from Lateline …..

JOE HOCKEY: No, of course not. Of course I couldn't say that. But you know what, you can't go into a contract, a perfectly valid contract, which two people entered into without duress, by agreement and say we are going to have this new government test apply and if there is anything wrong, we're going to have back pay. Now that is - that is probably unlawful, but obviously the logistics of that are phenomenal. Now, you have to take it at face value.

Loyal to Bush but Big Thorn in G.O.P. Side
By SCOTT SHANE and DAVID JOHNSTON
Published: May 17, 2007

WASHINGTON, May 16 — For a loyal George W. Bush Republican, James B. Comey has made a remarkable amount of trouble for the White House.

As deputy attorney general in 2003, he appointed his old friend Patrick J. Fitzgerald as independent counsel in the C.I.A. leak case, leading to the perjury conviction of Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief of staff, I. Lewis Libby Jr.

In 2004, he backed Justice Department subordinates who withdrew a legal memorandum justifying harsh interrogations of suspected terrorists. This spring, more than a year after leaving the government, he publicly praised several United States attorneys who had been dismissed, undermining the administration’s claim that they were removed for poor performance.

 

As seen on the 7:30 report, ABC TV...

Rattus talking to O'brien .…..

from the ABC …..

Howard reflects on 'very bad' poll result

Prime Minister John Howard says today's Newspoll result is very negative for his Government.

Support for the Government has fallen in the Newspoll, despite last week's Budget, with Labor increasing its lead to 18 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

The Coalition has polled 41 per cent to Labor's 59 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

from the NYT …..

Bank's Report Says Wolfowitz Violated Ethics

By STEVEN R. WEISMAN

Published: May 15, 2007

 

‘Cricket tours have been cancelled due to terrorism, world wars and even the French Revolution, but never before on account of a government's interventionism.

John Howard's directive sets a dangerous precedent for sport in Australia, albeit a popular one in this case. But should the Government look to broaden that ban beyond matches played exclusively in Zimbabwe, as Howard and Alexander Downer foreshadowed, it could well find itself in a heated battle with the very body it is trying to help.

 

‘The Government is unable to break its addiction to soaring defence spending on high-tech but unsuitable assault toys. This is money that should have been spent enhancing lives through health and education.

 

Blair will stand down on 27 June

He made the announcement in a speech to party activists in his Sedgefield constituency, after earlier briefing the Cabinet on his plans.

He acknowledged his government had not always lived up to high expectations but said he had been "very blessed" to lead "the greatest nation on earth".

from the SMH …..

PM to seize uni control from states

John Garnaut & David Crawshaw

May 10, 2007

The Federal Government is poised to take its "education revolution" an extra step by using controversial constitutional powers to strip the states of their control over universities.

In her first post-budget interview, the Education Minister, Julie Bishop, told the Herald the states had tied the universities in red tape but contributed nothing financially.

from the ABC …..

Murdoch to make News Corp carbon neutral

Rupert Murdoch revealed moves to make his News Corporation carbon neutral as the company posted a big jump in quarterly profits on the back of a solid performance by its film division.

 

from our ABC …..

‘Budget revives Coalition's election hopes

Peter Costello's 12th Budget is sparking some hope for Coalition MPs ahead of the federal election, while the Opposition is doing its best to spoil the party.’

from the the Sydney Morning Herald …..

‘Families will be the focus of tomorrow's federal budget, which will also increase defence spending and deliver tax benefits skewed towards those on middle and low incomes.

Mr Costello confirmed the separate child-care rebate which repays couples 30 per cent of child care costs after the benefit has been received will be paid back more quickly.

from Alan Ramsay …..

 

from the New York Times …..

For Queen and First Lady, Bush Will Try White Tie

By Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Jim Rutenberg

Published: May 5, 2007

 

from the BBC …..

Climate change 'can be tackled'