from Crikey ….

As far as the public was concerned, the most notable event of the NSW Liberal Party's state council meeting last weekend was the heckling delivered to the Prime Minister after he boasted that the party was "not run by factions".

“And for all of his boasting & efforts to restore the Russian empire, Putin is still a very practical, pragmatic politician & he really doesn't want the nagging issue of, "Did we kill 300 innocents?," hanging around & in - from his perspective, it wouldn't cost him that much to make himself look pretty magnanimous & it seems to me that he's interested most of the time in looking good.”

Greens’ leader Richard di Natale charting rightward course

The Dutch Safety Board just released their investigation into the MH17 crash last summer and they concluded that the Malaysia Airlines 777 was brought down by Ukrainian rebels.

Billions are being spent on Muslim "radicalisation" and its prevention - all because of one death in 100 years, writes Bob Ellis.

Malcolm Turnbull's hip phrases like "flexible seven-day economy" might appeal to venture capitalists, but when they feed into a policy mindset that supports an attack on penalty rates it's suddenly not so endearing, writes Tim Dunlop.

We have become one of the most unethical nations in the West, where slick presentation, propaganda and incessant spin make their own realities.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has given further hints he may be considering staying on in the Federal Parliament and suggested the public will better appreciate his legacy with the passage of time.

Mr Abbott, who was ousted as prime minister in a leadership coup last month, also confirmed his relationship with Bronwyn Bishop had deteriorated, as a result of her being dumped as speaker over her grandiose use of entitlements.