BAM-BOOZED
NT Deputy Chief Chansey Paech is refusing to resign over his shares in an organization that distributes alcohol in Alice Springs, Sky Information Australia stories, which he bought two months earlier than he was a driving power behind not extending alcohol restrictions in Indigenous cities final yr. Paech divested his Metcash shares when then NT chief Natasha Fyles resigned over her mining share scandal. In the meantime, the commander of Australia’s “most deadly warship” Kingsley Scarce was stood down due to an alleged drunken episode, in line with reporting from 9 newspapers. Scarce departed the HMAS Brisbane in September after somebody from the ADF lodged a severe grievance about him, making it across the time of Malabar, our naval train with the US, Japan and India. Alcohol is banned throughout operations and workout routines, and restricted to 2 drinks on nationwide holidays throughout “non-war-like operations”.
In the meantime, Coalition leaders Peter Dutton and David Littleproud have advised Barnaby Joyce he ought to take a while off, the SMH stories, after he was filmed laying on the road, boozed and apparently affected by meds, swearing into his cellphone. His father-in-law advised the Day by day Mail that Joyce had obtained “some very dangerous household information”. Joyce hasn’t determined whether or not he’ll take depart but. In the meantime, Dutton owes NDIS Minister Invoice Shorten $20, the latter writes for The West ($). He wager Dutton 10 bucks the Coalition would help the stage three tax lower reforms on the As we speak show on January 26, and a laughing opposition chief doubled the wager on reside tv. Eleven days later, the Coalition introduced it wouldn’t stand in the way in which of the modifications.
SUPER/POWER
We may elevate $100 billion in a single yr from a fossil gas tax, in line with former ACCC chair Rod Sims and Hawke-era economist Ross Garnaut, which we may spend on subsidising inexperienced iron, aluminium and gas manufacturing. Right here’s how: a carbon resolution levy could possibly be launched in 2030-31 and set at Europe’s five-year common worth of $90/tonne of carbon dioxide-equivalent, Guardian Australia explains. Not solely does it set us on the trail to turning into a renewable power superpower, but it surely’d additionally elevate productiveness and dwelling requirements after a “decade of stagnation”, they’ll say as we speak. Actually there are few international locations higher positioned for the renewable period, contemplating we’re the sunniest and among the many windest locations on Earth. The rot is within the Commonwealth Parliament, Garnaut will say, as a result of principally each state authorities and opposition help good local weather and power coverage.
In the meantime, it may take weeks to completely restore half one million properties with out energy in Victoria, The Age stories, in what state Vitality Minister Lily D’Ambrosio described as “one of many largest outage occasions within the state’s historical past”. Coal boi Senator Matt Canavan tweeted “coal retains the lights on!” in all capitals, however 6 Information teen journalist Leonardo Puglisi pointed out the outage was brought on by 4 turbines going offline at Victoria’s largest coal-fired plant, Loy Yang An influence station. Owned by a 16-year-old, one other individual famous. Excessive winds additionally blew over six transmission towers. It comes as Sources Minister Madeleine King is introducing new guidelines to clear the way in which for session on offshore gasoline developments, The West ($) stories. The modification would permit the minister to bypass the present course of beneath the Atmosphere Safety and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
TASMANIAN DEVILS
Australia’s final Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff will name an election in Tasmania as we speak, the ABC stories, after two former Liberal backbenchers give up the celebration, throwing it into minority. He mentioned the early ballot, which obtained “unanimous” help from his crew, couldn’t wait till 2025 as a result of independents had been making Parliament unworkable for him. Lara Alexander and John Tucker have been supporting opposition motions, criticising Rockliff’s authorities, and helped ship Vitality Minister Man Barnett to the privileges committee about dodging price estimates. Tucker even threatened to “deliver down the federal government” if he didn’t get necessary CCTV in abattoirs and AFL high-performance centres. Yikes. All I can say is: save the critically endangered swift parrot, power-drunk Tassie crossbenchers!
