JoNova
A science presenter, writer, speaker & former TV host; author of The Skeptic's Handbook (over 200,000 copies distributed & available in 15 languages).
Jo appreciates your support to help her keep doing what she does. This blog is funded by donations. Thanks!
Follow Jo's Tweets To report "lost" comments or defamatory and offensive remarks, email the moderators at: support.jonova AT proton.me
Statistics
New York retreating on its Climate Act
By David Wojick
https://www.cfact.org/2026/03/29/new-york-retreating-on-its-climate-act/
The beginning: “After warning of the Climate Act’s unlivable costs, Governor Hochul has now proposed specific legislative actions to begin to back away from them. I consider this a potential victory, but it remains to be seen what the legislature actually does. At least the big green wheel is in spin. That is progress in itself. The show is on in New York State.
Hochul’s proposals are carefully crafted to do the job with a minimum of political fuss. The basic law is unchanged, but the target dates are slipped well into the political future. Moreover, the changes are made as a small part of the annual big budget bill, not as a separate legislative action. This minimizes the nasty public debate that would accompany a stand-alone amendment to the Climate Act. There are two simple changes that must be made plus a not so simple one that would be very useful.”
Lots more in the article. Please share it.
Go New York!
311
Good article, David.
In Australia, in contrast, the world’s most fanatical true-believer in the anthropogenic climate change scam, the unlivable costs of our anti-energy policies are taken as a signal by the simpletons (and evil doers) who govern us that they must intensify their “transition” to random generators.
Even though NY is governed by Democrats, they still have some tiny remnant of common sense.
280
The sense has yet to be seen. Almost half the NYS Senators sent a letter saying the Climate Act was fine we just needed more renewables. But if they do nothing I expect the Court to order the implementing regs to be finalized then the hit really begins and they will finally act or be lynched. This likely will not happen before the Nov elections.
151
A bit like:
“The floggings will continue until morale improves”
290
” they still have some tiny remnant of common sense.”
Maybe it’s just survival instinct.
100
It’s a toss-up between Bowen in Australia and Milliband in UK as to which is the most fanatical climate scam monger
80
The fake conservative Liberal Party in Victoriastan failed to preselect genuine conservative Moira Deeming for the seat for which she is existing member.
This means she won’t be able to be elected at the next election, at least not for the Liberals.
Moira is popular and a genuine conservative.
One of the things the Liberals hate about her is her statement that you can’t change your sex. She is of course 100% correct in this. It is a biological impossibility.
It proves to me that the Liberals don’t want to be elected and they continue to purge their Labor Lite party of genuine conservatives, not that they have too many conservatives left, or parliamentary members for that matter.
I hope Moira moves to One Nation. I think she’ll easily win back her seat running for them.
752
They’ve really given her no other choice than to join another political party. Like you, (and many others) would love her to join ON. The other option I suppose would be to just retire from politics.
She’s had a pretty rough run, I wouldn’t blame her.
290
It is difficult to understand the Liberal move in any other way. It seems they have a death wish.
I wonder who the power brokers in the Victorian Liberal party actually are?
The Victorian State election comes in November!
270
Petty party the Liberals intent on payback from supporters of the previous opposition leader. Forget his name, but I believe he put his tin mug out for donors. I’m glad to live in North Queensland.
50
The lefty side of the Libs still hold sway – in all States and federally.
What they really want is just the Teal seats back. They regard those upper middle class electorates as theirs by Divine Right. Losing them to look-alike bimbos is a real affront.
Re-aquiring those seats then gives them comfortable Opposition status, with parliamentary pension etc at the short-lived end. They do NOT want to win Govt. Too messy and yelly and difficult when the ALP is doing all the heavy lifting on climate. For the Libs, why then bother ?
The truth of this seen in the hysterical opposition to ON, since that Party is actually offering the electorate a real choice, not a smug Uniparty pretence. Lord Waffle (Turnbull) is especially noisy here, as he has so much invested in climate boondoggles.
340
The miserable ghost squad still has influence notably VIC and NSW state executives and a minority of elected MPs now.
Angus Taylor for example was elected as Leader by two-thirds of Liberal MPs in Canberra Parliament.
However, not as an excuse, note that Labor today is controlled by Unions and far-left factions, as compared to the best Labor governments controlled by centre left and with Union influence. But not too much, see Hawke Labor Accord with Unions 1980s industrial relations laws for example.
In short the 2PP description two parties both sides have leftist influencers.
50
The selected candidate has had to relinquish the role due to an indiscretion. Will be interesting to see what happens now.
50
The Nats should make her an offer.
30
“It proves to me that the Liberals don’t want to be elected.”
