Niall Ferguson | The Most Spectacular Historical Folly

May 8, 2023 | In this clip, Niall Ferguson provides his perspective on the threat of China from an Australian viewpoint. He dispels the myth that China does not have imperialist intentions and argues that we are grossly unprepared for Chinese aggression, given our abundance of natural resources, sparse population, and close proximity to China.

Royal Drama at Sydney Opera House after Refusal to Light Up Sails for King’s Coronation

THE GUARDIAN: Government argues the financial burden would have been significant if the projection had gone ahead

The government of New South Wales has said it costs up to $100,000 to light up sails of the Sydney Opera House, as it defends scrapping plans to do so for the coronation. Photograph: Jaimi Joy/Reuters
A decision to scrap plans to light the sails of the Sydney Opera House in honour of the coronation of King Charles has been defended by the premier of the state of New South Wales, Chris Minns.

The famous sails of the Opera House are often lit for major events in Australia, including for a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after she died and a controversial projection promoting a horse race.

But Saturday’s coronation did not make the cut, with the recently elected Labor government in the state reversing its predecessor’s decision to do so. » | Jordyn Beazley | Monday, May 8, 2023

Kevin Rudd Launched a Passionate Defence of Gay Marriage in 2013

Sep 3, 2013 | Australia's prime minister, Kevin Rudd, a devout Christian, stared down a pastor on live television and cited scripture while delivering a stirring defence of gay marriage. …

This is something that all Christians (and people of other faiths and none) should listen to. Well done Kevin Rudd! His reasoning is a joy to listen to. – © Mark Alexander

Sneak Peek: Cooking the Book of Mormon | 60 Minutes Australia

God’s work or downright dodgy? Sunday on #60Mins, why the Mormon Church is accused of ripping off Australian taxpayers to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

This Is Wonderful! Politics at Its Very Best!

Australian MP proposes to partner during same-sex marriage debate in parliament

This Is How Modern, Progressive Countries Do Things – Mark Alexander | Same-sex Marriage: Proposal in Parliament - BBC News

Dec 4, 2017 Australian MP Tim Wilson asks his partner to marry him during his speech to parliament on the same-sex marriage bill. Ryan Bolger accepts his proposal with a loud "yes".

Gay Australian politician proposes to partner in emotional floor speech, and we're cheering: During a parliamentary debate about same-sex marriage, one legislator popped the question »

Parliament marriage proposal MP weds in Australia: An Australian MP has wed his partner, three months after proposing to him in parliament during a debate on legalising same-sex marriage. »

Be proud to be gay! Remember this: Some of the cleverest, most talented people that have ever lived have been gay. It is also true to say that some of the most beautiful people in the world are, and have been, gay too. So there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of in being queer. Rejoice! – © Mark Alexander

Outrage as Australians Discover Former Prime Minister Secretly Gave Himself Five Additional Ministries

THE GUARDIAN: Incumbent prime minister says he ‘cannot conceive of the mindset’ that enabled Scott Morrison to appoint himself to additional positions while PM

Scott Morrison secretly appointed himself to five additional ministries while Australia’s prime minister, in what his successor has labelled an “unprecedented trashing of the Westminster system”.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said on Tuesday he was waiting on legal advice over any possible ramifications of the secret appointments and was “open to reforms and suggestions” so the situation did not reoccur.

Morrison now faces calls to resign from parliament over the revelations, including from one of his former ministers. Karen Andrews, a former minister for home affairs, which is one of the departments to which Morrison appointed himself, said: “This is totally unacceptable, for a prime minister to behave in this manner undermines everything that a federal government constitutionally should stand for.” » | Amy Remeikis in Canberra | Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Scott Morrison was sworn in to several portfolios other than prime minister. How can this be done?: Only the governor general can appoint ministers, but there are ways a minister can take on the powers of another »

Tinder: Investigation Reveals the Dark Side of the Dating App | Four Corners

Oct 12, 2020 Tinder has been downloaded more than 100 million times worldwide. It’s reinvented the way we meet people.

Billed as 'the largest, hottest community of singles in the world', Tinder urges users, 'when in doubt, give a Swipe Right. Trust us, the more options you have, the better-looking life becomes.'

