News update for Fri 9 Feb 2024
Your trusted guide to the top independent news and views of the day...
Welcome to your TrueNorth news update where every weekday afternoon we share selected articles from Australia’s independent news media sector.
Please share with friends, family, colleagues - as good journalism is always worth supporting.
Scroll down for today’s news and views…
Michael West: Scourge of Democracy. Senate Inquiry into Lobbying is upon us; get your submissions in now!
‘Lobbying is the scourge of the Australian body politic. Described by the eminent retired public servant and publisher John Menadue as “pervasive and insidious” and here at Michael West Media as a toxic and powerful influence over democracy, it is now coming under political purview via an inquiry by the Senate into lobbyist access to Parliament House.’ writes Michael West.
7am Podcast: You can ignore your boss after work. It’s now the law.
The right to disconnect will become law, after agreement was reached between the government, the Greens and independents. The law will help change our relationship to work, but it’s only one part of a massive new batch of workplace reform that is being passed into law.
Listen to Paul Bongiorno for the 7am Podcast here
Pearls & Irritations: Gaza and the future of the Two-State Solution
‘There can be no meaningful peace without full recognition of Palestinian sovereignty. Only new leadership and new vision, on both sides, will help,’ proposes Dennis Altman.
‘No issue of foreign policy that does not involve direct Australian military participation has caused as much division as the current Gaza War.
‘There are several reasons for this. Since the creation of the state of Israel, Australia has been one of its staunchest supporters.’
Read more in Pearls & Irritations here
The Guardian: Two-thirds polled in Dunkley back the stage-three tax cut changes despite cost-of-living attack ads
‘Voters in Dunkley have backed Labor’s tax cut package by more than two-to-one, despite the party facing a barrage of negative cost of living ads from Advance Australia which has also emailed its supporters, urging them to turn the byelection into a “referendum on the prime minister” including “on cost of living, on broken promises, on housing and rental costs” reports Paul Karp.
Read more from Paul Karp in The Guardian here
The Conversation: Grattan on Friday: Can the Albanese government show muscle in Indigenous policy? One test is coming next week
‘When Anthony Albanese is asked what his government’s Indigenous affairs policy is after the referendum’s failure, his response boils down to: watch this space,’ writes Michelle Grattan.
‘On Tuesday the government will present its latest implementation plan for Closing the Gap, when it brings down its annual report on the progress (or lack of) towards the multiple targets.
‘Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney says Tuesday’s statement will “commit to new actions that focus on making a practical difference”.’
Read more from Michelle Grattan in The Conversation here
Cartoon by Cathy Wilcox for the SMH
TODAY’S BREAKING NEWS: See all the breaking news of the day through The Guardian here
Crikey: Australia could miss a huge opportunity to fight climate change after world’s hottest January
‘The debate over Australia’s climate legislation is heating up this week after a push to change the national environment law suffered a huge blow, despite broad public support for climate change to be considered under the legislation.
‘On Wednesday evening, a Senate committee handed down its final report rejecting the Greens’ “Climate Trigger” bill, which seeks to make climate change impacts a consideration under environment law,’ reports Elfy Scott.
SpinProof live podcast: Nick Feik speaks about his recent investigation into the Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania
This week on the SpinProof live podcast, Denise speaks with journalist Nick Feik about his recent 8 month investigation into institutional child sexual abuse in Tasmania & their recent state-wide inquiry into these decades long issues. Even though the findings of the inquiry were highly disturbing - the many issues raised are still inexplicably occurring today. Every Australian should know about this. Content warning.
Listen to the SpinProof live podcast replay here
The Klaxon: PwC “deliberately hiding” says ATO
‘Disgraced accountancy giant PwC is continuing its cover-up of the tax advice scandal and is refusing to hand over the names of the “Dirty Six” international partners involved,’ reports Anthony Klan.
‘The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has told the Senate inquiry into consultancies it has not obtained a copy of PwC global’s “report” into the tax scandal — and that PwC was “deliberately hiding” between the differences in laws covering its Australian and international arms.’
Read more from Anthony Klan in The Klaxon here
Women’s Agenda: After the misogynistic media treatment of Georgie Purcell, is it any wonder young women are hesitant to pursue politics?
You don’t have to look far to find a negative media story about women in the public eye, especially near the campaign trail. While gender was a key talking point in the 2022 federal election, media reporting of women remains reliant on outdated tropes. Who’s taking care of her family? Variations on “she was too emotional”. And recently, when I saw that Nine edited Georgie Purcell’s photo, enlarging her breasts and editing in a non-existent midriff, I was irate.
Read more from Ashleigh Streeter-Jones for Women's Agenda here
The Politics: Never mind the gap
‘After last year’s failed Voice referendum, how will the Albanese government find a way forward in Indigenous affairs?
‘It’s generally accepted among pundits that the Albanese government has had a good first parliamentary sitting week for 2024. But…there stands one ongoing and catastrophic policy failure that no federal government has been able to claim victory on: Closing the Gap for Indigenous Australians.’
Read more from Daniel James for The Politics here
Ronni Salt for The Shot: Goodbye to all that – the Coalition’s year of living aimlessly
We’re back. We’re back in federal parliament for another year and only a week in, the Liberal National Coalition are already fresh out of ideas and morals. The Coalition’s only major achievement last year seems to have been reminding Australians why they voted the Coalition out of office and why the Libs desperately need to feed so many Murdoch editors contra payments and What’sApp group leaks.
Read more from Ronni Salt for The Shot here
Share your views on Australia’s media landscape through TrueNorth’s short survey
You’re up to date for Friday 9th February. See you next Monday!
TODAY’S BREAKING NEWS: See all the breaking news of the day through The Guardian here
Inspired by a local group of people in Sydney's north who were looking for t-shirts to wear on their regular walks, Democracy Walks champions, supports and actively engages in our democracy.
CLICK here to see Democracy Walks’ t-shirt designs!