With the state Sicktoria is in, can you blame them.
61
Finland’s Top Court Split on Christian Politician’s Hate Speech Charges. Sad day for freedom of speech in Finland.
Here is another (better) link Päivi Räsänen and the Failure of Hate Speech Laws.
In a nutshell: Räsänen wrote a pamphlet in 2004, hate speech law came into force 2011, a Lutheran priest filed a criminal report in 2019. Police investigated a matter with the result no crime. State prosecutor ordered another investigation and this time something was found. Two lowest level of courts acquitted all the charges. Obviously test case was needed, so now they have one.
Räsänen said she is considering appealing the decision to the European Court of Human Rights. There the court would likely be asked to consider whether the application of Finland’s hate-speech laws in this instance aligns with the European convention of human rights.
As you may have guessed leftist have celebrated ‘right judgment’.
211
If ever it required any proof, UN today shows how useless the people who inhabited that body are.
For generation they, especially reps of the 2nd and 3rd world enjoyed the lifestyle and perks of the top diplomates and to what end?
It is not expected of them to resolve ethnic and religious conflicts which started hundreds of years ago but that assembly was best equipped to produce working framework of international “good neighbour” rules and enforce it within its own structure – not around the globe !
If China could declare internationally critical shared waterways as their own why Iran can not do the same?
It seems the League of Nations had more spine that current UN, at least they kicked out USSR when it invaded Finland.
241
How can you say that Vlad? The geopolitical climate, and in fact the real climate, would not be as stable as they are unless Antonio Guterres was confidently striding through the First Class airline lounges of the world towards seat 1A , to travel to various 5 star destinations doing the UNs good work. He makes such a difference and so few understand the depth of his sacrifice for the common good.
270
Sir Cumference leads by egg-sample!
His voice reminds me of the Count von Count on Sesame Street’s children’s muppet show:
“Varn billion! Doo trillion! Tree gazillion dollars for me… Ah! Ah! Ah!” 🧛♀️
140
Iran claimed that they shot down an F-22.
The Pentagon denies this.
The claim is almost certainly Iranian propaganda.
It is certainly visible with primitive 1960’s lower frequency radar, of which the Iranians might have a few Soviet units not yet destroyed, where it might show up as an indistinct blip as its stealth is optimised for much higher frequency modern fire control radar. But the lack of signal processing on 1960’s radar doesn’t allow a stealth aircraft to be distinguished from noise and no firing solution can be computed. Therefore the claims are almost certainly false.
Note that when the stealth F-117 was shot down in Yugoslavia in 1999, it was detected by the enemy because 1) it had been repeatedly flying the same predictable route so they knew where to look and 2) the enemy radar made a lock only when the aircraft opened its bomb bay doors and it lost stealth.
293
“The claim is almost certainly Iranian propaganda.”
Sure sure… along with the F15s being shot down by friendly fire and the Iranian missiles hitting an American base causing 300 wounded Marines but no deaths… and the aircraft carrier withdrawn for a sewerage leak and a laundry fire, but definitely NOT the ship that the Iranians said they hit with two missiles.
With AI so prevalent these days, any statement made by one side in a war is suspect.
142
The F-22 is too short ranged to be playing around Iran, even with ever more greatly strained tanker support, more likely another F-35.
CENTCOM, on the other hand, is being proven to be a “Bagdad Bob” with its denials.
The E-3 “damaged” over the weekend isn’t even a source of spare parts with what’s left. The F-15, never shot down in 50 years of service, has fallen out of the sky at least 6 times, due to ” technical malfunctions”. The “Honest Abe” is cowering far out of the range its own planes can reach and the “Poopy Gerald” has retired from the field to repair damage from a ” laundry fire”.
30
The F-15 2’Eagle” is the best US aircraft – a two seater with a powerful radar, it is over 50 years old but no one should take it lightly. Big payload as well.
60
awww… You just like Tom Cruise!
40
And they got the hit by filling the air with AA gunfire in what is known as a “fire trap”.
They didn’t get it with a missile.
52
News from various agencies that an AWACS and several Flight tankers destroyed in Saudi Arabia. Once again all claims, mostly western sources to be dealt with a sniff of cordite. Bunkum galore.
32
Plenty of non-AI pictures, both ground and satellite, of the destroyed Sentry, K-135’s and 2 C-130’s
20
Netanyahu’s State of Israe! cancelled Palm Sunday in the ‘City of Peace’, Jerusalem, upsetting numerous believers. The “unfortunate incident” set a “grave precedent” [pun intended?].
