Defender of the poor
"Equalisation of incomes can be very unjust." — Peter Saunders, director of social policy research at the Sydney-based Centre for Independent Studies, Prime Menzies John Howard's favourite think-tank, quoted in July 9 Australian.
Making poverty history I
"Dubya recovered [from his bicycle accident] to dine with the other G8 leaders and the Queen at the Gleneagles resort, tucking in to Marrbury smoked salmon and roasted langoustines, fillet of Glen Ean lamb with broad beans and peas, aubergine caviar and parmesan polenta, all washed down by a fruity Chateau Climens (Barsac) 1990. No better way to kick-start talks to end African poverty and hunger." — Mike Carlton, Sydney Morning Herald, July 9.
Making poverty history II
"Commonwealth Bank of Australia Chief Executive Officer David Murray will receive as much as A$28 million after he retires [in September] ... Murray, 56, will get A$17.5 million cash and as many as 268,100 shares in the bank over the next four years, depending on the lender's stock performance. Commonwealth shares were 18 cents higher at A$38.90 at 3:01 pm in Sydney, valuing Murray's maximum bonus share entitlement at A$10.43 million." — Bloomberg.com, July 15.
Toward a just society
"Unemployed people should put money into accounts to pay for their own dole and medical costs, a conservative think-tank says. The Sydney-based Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) says welfare should be self-funded and the government should wind back its provider role." — Sydney Morning Herald, July 14.
From Green Left Weekly, July 20, 2005.
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