Independent Australia
Thu, 14 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +1000 Morrison crew backs Capitol coup
As the ugliness that is the United States insurgence continues to unfold, many Australians remain secure in their complacency that it could never happen here. read now...
Sun, 03 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 #1 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: America could be heading towards a second civil war
In the lead up to the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, mass violence after the polls closed looked likely, as this September article by Dr Hirst, read by about 70,000 people, showed. Thankfully, this hasn't eventuated — yet. read now...
Sun, 03 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +1000 #2 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: Telstra is going on to take the NBN monopoly
Our brilliant tech columnist, Paul Budde, had three articles in IA's top ten, two of which were about Australia's far less impressive national broadband network — this August article being read by nearly 50,000 people. read now...
Fri, 15 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 While America holds Australia's leash, we are not 'one and free'
A suggested changing of a line in Australia's national anthem contradicts the Morrison Government's loyalty to U.S. political interests. read now...
Fri, 15 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1000 Palace letters: Murdoch helps Morrison to mug Australian history
Six months ago, the historic release of the Palace letters set off a campaign to perpetuate an Australian monarchy. read now...
Fri, 15 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +1000 The FBI: An American tragedy under Trump
A press conference has highlighted how much the morale of the FBI has diminished under the Trump Administration. read now...
Fri, 15 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +1000 CARTOONS: Trump's sickening swan song
'I did it myyyy way...' read now...
Fri, 11 Dec 2020 08:30:00 +1000 CARTOONS: Mark David takes the 'f' word out for a spin
Fish fraud? FFS! read now...
Thu, 14 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 Pandemic profiteers go woke to grab political power
The global pandemic has helped increase the wealth of some of the world's richest billionaires who used philanthropy for political gain. read now...
Thu, 14 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1000 Indonesia resolves to end Bali beach pollution emergency
The monsoon season has caused havoc on the Indonesian island of Bali, causing tonnes of plastic to wash up on beaches along Bali’s west coast. read now...
Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 Capitol riot worse than first thought
An atrocity from the outset, new information reveals an even uglier truth of the Capitol insurrection, writes George Grundy. read now...
Wed, 13 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1000 6 January 2021: America's new 'day of infamy'
Political unrest within the White House led to a domestic terrorism event some in the media have compared to the attack on Pearl Harbour. read now...
Wed, 13 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +1000 Social media fueled the Capitol insurrection — but it wasn't the sole cause
There is a lot of focus on the contribution social media has made to the current political crisis in America. read now...
Tue, 12 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +1000 Gutsy India force Gabba decider
After India produced one of the gutsiest test match cricket performances on Australian soil on Monday, all eyes turn to Brisbane on Friday for the decisive final test. read now...
Tue, 12 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 America's global authority disgrace as leaders condemn Trump
The once-mighty United States of America is now being openly mocked by its rivals, its adversaries and even its friends. read now...
Tue, 12 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1000 Even the U.S. Capitol attack is an opportunity for climate deniers
Prominent climate science deniers moved rapidly to spread false and misleading conspiracy theories after the attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. read now...
Sun, 10 Jan 2021 08:00:00 +1000 Australia's racism: Changing the anthem won't cut it
Until the mainstream stops demanding that Aboriginal people be proud, on its terms, then nothing is going to change, as evidenced by this article written five years ago. read now...
Tue, 12 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +1000 Scott Morrison's 'distress', not condemnation of U.S. Congress attack
If the PM does not make his allegiances clear, we must assume he supports the seditious actions of outgoing President Trump and his QAnon followers. read now...
Sun, 10 Jan 2021 12:00:00 +1000 Students suffer under sluggish welfare system
Centrelink payments aren't doing enough to support University students, who are having to work longer hours and drop down to part-time study in order to live. read now...
Mon, 11 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 Trump's legacy: A global fascist movement
Donald Trump’s base has become increasingly radical and violent and the expansion of this fascist movement will be his only lasting legacy. read now...
