It wasn't all men in red suits and boozy long lunches in December 07. Here's the headlines that kept us busy in between unwrapping pressies, baking turkeys and boiling puddings. Thanks to media analyst Patrick Baume.
Climate Change – Climate change continued to dominate the news, with the intergovernmental meeting on climate change in Bali seeing the new Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gain international plaudits for signing the Kyoto agreement, as debate over whether the developing world should face the same restrictions as richer countries raged and the U.S. continued to hold out against mandatory targets.
Petrol prices – Petrol prices were once again a big issue as the Government followed through on its Election commitment to hold an ACCC inquiry into petrol prices. As oil prices headed towards US$100 a barrel, the Commission found no direct evidence of price collusion in the industry, but said that it could be made more competitive.
Interest rates – Interest rates and the credit crunch across global financial markets continued to be a big issue in the last month of 2007, with the big banks warning they would have to increase their mortgage rates despite no official increase in rates from the Reserve Bank during the month.
Aurukun rape case – Much of the media ran lead articles after it was revealed that none of nine men and boys convicted of raping a ten year old girl at the Cape York settlement of Aurukun were sentenced to gaol. Public sentiment ran strongly against the prosecutor’s decision not to ask for custodial sentences and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh immediately announced an inquiry.
WorkChoices – WorkChoices continued to be an issue in December as the Opposition agonised over whether to block the repeal of the legislation in the Senate, as new Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard warned that it could be years before new processes were in place.
Tracking the media, monitoring the message
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