As noted, Abbott’s International Women’s Day announcement of a paid parental leave plan has created a lot of debate here on LP [read previous threads here]. And it’s attracted a lot of commentary in the wider blogosphere and media.
Gary Sauer-Thompson at Public Opinion has a handle on the politics:
So the Coalition’s strategy [of] messing with the system by throwing anything at the Rudd Government that comes to hand continues. It doesn’t matter about the contradictions –introducing a big tax when the promise is no new taxes—as it is about getting noticed and destabilisation with whatever-it-takes to oppose the Rudd Government on everything.
The strategy is to wedge Labor—’’supporting big business over working families” is the new talking point— and to win back female voters who have been deserting the Coalition.
Trevor Cook asks whether Abbott is really a Liberal. Meanwhile, in The Age, Leslie Cannold disputes the claim that parental leave is solely a women’s issue and Julia Perry in the SMH examines who should pay.
I’ve built on the arguments I made in a post here yesterday in a piece for The ABC’s The Drum Unleashed to nail the canard that Abbott’s plan is more ‘generous’ than Labor’s policy, and set out my reasons why it’s not something progressives should support.
Cross-posted from Skepticlawyer.
Today my daughter was playing with her pink superball while my son was asleep (it’s small, so she’s only allowed to get it out while he’s sleeping). I heard her mutter to her toys while brandishing the pink superball, “This is the Prime Minister, and if you do something he doesn’t like, he will bounce in your eye.” My husband has pointed out that she may have learned the concept from a book entitled Blossom Possum (beautifully illustrated by Rafe Champion’s late wife, as it happens). I have also tried to explain to her what a Prime Minister does, but given the actions of the superball, I’m not sure if she quite “got it”.
Anyway, after I posted this incident on my Facebook page, the post started off a string of reminiscences about people’s childhood political memories. It transpires that an amazing number of my friends just loved Bob Hawke when they were kids. I don’t know if that means my friends’ families were generally Labor-leaning, or that Bob had a special appeal which made him loved by kids? When my sister was a little girl, she loved Bob. One general election, she asked Dad who he voted for, and Dad teasingly said he voted for Andrew Peacock because the Liberals gave him a shortbread round (actually he’d bought it at the school stall at the voting booth). My sister sobbed and sobbed, and said, “Now the forests will die because you haven’t voted for Bob!”
Mark Bahnisch commented that when he was in Grade 2, he wrote a poem about Gough Whitlam. Then Mark and I decided that we should write a joint post about what everyone’s earliest political memories are. I remember that I never liked Joh Bjelke-Petersen as a child. In addition, with a child’s merciless observation, I noted his head was shaped like a peanut, and thus I thought it was extraordinary that he was an ex-peanut farmer. Like my sister, I also loved Bob Hawke when I was little.
Do you remember whether you liked particular politicians when you were young? Or did you dislike particular politicians?
I’ve had a stab, in a guest post over at Overland, at looking at how the tendencies we’ve always had to succumbing to magical thinking make climate change a very difficult challenge for politics – particularly when we need to ground that politics culturally as well as rationally in a postmodern age where the narrative is all.
The post is partly informed by the insights of the French sociologist Bruno Latour on knowledge and, particularly, by his claim that ‘we have never been modern’. If he’s right, and I think he is, there is no public sphere of reason to which we can unproblematically appeal. Rather, we need to ground our arguments in a sensibility which bridges the culture/nature divide, and to recognise that the only possible response to climate crisis is political. That’s a challenge both for progressives, who seem in many instances to have forgotten cultural politics, and for those who believe that reason will triumph. That’s also a belief – and it’s one that will only come true if it’s fought for.
You can read the post here.
On Line Opinion has been featuring pieces on the internet and everyday life throughout August. My contribution, published today, examines some questions about the social and cultural implications of new media technologies, and in the process, busts some myths about ‘Digital Natives’ and cyber-utopianism. I think it’s important to have a realistic grasp of the actual cultural uses of social media in order to avoid the important questions which do arise collapsing into silly and dichotomised arguments about how the intertubes will either save the world or destroy all good things. The reach of the social web has now become pervasive enough that we’re in a position to assess where we are, and to debunk some of the more hyperbolised claims on both sides of the non-debate we have all too often about the web and social life.
I’ll have more to say about this soon, as this OLO piece is a spinoff from my talk for the Queensland Writers Centre on the Digital Age and the future of writing. I’m working that up in longer form for publication.
I’m speaking on the 11th of August at an event organised by the Queensland Writers Centre:
Books in the Digital Age:The Future of Writing
With the rapid changes in Australia’s writing and publishing industry, where will books fit in the digital future and how will this affect how we read and write?
As part of QWC’s Wordpool series of three lectures for 2009, we’re looking at the the future of… books, writing and journalism.
