For many years a group of Port Melbourne people have been organising an annual commemoration of the 1928 dock strike and the death of Alan Whittaker, shot by police, during the dispute.
Now the committee which established the event is down to the last three members and we are wondering what will happen to the event in the future. Fortunately, a local historian, Janet Bolitho, has obtained a grant to make a film about Whittaker, the 1928 events and their commemoration.
Despite all the rage and division in the US there is one thing all Americans, whether Republican, Democrat or Independent, agree on – the future of democracy is at stake in the 2024 Presidential election.
A recent survey by the Public Religion Research Institute in Washington found that 75% of all Americans believed the future of democracy was at stake in the election with 77% of Republicans concerned, 73% of Independent and 84% of Democrats.
The Voice referendum demonstrated not only the power of misinformation and disinformation but also provides insight into what might happen if an Australian Government ever tries to take real action on climate change and how public opinion could provide fertile ground for divisive campaigns.
A series of surveys by the Pew Research Centre and IPSOS provide some context for that as well as providing insights into attitudes around the world.
This October marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of Galileo’s The Assayer on the nature of three comets seen in Europe in 1618.
As always, whenever we think of Galileo, we think of Christian persecution. Indeed, Galileo said in the introduction to the book, that some people have “advanced ridiculous and impossible opinions against me.” He even sent it to the then Pope’s chamberlain who later served under the Pope who put the astronomer on trial.
Australia has lost a wise and generous man.
Kevin Luscombe AM had an astonishing career here in Australia as well as overseas.
The Melbourne marketing and business veteran had been Executive Chairman of management consultants, Growth Solutions Group; Board member of APN News & Media; and held senior corporate management and Board roles in Australia, USA, and South East Asia and Europe.
There is the whiff of a Pyrrhic victory in the Dutton and No wins on Saturday.
Certainly, Dutton has demonstrated that disinformation, division and some outright lies can confuse and motivate large sections of the community. He has also given an insight into how he, the alt-right movement, social media warriors and bots will seek to influence the next Federal election campaign.
McKinsey may still be the go-to consultancy for many companies and governments but it is not faring well on legal fronts.
The Weekend Financial Times reports it has just paid another $US230 million to settle remaining claims relating to ‘turbo-charging’ opioid sales. This is on top of $US641.5 million already paid to US states over the issue. The FT says the part McKinsey played is ‘alleged’ but that’s an awful lot of money for an allegation.
When politicians are facing likely defeat they often desperately seize on an event or a development which they believe might turn the tide.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it can be counter-productive and sometimes it just looks desperate.
Arguably it worked for John Howard with boat turn backs and a hyperbolic campaign saying we would be overrun by terrorists and others if Labor was elected.
Business is always telling governments, and the rest of us, that Australia would perform much better if we and our rulers took their advice.
There would be fewer and lower taxes while ‘flexible’ freewheeling industrial relations policies and much less regulation are all common claims about how Australia could be improved.
The RSL was once one of the most influential, lobby groups in Australia. Today it is better known for the number of poker machines it operates.
Back in the day, as they say, they were knocking on doors in Canberra where the people they met to lobby often had returned service badges in their lapels. They had regular meetings with the relevant Minister and the comments of officials, particularly the late Bruce Ruxton, were widely reported in the media.