Mood:
caffeinatedTopic: aust govt
Author’s general introductory note (skip this bit if you know this regular weekly column):
This is not a well packaged story. It’s a contemporaneous traverse of the Sunday television free to air political talkies indicating the agenda of Establishment interests: Better to know ones rivals and allies in Big Politics and Big Media.
Indeed it’s the tv version monitoring task similar to what Nelson Mandela refers to here in his book Long Walk to Freedom (1994, Abacus) written in Robben Island prison (where he was meant to die like other African resister chiefs of history in the 19C), at page 208
“..newspapers are only a shadow of reality; their information is important to a freedom fighter not because it reveals the truth, but because it discloses the biases and perceptions of both those who produce the paper and those who read it.”
Just substitute ‘Sunday tv political talkie shows’ for "newspapers" in the quote above.
For actual transcripts go to web sites quoted below except with Riley Diary on 7. And note transcripts don’t really give you the image content value.
Media backgrounders
- We were gratified to see this story about $17M funding boost for the sector after our piece about Marrickville Legal Centre recently:
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
a-ok
- Martin Ferguson as Resources Minister is the darling of the fossil fuel sector at the moment even as a dangerous climate change denier (?): It's all about this desire for even greater fossil fuel resources:
Hence this gushing piece for articulation challenged Ferguson busy with highly speculative CCS storage gambles which may yet be highly insecure and dangerous:
How to meet demands of 'sexy' sector | The Australian
26 April 2008 Oil's price out of US hands - Bloomberg via The Australian Careers section p8
26 April 2008 Producers losing sway over feedstock nations - Bloomberg via The Australian Careers section p8
Indeed CCS is the figleaf the fossil fuel industry desperately wants more of for business as usual.
[offline] Shell floats plans for offshore carbon capture 22.4.08 The Australian p25
No one in big business or big politics is discussing reduction of fossil fuel extraction as we sleep walk to civilisation suicide:
Perhaps the first proverbial cyclone in Brisbane will change all that, but off course it will all be too late by then.
- Refer penultimate piece about monolithic corporatist govt threads in the weekend press re Costello, abolishing states, root and branch tax review etc etc.
- the Bully might be back, as in The Bulletin via Hunter Hall schmoozer ex journo, Peter Hall, but I wouldn't hold one's breath. Story reads like an urbanite swearing they are going to buy land and live in the country only to move back to the city chaos. Similarly Peter Hall looks like a money man - not a news guy - subject to one thing. There is a social sector that wants 21C view of business in post climate change realities. With online cranking so well, it would seem more likely to our superficial eye for 'a progressive business' component of the new media sector to grow out of, Stephen Mayne's new Mayne Report, or Business Spectator, Kohler's Eureka Report, Crikey.com.au or even New Matilda on say the renewable energy side of things. But who knows? One thing though too - broadband in regional areas is apparently hard to get or too expensive which cruels that demographic and keeps media firmly on paper.
- Daily Telegraph last Friday edition front pager – “Seeing red” over “rent a crowd” pro China Inc/IOC Inc global torch relay. Cynical overwhelming of local human rights protest. Profound metaphor for bullying dictatorship in Tibet itself overwhelming local language groups, also Uygurs (East Turkistan). This kind of ongoing adverse publicity for China Inc creates response willing to talk to exiled Dalai Govt who hedging on terms for such.
- Notice this revealing survey but no includsion of Olympic sponsor Channel 7 in the survey -
Controversy flares, but sponsors stick with the Games | smh.com.au
and see too
Olympic torch relay turns into three-ring circus Glenda Korporaal The fiasco proves how quickly a sponsorship, even of a trusted brand, can go wrong
- But Big Sport/human rights is the front story – the back story business pages is SinoSteel (China Inc Beijing Govt) hostile takeover of Midwest iron ore medium level $1.2B or so value. Approved by FIRB already but Sino is fishing for more and like in USA rejecting of China Govt $, Australia is reported to be telling China Inc to back off to avoid political blow back. Similar to Shell stalking Woodside under Costello around Nigeria human rights but even worse in terms of China Inc dictatorship killers. Shell's takeover of Woodside was rejected outright by Costello.
China Inc is demonstrably not 'just another player in the Western markets' and to think that would be a triumph of naivety and greed over common sense: For instance:
21.4.08 CNN's coverage of China sparks attack | The Australian
22.4.08 Curbs on media at torch run attacked | The Australian
In all of this remains the great Australian juggling act between USA alliance and China commerce:
- ABC Unleashed web publishing is really cranking since launching Oct 2007 in both postings and comment vitality.
We met the organizer, obviously a serious operator, but you can still detect the the fearful stodgy ABC ‘balance’ lacking self corporate self awareness that the ABC itself is a player as mendicant to the federal Govt for funding – as per the fairly soft 2020 Summit coverage.
I get the distinct feeling (or maybe our own fear) the ABC are seeking to generate influence and control of the web based news sector in reaction to the growth of Crikey, New Matilda, our own humble SAM website. Is this really what the ABC is about – competition and control with the non aligned blogosphere. It looks another aspect of corporate self interest to us.
