National security hysteria, the fastest-growing crime in Aust
Wild claims about cybercrime are a key tool in inflating spending on cybersecurity and expanding the powers of governments, like the latest proposal for two-year data retention.
View ArticleNational security laws: the ‘balance’ that only ever tips one way
The concept of "balance" repeatedly invoked by politicians on national security -- while extending the powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, curbing the rights of Australians -- is flawed.
View ArticleFaulkner attacks vague national security proposals
A key member of the parliamentary committee examining new national security proposals around data retention has hit out at the vague nature of Nicola Roxon's proposals.
View ArticleRoxon clarifies draconian data retention plans
The Attorney-General has responded to growing complaints about the ill-defined nature of the data retention proposals currently being considered by the Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
View ArticleRichard Farmer’s chunky bits: Why is Roxon so quiet?
The silent Attorney-General ... What's this about patents ... Abbott has some front ... Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ...
View ArticleSentia Media index: Gillard, Abbott war captivates press, talkback
Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott were at war in Parliament yesterday, and led media mentions for the week after a fiery few days in parliament, writes Sentia Media's John Chalmers.
View ArticleHow not to launch a public debate, by the A-G’s Department
Several months after the Attorney-General initiated an inquiry on data retention, we finally got a definition of "data" this week. It's all a bit of a shambles.
View Article2012 Crikeys: the best and worst of the year in politics
It's that time of year again: we hand out the Crikeys for the best and worst of 2012 in federal politics. Who was the biggest media tart? Who engineered the worst gaffe? And who is Crikey's pollie of...
View ArticleNational security inquiry delay to put data retention on hold
A key inquiry into controversial national security reforms like data retention will miss its reporting deadline. And the Attorney-General's Department only has itself to blame.
View ArticleTerms set as child abuse victims demand to be heard
Oral testimony will be central to the Gillard government's royal commission in child sexual abuse, victims groups say. They're eagerly awaiting the terms of reference to see if they will all be heard.
View ArticleTaking offence at Roxon’s human rights laws
The danger with the anti-discrimination law reform is that it is so particular, baroquely crafted and precise in what it attempts to police, that its operation would not be loud and upfront. Quiet and...
View ArticleEvans, Roxon depart: Gillard clears decks for election
High-profile frontbenchers Chris Evans and Nicole Roxon have quit Julia Gillard's frontbench. After announcing an election date the Prime Minister is clearing the decks, writes Bernard Keane.
View ArticleLabor, discrimination laws and a space for speech
Janet Albrechtsen might have a point -- Labor's draft anti-discrimination laws are a worry. The battle has ideological tents camping in strange places, says Crikey's man-at-large.
View ArticleGellibrand Labor preselection shit sheet draws in Roxon
An anonymous party has circulated a vicious letter smearing Nicola Roxon's former staffer Katie Hall in the battle for safe Labor seat Gellibrand. But who is responsible?
View ArticleGet Fact: did the alcopops tax curb teenage drinking?
When the government introduced a 70% tax hike on alcopops, it promised the measure would fill public coffers and limit teenage quaffers. Crikey intern Shaun Ewart reports the actual result was different.
View ArticleA debate we had to have on security measures
The Attorney-General department has been given a bollocking by the Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, after handballing the issue of data retention. It's a strong outcome for accountability.
View ArticleMP valedictories: wish them well as we wave them goodbye
MPs from across the political spectrum sum up years of experiences in federal Parliament as they give their valedictory speeches. Crikey intern Bension Siebert collates excerpts from their farewells.
View ArticlePollies collect perks while working-class women struggle
Crikey readers talk Edward Snowden, the Newstart Allowance and why the heck anyone is going to vote for an Abbott government.
View ArticleRevealed: Attorney-General’s drive for data retention law
The Attorney-General's Department pushed hard for data retention the moment Labor was elected, according to new documents released to Crikey under freedom of information.
View ArticleA-G FOI investigation: how data retention was derailed
The Attorney-General's department was keen to rush data retention into law before the 2010 election. Their haste derailed it, new documents reveal, writes Bernard Keane.
View ArticleRoxon revises history in whinge about intelligence committee
Nicola Roxon is engaging in self-serving revisionism in criticising Parliament's intelligence committee. Her record of conduct tells a much different story.
View ArticleRichard Farmer’s chunky bits
What a spineless lot of Labor ministers Nicola Roxon exposed us to. Fancy a group of adults, tough enough to become politicians, being cowered into silent inaction by one man.
View ArticleStop the rorts, stop calling them entitlements
Crikey readers have their say on Nicola Roxon, media plagiarism, 'colour-blind' casting and more.
View ArticleiSentia index: bushfires take precedence over pollies
Bushfire coverage dominated the media landscape, with the ACT's same-sex marriage legislation a distant second.
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