A new Café Talk is up so that us poor sods who access CW from Apple mobile devices won’t have it crash on us when the page gets past a certain amount of comments.
Migs, wrt our discussion last night, I asked around but all I could find was a few anonymous, inane comments about poor sods with i phones and i pads. 😦
I tried 😀
Cheers. 😀 😀
They were lies. Damn lies I tell ya.
Well then they must have come from the trolls or the LNP!
Never fear Migs I believe ya. 😉
Cheers 😀
Albury. That’s my town. 🙂
And what a fine town it is, Roswell. 🙂
when Rudd was PM the media ran and ran about a certain incident with a hairdryer, for memories sake
Imagine my shock that the Tele and other papers have NOT headlined this incident about PM Gillard, especially seeing it occurred in Afghanistan. In fact it is only a little paragraph in a journalists column.
“The PM’s iron fist
In the meantime, Julia Gillard made a big impression on the troops when she visited last month. Not for any speeches she made. But they’ll never forget how, when she got off the plane and was put straight into an armoured vehicle, an over-eager soldier – keen to ensure her complete safety inside the steel cocoon – slammed the door on her hand.
”She didn’t even cry out,” one soldier told me, ”even though she was lucky not to break any fingers and her hand swelled up like a balloon. She just got a quick bit of treatment, assured the shocked soldier she’d be OK and got on with it.”
I suppose i shouldn’t be shocked, when it comes to war zones and politicians, our media much prefer
tony abbott dressing up in bomb disposal outfits
tony abbott firing guns from trucks
tony abbott sharing his wisdom of war, “shit happens”
yes he certainly is made up of ‘tuff stuff’
Just as she reacted when she fell flat on her face. Have done similar, and believe me it does shake one up.
The type of person one would like nearby in an emergency I believe.
One would not want the likes of Mirabella. She would just look down her nose at you.
Bishop would be too busy with her next move to noticed.
Abbott, would be too busy running, taking the chance to get to the line first. How one wins matters little to him.
Bushfires from lightning strikes in WA.
Two US states have just legalised cannabis and in the UK they are considering drug law reform.
‘Britain is losing the war on drugs and should consider the radical option of legalisation, a powerful committee of MPs will argue this week.
‘In a controversial move which could lead to yet another Coalition rift, the influential Commons Home Affairs Committee is expected to put pressure on David Cameron to establish a Royal Commission to draw up changes to the law.
‘The MPs have concluded that prison sentences – which can be up to life for dealers of heroin and cocaine – are failing to deter drugs barons, and may even be encouraging a crime-riddled black market in the substances.’
What have you been up to rabbit? No good, I’ll bet
I’ve been browsing through the previous thread el gordo, and I’ve got to admit that if two snowflakes fell on a two horse town in Oklahoma you’d say it is evidence against climate change.
Probably doing a bit of beer tasting Bacchus. Speaking of which . . .
Just got back from my annual piss oops working trip to Lord Howe Island. (How those Qantaslink pilots can land there on a cigarette paper sized airstrip in a 40knot crosswind has got me beat).
Before that I moved into my new digs on the central coast, so was without internet for a while.
I notice Bacchus is around so the cellar must be open…clink!
Hope you blokes are all well.
I thought Bacchus was banned from the cellar.
Fine thanks rabbit 🙂
Shhhh – I sneak in when the mine host isn’t looking Roswell
Keeping Baccie away from the cellar is like trying to keep Romeo away from Juliette, Roswell. 😯
Hiya rabbit. Are you in need of a drink?
‘…evidence against climate change.’
….evidence against global warming.
Liberal Troy Buswell is making the news again…
Barnett backs Buswell amid more headines
WA Today, 09 December 2012
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has again been forced to defend senior minister Troy Buswell, after more lurid headlines regarding alleged drunken behaviour from the state’s treasurer.
Perth’s Sunday Times has detailed claims that Mr Buswell “dry-humped” a prominent Perth businessman during a private function last year, in an incident confirmed by his former partner and Independent MP Adele Carles.
It’s the latest embarrassment for Mr Buswell, who was forced to resign as treasurer in 2010, having previously stood down as WA Liberal leader in 2008 following the infamous “chair sniffing” scandal.
‘It was GOP strategist and wordmeister Frank Luntz who counseled in a confidential 2003 memo that the Administration and conservatives should stop using the term “global warming” because it was too frightening:
‘It’s time for us to start talking about “climate change” instead of global warming and “conservation” instead of preservation.’
Liberal Troy Buswell is usually associated with the chair-sniffing incident. But it’s not his only wrongdoing…
Opposition calls for Buswell to be sacked
The West Australian, 20 February 2011
The West Australian opposition wants Premier Colin Barnett to live up to standards he set in opposition and sack Transport Minister Troy Buswell for a string of traffic offences.
Mr Buswell was brought back into cabinet in December having previously been dumped as Treasurer early last year over allegations he misused entitlements during his affair with Greens MP Adele Carles.
It has been revealed that since being appointed transport minister, Mr Buswell was fined $75 for speeding up to 9km/h over the speed limit on January 6.
You need more than a drink, rabbit. You also need a Valium. 😦
Oh, and here’s a tip: DON’T follow her links. 🙄
‘I’m always in need of a drink.’
You may need ice with that.
You may need ice with that.
I wouldn’t waste any time getting some ice, bunnykins. At the ate the polar ice caps are melting, you may just have to have your drink at room temperature.
Changing times. The companies with the nous to take advantage of the changes, will survive. Consumers create jobs, not the other way about. Therefore one gives the consumer what they want. Simple.
AUSTRALIAN shoppers set a record in online trading, ordering more than 500,000 items yesterday.
The pre-Christmas rush comes as shoppers ditch traditional retailers to buy online.
Australia Post spokeswoman Mel Ward said 70 per cent of packages through the post office were now online purchases.
The post office expects to deliver an extra three million parcels this Christmas, with half a million of those just from yesterday’s online shopping boom.
Ms Ward said the sooner people shopped for Christmas the better.
“It’s not do-or-die, but you want to be getting in sooner than later and not leaving it last minute for online shopping,” she said………….
Surprise surprise. I’m working on a post that’s not about Tony Abbott. 😯
Plus, while I’m here, sorry to those who’ve been emailing me but I’ve spent a few days in bed with the Lupus and I’ve hence piled up 100’s of unread emails. I promise to reply to them all tomorrow. Thank you for your patience, my friends.
Migs, get well quickly. You are having a rough run at this time. Better days ahead.
Thanks Cu. I’ll get there.
I haven’t seen the results of the latest Newspoll but I’ve heard they are good for the Coalition while bad for Abbott.
I believe that is true. So this week, we will get nothing else from the media.
But then I believe that Seven was talking about private Labor polling.
In that we have no idea of the questions asked, or what they were polling.
Not looking good, is it??? Oh but, but Abbott’s prefered PM numbers are lower than Gillard. Typical rusted on thought process.
Scaper, it sort of creates a dilemma for both parties. I doubt it makes Abbott feel comfortable.
Migs, here is another scenario. A movement of the sceptics to KAP which will split the vote.
For me, it is not the leader…if it came to that then there would be no party worthy of my three votes.
I believe the polls have shifted due to Gillard and the AWU issue. The element of distrust is now embedded in the electorate. They should of got rid of Gillard over the Israel thing in the last week of Parliament. Would have been more cleaner than what possibly is to come.
I wonder if Gillard is going to phone and threaten The Spectator too?
“The Australian Tax Office has moved to wind up the Newcastle Knights and the Newcastle Jets, along with their parent company the Hunter Sports Group, over unpaid debts of some $2.7 million, as owner Nathan Tinkler’s debt problems continue to mount.”
Will the Raiders get the televised game slots on channel 9, when the Knights fold?
Ms Gillard says Mr Fitzgibbon and others are entitled to their views.
‘We don’t jump at people’s figments of imagination here,’ she tsaid.
‘We deal with the facts. We deal with the forecasts.’
Ms Gillard said policy was made by her and the cabinet, not Mr Fitzgibbon.
‘We’ll get on and make the decisions,’ she said.
Mr Fitzgibbon said monetary and fiscal budget policy were ‘running in different directions’ and there was good reason to run a deficit in times of need.
Ms Gillard vowed the government’s next budget, due to be handed down in May 2013, would detail funding for a national disability insurance scheme and Labor’s response to the Gonski review on school funding….
a very interesting interview on Radio National this morning with “the Lord of the Flies” and englishman who breeds flies for the larvae that is used for meal in products for fish, chickens etc, a replacement for fishmeal.
He talked about how ghengis Khan took fly larvae when off to war, the larvae used on the wounds, how napoleons doctors wanted to use larvae but Napoleon insisted on water to clean wounds, and how the British hospital are now using larvae on wounds that are antibiotic resisitant.
Back to his fly farm, to feed his larvae he uses “waste” from abbatoirs. The waste from abbatoirs is otherwise an expensive disposal.
Great interview. Imagine the possibilities if a fly farm was co-located with an abbatoir, an abbatoir that is also using its own products for energy production.
i will check rn later to see if there is a podcast, 15/12/12 about 6.45am
Thank you Ann Summers for this article..
IF EVER the case needed to be made for why the Prime Minister is circumventing the mainstream media and reaching out directly to key groups in the community, you only had to look at the reaction to Julia Gillard’s hosting 20 women to late-afternoon drinks at Kirribilli House on Monday.
This was one of just dozens of drinks functions the Prime Minister is hosting this holiday season but it is the only one to have attracted media attention, and scornful or patronising attention at that.
”PM cosies up to mummy bloggers”, said one headline. A News Ltd columnist referred to the gathering as ”a coven of female bloggers”. ”Isn’t the Prime Minister displaying signs of misogyny … by not inviting men to the blogger drinks?” a commercial radio host asked one of the women who had been there.
If I join the discussion and make comments that you disagree with, will I be called a ‘troll’ and a ‘bogan’?
Not from me.
Lena, if one makes such comments, yes it will be pointed out, that they could be wanting. Whether you consider that name calling, is up to you.
Lena,
It depends if you behave like a troll or a bogan, or if you choose to participate in a more reasonable manner 😉
Go in feet first, giving everyone the impression that you think you’re superior to them – you’ll get what you deserve…
Slipper ‘scandal’ exposed as conspiracy, awaiting Labor to launch investigation in order to see if that wakes our press from their slumber.
Will another conspiracy be exposed? We know jackson was getting pretty tight with the liberal mob.
A receipt of documents signed by a detective-sergeant on November 12 and seen by Fairfax Media shows police took the folders and 10 boxes of records ”for their investigation purposes”.
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The documents are believed to relate to spending by the union’s No. 3 branch during the period its state secretary was Kathy Jackson.
Mind you, this is all months old, to the the New Media anyway, thanks Wixxy
did you note that the information on Kathy Jackson documents being seized.
No headlines – “Suspect K J whose boyfriend was appointed by Abbott, have credit card statements and financial accounts SEIZED’
No they go with a generic “HSU documents seized” , in that way you may just dismiss reading the article because the reader just might think it is more Thom(P)son stuff.
sue, they could not collect any documents that do not involve her. After all she has had control since at least 2009 or earlier. Ms. Jackson is the one consistent in this saga.
The one that has been there since day one. All the others move in and out, including Williamson in a way.
When framed in the context of the $375 billion federal budget the NBN Co funding cannot be seen as a massive impost. In fact most voters and tax-payers, who aren’t ideologically opposed or committed to an NBN fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) rollout, would consider the NBN a modest capital investment and a sound 25 year investment.
The billions spent to fund the NBN seem almost trivial when one factors in the social benefits and patently minor when compared to our expenditure on health, education and defence. Remember these are all expenses, not investments, but in terms of small expenditures, it rates down there with the nine per cent superannuation levy.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the federal budget. You can get the full numbers here.
$130 billion on social benefits/entitlements
$61 billion on health
$49 billion allocated to state governments
$30 billion on education
$22 billion on defence
$12 on public debt interest
$8 billion on super interest (CSS/PSS/etc)
$3.5 billion on superannuation
$6.5 billion on fuel and energy
$2.7 billion on road transport
$2.7 billion on general research
The six to eight billion dollars a year of funding for NBN Co falls in among the small items of the budget, but then again, the federal government has very few income producing assets (a.k.a. investments). I think it’s quite something for a government to invest in sound sectors when the free market has failed in them for a couple of decades.
That’s not just “opportunistic policy”, but sound business judgement.
‘Go in feet first, giving everyone the impression that you think you’re superior to them – you’ll get what you deserve…’
It was not my impression, Lena’s comment was rational and intelligent, so I say welcome.
Anyone who comes to this chat room deserve to be treated like trolls if they are not into groupthink.
Anyone who comes to this chat room deserve to be treated like trolls if they are not into groupthink.
What a load of bullshit.
Treetroll?
When Lena was offered the opportunity for rational debate she ran a mile. Which is a pity.
This site lacks right-wing contributors with an IQ above 75.
Migs, you feeling generous tonight?, I would have gone with nothing above their shoe size. 😉
Cheers 😀
‘This site lacks right-wing contributors with an IQ above 75.’
That’s a sleight on nils.
‘rational debate’
No, you’re not there yet.
Not with your efforts, anyway.
Treetroll is a troll – it’s entire raison d’etre for coming on this site is to troll. Never any facts, or even fact-based opinion. Just snipes designed to draw out a response. The very definition of a troll 🙄
Bacchus, Treefrog is just the sort of contributor who el gordo swoons over.
grodo’s a troll
TB refuses to comment here because of the trolls inhabiting this chat room.
That’s TB’s choice. I see it hasn’t stopped you though.
In fact, el gordo, looking at the stats from the last 1,000 comments you are the third most prolific commenter here. This ‘chat room’ obviously appeals to you. I’m glad you like it here. 🙂
Indeed, most entertaining.
Australia’s next PM… even a brown dog could lead the coalition to victory.
‘In the last Fairfax/ Nielsen poll of the year, Mr Abbott’s disapproval rating has risen three points to 63 per cent – the second highest for an opposition leader in the poll’s 40-year history – while nearly two-thirds of those aware of the issue were critical of how he handled the AWU slush fund affair.’
‘Lord Justice Leveson has been in Australia giving the locals his tuppeny ha’penny’s worth on press regulation. Given how gagmakingly PC they are over there these days, I’m sure they lapped up every word.
‘The bits that most interested me were his views on the differences between the print media (or as Richard North calls it the “legacy media”) and the blogosphere.
‘During a speech at the University of Melbourne, he insisted there was an important difference between mainstream journalists with “a powerful reputation for accuracy” and bloggers and tweeters who were “no more than electronic versions of pub gossip”.
Delingpole in the UK Telegraph
el gordo, I listen to that speech..What you say, is not what I heard. In fact he was complimentary of the blogs, saying they played a role, in scrutinizing the MSM. He even mentions Jericho’s book.
Your information is wrong, or you just say anything to gain attention.
What he did say, the cyber place is not and cannot be above the laws of defamation and libel.
I found the speech worthwhile to listen to.
Then, I can assure you, those in the MSM might not have liked what he had to say.
He also talked about such sites as Crikey and The Independent.Australia.
What he did say, the life of the print media will be shorter than most expect.
He covered a lot of ground during the speech.
Delingpole is a well known AGW denial propagandist. No wonder el dumbo quotes him so slavishly.
I like Delingpole because he’s not in denial and CU has selective deafness.
bloggers and tweeters who were “no more than electronic versions of pub gossip”.
..
Delingpole in the UK Telegraph
“James Delingpole – Telegraph Blogs”
lol, he has a low opinion of himself, doesn’t he? Maybe he’s read some of his work?
LOL Tom. 😆
‘A COMPLAINT by former ABC chairman Maurice Newman over a radio program that linked scepticism about human-induced climate change to advocacy of pedophilia has been dismissed by the national broadcaster.
‘Mr Newman, who retired from the ABC’s top job in March when his five-year term ended, said the broadcaster had been “captured” by a “small but powerful” group of people when it came to climate change groupthink – a claim rebuffed by the broadcaster.’
Rick Morton in the Oz
“captured” by a “small but powerful” group of people
Ltd News and the Right Wing lobby groups who dominate the ABC these days.
All climate change deniers.
el gordo, coming from you, saying someone has selective deafness is the greatest joke of the year. Easily solved, listen to the speech yourself. Do not rely on second hand reports.
They will need to purge aunty of groupthink on climate change.
That complaint should send warning bells. Of an ex ABC Chairman is saying.
Morrison is getting a hard time from interview ABC 24. His answer, has nor put in place full suit of policies they are advocating. Wonder in Morrison listen into the parliamentary hearing yesterday.
Not getting a good hearing.
Morrison, support the full Houston program and see if it does work.
Labor has tried yours, and it does not. Interviwiewer obviously listened yesterday.
Morrison is on the defensive.
Yep the denier’s groupthink need to be purged from the ABC ASAP, along with their Right Wing dominated groupthink.
At least we’re on the same page for once.
Whilst in an airport lounge I saw an interview with Morrison on Sky News, and to describe it as a Dorothy Dixer fluff piece would be kind.
It’s about time the media started earnestly questioning the opposition instead of letting them get away with the lies, deceptions and exaggerations they constantly espouse.
Full yarn, still second hand report. May be Leveson finds such people wanting, and he was the ones that he said needed to lift their game.
ME, Morrison got a harder time with ABC 24. Many questions asked that were raised yesterday in that Humam Rights Commission Parliamentary Hearing. There were people from across the asylum seekers giving reports.
What comes across clearly, is that it is time for the politicians to begin working together, and the whole Houston Report needs to be put in place.
As Fr, Brendan finished off with, time for less static from both houses.
On the media. Have you seen the latest IA on the Abbott prophecy.The article is a transcript of a Lateline program in 2011, Tony Jones interview with Abbott. Tony Jones had the scoop on Ashbygate, he didn’t know it then but looks as though he hasn’t wanted to know about it since.
‘….the whole Houston Report needs to be put in place.’
So illegal economic migrants need to be deported?
‘Ironically, if Mr Rudd wins his seat he will likely be the only Queensland Labor MP left in federal parliament.’
Hilderbrand in the Daily Terror
It’s OK to link climate denial to pedophilia, ABC tells ex-chairman Maurice Newman
BY: RICK MORTON From: The Australian December 18, 2012 12:00AM
A COMPLAINT by former ABC chairman Maurice Newman over a radio program that linked scepticism about human-induced climate change to advocacy of pedophilia has been dismissed by the national broadcaster.
Mr Newman, who retired from the ABC’s top job in March when his five-year term ended, said the broadcaster had been “captured” by a “small but powerful” group of people when it came to climate change groupthink – a claim rebuffed by the broadcaster…………..
“What if I told you that pedophilia is good for children, or that smoking crack is a normal part and a healthy one of teenage life, to be encouraged?” Williams said at the top of the show, which was dedicated to discussing attitudes on climate change.
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ABC clique in control of climate
“You’d rightly find it outrageous. But there have been similar statements coming out of inexpert mouths again and again in recent times, distorting the science.”
In his written complaint to ABC managing director Mark Scott, Mr Newman raised the issue of personally “offensive and defamatory” material and content that compared climate sceptics to pedophiles “more generally”.
The radio segment had also referred to an article that Mr Newman had written in The Australian last month comparing climate change believers to the religious. Mr Williams referred to it as “drivel” and his guest, psychology professor Stephen Lewandosky, said that those who denied climate change were “driven by ideology rather than evidence”.
Mr Newman objected to the imputation that he was a flat-earther.
“Speaking up publicly is not the sort of thing you do lightly,” he told The Australian yesterday.
“I still have a deep affection for the ABC but at some point someone has got to make a stand. The ABC is not being frank and open about the way global warming is portrayed on its various platforms, although the sense of imbalance is becoming more overt, I feel.”
Mr Newman said he was the first person to admit he was not a scientist and described himself as a human-induced climate change “agnostic”. “I considered the report to be defamatory because it went on to discuss me personally and an opinion piece I’d written comparing some in the climate change camp to religious believers,” he said. “In lumping me in with despicable flat-earthers, they also, through their introduction, likened people like us to pedophiles and drug-pushers.”
An ABC spokeswoman said the complaint was dismissed because the editorial context of the segment was reasonable, meaning “harm and offence” was justified…………..
But there have been similar statements coming out of inexpert mouths again and again in recent times, distorting the science.”
😯
“So illegal economic migrants need to be deported?”
Yes, el gordo, if they are not asylum seekers.
What is new in that.
If they are genuine asylum seekers, they are not and cannot be illegal.
