In which expert advisory work from the PCE illustrates why the ETS in its present form risks a massive lignite subsidy, and Tim Groser — quite rightly — observes that this would be “ridiculous” and “incoherent”
Read MoreApres nous, le deluge
We may not have a National-led Government after the next election. Here's why we probably will.
Read More2010: A political year of half-measures
The government ended the year on the political mountain top thanks to a lot of luck and bucket full of caution... And my belated pick for minister of the year
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday January 7
US commission blames management at three companies for Gulf oil spill (+ analysis and timeline); South Korea rejects North's offer of talks; al-Sadr returns to Iraq after three years in exile; Republicans take over US Congress promising budget cuts; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday January 6
Pakistan governor Salman Taseer killed; member of Taseer's security detail responsible; US envoy will head to China for talks on North Korea's nuclear programme; Queensland flooding impact is huge--disruption of coal exports means loss of AU$100 million a day; Gbagbo to end military blockade; and more
Read MoreCalifornia goes back to the future
California has never been in bigger fiscal trouble. So who do voters choose as their new governor? Jerry Brown, aka 'Governor Moonbeam', the budget-conscious pol who was their governor 28 years ago
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday January 5
Iran invites diplomats to tour nuclear facilities--US not part of group; US wants more talks with North Korea; China ups nuclear power capabilities; three quarters of Queensland's coal fields closed due to flooding; Washington downplays turmoil in Pakistan; Republicans plan congressional investigations; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday January 4
Pakistan government loses coalition member and parliamentary majority as economy outewighs terrorism (+ Af-Pak analysis); US and Japan considered action against anti-whalers Sea Shepherd – Wikileaks; Coptic Christians protest after Egyptian bomb kills 21; Cote d'Ivoire negotiations; Brazil's first woman president takes office; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 29
Putin critic and oligarch convicted, drawing US condemnation and tipping Putin's return to power(+ analysis and Russia backgrounder); Double bombing in Iraq kills 17; African leaders tell Gbagbo to stand aside; South Korea president urges unity; and more
Read MorePeace to the Earth... maybe
We go into Christmas with the promise of fewer nukes, but threats of nuclear war being tossed around... and merry Christmas from Pundit
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 24
South Korea concludes biggest military drill in its history, preparing "merciless counter-attack" (+ analysis); Pakistan says no to US ops in tribal border regions; Russia looks to approve START; Israel military leader says war with Hamas inevitable; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 23
START looks set to pass in US, reducing nuclear stockpiles (+ analysis and background); South Korea launches new round of military exercises; Iran slapped with more sanctions after frosty meeting; Japan halves growth forecast; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 22
US Senate nears agreement on treaty with Russia to reduce nuclear arms; Democrats push through Republican opposition to START; tensions ease on Korea peninsula; Iraq's parliament will vote on cabinet; Islamists suspected in Kenya bombing; Venezuela passes internet law; and more
Read MoreEver get the feeling you've been cheated? Good night
Whether the resolution of The Hobbit fracas is good or bad, the way it got resolved looks pretty dodgy to me.
Read MorePoll of Polls: Plus Ça Change
Many polls. Much excitement. Little change.
Read MoreWhat I hope we've learnt from being leaky
The Supreme Court's ruling on leaky homes is both exactly right and terribly unfair. And it holds vital lessons for how governments govern and the foreshore & seabed
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 21
South Korea still on "high alert" after military exercises (+ analysis); Bill Richardson claims deal with North Korea to return nuclar inspectors; Iraqi government draws closer, but debates go on; Democrats look to sure up votes on new START; Thousands protest election in Belarus; and more
Read MoreCancún climate talks: hui or doey?
Delegates came home upbeat from the Cancún climate talks, although the Copenhagen Accord texts were hardly altered by the Cancún Agreements. Were there good reasons for optimism? Or were the “rounds of cheering and applause,” “at times near euphoria,” psychological symptoms of something else?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 17
US withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan on track, says review; Australia's border policy under scrutiny following death of 28 asylum seekers; UN lifts sanctions on Iraq; US sues BP over Gulf oil spill; Swedish terror attack opens world to terrorists; and more
Read MoreAin't the new sound just like the old sound?
The Electoral Finance Act is dead. Long live the Electoral Finance Act.
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