Tag: Policy

It is remarkable for a Coalition government to cut skilled migration during an upswing in the economy. The John Howard government significantly increased the skilled intake when the Australian economy surged from around 2001. Increased use of system alerts to identify visa applications and issues that require additional investigation has been a long-standing priority for Australia’s immigration authorities. But from one year to the next, these lead to a tiny increase in the visa refusal rate, hardly 20,000. How much further is he suggesting visa processing times will increase to explain a cut of 20,000 visas? Australian immigration authorities are more than capable of delivering the program on target without any additional risk to visa integrity or national security. And he could not use Morrison’s explanation that the program would only be delivered below the ceiling if there is a lack of demand. No state/territory premier or chief minister is calling for a cut, and as usual the business community is supportive of maintaining the current program. Could Hanson argue the government has cut immigration as part of her negotiations on the corporate tax cuts (but that the government has not gone far enough so she has withdrawn her support)? But how will he secure credit for something his own department says will be a negative for the economy and the budget?

Dr. Patricia "Pat" Spearman is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, ordained minster, and the first lesbian member of the Nevada State Legislature. During her 29 years in the U.S. Army, Pat served around the world with her final assignment being at…

Republican candidates are fighting over who has helped President Trump for the longest time. Peter Doocy has the latest on the Republican Senate primary in West Virginia. FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to delivering…

The government’s free schools policy has come under renewed fire after it emerged that another of its studio schools, set up using millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money, is to close this summer after a brief, troubled existence. The NEU says the latest closures bring the total to 66 new schools launched under the government’s flagship free schools policy that have either closed, partially closed or failed to open at all, at an estimated cost of almost £150m in startup costs and capital funding. Free schools, which include studio schools and university technical colleges (UTCs), are funded by the government; they are free of local authority control and have greater control over how they operate. “Although it trumpets the market as a model for education, no business would continue to throw good money after bad at what is clearly a failed school experiment.” The shadow education secretary, Angela Rayner, said: “The Tories’ education vanity projects simply aren’t working, and every time one of these schools collapse there are hundreds of pupils and staff left facing enormous uncertainty. “Instead of continuing to waste what little extra money they are prepared to invest in schools, the government should end their obsession with free schools and rethink their approach to new school places entirely.” The closure of Plymouth studio school – just three years after opening – will create huge uncertainty for the pupils immediately affected, many of whom are in the middle of GCSE courses, and will add to mounting doubts about the viability of the studio school model. “Since 2010 the government has spent at least £149.6m on the setup costs and capital funding for 66 free schools, university technical colleges and studio schools in England that have either closed, partially closed or failed to open at all. Had this money been invested across the school system, we might not be seeing so many schools sending home begging letters to parents.” Plymouth studio school was set up with a specific sports focus to train sports stars of the future. As well as the usual classrooms and laboratories, the £4.2m building, opened by the school standards minister, Nick Gibb, contains a gym containing the latest fitness equipment including a virtual reality “brain training” NeuroTracker device intended to boost concentration. “A number of studio schools have closed and this is a serious concern. “Studio schools are a part of that and there are many across the country that are providing their pupils with a good mix of academic and vocational education, alongside valuable employability skills.

Beginning in 2010, the United States orchestrated broad international economic pressure on Iran to persuade it to agree to strict limits on the program—pressure that contributed to the June 2013 election of the relatively moderate Hassan Rouhani as president of Iran and the eventual negotiation of a “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action” (JCPOA). The JCPOA, which took effect in January 2016, exchanged broad sanctions relief for temporary limits on Iran’s nuclear program. The JCPOA reduced the potential threat from Iran’s nuclear program, but did not address the full range of threats posed by Iran, including from its ballistic missile program; its regional influence and support for armed factions; its conventional military programs; and its human rights abuses. Whereas hardliners continue to control the state institutions that are responsible for Iran’s policies, public support for moderate and reformist figures that seek to promote free expression and international engagement appears strong. In the May 2017 vote, reformist and moderate candidates won overwhelmingly in concurrent municipal council elections in all the major cities, including Tehran. Still, the political successes of moderate candidates have not eliminated deep grievances in Iranian society, as demonstrated by significant unrest that erupted all over Iran during late December 2017-January 2018, and which has continued to simmer in the form of women protesting against enforcement of the strict dress code. U.S.-European negotiations to meet President Trump’s demands have produced some modest agreements to jointly sanction Iran’s missile program, but the talks have not clearly met the President’s stated demands for remaining in the deal. The naming of CIA Director Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State and former Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton as National Security Adviser in March 2018— both vocal critics of Iran and of the weaknesses in the JCPOA—have led many observers to conclude that the President will refuse to waive a major sanctions law when its waiver expires on May 12, 2018. Trump Administration officials have not, a any time, articulated an intent to improve relations with the existing regime in Iran, and have instead expressed hope that the Iranian public and their protests might be able to achieve significant political change. As have successive Administrations, the Trump Administration is continuing efforts to promote civil society in Iran, perhaps in the hopes of expanding and emboldening opposition to the regime.

