Into the Bear pit: Hockey says new NRL team doesn't hinge on Stokes
The entire Perth Bears' executive team descended on Perth on Monday ahead of its first official board meeting this week, with Hockey declaring the state's NRL club had the potential to bring two sides of the nation together.
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Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
Jacinta Allan ushers in entitled 'leaners' culture in working from home legislation that will drive Aussie jobs overseas
A touch over a decade ago, then federal treasurer Joe Hockey was appealing to the 'lifters, not leaners'. Today, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has decided the leaners are the way to go. She has fired the starting gun on a state election 15 months away by announcing her government will enshrine working from home in legislation. Those who can 'reasonably' do their jobs from home – the definition of which will, I am sure, later be slogged out in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal – shall be entitled to do so at least two days a week. I would say Ms Allan is probably commissioning someone to remake The Beatles' 'Eight Days a Week' as a Two Days a Week campaign song but, in 2025, she'd probably get an artificial intelligence bot to do it for nothing. And that's rather ironic given where this working from home caper is headed. If your job can be done from home then there's also a good chance that it can either be performed by a foreigner for a fraction of the price or farmed out to an AI bot for next to nothing. An acquaintance of mine had exactly this argument with his clerical staff a few years ago after Covid lockdowns forced people to work from home. Some pushed to continue that arrangement – and he told them they were free to stay at home but their jobs would soon be outsourced to someone much cheaper in the Philippines. Funnily enough, they all came back to the office. If you want to stay at home, against your employer's wishes, then you're just asking to be replaced. It is the one thing – apart, perhaps, from trying to understand foreign accents – that makes someone in the office worth employing. They're right there and you can talk directly to them at any time. If you can do your job remotely, then someone else can do it remotely, too, for a pittance. How is it that most people with office jobs spent most of their time in the office without complaint before 2020 but since going through an extraordinary government-mandated circumstance, everyone now expects to be able to work from home as a right? Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, political participation, trial by jury… and working from home. If it's written into the terms of your employment contract that you're allowed to work from home then go for your life – you and your boss have come to a fair arrangement. But if you were never previously allowed to work from home you can either renegotiate your contract or find another job. It should simply be a matter between employer and employee. And how interesting that Labor – traditionally the party of the blue-collar workingman – is now rushing to defend the rights of the middle class white collars. That is what Labor (the clue is meant to be in the name) has become. So enjoy your right to work from home while it lasts because you may soon find yourself at home full time. Caleb Bond is the Host of The Sunday Showdown, Sundays at 7.00pm and co-host of The Late Debate Monday – Thursday at 10.00pm as well as a Contributor. Bond also writes a weekly opinion column for The Advertiser
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'It's 50-50': Libs' fate in balance as showdown looms
A second parliamentary showdown will decide who rules the roost in Tasmania after months mired in chaos. Governor Barbara Baker reappointed Jeremy Rockliff as Tasmanian premier in minority government on Wednesday after weeks of political limbo following a snap election. The election was triggered by Mr Rockliff losing a no-confidence vote in early June, with neither his Liberals (14 seats) nor Labor (10) winning the 18 seats required to control the lower house on their own. Mr Rockliff has no formal agreements of support with the 11 elected minor party MPs and independents, but the governor said the incumbent had the right to remain in office to test the numbers. Labor leader Dean Winter seized the initiative, declaring a motion of no-confidence in the Liberals and confidence in Labor would be moved when state parliament resumes on August 19. Any motion moved would not result in another election but confirm a Liberal or Labor government, he said. Mr Winter has staunchly maintained he won't do a deal with the Greens but said he would meet with all independent crossbenchers on Thursday to explain "the way we think this parliament should work". "Whether they're Liberals, Greens, independents we need to speak with every member," he told reporters. Brad Stansfield, who worked on the Liberals' four election victories before the July 19 poll, said the motion would provide a measure of certainty. "If the motion is successful obviously we'll have a Labor-Greens government," the veteran political campaigner and FontCast host told AAP. "And if the motion is unsuccessful, well we'd like to think that we won't be having any talk of a change of Liberal government for at least a period of time. "People are well and truly over the uncertainty." Independent Craig Garland and the Greens have ruled out supporting a Liberal government. Mr Stansfield said it was unlikely David O'Byrne and fellow independent George Razay would support the motion, based on their previous comments. In that scenario, Labor would need the support of two of the three remaining crossbenchers - independents Kristie Johnston and Peter George and Shooters, Fishers, Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco - to take control. "It's genuinely