid electricity blackouts in the future.

If readers turned the page and read the fine print, they would learn that this so-called “news” was actually not news. It was an advertorial (a fancy word for an advertisement), paid for by – you guessed it – the fossil fuel industry.

An analysis by Australia’s national science agency has found that Australia’s energy needs could be wholly met by the absolute nonsense spouted by Opposition leader Peter Dutton.

In a report released today, the CSIRO found that by feeding in a mix of Dutton’s bullshit and hot air to the national grid, Australia could power its homes and business, without the need for other sources of energy. “This is an energy source that is abundant, free and 100% renewable. It really is remarkable,” a CSIRO spokesperson said.

In short:

NSW Police are facing fresh calls to be banned from marching at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Three resolutions relating to police marching in the parade will be put to a vote at the Mardi Gras annual general meeting tomorrow.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has slammed the potential ban despite LGBTQ+ community consultation showing a majority of members do not want police to take part.

Speakers at the gala include war hawk David Weinberg and a Technion graduate talking about their recent duty in the IDF. Many Australian universities including UTS and USyd have partnerships with Technion.

Protest was announced to be taking place at 151 Castlereagh St, Sydney (near Town Hall Station).

The rally is organised by Stop the War on Palestine, and supported by UTS Staff for Palistine, NTEU for Palestine, PalSoc UTS, Students against War and Palestine Youth Movement.

In short:

Australia has voted in favour of a UN resolution demanding Israel rapidly end its occupation of the Palestinian Territories.

The vote represents a shift in a longstanding position. Australia abstained on similar resolutions at previous meetings of the General Assembly.

What's next?

An international conference to work towards a two-state solution is set to take place next year.

Source:

Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 "Noes"

ACAB

Josephine Langbian, associate legal director at the Human Rights Law Centre, described the measures as the "most brutal migrations laws that we have ever seen".
[...]
Refugee Council of Australia CEO Paul Power said the government's "rushed and reckless approach is alarming".

"These are some of the most harmful and extreme bills we've seen in over a decade, and the speed with which they're being pushed through makes it all the more shocking," he said.