The app generates enormous revenue for its parent company Match Group, but there's alarming evidence that Tinder is putting users at great risk.

In a joint investigation, Four Corners and triple j Hack reveal that the dating app has become a playground for sex offenders.


This documentary is definitely NOT suitable for children. – Mark

NSW Becomes Second State to Ban Nazi Flag and Symbols

THE GUARDIAN: Intentionally bearing swastikas can now land a person in jail for up to a year and a fine of over $100,000

Intentionally waving a Nazi flag in New South Wales or displaying memorabilia bearing swastikas could now land a person in jail for up to a year, along with a fine of over $100,000.

The Crimes Amendment (prohibition on display of Nazi symbols) Bill 2022 swiftly and unanimously passed the NSW upper house on Thursday.

The legislation was drafted in April, after an inquiry recommended a ban on the public display of Nazi symbols in a bid to tackle rising antisemitism.

NSW becomes the second state in Australia to pass the landmark legislation after Victoria in June.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark described the passing of the law as a historic day for NSW. » | Australian Associated Press | Thursday, August 11, 2022

A Gay Farmer on Love, Isolation, and Disrupting the Meat Industry in Australia | The New Yorker | Reupload

Jun 9, 2021 In “Alone Out Here,” by Philip Busfield and Luke Cornish, an Australian rancher who is openly gay in a conservative industry fights to reduce carbon emissions through his cattle farming.

‘Have You Recently Had an Abortion?’ Australian Transiting through US Questioned Then Deported

THE GUARDIAN: Madolline Gourley says she was on her way to Canada for a holiday when US immigration officials intervened

An Australian woman who planned to house-sit in Canada during a holiday has said she was detained, fingerprinted, interrogated about her abortion history and quickly deported during a stopover in the US.

Madolline Gourley, a Brisbane resident, says she was treated like a criminal during her transit through Los Angeles on 30 June, where she was detained at the border due to suspicions about her intention to house- and cat-sit in exchange for accommodation while holidaying in Canada.

Gourley was held in a detention room, interrogated twice, patted down, fingerprinted and photographed.

At one point a US border official asked Gourley, who was wearing a loose-fitting dress, whether she was pregnant. The same question was repeated as she was moved between rooms. When she again told the US officials she was not pregnant, Gourley was asked whether she had had an abortion.

“She was walking me from one room to the next, and she asked the pregnancy question again,” Gourley told Guardian Australia. “I don’t know if she had forgotten, or she wanted to work out if I was lying or something. “I said no, and she looked at me again and said, ‘Have you recently had an abortion?’

“I don’t know the thought process behind that … I just thought, ‘What’s the relevance of that to my situation?’” » | Christopher Knaus | Wednesday, July 13, 2022

China's New Target in the Battle to Control the Pacific | 60 Minutes Australia

July 3, 2022 At its closest point the distance between Australia and the Solomon Islands is just under two thousand kilometres. Being so near is why Canberra is so worried about the deals the small Pacific nation is signing with China. It means the once inconceivable idea of a Chinese military base being built right on our doorstep has become a very real possibility. And now there’s another potential threat that must be considered - Beijing is also cosying up to Papua New Guinea, a country of immense strategic significance. As Tom Steinfort reports, at its closest point PNG is less than five kilometres from us.

Why Australia could face first military threat since World War II | 60 Minutes Australia

Australia: “Old White Guy Says Australia Will Be Muslim’

Mar 13, 2022 | Views on YouTube: 952,449

Queen Congratulates Australians of the Year via Video Call

Jun 4, 2022 • The Queen took part in a video call with the Australians of the Year. Footage released by Buckingham Palace showed the Queen virtually meeting Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, who has won four paralympic gold medals and created a foundation to help Australians with disabilities.

The call was was chaired by the Governor-General of Australia David Hurley.

The Queen was also introduced to Shanna Whan, Val Dempsey and Dr Daniel Nour. Members of the royal family are attending events across the UK as platinum jubilee celebrations enter their third day, but the Queen will not attend the Epsom Derby Platinum jubilee celebrations enter third day as Queen misses Epsom Derby

Josh Cavallo: Proud My Coming Out Inspired Jake Daniels

Read the article here.

