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It's surprising to see the almost universal praise that has been heaped on Australia's "free trade" agreements with Japan and South Korea. Considering the Abbott led government gained its parliamentary majority as a result of a campaign based on protecting Australia's sovereignty from asylum seekers, it's ironical the same government is willing to give up this hard won sovereignty for thirty pieces of silver.

The government won't be telling us how an asylum seeker under their care was murdered and scores of others beaten and terrorised. They won't be telling us why the Federal police are refusing to cooperate with the PNG police investigation. They won't be telling us why the organisation responsible for the brutal treatment of detainees is now also also the organisation responsible for monitoring their welfare. They won't be telling us why those detainees will now be denied access to legal advice and representation.

There is nothing more disturbing than to see young Australians parrot the myths surrounding World War One that have been promoted over the past century, "The History Sleuths" (Sunday Age 30/3). It broke my heart to read one of the Goondiwindi students involved in the project thought "we are really lucky that they went over and fought for us at an age that is only three or four years older than us".

Frans was a man of great intellect and seriousness, who deeply understood the practical requirements needed to achieve a just and rational society.

As a conservative manager of resources and ever pessimistic of the chances for success, he was all too modest of his own significant achievements.

All of those who knew him had nothing but the deepest respect for his steadfast and enduring commitment to human freedom and dignity.

Vale dicere, Frans Timmerman.

Tony Abbott arrived in Australia from the UK as an assisted migrant in 1960 yet it was not until 21 years latter that he finally applied for citizenship. At that time Abbott was applying for a Rhodes scholarship, which stipulates that the applicant must be an Australian citizen.

It's not often you'll hear me say this but the Government have been pretty clever this week. You see while we've all been distracted by George Brandis defending bigotry, Scott Morrison dismissing more evidence of torture and Abbott wanting to bring back knighthoods, no one noticed Joe Hockey's contribution.

During the First World War over 10% of the Australian population enlisted to defend the British Empire. More than 60,000 Australians were killed and another 137,000 were wounded, one of the worst casualty rates of any of the British Empire forces. The war cost Australia £188,480,000, about $20 billion in today's money.

Secularism is the rage nowdays, in several ways, lately it has been used as word of hatred.
We have an anti-thiest agenda driving secularism those strongly advocating it are using the term as an attack on religious institutions, practices, and freedoms. The rallying cry of "Freedom from Religion" is used.

Secularism is a two way street, just as much government does not support or hold a perticular religous view, neither can the state force any said view unto the individial, as such it is up to the individual himself to choose what their inclination should be.

It is with some sadness that Tony Benn has died. As a radical democratic socialist who renounced his own peerage, I am comfortable in describing myself as a "Bennite" insofar he was inspirational.

The Federal Environment minister is pushing legislation through parliament to protect himself from potential legal action for failing to ignore environmental advice before approving mining projects. As if suing this inept jerk is going to repair the Barrier Reef!