- ABC attacked by News ltd back on Wed 23rd April front pager but it went pretty much nowhere as cynical exploitation of emotional time for vet and families. Pretty ugly game by SDT and Melbourne tabloid. It follows blowtorch attack on a barrister the week before which the ABC in particular froze out. The ABC get more of similar impertinence from Tim Blair yesterday with a perverse half truth about consistent threads of programming bias at fondly known 'dowdy Aunty'. Truth remains ABC sets the standard for Big Media both in editorial balance and content. Blair will always be in denial and have trouble with that kind of publicly funded reality.
- Power sell off friction is really cranking now – range of stories listed here - which all turn on John Robertson not betraying the union movement like Costa did by taking a job in the upper house for his ministerial career to close down the workers compensation claims of unions (a 'reform' about 2001-2 which has since been slammed by judges and academics as windfall insurance industry profits):
26.3.08 Electricity inquiries show no spark - Opinion - smh.com.au
28.3.08 Sell power stations but help the regions: Combet - National - smh ...
11.4.08 $272m aid to help power sale - National - smh.com.au
19.4.08 Calm before the storm for Iemma p29 Australian, Imre Salusinszky [offline]
20.4.08 Iemma faces censure on power | The Daily Telegraph
21/4/08 Warning to party over open threat - National - smh.com.au
21.4.08 'Disloyal' Iemma defiant | The Australian
23.4.08 Lovable's rogue's big plans | The Daily Telegraph
25.4.08 State or the unions: to the wire - National - smh.com.au
27.4.08 ALP shuns Morris Iemma on power sale | The Daily Telegraph
- and lots of stories by veteran Alex Mitchell in the crikey.com.au newsletter
- Noel Pearson and Megan Davis/Sarah Maddison trade reasonably mild intellectual and ideological rivalry on future directions in Indigenous affairs. For us it seems to be about actual, or perceptions of, equitable resourcing for damage control regarding precious young Black lives versus longer term deeper reforms to the soul of the country. Which also appears to underpin this fairly hot rivalry between veteran activist Michael Anderson in the Western Division of NSW (eg crusading on Aboriginal Nations Rugby/Super League) and Sydney based (and family related) Larissa Behrendt/Geof Scott and NSW Aboriginal Land Council (which it should be remembered is actually a big land developer). We noticed a traverse by The Oz's Natasha Robinson which incorrectly blames the Native Title Act 1994 on Howard when in fact it was Keating as PM, perhaps showing her age (?), and understandable given what Howard as PM did do to Wik legal precedent in 1997-8 decision with his bucket loads of extinguishment '10 point plan'.
- Simon Benson gets the exclusive story on jobs growth in NSW too bad it’s in terms of developer donations racket and destruction of natural heritage values and amenity. It’s a classic Huey Long trashing of governance standards via ramrod of developer mate approvals. With no eye to ecological imperatives much bigger than re election of the ALP or the latest GDP figures.
- Imre Salusinszky goes the (misogynist?) sledge that the Iemma Govt’s troubles on developer donations are all about errant Wollongong planner and 2 ex communist Green MPs Rhiannon, Hale:
[offline] Green MPs a barrier to Sartor's reforms p29 26 April 08
However this recent list of stories sort of shows what rubbish that is from Imre. The record doesn't bear out such a convenient sanitising of the Iemma Govt at all. (Just as we were surprised to see Errol Simper sanitise his dubious mate Ken Hooper recently, if indeed it is the same bloke who worked for Westfield after Nick Greiner.) It's about democracy and common decency and honesty Imre not the cold war or The Australian's big business advertiser mates for that matter:
22/3/08 Iemma plan to ban political donations - National - smh.com.au
22.3.08 Single-deck metro trains a bad move for city, expert warns - National
23.4.08 A flamin' big bungle Sunday Telegraph
24.3.08 Hospitals doctor records - National - smh.com.au
26.3.08 The Archangel Gabrielle chainsaw massacre - Elizabeth Farrelly ...
30.3/08 O'Farrell attacks ICAC over lameness SunHerald p13
2.4.08 Della Bosca wants Iemma's job | The Daily Telegraph
2.4.08 Della Bosca admits to leadership desire - National - smh.com.au
2.4.08 Over there! It's another get-tough policy - National - smh.com.au
6.4.08 [front page] Iemma losing control Sunday Telegraph
5.4.08 Della Bosca denial 'nonsense' | The Daily Telegraph
6.4.08 Sydney's $152m light rail plan | The Daily Telegraph [by way of contradistinction with this $5 BILLION secret truck tunnel Port Botany to M4 East]
