Lobbyists to lose government jobs Nov 16, 2009
As part of a sweeping series of changes designed to lift the Government's standing, Nathan Rees told the Labor Party conference he would ''ban lobbyists from appointment to all public boards and committees ; Lobbyists have a legitimate role outside of government. But they have no place inside it. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Developers cry foul over Labor's ban on donations Nov 16, 2009
After mounting criticism over several years of property developers donating heavily to the Labor Party and getting planning approval for controversial projects, the Premier, Nathan Rees, stunned delegates at the annual Labor Party conference by announcing a series of changes to political donation rules beginning with the ban. From today, the NSW Labor Party will ban donations from developers,'' he said ... The Labor Party] are going to continue with fund-raising and inviting members from the... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Forbidden love Nov 16, 2009
She, a 41-year-old South Australian from the left of the Labor Party, born in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. He, a 54-year-old Liberal cocky from Kingaroy, Queensland, sometimes referred to as ''Chainsaw'' because of his raspy voice. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Carbon scheme 'no done deal' Nov 15, 2009
"What's happening here is that the Labor Party and the coalition in coming together under the pressure of the big polluters ... are going to Copenhagen with a prescription for failure," he told Sky News on Sunday. The Greens are using a new Galaxy opinion poll to back their demand for the ETS to include higher carbon reduction targets. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Party's over as Nelson bids fond farewell Nov 15, 2009
No farewell of Dr Nelson would be complete without a reference to his love of motorcycles or his previous dalliance with the Labor Party. Dr Nelson acknowledged early concerns about his suitability for Liberal party membership, saying people eventually welcomed him even if it was ''not universally at first. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
A shape-shifter in the Lodge Nov 14, 2009
"The Prime Minister's goody-two-shoes approach of appointing former opponents of the Labor Party to important public jobs is no substitute for thoughtful and mature reflection as to the public requirement of those positions," he declared. "It is also disloyal to all those members of the Labor caucus in the Keating government and those members of the Beazley, Crean and Latham oppositions who stood and fought Costello.". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
'It's Orwellian': Everyone in UK could be given a personal 'carbon allowance'... Nov 14, 2009
Best solution would be an unlimited Carbon 'Allowance" I will personally accept any amount of money and will issue "Carbon Indulgences" in return. Lord Smith is not in touch with reality, nor is our current Prime Minister. Brian Johnson on November 14, 2009 at 08:07 AM There's a thread over at the Guardian right now because George Monbiot has written an article, which asks the following question: Should climate deniers be allowed to speak on the (BBC Radio 4) Today programme?... (The Drudge Report)
Dump the metro, say branches Nov 14, 2009
LABOR PARTY branches, including a key one in the Premier's western Sydney electorate, have denounced the Government's transport priorities in a series of resolutions for this weekend's state party conference. The Toongabbie branch has passed a resolution demanding the NSW Government ''continue to ; support the planned expansion and improvement of the CityRail (Heavy Rail) network. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Axed $1.3b south-west rail link revived Nov 14, 2009
Referring to that debate and the defeat of the former premier Bob Carr over an electricity privatisation proposal at the conference in 1997, the state president of the Labor Party and Electrical Trades Union secretary, Bernie Riordan, joked yesterday that there was ''only room for one big power debate every 10 years. The Opposition has previously promised that if elected it would dump the $5. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Labor man gets key broadband role Nov 14, 2009
Mr Kaiser, 46, left the Queensland Parliament in 2001 after admitting during the Shepherdson inquiry to involvement in vote rigging in Labor Party ballots in the 1980s, but no charges were ever laid ... How much is Mr Kaiser, a former Labor Party apparatchik, receiving in remuneration, courtesy of Australian taxpayers, to promote this reckless $43 billion project. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Labor insider gets NBN job Nov 14, 2009
Mr Kaiser, 46, left the Queensland Parliament in 2001 after admitting during the Shepherdson inquiry to involvement in vote rigging in Labor Party ballots in the 1980s, but no charges were laid. After leaving Parliament, Mr Kaiser made a name for himself as a powerful lobbyist with close links to state Labor governments, before taking on the senior staffer roles. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Tony Blair to give evidence to Iraq war inquiry Nov 14, 2009
