What Australian newspapers say on Friday, Decemeber 14

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2007
What Australian newspapers say on Friday, Decemeber 14

SYDNEY, Dec 14 AAP - In The Australian incoming editor of Quadrant magazine Keith Windschuttle
praised the role of outgoing editor Paddy McGuiness for resisting the advance of politically
correct thought. For the 10 years while he was at Quadrant's helm, Windschuttle says McGuiness
championed open debate on politically hot issues such as aboriginal massacres and genocide
helping to create what became known as the history wars.

Windschuttle goes on to criticise the roles of former Quadrant editor Robert Manne
and large bureaucratic media organisations that in the 1990s allowed the views of the
left to gain ascendency.

He also warns that the debate about climate change has also been seized by the left,
and debate is once again being stifled and that Quadrant has a role to open this up.

The Sydney Morning Herald questions the need for the NSW government to pass special
legislation to manage the Catholic Church's World Youth Day. It also notes that the powers
of the legislation extend way past the event and that it activates an ancient Henry VIII
clause that allows the government, not the parliament, to make any changes. While Police
Commissioner Scipione said the laws were meant to protect sponsors and did not confer
extra powers on the police, the Herald suggests that perhaps the public's tolerance is
being tested too much

The Daily Telegraph warns against observers jumping to conclusions as to whether or
not former federal court judge Marcus Einfield is guilty of perjury. Despite a deputy
chief magistrate finding that the former judge had a case to answer in regards to perjury
over a speeding fine, The Daily Telegraph reminds us that he is still entitled to the
presumption of innocence.

The Financial Times reminds us that unpopular policies such as Keating's national competition
policy and economic reforms and John Howard's tough, but worthwhile work place reforms
are not always rewarded at the polls. It fires a warning shot to the Rudd government in
not being too hasty to unravel all of the Howard workplace and welfare to work reforms.

Quoting new employment figures that bode well for a large number of welfare to work candidates
it is concerned that people in this category could be hurt by any drastic changes to Work
Choices.



Melbourne's Herald Sun says in its main editorial today that the Victorian government
must spend its projected $842 million budget surplus "boldly, but also wisely".

With payroll tax and stamp duty combined expected to earn the government more than
$3.5 billion, and a hefty $1 billion to come from poker machine taxes, Victoria is experiencing
a boom that could have been even greater if not for the drought, the editorial said.

"Some concern has been expressed by the Opposition that despite rising revenues, net
debt is forecast to be $20 billion by 2011, although this figure does not dent the state's
triple-A rating," it said.

"Debt is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as borrowed money is used to build the
state. And there is much to be done."

Rural rail lines, roads, public transport in Melbourne, schools and the health system
all need attention, the editorial said.

"In years to come this may be looked on as a golden age with a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to invest in the future," it said.

"Premier John Brumby showed himself to be a cautious treasurer and he knows booms do
not last forever and revenues fluctuate, particularly from stamp duty.

"This tax bonanza must be spent boldly but also wisely, so that Victoria is in better
shape when tougher times roll around."

The Age newspaper says the Rudd government must relax laws government some asylum-seekers
that leave them living in limbo.

About 3,000 people living under the conditions of bridging visa E cannot earn a living
and do not have access to Medicare or income and housing support, leading them to work
illegally and risk detention or rely on charity, the editorial said.

The Rudd government has pledged to dismantle the Pacific solution, but the editorial
said the government needs to act with "equal haste" to resolve many other problems including
the bridging visas, which it said were "unfair" and "condemns many of those seeking protection
to poverty and homelessness, but denies them basic human rights".

Among the first steps should be to allow bridging visa E recipients the right to work
and access to medical and social security benefits, it said.

Australia has "a fundamental responsibility to ensure that those who are finally compelled
to leave these shores do so not as broken people, but as people who have been given every
opportunity to gather the financial resources and emotional strength needed to embark
on a fruitful life elsewhere".



Brisbane's Courier Mail says according to a paper just delivered by 17 world renown
marine scientists, the Great Barrier Reef could be dead before the end of this century.

The result of $20 million and three years studying the threat of greenhouse gas emissions
on the world's coral reefs, the paper said that the world's coral reefs are facing an
"emergency" that could lead to flooding, coastal erosion, loss of food and income from
reef based fisheries and tourism.

Praising the Rudd's government quick recognition of Kyoto, it also says that the government
is being sensible in not setting emissions targets before the delivery of the Garnaut
report next year. The editorial goes on to say that the Australian government deserves
full support for any practical steps it takes to help improve the management and protection
of the world's coral reefs.

AAP jfm

KEYWORD: EDITORIALS

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