http://www.ozcomments.com News and views on Australian life, politics and society Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:32:22 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Has anyone ever heard of an opposition MP being asked to answer a question in parliamentary Question Time? That happened in the South Australian Legislative Assembly recently. I'm planning to write a newspaper article on the rare event, and will publish more here later. Meanwhile, I'd be pleased to know of any ... http://www.ozcomments.com/archives/371 Opera Unite is an interesting concept, but it's hard to see it "revolutionising the web" as early hype suggested. Opera Unite allows users to share data such as photos, music, notes and other files. It puts the power of a web server in a browser, supposedly giving greater privacy and flexibility ... http://www.ozcomments.com/archives/369 It's hard to know if Rupert Murdoch is being fair dinkum when he predicts that newspapers will be completely digital within the next two or three years. News Ltd papers in Australia have a diversified revenue base that isn't dependent on classifieds. While online subscription news has merit in theory, it's ... http://www.ozcomments.com/archives/367 Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't see the big deal in the so-called Rudd car dealer affair. The truth of whether Rudd used his influence to help a supporter gain finance seems to hinge on a non-existent email. And even if he did, what's the problem? I can't find the section in ... http://www.ozcomments.com/archives/358 If the Australian Rugby Union were serious about developing the game outside New South Wales and Queensland it wouldn't have scheduled "test" matches against Italy in Canberra and Melbourne. And it would have honored an earlier commitment to give Victoria the next super rugby franchise if it could deliver the ... http://www.ozcomments.com/archives/356 It's good that unions have rediscovered their voice and realised they have more than a symbolic role in representing organised labor. After winning the war on WorkChoices it seemed the ACTU had gone to ground, or possibly to bed with the Rudd Government. If a conservative government had proposed raising the pension ... http://www.ozcomments.com/archives/353 The Federal Government's budget hand-out to the ABC to build regional websites has understandably upset newspaper publishers. Competition is usually is a good thing, but is it in this case. Most country towns are well served by commercial content providers, bloggers and niche community sites covering sport, music, etc. Not to mention ... http://www.ozcomments.com/archives/351 There should be an independent inquiry into the effectiveness of Managed Investment Schemes. With Timbercorp struggling and the future of Great Southern in doubt, the schemes must be reviewed. Australia's timber industry is under enough pressure without having to worry about government tax incentives, which should be the cream, rather than ... http://www.ozcomments.com/archives/348 When is a promise a promise? Never, according to Australian politicians. Kevin Rudd promised to retain private health insurance rebates, but has withdrawn that promise. It was about the only significant concession he made to the global economic downturn in the budget. If the government's response had been more drastic this one ... http://www.ozcomments.com/archives/346 We may as well call off the AFL season now and switch straight to the grand final between Geelong and St Kilda. Geelong, in particular, is so far ahead of the rest of the competition it's not funny. St Kilda fills a gap in the lower rung, then it's a scramble ... http://www.ozcomments.com/archives/344