16 — Respect the tropes

We acknowledge the sacrifice of our fallen heroes, and discuss former PM Malcom Turnbull's testy responses to criticism of his new book. Then chat about the knock-on effects of tumbling oil prices and how to save the Great Barrier Reef.

News
Congrats to the staff of Wired magazine for forming a union.

“Private” Zoom messages can be seen by the creator of a meeting.

It’s possible for employers to read private slack messages.

Former PM Book Tour News
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s book was pirated by a staffer working for current PM Scott Morrison’s.

Turnbull has responded testily to even light criticism for his policies while in office.

He was also responsible for the gutting of Australia’s National Broadband Network.

War, huh?
It’s Anzac Day in Australia. Australians were encouraged to play the last post at dawn from their driveways.

The reverence of Anzac Day was pushed by Prime Minister John Howard in support of the Iraq War.

Corporations are known for their awkward tributes to fallen soldiers.

Oil prices are bad
Oil prices are bad! How bad? So bad oil producers are paying buyers to take oil off their hands.

Australia’s government is stockpiling oil storing it in the US for “emergencies”.

The head of Australia’s organisation to post-COVID economic recovery is pushing gas and oil drilling.

They’re also pushing for reductions in environmental regulations.

Smoking the Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is dying, and quickly.

Scientists are trying to use geo-engineering to try to save the reef.

…funded by the same government that is pushing for increased coal production.

Jobkeeping up with the Jones
Lawyers and accountants are overrepresented amongst employers applying for the Jobkeeper payments from the government.

The Victorian Liberal party are applying for Jobkeeper.

Victorian Trades Hall have started a program called Jobscammer, for employees to dob in bosses who are cheating the Jobkeeper program.

Conservative politicians are starting to push for the increased Jobseeker rates to be maintained once the Coronavirus disaster is over.

In Italy and Mexico, organised crime are taking over the holes in the social support systems left by governments.

The Guardian have published a series mini articles by vulnerable people.

Nationalise it
Virgin Australia has gone into voluntary administration.

Perth Airport has put bulldozers in front of Virgin’s planes to try to force payment of debts.

The Ararat Advertiser has closed, leaving a 16 year-old student as the city’s only source of local news.

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Music credits
“Nationalise It!” — Written and performed by Brendan McPherson

“Rock Thing” — by Creo