Month: October 2013

What makes the front line back down?

Lara
What makes the front line back down?




Here’s an update to this morning’s story about an obsessive, officious licensing officer trying to pull up a publican offering free beers to firefighters(aka heroes) who saved his pub. Since the story broke, the NSW Police Department have been trying to distance themselves from the officer in question. A spokesperson has denied that the licensing officer was sent by superiors or issued a warning. The hardline of the front line becomes a happy, congratulatory tale of heroes and beers all ’round. Cops Are Tops, etc etc. Except.. they aren’t. Every…




Private rights a public concern

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Private rights a public concern




Senator Elect David Leyonhjelm has a great piece in The Land on the assault on private property rights. While much of the public debate regarding the assault on private property rights focuses upon environmental regulation, a similar case exists when it comes to the nanny state, which David sets out excellently: An issue that has raised few property rights concerns, notwithstanding its implications, is the introduction of plain packaging of cigarettes. This legislation, supported by both sides of politics, has largely destroyed the brands of the tobacco companies, which are highly…




The Lifestyle Tax Attack On The Poor

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The Lifestyle Tax Attack On The Poor




Those on the left often loudly preach their self-proclaimed moral virtues and how they care about the poor. However, when it comes to lifestyle taxes, which undoubtedly have the greatest impact upon the poorest demographics out of any type of taxation, they are not only silent – they loudly champion them! The fact that the left’s pet causes always trump the cost of living is not particularly surprising. The always-brilliant Dr Julie Novak from the IPA released a detailed report on this issue last year, and, yesterday, a new paper…




Till, junk food due to part?

Lara
Till, junk food due to part?




Ban sweets at the till. Restrict food advertising. Enforce food and drink policies in schools. Regulate sugary drinks. Subsidise “healthy” food providers. Have you ever noticed how all “anti-obesity regulations” are all focused on the food? Personally, I don’t think it’s the double cheeseburger and fries I’m going to have for lunch that would contribute to gaining weight so much as the busy afternoon of “sitting at my computer” that I have planned. Doesn’t that sound like an experience the bureaucrat-Mecca of Canberra should be all too familiar with? Apparently…




The Plain Packaging Study They Didn’t Want You To See

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The Plain Packaging Study They Didn’t Want You To See




Last week, nanny statists in Ireland released a “press release” claiming one of their studies demonstrated evidence for plain-packaging. Funnily enough though, they refused to release the actual study. That’s right, they tried to their so called “research” secret. Now we know why. A leaked copy of the study has shown the exact opposite of what nanny state advocates claim. The study was of the usual sort –  teenagers were shown cigarette packs and asked leading questions with the predictable result that teenagers think ugly packs look ugly. Christopher Snowdon explains: If asked…




Nanny Statists Advocating North Korean Starvation Diet

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Nanny Statists Advocating North Korean Starvation Diet




Thousands are dying of starvation in the criminal North Korean regime. A third of children are so malnourished they have stunted growth.  People are so desperate for food that they are resorting to canibalism. This is the regime that our insane leftist nanny statists want to emulate. Gareth Morgan is one of New Zealand’s leading advocates for a so-called “fat tax”. Fresh from a visit to North Korea, this is what he had to say: He’s barely off the plane after a 40,000-kilometre ride across Russia and Korea. Controversy trailed…




Tell the QLD Govt: No Curfew!

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Tell the QLD Govt: No Curfew!




    The limitation in number… of beer and spirit houses, for express purposes of rendering them more difficult to access… not only exposes all to an inconvenience, because there are some by whom the facility would be abused, but is suited only to a state of society in which the labouring classes are avowedly treated as children…” – JS Mill writing in 1859 The Queensland government is considering a proposal to impose a 1am lockout and 3am curfew on law abiding responsible drinkers. Help us fight for our right to party…