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg0128z41eo
Surely there’s a prophetic verse in the Babylonian Bible forewarning this – it is the Operating Manual after all. The ‘Holy Week’ continues…
60
ALL holy sites and ceremonies for all religions in Jerusalem are also shut down.
It is disingenuous anti-Israel propaganda to suggest this was particularly targeted at the Palm Sunday event.
It is for safety reasons because the Iranians have been targeting the holy sites of Christians, Jews and Moslems and missile debris has already landed close to those sites.
282
I guess that we are all stakeholders as the effects ripple world-wide.
So here is a recent sitreps from an observer who appears to be unaffiliated to either side:-
https://sonar21.com/a-baron-of-lies-turns-the-world-upside-down-and-loses/
34
BBC disingenuous?
Good one.
51
Odd, surely “numerous believers” covers the myriad of branches & franchises of the Abrahamic Salvation System, borrowed almost wholly from earlier Persian laws & writings and even earlier, greater civilisations than them.
As the Book of Deuteronomy notes there is no new thing under the sun though that was likely borrowed from someone else too.
51
Not Deuteronomy. The phrase
וְאֵ֥ין כָּל־חָדָ֖שׁ תַּ֥חַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ
comes from the end of Ecclesiastes 1:9.
And there appears to be no earlier use of that particular expression other than some other cultures noting the cyclical nature of things.
121
Maybe , what comes around goes around. The breath of Shiva.
30
Sorry Greg but borrowed almost wholly from earlier Persian laws & writings and even earlier, is actually antithetical to the Abrahamic salvation system.
40
As Monty Python dared mention – Gilgamesh.
Yes, good old king Gilgamesh and associated fables.
Yes, the one clutching a baby lion looking like someone trying to bathe their cat.
Predates them all but the story’s the same.
Give it a few centuries then another messenger of some sky dude comes along, claiming the sky dude spoke to him.
No-one else ever witnessed it of course but the great unwashed all believed. Ancient equivalent of climate change worship.
Time passes and another messenger fronts.
And another.
He’s not the messiah, he’s just an ancient Klaus Schwab, and if you don’t obey the rules your benevolent sky dude will do nasty things to you.
/you may now downvote. 🤭
63
The Annunaki were outliers, reportedly in touch with the gods.
22
They were the ones wearing handbags. Never quite worked that one out.
30
The handbags remain a mystery.
https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-other-artifacts/handbags-021191
01
Read The Earth Chronicles by Sitchin, non-fiction, based on research and Babylonian, Sumerian and Christian Bible content.
10
According to a folktale, Sargon was a self-made man of humble origins; a gardener, having found him as a baby floating in a basket on the river, brought him up in his own calling. His father is unknown; his own name during his childhood is also unknown; his mother is said to have been a priestess in a town on the middle Euphrates.
Another version was that he was wrapped with bullrushes and floated until found by the princess of the ruler, who adopted him.
That was before 2200 BC when the Jews weren’t known.
20
The F-15 2’Eagle” is the best US aircraft – a two seater with a powerful radar, it is over 50 years old but no one should take it lightly. Big payload as well.
11
Greg did not write that it was targeted at Palm Sunday. He wrote that Palm Sunday was affected.
00
ALP burdening Australia with more United Nations dogma to assist in shutting down businesses, creating ore government jobs & controlling the Australian people!!
https://www.skynews.com.au/insights-and-analysis/pauline-hansons-one-nation-stood-alone-in-parliament-last-week-as-it-rebuked-labors-latest-surprise-attack-on-australian-primary-businesses/news-story/81307fac4715fbe811313a5ee886058c
I do t remember voting for United Nations interference in our democracy?? Do you ????
380
Endless signing of UN treaties and agreements are the way the Lib/Lab/Greens/Teals govern us by the decree of the communists of the UN, not our own elected “representatives”.
Well done for One Nation understanding this and not voting for it.
360
“Endless signing of UN treaties and agreements are the way the Lib/Lab/Greens/Teals govern us by the decree of the communists of the UN,”
…because they are all aiming for those post-political jobs in that very UN, ruling Australia from out of reach of the voters.
190
Whoever likes nature and serious about saving it I recommend to watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QViHgMZkw04
For me it was a honest attempt to present a fact of life – interactions of humans and nature, which seldom is present on YouTube.
40
How can the West contemplate for one second that the CCP can be “liberalised”?
https://open.substack.com/pub/imahealth/p/killed-to-order-exposing-chinas-organ?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
These are Albos mates…
130
Its inherent in the west to think that others must be made to think and act like us, because we are superior. If the “others” wont comply they must be demonized and if necessary attacked. All under the cloak of our advanced moral code and the international rules based order
41
Western values are in fact generally superior to others because they, in their uncorrupted state, allow for individual freedom, free speech, economic progress, scientific progress through rationalism and the scientific method, fair systems of justice, human rights, rule of law, self-criticism and through that self-correction, etc. and satisfy the yearning for freedom, progress and security that most humans have.
