By hook or by crook – The #CashForTurnbacks scandal: @Qldaah #auspol

Live blog of the media reports on the “cash for turnbacks” crisis. Check back regularly for updates.   (Jump to comments section) Introduction. (February 5, 2016) – Senate inquiry, Canberra. (December 2, 2015) – Court proceedings, Indonesia. (November 8, 2015) – Government operates within the law. (November 5, 2015) – People smugglers go on trial. (October 30, […]

Time to be Alert … And a little bit Alarmed? – the @sarah_capper column

Yes, that’s right, last week Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the Government was raising Australia’s ‘terror alert’ status to ‘high’.  While technically this means a terrorist attack on Australian soil is now regarded as “likely”, the PM was quick to clarify that “this does not mean that a terror attack is imminent. We have no […]

Try stopping the bleeding hearts: @burgewords #CreatingWaves

There’s no use beating around the bush: The Abbott Government has stopped the boats. I am arts columnist for No Fibs, and I probably should be writing about the Arts. However, like many artists in Australia at the moment, I am experiencing plenty of distractions of the political kind. I find it difficult to focus […]

@Jansant interviews respected refugee advocate Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM @Kon__K from the @ASRC1

[clear] By Wayne Jansson  @jansant February 8, 2014 Ever since John Howard’s Tampa affair back in 2001, refugees arriving by boat have been at the centre of political debate in Australia. A campaign to demonise and dehumanise refugees has been in full swing ever since. Its been so successful the Abbott government has even seen the […]

Then they came for the farmers… #SPC #leardblockade

[clear] By Alison Parkes  6th February 2014 Two recent issues have been in the news lately concerning rural and regional communities – the impending closure of SPC and the Leardblockade. People in capital cities, on social media and old media talk about thinks like SPC or live export or another mine as if they are […]

Best Polly Ticks Quotes and Moments of 2013

by Sarah Capper 23 December 2013 A week is a long time in politics. A year is an excruciating amount of time, and as we near the end of 2013, our third prime minister for the year has just reached his first 100 days in office. Awww. In many senses, it’s been Tony Abbott’s year. So […]

Bennelong candidates forum: @preciouspress reports

By Jack Sumner 31 August 2013 Seven of the eight candidates were on stage for a public forum organised by the Northern District Times this week. Missing was DLP candidate Lachlan McCaffrey, who plays rugby for Eastwood and was training in preparation for Shute Shield finals this weekend. His father Simon, the DLP Senate candidate, came […]

Tangney seniors say no to boats, wary of NBN, not convinced about Abbott’s appeal

By Guinevere Hall August 16, 2013 On Wednesday morning I joined more than 40 constituents for a morning tea hosted by Dennis Jensen, the sitting Liberal member for Tangney. Over cups of tea and coffee and scones and muffins, the  group  of mostly senior citizens and supporters listened to Dr Jensen speak and questioned him […]