Blair was among a number of senior Labor party figures who were to be questioned in public in January and early February. "We will ask them to explain the main decisions and tasks, and their involvement," said John Chilcot, chairman of the inquiry. (Xinhuanet, China)
Nile stands nine in byelection 'abuse' Nov 14, 2009
Other parties which nominated were the Australian Sex Party, Conservatives for Climate Change, Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy, One Nation, the Liberal Democrats, the Democratic Labor Party, and five independents. Join the conversation. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Turnbull grapples with vipers within Nov 11, 2009
The labor party is rejoicing now that the focus is back on the opposition. It takes the scrutiny away from their incompetence. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Still haunted by song of doomed diggers Nov 11, 2009
His Labor Party colleague Peter Garrett also lost an uncle. For those who died, the delegation will seek permanent national recognition, in the form of a memorial in Canberra, the declaration of the site of the sinking as an official war grave, and further efforts to establish precisely who was on board the ship. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
The Gospel according to Joe Nov 11, 2009
There is a massive split in the coalition by religionists similar to the DLP in the Labor party decades ago, if this is not addressed the same split will happen in the coalition. HFR | Tweed - November 11, 2009, 7:47AM. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Keynes, Friedman Give Way to the Master of Gloom Nov 10, 2009
When Hayek started to make such warnings, he was focusing on Britain, where the Labor Party was pulling the country to the left even as World War II was being won. For a number of decades the main thing about Hayek seemed to be that he was wrong. (Bloomberg -- Columnists)
Building company loses its footing Nov 10, 2009
The Government came under fire in March when it was revealed the consortium had donated more than $150,000 to the NSW Labor Party. Join the conversation. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Climate Change Legislation Agreement Will Be Difficult to Get, Wong Says Nov 10, 2009
Prime Minister Labor Party government wants lawmakers to vote on the legislation by the end of November as part of a push for carbon trading to start in 2011 ... Rudds Labor Party wants to reduce greenhouse gases by between 5 percent and 15 percent from their 2000 levels within 10 years. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Rees needs to pull a rabbit out of his hat Nov 10, 2009
One interesting move has been that of Scott Gartrell, a director of Government Relations Australia and cousin of the former national secretary of the Labor Party Tim Gartrell, who has become chief of staff to Tebbutt ... The Labor Party is controlled by unions, and only 18% of etc etc ad nauseum. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Tactical terrorism send grim message Nov 9, 2009
That was in Israel 21 years ago, Yitzhak Shamir of the Likud Party versus Shimon Peres of the Labor Party. That was my first encounter with tactical terrorism. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Smith Visits Sri Lanka to Tackle People Smuggling as Rudd Drops in Poll Nov 9, 2009
Support for his governing Labor Party remained unchanged on 56 percent on a two-party preferred basis, compared with 44 percent for the opposition Liberal-National coalition. The opposition says there has been an influx of refugees in the past year after Rudds government ended a policy of detaining asylum seekers in island camps in third countries while their claims are processed. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
The pure brilliance of the Keating mind Nov 8, 2009
Keating swung his legs from the bed, touching his feet lightly on the cool wooden floorboards; floorboards, he took a mental note, as supine and downtrodden as the Labor Party under Rudd. In a moment he would pad out in his dressing gown to pick up the Herald from the nature strip. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
MP slams Labor over federal seat deal Nov 8, 2009
This scenario illustrates everything that people say is wrong with the Labor Party - that it's not about fostering and supporting good, locally committed MPs but it's about deal-making and favours. I will pay a price for speaking out but fairness and decency are more important than my future. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Ten years on, republic rivals maintain the rage Nov 6, 2009
PHILLIP COOREY AND DAMIEN MURPHY. THE awkward relationship between Malcolm Turnbull and Nick Minchin is unlikely to be improved by Senator Minchin celebrating today's 10th anniversary of the failed republic referendum as a victory of common sense over the ''intelligentsia. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
New Zealand politicians defend action on Fiji Nov 5, 2009
On Thursday, the New Zealand Labor Party said it supported the decision to expel Savou, Radio New Zealand reported. Labor leader Phil Goff said he thinks it was bizarre that three New Zealand diplomats have been expelled from Fiji in such a short period of time. (Xinhuanet, China)
