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Politics

Ningaloo reef: when reassurance is impossible

ABC News reports today that the Shell oil company are requesting permission to commence exploratory drilling for oil and gas 50 km from Ningaloo reef. As a Shell spokesperson, John D’Agostino, trots out the usual reassurances, I find myself in the strange situation of almost feeling sorry for him. Here’s the Shell line: “Shell has [...]

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Why saints and science shouldn’t mix

by David Brewster Politics

ABC television’s Q&A program earlier this week started with discussion about the canonisation of Mary MacKillop and ended with debate about climate change. Which of these topics do you think the following response, from Greg Hunt, the shadow minister for climate action, environment and heritage was in relation to? “I think the answer for me [...]

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From hung parliaments, big things grow

by David Brewster Politics

And so a decision has been made. Australia’s next federal government will be a rainbow alliance of reddish Labor, green Greens and three independents of unknown but varied hue. Sounds unworkable? Superficially, yes. But only if you look at politics with an Australian perspective. In fact this new arrangement promises to give local politics a [...]

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Jamie Oliver’s Political Revolution?

by David Brewster Politics

For the last few weeks our family has been engrossed by Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, in which the ever-energetic British chef takes on the might of the entrenched American diet in the small city of Huntington, West Virginia. Its ‘David and Goliath’ meets Super Size Me as Jamie seeks to reprogram what would seem to [...]

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The real reason behind this soporific election campaign

by David Brewster Politics

During what must be the world’s most boring election campaign ever, like many I’ve got to thinking about the reasons why Australian politics as reached this low, low point. Some blame the 24 hour media cycle. Some blame faceless back room hatchet men. Some blame a singular lack of imagination on all sides. I have [...]

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Three reasons why modern elections drive me nuts

by David Brewster Politics

I’m very lucky. I live in a healthy democracy in which politicians always abide by the umpire’s decision. In which bent politicians are outnumbered by stupid ones, rather than the other way around. In which, with a modicum of common sense, I can say what I like. In which the greatest imposition on my liberty [...]

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Defence brings down the Socceroos and the PM

by David Brewster Politics

A Socceroo’s World Cup exit before breakfast and a new prime minister before morning tea. What a day. Of course, many pundits will be quick to draw parallels between these two events … so I might as well get in early and join them. For mine, the two events are linked by a single concept: [...]

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Spin 2.0: When Words become Worthless

by David Brewster Politics

There is a Chinese proverb that says “talk does not cook rice”. Very true. But a lot of talk – and writing – takes place between the paddy field and the pot. Words are essential for making ourselves understood, getting things done and, of course, building strong relationships. When words become worthless, confusion reigns. Right [...]

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In support of Christine Nixon

by David Brewster Politics

The Victorian community and media can be wonderful, but they do sometimes disappoint. Seldom is that more the case than right now with the vicious and ongoing attack on the credibility of former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Christine Nixon. I have felt very uncomfortable about this from the start, though my discomfort peaked this [...]

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The debate we have to have … more of

by David Brewster Politics

Last night I had the opportunity to witness a real debate. The occasion was an IQ2 debate at Melbourne Town Hall. Six experts – three on each side – took turns to argue for and against the proposition that Australia should embrace nuclear power. The highlight of the evening was that, according to before and [...]

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A Political Shambles: We Deserve Better

by David Brewster Politics

Last June, in a moment of apparent weakness, I wrote a post in defence of our poor, struggling politicians. Perhaps tempered by that article, I have been resisting the urge to join the chorus of rants about the current batch of complete balls-ups by Australian governments, both federal and state. Then I read the astonishing [...]

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