Get the difference,
Sue, I read into that interview, Mr. Abbott was well aware of what was in train. I remembered thinking at the time, what dirty works has he in the pipeline.
It is interesting that reading the judgement and comments made previously, it was Ashby that put the idea to Slipper seeking the Chairman position, before he went to work with Slipper.
Why would Abbott, say, we have to see who else he harms or words to that affect. A funny statement to make.
It would be interesting to know how Mr. Slipper came to the chair. Did he approach the government or was it the other way about.
By the way, ore prices appear to be improving.
ABC 24 Aid being diverted. Saying that government is keeping to budget surpluses, and faced with blow out from an increase in boat arrivals. The story came to TEN from treasury leak.
Yes ore prices going up, Hockey will be upset.
Prices not as high as at May budget, but higher than MYEFO.
Slipper may have a lot to disclose after appeal period. Then again he may have started already. the Somylay investigation by AFP, who got that running?
Greater protections
The expert panel also recommended the Government push ahead with its plan for an asylum seeker deal with Malaysia, describing such cooperation as “vitally important”, although it said there needed to be greater protections built into the agreement.
The Coalition has maintained its opposition to the deal, citing human rights concerns with the way asylum seekers are treated in Malaysia.
Mr Aristotle has urged MPs to consider the agreement as part of the panel’s wider plan to stem the flow of asylum seeker boats, and to put aside ideological differences as they debate the merits of the 22 ideas.
“If people could come out of their trenches and talk about how to improve them, how to build on them, what additional safeguards would be necessary, what would be the next steps for dealing with these things, then just maybe we might be able to find a way through this mess,” he said.
“But if we don’t, if everyone stays in their trenches – as they have been for ages – or digs even further into those trenches as what’s been happening, then we won’t protect anyone.
“As sure as we’re sitting here today, over the Christmas period when we’re sitting down with family enjoying our Christmas time together, there will be people going down in boats.
“Unlike the BBC, the ABC acknowledges there are climate scientists who question the core thinking about climate science,” she said.
“The ABC gives them and their views air time.”
That’s not entirely accurate.
How is it not entirely accurate el gordo?
If you keep make outright statements without elucidation then you are doing nothing more than trolling and rightly deserve that label.
yes, please explain grodo 🙂
grodo appears unable to explain.
I’m shocked; SHOCKED I say!
You’re not alone, ToM. We’re all shocked.
Perhaps you need to get in an electrician to check the place out Migs?
The real question in the Ashby-Brough scandal is simple. Does Tony Abbott take the integrity of our democratic institutions seriously – as he claims – or doesn’t he
😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
Actually, I think he meant it as a serious question 😯
tabot has a policy. Mind you, it is just one big NO to anyone born without a silver spoon
Tony Abbott will slash financial support for university students and gut the current funding to Australia’s higher education system.
Opposition spokesperson, Brett Mason, today confirmed the Coalition will cut student support payments, including the Student Start-up Scholarship, meaning only those students from wealthy backgrounds will be able to afford to go to university.
With both Defence and the Indonesians not on board Abbott hasn’t got an asylum seeker policy, just like he hasn’t got any other polices, just three word slogans.
When I said its not entirely accurate, I meant that there hasn’t been anything on possible global cooling.
Tom R
I had to do a google on Brett Mason, hadn’t heard of him before
He is a Senator from Qld, been in parliament from 1999.
wonder how long he has been a spokeperson on higher education? now would he be a shadow or just todays talking head.
you know I’m not that interested n mason.
When I said its not entirely accurate, I meant that there hasn’t been anything on possible global cooling.
In other words, your claim about it being not entirely accurate wasn’t …. entirely accurate 😯
HURRY UP AND GET THE SPARKY IN MIGS!!
That’s funny Tom.
Aunty’s mouthpiece says “The ABC gives them and their views air time.”
Not equal time.
Why TF should deniers get “equal time”?
97% consensus should mean denialists and assorted other loonies should get no more than 3% 😉
Not equal time.
Exactly, which makes your claim toally wrong.
But, they should give them the amount of time that they deserve, which, if memory serves me right, is under 3%
So aunty gives them way too much time.
I think flat earthers should be up in arms about this. Why is one fringe group of cranks allowed so much time, when another one isn’t?
If a scientist or authority came up to Aunty and said we have viable stuff on a possible cooling the ABC would air it.
It’s an indictment across the global media that those tiny handful of mostly non climate scientists claiming global cooling are not making their case except on obscure blogs, most of which are run by a handful of right wing vested interest groups like The Heartland Institute.
Even if what you say is right on the ABC comment, why did you just come out with a one sentence statement with no context or meaning? It took some prodding and questions here to find out what you were referring to.
Anyway thanks for the belated explanation of what you were referring to.
Haven’t got a sparky, Tom. Would a landscaper do? 😯
Give me a break, I just got off work.
“Japan’s Abe prepares to print money for the world”
The nonsense is dealt with in the first half-dozen comments.
It’s a bit of a nerdy read but a perfect illustration of why we’re either in the mess we’re in, or deliberately being being treated like idiots. Take your pick.
My guess, the commercial stations will run with climate change with more balance. Here we see something normally aired by the ABC.
What do you mean by “normally aired” remembering the ABC was heavily criticised by the climate change proponents for airing that British anti AGW doco full of misinformation, can’t remember it’s name.
The commercial stations haven’t aired it.
Also the ABC have interviewed more sceptics and deniers than the commercial station so that again makes a nonsense of your statement.
Also the ABC constantly has on people from the IPA, Ltd News and other right wing organisations who frequently espouse anti AGW views. None of the commercial stations do that.
Please el gordo, you are not seriously sourcing that piece of factless crap are you?
If you are contending the ABC is left biased then please give us examples of where they have predominantly preferenced the left over the right in interviews and coverage.
Be aware that the Howard government held enquiries into ABC bias, one that was completely stacked by Alston. Howard’s biggest enquiry that put a highly paid watchdog over the ABC did find bias, slightly in favour of the Howard government.
Again that is factless diatribe taking one person’s comment and smearing the entire ABC with it. It proves nothing except the ranting of someone who themselves are biased.
‘None of the commercial stations do that.’
Not yet, after Gina and Lachlan snap up TEN for a song.
They have articles from Monkton for Pete’s sake and take them as irrefutable fact.
So you know exactly where they are coming from. And the Australian as well. Now there is bias, self-confessed biased.
The Oz appears biased, because they give equal time, whereas the Australian Brainwashing Corp exhibits its bias through the sin of omission.
This statement by Palmer appears contradictory. Was Palmer aware but not involved in conspiracy? just how many in LNP were involved? Time for Hockey to fess up rater than get angry and shout denials
‘Mr Palmer said Mr Brough had called the meeting to discuss his potential Liberal candidacy for the federal seat of Fisher, which Mr Slipper holds.
“At no time did I encourage anybody to pursue Peter Slipper for anything,” Mr Palmer said.
“I made it quite clear to all members of the LNP, as far as I was concerned, Peter Slipper was innocent of any crime and should not be pursued.
“I had confidence in him as a person.
“No person of any political party should use the legal system as a political tool.”
From what I read in the media and the Judgement, Palmer was approached with the request to get jobs for the two that worked for Slipper. Was told, I believe he was unable ro help.
CU
I read that as well, that’s why the article in news Ltd puzzles me. Palmer must have been hearing lots, not only from Brough. It may explain why he was out of the country and didn’t reply to the request for a job.
EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR GILLARD GOVERNMENT:
ALP 52.5% HOLDS WINNING LEAD OVER L-NP 47.5%
Common sense at last. Surplus dropped. Swan ABC 24
Common sense?? Swan is being forced, he has no option. It is not his decision. And we are in danger of losing our credit rating if we continue to have budget deficits. I think this means we have to pay more money for the money we need to borrow. So it becomes a downward spiral.
And speaking of lies this was a no ifs or buts promise. But I guess Gillard will say it was non-core and her braindead supporters will say circumstances have changed.
“PM: (laughs) The Budget is coming back to surplus, no ifs no buts it will happen.”
So you people can say whatever you like but I know that the ALP lied about the surplus.
Yes, Neil rave about, but please listen to the experts before jumping in.
I am sick already hearing “she said” Do not know how many it is since Swan was on.
Zero, you are as economically illiterate as Sloppy joe and Hockey.
It’s about time that they called a halt to the stupidity of a surplus in this economic climate.
Sloppy Joe and Abbott will, like they always do, ignore the experts and everyone that knows, and continue to do damage to the economy with their negativity.
They are the main reason for the lack of confidence, which is born out by the number of polls showing that it is the conservatives that have no confidence.
Abbott now on ABC24. More interested in putting the boot in, then being statesman like talking about the economy and what he would do,
Does not seem to be agreeing with all the experts we have heard up to now.,
Now, it seems to be, Mr. Abbot and co are the only one that believes a surplus is the right way to go.
Labor has done the right thing. Hockey is talking shit.
Will be interested to see how many economics support the coalition.
Asked whether he believed the government is acting responsibly.
We are now back to BER, Computers in schools etc.
How does this fit in with lower spending and taxation thatn Howard
We are now getting an Abbott’s view of history.
Being questioned, not many answers.
“Labor has done the right thing.”
Labor has not done anything. The deficit is being forced on them. Do you really think Swan wants to go down as the Treasurer who has never run a surplus budget.
But it is a promise the ALP should have never made. The ALP does not do surplus budgets. It is not in their DNA. Running up debt is the only thing the ALP is good at.
Oh and handing over a trashed economy for the Coalition to clean up.
Now let’s see – we’ve got the opinion of economic ignoramus Neil of Sydney and then we’ve got:
AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver "Undertaking more fiscal austerity just to get surplus would have been a disaster for the economy."
“Now let’s see – we’ve got the opinion of economic ignoramus Neil of Sydney and then we’ve got:”
So I am not allowed to make the statement that it was a broken promise??
Mate, blind freddy knew Labors promise was a lie. I am only surprised it took this long for Swan to come out and admit his lies.
The one thing that Mr. Abbott did not address. That is the merit of the Swan’s; action today. It is the only thing that matters.
The ACTU PM said that there has been cost cutting over the last couple of years.
I believe that Mr.. Abbott will find little to cut, as it has gone as far as it can at this time. Any further movement down this path will lead to high unemployment.
All that has been dropped is a politician promised that was not good economics.
The government has moved to a responsible position, and is now putting employment before surpluses.
All economists are saying, one cannot continue to keep on cutting to fill the hole, caused by falling receipts, that are the result of falling ore prices, and the continuing high dollar..
Still have no concept of the meaning of the word “lie” Neil? I have posted it for you previously… hmmm?
Neil, once again you are wrong. Labor could have reacted to the figures, as they have done up to now. Find new cuts, to attempt to bring the budget back to balance. That is what the PM said recently would happen. That there would be a surplus.
Experts have said this is the wrong thing to do. The cuts they have put into place, and they are big are now having an adverse effect on the economy and employment.
It is irresponsible to go down this path.
Neil, turn on your TV, Just listen.
Oh NO! It looks like Neil LIED! (by his definition of the word anyway… 😉 )
S&P says it's credit rating for Australia unaffected by surplus announcement
You know Bacchus back on Dunlops blog I remember the crap that Howard got over his core and non-core promises.
In case you have forgotten Beazley lied about the state of the budget in 1995. There was a $8B black hole which Labor lied about. It was not in surplus. Howard had to change some things they wanted to do because of the state of the budget.
Didn’t stop you lot blasting Howard.
Ah but with Labor they are not lies but changed circumstances.
I intend to go and visit my parents next week Neil. I told them I was coming. If I become ill between now and then and can’t go, have I told them a lie? hmmm?
In a similar way, for stupid political reasons, the Labor government promised that they would bring in a (needless) surplus in 2012-13. Are you trying to tell me that they made this commitment with no intention of trying their best to keep it?
Mr Keating copped plenty from your friends for his L-A-W tax cuts too Neil. Did he lie?
The huge difference with Mr Howard, was that he was well known for his mendacity, especially within his own party. Everyone on all sides of politics knew he was a lying toerag! Who was it who dubbed him “the lying rodent” again?
Neil, before you get too carried away, look at some facts. The world has not ended.
The worse prediction puts the deficit at $15 billion. That is still much less than last year. It is still going downwards, that it is improving.
As the economists are pointing out, this is still pretty good,
The budget is heading in the right direction. All that has changed, is the timetable has been extended.
What we are talking about is a tiny surplus or a small deficit.
Gee, it must of been only a couple of weeks ago that I wrote here that there is no chance of Labor getting a surplus due to their increased borrowings.
I remember CU calling the borrowings a cash flow problem then all the other economic tigers here agreeing and saying there would be a surplus. Now CU chimes in with common sense at last now Swan has dropped the surplus promise…very hyp!
Neil, Abbott now has a choice. He can keep up with his rants and raves and misinformation, or he can begin to act responsibly, and do what is good for the economy.
Labor has obviously decided to put the politics aside, and do what is responsible.
That is, take Mr. Abbott’s backlash on the chin.
Forgot to say. Abbott was asked a question about Brough., Said he supported him, He then walked off, refusing to answer any more questions.
Looks like it is, I will decide what questions I answer.
Who was it who dubbed him “the lying rodent” again?
Why, I believe it was one George Brandis, Bacchus; a fellow also known to have only a nodding acquaintance with the truth.
In fact, he generally crosses the street to avoid even the most minimal of contact, so for Brandis to brand our illustrious (vomit) former Liars PM a lying rodent is quite extraordinary, don’t you think?
You know Bacchus back on Dunlops blog I remember the crap that Howard got over his core and non-core promises.
Good grief, Neil! You’ve regained your memory. Didn’t I just read on another thread, that you were unaware of these core and non-core promises? I distinctly remember posting some links to try to cure the amnesia you seemed be suffering.
You wouldn’t have been telling porkies, would you? Tut! Tut! Emulating your heroes the lying Rodent and Liealot, I suppose.
Neil, before you get too carried away, look at some facts.
Neil is allergic to facts, CU. They bring him out in hives.
Another broken promise.
Yes Neil, a committment that shoul have been dumped months ago. Mr. Abbott it was wrong to keep heading for as surplus at this time, but is willing to put the boot in any way. Whether the commitment should have been made back at the time of the budget is another matter. It is easy to be wise in retrospect. I do not believe that anyone expect the global economic position to go backwards, or ore prices to fall so dramatically.
The government is nolkt in trouble because of increase spending or changes to taxation. I know that is hard to believe, if one lisrtens to Nr. Abbott and his ilk. They are in trouble because of the fall in mineral prices and a high dollar that refuses to come down, no matter what treasury does.
If Mr. Abbott refuses to see the problems, how can he supply the solutions.
What is true the budget is well on the way to a surplus. All that has happened, it might be a year later.
Mr. Abbott is promising surpluses every year from day one. That is an irresponsible promise to make. There are times for deficits, times for surpluses.
Mr. Abbott is now saying day ine for the first time, because he knows that isa were the country is heading under Labor.
am also sure that in far away London you are doing very important things for Australia. Talking to Boris Johnson, the right wing mayor of London about transport, small business and immigration is obviously very important. So too no doubt was meeting with Foreign Secretary William Hague. And obviously the chin wag with the lame duck head of the Bank of England about the ongoing recession in Europe gave you lots of hints about how to implement austerity and depression in Australia.
Yes, it is obviously very important work talking to Boris, William and Mervyn in London instead of reading the damning indictment of one of your mates…
So scaper and Neil arer not interested in the fact that a responsible decision has been made. Neither was Mr. Abbott for that matter.
I have been listening ro all the experts on ABC 24 since tha announcement. All of them seen to be of the opinion the govenment has acted in a responsible manner.
Much better to keeo churning history, saying she is this and she is that, over and over.
Well I will go for one that has the guts ti say, if I keep my commitment, it will take the country down the gurgler, therfore we will have to wait a little longer for that surplus. Yes, that suits me much better.
Scaper, if you follow what I say, I have always been against a surplus for a surplus shake. I have always said ir was not necessary economically amd it was fully a political stance.
Therefore I am glad that the PM only kept to the commitment, as long as it did not harm the economy. I believe they should have stepped back when the last decions were made.
Ore prices are coming back, but not fast enough to deliver that surplus without any more cuts. The easy cuts have all been made. We have seen ths greatest consolidation of a budget, I believe in this country’s history.
Austerity it is proving not the answer, world wide.
Therefore, Mr. Abbott is talking nothing but shit.
Also the OECD as well, advised to forget about the surplus.
All that Mr. Abbott is interested in is playing politics. We all know he can only do one thing at a time. May be he shouold spend the weekend doing some reading.
Swan said he has been two weeks coming to this decision. I am sure it was one, he or the PM would have wanted to make.
Swan and Gillard are fidiots for including the promise in the election campaign and now they will pay.
Everyone with a brain knew that a $45B turnaround of the budget in one fiscal year was never going to happen. Even their chief whip last week said it should have been dropped but Gillard dismissed it.
Gillard said…”We don’t jump at people’s figments of imagination here,” she told ABC radio on Friday. “We deal with the facts. We deal with the forecasts.”
If Labor was in opposition they would hammer the Liberals just like Abbott is now.
The right thing? Tell it to the single mothers, the unemployed and other organisations that had the funding ripped out just to get to an imaginary surplus!
CU, spin it any way you like…a few weeks ago you were saying that a surplus is achievable and the right thing for Gillard to do.
Talk about weather vane!
They won’t pay.
All the economist and interest groups are praising the government for dropping the surplus promise. It is Abbott and Hockey and their hyperventilating that are looking bad.
Two news bulletins put the positive on the end of their pieces and then went straight into the NSW announcement that though they found a billion they didn’t know they had they will be in deficit for longer than they promised.
What is NSW blaming for the longer and deeper deficit. The same thing the Federal government is, a drop in company tax revenues.
So I guess for Neil the Liberals of NSW are doing the right thing in breaking their promise to produce surpluses but the Federal government the wrong thing.
The heat is also being turned up on Abbott over Ashby as he ran away yet again from a presser, but this time he was called for it as was Hockey.
The timing of the surplus failure announcement is interesting coming on the back of Abbott being asked to explain Ashbygate and his support for the corrupt Brough.
scaper, if you believe all that is needed, is cutting expenditure, it is then still achievable.
The problem is that cutting will only make things worse.
It was not argument for a surplus. In fact I was and said at the time, this PM has managed to make cuts in such things as upper income welfare and rebates, and as a result was getting away without harming the economy.
The argment was not about reaching a surplus. The argumentt was about whether there should be one or not.
I said as long as there is fat in that area to cut, the PM would do so.
It now appears that option in no longer available. We are ralking about reduce taxation receipts.
I am listening to the Opposition putting the boot into Labor for cuts in Customs.
The Coalition is playing both sides of the fence. Nothing new there. Demand more cuts, and then complain because the services are no longer there.
scaper I do not mind being challenged or corrected, but please get it right when you do, Please do not put words into my mouth.
Do not go back and cherry pick. If you cut and paste, please take whole paragraphs.
Get it right? You said a few weeks ago that there was going to be a surplus and the borrowings ($3B a week) was because of cash flow. Now you say different, consistancy would be appreciated.
Paragraphs??? I pasted what Gillard said, nothing more, nothing less.
Well I said 2 years ago that Labor was silly pursuing a surplus and called Swan a “dill” as recently as yesterday.
If scaper and Neil want to pounce on Labor’s so-called “broken promise” then I say enjoy the moment: I think your moment of triumph will be short lived. In fact I think it is already still-born judging the commentary from the orthodoxy.
It was Keynes who said something like “When the facts change Sir, I change my mind. What do you do ?”
I also suggested recently that if Labor did a volte farce Hockey would be go apeshit but it looks like Abbott was the greater fool. I do hope he keeps it up, along with the carbon tax.
Abbott’s comments today would have most HSC Econ students scratching their heads in bewilderment.
Neil’s fear of the ratings agencies and the debt boogeyman belong to childhood Grimm Bros fairy tales which most of us had shucked off by the age of 5.
But can I dispel this silly notion that there always has to be, at the end of the rainbow, a surplus, something we should always still strive for. Whilst ever this country runs a deficit on the current account, the remorseless arithmetic of the balance of the national accounts says the budget has to be in deficit.
A surplus usually means a contraction
It appears business is over the moon because Labor has done the right thing at last.
scaper I did not say that. I know that, because I have no idea what you are talking about.
