Opinion

A funny thing happened on the stock market last week at the height of the confusion about the sale (or not) of the Government's outstanding 51 per cent stake in Telstra.

The planned visit by the Rainbow Warrior to Fremantle at the weekend did little to stir passions that I could note – having not been in the port city or caught the news – but it did get me thinking about where the environmental debate was heading.

During the past fortnight Australians have again been subjected to what some are calling the Johnny and Pete show.

With Labor leader Kim Beazley registering poor polling ratings it's little wonder discomfort is showing across Labor ranks.

It's a brave or foolish man prepared to criticise, however mildly, a company that has just reported the biggest profit in Australian business history.

TELSTRA is the classic example of why business and government don't mix. The current furore over the telco's new and outspoken leadership team is all politically driven, despite criticism of some management for talking down the price of the stock.

Every John, Liz, David and Janet is getting into the act. All are opposing the best thing that's to happen to young Australians since Otto Rohwedder developed sliced bread in 1928.

If you are being tempted to play the new investment game sweeping Australia and dabble in a hedge fund investment, think again.

Tension between Canberra and the states has long been a feature of Australia's federation but the issue has descended to a level that is causing serious concern.

Given a choice when buying a commodity, such as bread or milk, the overwhelming consideration for most shoppers is price.

Whenever possible, State Scene highlights the bountiful benefits of democracy over its horrific totalitarian alternatives, most especially European fascism, Russian and Oriental bolshevism, and now Middle Eastern Islamic jihadism.

Last week's Diggers & Dealers bash left the 1,200 delegates and countless hangers-on, including a healthy contingent of media types, in no doubt that this boom has legs to go an awful long way.

The economic boom we are currently enjoying in Western Australia has wise old heads reflecting on the 1960s.

South-west Liberal MP Troy Buswell, who some see as a likely future Liberal leader, recently fired a broadside across Labor's bow by naming several of its MPs with close union links in a press release.

Oil at $US60 a barrel is a pain for motorists, producing petrol prices of $1.20 a litre and more.

Intangible assets they may be, but there's no doubting the value brands bring to those who operate in the commercial world.

Earlier this year the Liberals launched a national publication called Looking Forward. Since it attracted a degree of publicity in political circles, State Scene resolved to get a copy to assess the standard of its articles

With Prime Minister John Howard adopting so many core Labor Party policies, it's no longer possible to perceive any differences that may exist between Liberal and Labor.

While I would be the last person to agree to the construction of a nuclear power plant in my backyard, I can understand that this form of energy may play a vital role in our future.

The world of iron ore has taken a few peculiar turns in recent weeks – some good, some bad, and some distinctly odd.

A couple of weeks ago I discussed my belief in the importance of holidays and, while open to the need for choice, my concerns about the practice of cashing in leave.

Long-time readers of this column will have noted that Canberra's ongoing drive to gain ever-greater control over the affairs of the states isn't a trend welcomed by State Scene.

The biggest guessing game on the Australian stock market today is whether we are, or are not, in a ‘super-cycle', a prolonged period of rising commodity prices.

I am glad to see the debate about liquor regulation start up again.

Australia has had 25 prime ministers.

For reasons never clear to me, the University of WA's history department avoided focusing on military history.

It's probably a good time to weigh into the debate about annual leave provision with a few thoughts about holidays, which I believe are an integral part of work.

As federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson attempts to gain even greater control over Western Australia's tertiary education sector, thereby satisfying his Canberra-based bureaucrats' thirst for greater control, our state politicians sit about looking b

I'm always fascinated how the pendulum finds its natural balance in politics.