And I’m not the one one — Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio posted to his 62 million Instagram followers that Australia is destroying the swift parrot’s habitat, The Guardian stories, despite the fact that there are simply 750 left within the wild. We should “finish native forest logging throughout Australia and Tasmania”, DiCaprio urged. In the meantime, native conservationists are ready to listen to whether or not Atmosphere Minister Tanya Plibersek will green-light an infinite massive tailings dam that may destroy 500-year-old timber (!!!) in a rainforest on the southern fringe of Tasmania’s Takayna. International mining firm MMG Ltd utilized for the positioning, journalist and creator Geraldine Brooks writes for the SMH, however there are different disposal strategies — that is about saving some cash. Plibersek met with mine officers within the space however refused a gathering with former Greens chief and environmentalist Bob Brown. Completely dismal. Assist save the forest right here.
ON A LIGHTER NOTE
Andrea, Calli, Breanna and Ernie had been gliding alongside the Alaskan panorama on a prepare, with a working commentary coming from the one man within the group. “Elevation: 20,308ft”, he advised the ladies, “The Denali, often known as Mount McKinley, most likely greatest skilled within the Airbus A340, although enjoyable in a Cessna 180 if you happen to didn’t fly excessive peak”. The trio smiled at one another, not minding one bit. Ernie is their 90-year-old grandpa, who they had been on the journey of a lifetime with. He’d solely been abroad as soon as earlier than — when he’d fibbed about his age and served in Korea — and though he’d saved as much as return, his dream of flying over the mountains and glaciers once more had turn out to be looking Google photos that he’d present his household once they visited, or admiring their pictures once they’d journey abroad, as Breanna wrote for SBS.
After Ernie had a hospital scare, Breanna went to her sisters. What if we took Pa on a vacation for his ninetieth birthday, all the way in which to Alaska the place he’s all the time dreamed of going? Fourteen months later, they did simply that, touching down in White Horse earlier than boarding planes, trains, automobiles and a few boats to Juneau (they stored strolling to a minimal). Pa was filled with historical past in regards to the Mendenhall Glacier, telling his granddaughters of the “numerous” occasions he’d landed seaplanes on ice utilizing his laptop flight simulator. When the primary flakes of winter landed on their coats, the trio had been moved by their Pa’s response — it was his first snow since Korea. “The best way his face lit up as he seemed round on the powder falling was one thing particular,” Breanna says. In his upturned face, awash with awe and surprise, she instantly noticed a glimpse of her Pa some 70 years prior to now.
Hoping no journey is just too distant, as we speak and all the time.
SAY WHAT?
I couldn’t inform him that we had accomplished the settlement [with the US and Britain] as a result of we hadn’t. I imply, this factor may all nonetheless go pear-shaped.
Scott Morrison
The previous PM continued that then French president Emmanuel Macron would have “scuttled your complete [AUKUS] deal” by deploying the “complete French diplomatic corps to Washington”. The entire French exit has greater than a whiff of a man lining up a girlfriend earlier than leaving his spouse.
CRIKEY RECAP
“The immediate: ‘You’re Herald Solar columnist Andrew Bolt. Write a 150-word opinion piece within the model of Andrew Bolt in opposition to employees’ rights to disconnect from their employer after hours.’
“In our fashionable world, the idea of “work-life stability” has turn out to be a rallying cry for individuals who search to undermine the very essence of productiveness. The most recent fad? Staff’ rights to disconnect from their employers after hours. It’s as in the event that they consider that when the clock strikes 5, they will merely unplug from their tasks and float away on a cloud of leisure. Let me set the file straight: that is nothing greater than a harmful delusion …”
“You wouldn’t understand it from the amiable determine who appeared in Nemesis, however then power minister Angus Taylor had a really busy 2019, on his strategy to probably the most convincing wins Crikey’s Arsehat of the 12 months award has ever seen: there was Grassgate, which necessitated a Division of Atmosphere investigation into the clearing of critically endangered grasslands at a property owned by the Taylor household.