I have said nothing about cash flows. Why would I say that, when the problem is lack of cash flows. What I said, the PM can,if they want find more to cut, as they have done regularly up to now,
It appears that in no longer the case.
Oh, I remember now, where the cash flow statrmant come from. It was when Neil was talking about his favourite subject, debt. He said that the borrowing ceiling was raised. I pointed out that the borrowing he was talking about was to ease out cash flows over the year.
That this borrowing facility was a temporary instrument. Nothing to do with overall borrowing. All governments use it,
What has that got to do with Mr. Swan saying that the surplus might not occur because of reduced tax receipts and they were no longer making cuts to fill the hole.
scaper what you like. Cannot bother wasting anymore time. Have put my case, so other readers know what I said, and where I am coming from.
I remember CU picking up on Neil or scaper’s scaremongering on borrowings.
I knew exactly what she was referring to and I thought she explained it fairly concisely.
Equally, I have sometimes taken a stronger stance than CU on the surplus issue but she has has come back with a respectable argument that it had been a good opportunity for the government to wind back some of the middle-class welfare of the Howard era.
This retreat from the surplus “promise” might just bring forth some intelligent discussion of the whole deficit/surplus issue and lead to some more enlightened, less “fear driven” policy, the end result of which we can see in the USA, UK and Europe.
Thanks MJ. Glad someone understood what I was saying. Maybe now we are on the same page. Wong giving Uhlmann answers he does not like. Jason Clare before her, did not do bad job.
Uhlmann arguing ir being about politics.
Oh, Uhlmann sounding a little angry. One does not that with this lady.
Wong, they are not loosing the purse strings.
Uhlmann shouold give up. His bias is showing.
Typical (highly predictable) response from the liars party and fellow travellers wrt the reality of the budget situation.
“Bugger what’s best for Oz, the [b]politics[/b] is more important than reality-based decision making”.
Their war on reality continues, but does anybody care?
“Their war on reality continues, but does anybody care?”
If the latest Roy Morgan result is any guide it would appear not.
So much for Howard’s reasoning that the sale of Telstra would make that company more competitive..
Global roaming costs for Australians are some of the highest in the world and the TIO reported this month that complaints about disputed roaming charges increased by almost 70 per cent in 2011-12 to more than 4100.
The Minister for Communications, Stephen Conroy, said Australian consumers were being ”gouged” by telcos and slugged with ”unacceptable”, ”outrageous” charges.
Just because this is the sort of silly mood I’m in.. 😀
Dildos are illegal in Texas but guns aren’t.
Probably explains the low number of dildo-related murders in the
area. Enough said ……
**thank you Shelley
JAMES ASHBY’S original complaint was filed with the Federal Court in Sydney on 20 April 2012.
Much of Act Four of this tragedy was played out whilst Peter Slipper was overseas. To him, it must have appeared that everything was normal, as the texts between him and his office personnel were concerned with the day-to-day goings on of the office.
The reality is that James Ashby was discussing Peter Slipper with a wide range of people, including his friends: Liberal National Party MP Mark McArdle; Mal Brough, who used to be a cabinet minister in the Howard Federal Government; as well as the mysterious Party heavyweight “Jackie” — amongst many others………….
Good overview of the Ashby scandal, that still in ther process of being played out.
What will 2013 bring, Will it be the year of Abbott.
One has to wonder if he has run his race, and there is now a new contender in the wings.
Abbott does not look like a winner. Will he be the big loser of 2013.
It’s true. Abbott doesn’t look like a putative PM right now. Nor does he look like a leader simply trying to avoid hubris as he runs to the finishing line. (A digression: have you noticed how, in footage of Abbott in running races with kids, he likes to win? Just asking.)
He looks lost and adrift, treading water and anxious to recalibrate before an election year.
But how? For some time many Coalition MPs have urged their leader to trade the politics of relentless personal attack, of reflexive opposition for vision and policy.
Abbott has promised 2013 will be the year of policy. Until then, while the country slips into its summery slumber, we’ll have to take him at his word.
At the end of 2010 an upbeat Abbott, having just improbably drawn with Gillard the federal election, predicted that he would be in the Lodge by Christmas 2011.
Since becoming Liberal leader in late 2009, Abbott’s prominent performance has been marked by self-assuredness and confidence. He now appears strangely uncertain, reticent – all too eager to fly below the radar.
Abbott has had a field day with none-too-subliminal messages about Gillard’s childlessness and what that might imply for her empathy with family demands and obligations. It’s part of the same, less subtle strategy of casting her as shrewd and untrustworthy.
You know? You throw out a line like the government lacks ”experience” when it comes to babies (oh, what could he mean?) and then insist no sinister connotation was intended. Blah.
Examples are endless. But what’s good for the goose …
The cheaper vaudevillian attacks on Abbott (was it Joe Hockey who said Craig Emerson was the Comical Ali of Australian politics?) have had little lasting impact. The danger for Abbott rests with the government’s more credible hands who’ll play on the profound electoral doubts about Abbott and define him as negative, regressive and captive to his conservative personal (read religious) beliefs.
Witness Tanya Plibersek’s insistence that Abbott had questions to answer relating to his attempt, while the Howard government’s health minister, to retain a veto power over the importation of the abortion drug RU486. With surgical precision Labor is doing everything to further foment women’s anxieties about prime minister Abbott.
Labor has long targeted Hockey as the intellectually lazy link in the Coalition chain. But Abbott has done a great deal to claim that mantle this year, ending with an egregious admission he had not read the judgment on the Ashby-Slipper sexual assault claim, while implausibly insisting his mate Mal Brough had done no wrong.
Abbott’s colleagues were astounded and dumbfounded by the admission and the more damning fact. Imagine the media and opposition reaction if Gillard conceded she’d been too busy to read a document so critical to the national debate?
After the judgment Brough, the Liberal-Nat………..
Hey Juliar, It’s Santy here
You’ve been a bad girl so no Christmas cheer
For you this year
You’ve passed far more than hot wind, that much is clear
You’ve spent an entire year
On lies and spin and personal smear
And your own arrogance has turned the voters away
In droves
Your misogyny bleat and dreary whining strine
Has driven many a unionist to despair
And decent Aussies face the truth
That a Maggie Thatcher was never there
In the REAL Julia
Just a pretender from some forum’s “typist chair”
You cheated a nation to win
With your motley crew of independents and alarmist greens
Backing up the fraud and deceit of your earlier years
With no carbon tax, a surplus promises and beers
For those who helped you on your deceitful way
Facilitating union crime was once your thing
Opened you mouth to help a cheat
But today the bloggers apply the heat
And you’ve nowhere to hide
With just denial sold as facts, complete
Lies and spin, a left wing treat
With aim to keep us on the teat
Of government gone sadly wrong
And not even a Christmas song
So the things I ask are not for me
But for the honest folk in the ALP
Who cringe in shame with folks like me
On the other side of the same odl tree
Of life
Do us all a favour and call an election now
Set yourself free
From your inherent lack of honesty
And the stain of more than just hot wind
The smell of which has been around for way too long…
Notice from Migs. Migs has asked me to let everyone know that he is currently in hospital due to lupus.
I know that all here wish him well, and most especially a speedy recovery.
Hope everything is OK
Min, please give Migs my best wishes and let him know that he will be in my thoughts for a speedy recovery.
Cheers
Thank you TS.
Sorry to hear about Migs. Best wishes.
Miggsy, get well soon, ol’ son …
+++++++++++++++++++++++
I had actually just popped in to wish all my “old” friends here a … Merry Christmas …
And a Merry Christmas to you, the Minister, and all of your extended family TB!
Merry Xmas TB and everyone.
Sorry to hear of Miglo’s strife – here’s hoping for you, mate.
Wishing a Merry Xmas, and great holiday season to all.
All the best Migs, get well soon.
I wonder if we’ll reach 750,000 hits by the end of the year. A tough ask, given how slow Decembers usually are.
The Big One Mill some time in 2013? Go Caaafe!
Yo, Cuppa, sometime in May or June is my educated guess.
Oh naughty me. I just noticed all the Xmas wishes. 😯
My apologies for not responding. 😳
Open QuestionShow me another »
Is Julia Gillard the most selfless PM that Australia has ever had?
Please don’t delete this, I asked this before but didn’t get to see the answers because it was deleted.
In my opinion, Julia Gillard is so selfless, it’s almost unbelievable. It seems that her only concern is for the Australian people and the country at large, there appears to be absolutely no self-interest on her part. Has there ever been a PM as selfless, or even more selfless, than her?
2 hours ago – 4 days left to answer. Report Abuse
Find the letters of the word “LIARS” in the word “LIBERALS”
L I B E RA L S
Fid the word LIAR in Julia Gillard….Oh it’s there a couple of times!
Catching up
DECEMBER 27, 2012 @ 6:32 PM
Open QuestionShow me another »
Is Julia Gillard the most selfless PM that Australia has ever had?
Please don’t delete this, I asked this before but didn’t get to see the answers because it was deleted….
Off you go whisperers and post a few positive comments on this piece of trash!
‘Is Julia Gillard the most selfless PM that Australia has ever had?’
No, that was Ben Chifley.
Tree troll, the only piece/s of trash here is you and your troll mates.
You can’t even find anything positive about your own leader you hypocritical bottom feeders. 👿 👿
Charming choice of words TS.
Alright, how about Ben Chifley?
el dildo, thanks but I only reused what was already there, and hypocritical bottom feeders was the nicest that I could come up with, my other options were much worse.
Glad you appreciated my restraint. 😀
Cheers 😛
If I don’t get a seconder on Ben, then I can only assume this place is full of watermelons.
TS, we have to be fair, even if they are not.
It is hard if impossible to find any positives about their Tony.
So all they are left with is attacking us, in what they call sport. Not my idea of sport, but then it takes all sorts.
Not that happy[y about being seen as their prey.
It amazes me that they cannot see how insulting and rude they are.
I feel there is something wrong with people, that get pleasure in attempting to put down others. Not to sure what the game they keep talking abound. A game, it appears that they know how to play and must always win. Win what, the clown of the years.
Well small things amuse small minds.
At least we can get a laugh out of them. Just wish they were not so nasty. Small mind is one thing, a nasty mind is another.
Cu, I think the difference is that we tend to respond, somewhat, tongue in cheek, whereas the trolls take themselves very seriously, which I find strange, as they rabbott on (pun intended) about winning, when they have backed the biggest political loser this country has ever seen, supported by a front bench of the biggest losers this country has ever seen.
They make spurious claims about Julia Gillard, but cannot come up with even 1 valid reason why dribble guts would make a better PM.
el dildo, the only thing that people laugh about wrt your comments, is the level of stupidity, which is the ONLY area where you and the rest of the RW nutjobs excel.
Truly pathetic! 😛
JULIA GILLARD – GILLARD GOVERNMENT – IS THERE A BIGGER FARCE?
Tony Abbott savages Gillard Government…a blast from the past!
For those short of attention, skip to 04:10). In a classy, fiery display of modern political oratory, Tony Abbott rips into the worst government in Australia’s history. Piece by piece he takes Gillard and their inept Government to task for their various policy failures. The latest (which is accentuated here) is the tax on carbon dioxide (and we used to joke when we said the Government will tax air next). It is worth considering the extent to which ALP has shifted from being the party of the working man in light of its high taxes on cigarettes, alcohol and petrol and now this reverse-tariff madness of “carbon tax” which is designed to put our industries at a global disadvantage (and its flow-on effects on petrol, groceries and of course electricity- all of which affect the conditions of the working class disproportionately). ALP is now all about pleasing its wanker academic followers in Canberra and Press Gallery. The bit at the start is some idiot unshaven hippies blowing whistles and carrying on.
Tree troll, what is it about LEFT WING blog that you don’t get?
Sad, really sad 😦 😦 😦
el gordo
DECEMBER 28, 2012 @ 12:53 PM
‘we tend to respond, somewhat, tongue in cheek,’
There’s not a wit amongst you.
HEAR HEAR! some can’t even tell when the piss is being taken
Truth Seeker
DECEMBER 28, 2012 @ 2:03 PM
“Tree troll, what is it about LEFT WING blog that you don’t get?”
TS What is it about this mission statement that you don’t get?
“Since its beginning in June 2010 Café Whispers has evolved into a ‘light’ political blog with a definite lean to the left. About 80% of our topics would be of a political nature with the remainder made up of media discussion, social issues and the occasional light-hearted banter. Yes, we do take our blogging seriously but we also like to have a bit of fun.”
HEAR! HEAR! and the circle jerk is complete.
Comment deleted by Miglo.
Note the Right-Wing Projection from Abbott when he is asked if he’s embarrassed… Look what he does next…Lol!
Tree troll, what is it that you don’t get?
Cuppa, says it all really! 😳
pathetic 😆 😆 😆
“It has never been easier to get away with telling lies. It has never been easier to get away with the glib one liner.”
So Mr. Turnbull does not believe it is any great skill today, to get away with one liners or lying.
As the PM is not into glib remarks or one liners, three word slogans for that matter, he must be referring to the present Opposition Leader, the worse beyond any doubt that this country has seen.
It’s not a 24-hour news cycle, it’s a 60-second news cycle now, it’s instantaneous,” said Mr Turnbull.
“It has never been easier to get away with telling lies. It has never been easier to get away with the glib one liner.”
The prolific tweeter acknowledged he took a share of the blame in being drawn into negativity and the “game of politics”, but said politicians and the media were wrong if they thought they were “helping battlers” by using one-line sound bites.
“They are not respecting them, they are treating them with contempt,” he said, to a round of applause.
“It is our job above all in politics to tackle the big issues and to explain them, and have the honesty to say to people ‘there are no easy solutions here’.”
He called on any web entrepreneurs in the audience to establish a “rigorous” fact-checking website, saying all public figures should be held to account.
“It is a disgrace how much misinformation has been got away with.”
Having a go at Swan, but I believe he will find bigger offenders must nearer jome.
Things could just be turning around. Well at least it is not a negative.
“…………Only an entrepreneurial and entrepreneur-dominated company like Fortescue Metals could execute the flip flops in strategy it has experienced in the past few months without igniting a sharemarket backlash.
A little over three months ago Fortescue was teetering as the iron ore price collapsed below $US90 a tonne, and forced to can an ambitious expansion plan, slash costs and sell assets to slow the aggressive build-up of debt on an already debt-laden balance sheet.
Today it announced that development of the Kings project, mothballed in September to defer $US1.6 billion in capital expenditures, would resume next month.
Completion of Kings would, with the existing development of the 20 million tonnes a year Firetail deposit, lift Fortescue iron ore output by about 60 million tonnes per annum to 155 mtpa. It will establish the group as clearly the third force among the Australian iron producers, behind Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, albeit that those companies have much higher quality and far lower cost Pilbara operations…….”
Funny how none of Mr. Abbott’s dire predictions do not come to fruition. I sense he needs a new crystal ball.
The biggest failure, is that this PM and this government are still going strong. Never once looked like going under.
Last week, Mr Swan conceded the federal government was unlikely to deliver its promised budget surplus this financial year in the wake of a big drop in tax revenues.
Figures showed financial year-to-date company tax payments were much lower than expected, reflecting falling commodity prices and continued weakness in the global economy.
The budget had been hit by a “sledgehammer”, he said, threatening Labor’s $1.1 billion surplus.
In response to the US crisis, Mr Swan also said it was “lamentable” so much of the world’s post-GFC economic recovery had been held hostage by the grassroots political Tea Party movement.
“The fact is, no matter what happens this week, huge damage has been done over the last 18 months thanks to the Tea Party’s influence,” he said…….
Yes, that extreme right wing will have much to be answerable for.
Turnbull must be talking up his credentials for when the police report of the Mal Brough investigation and the links to the “non specific” Tony Abbott.
Turnbull must be thinking that the msm has forgotten about his attempts at “fact checking” the Godwin Grech emails, where Turnbull , Abetz and Steve Lewis tried to bring down a democratically elected government.
CU quoted Swan…”In response to the US crisis, Mr Swan also said it was “lamentable” so much of the world’s post-GFC economic recovery had been held hostage by the grassroots political Tea Party movement”
CU if you believe that you will believe anything!
“Yes, that extreme right wing will have much to be answerable for.”
It was certainly on Turnbull’s mind.
Tree, I do believe that,. They are causing damage worldwide. There are many thinking economists and experts that agree.
Austerity is not the answer. Was not back in the Great Depression. Is not now.
Why are all eyes on the USA today, if this is not true.
All your and others denial will not prevent calamity, if their view holds sway.
We just have to wait and see.
Tree, please tell me of one success that Mr. Abbott has had this year.
Yes, there is one. His inaction and inability to negotiate, has left the asylum seekers in a terrible position. The boats keep coming, and the effect on the budget is a terrible waste, with money that would be better spent elsewhere.
It is time for the PM to say enough is enough, and challenge him back to the negotiating tables. His demands have been put into operation , and have been a massive failure.
It is now time to put the whole Houston Report into operation. No ifs, no buts. All, including Malaysian, solution.
There is no black and white answers. No easy ones either. None that is guaranteed to work.
No, there will not be an early election. That is wishful thinking on the part of the right. They are aware, as the year goes on, things will turn Labor’s way.
The PM will be happy to sit back, as Keating did before her, do an Opposition leader slowly.
The “fiscal cliff” is a curious thing, being simultaneously both real and imaginary.
First, it is “real” because enough people believe it exists, so it distorts markets in real ways, especially the labour market.
And “imaginary” because to anyone with an understanding of US monetary mechanics, the so-called debt is a figment of the imagination.
Or, to put it another way, it is like a debt to oneself, for it is a debt held mainly by American citizens.
CU
“Austerity is not the answer. Was not back in the Great Depression. Is not now.
Why are all eyes on the USA today, if this is not true”
You have grossly simplified a complex situation. The only reason eyes are on the US right now is because the MSM is obsessing about the Taxmageddon deadline.
“The real dysfunction is a federal budget that has doubled in 10 years, an annual deficit of some $1.5 trillion, and a national debt bursting through its statutory limit of $14.3 trillion and approaching 70 percent of GDP.
We’ve become so used to these unfathomable levels of deficits and debt—and to the once-rare concept of trillions of dollars—that we forget how new all this debt is. In 1981, after 190 years of federal spending, the national debt was “only” $1 trillion. Now, just 30 years later, it’s more than $16 trillion – and all that debt rung up during a period without a major war or Great Depression….Those are the kinds of numbers that caused the rise of the Tea Party and the election of members of Congress who vowed to stop out-of-control spending and debt. It’s too bad that Congress hasn’t been able to rein in spending without the pressure of a debt ceiling or a “fiscal cliff.” But it hasn’t. And so if fiscal conservatives in Congress can use those deadlines to put some caps on the money-shoveling, more power to them.
Where did all this debt come from? As the Tea Partiers know, it came from the rapid increase in federal spending over the past decade…If the “dysfunctional” fight that has sent us to the edge of the fiscal cliff finally results in some constraint on out-of-control spending, then it will have been well worth all the hand-wringing headlines. But that doesn’t seem likely. The problem is not a temporary mess on Capitol Hill and not a mythical default; it’s spending, deficits, and debt”
No, I have not attempted to simplify it. It is you people that do that with your continual carping of the words, debt, deficits and living within ones means.
None mean Anything within themselves.
Yes, it is much more complicated, and there are never any simple answers, as you lot would have us believe.
Sometimes all f the above can count. Sometimes they do not.
Yes, the PM said she wanted a surplus by now. Yes, it was hoped the global economy would improve better than it has.
Yes, there has been a consolidation of budget greater than any seen in this country before. Yes, the PM said that they would continue to make the necessary adjustments for the surplus to occur,
Yes, the PM has to accept the global economy and fall in ore prices, leading to reduced revenues, means that it is no longer possible to make adjustments, without sending the economy into freefall.
Yes, we might not get to that surpluses as quickly as the PM planned. Yes, we are still on the way to achieving it a little later. Yes, the deficit is much, much smaller than last year.
No, it is not just a simple matter of debt.
You dare accuse me of doing, what you do yourself.
It might surprise you to know, in real terms, the USA debt is not that great. I suspect it is more a case of not being willing to raise taxes, to cover expenses that leads to the debts.
It is a case of those who are able to, being willing to pay their way.
‘In the next year, Chinese interest in Australian resources is expected to remain strong but the real growth is expected to be in agricultural assets.
‘A steady stream of large Chinese players have already been kicking the tyres at a wide array of assets, particularly in dairy, aquaculture and red meat.
