Web News Roundup
Happy Birthday Jessica! Quite an achievement, so naturally, some whiners get the daggers out. Harry Clarke has a better take.
Famous Australian chef, Neil Perry, found himself in hot water for sacking a pregnant employee for allegedly being rude to a customer (amongst “other issues”.) The labour tribunal declared it “bizarre and unacceptable,” with Fair Work Australia Deputy Justice Peter Sams deciding it was, “nothing short of appalling and manifestly unfair.” What’s manifestly unfair, is that bureaucrats are entitled to tell people how to run their business – even forcing them to give 12 weeks pay ($9230.76) to a sacked employee deemed unacceptable by the owner.
Facebook has been in the news lately, for all the wrong reasons. They often don’t behave in a friendly manner, but surely people know the company wasn’t just providing a community service? Maybe not – over at Larvatus Prodeo, Mark B thinks it’s a “social utility” and concludes that “it should either be heavily regulated, or a public entity should occupy its position.”
Meanwhile, our police our trying to protect us from this insidious threat (Facebook, that is, not Larvatus Prodeo) by first advising young people to remove photos and profile information from Facebook, and more recently by teaching “young league players about the importance of online security.” They did the latter by pretending to be hot chics and befriending the young men… nothing creepy about that – your tax dollars at work!
In world affairs, outgoing UK treasury chief leaves a note for the new guy: ‘Dear Chief Secretary, I’m afraid to tell you there’s no money left.’ He says it was intended as a private joke – but it might have been funnier if it wasn’t true.
John Stossel smacks down Paul Krugman for his weak dismissal of rising US debt. Speaking of Stossel, his new blog is often worth reading (and adding to your feed.) His new weekly show on Fox Business is also worth a look (many available on youtube)
“I do not think that word means what you think it means”: Pelosi thinks Obamacare is an entrepreneurial bill, because it lets people quit their jobs and retain health care.
In other news, the US apologises to China over its human rights record. Wait… what?! *facepalm*
And finally, Tim Blair alerts us to the most American ad ever made:
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Recent Comments
Catallaxy Files- The Bunyip is evil February 8, 2012The professor suggests that the Victorian liberals should contest the seat of Niddrie recently vacated by Rob Hulls. Hulls held the seat by 6.9% at the last election — a margin any popular Premier with even a modest record of achievement might have seen his candidate make up. (emphasis added) Heh. Well, yes.Sinclair Davidson
- False and misleading conduct February 8, 2012Here is the ACCC describing Misleading & deceptive conduct. There is a very broad provision in the Australian Consumer Law that prohibits conduct by a corporation that is misleading or deceptive, or would be likely to mislead or deceive you. It makes no difference whether the business intended to mislead or deceive you—it is how [...]Sinclair Davidson
- Economic debate in 2012 February 8, 2012I have an op-ed in The Drum that talks about the two approaches to economic policy in 2012. Both government and opposition want to talk about economics – very exciting for policy wonks, not so exciting for everyone else. But the bottom line is this: Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan can huff and puff as [...]Sinclair Davidson
- The Bunyip is evil February 8, 2012
- inCISe
- Rebate should not be means tested February 8, 2012The government’s three-year long effort to means-test the subsidy for private health insurance (PHI) is about to move into top gear. We should brace ourselves for a barrage of spin and nonsense. Although an advocate of spending cuts and smaller government, I hope this particular measure fails to gain the necessary support from independents to get across the […]Robert Carling
- Auto industry privileges are irresponsible February 8, 2012A program of perpetual subsidies for any industry is both economically irresponsible and morally unfair. Over the past weeks, there has been a resurgence of protectionist rhetoric and anticompetitive industry policy. Under the rationale of preserving a domestic manufacturing sector and saving local jobs, the federal government has renewed its assistance for […]Alexander Philipatos
- Dr Hartwich ‘economist extraordinaire’ February 6, 2012All tickets have sold for tonight’s fiscal talk by Oliver Marc Hartwich. He will address Europe’s mess some call the economy, and look at the growing opportunities available in Asia for Australia. If you were unlucky and didn’t secure a ticket, don’t fret, a full video recording of the talk will be availabe in the coming days. In the […]Editor
- Rebate should not be means tested February 8, 2012
- IPA news
- Scientific research drowning in a sea of alarmism February 6, 2012Last week, almost 400 people attended a public meeting in Newcastle to learn about the scientific evidence that underpins...
- Who'll drag us free of our heavy debt burden? February 2, 2012While most Australians were tanning themselves at the beach during their summer breaks, the federal opposition and the...
- Renewable energy rules lose traction January 31, 2012Energy policy in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries is spurred by concerns that gas...
- Scientific research drowning in a sea of alarmism February 6, 2012