Union tells Laurie Ferguson to stop seeking a seat Nov 5, 2009
Under a deal that has been sealed between the NSW Left and Right factions of the Labor Party, the seat of Werriwa has been given to the Left. The Left wants to install a young candidate, Damian Ogden. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Mexico Senate Asks Supreme Court to Rule on Banamex Bank Ownership Case Nov 5, 2009
The Ministry has yet to send the proposal to lawmakers, Senator of the Labor Party said in an interview on Oct. 13. The proposal was to specify that banks, after three years of operating under the exception, would have to sell 25 percent of their Mexican units shares on the local market. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Angela Merkel's Quiet Revolution Nov 3, 2009
Over in Britain, Gordon Brown's Labor Party is self-immolating. Over in France, President Sarkozy's attention-deficit issues propel him from one project to the next, to the irritation of everybody. (Slate)
Stanford no longer 'sir' in Antigua Nov 3, 2009
Stanford, who was nominated for his knighthood by the opposition Antigua Labor Party, was cheered and booed when he received the award, according to newspaper accounts from the time. Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who still holds the post, remained seated as he shook the financier's hand during the ceremony and called the honor "most unfortunate.". (MSNBC -- Business)
Advent Energy Planning to Begin Drilling for Natural Gas Offshore Sydney Nov 2, 2009
Australias ruling Labor Party wants to introduce carbon trading in 2011 as part of a policy to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by between 5 percent and 15 percent of their 2000 levels by 2020. Coal accounted for 56 percent of the nations energy-related carbon-dioxide emissions in 2006, according to Energy Information Administration , compared with 19 percent for gas. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Keating blasts 'disloyal' Rudd Nov 2, 2009
Those that lost their seats under the farrago of lies and distortions that Costello mounted daily against the Labor Party. The Prime Minister's goodie two shoes approach of appointing former opponents of the Labor Party to important public jobs is no substitute for thoughtful and mature reflection as to the public requirement of those positions. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Rees spies on ministers Nov 1, 2009
Managing director Jeff Whitton, a Labor Party member and Orange City councillor, confirmed discussions had been held with the Premier's Department about putting the equipment into Governor Macquarie Tower. We have had some meetings with different agencies and they are looking closely at our product at the moment,'' Mr Whitton said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Taxi heavyweights the only winners in licence deal Oct 31, 2009
The new fee follows fiery meetings between the Government and the taxi industry, which has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Labor Party ... Between 1999 and 2007 the council and its biggest member, Cabcharge, donated a combined $373,000 to the NSW branch of the Labor Party. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
$5000 access to Labor ministers Oct 30, 2009
Places are restricted to 80 takers, so the Labor Party hopes to raise $400,000 ... The least the Labor Party organisers could do is to disclose who buys a $5000 pack to provide some transparency. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Cup hopeful hot property Oct 30, 2009
Paul Howes seems to be a little unsure about his new reputation as the conscience of the Labor Party, judging by what he was telling friends yesterday. A day after upbraiding Kevin Rudd by accusing him and the Opposition of ''exploiting the issue of race to whip up fear in the community'' over the issue of asylum seekers, the 28-year-old national secretary of the Australian Workers Union provided this status update on his Facebook page: ''Hmmm don't know how popular I'll be in Canberra today -... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Hakoah members go, and developer gets an early start Oct 30, 2009
Despite counting flush Sydney identities like Frank Lowy and Malcolm Turnbull among its members, mounting debts forced the club to sell its premises to the Toga Group, the owner of Medina hotels and a big Labor Party donor, in October 2007. The property group plans a development on the site that includes a 113-room hotel, a proposal some residents say will damage the low-rise, bohemian atmosphere of Bondi. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Airline profits take off on boat people surge Oct 29, 2009
The Labor Party has found a leader's voice on boat people and. 00004000. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Ground control to Rudd: who the hell is running the ship? Oct 29, 2009
The Labor Party has found a leader's voice on boat people and. THE Federal Government is not ruling out the forced removal of the 78. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Labor torn over changes to national book market Oct 28, 2009