Related links here.

A Gay Farmer on Love, Isolation, and Disrupting the Meat Industry in Australia | The New Yorker | Reupload

Jun 9, 2021 • In “Alone Out Here,” by Philip Busfield and Luke Cornish, an Australian rancher who is openly gay in a conservative industry fights to reduce carbon emissions through his cattle farming.

The World's Biggest Meat Company Is Built on Corruption and It's Growing in Australia | Four Corners

Apr 25, 2022 • You may not have heard of them, but JBS is the biggest meat company in the world. It controls a lot of the food you buy in the supermarket including beef, pork, lamb and salmon.

You'll even find their meat between your burger buns at McDonald's.

But despite its size and reach, JBS is a company built on corruption and bribery; tainted by charges and accusations of malpractice and environmental crimes.

While some foreign governments are holding the company to account, Australian politicians have given JBS the green light to grow

Why?

Australia Alarmed at China’s Security Talks with Solomon Islands

VOA: SYDNEY — The Solomon Islands has confirmed it is negotiating a security deal with China, which has caused alarm in neighboring Australia and New Zealand.

The Solomon Islands is located in the southwestern Pacific, about 2,000 miles northeast of Australia.

A draft official document emerged on social media Thursday. It details plans that could allow Beijing to send armed police and soldiers to the Pacific archipelago to “protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in Solomon Islands.”

In Australia, there are fears that the agreement could lead to Beijing establishing a permanent military presence or bases in the Pacific Island country.

Australia and New Zealand have been the Solomon Islands’ traditional defense partners and aid donors. » | Phil Mercer | Saturday, March 26, 2022

Salomonen wollen enger mit China kooperieren: Die Salomonen streben eine Sicherheitskooperation mit China an. Australien und Neuseeland sind alarmiert. Sie fürchten eine militärische Präsenz Pekings im Südpazifik. »

Putin’s Patriots: Russian Money and Influence in Australia | Four Corners

Feb 15, 2021 • Vladimir Putin has made it clear that he wants Russia to reclaim its former glory.

In doing so, he expects the support of Russians across the globe, wherever they may live.

Our investigation has uncovered the activities of a cluster of dedicated pro-Russian nationalist groups in Australia.

Some are explicit about their mission — to wage a propaganda war to help further the Kremlin’s global agenda — prompting analysts to warn Australia that it should be paying close attention.

We’ve also uncovered new information linking an alleged Russian money laundering scheme in Australia to a powerful figure in the Putin government, and reveal new details about how a Russian billionaire with an investment here tried to co-opt the Australian government to help lift punitive financial sanctions placed on his company by the United States.

At a time when our federal government is focused on foreign interference, this investigation shines some light on an area some experts describe as a potential emerging threat.

Australian PM to Ban Faith Schools from Expelling LGBT+ Students – and Some Christians Are Furious

Australian prime minister Scott Morrison. (Rohan Thomson/Getty Images)
PINK NEWS: Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has vowed to stop students from being expelled for their sexuality or gender identity by religious schools.

In an unexpected turnaround, the right-wing leader who has long been upfront about his evangelical Christian faith, promised to stop faith-based schools from discriminating against pupils, parents and guardians.

Morrison made the surprise remarks that left fellow lawmakers and religious activists stunned to Brisbane’s B105.3 radio station on Thursday (3 February).

He was asked to share his thoughts on Citipointe College’s now-withdrawn anti-LGBT+ student enrolment contract.

It required families to sign enrolment paperwork that said being LGBT+ is “immoral” and compared it to incest, bestiality and paedophilia.

“No, I don’t support that,” Morrison told the station. “My kids go to a Christian school here in Sydney, and I wouldn’t want my school doing that either.”

Morrison said he will introduce amendments to the Religious Discrimination Bill – which has been a thorny issue for both faith groups and LGBT+ rights campaigners – to prevent religious schools from discriminating in this way. » | Josh Milton | Tuesday, February 1, 2022