‘The chief executive of EMR Capital, Jason Chang, says the Chinese are keen to get as much of a foothold on strategic agricultural assets as possible, not necessarily to secure supply but more to gain exposure to global food price inflation, which is almost inevitable given the growing middle class in China and India and dwindling arable land.’
CU wrote:
“No, I have not attempted to simplify it. It is you people that do that with your continual carping of the words, debt, deficits and living within ones means.
None mean Anything within themselves.”
Gee you write some nonsense CU. You actually did simplify the matter…just read back over what you wrote.
BTW are you sure you’re not related to Joh Bjelke Petersen? Phrases like ” It is you people that do that” are reminiscent of the great man deflecting the chooks…book book bkark (Cu here) book book bkark…
“It might surprise you to know, in real terms, the USA debt is not that great. I suspect it is more a case of not being willing to raise taxes, to cover expenses that leads to the debts”
Quite so CU. There is also no doubt that austerity, or fiscal prudence, played a large part in delaying the US recovery from the Great Depression. FDR’s New Deal was working until the fiscal conservatives reasserted their influence in 1937, and as we all know, it took a war (and deficits far greater than now seen)to set the US up for the historic recovery of the 40/50’s.
Treeman’s gibberish from the Cato Inst just perpetuates the debt nonsense.
The so-called debt is around 100% of GDP, an essentially meaningless statistic. I think Japan’s is more than double that with zero interest rates and no sign of inflation. It also has no trouble selling its bonds despite being downgraded by the likes of S & P. Japan just ignores them.
Notice that nobody from the “big bad debt” camp has ever come out and actually said what will happen if the US hits X % Debt/GDP ?
This is just a political game with a lot at stake. If the representatives of the 1% can pull this off, then inequality of the nation’s wealth gets set in stone. It’s like a re-run of the Civil War, but with different players: the uber-rich vs the rest.
If Treeman sees himself as one of the 1% then his self-interest would be at least understandable. If he’s like (I’m presuming) the rest of us, then he’s just carrying the esky for his masters.
There are plenty of economists (that I read every day) who know this is all bullshit but the MSM is not capable of getting its head around some of the concepts. And if the MSM is where you get your education in economics, then you stay ignorant. Just how the 1 % lie it.
The big sponsor for world series cricket
Benson & Hedges World Series Cup (1979–80 to 1987-88)
Benson & Hedges World Series (1988-89 to 1995-96)
New laws limiting tobacco advertising in Australia forced the name to change after 1995-96
Nasty plane crash caught on car vid.
Another, Mr. Abbott promises to take away. Or at the very least, make it harder to get. Will only respond to receipts, as he believes none of you parents cannot be trusted to put it through the pokies.
That will mean that more will be spent on handing out the money.
PARENTS can expect a back-to-school January cash splash from the Gillard Government with payments of up to $820 for every child.
Across Australia 1.5 million low- and middle-income families with school-age children can expect automatic payments to arrive in their bank accounts to help cover back-to-school costs from January 9.
The SchoolKids Bonus payments will be paid to all families who already receive the means-tested Family Tax Benefit A. For primary schoolchildren parents can expect $410 a child and $820 for each high school student.
The automatic payments replace the previous education tax refund scheme which required parents to lodge receipts for school costs and then wait for a refund.
From January 1, the Government will provide eligible working dads or partners, including adoptive parents and same-sex partners, two weeks of Government-funded paternity leave at the rate of the national minimum wage, presently about $606 a week.
“Dad and Partner Pay will help dads and same-sex partners take more time off in the critical early months to bond with their baby and help mums right from the start,” Families Minister Jenny Macklin said.
“For many self-employed dads, contractors and casual workers this will be the first time they’ll have access to paid paternity leave.
“I want more dads to have the chance to spend time at home with mum and baby it’s good for the whole family.
“We know how busy it can be for new parents when a baby arrives, so to make things easier. Dads can lodge their claims up to three months before their baby’s due date.”
But to be eligible, fathers must have earned less than $150,000 in the previous financial year and meet a work and residency test.
They must also be on unpaid leave during that fortnight.
But single parents on parenting payments will lose cash when their youngest child turns eight because they will be shifted on to the Newstart Allowance unless they are in training or get a job. About 78,000 will be affected from January 1.
“Over the past two months the Department of Human Services has contacted each of the affected parents to make them aware of the change and discuss alternative arrangements available to them.
The Government is keen to provide every assistance to improve their job opportunities,’ Human Services Minister Kim Carr said.
THE National Broadband Network will help older people stay in their own homes longer and their aged care will cost a fraction of what they would pay for a nursing home, the man in charge of building the project says.
NBN boss Mike Quigley also says households will receive better and faster broadband for what they already pay.
Mr Quigley hit back at critics who had derided the NBN’s slow roll-out, saying the decade-long project was like “pushing the pig through the python” but it would hit big milestones in the next 12 months.
Mr Quigley said some of the biggest benefits of the NBN’s high-speed broadband to homes would be in health and aged care. Patients will be able to see doctors on TV screens and have simple tests and consultations via computer.
He said a US study found home health monitoring cost $1600 a year, compared with $13,121 for a visiting nurse or $77,745 for a nursing home.
An Australian pilot scheme by aged care provider Feros Care found the daily cost of using broadband was $3.46-$7.14, compared with $967 for an acute hospital bed.
“Most old people don’t want to leave their homes,” Mr Quigley said. “This could let them stay for a fraction of the cost of a day in hospital.”
The NBN has about 30,000 active customers. Mr Quigley said the aim was to have the network available to 286,000 homes by June.
“I want the public to know it’s now real,” he said. “All of the design work and the architecture work that’s taken years, and the regulatory work and structural separation – all of that’s now been done.”
Mr Quigley said Australia would depend on the NBN with growing demand for video services requiring fast broadband. He predicted governments would use the network to deliver services such as social security, education and health.
He rejected claims of cost blow-outs, saying deals with providers meant more upfront costs but would save money over the life of the project.
Mr Quigley denied the company was wasting taxpayers’ money, following criticism it was spending too much on staff and taxis.
“In a start-up, that normally happens,” he said.
He said no NBN staff flew domestic business class, and trains and taxis were used over limousines.
The PM made a speech yesterday in SA. Is she still on holidays. Point out, this is Sunday.
I am sure she could have been asked that question, if anyone believe it was important enough. What apologies for doing the right thing for the nation.
By the way, there could still be a surplus. All the announcement said, that the government would not be cutting further to reach the surplus on target.
Maybe Hockey should keep with the truth. No story., unless he continues with the lies.
Expected what is the only petty small mindedness from Hockey.
The PM did open herself to questions.
Yes, Mr, Abbott could have also attended. No one stopped him as far as
I know,
This is what the PM had to say, and was greeted warmingly.
PRIME Minister Julia Gillard says her government has two major items to implement in 2013 before going to an election – introducing the National Disability Insurance Scheme and undertaking further major education reforms.
Ms Gillard took time off from her holidays to make an appearance at the Woodford Folk Festival on Sunday.
She says the government would continue to work to keep the economy strong and jobs rolling, but the other two issues were her “two big ambitions for 2013 before we get around to winning that election”.
“I want to see us launch the National Disability Insurance Scheme on the first of July,” she told the festival crowd.
“Then the other thing I’ve got a really big focus on is delivering on further education reforms.
“We had a fair old wake up call in international testing (recently). We can make sure our kids can get a world-class education.”
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She said the government had already made changes to a number of schools that had been struggling.
“What we’ve got to do now is take it and upscale and give it to every school and make a difference to every school.
“I’m absolutely determined that we’re battling through on that.”
A federal election is not due to until October next year, where Labor hopes to regain its majority.
Ms Gillard has led a minority government with the support of key independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott since 2010, but she said the situation had not dented her agenda.
She pointed to a number of achievements including introducing the carbon tax, putting healthcare on a sustainable footing, introducing the Queensland flood levy, education and aged care reforms. But did not mention asylum seeker policy.
”The really big decisions this government’s taken would be effectively the same,” she said.
”We would have done the same things as a majority government because they are the right thing to do.
She said the introduction of carbon pricing was in some ways made better by the negotiations needed in a minority government.
”It meant we could work across both houses – the house and the Senate – not just put something in the Senate and have it knocked over, which was the history of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, but actually work in a way which the proposition that went to the parliament was going to get carried.”
No. Mr. Hockey, no one asked her about the surplus.
Beatles are on tonight on SBS at 11.25. Magical Mystery Tour Revisited.
Cu, one despairs at times..how the NDIS can be considered a minor detail while Abbott’s photos ops, the last one being his *surprise visit* to Afghanistan just so happened to be able to garnish SIX fully photoshopped-newspaper-ready images of Tones Resplendent.
Something mellow from Paul..
How history will remember The Beatles.
A song about the modern Liberal party.
Sorry off convo.. but I have just got my boy (14 tommorrow ) an Asus All in one computer with touch screen and am totally amazed at how fast I can now *scroll* the trolls… just say’n 😉 …wish my lap top had that 😦
…. ok, back to the fab 4
2013 is coming around quickly.
Somehow I don’t think 2013 is going to be too kind on our Joe.
You people just don’t get it. Gillard and Swan are on their last legs as far as their positions are concerned. That is why they are out there now.
The players are turning away from them yet you still support the trash? Talk about the bottom of the food chain!
This version is better than the Beatles’, even though she forgot the words.
Surely one person here has an inside to the Labor Party? Silly question.
I wish a rock band would play in my living room.
You’re full of shit scaper, always have been.
You’ve been spruiking the demise of Gillard for a long time now and she’s still there.
The Libs have their troubles.
” You people just don’t get it. Gillard and Swan are on their last legs as far as their positions are concerned. That is why they are out there now.”
It is you that does not get it. Gillard to going to be reelected, what’s more she will increase her majority. They are going to drop the goods on Abbott in the new year, and it is not going to be nice. The Australian public are just starting to wake up fo the coterie of social mis-fits and other assorted shysters you support, and about bloody time. Even if all you say were true, only an abject moron would believe, that Abbott and other members of the opposition are not involved in trying to bring down a government by using the courts for mischief making.
Oh yes it is, much to my displeasure over for Abbott, I would actually like to see him stay and win. Yes win, with this nonce at the helm of the Australian ship of state ,it will set back conservative politics in this country for a hundred years. This is Australia’s Watergate watch this space.
You people just don’t get it.
No. scaper, it is you that just doesn’t get it.
We don’t have to share your view. This is a left-wing blog and the regulars here are lefties. No matter how much this bothers you, we aren’t going to change. Oh I’m sure some of us might drift a bit to the right one day, as people often do, but until then we will be lefties and we’ll keep pushing the barrow.
Fucking idiots!
How’s the weather up your way, scaper?
” Fucking idiots!”
Not yet scaper, but come over and see me sometime.
I thought the ABC’s evening coverage of Julia at the festival was a bit funny, in a sad kind of way. It seemed to me that the reporter on site had her instructions to get something negative in no matter what or else they’d all be in trouble. I suppose we should be grateful the “heckler” wasn’t given more prominence.
Which reminds me. Come Judgement Day I reckon the Australian media will be getting a major serve over their gushing treatment of those Parliament Interrupting Fuckwits the liberals used to truck in to disturb things to get a good amount of footage on that night’s TV. It must’ve been a bizarre sight, worthy of report I’d have thought. All these twats decanted into the building, apparently treated to lunch courtesy of the coalition or its backers & then ushered upstairs to begin their chanting when they got the call. Probably time for a quick hair & lippy check before they were on again walking through the corridors.
Books will be written about this period in our history. The ones worth reading will be by people we haven’t heard of yet. The current crop will all be writing up their excuses.
P.J. @9.24pm, 😆 😆 😆
Anyone think Liealot will lead the Liars to the 2013 election from jail after he’s convicted of bribing a candidate?
” Anyone think Liealot will lead the Liars to the 2013 election from jail after he’s convicted of bribing a candidate?”
No. But that is a dream I have and no doubt share with many here.. I would love to see Abbott inside doing porridge or, even better, Pinoclean. My God can you imagine it? Let your imagination run reckless for a moment, Pino would last about five minutes before they started asking for their conjugal rights 🙂 Abbott would find out quick smart, the real hard men are in the best/worst university the taxpayer can pay for.
When you look at some of them in the opposition the mind does boggle how some of them won their seat. If I should live to be a hundred, I will never work it out. Still I guess some of wing nutsnuts that get on this ere blog explains much.
Interesting times ahead, I worry for my grandkids futures, for the first time I might add, in my life time.
“When you look at some of them in the opposition the mind does boggle how some of them won their seat.”
There are rusted on Liberal and Labor seats, but the rusted on conservative seats are more set in stone.
It doesn’t matter which Liberal or their dog runs as a candidate for that seat, the people will vote for them. It’s why Liberal and Labor parachute in favoured members over local candidates to ensure they get elected, though that tactic is beginning to wane with local voters and there has been some backlash over it.
A story I have told before was about my time living on the Mornington Peninsula where Peter Reith was the Liberal member. This was a dyed in the wool safe conservative seat, which was why Reith was parachuted in there.
Reith was a shocking a local member. He was rarely in his office and never available for the locals, not once taking any of their issues to Canberra. His office was so seldom occupied that it was more often than not covered in graffiti. There was a Chinese takeaway next door that I used to frequent and they said Reith was hardly ever there and the office closed more often than not.
Though they complained bitterly about Reith as a local member, bringing it up in meetings and in general conversation, they voted for him. Well they didn’t vote for Reith, they blindly voted conservative. But it was heartening to see that at each election the seat was losing it’s margin to the Liberals to the point when Reith quit it had become a marginal seat.
The intense hatred for “The Left” that scaper and his mates give vent to on this blog borders on the psychotic.
I think some pervert disguised in a Labor Day banner or something must’ve once interfered with them in a public dunny, scarring them for life. It’s time they got some counselling.
“I see PM has broken her holidays to go to a folk festival. Shame the PM didn’t front up to apologise for breaking 400 promises for a surplus”
Even I (fully understanding that running a surplus alongside a current account deficit is stupid) can forgive the government for repeatedly assuring “the market” they were determined to bring the budget back into the black.
As we’ve learned, it’s all about “confidence”. And if the market is oddly reassured by the promise of a surplus, then give it reassurance.
And with Abbott talking down the nation’s prospects to the point of treason at every opportunity, I think I can understand this counterbalance to the destructive Abbott bullshit.
‘…something must’ve once interfered with them in a public dunny, scarring them for life.’
Lay off the turps MJ.
Where do we want to be next year?
………….It must be emphasised again and again, that the setting of interest rates and the budget bottom line are not ends in themselves. For anyone with an understanding of economic policy and changes in the business cycle, there is no short-term optimal level or target for interest rates or the budget balance.
Interest rates will be adjusted up and down according to demand and inflation pressures in the economy. At the same time, the budget balance will swing from deficit to surplus and back again as the automatic stabilisers work and occasional doses of counter-cyclical fiscal policy changes are delivered to dampen the amplitude of the business cycle.
This returns us to the point that a 3 per cent GDP growth pace by this time next year is good news. It will imply interest rate settings are broadly appropriate and will likely end the next year near where they are now, and the budget momentum will be moving to a small surplus.
It almost goes without saying that if the economy is a little softer, interest rates will be lower and the budget will likely be in small deficit. A much weaker economy due to something like an exogenous shock from the global economy or an unexpected slowing in China will see interest rates end 2013 substantially lower and a modest budget deficit in place.
A stronger economy near 3.5 per cent or an even bigger surprise on the upside will see monetary policy tighter than it is now – and the budget will be on track for a comfortable surplus as the automatic stabilisers kick in extra revenue.
The end point is that we should be rejoicing a scenario where GDP runs around 3 per cent through 2013. It will mean inflation will be comfortably low and the unemployment rate will be in a 5-5.5 per cent range. It will mean the budget will be hovering around balance or a small surplus in 2013-14.
It would also mean Australia entering its 23rd year of unbroken economic growth, with more than a decade since the unemployment rate was above 6 per cent. And it will mean there have been two decades of successful inflation targeting from the Reserve Bank.
And by the way, 2012 is ending with the current data set on the Australian economy showing annual GDP at 3.1 per cent, the unemployment rate at 5.2 per cent, inflation at 2 per cent and underlying inflation at 2.5 per cent.
Frankly, that is near perfection. Let’s hope these are the numbers in play on 31 December 2013.
I didn’t actually have you in mind EG but if there’s something you need to tell us, feel free
And all that started under Hawke/Keating Cu.
I will give Howard some due though, but not when he was in power, when he was opposition leader.
He worked with Keating in a bipartisan approach to implement some of Keating’s reforms we are still getting the benefit of. He then went on to savagely stab Keating in the back but that’s another story.
It would not surprise me if the Liberals again gain power on the back of an improved economy set up by Labor, as is their norm, and then take all the credit for the improvement whilst they cook the books like they did in NSW and Queensland.
“There are rusted on Liberal and Labor seats, but the rusted on conservative seats are more set in stone.”
I understand all that, what it doesn’t explain, buts reveals much, is how thick people really are. Some people who have been voted in, break out of the safe seat mentality
Both sides have them btw. More so on the Liberal benches, who by observation mostly always parachute in effeminate men, the mind does indeed boggle..
Three quarters of a million. 🙂
A wonderful achievement Migs. 🙂
Well done Migs (& Min & CU & Café patrons). It’s a fitting day to reach this milestone too 🙂
Migs, the milestones are coming around quicker than ever. Is there a number of the comments made.
Great stuff Migs.
What are you doing this coming weekend? I need to get away for a day ride, working through the holidays on a tough project, and wouldn’t mind going to a shop in Bungendore that sells high level motorbike underclothing so as to have a break.
I’ve been to the Café Wood Works once and had a great coffee there if you and Migs would like to meet for one on me?
Email me if you want.
Hi Mo. Consider it a date. I’ll email you when I get home a bit later – I have to race out for more drinks.
Thanks Baccie. Let’s celebrate with a fine drop.
Cu, just shy of 109,000 comments. 🙂
Hall and and el gordo, I just want to clarify what you are saying.
Are you saying that Migs should put up posts that support Mr. Abbott. If not, what in the hell do you mean.
Visitors to this site are given free rein to write what they like.
What they do not seem to like, is that most here challenge or disagree with what they say.
What could be more balanced than that.
Miglo, that is a lot of words.
Migs, Min and whisperers, great achievement well done.
1 Mill on it’s way 😀
Cheers :smile 😀 😆
Is Marijuana an ‘Exit Drug’? Study Suggests Some Are Taking It as a Substitute for Prescription Drugs and Alcohol…
A surprising three quarters of medical cannabis consumers say they subbed in pot for more harmful substances.
Where is Australia on the medical cannabis debate? Nowhere.
“….many patients may have already identified cannabis as an effective and potentially safer adjunct or alternative to their prescription drug regimen.”
Looks like this one will catch more than a couple of corrupt Labor Pollies.”
………………ICAC’s Obeid inquiry sparks $13m civil case
BY: SUSANNAH MORAN From: The Australian January 02, 2013 12:00AM
A HOST of companies and several well-known businesspeople are being sued in a $13 million civil action, the first legal case to arise from the corruption investigation into the granting of coal exploration licences in NSW.
Multi-millionaires and yachting enthusiasts Neville Crichton and Denis O’Neil have turned on old friends and business associates in a court case that will send shockwaves through Sydney’s wealthy eastern suburbs set…………..
This is something that has always fascinated me when one talks a about left and right politics. Free market or welfare economics.
When things go haywire, such as GFC, all countries appear to be affected the same. The political or economic systems do not appear to count.
It does not seem to matter what the government spending or taxation is at.
……………….”But the disagreements among Keynesians, or between Keynesians and various heterodox schools, are less important than their collective disagreement with the classical view. According to classical economics, a global recession like the one we are observing, occurring simultaneously in many very different countries and lasting for many years, should be impossible, or at least highly improbable. For the classical view to work, lots of separate and differently organized labor markets must have simultaneously gone haywire, and stayed that way for a long time. But the improbability of this hypothesis hasn’t shaken the faith of classical supporters…………..
Recession has hit our town and income is down two-thirds in most small businesses. The petit bourgeois (sic) talk among themselves as to why this has occurred?
It doesn’t get a mention in the Fairfax rags, so it might have something to do with a pernicious tax … otherwise we have imported deflation.
First place to look might be the effects of any cuts your friend Mr O’Farrell has made el gordo 😉 How much money has he removed from circulation in “your town”?
Could have much to do with that high dollar, talking down of the economy
A fragile world economy might just play a part.
