Author Archives: andrew

Beyond abatement: democratising climate policy

Posted on September 19, 2013 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban This paper was submitted to the incoming Coalition Government via Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP, and others, on September 18, 2013. “The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy and global warming policies | Leave a comment

Climate: a change needed

Posted on September 4, 2013 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban Climate change has changed an entire generation’s thinking; it has been framed (by both Al Gore in the US and Kevin Rudd in Australia) as a moral challenge, one that must be addressed by drastically cutting emissions … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy and global warming policies | Leave a comment

My how to vote card 2013

Posted on August 28, 2013 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban Integrity. Transparency. Competence. If we apply these three KPIs (Key Performance Indicators in corporate jargon) to the Australian Government over the past 6 years of its Labour life, it is found wanting. Yet these are critical … Continue reading →

Posted in Regimes | Leave a comment

Another ‘Lindy Chamberlain’ miscarriage of justice

Posted on August 15, 2013 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban It is four years now that Sue Neill-Fraser has been in custody for a murder she vehemently denies and evidence for which is at best circumstantial. On August 20, 2009, Neill-Fraser was arrested on the charge … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy and Justice | 2 Comments

Turning back the boats: Indonesia benefits

Posted on June 9, 2013 by andrew

Open letter to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott MP, Shadow Immigration Minister Scott Morrison MP, Immigration Minister Brendan O’Connor MP, by Andrew L. Urban June 6, 2013 Indonesia stands to benefit as much as does Australia – as do asylum seekers … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy And Refugees | Leave a comment

Framing policy: turning back the boats

Posted on June 2, 2013 by andrew

An open letter to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Shadow Immigration Minister Scott Morrison Dear Tony & Scott, Hearing Foreign Minister Bob Carr this morning (2/6/2013) on Australian Agenda (Sky News) talking about the asylum boats and the prospects of … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy And Refugees | Leave a comment

Disrespecting the PM

Posted on June 1, 2013 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban “Love her or hate her, to disrespect the PM is to disrespect our entire system,” writes Jacqueline Maley (Why it takes a flying crust to burst the political bubble, Sydney Morning Herald, June 1, 2013). Maley … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotidian | Leave a comment

Godswallop

Posted on May 30, 2013 by andrew

30/5/2013: One definition of Godswallop? Is it perhaps the fuss over the Pope’s misspeak (love that word) about atheists being redeemable. Here’s a report from The Huff Post on it: “Shortly after Pope Francis gave an homily in which he … Continue reading →

Posted in By The Way | Leave a comment

Civil union in a civil society

Posted on May 26, 2013 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban Same sex ‘marriage’ is a hot issue around the Western world, with uncivil arguments and nasty remarks keeping it hot – but not too enlightened. By contrast, writing in the Weekend Australian (May 25/26, 2013) Peter … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotidian | Leave a comment

Wrong doing condemned

Posted on May 14, 2013 by andrew

By Andrew L. Urban May 14, 2013: We have to praise President Barack Obama’s response to alleged wrongdoing at the IRS. “If in fact IRS personnel engaged in the kind of practices that have been reported on and were intentionally … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotidian | Leave a comment