Former defence minister and ambassador to the United States Kim Beazley says the Turnbull government should grant a request for more troops to be sent to war-torn Afghanistan.

“No one has ever achieved anything significant without a chorus of critics standing on the sidelines explaining why it can’t be done,” the president said. “Nothing is easier — or more pathetic — than being a critic, because they’re people that can’t get the job done.”

In the event of war between the USA and any other nation in our region, Australia could not avoid involvement, because of its alliance with the USA. That is the reality we need to address. To avoid the possibility of war, an independent foreign policy for Australia is urgently required. Mr Trump’s presidency only adds to the urgency. 

Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull says drug testing welfare recipients and potentially managing their spending is "a policy based on love".

Too busy to watch the Treasurer deliver his budget speech in Parliament last night?

Don't worry.

We're like that awesome mate at uni who went to all the lectures then shared the notes with you.

Most government cockups happen when politics interferes with good administration, resulting in stupid decisions. Conspiracy, which requires careful thought, is rarely present.

3 May 2016

Former federal Labor opposition leader turned media commentator Mark Latham has announced he will join the Liberal Democrats Party, headed by David Leyonhjelm.

Mr Latham revealed his decision in a post on his Facebook page, saying he was returning to politics to "play a role in fighting for our national values".

Has Mossad infiltrated the CIA? The answer could be an overstatement. But is Israel controlling the US government? The answer is complex and not a question of “control” but that of persuasion. When the magician tells you you’re a chicken, you’re a chicken. You believe you’re a chicken. 

Sanity has prevailed... extremism has been defeated. The soft-centred Macron wins the day by more than 65 per cent of the votes while 25 per cent could not be bothered and 12 per cent voted for the General de Gaulle... 

Macron announces he is going to make sure there will be no need for extremism in the country. And all is well that finishes well says Monsieur Voltaire...

It is increasingly evident how pernicious the privatisation myth is. Two recent examples have underlined it: the failings in Australia’s privatised energy grid and the usurious pricing in airport car parks. Both examples demonstrated that it is folly to expect a public benefit to inevitably emerge from private profit seeking.