Good to see the law is not influenced by claims about Sharia.   

The Daily Telegraph reports

Christian Martinez, 32, was whipped with an electric cord at his home in Silverwater in Sydney's west between July 16 and 17 in 2011.

His mentor, Wasim Fayed, was accused of carrying out the whipping as punishment under sharia law, while the other three men held Mr Martinez down on his bed.

I would never tolerate a boss or politician telling me what editorial line to take on the radio.

The only time I was told what to say was in  the AWU Scandal on 2UE and I resigned over it.

I think that people relate to people more than they relate to corporate brands.

The Australian newspaper is today reporting this

I don't think the danger in our media market come from proprietors.   I think the dangers come from governments.   Like here:

and here http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2010/s2823983.htm

and here

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/am-call-that-put-pms-old-news-on-front-page/story-fn59niix-1226128513341

Find people you trust, names you know, question them, hold them accountable.  

And let's not tolerate crap like the bribes and bullying we're getting now instead of leadership from our government.

In a frank and personal interview on ABC radio in Brisbane, Ms Gillard said fairness and a "love of country and a love of family" were at the core of her personal values.

However, she said she often felt misunderstood, particularly when it came to the modern-day media cycle.

"I think there is a lot in this time of change in the media industry that pushes the cycle towards more schlock, more horror," she said.

"That means you need more and more drama or you can't sustain it, so even the simplest things get puffed up in a way that is really pretty absurd."

I am the complainant in this matter.

By an email dated 17 October, 2012, I reported certain observations to the Chief Commissioner of Police  and I have been told that my report is now the subject of investigations by detectives.

This morning I was made aware of certain statements that were made on ABC Local Radio in Melbourne suggesting that the investigations into this matter was nearing an end.

As a result of a conversation I have just had, I'd like to make this statement.

MICHAEL PHILIP SMITH - MEDIA RELEASE

VICTORIA POLICE INVESTIGATION INTO JULIA GILLARD AND OTHERS - THE AWU SCANDAL

I am the complainant in this matter.

A reliable source this afternoon told me that nothing has changed.

Investigations are still very much alive and will continue for some time, considering the number of enquiries that still need to be made and the numerous people who still need to be spoken to.

- ENDS -

Atabout 9.30 this morning I started getting notes like this one.

"The acting police commissioner in Vic (Lucinda Nolan) was just asked by Jon Faine (9.29 am)  about the inquiries into Julia Gillard. She said the inquiries are continuing, people have been interviewed and the end is in sight. She could not say exactly how long it would be.'"

I haven't seen the transcript of Jon's show so I don't know if he framed his questions with Julia Gillard as the person of interest as suggested by my correspondent.

Pia Akerman of The Australian newspaper was apparently listening too.

I have known far too many false dawns in this matter to get too excited about the end being in sight, or not that far off!

Andrew Robb is the federal opposition's finance spokesman, he holds degrees in economics and science. You can read some of his credentials in his own words here. 

For the past 2 and half years, Andrew has been working on an economic development plan that includes water management throughout Australia.

The plan has not been made public.   Bits of it may have been leaked and the journalist Lenore Taylor has written about it here and other articles like this have run on the strength of unverified leaks.

I have known Andrew Robb for about 5 years.   I admire his honesty and intellect and the thoroughness he brings to economic analysis.   He is a man who knows how to plan and to build genuine wealth that creates real job.

Mark Latham writes columns.   Today he uses extra-sensory powers to analyse what's in the unreleased water and economic development plan, a link to his columnn in today's AFR is here

The damnation of dams

Mark Latham - AFR 28/2/2013

For the past six months Liberal finance spokesman Andrew Robb has been cultivating headlines with his promise of a “northern food bowl”. Instead of announcing ways of saving taxpayers money, Robb has resurrected the most discredited theme in the history of the Commonwealth: northern development. A Coalition policy paper has identified 100 dam projects at a cost of $30 billion. In a moment of high farce, it raised the possibility of using tugboats to cart bags full of water from the Kimberleys to Perth.

From 1983 onwards, governments refused to fund new dams because they were an inefficient use of public money. The era of state paternalism had ended.

Andrew Robb and I had a chat this morning.