Mon, 11 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +1000 Treasury’s latest population projections seem hard to believe
While the Treasury’s December 2020 population forecasts seem unrealistic, they're still more believable than those from the 2019 Budget. read now...
Mon, 11 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1000 America's dilemma: 147 lawmakers still support a delusional madman
Where do the disunited states of America go now, with 147 Republican lawmakers still supporting a delusional madman who incited an insurrection? read now...
Wed, 06 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 Government and companies must do more to protect delivery drivers
Rather than spending millions on advertising, companies like Menulog should be prioritising the welfare of their workers, writes Patrick Lukins. read now...
Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1000 Australia v India Test series providing entertainment on and off the field
We’re only halfway through the four-match test series between Australia and India and already it’s provided more drama and entertainment than a Hollywood blockbuster. read now...
Sun, 10 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 An open letter to President Donald Trump after inciting domestic terrorism
Dr Lee Duffield penned a message to the man responsible for the rioters who broke into Washington's Capitol building, President Donald Trump. read now...
Sat, 09 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +1000 Wren's week: Victoria leads way in managing COVID-19 infections
The Victorian Government has used best practice to contain COVID-19, which other states and countries could learn from, writes John Wren. read now...
Sat, 09 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 Julian Assange still not in the clear from prosecution or persecution
District Justice Vanessa Baraitser gave supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange a surprise on Monday in blocking the request for extradition by the U.S. read now...
Sat, 09 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1000 Daylight saving in the sunshine state of Queensland
On 1 January 2021 the 1990 Queensland Cabinet Papers were released, including a Cabinet Minute on “Options in Relation to Daylight Saving”. read now...
Wed, 06 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1000 Trump and U.S. betray the people of Western Sahara
On December 10, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would recognise Morocco's claim to Western Sahara in return for it establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. read now...
Fri, 08 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1000 Compliance is a must: What we can learn about COVID-19 safety from Toronto
Australia's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is to be praised when compared to cities still suffering such as Toronto. read now...
Fri, 08 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +1000 Julian Assange's denial of freedom an affront to human rights
Hopes for the freedom of Julian Assange have hit a hurdle as his application for bail was denied by the Court. read now...
Thu, 07 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 Australia, China and the weaponising of trade
Australia seems hell-bent of damaging its economic security in the interests of being in the vanguard of a growing international anti-China “cabal”. read now...
Tue, 03 Nov 2020 07:00:00 +1000 Hillsong claims Melbourne's iconic Festival Hall
Hillsong Church has outraged the music community by purchasing Melbourne's historic Festival Hall. read now...
Thu, 07 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +1000 Assange extradition denial: How human rights experts have responded
Even after the victory of Julian Assange's extradition denial, work still needs to be done to protect freedom of press and investigative journalism. read now...
Wed, 06 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +1000 New European legislation aims to control digital platforms
Europe is taking the lead in digital market regulation with new proposed legislation designed to prevent illegal content and disinformation. read now...
Sun, 03 Jan 2021 17:00:00 +1000 AUDIO: New Year's Day message to the nation from the Morrespins (who are definitely not in Fiji)
EXCLUSIVE ZOOM INTERVIEW: Prime Minister Scott Morrespin and his wife Jennifer join Samantha Armasuckup on 'The Sun Rises' to discuss plans for 2021. read now...
Tue, 05 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 Assange case: The 'right decision for the wrong reason'
Why did a British judge reject the U.S. Government's attempt to extradite Assange, despite accepting "virtually all of the allegations" against him? read now...
Tue, 05 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1000 Scotty from Photo Ops enjoys some me time
Independent Australia is granted access to document Scotty Morrison taking time out from his gruelling Photo Ops schedule to relax at home. read now...
Tue, 05 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +1000 The Morrison Government and the biggest withdrawal of spending since World War 2
As Jobkeeper, JobSeeker and other stimulus measures are wound back, it is doubtful the Morrison Government will rise to the economic challenges ahead. read now...
Mon, 04 Jan 2021 15:30:00 +1000 Double standards on research cooperation with China
The Government is hypocritical in its approval of Australia's nuclear research body to work with China on the development of nuclear reactors. read now...
