Blogs

Next week's vote for the ALP leadership is of course crucial for the ALP's chances of winning, or doing well, at next year's poll (almost certain to be in October, or maybe early November).

Beazley's in this jam because the electorate has given up on him. People simply don't believe the ALP can win with the bomber in the pilot's seat.

But just putting a fresh face in that seat is not going to make much difference, either.

Rudd needs some sweeping changes. Gillard as deputy and Garrett in the top team leading the charge on climate change.

Across the board there is a need for some more energy and enthusiasm on Labor's frontbench. The Opposition has meekly surrendered the initiative on climate change, the IR campaign is limping along (the rearguard action on behalf of the ACTU is not capturing public imagination), there are no clear alternatives on health and education, labor seems to be fighting the last campaign on economics (wasting money on interest rate ads) and it is still to resolve its position on the nuclear debate with key figures like Bob Carr pushing for a nuclear future (should make for a fun conference next April).

Substitute flyhalf Federico Todeschini scored 22 points as Argentina beat England 25-18 victory at Twickenham. [News - headlines from ninemsn]

New Zealand has completed a record 47-3 victory over a sorrowful French outfit in the Armistice Day Test at a slippery Stade de Gerland in Lyon. In similar circumstances to the All Blacks' 45-6 drubbing of their arch-rival in November 2004, the visitors quickly gained control as they raced away to a bruising 23-3 half-time lead. Despite the wet conditions making ball-handling hard for both sides, three uncontested tries in the opening term had New Zealand firmly in control as the French de [Sport from ninemsn]

Substitute flyhalf Federico Todeschini scored 22 points as Argentina beat England 25-18 victory at Twickenham. [News - headlines from ninemsn]

Emmett passes away after eight year battleActor Belinda Emmett, the wife of entertainer Rove McManus, died in Sydney yesterday after battling breast cancer. [abc.net.au]

Other stories
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=161157
http://www.smh.com.au/news/people/disbelief-sorrow-over-adored-actors-death/2006/11/11/1162661950653.html

Early results in the United States Congressional elections are favouring Democrats, as the war in the Iraq emerges as a key issue influencing voters. Hoping to curtail Mr Bush's power in his last two years in office, Democrats have drawn first blood, ousting incumbents in Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Rhode Island, according to television network projections. Democratic Senate campaign manager Chuck Schumer predicted a good night for his party in the battle for control of the 435-seat House of Representatives and 100-member Senate. "We're not breaking out the champagne bottles yet. It's going to be a long night. But so far, so good,'' Mr Schumer said. Many pundits have predicted a decisive shift to the Democrats will have a big influence on future US Middle East policy and its attitude to Global Warming. [Breaking news]

NSW Aboriginal Affairs Minister Milton Orkopoulos has been sacked from State cabinet after being arrested and charged with 30 sex and drugs offences, including some involving minors.Mr Orkopoulos, 49, was arrested early Wednesday by police at Belmont on Lake Macquarie, on NSW's Central Coast, and was expected to face court on a total of 30 charges, police said.

This follows the resignation of Police Minister, Carl Skully, and the embarrassment of Local Government Minister, Kerry Hickey and his three speeding offences. NSW minister axed, facing sex charges

Also worth a look at is the Sydney Morning Herald analysis by State Correspondent Anne Davies

See also Orkopoulos statement

Japanese horse, Delta Blues, has won the Melbourne Cup at Flemington this afternoon.[News - breaking news from news.com.au]

Leaked US report shows Iraq close to 'chaos' - A leaked military report shows the US Central Command believes Iraq is one step closer to what it describes as "chaos".

Sooner than later someone is going to ask what cloths the emporer is wearing

RUPERT Murdoch says he has no intention of taking over newspaper group Fairfax. [News - breaking news from news.com.au]Do we believe him? Murdoch and the now departed Kerry Packer did a deal in the mid 90's which would have delivered Fairfax and its rivers of gold (aka cash) to Murdoch. The plan, which was documented in court proceedings, had Murdoch closing his two tabloids in Melbourne and Sydney and turn these cities into one newspaper towns. Want to know that would look like? Try the West Australian News. A tepid suburban daily at best.