http://www.thepunch.com.au/ Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. en Copyright 2013 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/2012-is-nearly-here-so-scoff-down-that-last-tim-tam/ Two thousand and twelve is a party away. Enjoy those final few cigarettes, that last packet of Tim Tams, that extra glass of wine, those lazy hours on the couch. Revel in slouching, swearing, picking your nose and ignoring that old lady who needs help crossing the street. Behold the sum total of the vices your New Year’s resolutions will grab by the throat, tear limb from limb and consign to the bad habits of history. For a day or two. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Chris Harrison) Lightweight http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/2012-is-nearly-here-so-scoff-down-that-last-tim-tam/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/2012-is-nearly-here-so-scoff-down-that-last-tim-tam/#item7457 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:00:22 +0000 2012 is nearly here, so scoff down that last Tim Tam! http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/oh-new-years-eve-youre-such-a-shameless-tease/ New Year’s Eve, it’s such a tempestuous event. Loved so passionately by many, hated by perhaps as many others. And indeed basically ignored by a fair portion too. Underlying our conflicted emotions about NYE is the fact that it is the calendar equivalent of a cock-tease. The night that can promise so much and deliver so little. Although I am not immune to it, I am still amused by the pressure the event seems to engender in many of us to be doing at least something, and if young and frisky to be doing something seriously cool, or at least something as good as all your friends, but preferably better. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Amy Crutchfield) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/oh-new-years-eve-youre-such-a-shameless-tease/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/oh-new-years-eve-youre-such-a-shameless-tease/#item7456 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:55:22 +0000 2012 is nearly here, so scoff down that last Tim Tam! http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Clean-bowled-in-cricket-but-theyll-clean-us-up-in-energy/ Watching a Test match is a great teacher of the virtues that make for success in life: determination, strategy and simply keeping your eye on the ball. Anyone watching India knows that they are beating Australia hands down at all three. India is set to win while the complacent, lucky country seems sure to waste its natural advantages. Obviously, after the events at the MCG yesterday, I am talking not of cricket, but of energy security. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Dan Cass) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Clean-bowled-in-cricket-but-theyll-clean-us-up-in-energy/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Clean-bowled-in-cricket-but-theyll-clean-us-up-in-energy/#item7455 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:00:22 +0000 2012 is nearly here, so scoff down that last Tim Tam! http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/BBCs-panda-propaganda-is-utterly-bamboozling/ The BBC has compiled a list of 12 Female Faces of 2011 (one for each month) and guess who took out the final spot? Angela Zhang who at the age of 17 discovered a nanoparticle that kills cancer cells? Nope. Eman al-Obeidi, who defied Muuammar Gadaffi’s regime by confessing to the foreign press that she had been beaten and gang-raped by members of his militia? Nope. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Claire Porter) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/BBCs-panda-propaganda-is-utterly-bamboozling/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/BBCs-panda-propaganda-is-utterly-bamboozling/#item7454 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:55:22 +0000 2012 is nearly here, so scoff down that last Tim Tam! http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Boxing-skirts-the-boundaries-of-credibility-with-sexist-rule/ Just when womens boxing thought it was making progress, it has been dealt a brutal double left jab right cross combo right where it hurts the most – between the legs. Next year female boxing will make its Olympic debut at the London Games, but celebrations and preparations have been soured by a push by the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) to have the competitors wear skirts in the ring. I kind of thought if there was one sport you didn’t want to piss off then it’d be boxing and the girls aren’t happy. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Sam Squiers) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Boxing-skirts-the-boundaries-of-credibility-with-sexist-rule/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Boxing-skirts-the-boundaries-of-credibility-with-sexist-rule/#item7450 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:50:22 +0000 2012 is nearly here, so scoff down that last Tim Tam! http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/india-is-the-new-england/ They’re already spruiking fans’ tours to the 2013 Ashes on the telly, in between ads for priceless mock memorabilia and the odd spot of cricket. Not interested. Wouldn’t go to see The Ashes if I could. But the next tour to India? Now that’s something worth saving up for, and not just because India is a far more enticing travel destination than dreary, drizzly old England. Fact is, Australia vs India is cricket’s great new rivalry. The Ashes, great tradition though it is, is second, with South Africa vs Australia third and daylight fourth. Disagree? Here are 10 reasons why India is the new England. ant@thepunch.com.au (Anthony Sharwood) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/india-is-the-new-england/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/india-is-the-new-england/#item7453 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:00:22 +0000 2012 is nearly here, so scoff down that last Tim Tam! http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Happy-moo-year-just-watch-out-for-those-killer-cows/ In a few months’ time, you will be confronted by a bunch of people will beg you to let a pair of cows onto a ship. But do not allow those wild-eyed bovine to set even one hoof on deck, lest they rend the supple flesh from your throat. That sounds crazy, but give me a moment to explain. If ancient civilisations, reclusive internet jabberers and random online sex offenders are to be believed, 2012 marks the end of the world. Some say an asteroid with a crudely-drawn smiley face will plunge into the Earth during the final chorus of Auld Lang Syne, while others believe apes will suddenly spear everyone to death on December 31. It doesn’t matter - it’s curtains either way. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Jason Tin) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Happy-moo-year-just-watch-out-for-those-killer-cows/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Happy-moo-year-just-watch-out-for-those-killer-cows/#item7452 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:55:22 +0000 2012 is nearly here, so scoff down that last Tim Tam! http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/christmas-is-over-but-the-brats-need-more-bratz/ If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.” feedback@thepunch.com.au (Emma Jane) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/christmas-is-over-but-the-brats-need-more-bratz/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/christmas-is-over-but-the-brats-need-more-bratz/#item7441 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:50:22 +0000 2012 is nearly here, so scoff down that last Tim Tam! http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/we-all-need-to-tune-in-turn-off-and-chill-out/ Ah, the holidays. How good is it to relax on the couch to watch the cricket and – hang on, my phone’s beeping. Gee, I’d better respond to some of those work emails. And there are notifications on Twitter. Someone’s tagged a photo on Facebook. Looks like there’s a job offer via LinkedIn. And I should check out who’s on Google+ while I’m at it. Seriously, do we ever turn off anymore? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tracey Spicer) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/we-all-need-to-tune-in-turn-off-and-chill-out/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/we-all-need-to-tune-in-turn-off-and-chill-out/#item7448 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:00:22 +0000 2012 is nearly here, so scoff down that last Tim Tam! http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-wooden-puppet-who-dreamed-of-becoming-pm/ In a democratic polity like Australia, there is a compact between the governing party and the governed people. Under it, the people make a choice and thereby give their consent to be governed after having been informed of the policies and platform of the respective parties. This information is provided in a variety of ways: through official party platforms, policy documents, media releases, communications to organisations and individuals, and media statements. Together, it constitutes the basis upon which the citizens make a choice at an election. Some of this material is vague and general, but much of it is detailed and precise. Parties make commitments to do – or not to do – certain things, knowing that their word will be relied upon by the people in casting their votes. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Kevin Andrews) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-wooden-puppet-who-dreamed-of-becoming-pm/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-wooden-puppet-who-dreamed-of-becoming-pm/#item7449 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:55:22 +0000 2012 is nearly here, so scoff down that last Tim Tam!