Integrity Commission review: another damaging broken promise
Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s abandonment of his promise for an independent review the Integrity Commission shows a lack of commitment to accountability, democracy and transparency. His reason to break his promise is disingenuous. He made the promise in April last year, as part of his agreement with the then Jacqui Lambie Network trio. But now he […]
A turning point
A century ago this month was a turning point in world history. That day, and the previous one, the National Socialist Workers Party staged a coup attempt in Munich. About 3000 people had gone to the Bürgerbräukeller beer hall to hear the right wing state commissioner of Bavaria Gustav Ritter von Kahr. He was a member […]
The need to know
Australians didn’t have enough information in the voice referendum. There wasn’t enough information about the constitution, it’s role and how it works. Australians didn’t have enough information about the role of parliament and how laws are made. That’s why how our system of government works must be taught in primary schools and high schools. We […]
Seeking reform
The Australian government fears reform and leadership. And it’s following the Liberal party to the right. The latest example is the government’s refusal to increase jobseeker. The government’s advisory committee recommended increasing the rate to 90% of the aged pension that would cost $24 billion over four years. The committee found jobseeker is a barrier to entering […]
Silencing the Voice
Australians are likely to deny its indigenous people a Voice to Parliament. The Opposition Liberal party’s convoluted position and the National party’s rejection of the proposal make it a lot harder for the proposal to be approved. Australia’s voters have approved only eight changes to the constitution and both major political parties supported all […]
Indomitable antagonist
Beset by phobias, a self-proclaimed manic depressive and suffering from an inferiority complex. It’s not the description you’d expect for a courageous man who made history. Hans Litten was all these things and a highly intelligent, determined and articulate lawyer who exposed Adolf Hitler for the liar he was. Benjamin Carter Hett reveals Litten to […]
Damage done
Why the insurrection in Washington DC on 6 January surprised people is surprising. The fire of discontent has been around for decades and fuelling it was part of Donald Trump’s strategy of dividing and ruling and undermining the democratic system of government. Reputation damaged Seeing armed people waving Confederate flags and running rampant in the […]
A real gem
This multi-layered, tightly written, emotionally laden novel is one of the best I’ve read. It’s the story of Werner Pfennig, a gifted German boy and Marie-Laure, who cannot see. The narrative spans the inter-war years and Occupied France, described in meticulous detail in words that transport you to that time. Marie-Laure is six years old […]
Myths debunked
This well-argued book is a warning from history. Anyone who wants to understand how the Nazis came to power and how much democracy depends on commitment to making the system work should read it. Historian Benjamin Carter Hett shows the similarities between the diabolical political situation in Germany in the early 1930s and that of […]
Rights denied
Australia has a long and proud history of fighting for human rights. Australians fought in both world wars, and many since, against the scourge of tyranny. Australia has a long history of defending human beings’ dignity and worth. Eminent Australian Dr Herbert Vere Evatt helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and was the United […]