The Productivity Commission's ongoing enquiry into migrant intake into Australia is a welcome opportunity to critically examine the contribution of immigration to Australia's high population growth rate, which is adding immense pressure to infrastructure, environment impacts, and cost of living (eg housing costs). The contribution of immigration-fueled population growth to these issues is studiously ignored by the major political parties and also … [Read more...]
Queensland election: May this be the stake through the heart of neoliberal dogma
Queensland citizens have decisively rejected the privatisation agenda of the Liberal National Party led by Campbell Newman. Is it too much to hope that this result, combined with the ferocious opposition of public opinion and the Senate to the Abbott Federal government's hard right neoliberal budget, finally signal to political and business elites that the Australian people reject the neoliberal agenda of privatisations, reduced environmental … [Read more...]
John Faulkner calls for enhanced oversight of Australia’s intelligence agencies
John Faulkner is one of Australia's most respected Senators - on either side of politics. He is now making a compelling case for more enhanced oversight of Australia's rapidly growing intelligence establishment, in his essay published in the Financial Review: Surveillance, intelligence and accountability: an Australian story. Since 2001 (September 11) there have been 62 new pieces of anti-terror legislation passed and enacted in Australia. … [Read more...]
Heidegger, Technology and Nazism: black notebooks add a black mark
Many who are interested in the social and ethical aspects of science and technology have at least a passing acquaintance with 20th century German philosopher Martin Heidegger. Heidegger's later work, particularly his essay "The Question Concerning Technology" has influenced a lot of thinking about how we experience and engage with modern technology. For myself I never ventured beyond reading one or two of his later essays; his earlier magnum … [Read more...]
Update on chemicals in bedding
After further enquiries to some manufacturers and suppliers about chemicals in bedding, I can offer the following updates for those who like to know more about the chemicals they are sleeping with. Most of the companies I contacted were helpful in supplying specific information (although an enquiry to the manufacturers of Tontine products received no response). I can report that the Dunlop foam that is used in bedding is not treated with Ultra … [Read more...]