Penny in Cairo 'disgusted' with Gillard

Radio 2GB Sydney interview: Aussie tourist Penny in Cairo 'disgusted' by unhelpful Gillard.
Now link.
Ray Hadley talks to Penny Flick, an Australian tourist stuck in Egypt, who says..
Tuesday, 01 February 2011
Australian tourist stuck in Egypt
Ray Hadley talks to Penny Flick, an Australian tourist stuck in Egypt, who says she is receiving no assistance from the Federal Government.

DFAT incompetent - Julia 747 to the rescue

Gillard government has organised a Qantas charter flight to evacuate Australians trapped by the political crisis in Egypt.

“DFAT have been completely incompetent,” Mr Brigham, 67, said today

Where is Kev 747?

Obama follows Carter?

Egypt crisis be worst disaster since Iran’s revolution
Carter abandoned the Shah and gave us Iran of today
While Syria pretends.

ALP gay daze

First we read: Prime Minister Julia Gillard's chief of staff, Amanda Lampe, has taken maternity leave after her female partner gave birth to twins. Now we read: Amanda Lampe had decided to "move on" because of changed personal circumstances, Ms Gillard said in a statement today. "I wish her and her family the best for the future."

ALP siphons off funds

Biting the boom that feeds us

22nd NSW Labor MP jumps ship

NSW upper house Labor MP Tony Catanzariti has announced he will not contest the March state election, saying he wants to devote more time to his farming interests and family.

NSW ALP and drugs

With the ongoing story of Verity Firth now on leave after husband's drug arrest, we can remember Michael Coutts-Trotter married to federal Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek. Mr Coutts-Trotter, once asked: Give me a chance.

Julia another new tax for Cyclone Anthony?

As Tropical Cyclone Anthony approaches, will Julia need more money?

Samantha Gregg, at her home in New Farm, Brisbane, is happy to help neighbours, but says she's done her share.

As the poll result below shows, many are not happy.
Do you support, or oppose, the government's flood levy proposal?
* Support 18.45% (2540 votes)
* Oppose 81.55% (11227 votes)
Total votes: 13767

NSW ALP spins again

Victoria Rd Busway opens in Sydney
But no mention of Inner-west's bridge of sighs, the Roads minister or Education minister.

NSW ALP drug deal arrest

NSW Education minister Verity Firth has revealed her husband has been charged with drug possession. Matthew Chesher has resigned from his job as chief of staff to NSW Roads Minister David Borger.

While police report: Man charged with commercial supply of drugs – Pyrmont

Media postpone Israel bashing

Egypt’s Military Is Seen as Pivotal in Next Step

Red China reports on Demonstration in Egypt

Demonstration in Egypt leads to government sack
Meanwhile: Chinese dissident Wu Yuren faces 'fake' charge of assaulting police

Meanwhile the NSW stories continue

A bridge too far for Premier, Roads Minister

Shh... Iron Cove Bridge to open with no fuss

Keneally says levy will hurt Sydneysiders more

Levy, Levy likes her money

Could we hear Julia singing Levy, Levy likes her money
She makes a lot they say - She spends her days counting
in a Lodge by the Canberra way.

Adapted from Levon by Elton John Album: Madman Across The Water - Released: 1971
Music by Elton John Lyrics by Bernie Taupin

Egypt, China, Pakistan review Australia

Australian officials appeared before the United Nation's Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday for what's known as a universal periodic review.

Following is the list of members of the Advisory Committee and expiration dates for their respective terms of office: Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann (Nicaragua – 2012); Mr. José Antonio Bengoa Cabello (Chile - 2013); Mr. Ansar Ahmed Burney (Pakistan - 2011); Mr. Shiqiu Chen (China - 2012); Ms. Chinsung Chung (Republic of Korea - 2013); Mr. Emmanuel Decaux (France - 2011); Mr. Héctor Felipe Fix Fierro (Mexico - 2011); Mr. Wolfgang Stefan Heinz (Germany - 2013); Mr. Latif Hüseynov (Azerbaijan - 2011); Mr. Baba Kura Kaigama (Nigeria - 2011); Mr. Alfred Ntunduguru Karokora (Uganda – 2013); Mr. Vladimir Kartashkin (Russian Federation - 2013); Ms. Purificacion V. Quisumbing (Philippines - 2011); Mr. Shigeki Sakamoto (Japan - 2013); Mr. Dheerujlall Seetulsingh (Mauritius - 2011); Ms. Halima Embarek Warzazi (Morocco - 2012); Mr. Jean Ziegler (Switzerland - 2012); and Ms. Mona Zulficar (Egypt - 2013).
The Chairperson was Purificacion V. Quisumbing, Vice-Chairpersons were Wolfgang Stefan Heinz, Vladimir Kartashkin, Dheerujlall Seetulsingh. The Rapporteur was Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann.