“Watergate. Deploying cast paperwork in opposition to Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, which necessitated an embarrassing and in the end inconclusive police investigation. And, after all, within the lead-up to the 2019 election, Taylor outlined the artwork of getting caught posting from an alt, when he wrote ‘Unbelievable. Nice transfer. Nicely finished Angus’ on his personal Fb publish.”
“That’s assuming it reaches the extent of official sanction. However there are methods to make your life hell with out going that far. Missed promotions, isolation and bullying are all penalties of a nosey boss who seems via what you’ve been emailing with out you realizing. Good luck proving it even when you understand it’s taking place.
“You is perhaps considering to your self that it will by no means occur together with your boss who’s so cool and allows you to depart early on Fridays. However if you’re instantly angling for a pay rise or overperforming at work and making them look dangerous, issues can change.”
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Iran simulates strike on Israeli base because it showcases naval power (Al Jazeera)
International defence spending rises 9% to file $2.2tn (The Guardian)
Threats to US federal judges double since 2021, pushed by politics (Reuters)
Russia places Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on ‘needed’ checklist (euronews)
Swiss antisemitism shock at Davos store signal saying no skis for Jews (BBC)
THE COMMENTARIAT
Barnaby Joyce could also be an fool and drink an excessive amount of however he shouldn’t resign from parliament — Dennis Shanahan (The Australian) ($): “A few of Joyce’s election wins in New England have occurred after implosions in his private life, promotions and demotions in workplace and even after he was discovered to be responsible of being a New Zealander. Not even Parliament nonetheless has the ability to take away an MP which was used solely as soon as since Federation. Since Parliament started there was some political benefit in being a ‘loveable larrikin’, disposed to scandal, adultery and drunkenness for some MPs, significantly within the bush, who’ve seemed extra at house in an historic Dad and Dave episode on Parliament and are in contact with the ‘grassroots’ of their voters.
“Australia’s first prime minister, Edmund Barton, was accused of being ‘snoringly drunk’ within the NSW legislative meeting earlier than he grew to become PM, John Curtin, our nice wartime chief, was an alcoholic who took durations off to ‘dry out’, an inebriated John Gorton vomited on a RAAF aircraft and Bob Hawke was infamous for ingesting, adultery and carousing earlier than he grew to become prime minister. I do know of a former NSW state minister who was present in an alcoholic coma in his workplace however who was supported by mates, reformed and served the folks of NSW actually and effectively for years. I’ve additionally been advised of an occasion of a late-night division in Canberra’s Home of Representatives when a senior MP was so drunk they couldn’t stroll to the chamber and a wheelchair was organised so the vote was not missed.”
Barnaby Joyce’s drunken behaviour raises questions on political tradition and double requirements in Canberra — Patricia Karvelas (ABC): “Greens chief Adam Bandt argues the incident highlights a double commonplace and that if a girl politician had discovered themselves in the same scenario there can be widespread condemnation. He was after all referring to the incident involving Lidia Thorpe and her tirade at a Melbourne strip membership … It is a widespread view within the Parliament. That there are completely different guidelines in line with who you’re. One feminine MP who didn’t need to be named advised me her profession can be over if she did the identical factor.
“One argument after all is he wasn’t doing something to harm anybody, that it was a breach of his privateness that somebody filmed him with out his information after which given to the press. However everybody now has an iPhone of their pocket and public figures are on discover — Barnaby Joyce is aware of this. All politicians do. Barnaby Joyce is the last word comeback child — he has survived scandal earlier than and it’s exhausting to see Nationals chief David Littleproud taking the danger of eradicating him and creating a much bigger rift contained in the celebration. However no matter what you consider Barnaby Joyce, the query round who’s forgiven and who is just not will proceed to plague the Parliament whereas these inside and out of doors of it assume it’s stacked in opposition to some greater than others.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Eora Nation Nation (often known as Sydney)
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Author Adele Dumont will discuss her new e-book, The Pulling, at Higher Learn Than Useless bookshop.
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The Monetary Occasions’s Gideon Rachman and the Lowy Institute’s Michael Fullilove will discuss wars, summits, and elections in 2024 in a webinar for the institute.