Tag Archives: Australia

TV3NZ

Ah here.

TV3 New Zealand.

Thanks Reppy

Meanwhile….

Australia’s inability to achieve marriage equality is now an international embarrassment. While Ireland is gripped by euphoria after a resounding win for the “yes” campaign in Friday’s referendum on same-sex marriage, Australia must reflect on the failures of its political system and its leaders.

The referendum delivered a landslide 62 to 38 per cent majority for change, and is being hailed as a nationally unifying transformative moment for Ireland. It should not be forgotten that homosexuality was illegal in Ireland until 1993, divorce until 1996, and abortion is still banned, except where the mother’s life is in danger.

Opinion polls suggest public support for marriage equality is even higher in Australia than in Ireland, at more than 70 per cent, according to a Crosby Textor poll. Yet we remain incapable of a reform achieved by about 20 other democracies, including now the strongly Catholic nation of Ireland, a country deeply grafted into the DNA of Australia.

Australians deserve a say on gay marriage (TheAge)

Previously: How Low Can Australia Go?

Thanks Mark Geary

Screen-Shot-2013-02-24-at-12.46.12

Backpackers and others on working holidays in Australia will be stung with higher income-tax bills as a result of tougher new rules. From July 2016, people in Australia for a working holiday will lose access to the tax-free threshold of nearly $20,000, because they will now be deemed “non-residents” for tax purposes.

Backpackers Hit With Higher Taxes (The Age)

Mark Geary writes:

Aussie Tories destroy backpacker holidays…backpackers don’t vote…

queenslandThe Queensland Irish Association in Brisbane, Australia

The Queensland Irish Association was founded in 1898 and has been in its Elizabeth Street headquarters, Tara House, since 1920.
However it’s understood extensive renovations in recent years have contributed to the QIA’s money troubles, with debts believed to be at least $3 million.
Musician Sarah Calderwood from Brisbane Irish band Sunas said the changes had backfired spectacularly.
“They were trying to bring in younger people, but they basically turned the ground floor of the club into an RSL [Returned Services League clubs for ex-servicemen and women]],” she said.
“It was big screens, keno… they lost that classic Céad Míle Fáilte, the ‘100 Thousand Welcomes’ that the club is classically known for.”

Brisbane Irish Club in administration but still open (BrisbaneTimes)

Thanks Darren Conlon

vent

An Irish tourist has been charged after getting stuck in an air vent at a Gold Coast nightclub. It’s alleged the 18-year-old man had been refused entry to the bar on Orchid Avenue, so tried to sneak in through the roof cavity. Emergency services were called at 1.30am after the man got wedged in the vent.

Hate tha’.

Guess his county anyone?

Irish tourist gets stuck in air vent (SydneyMorningHerald)

Thanks Mark Geary and Darren Conlon

mcgurk

For the day that’s in it.

RTÉ’s promo ahead of Ireand versus Australia, the final game of the popular and often overpriced black stout series at Lansdowne Road Nua.

The rarest of creatures.

Tom McGurk’s inner monologue is unleashed:

Michael Cheika meets Joe Schmidt. It’s rugby’s rumble in the jungle, it’s fire against ice, it’s Cavaliers versus the Roundheads. Who will be Socrates and who will be Plato?

Needs more Honey Badger in fairness.

BxK4jPTCMAAx-kw

Taxi driver Kishan Lalka knew his career would never be the same when he heard his passengers sniggering, the sound of pants being hastily buttoned, and a particularly pungent stench filling his ­nostrils.

The boys had asked to be dropped off at Bayview St in Fannie Bay. He said they were drunk, caucasian, and appeared to be Australian and aged in their early 20s.

“There was a smell in the car and one of the guys sitting behind me did a poo,” he said. Mr Lalka, a driver for two years, said the $8 fare was unpaid. “I had a real bad headache because of the smell,” he said. “When I sleep, I feel the smell. I didn’t have dinner last night.”

Hailo?

Is it me you’re pooing for?

Darwin cabbie’s crappy fare as passenger leaves huge poo (Conor Byrne, NT News)