THE Federal Labor party has delayed coming to a position on reforming the national book market, setting up a potential government split on the issue. The caucus of Labor members and senators was due to discuss yesterday a motion rejecting the Productivity Commission's call to open up book imports. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Burrow is staying as unions fight for influence Oct 27, 2009
The unions were seeking assurances last night that proposed campaign finance reforms would not dilute trade union influence in the Labor Party or limit the capacity of the movement to campaign politically. Ms Burrow planned to raise finance reform at a dinner between the union leaders and members of cabinet, including the Special Minister of State, Joe Ludwig, who is overseeing the reform process. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Australia Coal Mines Can Bear Proposed Carbon-Redution Cost, Combet Says Oct 27, 2009
The ruling Labor Party has committed to provide assistance to coal mines on a case-by-case basis related to the amount of greenhouse gases each pit produces, Combet said. Coal is five percent of our greenhouse gas emissions, that means that if we were to exclude the emissions from coal, other sectors of the economy have to work harder to achieve our emissions reduction targets, said Combet, a former coal-mining engineer and union leader. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Labor looks at emission cuts accord Oct 25, 2009
JOSH GORDON FEDERAL POLITICS. POLLUTING coal-fired power plants and other heavy emitters would be given a 10-year reprieve from additional greenhouse gas emissions cuts as part of secret Coalition amendments being considered by the Federal Government. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Small axe fells big timber Oct 24, 2009
Some of those landowners, including Rose Group and Hardie Holdings, donated large sums to the Labor Party in NSW in the lead-up to the 2007 elections and Hardie Holdings, which part-owns Huntlee, retained a former Labor federal minister, Graham Richardson, to lobby the State Government on its behalf. It worked. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Christmas Island 'violates' rights Oct 24, 2009
The Labor Party went to the last election with a commitment to maintain a system of mandatory detention and offshore processing on Christmas Island for all irregular maritime arrivals and these commitments are being met,'' Senator Evans said. But the island's recently expanded capacity of 1400 may soon be breached. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
This Time, for Hornby, It's About a Girl Oct 24, 2009
"All the promise of the late '90s, when (Tony) Blair came into power and it felt like a young country again and it had energy, all that has really dissipated. ... For 18 years I was living in a country that was conservative in every way. And all of your hopes are pinned on this shining day in the future where something will change. And the Labor Party, the Labor government, has been so disappointing that you realize it's just politics. It will never be the government that I want to live under.... (Honolulu Advertiser)
Another 'asylum seeker' boat intercepted Oct 23, 2009
"The Labor Party went to the last election with a commitment to maintain a system of mandatory detention and offshore processing on Christmas Island for all irregular maritime arrivals and these commitments are being met," Senator Evans said. Senator Evans rejected the commission's suggestion that some children were being held in a closed detention facility on the island. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Top 10 Reasons Why President Got The Nobel Oct 23, 2009
Jagland was also leader of the Norwegian Labor Party for ten years, so he knows an exemplary community organizer when he sees one. So how could Jagland and his comrades on the committee ignore President Obama's already lengthy list of achievements. (Investors Business Daily)
Retailing isn't a totally simple business that necessarily runs according to the financial fashion of the quarter - just ask the people at Woolies. Oct 23, 2009
If sales volume was the main priority of the Stuff Shop's proprietor, it could be increased by more aggressive retailing run a big sale, discount stuff, spend more on advertising, hire a super model, have a buy-two-stuffs-get-one-free promotion, sponsor the NSW Labor Party. OK, so maybe not the last one, but you know what I mean. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Free-trade deals are a losing gamble Oct 21, 2009
By the time of the 2009 Labor Party conference, Mr Crean was a convert to bilateral agreements. On the road to Mr Crean's conversion, free-trade rhetoric and modelling has overwhelmed the evidence-based policy the Labor Government said must be the basis of its policy development. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
'Richly' deserving of Nobel? Really? Oct 21, 2009
However, it seems they were influenced by the other two members, Thorbjoern Jagland and Sissel Roenbeck, both members of the Labor Party. Seems we are not the only country where party allegiance is significant. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Toast of the developers: Richardson takes award Oct 20, 2009
