Word-whore. I write 'em. I talk 'em. Information, politics, media, and the cybers. I drink. I use bad words. All publication is a political act. All communication is propaganda. All art is pornography. All business is personal. All hail Eris! Vive les poissons rouges sauvages!
A national digital ID system is back on the table with draft legislation released this week. Also a covid-19 inquiry, hints about our national cybersecurity strategy, and a few stories about AI in government.
Continue reading “Digital developments from Canberra 54”
Spies, more spies, cybering, and more cybering! We also have proposed new ID and drug laws, a report on sexual consent laws, and an apology for robodebt — to Services Australia staff.
Continue reading “Digital developments from Canberra 53”
The government released a National Strategy for Identity Resilience, scrapped a satellite program, and frightened homebuyers with fights path maps for the new Western Sydney International Airport. And there’s more…
Continue reading “Digital developments from Canberra 42”
Australia’s new cyber boss was announced, a new Data and Digital Government Strategy dropped, and more.
Continue reading “Digital developments from Canberra 41”
While the NSW election results and the Indigenous Voice to Parliament dominated the political news this week, there was plenty of action in the background. Cybersecurity, secrecy and freedom of information, censorship, esafety, online gambling, and more.
Continue reading “Digital developments from Canberra 30”The Victorian government is going to ban ATMs from gaming venues.
So, just because some people get suckered into shoving all their money into addictive machines, the rest of us are denied the convenience of withdrawing cash at the pub when we’re running short. Instead we have to go down the street — where we can be mugged more easily.
Here’s a thought. If gaming machines are the problem, why not get rid of the gaming machines?
Oh, that’s right. 8% of Victoria’s revenue comes from gaming machine taxes [PDF file], a total of 13% from gambling of all kinds.
Chairman Rudd has already said he supports Nick Xenophon’s push to remove ATMs from gaming areas. Xenophon doesn’t even become a Senator until 1 July, but already he’s an object of sincere and deep affection.
We’d already started to see the rise of a new wowserism. Imagine what it’s going to like when the balance of power in the Senate is held by Xenophon and Family First’s Senator Steve Fielding! If you thought we’d seen dull conformity before…