Summary:
Our Troops in Afghanistan
SUMMARY: This last week a coalition convey in Afghanistan was ambushed by insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades, leaving nine Australian soldiers injured, one very seriously. This is the highest toll of casualties in one incident suffered by our soldiers in almost 40 years.
And it´s not just Australians - in the past couple of weeks, Polish, French and Canadian soldiers have lost their lives through a concerted Taliban push before the cold weather sets in.
We are committed to Afghanistan, PM Rudd has made that clear, yet this is the war that probably best represents the word 'quagmire'.
NSW Labor Unravels
SUMMARY: What a tumultuous few days in NSW politics.
This political mayhem kicked off by the sudden resignation of the Deputy Premier John Watkins, then Treasurer Michael Costa was sacked and quickly followed by the resignation of the NSW Premier Morris Iemma.
So what do the events of the last few days really tell us about the NSW Labor Party?
Is there a Great American Emptiness?
SUMMARY: The US Election continues to provide some major surprises - the latest controversy being the selection of Republican Vice-Presidential nominee, Alaskan Mayor Sarah Palin. Announced by Republican Presidential nominee John McCain a week ago - there's been plenty of questions raised about whether this bold gamble will pay off. Today a discussion about the kind of values Sarah Palin is said to represent to the American public - and what her selection means for the Republicans chances at the November poll.
Not-For-Profit review
SUMMARY: There are more than 700,000 organisations in Australia that come under the umbrella of Not For Profit.
They range from charities, sporting and social clubs, registered clubs and even superannuation funds to name but a few.
But a major reform of the sector is now brewing, with a Senate inquiry underway and a Federal government review of the tax status of Australia's charities having recently been established.
There's no denying the very positive contribution - both social and economic - that NFPs bring to Australian life.
But it does seem that increased regulation and governance is on the way, as is perhaps even a rethink on exactly how we should define concepts such as charity.
How is is it though that a multi-billion dollar sector has been apparently under regulated for so long, particulary today when everything and everyone else is audited and accounted for in such detail?
Bob Wurth
SUMMARY: We had a big response to our interview last week with Dr Peter Stanley from the National Museum of Australia and this week Bob Wurth gives his reasons for why he believes Australia was threated in 1942.
A League update
SUMMARY: The A League for season 2008/2009 is three rounds in and Melbourne Victory are setting the early pace.
The competition is taking a break this weekend but we thought it might be worth taking a bit of a long view of how the competition is building.
This is the 4th season of the A League, but can we call it an unqualified success?
Film with Julie Rigg
SUMMARY: "In Bruges" a hit man thriller by Irish playwright Michael Mcdonagh and it stars Colin farrell and Brendan Gleeson.
Also "Son of Rambow" a sweet, funny English film about two pre teen kids making a movie.
