John Mikkelsen
A career journalist, former editor of regional daily The Observer in Gladstone. John is now a freelance writer and columnist featuring regularly in websites and regional papers.
Articles by John Mikkelsen
If the hackers didn’t get me, the plugs just might
Blame the FBI or a global hacking operation, but it seems I was an early victim – maybe Australia’s first…... Read more
Something’s really fishy in the Gladstone waters
It’s official. The water quality in Gladstone Harbour is fine despite one of the world’s biggest dredging programs. Sick fish…... Read more
Back off, scammers, you’re barking up the wrong tree
Have I got SUCKER tatooed on my forehead? Or a big bulls-eye and the words “easy target” pinned to my…... Read more
Telling the Government to go and get trucked
“Breaker, breaker Rubber Ducky, looks like we’ve got us a convoy… “. Well, actually we’ve got eight of them now…... Read more
Verbal battle lines drawn on carbon tax
“We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and…... Read more
The Climate Commission report is full of it
It should come as no great surprise that the Federal Government’s Climate Commission has produced a new report with dire…... Read more
This specific dingo did not eat any babies
Political correctness rules our lives and while I’m all for equal opportunity, why not extend it to some of the…... Read more
REWARD: Take the climate change challenge
Pssst – want to make an easy ten grand? Believers in the science of global warming, you now have the…... Read more
Laws of the land create an unjust environment
Justice may be blind, but many Australian farmers find the scales are tipped against them as they struggle to come…... Read more
Gas, gas, gas, it’s actually no laughing matter
Australia’s burgeoning liquified natural gas industry is no laughing matter for Central Queensland farmers faced with falling property prices and…... Read more
The farmers’ revolution against climate bureaucrats
What started as a ripple is now growing into a powerful protest wave sweeping across our great nation. In the…... Read more
Green movement’s next big thing: the Clima-Sutra
Good news for all the eco warriors out there – sex is the new green when it comes to saving…... Read more
Killing cane toads with love
OUR major trading pals the Chinese are about to celebrate the Year of the Tiger, but one Queensland businessman would…... Read more
It’s El Alamein revisited as climate war heats up
Our American friends remember The Alamo, we see Gallipoli and North Africa among defining moments in national pride and self-sacrifice…... Read more
What you don’t see can’t hurt you, unless it’s a big shark
Well it’s the silly season and sharks are in the news again, big time. This summer in central Queensland, they…... Read more
A real man’s bloody awesome non-latte sipping barbecue
MANLINESS or the right to be the opposite has been THE hot topic up here in Central Queensland lately, so…... Read more
This is close to brainwashing kids on climate change
IF YOUR job involves one of Australia’s major export industries such as mining or manufacturing, then you probably return home…... Read more
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The Punch is moving house
Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…
Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?
I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”
In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go
Tim says:
They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go
Kel says:
If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
Superman needs saving
Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more
