News Update

Rudd, Blanchett and Button: the real story
I can't live with the guilt any more. Three times now in the last two months, I have read - amid the storm of commentary condemning Kevin Rudd - scathing references to the damning allegation that in early 2008, he chose to visit Cate Blanchett's baby instead of attending the funeral of the late John Button. The Prime Minister stands accused of sucking up to stars instead of saluting Labor history. It was my fault. It's time to 'fess up and act.

A Federal Election in August?
With poor opinion polls, there is very little chance the Rudd Government will dissolve the Federal Parliament by use of a double dissolution. So July is now ruled out as a possible month for an election. Speculation must now turn to when the Government will call a normal election for the House of Representatives and half of the Senate.

RSPT forms part of Rudd's matrix
Behind the machinations of the claims and counter claims being made over the RSPT it is worthwhile considering what appears to be the guiding philosophy behind its proponents. The RSPT cannot be viewed as errant behaviour by the government, but rather as part of an overall matrix that sees the government as 'central' to the Australian economy, the behaviour of the Australian populace and society.

An affair murdered my childhood
A dating website that encourages couples to cheat has arrived in Australia with a message: Life is short. Have an affair. Even though I am only 11, I am old enough to know what these six words mean. Because I have experienced personally what an affair actually does to a child and to a family forever. Why should this country support a business that preys on families and destroys childhoods?

Vote-winning budgets must be seen to be believed
NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal thought he was doing everything right yesterday, but right now, it's all wrong. He handed down a budget that Treasurers love to hand down - in surplus, and in the envelope that keeps the prized AAA credit rating. But the problem with the NSW 2010/11 budget is it is swimming in money but not with ideas or demonstrable projects.