Blacktown Hospital is so critically underfunded that entire wards are being closed due to the lack of staff, and it's not the only NSW hospital facing such a desperate shortage. Very few NSW voters would be shocked to hear that the staffing levels in hospitals are inadequate, but the reality of the situation suggests that NSW Health is on the brink of collapse.
Politics
Dirt and Preferences: The Campaign Against Keep Sydney Open
Anyone who has spent more than five minutes in politics is very aware of "dirt units", and how the major parties deploy lies, gossip, and spin against opponents and smaller parties that are posing a threat. Furthermore, all claims of preference deals are false, voters make the choice as to where and how preferences flow and have done in NSW since 2003.
Legalise It
The debate around drug use in NSW has gone beyond a joke. We've hit a point where the Premier and her government would rather see young people die than consider sensible policy.
Wild Colonial Boys
Last year, I tried to offer a white, male perspective on the issue of January 26, because I saw that there was clearly a market for Caucasian mediocrity in the "sensible Centre". Let's try this again.
The AusPol Stool Chart
On a scale of one to ten, Australian politics in 2018 has been a steaming pile of shit. And that's putting it mildly. We've seen yet another LibSpill; Senators openly pining for the policies of the Nazi Party; the government supporting white supremacy; and Bill Shorten still hasn't found a way to make people like him.
The Rich Get Richer
Keynesian economics was the predominant economic theory before the rise of neo-liberalism during the Thatcher/Reagan years. It helped end the Great Depression, and in the post-war West, created the modern middle class.
Pin a Ribbon, Forget the Women
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Many in the media will associate today with White Ribbons, which is unfortunate, because the White Ribbon campaign is hot garbage and needs to disappear.
Don’t You Know It’s Gonna Be Alt-Right
This week we witnessed the collapse of the Liberal Party of Australia. In the most exceptionally stupid display of unhinged arrogance from any Australian government in living memory, Scott Morrison and the Liberals signalled their intent to make Bill Shorten the next Prime Minister.
Respect Costs Nothing But Lives
Harm reduction, as a key harm minimisation strategy developed in response to the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, relies on one simple concept. Respect.
On the Social and Cultural Benefits of Illicit Drug Use
In the wake of the overdose deaths at the Defqon.1 electronic dance music festival in Penrith this last weekend, it's worth taking some time to consider what solutions exist to prevent such deaths and related injuries in the future.