What a pernicious tax are you talking about.
Could even be incompetent businesses that have done nothing to keep up with the times.
I live on the upper end of New South Wales Central Coast. It appears to be blooming. New businesses opening up all the time. The old ones reopening, and new business areas opening up. Three within kilometers of me.
Not only are these businesses opening, they seem to be attracting customers. Well parking is hard to find.
I expected the older regions to go backwards, that has not occurred. Yes they have changed, one village now becoming a major medical centre. Retailers moved out, the medical mob in.
el gordo, I do not know why it is so bad in your region. It is not that wa\y across the country. Another I visit, is around Narellan. Same there, crowded shops and busy parking areas.
Yep like Newman in Queensland sending that State backwards, O’Farrell is doing the same by removing large swaths of money from the economy whilst cutting essential services, which also retracts a State’s economy.
‘How much money has he removed from circulation in “your town”?’
None that we can see, a few TAFE reachers in the soft arts.
We can say that the new technologies have created ‘online shopping’ and wiped out retail, that is happening universally. Classical economists might have something to say on that.
In the area of accommodation its imported deflation.
*EDITOR’S NOTE: The headline for this piece was written by IA, not the author, who has suggested we add the “: judge” to the end of it. IA stands by this headline and believes it is entirely accurate for two main reasons and one secondary reason. Firstly, it is clear, as alluded to by Margo’s piece above, that Justice Rares did consider in great depth whether James Ashby was sexually harassed by Peter Slipper and his judgement makes it clear he did not think Ashby had been, and he expressed this view in no uncertain terms. Secondly, our advice is that it is almost unthinkable Rares would have dismissed the case as an abuse of process if there had been any reasonable expectation that Slipper had a case to answer for sexual harassment. The final reason we stand unreservedly by our headline is that Independent Australia has investigated the case of Ashby and Slipper in incredible depth through hundreds of hours of detailed research — and it is our considered conclusion that Ashby’s allegation of sexual harassment against Peter Slipper was utterly unfounded and insincere. If circumstances later prove us to be wrong – and we very much doubt they will – we will gladly apologise and accept our error.
:”None that we can see, a few TAFE reachers in the soft arts”
Where did the word :soft art” come from. I think you will find these courses are more than recreation. They are skills needed in a wide range of industries. One with that many in your town will find employment with. May even find someone with the skills to improve your own advertisements, to bring new trade in.
I think you mean the fine arts. Nothing soft about them at all.
Famous Victorian art critic John Ruskin once said that ‘Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together’.
A career in fine arts brings together history, culture, society and aesthetics, and requires an understanding of the place of art in society and everyday life. Online fine arts courses aren’t just limited to painting, but encompass the whole gamut of aesthetic artistic endeavours, such as sculpture, installation, printmaking, film and photography.
el gordo, many of those selling online are based in the bush, Right out in the real bush.
There is nothing stopping many of the local industries going down that path. It is called moving with the times. Any business that does not goes under.
el gordo, I have been watching documentary, where small towns have taken advantage if available Fed money, creating new industries, fairs and festivals, reinvigorating and growing their communities.
It entailed in all cases, the business leaders getting together, throwing their lot behind the ideas that were raised. Doing this instead of whining and complaining.
There could even be some in your town, that could be made more successful, drawing visitors to your town. I am sure there is much to sell there. Maybe use some of those fine art graduates in your quest.
By the way, it was made clear that this money is only there because of the minority government. Will dry up when that goes. So you better act quickly.
Let the public know about the wonderful things you have to offer and they will come.
………strong Australian dollar and robust competition have led to record national vehicle sales, which the industry has described as astonishing.
Despite the weakness in several parts of the economy in 2012, new vehicle sales rose 10.3 per cent to more than 1.1 million.
The previous record of 1.05 million was set in 2007.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber says carmakers are pleasantly surprised by the result.
“10 per cent is actually an astonishing number,” he exclaimed.
Mr Weber says the high Australian dollar helped intensify competition, but locally made cars also performed well.
“Three of the top 10 selling cars in Australia in 2012 were actually produced in Australia,” he added.
Passenger cars were still the most popular type of vehicle, although Mr Weber says SUV sales surged 25 per cent with over 300,000 sold.
“A lot of SUVs now have diesel technology which reduced their fuel consumption quite dramatically,” he observed.
Toyota secured the largest share of sales, with nearly 220,000 new vehicles hitting the roads last year.
Holden, Mazda, Hyundai and Ford rounded out the top five….
No Shit Sherlock. Most of the Western world is still in recession (or teetering). Things will not remain the same here.
What is the best way forward for remote communities in technological age? Wonder if the NBN will help 😯
Maybe Rina could invest some of her own money in her dreams for the north.
Rinehart finally reveals Hancock finances
Date
January 4, 2013 – 2:03PM
489 reading nowRead later
Peter Ker and Ben Butler
Battle for the books … Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospect paid more than $12 million in dividends in 2011. Photo: Nic Walker
Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart’s long battle to avoid scrutiny of her main company Hancock Prospecting has ended, after two long-overdue annual reports were filed to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on Christmas Eve.
Ms Rinehart, considered by some measures to be the world’s wealthiest woman, had long fought ASIC’s demand for the reports to be filed on the grounds it would reveal commercially sensitive details around her lucrative iron ore partnership with Rio Tinto, as well as her plans to build a massive new iron ore mine at Roy Hill in Western Australia.
Many observers also believe the details of massive profits being made by Hancock Prospecting were sensitive in the context of Ms Rinehart’s legal battle with several of her own children over the amount of money due to be paid to family trusts.
But ASIC’s will has finally prevailed, and the documents filed on Christmas eve show that the period between July 2009 and June 2011 – the period covered by the two reports – was very lucrative for Hancock Prospecting.
Advertisement
Profits rose from $688 million at June 30 2010, to just under $1.2 billion at June 30, 2011.
The private, unlisted company paid dividends of $6.1 million at June 30, 2010 and more than doubled that figure to $12.496 million a year later.
The bulk of Hancock Prospecting’s revenues come from a joint venture partnership with Rio Tinto at the Hope Downs iron ore mines in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Who’s that old bloke who’s hijacked your gravatar Migs?
Some good looking, distinguished gentleman, Bacchus. 😀
😆 😆 😆
‘…to improve your own advertisements, to bring new trade in.’
No its not like that, we are talking about savvy people on the interwebys and totally covered, what we are experiencing is a universal disease…. the Great Malaise.
As I’m involved with the arts the loss of TAFE jobs are no big deal, a Renaissance has already begun where enthusiasts are seeking out particular potters or fine artists, to lean their skills and become successful in their chosen medium.
This is the power of free enterprise.
Sorry, el gordo. Fine arts is about much more. It is about design, entertainment, advertisement. The skills are needed in every industry. What do you mean about soft art.
It is not about the local art appreciation group, or amateur pottery or painting displays.
Some good looking, distinguished gentleman, Bacchus.
That was my first thought Migs, but I remembered you saying you were much younger than that fine gentleman looks – is he your much older brother? 😆
this will not be read by Abbott, Hockey, Robb and Newmann
There is a time and place when attempting to bring budgets back to surplus. In Australia’s case, the government has just recognized now was the time not to cut more. As cutting more would lead to a bigger budget.
It is also true, that no government is full control of a nation’s economy. Many other factors, within and outside the country have more influence.
Some need to learn that spruiking deficit and debt, as if that is all there is to good governance is childish and misleading, The words in themselves mean nothing.
That is the nature of capitalism. There are many theories on how it works, and none is static new ideas involving all the time. Could be a little truth in them all, at one time another.
I believe this is so, is because human beings are involved, and their actions influence what happens, It is recognized, I believe or was told so 50 years ago, any economy can be talked down. I also believe from those days, that once unemployment reached double figures, it takes on a life of its own, and is near impossible to turn about.
“Consider it a mea culpa submerged in a deep pool of calculus and regression analysis: The International Monetary Fund’s top economist today acknowledged that the fund blew its forecasts for Greece and other European economies because it did not fully understand how government austerity efforts would undermine economic growth.
The new and highly technical paper looks again at the issue of fiscal multipliers – the impact that a rise or fall in government spending or tax collection has on a country’s economic output….
……………..Many countries still need to cut their deficits – some faster, some slower, depending on a host of other factors.
“The results do not imply that fiscal consolidation is undesirable,” the two write. “Virtually all advanced economies face the challenge of fiscal adjustment in response to elevated government debt levels and future pressures on public finances from demographic change. The short-term effects of fiscal policy on economic activity are only one of the many factors that need to be considered in determining the appropriate pace of fiscal consolidation for any single country.”
Seems like we are on a winner when it comes to the NBN.
According to Clinton, whose comments were quoted by various publications and crystallised on NBN Co’s own blog:
“You want to help small businesses, you want to help new entrepreneurs? You want to make it possible for people living in remote towns in upstate New York or West Texas to be part of the global economy? “Then stop pretending we can do it with South Korea having average download speeds of four times ours. “They’re first in the world, we’re now 15th or 16th. That’s not that expensive.”
“American companies have a trillion dollars overseas,” Clinton said. “I would like to see a deal made which would say to Dell and everybody else … if you’ve got any cash overseas that you’re willing to bring home, you can bring home every penny of it, up to December 31st 2012, with no extra tax liability … if you will put … pick a number … eight per cent of it … five per cent of it … in an infrastructure bank where we will guarantee you a tax free return on investment as if it were a municipal bond with a return on investment of six per cent per year. Now, that would give us probably $50 billion.”
“Then we could bring universal modern broadband to every American.”
Sounds like a pretty good deal to me — and the whole idea doesn’t actually sound too far away from what Australia’s doing, although we suspect it might cost a wee bit more than $50 billion to wire up the entire United States — given that Australia’s own NBN project is clocking in around $37 billion in terms of its own required capital investment. However, we don’t envy the task of any US administration which wants to implement this kind of project, given the half-dozen major telcos — all former monopolists like Telstra — which hold sway over various regions of the country. You thought the NBN was complex? A US NBN would be infinitely more so, and probably infinitely more controversial. One benefit of being only a moderately sized country. There’s only so many people you need to talk to to get stuff do……………………
video There’s been quite a bit of hype recently about the increasing use of remote-controlled drones to film events, delivering an eye in the sky viewpoint to those on the ground. So perhaps it’s not surprising that Tasmanians are using the technique to publish remarkable videos on YouTube of drone footage of the horrific bush fires the state is currently experiencing.
We found this amazing video of what appears to be footage of Dunally in Tasmania — apparently shot using a GoPro camera attached to a Quadcopter FPV — linked from this iTNews article about the potential use of drones to forecast future bushfires. Obviously it’s a bit hard to verify the footage at this point, so take it with a grain of salt, but if legitimate it’s certainly fascinating. There’s more on the drone journalism phenomenon in general in this excellent ABC article.
Looks like the areas under fire now extend to the Queensland border. Yes, things are only normal.
Wonder what it will be like, when this temporary pause in the hot weather ends, and the high temperatures come back.
Does not look like any rain either.
Victoria, 6 out 9 districts under threat.
Yes, us oldies can use broadband. Opens up a new world for us. Will extend the time we remain independent.
………………………………….opinion Reality check: The National Broadband Network is a project which will continue to serve Australia’s telecommunications needs for at least the next fifty years. Debating take-up rates in the first year of its existence is nothing short of incredibly short-sighted and trivial.
Over the Christmas break period, your writer took several weeks off to enjoy the beautiful Australian summer, spend time swimming in our crystal clear waters and catch up on his science fiction/fantasy reading, usually with a tequila sunrise in his right hand. But unfortunately, Australia’s addled politicians apparently failed to do the same.
When I returned from this idyllic vacation, I found that our two politicians primarily responsible for shaping policy relating to the nation’s telecommunications sector, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, and his opposite, Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull, had spent at least some of the break engaging in a somewhat shabby and facile war of words over what the take-up rates of the initial handful of people to be connected to the Government’s National Broadband Network meant…..
Just A reminder of what this minority government is achieving. Building for the future.
…………………….Conroy and Turnbull are debating the NBN using completely the wrong framework. The way these politicians talk about the network is as if it’s the latest iPad, or perhaps a new type of laptop. You know, you upgrade it once every few years, just to keep up with current trends and the Jones’.
However, the NBN is not like an iPad. It’s not going to be out of date in 10 years, or 20 years, or even 30. Like Australia’s great highways, railways, ports and airports, like our electricity, water, gas and sewage networks, the NBN is foundational infrastructure which will underpin our entire country’s telecommunications needs for at least fifty years. Personally, I’m betting it will be around in many forms in a century — just like Telstra’s existing copper network, which was built piecemeal over the last hundred years. The point here is that we’re not building the NBN for today; we’re building it for the next fifty years. That’s how basic underlying infrastructure works…..
I request answers to the following questions by close of business today.
(1) When did you first become aware that present or former staff of Mr Reith had been using Mr Reith’s Telecard?
(2) What action did your take upon learning of this unauthorised use of Mr Reith’s Telecard?
(3) On what date were your first informed that the Australian Federal Police would be called in to investigate?
(4) On what date did you inform Mr Reith that police could be called in?
(5) On what date did you inform the Prime Minister that police could be called in?
Yours sincerely,
MARGO KINGSTON
Chief of Staff, Sydney Morning Herald Canberra bureau
Turnbull repays massive roaming bill charged to Aussie taxpayers
Summary: Australian Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has repaid an AU$13,000 bill for mobile phone use overseas that was originally charged to the taxpayer……….
………………….In October 2011, after returning from a stint in Hong Kong, France, Germany, and the UK, the shadow minister received a hefty global roaming charge of AU$13,608.04 for use of his mobile device overseas. Turnbull accumulated a total of AU$26,368.26 in telecommunications charges for the period, and this was paid for by the taxpayer and released in six-monthly reporting by the Department of Finance and Deregulation last year……
Bhttp://www.zdnet.com/au/turnbull-repays-massive-roaming-bill-charged-to-aussie-taxpayers-7000009493/y Josh Taylor and Chris Duckett | January 8, 2013 — 04:16 GMT (15:16 AEST)
…..FORMER parliamentary Speaker Peter Slipper risks losing millions of dollars in retirement benefits if he is convicted of using his government Cabcharge card to tour restaurants and wineries.
When he retires, Mr Slipper can expect to receive a yearly pension of about $157,000 for the rest of his life.
However, if he is found guilty of the alleged fraud, Mr Slipper is likely to lose everything besides a refund of his superannuation contributions (without interest).
Mr Slipper’s retirement package is especially lucrative because of his long service – 23 years as an MP – and his occupation of highly paid roles including Speaker of the House of Representatives, where he earned an annual salary of $371,463.
THE Federal Labor Government has called on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to reveal his plans for workplace reform if he wins government.
Acting Employment Minister Kate Ellis hit out at the Liberal Party on Wednesday after reports Mr Abbott was being pressured to put industrial relations on his election policy agenda this year.
Ms Ellis said Australian workers had a right to know what the Opposition’s policy was, feeding fears of further cuts to penalty rates and workers’ entitlements.
“Andrew Robb – the Coalition’s chief policy-maker – has also written an op-ed in the Australian today saying that the Coalition’s polices are ready to go,” she said.
“If that’s true – he should come clean with Australian workers about his plans for workplace relations.”
Ms Ellis’ comments come as both major parties ramp up their attacks in the lead-up to this year’s federal election.
Mr Abbott has not yet confirmed the issue is on the Coalition policy agenda despite comments from leading party members in 2012 that it would be considered.
And I thought Abbott and Howard hounding Pauline Hanson into prison was bad.
The complete destruction of Slipper’s reputation, possible imprisonment. loss of pension and the personal effect on his family seems to be the punishment of Slipper for acting against Abbott.
And that interview on Lateline in 2011 was the peek into what would happen in 2012.
Former Prime Ministers costing us millions
Save this story to read later
by: Simon Kearney
From: The Sunday Telegraph
October 31, 2010 12:00AM
38 comments
Howard’s office the most expensive
Spent $100K on limos in seven months
Keating frugal, saves taxpayer $70K a year
Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has repaid an AU$13,000 bill for mobile phone use overseas that was originally charged to the taxpayer……….
Is Turnbull channeling Reith, do you think?
CU, no surprise that the Rodent has his snout well embedded in the ex PM trough-$100k on limos, ffs!!!!! How tf do you spend $100k on limos in 7 months? Get your slimy paws out of my taxpaying pockets, you freeloading waste of oxygen.
Definitely time to review the freeloader gold card enjoyed by the likes of the Rodent. For a start he can pay for the limos out of his own pocket, or catch the bus like other far more deserving people have to.
Jane, that’s his reward for being the biggest lying piece of excrement that ever took up residence in the Lodge, and finally getting dumped, even by his own electorate.
The only one who might beat his lying arse is Abbott if he ever gets the chance.
God help us!
Cheers 😀
.The case against Slipper raises wider questions. Is he the only parliamentarian to have abused his entitlements? Certainly he is under the spotlight because of his defection from the Conservatives, his resignation as Speaker and the numbers in the almost hung Parliament. Oh, and the fact he has a long record of high levels of spending on airfares, private cars, Com Cars, hire cars, taxis and publications.
Perhaps other Parliamentarians should receive the same level of scrutiny. As an old ATO man, a risk management approach might help here. Who has large travel claims? Who has paid back overpaid claims in the past on more than one occasion?
I know some of you will see me as deeply cynical in arguing for a more thorough investigation of parliamentarians’ spending on travel and other matters. If it did happen then all it really shows is one bad apple. Well, in Victoria, Liberal Party MP Geoff Shaw has been accused of using his government car for his business. The Age said:…………………………
.Mr Slipper has yet to comment publicly on the matter but has hired prominent Brisbane lawyer Peter Russo, who made a name for himself representing Muhamed Haneef, the Indian doctor wrongly accused and charged by the AFP in 2007 for terrorist-related offences.
The veteran MP faces being stripped of his seat if convicted of any of the three charges.
The Australian constitution provides for an MP to be dismissed if they are convicted of “an offence punishable by imprisonment for one year or longer under a state or commonwealth law”.
A senior source familiar with the rule told AAP that, given the maximum penalty for each breach of the Criminal Code Act is five years’ jail, any penalty given to the MP would disqualify him from sitting in parliament.
Mr Slipper also faces losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in retirement benefits if convicted.
Currently he can expect a lifetime annual pension of around $157,000, but if convicted he could merely get a refund of his superannuation contributions without interest.
A resignation before the court action is concluded could protect his pension.
Mr Slipper has yet to say whether he will recontest his seat, which is expected to fall to Liberal National Party candidate and former Howard government minister Mal Brough.
A poll taken in mid-December by ReachTel gave Mr Slipper 2.7 per cent support, to Mr Brough’s 48.4 per cent…..
‘Ms Eva Cox said the prime minister may be Australia’s first female national leader, but “she has real flaws in her feminist credentials”.
‘The academic noted that at the time of Ms Gillard’s verbal attack on Mr Abbott, her Labor government was cutting the incomes of almost 100,000 single parents.’
AAP
el gordo, there are many different types of feminism. It is not one great movement where all think the same.
Do not believe I have seen anywhere that the PM claims to be one. All that was said in that speech still stands, All that the PM describe was words and actions that Mr. Abbott has said and used against her. None very nice or civil.
It matter not whether his is or not. What cannot be denied he acts like one, and uses the language of one.
As for Eva Cox, I like her and generally agree. This time, I find her comments a little strange.
It is I think more ay attacking the PM for the changes made to the single parents benefits.
A prominent feminist has knocked the idea that Tony Abbott is a misogynist and says some of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s policies are sexist.
Author and academic Eva Cox says the opposition leader, who last year was accused in a high-profile speech by Ms Gillard of holding sexist and misogynistic views, is ‘not feminism’s worst enemy’.
‘He is a somewhat inconsistent, confused conservative with the attached sexist views on gender roles, which he seems to be trying hard to minimise,’ Ms Cox wrote on website The Conversation.
‘He is not in my terms a misogynist.’
Ms Cox said she was sticking to ‘the useful distinction’ between a view of gender as the basis for entrenched discriminatory differences, and those who have a pathological deep dislike of womenkind and an antipathy to what they may stand for.
‘Abbott fits the first, but not the second category.’
Ms Cox said the prime minister may be Australia’s first female national leader, but ‘she has real flaws in her feminist credentials’.
The academic noted that at the time of Ms Gillard’s verbal attack on Mr Abbott, her Labor government was cutting the incomes of almost 100,000 single parents.
