from the Sydney Morning Herald

Rates, states and red herrings .....

Australians are entitled to blame their state premiers for many things, but rising interest rates are not among them. The Liberal Party's internet advertising blaming state borrowings for a widely anticipated rise in mortgage interest rates is both irresponsible and wrong.

Rates, States & Red Herrings

from the ABC …..

Labor's getting cocky: PM

The Prime Minister has told his backbenchers that federal Labor has become cocky and has started eyeing off the trappings of government.

With today's Newspoll showing Labor soaring ahead by nine points on the primary vote, one Liberal MP described the mood in today's joint party room meeting as "realistic".

from our ABC …..

'Kevin 07' just a media tart: Govt

Federal Government MPs have launched a ferocious attack on Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd, as he launched his own 'Kevin 07' website.

A dozen Labor staff arrived at Parliament this morning wearing T-shirts with the slogan 'Kevin 07' to promote the new website.

And back in 2006...

Audit finds many missing U.S. weapons in Iraq

Government report: About 14,000 weapons - 1 in 25 - unaccounted for

WASHINGTON - Nearly one of every 25 weapons the U.S. military bought for Iraqi security forces is missing and many others cannot be repaired because parts or technical manuals are lacking, a government audit said Sunday.

That was yesterday.

Today, Putin seeks to regain the influence Russia lost in previous years. He is skilfully playing the anti-America card across Europe while putting pressure on the Baltic states, a clear warning not to extend Nato any further.

In Ukraine, political forces resisting closer strategic links to the west have gained ground. And the Kremlin is aggressively portraying the planned establishment of a modest US missile defence installation in Poland and the Czech Republic as a threat to Russia's vital security interests.

Iemma 'wouldn't trust' Govt hospital takeovers.…..

from the ABC

New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma says he would not trust any Federal Government offer to take over hospitals in his state.

Mr Iemma says there has been no progress on a proposal earlier this year by Health Minister Tony Abbott for a federal takeover of hospitals.

govt's IR ad blitz backfiring …..

‘The Howard government's latest advertising blitz is reportedly reinforcing fears surrounding its Work Choices reforms rather than dispelling them.

A research firm has surveyed worker reactions to the series of ads that feature Workplace Authority director Barbara Bennett.

It found the images of workers talking about losing holiday entitlements and penalty rates, and fears surrounding job security and conditions for young workers, was having an unintended effect.

from Crikey

Winning in marginals: any pork in a storm

Christian Kerr, Lauren Parle & Jane Nethercote write:

“I can feel a dam coming on,” the legendary Bert Kelly used to say. But why stop at a dam?

Australia has recorded its worst monthly trade performance in more than a year, partly because of adverse weather.

June's balance on trade in goods and services was in the red to the tune of $1.75 billion, more than $500 million worse than expected on financial markets, and the biggest shortfall since May last year.  

The value of Australia's exports dropped 3 per cent.

The prime rattus has thrown his support behind his Minister for Discrimination, Kevin “Joe McCarthy” Andrews, who is facing calls for his resignation over his handling of the Mohamed Haneef case.

Former terrorism suspect Dr Haneef returned home to India early this morning & told reporters he had been "victimised" by authorities during his time in custody in Australia.

from Crikey …..

Markets correct, Bush urges calm. Uh oh

Eureka Report publisher Alan Kohler writes:

There is absolutely nothing more worrying for an investor than seeing a US President telling "The American People" not to panic.

from the BBC …..

World owes US a debt, says Brown Prime Minister Gordon Brown

The world owes a debt to the United States for its leadership in the fight against international terrorism, Gordon Brown has said.

The prime minister described the link with the US as the UK's "most important bilateral relationship" ahead of his first talks with President George Bush.

'The charging of Dr Haneef means that the anti-terror laws passed by my government, & supported by the ALP, are “completely appropriate”.'

John Winston Howard

Ministers accused of 'driving' Haneef case …..

Civil libertarians say any inquiry into the bungled prosecution of Dr Mohamed Haneef should focus squarely on the actions of Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock and Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews.

The terrorism-related charge against Dr Haneef was dropped yesterday after prosecutors abandoned their case amid revelations of mistakes in the case against him.