I disagree wholeheartedly with Denise’s comments on Barnaby Joyce today. He got out of the national party because he was no longer aligned to their ideology, infighting with liberals, marriage on then off again. He saw what was happening in his own party. I saw him in the streets here in Bendemeer where I live […]
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Posted inOpinion, Political, Regulars
Denise’s Desk: Barnaby Joyce’s political midlife crisis comes at New England’s expense
Watching the rise of Pauline Hanson and the renewed chatter about One Nation as a plausible alternative government, it is worth applying a simple test of reality.
Posted inFeatured, National, Opinion, Something to Think About
Opinion: What the RBA wants Australians to do next to fight inflation – or risk more rate hikes
The RBA has raised the cash rate to 3.85% to combat sticky inflation. Meg Elkins explains the psychology behind the decision and what the central bank hopes Australians will do next: spend less, save more, and temper wage demands.
Posted inEnvironmental, National, Solutions, Something to Think About
Opinion: Renewables over 50%, wholesale prices down – is the energy transition… succeeding?
Australia’s energy transition is finally paying off. For the first time, renewables and storage supplied over 50% of the grid’s power last quarter, driving wholesale prices down by 40%. Experts predict this could lead to lower household bills by mid-2026.
Posted inLetters, Political
Letter: Bush short-changed on populist rubbish
Former NSW Farmers President Mal Peters argues that complex government policy requires fact-based solutions, not “populist rubbish.” He predicts the “Barnaby Joyce train” will lose steam and warns that One Nation preferences could inadvertently keep Labor in power.
Posted inNational, Opinion, Political
Opinion: Can One Nation turn its polling hype into seats in parliament? History shows it will struggle
One Nation’s meteoric rise in the polls has sparked speculation about them becoming the official opposition. However, history shows the party often struggles to turn hype into seats due to internal dysfunction, scandals, and poor candidate vetting.
Posted inSocial, Solutions, Something to Think About
Opinion: Firefighters face repeat trauma. We learned how to reduce their risk of PTSD
First responders face high risks of PTSD, but new research shows it isn’t inevitable. A trial of the “SOLAR” mobile app – a confidential, self-led program teaching practical resilience skills – significantly reduced depression and trauma symptoms in firefighters.
Posted inLetters
Letter: New England BESS projects get certainty with government contracts
Max Doogood argues that Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are not as green as portrayed and pose safety risks to regional communities. He warns against foreign ownership and draws parallels to the failures of Telstra’s privatisation.
Posted inIdeas, Social, Something to Think About
Opinion: An ‘AI afterlife’ is now a real option – but what becomes of your legal status?
Generative AI now allows you to create a “digital twin” for your loved ones to interact with after you die. But this booming “grief tech” industry raises serious unanswered questions about copyright, privacy, and who actually owns your digital identity once you are gone.
Posted inIdeas, National, Opinion
Opinion: The sad decline of the Bureau of Meteorology
Duane Groth argues the Bureau of Meteorology’s new website oversimplifies data, creating dangerous risks. He highlights issues with rainfall reporting, temperature minimums, and inaccurate UV forecasts, fearing a repeat of past disasters like Grantham.