She said she was concerned that issues of the leaders’ personal traits and mudslinging could weaken debate over ‘good social policies’.
‘This is the area where real gender issues arise and neither party is focusing on addressing income inequality, and inadequate welfare and community services,’ Ms Cox said…
Migs, I hope you are OK, and soon back on deck, the cafe is not the same without you mate.
Get well soon. 🙂
Cheers 🙂 😀
” The academic noted that at the time of Ms Gillard’s verbal attack on Mr Abbott, her Labor government was cutting the incomes of almost 100,000 single parents.”
Although the Liberal party would love to have done what Gillard has done, i.e. cutting benifits . this may yet cost them government. I have had time to re-think this issue, and I think it is now over for Labor. The interesting thing will be, if Abbott promises to re-instate the benifit should he be elected. If he does it’s over for Labor.
What this women was thinking is anyones guess? There must have been other areas to trim the fat.
PJ, the Liebs are more likely to lower the child’s age to qualify than re-instate this. You need to remember that this legislation is just correcting the anomaly created by the Howard government’s 2006 legislation, which initiated this change to 8 years of age.
The problem was, he “grandfathered” those who were already on Parenting payment so that they would continue on this benefit until their youngest child turned 16. This allowed young mothers to “churn out” more babies and stay on the benefit, while new mums are subject to the age limit introduced in 2006.
Hasn’t Mr Abbott spent a bit of time doing “very important work for Australia” in the UK recently? Mr Cameron’s government lowered the age where parents must move onto “Jobseeker’s Allowance” (as it is called in the UK) to five in May 2012…
Migs update. I am very relieved to report that Migs is improving after being very ill. It is expected that he will be well enough to be able to come home from hospital, perhaps even as early as the weekend. However, as those who have had a serious illness will know, recovery has it’s ups and downs.
We would particularly like to thank those who have given the blog so much support during our absence.
I agree, pushing these mothers (and some fathers) onto the dole is a major step backwards. I don’t think it will affect the votes at all. Everyone is aware that, no matter how bad Labor make it, the libs will always make it worst for those worst off.
I don’t disagree with enticing these parents to work, but I don’t think the dole is a suitable answer.
‘He is not in my terms a misogynist.’
Ms Cox said she was sticking to ‘the useful distinction’ between a view of gender as the basis for entrenched discriminatory differences, and those who have a pathological deep dislike of womenkind and an antipathy to what they may stand for.
‘Abbott fits the first, but not the second category.’
So the title should read “Eva Cox rejects Abbott ‘misogynist’ tag … by her definition of the term”
Why is there no debate in msm over tabots use of the term in relation to Slipper, who it can be noted doesn’t have a past of offenses that could be rattled off like Gillard did in relation to tabot?
‘…if Abbott promises to re-instate the benifit should he be elected. If he does it’s over for Labor.’
No need, it won’t be an issue. And the Coalition will still win handsomely.
Why should those who first became parents before 1 July 2006 be treated differently to those becoming parents since then?
These are the only parents affected by the changes to legislation. Anyone who became a parent after this date has been subject to the move to Newstart once their youngest child turns 8.
This just fixes the anomaly – there may very well be an argument to reverse the original 2006 Howard legislation, but that’s not what this legislation is about…
Tom, clearly if after hours child care was thruppence an hour there wouldn’t be a problem.
I am visualising a poor single parent..gets the neighbor to drop 3 juniors off at school before putting in 9 hours, gets granny to pick the kids up after school. Parent picks up 2 and 3 up from granny’s, however #1 son has cricket practice and so after dropping #2 and #3 off at home does the bolt down to the oval…arrives home, throws on some chops and veg..everyone whinges… Parent then receives a note from the school that #2 has failed to hand in “set tasks” and that he/she needs to front up to the school at 9.30am the next morning. Parent has to take a day off via sick leave in order to attend the required meeting. Swarmy 20’something teacher tells parent that he/she should be reading to their child at least 30mins per day PLUS restricting internet time, which should always be supervised. Parent visualises low flying pigs… Parent arrives at work the next day and is asked, Where is your Doctor’s Certificate for you day off it’s required on the boss’s desk by 10am today…. Yes, just get a job you lazy layabout single parents…
Best wishes to Migs and his imminent recovery
It seems not many actually understand what this legislation does 🙄 All seem to think that it is introducing the changes that were actually made by the Howard government in 2006.
Current rules
Currently, recipients of PPS are no longer eligible for the payment once their youngest child turns eight. Recipients of PPP are no longer eligible once their youngest child turns six. Recipients of PPS are subject to activity requirements such as undertaking paid work, or looking for work or training, when their youngest child reaches the age of six.
Transitional rules for ‘grandfathered’ recipients
Those who have been receiving PPS and PPP since before 1 July 2006 have had different eligibility rules from those described above. Specifically, members of this group have continued to receive their payment under the rules regarding the age of their youngest child which were in place prior to the Howard Government’s ‘Welfare to Work’ changes, announced in the 2005–06 Budget. This group of recipients, known as ‘grandfathered’ recipients remain eligible for Parenting Payment until their youngest child turns 16 and are subject to participation requirements when their youngest child turns seven.
This group were protected from the changes to age eligibility by grandfathering provisions contained in the Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work and Other Measures) Act 2005.
The measures proposed by the Bill will remove the grandfathering provisions for this group of Parenting Payment recipients from 1 January 2013 and they will be subject to the same eligibility and participation rules as other PPS and PPP recipients. This will mean that many current grandfathered recipients will no longer qualify for PPS or PPP because their youngest child will be older than the qualification age (six and eight years, respectively).
Proposed measure will supersede previous phasing-out amendments
The measures proposed by the Bill will, if passed, supersede recent amendments to social security law enacted by the Gillard Government which were intended to gradually phase out the group of recipients receiving Parenting Payment under the pre-2006 rules.
In 2011, the Gillard Government moved to draw a line under the group covered by the grandfather provisions. The effect of amendments contained in the Social Security Amendment (Parenting Payment Transitional Arrangement) Act 2011 was that only children who were born or came into the principal care of a parent before 1 July 2011 (being a parent who had continued to receive Parenting Payment since July 2006) would be covered by the grandfather provisions. Prior to these amendments, any new children born or coming into the care of a person who was receiving Parenting Payment prior to July 2006 would have extended the person’s eligibility for Parenting Payment until the child turned 16.
In early May 2012, further amendments were made through the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support and Other Measures) Act 2012 to speed up the process by which those with older children are moved off Parenting Payment, either onto other income support payments or into paid employment. Those protected from the 2006 changes are now only eligible to continue receiving Parenting Payment until their youngest child turns 16, if that child is aged 13, 14 or 15 on 31 December 2012. Grandfathered Parenting Payment recipients whose youngest child is aged 12 on 31 December 2012 will lose their eligibility for the payment when the child turns 13. All other grandfathered Parenting Payment recipients will lose eligibility for the payment when their youngest child turns 12.
The measures proposed by the Bill will supersede the amendments in both of these Acts so that rather than gradually phasing-out those covered by the grandfather provisions, they will be subject to the same rules and requirements applied to post-2006 Parenting Payment recipients from 1 January 2013.
Good to hear Min. He still owes me a “we’ll do this again sometime.”
Mobius, and we most definitely will. It was without a doubt, a huge pleasure to meet you..so let’s make it soon.
Thank you Tom. Migs is a person of huge resolve and I am certain will be back as soon as is humanly possible.
So the Peta Credlin was a liberal strategy to woo the women vote. the liberal party approached Marie Claire and News Ltd to publish the story.
Credlin a ‘reluctant’ but savvy star in Abbott’s female strategy
Amber Jamieson | Jan 09, 2013 12:49PM
Were Peta Credlin’s media interviews about her IVF issues really part of a deliberate strategy by the Tony Abbott camp to woo female voters? Yes and no, Crikey can reveal.
Political advisers rarely give on-the-record interviews. But was Peta Credlin’s Marie Claire chat — and subsequent follow-up in the News Limited tabloids, reigniting a debate on Tony Abbott’s views on female issues and IVF treatment — part of a deliberate strategy to woo voters? Yes … and no.
“They approached us,” Marie Claire editor and publisher Jackie Frank told Crikey as the magazine hit newsagents today. But a Credlin interview wasn’t what the Liberals had in mind — that was “serendipitous” timing, the high-profile editor reveals.
Personally, I believe all should be treated the same. I suspect very free will have 8 year old kids. Most will be much older.
This government has bought in much assistance to assist these people.
Mr. Abbott will not revert this one.
Yes there needs to be changes made., Not too sure it is providing benefits, but assisting them with education, training and childcare.
I was in similar situations when raising my children, both when married, on the dole, and Invalid, Later on single parent support. All were only bandaid answers at the most.
I worked when I could, but always on low wages, which never got me out of the trap. Trap is what it is.
It was Mr. Whitlam’s changes and opportunity to go to Uni, that got me out of the rut.
Yes, it was not easy, but worhtwhile.
Yes, I join the rest of you in wishing Migs well again soon.
” PJ, the Liebs are more likely to lower the child’s age to qualify than re-instate this.”
Lets be honest, most young single mothers would not be aware of past legislation by Howard or for that matter, anyone else They were receiving x amount of dollars, now they are getting less. Simple really.
El gordo, although I have my doubts about the outcome of any future election, the Lieberals are not going to win handsomly. A week is a long time in politics. I am still unsure the Lieerals are not going to shaft Abbott. He is only there because Labor have decided to run with Gillard. If they would have put Rudd back in, Abbott would be history.
.
All the best, Migs. As someone with ME, I sympathize with you.
H ey, big spender: Howard the king of the loose purse strings
Peter Martin January 11, 2013
AUSTRALIA’S most needlessly wasteful spending took place under the John Howard-led Coalition government rather than under the Whitlam, Rudd or Gillard Labor governments, an international study has found.
The International Monetary Fund examined 200 years of government financial records across 55 leading economies.
It identifies only two periods of Australian “fiscal profligacy” in recent years, both during John Howard’s term in office – in 2003 at the start of the mining boom and during his final years in office between 2005 and 2007.
The Rudd government’s stimulus spending during the financial crisis doesn’t rate as profligate because the measure makes allowance for spending needed to stabilise the economy.
The Whitlam Labor government of 1972 to 1975 also escapes censure.
Bacchus,
I heard a rumour that the Liars Party are planning to release a set of new slogans for this, the election year. Spam personnel have been recalled to HQ, and are in intensive lockdown to learn the slogans and the Spin that goes with them.
Just a rumour, mind you, but it might explain why the Cafe has been delightfully free of trolls during the last few days.
Alternatively, it might be that the trolls are cowering in the shade under the bridge, there to escape the frigging heat.
Bacchus
i note that the ABC and it’s parent the Murdoch press have not picked up this story.
Surprise surprise Sue 😀
Twitter is abuzz with that story this morning though 😆
‘ANGRY farmers have accused the Tasmanian Labor-Greens government and its Environment Department of stopping them burning bush undergrowth during cool months, a move that might have slowed or stopped the ferocious fires that roared through the state’s southeast last weekend.
‘The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association said yesterday the inability of many farmers to obtain fire permits allowing winter and spring burn-offs on their properties must be considered a contributory factor in the ferocity of the fires.’
Sue Neales in the Oz
That blame game of not allowing burning undergrowth has been raised after each and every fire, and when the enquiries come out, as they will for Tasmania and the other major fires, it turns out to be false.
What they don’t tell you is that the clear felling of large tracts of forests causes the remaining forests to be drier and more susceptible to fires, which is what’s happening in Tasmania and other wetland forests around the world, where in the past major fires were very rare but are now becoming regular events.
Clearing forests is also a significant contributor to global warming also drying out remaining forests and making them more susceptible to major fires.
When you get to the bottom line of these complaints you will inevitably find the forest industry involved and farmers wanting to clear more areas not for fire reduction but for their own profits.
Let’s just be done with it and get rid of every forest, bushland and grassland in Australia. We’ll be one big desert but the bushfire problem will be solved.
‘Let’s just be done with it and get rid of every forest, bushland and grassland in Australia. We’ll be one big desert but the bushfire problem will be solved.’
Mo, before humans came to this island the gum tree wasn’t dominant, so we should return the environment to its pristine state and only leave pockets of gums as a reminder.
Obviously this idea will require further research.
el gordo the ABC
“At Dunalley it appears most of the bushland the fire tore through is privately owned.
The Tasmanian Minister for Emergency Management, David O’Byrne, says public land accounts for 20 per cent of the area affected by the fire.
Bacchus
Twitter is abuzz, sure is. and still the ABC resists. I wonder how many helpful tweets they get over their NON reporting of the story. with more pollies coming back from holidays, no doubt they will drop the IMF assessment into interviews.
Big story today is unfolding involving AFP and Dept of Finance conspiring against Peter Slipper.
The Australian Federal Police and the federal department of finance have declined to confirm whether former speaker Peter Slipper offered to refund car-hire payments that are now subject to court action.
Investigative reporter Margo Kingston has reported online that Mr Slipper made the offer several months ago, before the AFP issued a summons for the Queensland federal MP to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court next month. …
Ms Kingston wrote in an article posted on the Independent Australia news website on Thursday afternoon that sources had confirmed Mr Slipper had “immediately offered to repay the excess” when he was made aware of the overpayment.
“But sources say Finance refused to allow him to do this. Instead, they said that because the AFP was interested, they would not follow the (Minchin) protocol,” Ms Kingston wrote.
Clearing the forests, leave more grassland. I cannot see any of those farmers burning off their grass which I imagine they have stock on.
Grass fires can be more terrifying than forest. Also travel quickly.
Saying that, farmers can take action to help. In my memory, it does necessary include burning off.
I remember every paddock having ploughed firebreaks along each side of every fence, to slow any fire down.
Why is this argument is always raised after the fires, not before.
Is this where we are heading. Our democracy controlled by big business.
………….In his new book, “Democracy at Work: A Cure for Capitalism,” Richard Wolff makes the compelling argument that modern capitalism has undermined democracy, replacing it with a plutocracy. All the props of a democracy remain intact – elections, legislatures, media – but they predominantly function at the service of the oligarchy.
Truthout readers can get “Democracy at Work: A Cure for Capitalism” free with a minimum contribution by clicking here. ………………
……politics.
The last three decades of US politics did not see a change of political opinion from more left to more right. Rather, what happened was a relative withdrawal from politics of those social groups that favored social-welfare and income-redistribution policies (the New Deal “legacy”) and a relative increase in the participation of business and the rich, who used their money to shift the tone and content of US politics.
The result of this political shift has compounded the social costs and negative impacts of the economic crisis since 2007. Our dysfunctional economic system has suffered the added burden of a dysfunctional political system. Political parties and politicians stumble over one another in pandering to corporations and the rich……..
………………………Australia’s most needlessly wasteful spending took place under the John Howard-led Coalition government rather than under the Whitlam, Rudd or Gillard Labor governments, an international study has found.
The International Monetary Fund examined 200 years of government financial records across 55 leading economies.
It identifies only two periods of Australian “fiscal profligacy” in recent years, both during John Howard’s term in office – in 2003 at the start of the mining boom and during his final years in office between 2005 and 2007………………………..
The IMF study mirrors findings of a 2008 Australian Treasury study that found real government spending grew faster in the final four years of the Howard government than in any four-year period since the 1990s recession.
The number of spending decisions worth more than $1 billion climbed from one in the first Howard budget to nine in the last. The proportion of savings measures fell from one-third of budget measures at the start of the Howard era to 1.5 per cent at the end.
In its final year in office, the Coalition boosted the AusLink national roads program by $2.3 billion and announced grants for water conservation and water buybacks worth $10 billion over 10 years.
ABC finally breaks the IMF story on profligate Howard
‘http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-11/imf-labels-howard-most-profligate-pm/4460900
blog Like most people, when I travel overseas I make sure to avoid huge global roaming charges through the use of Wi-Fi networks, cheap local SIM cards, IP telephony and other measures. But apparently some of our nation’s most venerable technologists and politicians are not capable of doing the same.
The past several weeks have seen a proliferation of articles about society heavyweights who have attracted significant global roaming charges when on trips overseas. The most notable of these was probably the case of Malcolm Turnbull, who is currently reportedly negotiating with Telstra over a $13,000 bill which was originally charged to the Federal Parliament (remember all those broadband research trips Turnbull took to Europe, China, South Korea and so on?). You’d think Turnbull, as Shadow Communications Minister, would know the tricks to avoid this kind of situation. Apparently not.
Take two of this story was this rant posted yesterday by Alan Finkel on the website of The Age. At the start of the article I had assumed the article was by somebody relatively technologically illiterate, but again, as in Turnbull’s case, apparently not. Finkel is chancellor of Monash University and president of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. He writes:,…
This is a story that’s been kicking around the Modern Monetary Theory blogs for the last year and a half.
It has the potential to leave the Republicans and their idiotic obsession with the debt ceiling looking like, well, idiots.
It does seem that when it comes to monetary operations it’s only those pesky MMT folk who’ve got any idea how it all works.
It’s quite possible, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Obama is just feeding the Republicans line, as one would having hooked a very big fish in open water. Wouldn’t work with a Mangrove Jack.
Café Whispers 
A new Café Talk is up so that us poor sods who access CW from Apple mobile devices won’t have it crash on us when the page gets past a certain amount of comments.
Migs, wrt our discussion last night, I asked around but all I could find was a few anonymous, inane comments about poor sods with i phones and i pads. 😦
I tried 😀
Cheers. 😀 😀
They were lies. Damn lies I tell ya.
Well then they must have come from the trolls or the LNP!
Never fear Migs I believe ya. 😉
Cheers 😀
Albury. That’s my town. 🙂
And what a fine town it is, Roswell. 🙂
when Rudd was PM the media ran and ran about a certain incident with a hairdryer, for memories sake
“Kevin Rudd throws hairdryer tantrum in Afghanistan”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/archive/national-old/kevin-rudd-throws-hairdryer-tantrum-in-afghanistan/story-e6freuzr-1225710400766
Imagine my shock that the Tele and other papers have NOT headlined this incident about PM Gillard, especially seeing it occurred in Afghanistan. In fact it is only a little paragraph in a journalists column.
“The PM’s iron fist
In the meantime, Julia Gillard made a big impression on the troops when she visited last month. Not for any speeches she made. But they’ll never forget how, when she got off the plane and was put straight into an armoured vehicle, an over-eager soldier – keen to ensure her complete safety inside the steel cocoon – slammed the door on her hand.
”She didn’t even cry out,” one soldier told me, ”even though she was lucky not to break any fingers and her hand swelled up like a balloon. She just got a quick bit of treatment, assured the shocked soldier she’d be OK and got on with it.”
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/a-salute-to-our-soldiers-20121208-2b24e.html#ixzz2EVN2ltx4
I suppose i shouldn’t be shocked, when it comes to war zones and politicians, our media much prefer
tony abbott dressing up in bomb disposal outfits
tony abbott firing guns from trucks
tony abbott sharing his wisdom of war, “shit happens”
yes he certainly is made up of ‘tuff stuff’
Just as she reacted when she fell flat on her face. Have done similar, and believe me it does shake one up.
The type of person one would like nearby in an emergency I believe.
One would not want the likes of Mirabella. She would just look down her nose at you.
Bishop would be too busy with her next move to noticed.
Abbott, would be too busy running, taking the chance to get to the line first. How one wins matters little to him.
Bushfires from lightning strikes in WA.
Two US states have just legalised cannabis and in the UK they are considering drug law reform.
‘Britain is losing the war on drugs and should consider the radical option of legalisation, a powerful committee of MPs will argue this week.
‘In a controversial move which could lead to yet another Coalition rift, the influential Commons Home Affairs Committee is expected to put pressure on David Cameron to establish a Royal Commission to draw up changes to the law.
‘The MPs have concluded that prison sentences – which can be up to life for dealers of heroin and cocaine – are failing to deter drugs barons, and may even be encouraging a crime-riddled black market in the substances.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2245243/Treat-addicts-dont-lock-MPs-pave-way-legalise-drugs-admit-prison-sentences-failing-deter-offenders.html#ixzz2EWAxUlbm
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I’m baaaack! 😀
So it’s rabbit season?
What have you been up to rabbit? No good, I’ll bet
I’ve been browsing through the previous thread el gordo, and I’ve got to admit that if two snowflakes fell on a two horse town in Oklahoma you’d say it is evidence against climate change.
Probably doing a bit of beer tasting Bacchus. Speaking of which . . .