The newly elected senator from Pawtucket sits down with The Journal to go over her stances on many issues, from education and rebuilding Rhode Island’s crumbling schools to keeping the Pawtucket Red Sox in the city. An at-large city councilwoman, Cano, 34, is the assistant vice president of business and community development at Navigant Credit Union. Born and raised in Medellin, Colombia, Cano immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 16. Meeting with The Providence Journal on Sunday, Cano talked about some of her priorities: 1. Schooling Newly elected state Sen. Sandra Cano, of Pawtucket’s District 8. A Spanish-speaker only until 16, she learned English in Rhode Island schools. We have to do more, which is why I am extremely supportive of the $250 million for schools to continue to be fixed.” The senator-elect supports Gov. They are part of the fabric of our city, as well. Their investment in our city, in downtown Pawtucket, is going to be a catalyst for other businesses to come and to stay.” 5. Keeping Hasbro world headquarters in Pawtucket “Economic development is extremely important, to support small businesses and to make sure that Pawtucket is a destination and we have good-quality jobs in our city.

The growing trade war with China is politics that’s all mixed up. And some of the president’s most strident supporters from coal companies to farmers are not happy with his policy choices. In January, the White House said it would levy a tariff, or a tax, on the importation of solar panels from other countries. Soybean futures were already down nearly 40 cents a bushel the morning after this announcement.” The association has a Twitter campaign, #RethinkTheTariffs to stir public support. The Republican Party has long argued for free trade, benefitting farm states by opening new markets around the world. “Trump’s decision to take on China is long overdue … Not surprisingly, however, Trump and his team have thus far provided more theater than substance, and are executing this trade war with an extremely haphazard approach—overall, they are simply clueless about the core elements of a sensible globalization strategy.” A potential trade war also has huge implications for global warming. China is the world’s largest importer of coal. Tribes that produce coal, such as the Crow Nation in Montana, have looked toward China and Asian markets as a way to make coal great again. But there is a connection between global trade and global warming. Policies that modify trade (trade policies) can influence emissions, while policies for reducing emissions (climate change policies) can also influence trade.” Thus, a slowdown in trade stemming from a trade war could reduce carbon emissions.

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Vox co-founder and editor Matthew Yglesias and Politico reporter Eliana Johnson about embattled Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt and the fear of a "blue wave" in Wisconsin. Now let's talk about some of the ways President Trump is changing policy and Washington. YGLESIAS: Well, you know, I think you see on some of these issues that I think what the president is doing is using public statements to force members of his administration to start working on things that they've been trying to slow-walk. CORNISH: Eliana, for you? But this is a case where everybody around the president is telling him that it's time for Scott Pruitt to go, and the president is resisting. CORNISH: Getting out of Washington for a bit, there was an election in Wisconsin this week where the Democratic-backed candidate won a seat on Wisconsin's Supreme Court. But the results garnered a high-profile response in this case from Wisconsin's Republican governor, Scott Walker. YGLESIAS: I mean, you know, this is yet another race in a swing state this time where you see, you know, Democrats just doing really well in down-ballot races. And feelings about the president have driven a lot more interest among Democrats in these kinds of races that were falling below the radar. CORNISH: Eliana Johnson is national political reporter for Politico, Matt Yglesias of Vox.

The Utah Senate GOP Primary is now flooded with candidates vying to best Mitt Romney in what could be a runaway race for the former governor FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to delivering breaking…

Texas just experienced record voter turnout in last night's primary election. Does the first primary of the 2018 election show a 'blue wave' coming? What does the high Democratic turnout mean for Republicans? FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour…