Gillard announces royal commission into child abuse

How Microsoft Lit Up London’s Night Sky to Launch Halo 4

How I Was Drawn Into the Cult of David Petraeus

Paul Kelly & Neil Finn - Into Temptation

Two of Australasia's greatest singer songwriters Paul Kelly and Neil Finn, will bring their iconic songs on tour in February and March 2013.
Kelly and Finn will share the stage throughout as members of the one band, singing and playing together a selection from their rich and varied songbooks.
The concerts will be a family affair, with the line up to include Elroy Finn on drums and Dan Kelly on guitars.
Tickets will go on sale on Friday 16 November. All dates and details can be found here.
SAT 16 FEB / The Palais Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
MON 18 FEB / The Palais Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
WED 27 FEB / Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane, QLD
FRI 1 MAR / Adelaide Festival, Free Opening Night Concert at Elder Park, Adelaide, SA
SAT 2 MAR / A Day On The Green, Rutherglen, VIC
SAT 9 MAR / A Day On The Green, Armidale, NSW
SUN 10 MAR / Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW
MON 11 MAR / Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW
TUES 12 MAR / Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW
THU 14 MAR / Kings Park, Perth, WA

The world wide web of abuse

Australia and Obama’s return

All the world has a stake America’s presidential election. Barack Obama has seen off a surprisingly strong showing from Republican candidate Mitt Romney and now has four final years in the executive office.
The most immediate consequence of this for Australia is that it can enjoy the benefits of continuity. Significant amounts of time are lost as an outgoing president enters a “lame duck” phase and the new administration begins a steep learning curve. This has been avoided. PM Julia Gillard has an excellent relationship with President Obama, and she does not have to spend time waiting for and then developing a relationship with a new president.
Obama does not intend to make any drastic changes to his policy settings. The high value placed on the alliance with Australia will continue. The advantages – of support, intelligence and equipment as well as political access – will persist, but so will the downsides. Australia will continue to have to manage the knock-on effects of being so closely linked to the US. This includes the risk of being drawn into conflicts that could otherwise have been avoided, or fuelling the lingering perception that Australia is a reluctant Asian power...

Continue reading