The effectiveness of these values is demonstrated by both the success of the West plus the successful adoption of some or all of them even in non-Western countries like Japan, South Korea, Singapore etc..
The Left have and are trying to make people very ashamed of these values and constantly seek to destroy them.
262
The whole global warming myth blows away nearly every great Western value in that list…
..and if Canada DID ‘mercy kill’ more people than dogs last year, we are just painting over our own problems by pointing at China’s organ trade.
60
Change “west” in that paragraph to that of a particular peaceful religion.
60
Buddhism? 🤭
40
Liberal senator Dave Sharma appeared on Sky News this morning. Discussing the current fuel fiasco, he suggested that Australia is less affected by oil shortages today as compared to the 1970’s. In 1976, Australia produced 90-99% of it’s requirements – almost completely self sufficient. Contrast with today’s situation, 5.6% of demand, despite our consumption doubling. Somewhere, there’s a village missing it’s idiot. No wonder we’re screwed.
340
The lack of historical and general knowledge of just about ALL our Uniparty politicians is appalling. They have huge taxpayer funded-staffs who should at least research this sort of thing if they don’t know.
Either that or they are deliberately ignorant.
190
Too busy looking at the the opinion polls, combing their hair and preparing the next vacuous sound bite?
90
He appears to be follicle challenged.
40
China shut off part of Australia’s refined fossil fuel supply when the Iran war accelerated (ie, when Israel and USA attacked), because China needed it. Well, Australia needs more gas.
70
If Iran wasn’t attacked we wouldn’t be paying 3.30 dollars for diesel. Bottom line.
35
Amazing isn’t it? Snake charmer has spent a lot of his career engaged in diplomatic cocktail parties and has not a clue about the nuts and bolts of life. Very similar to the Turdball in his political view that one size fits all globalism. They say that these people are highly intelligent, which says something about the observer.
80
I have been amused by constant claims that “petrol” is not in short supply and farmers should not be concerned.
And that he has released “dirty fuel” produced here from local oil but exported since 2025 at least, was clean fuel until 2025 Clean Air Act specification change so not a risk for engines.
40
FWIW
“Aussie Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy Delivers their Final Report”
Check the hair curling recommendations!
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2026/03/29/aussie-select-committee-on-information-integrity-on-climate-change-and-energy-delivers-their-final-report/
30
FWIW – also just released
“Climate Fact-Check February 2026”
“Editor’s note: This compilation serves as a fact check on the top false claims made about climate change by the media in February, 2026. ”
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2026/03/29/climate-fact-check-february-2026/
20
Dharma must never, ever, be allowed near the levers of power. I’ve watched him for a long time & believe he’d make a perfect Albozo #2. Warning signs, he’s almost as smug & smarmy as Albozo!
60
I assume a typo, you mean Sharma?
70
FWIW
“European Leaders Now Know Trump Was Right: Iran Was an Imminent Global Threat”
https://hotair.com/headlines/2026/03/29/european-leaders-now-know-trump-was-right-iran-was-an-imminent-global-threat-n3813344
70
FWIW –
“QotD: “Instead of the unsinkable battleship we have the unsinkable Military Expert” ”
https://quotulatiousness.ca/blog/2026/03/26/qotd-instead-of-the-unsinkable-battleship-we-have-the-unsinkable-military-expert/
Via https://instapundit.com/785605/#disqus_thread
And
“InfantryDort
@infantrydort
The media of 2026 no longer has the “Cronkite effect”. They’ve cried wolf so many times that whenever they tell us something, we now firmly believe the opposite.
Quote
Physics Geek
@physicsgeek
·
26 Mar
They’re trying to Tet Offensive the Iran war. For those who don’t remember, the Tet Offensive was a military success but Walter Cronkite came on the air and declared it to be a disaster and everyone just believed him. x.com/NoahCRothman/s…”
https://x.com/infantrydort/status/2037498401516875878
Via https://instapundit.com/785686/#disqus_thread
60
Good quote.
These days the armaments industries are booming with brilliant innovation. Tanks are outdated and humanoid robot soldiers are definitely the future.
32
I think I spotted a few in the Canberra Parliament Government seats.
The fools not fuels
50
FWIW
Selective somewhat?
https://x.com/TheBabylonBee/status/2038360573478359190
30
FWIW
Maybe something about checking pedigrees?