Bligh's levy thanks - So she should

Bligh thanks Australians for levy
Now bring on her re-election campaign.

Ann Bligh re-election campaign levy?

Wealthier to bear brunt of flood levy as victims, low-paid are exempt
The government of Queensland, where the floods hit hardest, will tomorrow announce cutbacks to its budget to help pay for the recovery.

“This is another government spending program for which no one is going to be held accountable if things go wrong.” Tony Abbott

Coles, the milk of human kindness?

Milk price decrease sparks concern

Oppn calls in watchdog over milk debate

Julia's new flag

With Julia's new flag comes Julia's new tax

Jessica Watson wins again

Solo sailor Jessica Watson is named Young Australian of the Year

Aboriginal lawyer and novelist loser. Racism!

Australian of the Year for 2011 is Simon McKeon, a high-flying investment banker who decided to work part-time to dedicate himself to social causes at home and abroad.
Mr McKeon, 55, succeeds psychiatrist Pat McGorry as Australian of the Year, in recognition of his many years of community service.
He beat the bookies' favourite Professor Larissa Behrendt, an Aboriginal lawyer and novelist.

Perle, a Sydney-based firm, entered receivership last week

Perle owes Coffs subbies $1.3m

Directors may face fraud charges

Sydney radio 2GB report stat decs signed that payments were made for another project but no money was forthcoming.

ALP creates new frugalism

"new frugalism" mortgage rate and utilities price rises.

Sydney Morning Herald In times of hard Labor

In times of hard Labor, party goes for super women - Anne Davies
So are we to assume the same when SMH gets first female editor - Tim Dick

Rudd-Gillard to face charges?

Government expects Christmas Island disaster charges

Rearranging the deck chairs on the ALP Titanic

“Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic” (a futile or pointless activity in a losing situation)

Gillard's survival questioned, ALP Tasmania going, ALP Victoria gone, ALP Queensland pretending, ALP NSW going, ALP WA gone, while ALP NT does not care.

NBN all wet

National broadband vulnerable to the wet

"It's the classic story of having one singular network. All your eggs are in one basket."

Gillard to reform aged MP care?

Gillard told to tread lightly on aged care reform

Tobruk surrenders to Australian 6th Division

2 January 1941
Tobruk surrenders to Australian 6th Division

The senior Italian officer looked with disdain at the dusty Eather in a drab greatcoat and over it, concealing the badges, a leather jerkin and scarf.

ALP dud deal coverup

Then

Tony Maher, a former Eraring director and the national president of the mining and energy division of the CFMEU, said the politics of the sale "were dreadful". "It was just a mad dash for cash,'' he told ABC Radio. "I do have a view that it was a dud deal.'' He said the timing was ``appalling'' because of uncertainty about upcoming carbon pricing.

Now

Don't pull court trigger, Maher says
Former Eraring director Tony Maher on Thursday spoke out against the plan to compel the eight directors to give evidence at an inquiry into the $5.3 billion power asset sell-off.

Gillard says she is now out of money

Gillard warns of cutbacks and flood levy

The final strongpoint to hold out was Sanananda.

Remembering the war in New Guinea

On 12 January 1943, the 18th Army's commander, General Adachi, ordered the evacuation of Sanananda. About 2,000 troops escaped by sea or on foot by the end of the battle. The Allies had nearly given up hope when it became clear that most of the Japanese had left. On 22 January, the 18th Brigade finished mopping-up actions and the Papuan campaign officially came to an end the following day.

"...unnecessary and avoidable spending commitments and that’s what the NBN is."

Press Conference, Sydney
Posted on Tuesday, 18 January 2011
18 January 2011

Ex-TCs - NZ Heavy rain falling, winds building

Heavy rain and strong winds are beginning to be felt across the NZ this afternoon.
After Norfolk Island spared cyclone's wrath

Tropical cyclone Zelia is forecast to strike Norfolk Island

Severe Weather Warning for for Norfolk Island.
Latest Colour Mean Sea Level Pressure Chart
Top Priority for Immediate Broadcast
NORFOLK ISLAND TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE
Current Tropical Cyclones
Tropical cyclone Zelia is forecast to strike Norfolk Island at about 12:00 GMT on 17 January.

