Philip Thalis
@PhilipThalis
Architect, urbanist, public advocate. Principal @HillThalisAUP co author #PublicSydney. Prof Practice UNSW. ex Indep’t Sydney Councillor. AIA 2024 Gold Medalist
The slaughter of Palestinians desperate for food, on top of 50,000 civilian deaths, would persuade most people that right now anti-Palestinianism is a more deadly pathology in the world than anti-Semitism. Scenes in Gaza resemble the Warsaw Ghetto.
I reckon if the parliament is to be “dignified” then treating the genocide in Gaza as only requiring platitudes and reluctant expressions of concern demeans the nations dignity. How about sanctions on Israel and its genocidal ministers? How about expelling the Israeli ambassador?
Four One Nation Senators led by #PaulineHanson turned their backs on Welcome to Country at Opening of #Parliament today. They think majority of voters will cheer their action & are probably correct but it was nevertheless a small-minded juvenile protest of no consequence.
The IDF is a terrorist organisation that takes glee in murdering civilians. Anyone associated with it should be denied entry to another country, and their funds should be seized if held in a non-Israel jurisdiction.
As someone who has spent over 40 years in Israel’s Security Establishment - both as IDF Chief of Staff & Minister of Defense, I can say this unequivocally: Not only has Israel never starved or targeted civilians, but it goes above and beyond to protect civilians in the most…
Good sense - economically, socially & for fairness - to correct Howard/Costello era distortions of Capital Gain Tax discounts (totally unearned) & Negative Gearing (gift to banks). How have such regressive policies stood untouched for decades, whereas so many more worthy causes?
@TransportforNSW has released patronage data for FY24-25. Sydney Metro overtakes Sydney Light Rail as the third most used public transport mode. Patronage increased approximately 40 million or 173% to 63.2 million, giving Metro 10% public transport mode share. 1/3
Here is the thing. “Abundance” advocates say zoning is the reason rents are too high. Not true. It’s urban land as an asset class and associated “landlordism”. Thread below with some facts.
Note to haters: This shows that for North American center cities, already built out by WWII, adding lots of housing did not have the effect of lowering prices, compared to those center cities that added less. docs.google.com/document/d/1AJ…
Can’t understand why the Australian Parliament begins each term with a church service. How is this appropriate for the multicultural community it supposedly represents?
Wrong headline, wrong questions SMH. No people don’t see point of economists & big businesses wanting to increase GST But They do see the point of reforming CGT & Negative Gearing rorts. What if you actually gave them some other substantive information & choices??
Last night's @abcnews TV piece, in which I point out that Australia's low productivity is a function of falling business investment. That's what the Government's productivity roundtable should focus on. youtube.com/watch?v=cepwDU…
We are excited to share the New South Wales’ Housing Pattern Book has been released! @nswdphi @government.architect.nsw The Pattern Book is a wonderful selection of high-quality architect-designed homes that allow people to reimagine their houses, streets, and city. These…
Someone should do a Monthly-style extended piece on the phenomenon of the professional board member in Australia: that is, sitting on boards for a living. It looks an interesting phenomenon, and one with significant wider consequences for how our institutions operate.
Just heard an interview @abcnews from @BBC with British Surgeon Prof Nick Maynard describing the horrific injuries & deaths from deliberate shooting of young boys in food queues by IDF and effects of starvation & lack of infant formula in Gaza. All doctors should listen to this
Punchy article, traversing the territory between the new NSW terrace house Pattern Book & the suss-sounding new time ‘Abundance’ - which the author should know does not extend to energy & environment best practice in C21st aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%…
This week's #SundayShot is up for your delectation! Wise words and great insights from @GrataFund's Isabelle Reinecke and @RoyceRk2 plus @TheKlaxon's @Anthony_Klan on his scoop on Segal and Advance. Please watch, like, subscribe, donate...all the things. youtube.com/live/QNsy_o6em…
“The myth I’d like to dispel is that creativity is somehow hampered by thinking about business. The days of just holing away in a studio & never thinking about money - we’re just not living in that time.” James Blake’s fight against ‘free music’. True of all creative industry
The AFR with the list of 50 richest CEOs in Australia. Oddly they count unrealised share holdings to determine how rich they are. But the AFR has told us that you can't count such things when trying to tax super balances above $3m. Guess they aren't really rich at all....
Just a reminder, one of these women does her advocacy work pro bono, the other charges Australian taxpayers $400K for her salary alone. #auspol
Writer #richardflanagan far too important to languish behind a paywall - such a demolition of the awful Segal who Albanese wrongly appointed to the untenable & unnecessary position of ‘special envoy’. Absolutely a must read article if you value your democracy.
