Elizabeth writes that she is concerned that the assertion made by Armidale Regional Council that the proposed water rates are ‘fair’ is not borne out on examination. She argues that it is vital that we get the groundwork right ahead of the major water infrastructure proposals to be considered later in the year.
Political
Posted inFeatured, Political, Regulars
Denise’s Desk: Utopia Was Never Satire
Denise says she is increasingly convinced that the TV show Utopia was never satire, it was an observational documentary.
Posted inFeatured, Political, Regulars, Social
Begin Rant: These numbers do not add up
RK Crosby writes that government numbers from the federal budget the NSW Government’s strategic transport plan are fiction, and New England is paying the price.
Posted inFeatured, Political, Regulars
Denise’s Desk: Private Jets, Public Money. How is this allowed?
Denise writes this week about populist rhetoric, private jets and taxpayer-funded travel — the contradictions are getting harder to ignore. When does it stop passing the pub test?
Posted inPolitical, Social
Opinion: This new tax probably won’t affect you – but you want it to
Claire Stuchbery writes the government is proposing a new levy on tech giants like Google and Facebook, which probably won’t have any impact on you – but you want it to.
Posted inPolitical
Opinion: ANZAC Day Must Remain Above Politics
Vanessa Phelps writes ANZAC Day is one of the few days in our national calendar that asks something simple, yet profound, of every Australian: to pause, to remember, and to show respect.
Posted inPolitical, Regulars
Denise’s Desk: Barnaby Joyce, One Nation and the Politics of Pretending
Denise says there are few things more predictable in Australian politics than Barnaby Joyce putting on the hat, rolling out the country bloke routine, and warning Australians that someone else is coming for their money.
Posted inPolitical, Regulars
Begin Rant: Should we split Northern NSW into its own state? Yes.
RK Crosby says the issue of Statehood does tend to resurface whenever the gap between what our communities need and what they get becomes painful. Like now.
Posted inPolitical, Regulars
Denise’s Desk: The economy isn’t the problem – the story about it is
Denise says Australia is navigating a difficult global environment better than most, and the ‘crisis’ media coverage is chipping away at confidence.
Posted inPolitical, Regulars
Begin Rant: Hey Angus, we don’t want your ‘values’
RK Crosby says other than pulling the trigger yourself, there is absolutely nothing more antisemitic a person can do than use the targeted massacre of Jews as a justification to deliver the Neo-Nazis the white supremacist policy they want.