7.4.08 Go green, Sydney, for a brighter way - Environment - Home ...
7.4.08 Quick and dirty, is that the plan SMH Editorial
7.4.08 TWU eats up cash meant for 'training fund' | The Daily Telegraph
9.4.08 We might be green but we're not stupid Simon Benson Daily Telegraph
9.4.08 Top ALP donor appeals to Sartor | The Australian
10.4.08 Mayor rebuts Sartor's dispute claim | The Australian
10.4.08 Truckloads of donations - National - smh.com.au
10.4.08 Canberra asked to help build M4 extension - National - smh.com.au
10.4.08 Poor vision for the state in blurring of the divide - Opinion ...
11.4.08 Grants nothing to do with me, says Della Bosca - National - smh.com.au
11.4.08 Warning: Sartor's new laws invite graft - National - smh.com.au11.4.08 Second airport, but not at Badgerys Creek - Travel - smh.com.au
11.4.08 Public funding by the back door - Editorial - Opinion - smh.com.au
15.4.08 We failed to declare donations: ALP - National - smh.com.au
18.4.08 Landlord MPs in conflict of interest fear | The Daily Telegraph
19.4.08 State can sell your home - National - smh.com.au
And then their is the alleged Opus Dei minister Kristine Keneally doing PR for the Catholic World Youth Day with huge public subsidy:
23. 3.08 Meet the nun who convinced a Minister to expand seniors discounts
20.3.08 City gets its holy marching orders - National - smh.com.au
- Frugal council counts cost of World Youth Day - National - smh.com.au
21 April 2008 World Youth Day to cost taxpayers $86m - ABC News (Australian ...
Sunday 9
Bruce Wolpe of Fairfax on the US Presidential contest.
Feature on global warming and forestry schemes to come.
First feature on ANZAC day.
Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) – academic Iain McGill UNSW – “party is over” for scarce resource of the atmosphere. Samuels/ACCC on integrity concerns. Jeff Angel sceptic on re afforestation offsets versus genuine renewable energy sources. He’s got a serious point. Worth checking out for video on demand if they run it.
Nicola Roxon in big Laurie Oakes interview. All very worthy.
http://sunday.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/default.asp
10 Meet the Press: 8- 8-30 am
Missed the start. Tony Abbott is the guest.
Chat about alcopops stock standard ‘moral panic’ diversion from greater issues. Dreary discussion of support for Brendan Nelson ongoing. Out take is Heffernan crashing a single desk Barnaby Joyce.
Adbreak has digestive bloating advert for pills, another different product last night running too. Why the push?
Hartigan and Rudd footage. Alison Carabine 2UE/Southern Cross Broadcasting. And Peter Hartcher SMH on the panel. Fairly dreary discussion.
Hartcher moves in on pressure on working families. Rake over old coals of Liberal leadership under Howard, re McLachland wallet gate mistakes.
Tandberg outtake another 6 months honeymoon for Rudd [subtext of huge
Advert is dancing with stars balancer versus Sunday Telegraph front pager embarrassment.
Brett Solomon of Get Up put through his paces. Says 280K “members” but really subscribers as best I can say. Admits Evan Thorley seed funding way back at the start. Styles self and Get Up as pro progressive issues based with interest from say rural national party voters. That is not monolithic party platform.
Has credibility gap which he is wise to so may solve it too [eg bragged in official email 100+ chosen for 2020 Summit, then says only 1 rep was him attending, also pro Rudd history pre election] but getting smaller as fashions a new “independent” role post Rudd election.
Pressed hard by Alison Carabine on any manufacturing of consent in reportage of Governance issue at 2020 and Brett makes it clear yes there was manipulation and Willian Deane/Burnside spotted this dirty trick. So integrity question came up tops for independence. Calls for a "climate budget". Needs to keep building on that independence but that means breaking ties with The ALP Machine Power. It will be painful if they can do it.
Meet The Press - Watch Political Video Online - Channel TEN.
Riley Diary 7
. no Riley Diary at usual time that we can see.
http://www.seven.com.au/sunrise/weekend
Insiders 2: 9- 10am
- Panel is Karen Middleton SBS, Mal Farr News Limited tabloid, Milne News Limited broadsheet/Sunday
Interview is Martin Ferguson (fresh off a friendly boost in The Oz business pages) about expanse of continental shelf rights by a great deal. Ferguson a dinosaur on climate change and pro nuke energy is riding it for all he is worth “energy security”.
Cassidy goes to China Inc stalking firms, and “China is entitled to invest in Australia like other traditional investors” “non discriminatory”. But that means treating what’s different as different Cassidy notes no security pact, communist state owned company. - National interest test he says and market principles. The market will decide. What rubbish. Tell that to W Bush regime. Totally naïve and false distinctions. Talks about Shell stalking of Woodside.
Paul Kelly in pink shirt, soliloquy, Bill of rights very divisive big mistake
Discussion of summit process greatly manufactured, manipulated. Various topics.
Moves on to Costello leadership issues. Jack the Insider in talking pictures of only mildly funny schtick though true enough characterisation especially of crude Sydney business culture.
Sledging of Pauline Hanson re financials. How much is Big Party bullying for an admittedly very unsympathetic case.
http://www.abc.net.au/insiders/
