Missed something in InDaily this week? Here are quick links to the week’s best news, opinion and feature articles.
News
We started the week reporting on developers questioning Renewal SA’s apparent role in agreeing to sell 400 hectuares of land at Gillman to one consortium, without going to public tender.
Then it became clear that Renewal SA was not the decision-maker – the deal was recommended by the Economic Development Board and the Premier got involved at the EDB’s request. Weatherill says there was nothing wrong with the process and he was acting in the state’s best interests. Questions remain unanswered, particularly about Renewal SA’s role – after all, half the board resigned when the decision was taken.
The state economy also dominated the week’s news. A new report concluded that South Australia’s economy was the weakest in the nation, alongside Tasmania. It only got worse from there as Premier and Treasurer Jay Weatherill confirmed that the State Budget position had deteriorated significantly since his mid-year review in December.
Weatherill released his post-Holden jobs plan. A senior economist then questioned the plan, saying the days of Playford-era industry support are over.
In more positive news, the Barossa made a US magazine’s top 10 wine destinations for 2014, beating celebrated regions in France and Italy.
We also reported on a major new development for the city, with the University of South Australia telling us of its plans to build an underground Great Hall at its City West campus.
Opinion
A former adviser to the Federal Government on the history curriculum got stuck into Education Minister Christopher Pyne’s controversial review of the national curriculum.
Voluntary euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke recounted his detention by Customs officials in Melbourne this week.
An Adelaide University academic asked: how conservative is Cory Bernardi?
Arts & culture
The extraordinary and moving story of singer Lior’s collaboration with composer Nigel Westlake.
Reviews of films The Wolf of Wall Street and Inside Llewyn Davis, and books The Green Desert and Zero at the Bone.
What if audiences at the Adelaide Festival could vote off actors from the stage, like Big Brother? This is the premise of a show we previewed this week.
Food & wine
Why eating quinoa imported from South America isn’t such a super idea.
Wine writer Philip White on the wine industry’s attempts at positive spin, fires, guns and much more.
The Forager’s wrap of local food news and events, including an exciting new restaurant opening that’s happened on the quiet.
Local Sauvignon blancs reviewed, and an Australia Day recipe for mini Greek lamb burgers (again emphasising our food debt to multiculturalism).
Design
The original architect of the Festival Centre plaza says it’s not too late to fix the maligned public space.
Is the 20-minute neighbourhood a realistic or even worthwhile goal?
