Australia Week in Review

I scanned the headlines of the Australian newspapers and TV this week. Probably the biggest political story of the week was the report that Australian Tresaurer Peter Costello told journalists in 2005 that Prime Minister John Howard could not win the next election. The two have a had a difficult relationship in the past, mostly having to due with the leadership of the Liberal (Conservative) Party.

Right-wing activist and former MP Pauline Hansen is running for Parliament again. Her main campaign issue will be limiting Muslim immigration into Australia. According to The Australian, Hansen said, "I think we need to look at getting out of the 1951 convention of refugees, and not being forced into taking refugees in this country that bring diseases who are incompatible with our lifestyle."

I watched the 7:30 ABC news report on Wednesday. Just like in the U.S., Australian foreclosure rates have risen recently. In fact, since 1990, Australian household debt has risen at three times the rate of American household debt.

It's been a bad winter for getting the flu this year in Australia. At least six children and one adult have died from the virus so far.