Just got back from my annual piss oops working trip to Lord Howe Island. (How those Qantaslink pilots can land there on a cigarette paper sized airstrip in a 40knot crosswind has got me beat).
Before that I moved into my new digs on the central coast, so was without internet for a while.
I notice Bacchus is around so the cellar must be open…clink!
Hope you blokes are all well.
I thought Bacchus was banned from the cellar.
Fine thanks rabbit 🙂
Shhhh – I sneak in when the mine host isn’t looking Roswell
Keeping Baccie away from the cellar is like trying to keep Romeo away from Juliette, Roswell. 😯
Hiya rabbit. Are you in need of a drink?
‘…evidence against climate change.’
….evidence against global warming.
Liberal Troy Buswell is making the news again…
Story continues http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/barnett-backs-buswell-amid-more-headines-20121209-2b390.html
‘It was GOP strategist and wordmeister Frank Luntz who counseled in a confidential 2003 memo that the Administration and conservatives should stop using the term “global warming” because it was too frightening:
‘It’s time for us to start talking about “climate change” instead of global warming and “conservation” instead of preservation.’
Liberal Troy Buswell is usually associated with the chair-sniffing incident. But it’s not his only wrongdoing…
Story continues http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/8873554/opposition-calls-for-buswell-to-be-sacked/
Migs, I’m always in need of a drink.
Particularly after reading an el gordo post. 🙂
You need more than a drink, rabbit. You also need a Valium. 😦
Oh, and here’s a tip: DON’T follow her links. 🙄
‘I’m always in need of a drink.’
You may need ice with that.
Changing times. The companies with the nous to take advantage of the changes, will survive. Consumers create jobs, not the other way about. Therefore one gives the consumer what they want. Simple.
Surprise surprise. I’m working on a post that’s not about Tony Abbott. 😯
Plus, while I’m here, sorry to those who’ve been emailing me but I’ve spent a few days in bed with the Lupus and I’ve hence piled up 100’s of unread emails. I promise to reply to them all tomorrow. Thank you for your patience, my friends.
Migs, get well quickly. You are having a rough run at this time. Better days ahead.
Thanks Cu. I’ll get there.
I haven’t seen the results of the latest Newspoll but I’ve heard they are good for the Coalition while bad for Abbott.
I believe that is true. So this week, we will get nothing else from the media.
But then I believe that Seven was talking about private Labor polling.
In that we have no idea of the questions asked, or what they were polling.
Here is the latest Newspoll.
Click to access 149223-aus-na-file-federal-newspoll.pdf
Here is the latest Essential Poll.
http://essentialvision.com.au/essential-research
Not looking good, is it??? Oh but, but Abbott’s prefered PM numbers are lower than Gillard. Typical rusted on thought process.
Scaper, it sort of creates a dilemma for both parties. I doubt it makes Abbott feel comfortable.
Migs, here is another scenario. A movement of the sceptics to KAP which will split the vote.
For me, it is not the leader…if it came to that then there would be no party worthy of my three votes.
I believe the polls have shifted due to Gillard and the AWU issue. The element of distrust is now embedded in the electorate. They should of got rid of Gillard over the Israel thing in the last week of Parliament. Would have been more cleaner than what possibly is to come.
I wonder if Gillard is going to phone and threaten The Spectator too?
http://www.spectator.co.uk/australia/australia-diary/8783221/diary-572/
“The Australian Tax Office has moved to wind up the Newcastle Knights and the Newcastle Jets, along with their parent company the Hunter Sports Group, over unpaid debts of some $2.7 million, as owner Nathan Tinkler’s debt problems continue to mount.”
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/27-million-debt-tax-office-moves-to-wind-up-tinklers-teams-20121213-2bb7w.html#ixzz2Et8C2dNb
Will the Raiders get the televised game slots on channel 9, when the Knights fold?
Great article by Jessie, Is religion leading America to the Dark Ages. Thoroughly enjoyable.
http://vegasjessie.com/2012/12/12/is-religion-leading-america-to-the-dark-ages/
a very interesting interview on Radio National this morning with “the Lord of the Flies” and englishman who breeds flies for the larvae that is used for meal in products for fish, chickens etc, a replacement for fishmeal.
He talked about how ghengis Khan took fly larvae when off to war, the larvae used on the wounds, how napoleons doctors wanted to use larvae but Napoleon insisted on water to clean wounds, and how the British hospital are now using larvae on wounds that are antibiotic resisitant.
Back to his fly farm, to feed his larvae he uses “waste” from abbatoirs. The waste from abbatoirs is otherwise an expensive disposal.
Great interview. Imagine the possibilities if a fly farm was co-located with an abbatoir, an abbatoir that is also using its own products for energy production.
i will check rn later to see if there is a podcast, 15/12/12 about 6.45am
Thank you Ann Summers for this article..
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/gillard-working-her-womenfocus-mojo-20121214-2bfgo.html#ixzz2F6HCqm00
If I join the discussion and make comments that you disagree with, will I be called a ‘troll’ and a ‘bogan’?
Not from me.
Lena, if one makes such comments, yes it will be pointed out, that they could be wanting. Whether you consider that name calling, is up to you.
Lena,
It depends if you behave like a troll or a bogan, or if you choose to participate in a more reasonable manner 😉
Go in feet first, giving everyone the impression that you think you’re superior to them – you’ll get what you deserve…
Slipper ‘scandal’ exposed as conspiracy, awaiting Labor to launch investigation in order to see if that wakes our press from their slumber.
Will another conspiracy be exposed? We know jackson was getting pretty tight with the liberal mob.
A receipt of documents signed by a detective-sergeant on November 12 and seen by Fairfax Media shows police took the folders and 10 boxes of records ”for their investigation purposes”.
Advertisement
The documents are believed to relate to spending by the union’s No. 3 branch during the period its state secretary was Kathy Jackson.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/health-union-papers-seized-amid-rancorous-poll-20121216-2bhkj.html#ixzz2FFbHjnlD
Mind you, this is all months old, to the the New Media anyway, thanks Wixxy
did you note that the information on Kathy Jackson documents being seized.
No headlines – “Suspect K J whose boyfriend was appointed by Abbott, have credit card statements and financial accounts SEIZED’
No they go with a generic “HSU documents seized” , in that way you may just dismiss reading the article because the reader just might think it is more Thom(P)son stuff.
sue, they could not collect any documents that do not involve her. After all she has had control since at least 2009 or earlier. Ms. Jackson is the one consistent in this saga.
The one that has been there since day one. All the others move in and out, including Williamson in a way.
‘Go in feet first, giving everyone the impression that you think you’re superior to them – you’ll get what you deserve…’
It was not my impression, Lena’s comment was rational and intelligent, so I say welcome.
Anyone who comes to this chat room deserve to be treated like trolls if they are not into groupthink.
What a load of bullshit.
Treetroll?
When Lena was offered the opportunity for rational debate she ran a mile. Which is a pity.
This site lacks right-wing contributors with an IQ above 75.
Migs, you feeling generous tonight?, I would have gone with nothing above their shoe size. 😉
Cheers 😀
‘This site lacks right-wing contributors with an IQ above 75.’
That’s a sleight on nils.
‘rational debate’
No, you’re not there yet.
Not with your efforts, anyway.
Treetroll is a troll – it’s entire raison d’etre for coming on this site is to troll. Never any facts, or even fact-based opinion. Just snipes designed to draw out a response. The very definition of a troll 🙄
Bacchus, Treefrog is just the sort of contributor who el gordo swoons over.
grodo’s a troll
TB refuses to comment here because of the trolls inhabiting this chat room.
That’s TB’s choice. I see it hasn’t stopped you though.
In fact, el gordo, looking at the stats from the last 1,000 comments you are the third most prolific commenter here. This ‘chat room’ obviously appeals to you. I’m glad you like it here. 🙂
Indeed, most entertaining.
Australia’s next PM… even a brown dog could lead the coalition to victory.
‘In the last Fairfax/ Nielsen poll of the year, Mr Abbott’s disapproval rating has risen three points to 63 per cent – the second highest for an opposition leader in the poll’s 40-year history – while nearly two-thirds of those aware of the issue were critical of how he handled the AWU slush fund affair.’
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/swan-attacks-abbott-with-poll-20121217-2bi6y.html#ixzz2FIwZbMpe
‘Lord Justice Leveson has been in Australia giving the locals his tuppeny ha’penny’s worth on press regulation. Given how gagmakingly PC they are over there these days, I’m sure they lapped up every word.
‘The bits that most interested me were his views on the differences between the print media (or as Richard North calls it the “legacy media”) and the blogosphere.
‘During a speech at the University of Melbourne, he insisted there was an important difference between mainstream journalists with “a powerful reputation for accuracy” and bloggers and tweeters who were “no more than electronic versions of pub gossip”.
Delingpole in the UK Telegraph
el gordo, I listen to that speech..What you say, is not what I heard. In fact he was complimentary of the blogs, saying they played a role, in scrutinizing the MSM. He even mentions Jericho’s book.
Your information is wrong, or you just say anything to gain attention.
What he did say, the cyber place is not and cannot be above the laws of defamation and libel.
I found the speech worthwhile to listen to.
Then, I can assure you, those in the MSM might not have liked what he had to say.
He also talked about such sites as Crikey and The Independent.Australia.
What he did say, the life of the print media will be shorter than most expect.
He covered a lot of ground during the speech.
Delingpole is a well known AGW denial propagandist. No wonder el dumbo quotes him so slavishly.
I like Delingpole because he’s not in denial and CU has selective deafness.
bloggers and tweeters who were “no more than electronic versions of pub gossip”.
..
Delingpole in the UK Telegraph
“James Delingpole – Telegraph Blogs”
lol, he has a low opinion of himself, doesn’t he? Maybe he’s read some of his work?
LOL Tom. 😆
‘A COMPLAINT by former ABC chairman Maurice Newman over a radio program that linked scepticism about human-induced climate change to advocacy of pedophilia has been dismissed by the national broadcaster.
‘Mr Newman, who retired from the ABC’s top job in March when his five-year term ended, said the broadcaster had been “captured” by a “small but powerful” group of people when it came to climate change groupthink – a claim rebuffed by the broadcaster.’
Rick Morton in the Oz
“captured” by a “small but powerful” group of people
Ltd News and the Right Wing lobby groups who dominate the ABC these days.
All climate change deniers.
el gordo, coming from you, saying someone has selective deafness is the greatest joke of the year. Easily solved, listen to the speech yourself. Do not rely on second hand reports.
They will need to purge aunty of groupthink on climate change.
Here’s the full yarn.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100194309/on-the-stupid-lefty-luddites-green-ideologues-and-guardianista-pillocks-opposing-our-glorious-shale-gas-revolution/
That complaint should send warning bells. Of an ex ABC Chairman is saying.
Morrison is getting a hard time from interview ABC 24. His answer, has nor put in place full suit of policies they are advocating. Wonder in Morrison listen into the parliamentary hearing yesterday.
Not getting a good hearing.
Morrison, support the full Houston program and see if it does work.
Labor has tried yours, and it does not. Interviwiewer obviously listened yesterday.
Morrison is on the defensive.
Yep the denier’s groupthink need to be purged from the ABC ASAP, along with their Right Wing dominated groupthink.
At least we’re on the same page for once.
Whilst in an airport lounge I saw an interview with Morrison on Sky News, and to describe it as a Dorothy Dixer fluff piece would be kind.
It’s about time the media started earnestly questioning the opposition instead of letting them get away with the lies, deceptions and exaggerations they constantly espouse.
Full yarn, still second hand report. May be Leveson finds such people wanting, and he was the ones that he said needed to lift their game.
ME, Morrison got a harder time with ABC 24. Many questions asked that were raised yesterday in that Humam Rights Commission Parliamentary Hearing. There were people from across the asylum seekers giving reports.
What comes across clearly, is that it is time for the politicians to begin working together, and the whole Houston Report needs to be put in place.
As Fr, Brendan finished off with, time for less static from both houses.
On the media. Have you seen the latest IA on the Abbott prophecy.The article is a transcript of a Lateline program in 2011, Tony Jones interview with Abbott. Tony Jones had the scoop on Ashbygate, he didn’t know it then but looks as though he hasn’t wanted to know about it since.
‘….the whole Houston Report needs to be put in place.’
So illegal economic migrants need to be deported?
‘Ironically, if Mr Rudd wins his seat he will likely be the only Queensland Labor MP left in federal parliament.’
Hilderbrand in the Daily Terror
But there have been similar statements coming out of inexpert mouths again and again in recent times, distorting the science.”
😯
“So illegal economic migrants need to be deported?”
Yes, el gordo, if they are not asylum seekers.
What is new in that.
If they are genuine asylum seekers, they are not and cannot be illegal.
Get the difference,
Sue, I read into that interview, Mr. Abbott was well aware of what was in train. I remembered thinking at the time, what dirty works has he in the pipeline.
It is interesting that reading the judgement and comments made previously, it was Ashby that put the idea to Slipper seeking the Chairman position, before he went to work with Slipper.
Why would Abbott, say, we have to see who else he harms or words to that affect. A funny statement to make.
It would be interesting to know how Mr. Slipper came to the chair. Did he approach the government or was it the other way about.
By the way, ore prices appear to be improving.
ABC 24 Aid being diverted. Saying that government is keeping to budget surpluses, and faced with blow out from an increase in boat arrivals. The story came to TEN from treasury leak.
Yes ore prices going up, Hockey will be upset.
Prices not as high as at May budget, but higher than MYEFO.
Slipper may have a lot to disclose after appeal period. Then again he may have started already. the Somylay investigation by AFP, who got that running?
It is time, as Mr. Morrison was told this morning, to be a part of the solution, not the problem.
What has Morrison and Abbott got to lose. If they are correct, they will only be proved so.
Click to access expert_panel_on_asylum_seekers_summary_of_recommendations.pdf
CU
equally applies to the Greens
“Unlike the BBC, the ABC acknowledges there are climate scientists who question the core thinking about climate science,” she said.
“The ABC gives them and their views air time.”
That’s not entirely accurate.
How is it not entirely accurate el gordo?
If you keep make outright statements without elucidation then you are doing nothing more than trolling and rightly deserve that label.
yes, please explain grodo 🙂
grodo appears unable to explain.
I’m shocked; SHOCKED I say!
You’re not alone, ToM. We’re all shocked.
Perhaps you need to get in an electrician to check the place out Migs?
The real question in the Ashby-Brough scandal is simple. Does Tony Abbott take the integrity of our democratic institutions seriously – as he claims – or doesn’t he
😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
Actually, I think he meant it as a serious question 😯
http://newmatilda.com/2012/12/18/abbott-must-sack-brough-over-ashby
WOOOHOOO
tabot has a policy. Mind you, it is just one big NO to anyone born without a silver spoon
Tony Abbott will slash financial support for university students and gut the current funding to Australia’s higher education system.
Opposition spokesperson, Brett Mason, today confirmed the Coalition will cut student support payments, including the Student Start-up Scholarship, meaning only those students from wealthy backgrounds will be able to afford to go to university.
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/chrisevans/MediaReleases/Pages/TonyAbbotttoslashsupportforuniversitystudents.aspx
Defence has thrown water on Abbott’s turn back boats policy.
Defence boss doubts boat turnback policy
Defence boss criticises Coalition’s boat turnback policy
With both Defence and the Indonesians not on board Abbott hasn’t got an asylum seeker policy, just like he hasn’t got any other polices, just three word slogans.
When I said its not entirely accurate, I meant that there hasn’t been anything on possible global cooling.
Tom R
I had to do a google on Brett Mason, hadn’t heard of him before
He is a Senator from Qld, been in parliament from 1999.
wonder how long he has been a spokeperson on higher education? now would he be a shadow or just todays talking head.
you know I’m not that interested n mason.
When I said its not entirely accurate, I meant that there hasn’t been anything on possible global cooling.
In other words, your claim about it being not entirely accurate wasn’t …. entirely accurate 😯
HURRY UP AND GET THE SPARKY IN MIGS!!
That’s funny Tom.
Aunty’s mouthpiece says “The ABC gives them and their views air time.”
Not equal time.
Why TF should deniers get “equal time”?
97% consensus should mean denialists and assorted other loonies should get no more than 3% 😉
Not equal time.
Exactly, which makes your claim toally wrong.
But, they should give them the amount of time that they deserve, which, if memory serves me right, is under 3%
So aunty gives them way too much time.
I think flat earthers should be up in arms about this. Why is one fringe group of cranks allowed so much time, when another one isn’t?
If a scientist or authority came up to Aunty and said we have viable stuff on a possible cooling the ABC would air it.
It’s an indictment across the global media that those tiny handful of mostly non climate scientists claiming global cooling are not making their case except on obscure blogs, most of which are run by a handful of right wing vested interest groups like The Heartland Institute.
Even if what you say is right on the ABC comment, why did you just come out with a one sentence statement with no context or meaning? It took some prodding and questions here to find out what you were referring to.
Anyway thanks for the belated explanation of what you were referring to.
Haven’t got a sparky, Tom. Would a landscaper do? 😯
Give me a break, I just got off work.
“Japan’s Abe prepares to print money for the world”
Only readers of the business section of the SMH would’ve noticed this.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/japans-abe-prepares-to-print-
money-for-the-world-20121218-2bklw.html#ixzz2FOEM3ARl
It seems to be a reprint from the UK Telegraph, but other well-known finance gurus have also commented.
It had the smell of MSM bullshit/beatup so I went straight to one of my favourite economics blogs to get the real story.
http://moslereconomics.com/2012/12/13/koo-on-reserves-time-bomd-500-inflation/#comments
The nonsense is dealt with in the first half-dozen comments.
It’s a bit of a nerdy read but a perfect illustration of why we’re either in the mess we’re in, or deliberately being being treated like idiots. Take your pick.
My guess, the commercial stations will run with climate change with more balance. Here we see something normally aired by the ABC.
Muddied Waters Documentary
The documentary aired on 7Two last Sunday and is now available to view online. You can access it here.
http://nswic.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c6e5c2d75b14461767c095feb&id=c72a9fc907&e=39adcadfeb
http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/japans-abe-prepares-to-print-money-for-the-world-20121218-2bklw.html
Bad link. Try this.
You are being deceptive again el gordo.
What do you mean by “normally aired” remembering the ABC was heavily criticised by the climate change proponents for airing that British anti AGW doco full of misinformation, can’t remember it’s name.
The commercial stations haven’t aired it.
Also the ABC have interviewed more sceptics and deniers than the commercial station so that again makes a nonsense of your statement.
Also the ABC constantly has on people from the IPA, Ltd News and other right wing organisations who frequently espouse anti AGW views. None of the commercial stations do that.
http://whatmenaresayingaboutwomen.com/2012/12/12/selling-ones-soul-at-being-a-progressive/
Please el gordo, you are not seriously sourcing that piece of factless crap are you?
If you are contending the ABC is left biased then please give us examples of where they have predominantly preferenced the left over the right in interviews and coverage.
Be aware that the Howard government held enquiries into ABC bias, one that was completely stacked by Alston. Howard’s biggest enquiry that put a highly paid watchdog over the ABC did find bias, slightly in favour of the Howard government.
Well, how about Jo
http://joannenova.com.au/
Again that is factless diatribe taking one person’s comment and smearing the entire ABC with it. It proves nothing except the ranting of someone who themselves are biased.
‘None of the commercial stations do that.’
Not yet, after Gina and Lachlan snap up TEN for a song.
They have articles from Monkton for Pete’s sake and take them as irrefutable fact.
So you know exactly where they are coming from. And the Australian as well. Now there is bias, self-confessed biased.
http://abcnewswatch.blogspot.com.au/p/climate-coverage-at-abc.html
We could examine the four parts in more detail?
The Oz appears biased, because they give equal time, whereas the Australian Brainwashing Corp exhibits its bias through the sin of omission.
This statement by Palmer appears contradictory. Was Palmer aware but not involved in conspiracy? just how many in LNP were involved? Time for Hockey to fess up rater than get angry and shout denials
‘Mr Palmer said Mr Brough had called the meeting to discuss his potential Liberal candidacy for the federal seat of Fisher, which Mr Slipper holds.
“At no time did I encourage anybody to pursue Peter Slipper for anything,” Mr Palmer said.
“I made it quite clear to all members of the LNP, as far as I was concerned, Peter Slipper was innocent of any crime and should not be pursued.
“I had confidence in him as a person.
“No person of any political party should use the legal system as a political tool.”