Mon, 04 Jan 2021 11:00:00 +1000 Terrorism: Some lessons for Australia from the New Zealand Royal Commission
Findings from the Royal Commission into the Christchurch terror attack can be used to better Australia's attitudes towards ethnic diversity. read now...
Mon, 04 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +1000 Australian sovereignty: The long and short of it
Projections on Australia’s future are bleak if it maintains its hostility to China and cloying dependence on America. read now...
Sun, 03 Jan 2021 13:00:00 +1000 #3 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: Foxtel pay-TV faces slow death
The Murdoch stranglehold over Australian media was, as ever, a popular topic on IA during 2020, with this February glimmer of hope from Paul Budde receiving nearly 40,000 unique views. read now...
Sat, 02 Jan 2021 18:30:00 +1000 #4 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: What's happening with ABC 'Insiders'?
The capture of ABC Insiders by Murdoch's minions was a topic of debate all year, with this April Alan Austin piece attracting in excess of 35,000 unique views. read now...
Fri, 01 Jan 2021 15:24:00 +1000 #5 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: Scott Morrison's Pentecostal beliefs have affected Liberal Party policies
The impact of Scott Morrison's Pentacostal beliefs concern many Australians, as shown by this January article, which was read by near 45,000 people. read now...
Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +1000 #7 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: Drop Bears feared extinct due to Australian bushfires
Much fauna perished in the bushfires that stripped the nation early in the year — and the fearsome dropbear was no exception. This troubling January article from Chris Richards received more than 25,000 unique visits. read now...
Thu, 31 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +1000 #6 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: No action from Morrison Government as NBN continues downward trend
The Coalition's scorchingly expensive copper-based "steam punk" NBN continued to buffer during 2020, with this January report by IA's tech expert Paul Budde receiving around 30,000 viewers. read now...
Mon, 28 Dec 2020 16:00:00 +1000 #9 TOP STORY OF 2020: World’s largest economy in free fall
Star IA reporter Alan Austin collects his second top 10 article of 2020, with this June piece being read by close to 22,000 fans. read now...
Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:00:00 +1000 #8 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: How your donated clothes end up in Fijian superstores
When you fill those pink bags in your letterbox with clothes, where do they end up? This August investigation by Steve Bishop was read by close to 24,000 readers. read now...
Sat, 12 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +1000 Farewell to 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' screenwriter Cliff Green
The Australian film and television industry has lost one of its luminaries, Picnic at Hanging Rock screenwriter Cliff Green. read now...
Tue, 18 Aug 2020 16:30:00 +1000 How your donated clothes end up in Fijian superstores
Thousands of Australians and New Zealanders are donating “good used clothing” to a secondhand clothing empire, rather than to charities. read now...
Sun, 27 Dec 2020 19:00:00 +1000 #10 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: The new coronavirus threat to the world is the USA
COVID-19 had the biggest impact on the world in 2020 and, as the virus struck the USA with force in April, this prescient report received over 21,000 unique views. read now...
Tue, 27 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +1000 IA Talks Ep 1: Gold standard premiers and elections galore
A new podcast series about news and the world of politics, featuring special guests getting brutally honest about everything. read now...
Wed, 23 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +1000 Bloody Idiot of the Week — Episode 19: Gold standard edition
Rolled gold standards abound in our final idiot edition for 2020. read now...
Wed, 23 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 Victoria's secrets: What we know about Lawyer X
A Victorian Police Royal Commission has revealed that use of gangland lawyer Nicola Gobbo as an informant may have contaminated numerous convictions. read now...
Wed, 23 Dec 2020 16:00:00 +1000 IA Talks: Exclusive interview with Scott Morrespin on 'The Sun Rises'
In an exclusive interview, Prime Minister Scott Morrespin joins Samantha Armasuckup on 'The Sun Rises'. read now...
Thu, 17 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 2020 in review: Rorts, fires, a plague and more rorts
IA looks back over a year of climate-driven calamities and political scandals. read now...