in the balance," Mr Stansfield said. He said there was a "50-50 chance" Labor formed minority government. "Which is pretty extraordinary given the election result." Election analyst Kevin Bonham compared the situation to Liberal premier Robin Gray losing a no-confidence vote after the 1989 Tasmanian election led to a hung parliament. Dr Bonham said the motion did not appear to set up a pathway for another election, which would be Tasmania's fourth in seven years, but it would not necessarily settle things for the entire four-year term. "It is possible that crossbenchers initially vote against this motion because they're still negotiating," the psephologist told AAP. "So you could get a situation where the government does not fall immediately but falls in three months' time." Mr Rockliff and his cabinet will be sworn in early next week. A second parliamentary showdown will decide who rules the roost in Tasmania after months mired in chaos. Governor Barbara Baker reappointed Jeremy Rockliff as Tasmanian premier in minority government on Wednesday after weeks of political limbo following a snap election. The election was triggered by Mr Rockliff losing a no-confidence vote in early June, with neither his Liberals (14 seats) nor Labor (10) winning the 18 seats required to control the lower house on their own. Mr Rockliff has no formal agreements of support with the 11 elected minor party MPs and independents, but the governor said the incumbent had the right to remain in office to test the numbers. Labor leader Dean Winter seized the initiative, declaring a motion of no-confidence in the Liberals and confidence in Labor would be moved when state parliament resumes on August 19. Any motion moved would not result in another election but confirm a Liberal or Labor government, he said. Mr Winter has staunchly maintained he won't do a deal with the Greens but said he would meet with all independent crossbenchers on Thursday to explain "the way we think this parliament should work". "Whether they're Liberals, Greens, independents we need to speak with every member," he told reporters. Brad Stansfield, who worked on the Liberals' four election victories before the July 19 poll, said the motion would provide a measure of certainty. "If the motion is successful obviously we'll have a Labor-Greens government," the veteran political campaigner and FontCast host told AAP. "And if the motion is unsuccessful, well we'd like to think that we won't be having any talk of a change of Liberal government for at least a period of time. "People are well and truly over the uncertainty." Independent Craig Garland and the Greens have ruled out supporting a Liberal government. Mr Stansfield said it was unlikely David O'Byrne and fellow independent George Razay would support the motion, based on their previous comments. In that scenario, Labor would need the support of two of the three remaining crossbenchers - independents Kristie Johnston and Peter George and Shooters, Fishers, Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco - to take control. "It's genuinely in the balance," Mr Stansfield said. He said there was a "50-50 chance" Labor formed minority government. "Which is pretty extraordinary given the election result." Election analyst Kevin Bonham compared the situation to Liberal premier Robin Gray losing a no-confidence vote after the 1989 Tasmanian election led to a hung parliament. Dr Bonham said the motion did not appear to set up a pathway for another election, which would be Tasmania's fourth in seven years, but it would not necessarily settle things for the entire four-year term. "It is possible that crossbenchers initially vote against this motion because they're still negotiating," the psephologist told AAP. "So you could get a situation where the government does not fall immediately but falls in three months' time." Mr Rockliff and his cabinet will be sworn in early next week. A second parliamentary showdown will decide who rules the roost in Tasmania after months mired in chaos. Governor Barbara Baker reappointed Jeremy Rockliff as Tasmanian premier in minority government on Wednesday after weeks of political limbo following a snap election. The election was triggered by Mr Rockliff losing a no-confidence vote in early June, with neither his Liberals (14 seats) nor Labor (10) winning the 18 seats required to control the lower house on their own. Mr Rockliff has no formal agreements of support with the 11 elected minor party MPs and independents, but the governor said the incumbent had the right to remain in office to test the numbers. Labor leader Dean Winter seized the initiative, declaring a motion of no-confidence in the Liberals and confidence in Labor would be moved when state parliament resumes on August 19. Any motion moved would not result in another election but confirm a Liberal or Labor government, he said. Mr Winter has staunchly maintained he won't do a deal with the Greens but said he would meet with all independent crossbenchers on Thursday to explain "the way we think this parliament should work". "Whether they're Liberals, Greens, independents we need to speak with every member," he told reporters. Brad Stansfield, who worked on the Liberals' four election victories before the July 19 poll, said the motion would provide a measure of certainty. "If the motion is successful obviously we'll have a Labor-Greens government," the veteran political campaigner and FontCast host told AAP. "And if the motion is unsuccessful, well we'd like to think that we won't be having any talk of a change of Liberal government for at least a period of time. "People are well and truly over the uncertainty." Independent Craig Garland and the Greens have ruled out supporting a Liberal government. Mr Stansfield said it was unlikely David O'Byrne and fellow independent George Razay would support the motion, based on their previous comments. In that scenario, Labor