Weekly roundup Saturday 3 December
It’s been a busy six months for Parliament
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
The Lamentations of the Liberal Party
Victoria’s election – growing support for independents, but you wouldn’t believe it from media reports, while the Coalition continues its 8-year losing streak – how the media predicted the outcome without looking at the polls, and got it wrong – how the Liberals will blame their loss on everything but their own policies. Parliament’s censure of Morrison: of course Labor is making political capital out of it, but it’s about a serious assault on our democratic institutions. Niki Savva on Morrison and the people who let him lead their party along the road to ruin.
Other politics
Remembering December 2, 1972. The Essential report: we rediscover China and are pretty annoyed at the way the media treats politics as a game.
Public policy
Making sense of the National Party’s opposition to a Voice (it’s about seats in Queensland): we should listen to Pat Dodson, but is our political culture so immature that we cannot have a discussion about principles? Closing the Gap – some progress, some retreats, but at least the government says it’s doing something. Bringing electricity supply back into public hands – a political and economic winner. Universities – we can do better on equity.
Public ideas
Democracy in retreat, including in our region. A court breaks new ground in environmental policy. Measuring what matters – have your say before the end of January and share the ideas you developed with your mates in those holiday gatherings.
Schadenfreude
Right-wing politicians aren’t the only menaces in our lives.
Links to sources of webinars, podcasts and readings
If you have comments, corrections, or links to other relent sources, I’d like to hear from you. Please send them to Ian McAuley — ian, at the domain name ianmcauley.com
