Reforms
Whitlam was a radical, according to the Institute of Public Affairs. A very successful radical, and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott could learn from him.

The IPA has released an extraordinary pamphlet: Be like Gough: 75 radical ideas to transform Australia.
You could even say it’s radical.
I was sorry to see Julia Gillard fall on Australia Day – it’s strangely unsettling to see an adult stumble, and never more so than when it’s a person of power.

To my mind, though, a far more significant fall happened earlier in the week.
I understand the pragmatism behind Ms Gillard’s decision to dump her pokies reform deal with Independent MP Andrew Wilkie. She didn’t have the numbers in parliament to get mandatory pre-commitment legislation passed.
Continue reading "Pokies farce is Gillard’s biggest stumble yet" »
Latest 2 of 123 comments
View all comments-
Laila says:
‘President’ Barlow,‘We might not win’You got that part right!If you look calefulry, you outlined almost every reason the ALP/Greens are currently on the nose. Only you want to enforce, in stronger terms, the very cause of the PopOp’s anger with the ALP/Green policy making, and, to emphasise your determined bravado,… Read more »
-
RyaN says:
And clearly you know everything, I mean recommending that people join a party that is only influenced by unions, 99% of the leaders come from unions who previously fell out of university into the union heavyweight roles because of a relative and claiming that they will be acknowledged let alone… Read more »
Now our Melbourne Cup flutters are out of the way it is worth investigating how it became valid political logic that the healthy fabric of Australian life would be shredded without big-scale gambling.

Not on horses, but gambling on pokies. Not by once-a-year punters or leviathan professionals, by low-income earners who can suddenly find their rent has disappeared down the maw of a gaming machine.
The glorified role of pokies is a political creation and it is total rubbish.
Continue reading "Pokie palaces are sucking the life out of communities" »
Latest 2 of 148 comments
View all comments-
kertyaccesy says:
timberland boots sale rcvdod http://www.cheaptimberlandboot1973.com timberland boots sale byzcfm http://www.cheaptimberlandbootssale.com cheap timberland boots wanpdd http://www.cheaptimberlandbootsmen.com timberland boots sale dipepk http://www.cheaptimberlandbootoutlet.com cheap timberland boots xmkqwv http://www.saletimberlandboots.org v Read more »
-
Jay says:
Let’s get a few facts straight. After 8 years of the disastrous Cain/Kirner Govt it was Labor that introduced the Pokies in Victoria.We had to sell of the State Bank, GIO,electricity, gas and water and slash nursing,police and teachers.Let’s not forget the Brumby Govts brilliant myki card debacle and let’s… Read more »
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
MT @RaidersCanberra "Congrats to Blake Ferguson on his selection for NSW. LIKE to show your support!" Um guys, you can't "like" a Tweet
RT @TheEconomist: Google is coming under intense scrutiny from regulators http://t.co/4bfvNp5oyEhttp://t.co/NLV9yRSIKr
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
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
Latest 2 of 61 comments
View all commentsAdd your comment