would need the support of two of the three remaining crossbenchers - independents Kristie Johnston and Peter George and Shooters, Fishers, Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco - to take control. "It's genuinely in the balance," Mr Stansfield said. He said there was a "50-50 chance" Labor formed minority government. "Which is pretty extraordinary given the election result." Election analyst Kevin Bonham compared the situation to Liberal premier Robin Gray losing a no-confidence vote after the 1989 Tasmanian election led to a hung parliament. Dr Bonham said the motion did not appear to set up a pathway for another election, which would be Tasmania's fourth in seven years, but it would not necessarily settle things for the entire four-year term. "It is possible that crossbenchers initially vote against this motion because they're still negotiating," the psephologist told AAP. "So you could get a situation where the government does not fall immediately but falls in three months' time." Mr Rockliff and his cabinet will be sworn in early next week. A second parliamentary showdown will decide who rules the roost in Tasmania after months mired in chaos. Governor Barbara Baker reappointed Jeremy Rockliff as Tasmanian premier in minority government on Wednesday after weeks of political limbo following a snap election. The election was triggered by Mr Rockliff losing a no-confidence vote in early June, with neither his Liberals (14 seats) nor Labor (10) winning the 18 seats required to control the lower house on their own. Mr Rockliff has no formal agreements of support with the 11 elected minor party MPs and independents, but the governor said the incumbent had the right to remain in office to test the numbers. Labor leader Dean Winter seized the initiative, declaring a motion of no-confidence in the Liberals and confidence in Labor would be moved when state parliament resumes on August 19. Any motion moved would not result in another election but confirm a Liberal or Labor government, he said. Mr Winter has staunchly maintained he won't do a deal with the Greens but said he would meet with all independent crossbenchers on Thursday to explain "the way we think this parliament should work". "Whether they're Liberals, Greens, independents we need to speak with every member," he told reporters. Brad Stansfield, who worked on the Liberals' four election victories before the July 19 poll, said the motion would provide a measure of certainty. "If the motion is successful obviously we'll have a Labor-Greens government," the veteran political campaigner and FontCast host told AAP. "And if the motion is unsuccessful, well we'd like to think that we won't be having any talk of a change of Liberal government for at least a period of time. "People are well and truly over the uncertainty." Independent Craig Garland and the Greens have ruled out supporting a Liberal government. Mr Stansfield said it was unlikely David O'Byrne and fellow independent George Razay would support the motion, based on their previous comments. In that scenario, Labor would need the support of two of the three remaining crossbenchers - independents Kristie Johnston and Peter George and Shooters, Fishers, Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco - to take control. "It's genuinely in the balance," Mr Stansfield said. He said there was a "50-50 chance" Labor formed minority government. "Which is pretty extraordinary given the election result." Election analyst Kevin Bonham compared the situation to Liberal premier Robin Gray losing a no-confidence vote after the 1989 Tasmanian election led to a hung parliament. Dr Bonham said the motion did not appear to set up a pathway for another election, which would be Tasmania's fourth in seven years, but it would not necessarily settle things for the entire four-year term. "It is possible that crossbenchers initially vote against this motion because they're still negotiating," the psephologist told AAP. "So you could get a situation where the government does not fall immediately but falls in three months' time." Mr Rockliff and his cabinet will be sworn in early next week.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Pezet eyes week-to-week NRL in Storm spine squeeze
Jonah Pezet says he wants to chase the opportunity to play in the NRL every week, but insists a loan deal away from Melbourne is not yet at the front of his mind. Melbourne's half-in-waiting for several years, Pezet has been named to come off the bench against Brisbane on Thursday night with Jahrome Hughes injured. Pezet is signed with the Storm until the end of 2029, but is believed to have a clause in his contract that allowed him to speak to rivals if Hughes re-signed. Hughes did so last week, extending his time in purple until 2030. The other factor is the future of Cameron Munster, who is contracted until the end of 2027 but been linked to potential Perth interest. Both Pezet and Munster share a manager in Braith Anasta, while a loan deal could potentially buy time for Munster to decide his future beyond his current deal. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play NRL every week," Pezet said. "As a kid you grow up and that's what you want to do. So of course I want to chase those opportunities. "But I'm just focused on putting my best foot forward every week, so that's when Belza (coach Craig Bellamy) picks me in the team." Melbourne hooker Harry Grant this week backed the idea of loans, speaking of the good it did him at Wests Tigers while stuck behind Cameron Smith in 2020. Asked whether a loan deal could be an option for him, Pezet said it was not something he wanted to be considering. "I think I'll leave that up to Braith and everyone at the club ... they'll sort it all out," Pezet said. "With Hughesy going down there's an opportunity there, and I'll keep putting my best foot forward so that when the time comes I'm ready for that wherever it might be. "Obviously the best footy I play, the more NRL I'm going to get, so that's what I'm focused on." The Storm have stuck with Tyran Wishart as Hughes' replacement at No.7, after the reigning Dally M Medallist dislocated his shoulder last month. Bellamy on Wednesday left the door open for Hughes to return before finals, with the 22-year-old avoiding surgery and back training away from the main squad. Melbourne have not got a specific plan for Pezet off the bench, who has had limited football in the past 16 months with an ACL rupture and subsequent setback. Pezet was brought on at halfback late in last week's win over Parramatta, with Wishart shifting to lock. "I'm definitely confident in my own ability to go out there and play 80 minutes of footy in the halfback position," Pezet said. "But that's not what's best for the team at the moment." Jonah Pezet says he wants to chase the opportunity to play in the NRL every week, but insists a loan deal away from Melbourne is not yet at the front of his mind. Melbourne's half-in-waiting for several years, Pezet has been named to come off the bench against Brisbane on Thursday night with Jahrome Hughes injured. Pezet is signed with the Storm until the end of 2029, but is believed to have a clause in his contract that allowed him to speak to rivals if Hughes re-signed. Hughes did so last week, extending his time in purple until 2030. The other factor is the future of Cameron Munster, who is contracted until the end of 2027 but been linked to potential Perth interest. Both Pezet and Munster share a manager in Braith Anasta, while a loan deal could potentially buy time for Munster to decide his future beyond his current deal. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play NRL every week," Pezet said. "As a kid you grow up and that's what you want to do. So of course I want to chase those opportunities. "But I'm just focused on putting my best foot forward every week, so that's when Belza (coach Craig Bellamy) picks me in the team." Melbourne hooker Harry Grant this week backed the idea of loans, speaking of the good it did him at Wests Tigers while stuck behind Cameron Smith in 2020. Asked whether a loan deal could be an option for him, Pezet said it was not something he wanted to be considering. "I think I'll leave that up to Braith and everyone at the club ... they'll sort it all out," Pezet said. "With Hughesy going down there's an opportunity there, and I'll keep putting my best foot forward so that when the time comes I'm ready for that wherever it might be. "Obviously the best footy I play, the more NRL I'm going to get, so that's what I'm focused on." The Storm have stuck with Tyran Wishart as Hughes' replacement at No.7, after the reigning Dally M Medallist dislocated his shoulder last month. Bellamy on Wednesday left the door open for Hughes to return before finals, with the 22-year-old avoiding surgery and back training away from the main squad. Melbourne have not got a specific plan for Pezet off the bench, who has had limited football in the past 16 months with an ACL rupture and subsequent setback. Pezet was brought on at halfback late in last week's win over Parramatta, with Wishart shifting to lock. "I'm definitely confident in my own ability to go out there and play 80 minutes of footy in the halfback position," Pezet said. "But that's not what's best for the team at the moment." Jonah Pezet says he wants to chase the opportunity to play in the NRL every week, but insists a loan deal away from Melbourne is not yet at the front of his mind. Melbourne's half-in-waiting for several years, Pezet has been named to come off the bench against Brisbane on Thursday night with Jahrome Hughes injured. Pezet is signed with the Storm until the end of 2029, but is believed to have a clause in his contract that allowed him to speak to rivals if Hughes re-signed. Hughes did so last week, extending his time in purple until 2030. The other factor is the future of Cameron Munster, who is contracted until the end of 2027 but been linked to potential Perth interest. Both Pezet and Munster share a manager in Braith Anasta, while a loan deal could potentially buy time for Munster to decide his future beyond his current deal. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play NRL every week," Pezet said. "As a kid you grow up and that's what you want to do. So of course I want to chase those opportunities. "But I'm just focused on putting my best foot forward every week, so that's when Belza (coach Craig Bellamy) picks me in the team." Melbourne hooker Harry Grant this week backed the idea of loans, speaking of the good it did him at Wests Tigers while stuck behind Cameron Smith in 2020. Asked whether a loan deal could be an option for him, Pezet said it was not something he wanted to be considering. "I think I'll leave that up to Braith and everyone at the club ... they'll sort it all out," Pezet said. "With Hughesy going down there's an opportunity there, and I'll keep putting my best foot forward so that when the time comes I'm ready for that wherever it might be. "Obviously the best footy I play, the more NRL I'm going to get, so that's what I'm focused on." The Storm have stuck with Tyran Wishart as Hughes' replacement at No.7, after the reigning Dally M Medallist dislocated his shoulder last month. Bellamy on Wednesday left the door open for Hughes to return before finals, with the 22-year-old avoiding surgery and back training away from the main squad. Melbourne have not got a specific plan for Pezet off the bench, who has had limited football in the past 16 months with an ACL rupture and subsequent setback. Pezet was brought on at halfback late in last week's win over Parramatta, with Wishart shifting to lock. "I'm definitely confident in my own ability to go out there and play 80 minutes of footy in the halfback position," Pezet said. "But that's not what's best for the team at the moment."
