The PIS Presents
Pub Politics with Chris Berg
Thursday 21 May, 6:30pm
INU Bar, 1st floor Union House
Free Entry!
Chris Berg, researcher for the Institute of Public Affairs and regular columnist for the Sunday Age, speaks to the PIS about the Rudd Government's proposed internet filter and other current political issues. Bring your friends, and your questions, too.
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Monday 11 May 2009
This week in the PIS
The Political Interest Society will meet at midday this Tuesday in Doug McDonell 711 to watch TV. From 1pm we will hold the usual bitching-and-biscuits meeting, where we will discuss:
Defence white paper
The government's white paper on defence has caused a bit of a stir. Is an expansion of our military warranted or necessary? Is there a risk of a country the size of Australia fuelling an arms race, as some have suggested?
Medicare and IVF
Funding for IVF treatment through Medicare may soon be reduced. Is IVF treatment something that should be fully funded?
Jumps racing
Dangerous and cruel, or a good way to keep retired racehorses occupied?
Branch stacking
Following the revelations of corruption in Brimbank Council, branch-stacking is starting to look like a widespread problem in Australian politics. Are we concerned about branch-stacking? Is this kind of corruption inevitable in representative democracy?
Followed by a trip to the pub, where we will eat, drink and be merry until we run out of change
Defence white paper
The government's white paper on defence has caused a bit of a stir. Is an expansion of our military warranted or necessary? Is there a risk of a country the size of Australia fuelling an arms race, as some have suggested?
Medicare and IVF
Funding for IVF treatment through Medicare may soon be reduced. Is IVF treatment something that should be fully funded?
Jumps racing
Dangerous and cruel, or a good way to keep retired racehorses occupied?
Branch stacking
Following the revelations of corruption in Brimbank Council, branch-stacking is starting to look like a widespread problem in Australian politics. Are we concerned about branch-stacking? Is this kind of corruption inevitable in representative democracy?
Followed by a trip to the pub, where we will eat, drink and be merry until we run out of change
Sunday 3 May 2009
This week in the PIS
The Political Interest Society meet this week at midday in Doug McDonell 711 to watch TV, probably more of House of Cards provided Chris can bring it along again. I look forward to it.
Following that, the regular meeting will begin at 1pm, where we will discuss:
Influenza pandemic
It's been practically the only news story of the past week: a potential flu pandemic beginning in Mexico and spreading to the rest of the world. How serious do we think the threat of swine flu is? Have the Australian government done enough to prepare us?
Australian publishing and protectionism
The Productivity Commission want to lift the ban on parallel importing of books in Australia. Publishers claim this will stifle local publishers and authors; supporters of the proposal say it will bring book prices down. Is it worth bringing down the prices of books if it means decimating local publishing?
Somalian Piracy
President Obama was widely praised for his action on the rescue of a US captain held hostage by Somalian pirates. However, Somalian piracy has been a growing threat for some time. Is there any way to combat the overall problem? Are pirates simply criminals or is Western intervention in Somalia partly to blame?
Victorian Transport
There's been a lot of attention on the proposed bushfire-related spending in the upcoming Victorian Government budget, but transport is quickly becoming one of the biggest issues for Melbournians as our public transport system becomes increasingly dysfunctional. What's wrong with public transport in Melbourne? Can we see a straightforward solution?
After which we will adjourn to PA's where members may feel free to try to find a way to impeach me before the AGM.
In other news, the Law Students Society is hosting a free public lecture regarding human rights:
An Australian Human Rights Act: Dispelling the Myths
A public lecture featuring The Hon Catherine Branson QC, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission.
6:00pm–7:00pm, Tuesday 19 May 2009
Room G08 (Ground Floor), Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham St, Carlton Vic 3053
Attendees are invited to RSVP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=93183484273 .
For further information and for other Social Justice Seminars, see http://www.mulss.com/social-justice/ .
Following that, the regular meeting will begin at 1pm, where we will discuss:
Influenza pandemic
It's been practically the only news story of the past week: a potential flu pandemic beginning in Mexico and spreading to the rest of the world. How serious do we think the threat of swine flu is? Have the Australian government done enough to prepare us?
Australian publishing and protectionism
The Productivity Commission want to lift the ban on parallel importing of books in Australia. Publishers claim this will stifle local publishers and authors; supporters of the proposal say it will bring book prices down. Is it worth bringing down the prices of books if it means decimating local publishing?
Somalian Piracy
President Obama was widely praised for his action on the rescue of a US captain held hostage by Somalian pirates. However, Somalian piracy has been a growing threat for some time. Is there any way to combat the overall problem? Are pirates simply criminals or is Western intervention in Somalia partly to blame?
Victorian Transport
There's been a lot of attention on the proposed bushfire-related spending in the upcoming Victorian Government budget, but transport is quickly becoming one of the biggest issues for Melbournians as our public transport system becomes increasingly dysfunctional. What's wrong with public transport in Melbourne? Can we see a straightforward solution?
After which we will adjourn to PA's where members may feel free to try to find a way to impeach me before the AGM.
In other news, the Law Students Society is hosting a free public lecture regarding human rights:
An Australian Human Rights Act: Dispelling the Myths
A public lecture featuring The Hon Catherine Branson QC, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission.
6:00pm–7:00pm, Tuesday 19 May 2009
Room G08 (Ground Floor), Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham St, Carlton Vic 3053
Attendees are invited to RSVP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.
For further information and for other Social Justice Seminars, see http://www.mulss.com/social-
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)