Digital publishing invites writers and readers to think differently about the dynamic relationship between content and the container in which it’s consumed and shared.
Join Mark Bahnisch in a discussion as to what this means for Australia writers and readers, as he attempts to answer… what is the future of writing?
When: Tuesday 11 August, 6:30pm
Where: Room KG-B-304, Queensland University of Technology,
Kelvin Grove Campus
Cost: Free for QUT students, or $15. Bookings required
Bookings: Phone QWC on 07 3839 1243, or via www.qwc.asn.au
Cross-posted at BrisCulture.
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I might have mentioned in passing here, and I know I’ve said on Facebook, that I’ve become interested lately in exploring some themes which don’t really seem to fit into the LP space, and also in a more personal form of blogging, and indeed, a more writerly form of blogging.
One of the issues I’ve been interested in discussing is the complex intersections of the religious, the spiritual and the social. That’s in part from a place based perspective – associated in particular with the continuing life of Saint Mary’s, South Brisbane – and in part from a radical Catholic position. In the process of so doing, I’ve been addressing some themes both personal and philosophical.
I’m not entirely certain the ‘one size fits all’ blog works for this sort of discussion. I’m also not interested in getting into an argument about the existence of God, or whether all religion is evil, or Richard Dawkins, or whatnot. That sort of thing might have its place, but it’s rarely conducted with much intellectual rigour, and it simply doesn’t do anything for me.
Anyway, I write this really just to highlight some of what I’m doing for the benefit of those who enjoy my writing and appreciate my perspective. Continue reading ‘Blogging otherwise…’
Folks might remember I talked a while back about the ‘Creative Brisbane’ event we’re presenting tonight as part of the Brisbane CitySmart Innovation Festival. The response to both this conversation and to the BrisCulture concept has been really exciting. I thought, therefore, I’d post a quick notice to let people know details of the event, should anyone who hasn’t already responded to our rsvp be interested in checking it out. Details are available at the BrisCulture website, and on the Facebook event page. Over the fold, I’ve posted the programme for the evening.
Continue reading ‘BrisCulture, the CPD and Eidos Institute present ‘Creative Brisbane’ tonight at 6pm’
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A lot of my academic and consultancy work at the moment is focused on online urbanism, distributed knowledge and urban creativity. I’m loath to use the term ‘action research’ loosely, but this form of public sociology is really impossible to separate from creative practice. One of the projects I’ve been working on with some lovely and talented colleagues is about to launch itself on the world, and now has its own web presence – BrisCulture.
While literature about Creative Cities abounds, every city has its own urbanism and its own distinct culture. A ‘one size fits all’ model doesn’t map neatly onto the specificities of place. While Brisbane is now on the arts map with new cultural infrastructure capable of attracting visitors in the hundreds and thousands to major exhibitions and events, what of the sustainability of the city’s everyday lived cultural experience and production? Our town has proved its value in fostering distinctive and innovative forms of cultural practice – the germination of the music scene in the Valley or the arrival of grunge lit being notable moments in time. But much of this activity takes place ‘underground’ – it bubbles up alchemically from below; drawing energy from serendipitous connections and a sense of locale. Although we welcome the era of government support, public art and creative industries policy, we contend that embedding, celebrating and fostering emergent practice is a task still to be thought out.
That’s the task we’ve set ourselves. It sounds ambitious, but it’s realisable because we’re approaching it as an exercise in making connections and fostering the art of public conversation and collaborative policy making. You can read about the project at BrisCulture and stay tuned for our first event. As part of the 2009 Brisbane CitySmart Innovation Festival, we are hosting a joint event with The Centre for Policy Development, and in conjunction with the Eidos Institute, on the 26th of May at the Old School of Arts in Ann Street, Brisbane – Creative Brisbane: Rethinking Innovation. This will only be the beginning – we’re conceiving BrisCulture as a rolling series of events, policy interventions, performances and conversations which exists in a virtual locale as well as in the spaces of the city.
If you’re interested in all this, whether as a Brisbanite, an occasional visitor, or just curious about the town, I’d encourage you to join our Facebook group, which will be utilised to keep everyone in the loop. I’m very excited about this project, and I think it will lead to some really interesting things!
Just a quick heads up to some sessions at the Brisbane Ideas Festival later this week which might be of interest. I’m speaking on a panel called “The Future of the Magazine”. It’s part of the “Think Do Tank” program targeted towards high school students. You can access the times and places (1.30pm Thursday and again at 1.30pm on Friday) via the links in my speaker’s bio.
Frequent guest poster on cultural policy stuff, Marcus Westbury, is talking about technology, new media and creativity on a panel on Friday night at 6pm.
And another LP guest poster and CPD Director Miriam Lyons will be discussing how technology is mediating the social engagement with democracy with some other think tank folk on Saturday arvo at 4pm.