“Ilhan Omar’s Connection to Genocide in Somaliland”
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/03/29/ilhan-omars-connection-to-genocide-in-somaliland-n4951203
50
Latest of a long line including (AI comment):
“WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has faced allegations of aiding genocide in Ethiopia. American economist and Nobel peace prize nominee David Steinman lodged a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in December 2020, accusing Tedros of being a “crucial decision maker” who directed Ethiopian security forces from 2013 to 2015 during a period of alleged killing and torture. Tedros, who served as Ethiopia’s foreign minister until 2016, denies all allegations and claims he was not involved in the security services’ actions.
the Tedros complaint requires adoption by ICC prosecutors to proceed.”
90
And
“Republic of Somaliland Asks U.S. to Extradite Ilhan Omar There to Face Justice”
https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/03/28/republic-of-somaliland-asks-us-to-extradite-ilhan-omar-there-to-face-justice-n4951173
60
Forget life imitating art the Daily Mail has life imitating a joke punchline (see what I did there?). Please please please confirm the reporter inadvertently swapped the names of victim and perpetrator in error.
00
FWIW
“California is Functionally Bankrupt”
“California has been run by incompetent fools for decades. Soon, the price must be paid. David Friedberg goes on an epic rant.”
https://x.com/MollySOShea/status/2037147893484970237?s=20
Via https://www.smalldeadanimals.com/2026/03/28/california-is-functionally-bankrupt/
A hint list for “Elbow”?
60
The “judge and Jury” have reacted to Dezi.
30
All western countries are in debt that can never be paid off, but how did it all start?
https://x.com/MorEdge_Insight/status/2037855280554180677/
60
A nice clear explanation.. as the Banker said, all money is debt and if the people knew how money was created there would be riots..
40
Monday funny: my gender equity card makes me privileged
https://x.com/libsoftiktok/status/2038286883965358201
30
FWIW
Bigger things
“You Might Be In Saskatchewan”
“Another lil load climbing the Bethune Valley in Saskatchewan with a little help from our friends to ensure everything goes as planned and the road remains in good condition!”
https://www.smalldeadanimals.com/2026/03/29/you-might-be-in-saskatchewan-8/
00
12 tons of KitKat bars stolen in major European heist, Nestlé warns of possible Easter shortage
https://x.com/Breaking911/status/2038326077957787707
Kit Kat’s for Easter??
30
FWIW
“Pakistan’s Afghan Frankenstein: The Beast Is Loose and Europe Is Unsuspecting”
“Is Pakistan finally facing the monster it created? Is Europe prepared for the consequences? The answer is in the smoke rising over the Durand Line. For decades, the Islamabad establishment has played a dangerous game, nurturing the Taliban as a strategic depth agent against India. Today, this plan backfires, and the resulting explosion of violence threatens to send a fresh wave of illegal immigration toward the already strained borders of the European Union.”
More at
https://hotair.com/headlines/2026/03/29/pakistans-afghan-frankenstein-the-beast-is-loose-and-europe-is-unsuspecting-n3813353
30
Potsdam Institute severely critiqued.
https://notrickszone.com/2026/03/29/german-science-blog-accuses-pik-climate-institute-of-hallucinating-climate-tipping-points/
23
Not for the first time – IIRC “The R-Man” has featured
10
FWIW
“Mike Rowe Hits It on the Head: Kimmel Didn’t Insult Plumbers; He Insulted America’s Aspirational Spirit”
https://x.com/mikeroweworks/status/2038331561993781288
https://redstate.com/jenniferoo/2026/03/29/mike-rowe-hits-it-on-the-head-kimmel-didnt-insult-plumbers-he-insulted-americas-aspirational-spirit-n2200767
IIRC there was a Roman Emporer who decreed that sons had to follow their father’s trade
20
You can only conclude that Jesus was no good at carpentry.
30
You raise a saw point with that plane speak
lol
50
Now that you’ve mentioned planes –
I’ve just followed a Stanley No 4 video to rehabilitate a Pope Falcon 4 1/2 wood plane – from back when Australia made things.
I was introduced to blade sharpening with a secondary bevel. With much assistance from an Eclipse Plane and Chisel sharpening jig. I haven’t got it to shave hair yet but it now cuts a much better wood shaving.
80
Impressive, and so, so good on you !I love the interwebs for instruction, it’s amazing what one can learn.
50
FWIW
“Grok on the Global Average Temperature as Defined by the Paris Agreement and on the Question: Is Temperature, as an Intensive Quantity, Averaging?”
“Conclusion in a sentence:
You take a physically nonsensical construct (averaging an intensive quantity), feed it with corrections whose systematic errors are inadequately quantified, hide these errors behind a narrow 95% band—and then sell the whole thing as a highly precise, indisputable “global temperature” that supposedly describes the climate.
This has little to do with physics and a lot to do with narrative.
If you’d like, we can look directly at the CERES-EEI data (which paint a very different picture than the temperature curve) or examine a specific HadCRUT graph with the ensemble breakdown. Just let me know—I’m in.”
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2026/03/29/grok-on-the-global-average-temperature-as-defined-by-the-paris-agreement-and-on-the-question-is-temperature-as-an-intensive-quantity-averaging/
11
Just let me know—I’m in.”
Love the colloquial language programmed into Grok.
00
FWIW – feeling experimental?
“THINK HOW MUCH MORE EXCITING IT WOULD BE IF IT STILL HAD COCAINE IN IT: Brewers are turning Coca-Cola into a very boozy wine. It’s actually a mead, more technically a bouchet.”
https://instapundit.com/785810/#disqus_thread
20
Whatever it is, it’s disgusting.
20
🎶 I get my kicks from cocaine 🎶
00
Probably was saver on Route 66?
10
With 0.45% phosphoric acid and some citric acid.
Back in the late 60’s after much discussion a law about labelling soft drinks became law. This allowed less than 0.50% phosphoric acid as content without labelling.
Somehow a bureaucrat in Queensland failed to include this exception and CocaCola found that their product could only be sold in Qld in a black plastic bottle labelled POISON and KEEP OUT OF REACH of CHILDREN, with the label stating IF SWALLOWED SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE.
I believe there was some objections by CocaCola.
40
Fuel distribution Australia …. a story of rail network abandoned in favour or for favours and heavy transport industry private sector.
Time: Second half 1970s and Labor NSW Wran QC Government into 1980s.
“Negotiations” between primarily NSW and VIC to phase out country railway network railway infrastructure and effectively handover freight to heavy rad transport and distribution networks.
Big name firms, one HQ NSW was TNT Limited (began as Ken Thomas Transport and became Thomas Nationwide Transport or TNT), Chairman now deceased Sir Peter Ables. There were several other firms involved of course.
When the late Neville Wran QC retired from Parliament NSW he established a nationwide commercial cleaning business and obtained cleaning contracts for many subsidiary companies, in the TNT Limited example Ansett Airlines airport terminal buildings, but various other cleaning contracts.
41
Trivia – media reported at the time of Neville Wran’s passing that he had asked that his parliamentary deeds be protected as he did not want it publicised.
Note that Wran Labor and others after Labor ruled in NSW for 20 years of suspicious dealings claimed successor Premier Askin was corrupt, but when the Sydney Morning Herald asked readers for contributions to confirm the allegations none were received apart from a few based on heresy evidence not acceptable in a court of law. ABC This Day Tonight also defamed Askin (but when a person is deceased there can be no compensation claim) and were challenged by an Askin cabinet minister on air, the presenter could not answer his questions and challenge to produce evidence.
The Union Labor blame game and passing the buck would fill a story book and voters, I believe, would read in disbelief.
31
Through the ’60s and ’70s and into the early ’80s NSW politics and judiciary were dominated by a cabal of pedophiles, and it was knowledge of that that led to the corruption in the NSW Police Force.
The cops left the pedos alone and the pedos left the corrupt cops alone and covered for them as much as possible.
That’s why it took Nick the Knife to start cleaning up the NSW police force and establish ICAC.
10
Once banned from sale in NSW the video set Blue Murder and the stories about NSW Police 21 Division Detectives and the infamous Sargeant Roger Rogerson (now deceased). Police “escorts” for bank robbery escape cars, unwanted disappeared including boat trips offshore and refrigerator weights, even a detective shot in his home kitchen while on leave when his wife delivered a new baby, well known criminal used for the assassination attempt that failed but resulted in many months of recovery in intensive care.
I once entered a hotel with a cabinet minister and other people for a counter lunch and in one corner was an illegal bookmaker who sighted the minister and rushed out, at that time the Coalition NSW had plans for the TAB betting agency system to combat illegal bookmaking and were cracking down on illegal casinos, illegal but an open public secret and well patronised.
A young criminal lured to a back alley and shot by Rogerson who then placed a gun into a hand of the deceased person. Later the man’s girlfriend was drowned in a Lake at Centennial Park Sydney, reports from a local real estate agent identified as Roger Rogerson walking out of the Park at that approximate time of death but believed to have been carried out by a not cop criminal.
The stories are fascinating and horrifying at the same time.
A person close to me was on a jury in a court of law around that period and later observed that there are different worlds around us, the top wealthy, the middle strugglers and the lower level and below the underworld who appear normal but are responsible for many crimes, in the case attended shooting an innocent bottle shop customer during a holdup because the person raised his head while lying on the floor. The evidence covered welfare recipient criminals, steal cars for family outings there and another to return home and all kinds of clever survival techniques.
20
Dennis
Qld around that time
“Qld fuel subsidy scrapped, rail on auction block”
https://www.ownerdriver.com.au/qld-fuel-subsidy-scrapped-rail-on-auction-block
IIRC – I vaguely remember that the rail tankers were sold to be cut up for scrap only
10
Ian I am getting old and I am also concerned about the past since 1970 failures of governance and in particular the United Nations influence, the octopus of tentacles joining organisations that President Trump called out during his first address to the UN after he first elected for Term One. He said the UN had expanded beyond its original charter and must turn back and stop interfering into the affairs of sovereign member nations. As many now understand MAGA began when he as a businessman was concerned about UN Lima Protocol 1975 and following agreements and agendas impacting adversely on the economic prosperity of developed countries.
In Australia, based on the plan created by Labor (Communist Party of Australia associate) Attorney General Evatt, to get member nations to sign as many agreements/treaties as possible and for like minded compliant governments to legislate laws and regulations to impose UN objectives, in Australia and USA examples States included.
I have posted a lot about transition away from fossil fuels since after 2007 Rudd Gillard and RET 32% however, consider transition from far more cost effective and lower emissions railway 1970-1980 period, then 1997 UNIPCC Kyoto Agreement emissions reduction to 2007-2013 RET and more.
Every step taken by governments here have involved in the background vested interests and wealth creation schemes including “benefits” and notably by the union movement and private sector business people.
And yet the wealth of natural resources of energy and minerals has been very limited in access and exploitation for commercial purposes, resources rent tax and other potential taxes collected ignored?
Railways were like electricity assets State publicly owned assets.
How can we break away from this ever tightening rope around the neck of economic prosperity and our lifestyles?
Coalition governments have tried to get around Labor Federal-State-Local laws and regulations but the roadblocks are many. I heard mention tonight that there is Federal legislation that limits exploration and drilling/digging. The Coalition is calling for Albanese Labor to join them and repeal the legislation and learn the lessons of Pandemic and now Iran situation and prepare for the CCP warning that Taiwan will be invaded by 2027.
We all know here, well I assume that, the influence and powers of the United Nations and tactics, like comply or GBR will be singled out for climate scares and adverse impact on tourism.
President Trump has effectively warned the UN that their time is up, go back to what was intended after WW2 ended and stop pretending to be a world parliament. Noting at this point that former Australian Greens Leader Brown told the National Press Club at his last luncheon address that his dream is for a “world parliament” and no international borders.
Again go to Fabian Society UK founded late 1800s and Marxism focus, now Fabian Society of Australia and ALP membership, and a PM Trotskyite meaning the late Leon Trotsky Russian revolutionary Marxist.
And consider sensible conservatives dislike of woke socialist leftists generally and their politics.
10
This governance and corruption history also reminds me of the Trade Union Royal Commission that the Abbott Government established with state jurisdiction granted to enable witnesses to be referred to appropriate authorities Federal and States.
Many referrals by the Commissioner were made, one involved union labour hire of foreign workers here on a 457 work visa and who were paid below award wages. That was a mild example of alleged corrupt behaviour referred for further investigation.
The RC ended despite the Commissioner requesting an extension of time, Turnbull Government decision.
And what happened to the referrals and investigations?
50
Now seriously think about the allegations in VICGOV about government projects and alleged $15 billion gone missing
40
Hastie is a radical and he has my full support.
‘Angus Taylor has shut down Andrew Hastie’s push for the Liberals to be “open-minded” to increasing taxes on gas companies and winding back concessions for property investors, exposing a clash of philosophies between the opposition leader and his most likely future rival.’ (Guardian)
43
I was surprised to hear this evening that Andrew Hastie is the favourite for next leader supported by Malcolm Turnbull !!!
10
He’s everywhere.
‘The shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability said the war in Iran was a “huge miscalculation” and criticised US President Donald Trump’s failure to consult its allies, including Australia, noting many were dependent on the export of fuel in and out of the Middle East.’ (ABC)
12
FWIW
“Why engineers beat lawyers
Rory Sutherland”
“I once asked my friend, the engineer Guru Madhavan, why engineering faculties at most universities were outliers in containing more than a small minority of conservatives and political moderates. He explained it in a single sentence: ‘In engineering, you are peer-reviewed by reality.’
