Prime Minister Tony Abbott's support for Cardinal George Pell over child sex abuse is inappropriate and factually wrong, victims say.

This new controversy came as the Speaker of the Victorian Parliament, Ken Smith, accused the former Melbourne vicar-general, Gerald Cudmore, of committing perjury in evidence he gave to a parliamentary inquiry in 1993. Mr Smith said highly placed Catholics stifled his inquiry's report.

from Crikey ….. 

'The stuff of nightmares': when who you are becomes a crime

I think that most people who gave the matter more than a passing thought, would believe that the primary role of governments is to protect its citizens and their rights; to ensure that proper infrastructure, such as hospitals, roads, schools and others, are set up and well maintained, and to ensure that the economy is stable, in order for the people to be safe, healthy and happy.

Department of State’s objection to release of key evidence may prevent inquiry’s conclusions from ever being published, except in heavily redacted form ….

NEW MP Clive Palmer has dared the Australian Taxation Office to sue his company Queensland Nickel to recover $6.2 million in unpaid carbon tax.

from our friend Vacy Vlazna ….

Bronwyn Bishop has failed the first test of her speakership and this Parliament is in danger of being just as rancorous as the last one.

As Abbott said when Bishop was elevated to the post on Tuesday: ''When any of us are tempted to be low, mean or petty, the member for Mackellar is well equipped to recall us to our duty. This Parliament will be a different one and a better one, I hope.''

International tourists want man-made attractions and don't want to spend all their holidays "looking at Ayers Rock", businessman James Packer says.

'An iconic part of local heritage': Glasgow Council drops £65,000 plans to raise Duke of Wellington statue that regularly has traffic cones placed on its head …

like father ….

David Cameron calls for permanent austerity …. dressed in a white tie & standing at a golden lectern …..