Gizmodo Australia » krudd

K-Rudd & Co Considering Tax On TVs and PCs To Pay For Recycling

Nick Broughall — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:25:56 +0000

According to a report by Glenn Milne of the Herald Sun, the Aussie Government is considering a ‘recycling tax’ on TVs and PCs, which would be used to help pay the costs of recycling old hardware.

The tax, which was recommended in a government-funded report by Price Waterhouse Coopers, is apparently as much to do with paying for the program as it is an attempt to force a change in the behaviour of both consumers and businesses. Because as it stands, us Australians are a bunch of environmental criminals when it comes to disposing of old TVs and PCs. Although from personal experience, that’s mostly due to a lack of options when it comes to getting rid of old machines – my local council doesn’t offer any electronics recycling…

The Herald Sun report reckons the tax would add about $30 to the price of a new TV. If that’s the case, I’m all for it. After all, what’s $30 when you’re already spending upward of $2K on a new telly? Especially if it means that your old TV won’t end up in landfill poisoning the planet.

As it stands, the report is in the “community consultations” stage for about six months. What happens after that is anyone’s guess.

[News.com.au]

Here’s a Good Question: Is Kevin Rudd A Gamer?

Nick Broughall — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:52:36 +0000

New Kotaku AU editor David has posed a very interesting question over on our sister site today: Is Kevin Rudd a gamer? Normally, the mere idea of any politician in power as a gamer strikes me as absurd, but the fact is that K-Rudd (or his staff) spends a lot of time on social networking tools like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, so why not gaming? With the latest batch of consoles (and most current PC titles too), games are becoming more and more about engaging with your fellow man, right before you blow a hole in his virtual head (sometimes you have one blown in yours instead).

Do you reckon the PM partakes in the odd bit of gaming? Would he own any consoles? Head on over to Kotaku to discuss with our gaming-obsessed brethren…

[Kotaku AU]

If You Hate The Idea Of A Filtered Internet, You Should Probably Sign This…

Nick Broughall — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:00:37 +0000

By now you’re probably aware that the Rudd Government are planning on filtering the internet for every Australian. And I’m sure that you are aware just how bad an idea it is. If you’re not, check out our previous post on the subject. Anyway, if you want to let the Government know what a bunch of tossers they are being by proceeding with live trials, even when all the closed trials results should have shouted out in big red letters: “THIS ISN’T GOING TO WORK”, the GetUp.org is calling for you to sign their petition.

I know, petitions are a bit of a nothing way of demonstration, but considering the massive push GetUp are putting behind their efforts to thwart the Government’s filtering program, it can’t hurt to add your name to the list. And it might actually make a difference.

To sign the petition, point your browser here. Do it now.

[Getup.org]