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Archived news for 2009 | Recent news
A perfect political storm
The past 48 hours have been probably the most divisive in the history of the modern Liberal Party. But there needn't be lasting damage. Malcolm...
Carbon emissions tax will choke economy
Greenhouse issues are dominating the economic debate. Most people want to protect the environment and have been told that the tax from the...
Jobs, living standards run second to other goals
National governments protect their citizens' interests in many ways. They negotiate trade deals to get better overseas market access, raise loans...
Power play distorts reality
Apparently Australia has just got a brand new $28 billion industry. It's in renewable energy. Media outlets have breathlessly reported that...
Emissions retreat just so Napoleon
Despite the Government announcing it has backed away from early action to reduce carbon emissions, the Prime Minister's website continues to say,...
Government needs face saver more than CPRS
Canberra is planning to introduce new carbon taxes -- the "Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme" -- next year. This would double and eventually...
Budget will put Brumby's efforts to the test
A quarter of a century ago governments throughout the Western world realised they were no good at running businesses. Government businesses tended...
GM Could Save the Day for Future Fuels
For a long time now the doomsayers have been telling us we are about to run out of oil - at least since the 1970s. Now, with the world financial...
Renewable energy plan just a lot of hot air
Twelve years ago, as a sop to wind farm lobbyists and green activists, the Howard government announced a "2 per cent renewable energy requirement"....
Ease the squeeze on power utilities
Setting prices for "natural monopolies" like electricity lines, water pipes and gas distribution networks has developed as a relatively mechanistic...