Medical Observer and asylum seekers

Deana Henn, associate publisher of Medical Observer, writes: Re. “Exclusive watch: Oz on asylums” (Tuesday). In attacking a story published in The Australian about asylum seekers seeking breast implants, the reporter also had an undisguised dig at Medical Observer. She suggested that a pointer story to a personal journal by a GP who was in charge of offshore detention centres should have included responses from unknown asylum seekers about their confidential requests for health services such as breast implants — plus others including Botox injections, IVF, cosmetic dentistry, kidney transplant and breast implants. When questioning why only one GP was quoted, the reporter failed to acknowledge the doctor’s seniority in running health services for asylum seekers, which she could have verified herself, and that the GP is a known and trusted source — facts she would have discovered had she sought comment from the editor, as requested.

The Tea Party at work

Peter Matters writes: Re. “McCain’s ‘embarrassed’, but Tea Party has no shutdown shame” (yesterday). The US Tea Party are bent on trying to destroy a President with a black father. The Australian Tea Party has already succeeded in destroying a woman prime minister.

Competition winner

Crikey writes: Congratulations to Michael Craig, who has won our MacBook Air competition. Entrants were asked what they’d do if they were Crikey editor for the day — Michael said: “An article called ‘dos and don’ts for a novice prime minister — guidelines for the first 100 days’, with insights from the past five PMs.” We’ll see what we can do …