Wed, 23 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 The COVID-19 vaccine and the perils of political advertising
Politicians are poorly positioned to encourage us to get the COVID-19 vaccine, writes Dr Binoy Kampmark. read now...
Sun, 20 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 Give the ADF a chance to do the right thing
The Prime Minister and Liberal MP Andrew Hastie have perpetuated tension between the Government and ADF during the Brereton investigation. read now...
Wed, 23 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 How Australia can learn from Scandinavian countries
It's interesting to compare the major economic models in the Western world: the Anglo-Saxon model, the Rhineland model and the Scandinavian model. read now...
Tue, 22 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 The Morrison Government's program of class warfare
Australians like to think of themselves as living in a classless society where anyone can succeed, unimpeded by socio-economic barriers. read now...
Tue, 22 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 No favourable economic winds for Morrison's Australia
While Australia continues to float aimlessly without a clear recovery plan, no economic winds will be favourable. read now...
Tue, 22 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 Berejiklian commands virus not to spread by not mandating masks or travel bans
The NSW Government will have to answer for not mandating masks and travel to prevent the spread of infection from the current COVID-19 outbreak. read now...
Mon, 21 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 Donald Trump: A great man of history or a Wizard of Oz
U.S. President Donald Trump used his abilities as a conman to win over the public and key political figures during his time in office. read now...
Mon, 21 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 JEFF MCMULLEN: A thirst that ends lives
The Northern Territory Government is pushing for more bottle shops within proximity to Indigenous communities, knowing the health risks. read now...
Mon, 21 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 No, Australia’s economy is not rebounding strongly. Who told you that?
The three key economic messages from the Morrison Government are quite false, but the media keeps promoting them anyway. read now...
Sun, 20 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 Housing unaffordability: Vacant homes increase as land prices boom
Proactive government policy is needed to ensure that all can access appropriate housing, writes Karl Fitzgerald. read now...
Sun, 20 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +1000 Australia must forge an independent foreign policy
Racism, fear and lack of moral courage sees Australia tied to a declining America. read now...
Sat, 19 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 The Coalition's 'right to rule' mentality
The Government is well and truly broken, says Peter Henning. read now...
Sat, 19 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 Australia caught in the middle of a diplomatic stoush
As 2020 becomes 2021, one thing remains ominously certain: the Australia-U.S. alliance will continue to threaten the peace of the region and Australia's economic security. read now...
Sat, 19 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 The plight of political staffers in Australian parliaments
All the major political parties must lift their game and treat political staffers better, writes Peter Wicks. read now...
Fri, 18 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 Joe Biden confirmed: Time to see what Trump will do
The sign-up of voter representatives in the Electoral College has made the win by Joe Biden more certain than ever. read now...
Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +1000 CARTOONS: Mark David puts the blowtorch to 2020
He's hot... red hot! read now...
Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 Power can be taken back by exposing our oppressors
We should examine the oppressor, not the oppressed, otherwise all hope is lost. read now...
Fri, 18 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 Scott Morrison's not-so-good year of 2020
As the year comes to an end, political commentators in the mainstream media have been giving their analysis of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s performance in 2020. read now...
Thu, 17 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 Morrison Government duck-shoving COVID-19 responsibilities onto states
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morrison Government has pushed many of its legal responsibilities to state governments. read now...
Thu, 17 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 What Australia can learn from electric vehicle policies in Indonesia
The Indonesian Government is making an effort to encourage drivers to go electric in an effort to reduce traffic and air pollution. read now...
Wed, 16 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 Selling Australia's offshore detention regime to the world
The term “offshore processing” suggests something industrial, mechanistic. read now...
Wed, 16 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 Government protection of NBN endangering regional digital development
It was astonishing to hear the news the Federal Government has set up the Regional Digital Tech Hub as part of their $220 million Stronger Digital Connect Package. read now...
Sun, 13 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 The precautionary principle is lacking in mainstream media communication
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that a need for media information clear in scientific method and concepts has never been more crucial. read now...
Wed, 16 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 JOHN PILGER: The most lethal virus is not COVID-19 — it's war
Even in the midst of the biggest health crisis in years, governments of the world area still prioritising military power, death and destruction. read now...
Tue, 15 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 COVID death toll reaches 300,000 under Trump
"It is equal to a 9/11 attack every day for more than 100 days." read now...
Tue, 15 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 Scotty from Photo Ops finally runs out of photo ops
Prime Minister Scotty from Photo Ops discusses possible photo options with his trusty, personal photographer. read now...
Thu, 10 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 Morrison's Anti-Accountability vaccine gets L-NP off Scott-free
This week’s questionable Government dealings are brought to you courtesy of Scott Morrison, Stuart Robert, Paul Fletcher, Matt Canavan and Dave Sharma. read now...
Tue, 15 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 ‘Insiders’ ends year in harness with News Corp – spruiking the failing Coalition
Sunday’s final ABC 'Insiders' program for the year showed again why the flagship current affairs program has fallen short in 2020. read now...
Mon, 14 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 A truth-telling War Memorial does not need 2.5 hectares of extra floor space
Money spent on a proposed extension to the Australian War Memorial should be dedicated to telling the truth about war. read now...
Mon, 14 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 The global context of China’s assault on Australian trade and diplomacy
Scott Morrison’s crude diplomatic posturing over China's trade war insults will do us no favours and we would do well to learn from our Asian neighbours. read now...
Mon, 14 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 The folly of the Global Talent Independent visa
A recently developed visa program bears more drawbacks than its government sales pitch would suggest. read now...
Sun, 13 Dec 2020 10:30:00 +1000 HELEN CALDICOTT: Time to learn lessons of the past on nuclear
The threat of nuclear warfare is ever-present despite the horrors of the past, writes Dr Helen Caldicott. read now...
Sun, 13 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +1000 The Coalition Government's deficit of trust
Scott Morrison's Government has weakened our faith in democracy and democratic institutions, writes Dr Jennifer Wilson. read now...
Sat, 12 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 Pesticide companies marketing themselves as a solution to climate change
'Like a pandemic, climate change is an inevitable threat that we must address before it is too late,' reads a June 2020 statement. read now...
Sat, 12 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 Wren's week: WorkChoices 2.0, casual work and a Labor resurgence
In his final column for 2020, John Wren says that the Coalition's harsh industrial relations agenda allows Labor to flex its muscles in opposition. read now...
Fri, 11 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 Government's proposed anti-corruption body 'a post-modern joke'
A recent press conference in Canberra has drawn criticism towards the Government over its unwillingness to establish an anti-corruption body. read now...
Fri, 11 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 Australia must build 150,000 public rental homes and end all forms of homelessness
Australia is spending $225 billion on 12 submarines whereas one-third of this spend could end all forms of homelessness. read now...
Fri, 11 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +1000 Information should be free, as should vaccines
With a vaccine against COVID-19 almost available, Professor John Quiggin examines the business end of saving lives. read now...
Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 Super’s potential should not be superseded, says ACTU
The ACTU has criticised the Morrison Government's attack on the superannuation system and is pushing for reforms. read now...
Thu, 10 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 Vale Mungo MacCallum — a true progressive voice gone
Independent Australia founder and director David Donovan pays tribute to one of this country's most valued journalists, Mungo MacCallum. read now...
Tue, 08 Dec 2020 11:00:00 +1000 Scott Morrison is not a prick
Many people seem to think Morrison is a good leader. Others think he is a prick. David Donovan and Michelle Pini attempt to uncover the truth. read now...
Thu, 10 Sep 2020 08:00:00 +1000 Rupert Murdoch Googles opening up a Facebook account
Assisted by the Morrison Government and the ACCC, News Corp is fighting Facebook and Google. read now...
Wed, 09 Dec 2020 15:30:00 +1000 The Morrison Government's unfair treatment of disabled job seekers
Job seekers with disabilities claim job providers are cutting payments when they have missed appointments and finding them work in inaccessible workplaces. read now...