Current Events
Cats are natural libertarians
There is reason to believe that cats are natural libertarians. I’m managed by four of them, and I speak from experience. They are all individuals and refuse to identify with groups. I say managed, not owned, because while my cats
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‘Would the real leader of the opposition please stand up?’
Dear Mr Shorten, I’d like a word. Leading the Opposition, in case you haven’t noticed, is your job. So could you do it, please? I’m not the Opposition Leader, despite the fact that the media keep pretending I am. Don’t
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The government is not your parent: why we need an inquiry into the ‘Nanny State’
The day before my motion to establish an inquiry into the Nanny State passed the Senate, the NSW Parliament enacted legislation that means e-cigarettes will be treated in the same way as tobacco products. The new laws not only restrict
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Taking on the ‘Outrage Brigade’
It always surprises me when people ask whether a comment I’ve made is ‘appropriate’ for a Senator. It implies that my standards should be different from everyone else’s. Before last July – when I was sworn in – I was
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Wind Warriors: the smug is strong here
Late last year a group of rural residents met me to discuss their concerns over wind farms in their communities. They came from several different areas and presented as sensible, down to earth people who you would be pleased to
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Childcare: deregulate, don’t subsidise
Every time I make comments critical of childcare subsidies, the internet explodes with abuse about the evil, childless, cat-owning libertarian who doesn’t understand that bearing children requires lashings of other people’s money. The internet outrage always misses my main point:
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Prisoners should be allowed to smoke
Many people won’t have much sympathy for the Victorian prisoners who started a riot after being banned from smoking, and I can accept that sentiment up to a point. My sympathy for prisoners does not run deep and I have
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Everyone has something to hide if universal data retention becomes law in Australia
Last week, attorney general George Brandis described data retention as “absolutely crucial in identifying terrorist networks and protecting the public”. On that basis, he argued for passage of the government’s data retention legislation. This assertion is simply false. The government has all
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The tariff wall that hurts us all
The tariff wall that hurts us all Hot on the heels of the free trade deal with China there is clamouring for further deals with the likes of India and Indonesia. But if we want higher wages, cheaper stuff, less
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Why Australians can’t be Charlie
18C and the illiberal national security legislation are siblings under the skin – and both mean that we can’t be Charlie. Note: I’ve copied and pasted the piece from the AFR here, but if you do have access, I recommend
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