There is no truth to the rumour that her doppelganger Myriam Lyons has usurped her role in this session!
Barry Saunders, from Gatewatching and Democratic Renewal Coordinator at the CPD, will be facilitating a workshop on using open access tools to interface with government on Saturday at 1pm.
I’m sure there’s lots of other interesting and worthy stuff going on! As usual at the moment, I’m crazily busy, though, so won’t necessarily be around for it – but the whole program can be accessed here.
Welcome to the Bligh heterogeneity! And living with heterogeneity is a much better prospect than assimilation into the hivemind of The Borg. I’m still thinking that whoever came up with the bright idea of applying that moniker to Lawrence perhaps wasn’t that big a Trekkie.
Over at Pineapple Party Time, I’ve told the untold story of how Labor turned the campaign around from certain defeat earlier into the week into a stunning personal victory for Anna Bligh. Far from a narrow escape, the Queensland ALP won 53 seats, a 17 seat majority. The ramifications of this victory will be enormous.
We’ve got a real contest on our hands in the Smart State (perhaps over the future of that moniker!) as Queenslanders vote today. At Crikey’s dedicated Qld election blog, Possum, William “The Poll Bludger” Bowe and I will be liveblogging the count tonight from about 6pm Brisbane time.
Details will be posted later this arvo, and you can also check out Pineapple Party Time for the latest polling, analysis and distributed news about polling day vibes and shenanigans.
I’ve just put up a prediction/seats to watch post. The upshot is that I’m tipping Labor 45, LNP 40, Ind 4. The seats in question and my reasoning (and why I think the vote has swung back in Labor’s direction) are explained here.
William and I will also be doing intermittent audio updates via Skype and livestreaming at The Sunday Talk throughout the evening.
Those outside Queensland or away from a tv who are interested in following the ABC’s coverage can access a livestream at Antony Green’s election page.
Update: The liveblogging will take place here.
Update: [by Mark] William and I will be chatting to Matthew Kopelke at The Sunday Talk on the hour and at half past the hour respectively, with me kicking off at 6.30pm Queensland Time. You can listen here.
There will be a livechat on the Queensland election at Pineapple Party Time from 2pm today with Crikey political correspondent Bernard Keane and my PPT co-bloggers Possum and William Bowe. Unfortunately I can’t join in, because it clashes with a class I teach this arvo. But pull up a deckchair, mix a cocktail in a pineapple, and yarn away about a still very unpredictable contest.
I’ll be letting folks know tomorrow about liveblogging from the crew and some podcasts from me coinciding with the count after the votes are all in!
I’ll be on 4zzz’s Brisbane Line program (starting at midday Brisbane time) talking about the Queensland campaign with a focus on The Greens’ preferences decision.
I’ll be talking to John Barron about the state campaign on the ABC News radio’s Drive program this afternoon – sometime between 4.45 and 5.15 pm Queensland time.
Update: Just a reminder that my election blogging is over at Pineapple Party Time – along with my distinguished bloggy colleagues William “The Poll Bludger” Bowe and Possum. The new Galaxy Poll is just out this arvo – 51/49 LNP-Labor. Lots more stuff to read on the campaign over there!
It wouldn’t be a Queensland election without drama. Pauline Hanson redux, a slather of independents contesting LNP heartland seats, beatups about gaffes, the awful musical stylings of the Borg, billionnaire magnates suing pollies for defamation and cancelling press conferences, and the list goes on.
Pineapple Party Time is increasingly your one stop shop for Quinceland election analysis, commentary and news – now with added google reader widget goodness so you can use it as a portal to pick and choose from the MSM’s smorgasbord as well as getting what I’d argue is a better quality of analysis and commentary from the blogging team of our very own Mark, Possum, and William “The Poll Bludger” Bowe.
For your edification and reading pleasure, there’s a joint effort by William Bowe and Possum on the “shock poll” showing the LNP ahead on primaries and the parties even on 2PP, Mark on the political situation as at Day Four, the spectre of Joh, the Borg’s juggling act from left to right and the dead tree media’s obsession with stories about dead trees, and Possum hosts an open thread. William looks at the vote by regions, and the gap between Federal and state results, while in earlier posts, Mark wraps up Day Three and analyses the impact of Barnaby’s campaign jaunt and Campbell Newman’s non-appearance.
They’re really blogging up a Brisbane summer storm over there!
Campaign commentary live!
I’ll be talking to John Barron about the state campaign on the ABC News radio’s Drive program this afternoon – sometime between 4.45 and 5.15 pm Queensland time.
Update: Just a reminder that my election blogging is over at Pineapple Party Time – along with my distinguished bloggy colleagues William “The Poll Bludger” Bowe and Possum. The new Galaxy Poll is just out this arvo – 51/49 LNP-Labor. Lots more stuff to read on the campaign over there!