In any field where you are judged more by the quality of the outcome than the quality of your argument, there is a limit to the extent to which you can adhere to some all-encompassing ideological world view. If a bridge falls down, it is not a good bridge. The opposite is also true: in real life, if something works, you don’t always need a theory to explain why. (When the Swiss genius Robert Maillart designed bridges in the 1930s, little was known about the properties of reinforced concrete; Maillart was to some extent flying blind. Thankfully his intuition paid off, since his work is incomparably beautiful.)”
“There is a huge difference between the mental processes we adopt when we want to solve a problem and those when we want to win an argument. Engineering is fundamentally a problem-solving process. Law is fundamentally about winning an argument. The first demands practical intelligence, the second reduces decisions to a kind of performative rationality.”
More at
https://archive.md/8nIs4#selection-1863.0-1863.353
Via https://instapundit.com/786157/#disqus_thread
61
I’ve always maintained that if we banned officers of the court (judges, lawyers, police, prosecutors) from holding positions in the government, we would be immeasurably better off.
30
From my many socialising assessments too many are from a world of their own
10
FWIW
“Do You Know What Words Abraham Lincoln Used to Refer to the Democrats, President Trump? The Locofocos”
https://no-pasaran.blogspot.com/2026/03/do-you-know-what-words-abraham-lincoln.html
Via https://instapundit.com/786159/#disqus_thread
30
While I am wound up, tonight I heard comment at Sky about the growth of One Nation and the decline of the 2PP two parties support.
Without going into much detail the theory is the loss of manufacturing industry and related jobs and workers traditionally Labor in revolt, and cannot vote for the other side they see as big business side, and the Coalition voters disenchanted based on the rise of the left influencers most noticeable since 2007, and One Nation has become their safe haven.
Also discussed was something I have been well aware of since the 1990s, being another Age ending, like Age of Agriculture to Industrial Age and loss of jobs and creation of new jobs, and disruptions to society. During 1990s the IT Age arrived. The new Age when employees will become contractors, when new jobs like internet based website businesses will increase including in areas we cannot yet imagine. In between times dislocation and dissent as people are struggling to survive the new economy.
Howard Government Work Choices was fought against by Union Labor and they spent millions of dollars on a negative campaign, most advertising misleading and crafted to frighten voters. It worked and with other factors Howard lost in November 2007 and Rudd Labor took over.
Gillard Labor around 2010 introduced very union friendly Fair Work Australia industrial relations legislation, it took Australia backwards past the Hawke Labor Accord with the Unions that was focused on economic prosperity future.
I recommend the book written late 1990s by two UK stockbrokers – The Sovereign Individual, how to survive and even prosper from future change.
Also Twighlight of Abundance by David Archibald – why life in the 21st century will be nasty, brutish, and short
20
I missed adding that Work Choices industrial legislation was a blueprint for the IT Age future we are now well and truly living with.
10
Does any one understand exactly how Desi Freeman life was terminated?
10
Shot !
Much the same as Ned Kelly in many ways
10
Before the 1990s, as Ted saw it.
Hawke has been greatty mischaracterised in commentary. He was a dedicated Marxist. Working to an international plan.
When he became leader of the ACTU in 1969, he announced that the energy industry would be the thin edge of his wedge. (I did’t hear that, my father told me).
All through the ’70s we had numerous strikes in power stations and oil refineries as Hawke busted any firm that tried to innovate by demandinzg all the benefits of the innovation up front for the workers. That’s not how innovation gets funded.
When the second Oil Shock loomed around 1980 the word went around that there would be boom times ahead for Australia, supplying coal to replace oil fired power.
So “the bosses” deemed it only fair that the “workers” get what they demanded.
But the oil shock never materialised, as North Seas oil fields were developed to thwart OPEC.
This left the Australian economy on the brink of collapse, which would have taken matters out of Hawke’s control. So Hawke initiated The Wages Pause, which later became “The Accord”.
Hawke then set abut maximising debt. Everybody knew that what they were doing must lead to a bust, but still they did it, because Hawke was doing it and promoting it. He publicly vilified the NAB’s Nobby Clark for refusing to join his NAB to their road to ruin. The result was that the NAB became Australia’s biggest bank.
In 1987 they got their bust, but they were outsmarted. The people on top of the pile could remember the 1930s. There is not much fun to be had on top of the pile if the pile is flat. So, instead of extracting every pound of flesh they took losses sufficient to prevent collapse, which left them still on top and the Communists still on the outer.
But make no mistake. The crash of 1987 was deliberately crafted, and Hawke ensured that Australia made its contribution to the job.
20
Hawke was earlier President of the Australian Council Of Trade Unions, under his leadership the unsuccessful business ventures Burke’s Store and Solo Petroleum were established to provide trade unionists with benefits.
11