"Bob Brown Junior" coal and climate change

Our changing climate brought flood
Matthew Wright is the Environment Minister's Young Environmentalist of the Year 2010

Spy who enraged and saddened ALP

Spymaster stirs spectre of covert foreign activities
* Max Suich
* From: The Australian
* March 20, 2010

It was on October 21, 1975, that an enraged Whitlam sacked Robertson, who was one of the founders of the ASIS in 1950 and who for most of the following 25 years was variously chief of operations, deputy director or director.

Statement on William Thomas (Bill) Robertson CBE OBE MC
Statement: Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for Tourism, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs 5 January 2011

I was most saddened by the news of the death on 2 January of Bill Robertson, a man with a distinguished war service record and a former head of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service. Following his departure from ASIS, Bill was appointed as an advisor to the Royal Commission head by Mr Justice Hope that inquired into Australia’s security and intelligence operations.

Anna Bligh washed, rinsed, spun.

"Calamity may be the Premier Anna Bligh's only chance - January 08, 2011

Anna Bligh joins NSW Labor on critical list: Newspoll - September 09, 2010

Anna Bligh's hospital stint is just a stunt
- September 11, 2010

Meanwhile the war continues

Man shot in drive-by shooting – Merrylands

Sam Ibrahim shot in the leg

Joh and Wivenhoe Syndrome

Joh Bjelke-Petersen born 13 January 1911
Wivenhoe Syndrome

"Well, I think one of the things we should be grateful for is the vision and foresight of an earlier generation of Queensland political leaders who built the Wivenhoe dam. Bad though this flood has been, disastrous though this flood has been, it could have been far worse but for the dam."

That’s right and this is where I think that we can be grateful for the foresight of the State Government back in the 1970s, putting the Wivenhoe Dam in place. Sure, the dam hasn’t entirely prevented a major flood but it is not nearly as bad as it could’ve been thanks to the foresight of an earlier government.

I think it’s pretty clear that the disaster that this flood has been, it would have been significantly worse without the Wivenhoe Dam and it’s a tribute to the foresight and the courage of an earlier generation of Queensland politicians that that dam was built.
So, I think we should be grateful to them for that and obviously in the weeks and months ahead it will be important to reflect on the experiences of these floods and to work out how we can best ensure that the community is safe-guarded as far as it can be against a recurrence.

Cyclone VANIA to hit Brisbane?

Latest Colour Mean Sea Level Pressure Chart shows location at 00 UTC. And warning TROPICAL CYCLONE VANIA 03F CENTRE 988HPA CAT 1 WAS ANALYSED NEAR 19.2S 169.3E AT 120000 UTC. EXPECTED TO MOVE TOWARDS THE SOUTHWEST.

Rivers and urban-based ideologues

Now we have Brisbane flood alert as Wivenhoe threatens to spill over after Wild rivers legislation in which the Indigenous people 'forgotten' in Wild Rivers because of Bligh's callous land grab

"The gazettal of 13 rivers under the Wild Rivers Act was, I believe, a last-minute, backroom deal between the team lead by Bligh and adviser Mike Kaiser, and the Wilderness Society. The Queensland public has also been misled about this matter. These gazettals could be seen as a pay-off by the Labor Government to the greens who delivered them preferences and seats. For the Wilderness Society's urban-based ideologues, the gazettals are prized acquisitions, easy pickings from the Aborigines."

Oikophobic media attacks Palin

Tea Party rhetoric and Oikophobia defined, while Roger Scruton explains oikophobia.

ALP Brown Australia Policy

PM wants to flood-proof Bruce Highway
With a dam? Would make Brown unhappy.
But the other highway flood continues.
With Australia facing record numbers of boat arrivals
Which makes Brown happy.

In the year 6565

Our next child must be a girl

In the year 6565 Ain't gonna need no husband, won't need no wife
You'll pick your son, pick your daughter too From the bottom of a long glass tube - Zager and Evans "In The Year 2525

Well another crazy day, you’ll drink the night away

Gerald "Gerry" Rafferty (16 April 1947 – 4 January 2011) was a Scottish singer and songwriter best known for his solo hits "Baker Street" and "Right Down the Line".

For two decades, alcohol had dominated this creative and intelligent man's life.

"But you're going, you're going home."

ALP whale of a tale

ALP says it rules out deals on Japan whaling
Now who believes this?

Dam the floods

Water, water, everywhere, and treated you could drink it, or untreated use it for agriculture or drive turbines for power.
Barnaby Joyce

So we need a BER for building environmental revolution not just school halls.