The former Labor senator and minister Graham Richardson took out the Golden Toaster for Crimes Against Amenity for his lobbying on behalf of Medich Property Holdings, the Walker Group, Bradcorp, and Hardie Holdings, companies that have collectively donated $1,400,647 to the NSW Labor Party since 1999. The Golden Toaster award is named after the notorious Toaster development at Circular Quay. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Stewart abandons quest over sacking Oct 20, 2009
AFTER racking up a legal bill of almost $150,000, the Labor backbencher Tony Stewart has abandoned legal action against the State Government and the barrister Chris Ronalds, after earlier losing two of four points before the Supreme Court. The sudden about-face follows a recent meeting with the Premier, Nathan Rees, and a ''shake of the hand'' agreement, with the Premier telling Mr Stewart he ''wouldn't be precluded from future promotion'' within the Government. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Three of a kind Oct 20, 2009
ANDREW CLENNELL AND BRIAN ROBINS. Video will begin in 5 seconds. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Power hungry world needs to consider the nuclear option Oct 20, 2009
Many in the Labor Party, in its state and federal governments, not to mention the Greens, are hoping that renewable technologies and clean coal will deliver the output we need at a price that will not disadvantage consumers and scare away industry. About 80 per cent of electricity in Australia is produced by coal - this rises to 90 per cent in Victoria using the even more polluting brown coal. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Oppn quizzes ABC boss about Kerry O'Brien's salary Oct 19, 2009
And how much is he being paid by the Labor party. He is the most partisan commentator in the media. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
No tender for lucrative planning role Oct 19, 2009
It has emerged that the Medich brothers donated more than $200,000 to the Labor Party after they employed Mr Richardson and began lobbying to have the Badgerys Creek land rezoned. In my experience, the bureaucrats take the lead in relation to development decisions,'' Ron Medich said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Minister's unlawful act scuppers 7200 homes Oct 19, 2009
Her concession sounds the death knell for a project the planning department had ranked last of 91 potential housing development sites in the Lower Hunter, and which was approved only after the Labor Party donor behind it hired the lobbyist and former Labor minister Graham Richardson ... Huntlee was conceived and backed by one of the biggest donors to the NSW Labor Party, Duncan Hardie's Hardie Holdings, a part owner of the project. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Wong Will Re-Submit Climate-Change Laws to Australian Parliament This Week Oct 19, 2009
Prime Minister Labor Party government wants carbon trading to start in 2011 to help reduce the countrys output of greenhouse gases, blamed for global warming, by between 5 percent and 15 percent from their 2000 levels within 10 years. Wong will meet with opposition climate spokesman today to discuss his partys proposed changes to the climate-change laws, she said. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Hoaxer who hoovers the life from celebs Oct 17, 2009
It can't be too long before the NSW Labor Party is gone. at least voters know 2011 is on the way if Mr Hoover doesn't get in first. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Labor may end union funding Oct 16, 2009
How could we argue to ban people from donating to the Liberals while say, unions, could still contribute to the Labor Party,'' said a senior source, intimate with the talks ... Unions affiliate at a state level, and the funds are not collected by the federal Labor Party. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Jamaica 'opposed' to gays? Oct 15, 2009
Last Upd: 12:31pm 14 Oct 2009. R3,000 free @ Prestige Casino. (iAfrica.com)
Harsh penalties sought for fake election flyers Oct 15, 2009
TWO key Labor Party figures involved in the sting that exposed Liberal Party members handing out bogus leaflets in the Lindsay electorate have called for a 10-fold increase in fines and jail terms for offenders. Senator Steve Hutchins and the assistant general-secretary of the NSW Labor Party, Luke Foley, yesterday told a joint federal committee examining the 2007 election that individuals should be fined $10,000 or face five years' jail if caught handing out fake flyers in election campaigns. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Planning officials accused of conflict Oct 15, 2009
In fact, one of the advisers enlisted as a notetaker is secretary of a Labor Party branch in the electorate of the Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, and his wife works as an electorate officer ... Mr Comninos is secretary of the Rosebery Labor Party branch in Ms Keneally's electorate ... More and more the public is becoming aware that the Labor Party has infiltrated the public service at every level,'' Mr Hartcher said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Corporate NSW puts money on O'Farrell Oct 15, 2009
TWO key Labor Party figures involved in the sting that exposed Liberal. THE supposedly independent planning officials who attended meetings. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