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/abbott-too-busy-to-read-slipper-ruling/story-e6frfku9-1226540122127#ixzz2FTK6hhid
From what I read in the media and the Judgement, Palmer was approached with the request to get jobs for the two that worked for Slipper. Was told, I believe he was unable ro help.
CU
I read that as well, that’s why the article in news Ltd puzzles me. Palmer must have been hearing lots, not only from Brough. It may explain why he was out of the country and didn’t reply to the request for a job.
EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR GILLARD GOVERNMENT:
ALP 52.5% HOLDS WINNING LEAD OVER L-NP 47.5%
http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2012/4852/
Common sense at last. Surplus dropped. Swan ABC 24
Common sense?? Swan is being forced, he has no option. It is not his decision. And we are in danger of losing our credit rating if we continue to have budget deficits. I think this means we have to pay more money for the money we need to borrow. So it becomes a downward spiral.
And speaking of lies this was a no ifs or buts promise. But I guess Gillard will say it was non-core and her braindead supporters will say circumstances have changed.
http://www.alp.org.au/federal-government/news/transcript–julia-gillard,-doorstop-interview,-eme/
“PM: (laughs) The Budget is coming back to surplus, no ifs no buts it will happen.”
So you people can say whatever you like but I know that the ALP lied about the surplus.
Yes, Neil rave about, but please listen to the experts before jumping in.
I am sick already hearing “she said” Do not know how many it is since Swan was on.
Zero, you are as economically illiterate as Sloppy joe and Hockey.
It’s about time that they called a halt to the stupidity of a surplus in this economic climate.
Sloppy Joe and Abbott will, like they always do, ignore the experts and everyone that knows, and continue to do damage to the economy with their negativity.
They are the main reason for the lack of confidence, which is born out by the number of polls showing that it is the conservatives that have no confidence.
Abbott now on ABC24. More interested in putting the boot in, then being statesman like talking about the economy and what he would do,
Does not seem to be agreeing with all the experts we have heard up to now.,
Now, it seems to be, Mr. Abbot and co are the only one that believes a surplus is the right way to go.
Labor has done the right thing. Hockey is talking shit.
Will be interested to see how many economics support the coalition.
Asked whether he believed the government is acting responsibly.
We are now back to BER, Computers in schools etc.
How does this fit in with lower spending and taxation thatn Howard
We are now getting an Abbott’s view of history.
Being questioned, not many answers.
“Labor has done the right thing.”
Labor has not done anything. The deficit is being forced on them. Do you really think Swan wants to go down as the Treasurer who has never run a surplus budget.
But it is a promise the ALP should have never made. The ALP does not do surplus budgets. It is not in their DNA. Running up debt is the only thing the ALP is good at.
Oh and handing over a trashed economy for the Coalition to clean up.
Now let’s see – we’ve got the opinion of economic ignoramus Neil of Sydney and then we’ve got:
Who’s opinion should I heed? 🙄
Did Mr Abbott run away again??
“Now let’s see – we’ve got the opinion of economic ignoramus Neil of Sydney and then we’ve got:”
So I am not allowed to make the statement that it was a broken promise??
Mate, blind freddy knew Labors promise was a lie. I am only surprised it took this long for Swan to come out and admit his lies.
The one thing that Mr. Abbott did not address. That is the merit of the Swan’s; action today. It is the only thing that matters.
The ACTU PM said that there has been cost cutting over the last couple of years.
I believe that Mr.. Abbott will find little to cut, as it has gone as far as it can at this time. Any further movement down this path will lead to high unemployment.
All that has been dropped is a politician promised that was not good economics.
The government has moved to a responsible position, and is now putting employment before surpluses.
All economists are saying, one cannot continue to keep on cutting to fill the hole, caused by falling receipts, that are the result of falling ore prices, and the continuing high dollar..
Still have no concept of the meaning of the word “lie” Neil? I have posted it for you previously… hmmm?
Neil, once again you are wrong. Labor could have reacted to the figures, as they have done up to now. Find new cuts, to attempt to bring the budget back to balance. That is what the PM said recently would happen. That there would be a surplus.
Experts have said this is the wrong thing to do. The cuts they have put into place, and they are big are now having an adverse effect on the economy and employment.
It is irresponsible to go down this path.
Neil, turn on your TV, Just listen.
Oh NO! It looks like Neil LIED! (by his definition of the word anyway… 😉 )
You know Bacchus back on Dunlops blog I remember the crap that Howard got over his core and non-core promises.
In case you have forgotten Beazley lied about the state of the budget in 1995. There was a $8B black hole which Labor lied about. It was not in surplus. Howard had to change some things they wanted to do because of the state of the budget.
Didn’t stop you lot blasting Howard.
Ah but with Labor they are not lies but changed circumstances.
I intend to go and visit my parents next week Neil. I told them I was coming. If I become ill between now and then and can’t go, have I told them a lie? hmmm?
In a similar way, for stupid political reasons, the Labor government promised that they would bring in a (needless) surplus in 2012-13. Are you trying to tell me that they made this commitment with no intention of trying their best to keep it?
Mr Keating copped plenty from your friends for his L-A-W tax cuts too Neil. Did he lie?
The huge difference with Mr Howard, was that he was well known for his mendacity, especially within his own party. Everyone on all sides of politics knew he was a lying toerag! Who was it who dubbed him “the lying rodent” again?
Neil, before you get too carried away, look at some facts. The world has not ended.
The worse prediction puts the deficit at $15 billion. That is still much less than last year. It is still going downwards, that it is improving.
As the economists are pointing out, this is still pretty good,
The budget is heading in the right direction. All that has changed, is the timetable has been extended.
What we are talking about is a tiny surplus or a small deficit.
Gee, it must of been only a couple of weeks ago that I wrote here that there is no chance of Labor getting a surplus due to their increased borrowings.
I remember CU calling the borrowings a cash flow problem then all the other economic tigers here agreeing and saying there would be a surplus. Now CU chimes in with common sense at last now Swan has dropped the surplus promise…very hyp!
Neil, Abbott now has a choice. He can keep up with his rants and raves and misinformation, or he can begin to act responsibly, and do what is good for the economy.
Labor has obviously decided to put the politics aside, and do what is responsible.
That is, take Mr. Abbott’s backlash on the chin.
Forgot to say. Abbott was asked a question about Brough., Said he supported him, He then walked off, refusing to answer any more questions.
Looks like it is, I will decide what questions I answer.
Why, I believe it was one George Brandis, Bacchus; a fellow also known to have only a nodding acquaintance with the truth.
In fact, he generally crosses the street to avoid even the most minimal of contact, so for Brandis to brand our illustrious (vomit) former Liars PM a lying rodent is quite extraordinary, don’t you think?
Good grief, Neil! You’ve regained your memory. Didn’t I just read on another thread, that you were unaware of these core and non-core promises? I distinctly remember posting some links to try to cure the amnesia you seemed be suffering.
You wouldn’t have been telling porkies, would you? Tut! Tut! Emulating your heroes the lying Rodent and Liealot, I suppose.
Neil is allergic to facts, CU. They bring him out in hives.
Another broken promise.
Yes Neil, a committment that shoul have been dumped months ago. Mr. Abbott it was wrong to keep heading for as surplus at this time, but is willing to put the boot in any way. Whether the commitment should have been made back at the time of the budget is another matter. It is easy to be wise in retrospect. I do not believe that anyone expect the global economic position to go backwards, or ore prices to fall so dramatically.
The government is nolkt in trouble because of increase spending or changes to taxation. I know that is hard to believe, if one lisrtens to Nr. Abbott and his ilk. They are in trouble because of the fall in mineral prices and a high dollar that refuses to come down, no matter what treasury does.
If Mr. Abbott refuses to see the problems, how can he supply the solutions.
What is true the budget is well on the way to a surplus. All that has happened, it might be a year later.
Mr. Abbott is promising surpluses every year from day one. That is an irresponsible promise to make. There are times for deficits, times for surpluses.
Mr. Abbott is now saying day ine for the first time, because he knows that isa were the country is heading under Labor.
And a good broken promise it was.
Should Oz go for surplus – Merril Lynch = No / UBS = No / TD Securities = No / JP morgan = No / Citi Bank = No – Abbott = yes WTF
The government was stupid in the first place for falling for the surplus trap, at least now they are doing the right thing.
What abbott wants to read not what he should read
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/photogallery/opinion/cartoons/david-pope-20120214-1t3j0.html
So scaper and Neil arer not interested in the fact that a responsible decision has been made. Neither was Mr. Abbott for that matter.
I have been listening ro all the experts on ABC 24 since tha announcement. All of them seen to be of the opinion the govenment has acted in a responsible manner.
Much better to keeo churning history, saying she is this and she is that, over and over.
Well I will go for one that has the guts ti say, if I keep my commitment, it will take the country down the gurgler, therfore we will have to wait a little longer for that surplus. Yes, that suits me much better.
Scaper, if you follow what I say, I have always been against a surplus for a surplus shake. I have always said ir was not necessary economically amd it was fully a political stance.
Therefore I am glad that the PM only kept to the commitment, as long as it did not harm the economy. I believe they should have stepped back when the last decions were made.
Ore prices are coming back, but not fast enough to deliver that surplus without any more cuts. The easy cuts have all been made. We have seen ths greatest consolidation of a budget, I believe in this country’s history.
Austerity it is proving not the answer, world wide.
Therefore, Mr. Abbott is talking nothing but shit.
Also the OECD as well, advised to forget about the surplus.
All that Mr. Abbott is interested in is playing politics. We all know he can only do one thing at a time. May be he shouold spend the weekend doing some reading.
Swan said he has been two weeks coming to this decision. I am sure it was one, he or the PM would have wanted to make.
Swan and Gillard are fidiots for including the promise in the election campaign and now they will pay.
Everyone with a brain knew that a $45B turnaround of the budget in one fiscal year was never going to happen. Even their chief whip last week said it should have been dropped but Gillard dismissed it.
Gillard said…”We don’t jump at people’s figments of imagination here,” she told ABC radio on Friday. “We deal with the facts. We deal with the forecasts.”
http://www.news.com.au/national/pm-julia-gillard-dismisses-chief-government-whip-joel-fitzgibbons-forget-surplus-claim/story-fndo4eg9-1226536543633
What a fidiot!!!
If Labor was in opposition they would hammer the Liberals just like Abbott is now.
The right thing? Tell it to the single mothers, the unemployed and other organisations that had the funding ripped out just to get to an imaginary surplus!
CU, spin it any way you like…a few weeks ago you were saying that a surplus is achievable and the right thing for Gillard to do.
Talk about weather vane!
They won’t pay.
All the economist and interest groups are praising the government for dropping the surplus promise. It is Abbott and Hockey and their hyperventilating that are looking bad.
Two news bulletins put the positive on the end of their pieces and then went straight into the NSW announcement that though they found a billion they didn’t know they had they will be in deficit for longer than they promised.
What is NSW blaming for the longer and deeper deficit. The same thing the Federal government is, a drop in company tax revenues.
So I guess for Neil the Liberals of NSW are doing the right thing in breaking their promise to produce surpluses but the Federal government the wrong thing.
The heat is also being turned up on Abbott over Ashby as he ran away yet again from a presser, but this time he was called for it as was Hockey.
The timing of the surplus failure announcement is interesting coming on the back of Abbott being asked to explain Ashbygate and his support for the corrupt Brough.
scaper, if you believe all that is needed, is cutting expenditure, it is then still achievable.
The problem is that cutting will only make things worse.
It was not argument for a surplus. In fact I was and said at the time, this PM has managed to make cuts in such things as upper income welfare and rebates, and as a result was getting away without harming the economy.
The argment was not about reaching a surplus. The argumentt was about whether there should be one or not.
I said as long as there is fat in that area to cut, the PM would do so.
It now appears that option in no longer available. We are ralking about reduce taxation receipts.
I am listening to the Opposition putting the boot into Labor for cuts in Customs.
The Coalition is playing both sides of the fence. Nothing new there. Demand more cuts, and then complain because the services are no longer there.
scaper I do not mind being challenged or corrected, but please get it right when you do, Please do not put words into my mouth.
Do not go back and cherry pick. If you cut and paste, please take whole paragraphs.
Get it right? You said a few weeks ago that there was going to be a surplus and the borrowings ($3B a week) was because of cash flow. Now you say different, consistancy would be appreciated.
Paragraphs??? I pasted what Gillard said, nothing more, nothing less.
Well I said 2 years ago that Labor was silly pursuing a surplus and called Swan a “dill” as recently as yesterday.
If scaper and Neil want to pounce on Labor’s so-called “broken promise” then I say enjoy the moment: I think your moment of triumph will be short lived. In fact I think it is already still-born judging the commentary from the orthodoxy.
It was Keynes who said something like “When the facts change Sir, I change my mind. What do you do ?”
I also suggested recently that if Labor did a volte farce Hockey would be go apeshit but it looks like Abbott was the greater fool. I do hope he keeps it up, along with the carbon tax.
Abbott’s comments today would have most HSC Econ students scratching their heads in bewilderment.
Neil’s fear of the ratings agencies and the debt boogeyman belong to childhood Grimm Bros fairy tales which most of us had shucked off by the age of 5.
But can I dispel this silly notion that there always has to be, at the end of the rainbow, a surplus, something we should always still strive for. Whilst ever this country runs a deficit on the current account, the remorseless arithmetic of the balance of the national accounts says the budget has to be in deficit.
A surplus usually means a contraction
It appears business is over the moon because Labor has done the right thing at last.
scaper I did not say that. I know that, because I have no idea what you are talking about.
I have said nothing about cash flows. Why would I say that, when the problem is lack of cash flows. What I said, the PM can,if they want find more to cut, as they have done regularly up to now,
It appears that in no longer the case.
Oh, I remember now, where the cash flow statrmant come from. It was when Neil was talking about his favourite subject, debt. He said that the borrowing ceiling was raised. I pointed out that the borrowing he was talking about was to ease out cash flows over the year.
That this borrowing facility was a temporary instrument. Nothing to do with overall borrowing. All governments use it,
What has that got to do with Mr. Swan saying that the surplus might not occur because of reduced tax receipts and they were no longer making cuts to fill the hole.
scaper what you like. Cannot bother wasting anymore time. Have put my case, so other readers know what I said, and where I am coming from.
I remember CU picking up on Neil or scaper’s scaremongering on borrowings.
I knew exactly what she was referring to and I thought she explained it fairly concisely.
Equally, I have sometimes taken a stronger stance than CU on the surplus issue but she has has come back with a respectable argument that it had been a good opportunity for the government to wind back some of the middle-class welfare of the Howard era.
This retreat from the surplus “promise” might just bring forth some intelligent discussion of the whole deficit/surplus issue and lead to some more enlightened, less “fear driven” policy, the end result of which we can see in the USA, UK and Europe.
Thanks MJ. Glad someone understood what I was saying. Maybe now we are on the same page. Wong giving Uhlmann answers he does not like. Jason Clare before her, did not do bad job.
Uhlmann arguing ir being about politics.
Oh, Uhlmann sounding a little angry. One does not that with this lady.
Wong, they are not loosing the purse strings.
Uhlmann shouold give up. His bias is showing.
Typical (highly predictable) response from the liars party and fellow travellers wrt the reality of the budget situation.
“Bugger what’s best for Oz, the [b]politics[/b] is more important than reality-based decision making”.
Their war on reality continues, but does anybody care?
“Their war on reality continues, but does anybody care?”
If the latest Roy Morgan result is any guide it would appear not.
Electoral body probes Liberal’s fund-raiser
So much for Howard’s reasoning that the sale of Telstra would make that company more competitive..
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/error-on-roaming-fees-costs-millions-20121221-2brgk.html#ixzz2FifliMg2
Just because this is the sort of silly mood I’m in.. 😀
**thank you Shelley
What will 2013 bring, Will it be the year of Abbott.
One has to wonder if he has run his race, and there is now a new contender in the wings.
Abbott does not look like a winner. Will he be the big loser of 2013.
Bring on 2013…Santa reckons Abbott is a shoe in…
SANTA’S LETTER BACK TO JULIAR
Hey Juliar, It’s Santy here
You’ve been a bad girl so no Christmas cheer
For you this year
You’ve passed far more than hot wind, that much is clear
You’ve spent an entire year
On lies and spin and personal smear
And your own arrogance has turned the voters away
In droves
Your misogyny bleat and dreary whining strine
Has driven many a unionist to despair
And decent Aussies face the truth
That a Maggie Thatcher was never there
In the REAL Julia
Just a pretender from some forum’s “typist chair”
You cheated a nation to win
With your motley crew of independents and alarmist greens
Backing up the fraud and deceit of your earlier years
With no carbon tax, a surplus promises and beers
For those who helped you on your deceitful way
Facilitating union crime was once your thing
Opened you mouth to help a cheat
But today the bloggers apply the heat
And you’ve nowhere to hide
With just denial sold as facts, complete
Lies and spin, a left wing treat
With aim to keep us on the teat
Of government gone sadly wrong
And not even a Christmas song
So the things I ask are not for me
But for the honest folk in the ALP
Who cringe in shame with folks like me
On the other side of the same odl tree
Of life
Do us all a favour and call an election now
Set yourself free
From your inherent lack of honesty
And the stain of more than just hot wind
The smell of which has been around for way too long…
Notice from Migs. Migs has asked me to let everyone know that he is currently in hospital due to lupus.
I know that all here wish him well, and most especially a speedy recovery.
Hope everything is OK
Min, please give Migs my best wishes and let him know that he will be in my thoughts for a speedy recovery.
Cheers
Thank you TS.
Sorry to hear about Migs. Best wishes.
Miggsy, get well soon, ol’ son …
+++++++++++++++++++++++
I had actually just popped in to wish all my “old” friends here a … Merry Christmas …
And a Merry Christmas to you, the Minister, and all of your extended family TB!
Merry Xmas TB and everyone.
Sorry to hear of Miglo’s strife – here’s hoping for you, mate.
Wishing a Merry Xmas, and great holiday season to all.
All the best Migs, get well soon.
I wonder if we’ll reach 750,000 hits by the end of the year. A tough ask, given how slow Decembers usually are.
The Big One Mill some time in 2013? Go Caaafe!
Yo, Cuppa, sometime in May or June is my educated guess.
Oh naughty me. I just noticed all the Xmas wishes. 😯
My apologies for not responding. 😳
Find-A-Word
Find the letters of the word “LIARS” in the word “LIBERALS”
L I B E R A L S
Fid the word LIAR in Julia Gillard….Oh it’s there a couple of times!
Catching up
DECEMBER 27, 2012 @ 6:32 PM
Open QuestionShow me another »
Is Julia Gillard the most selfless PM that Australia has ever had?
Please don’t delete this, I asked this before but didn’t get to see the answers because it was deleted….
Off you go whisperers and post a few positive comments on this piece of trash!
‘Is Julia Gillard the most selfless PM that Australia has ever had?’
No, that was Ben Chifley.
Tree troll, the only piece/s of trash here is you and your troll mates.
You can’t even find anything positive about your own leader you hypocritical bottom feeders. 👿 👿
Charming choice of words TS.
Alright, how about Ben Chifley?
el dildo, thanks but I only reused what was already there, and hypocritical bottom feeders was the nicest that I could come up with, my other options were much worse.
Glad you appreciated my restraint. 😀
Cheers 😛
If I don’t get a seconder on Ben, then I can only assume this place is full of watermelons.
TS, we have to be fair, even if they are not.
It is hard if impossible to find any positives about their Tony.
So all they are left with is attacking us, in what they call sport. Not my idea of sport, but then it takes all sorts.
Not that happy[y about being seen as their prey.
It amazes me that they cannot see how insulting and rude they are.
I feel there is something wrong with people, that get pleasure in attempting to put down others. Not to sure what the game they keep talking abound. A game, it appears that they know how to play and must always win. Win what, the clown of the years.
Well small things amuse small minds.
At least we can get a laugh out of them. Just wish they were not so nasty. Small mind is one thing, a nasty mind is another.
Cu, I think the difference is that we tend to respond, somewhat, tongue in cheek, whereas the trolls take themselves very seriously, which I find strange, as they rabbott on (pun intended) about winning, when they have backed the biggest political loser this country has ever seen, supported by a front bench of the biggest losers this country has ever seen.
They make spurious claims about Julia Gillard, but cannot come up with even 1 valid reason why dribble guts would make a better PM.
Says it all really 😦 😦
Cheers 😀
‘we tend to respond, somewhat, tongue in cheek,’
There’s not a wit amongst you.
There’s not a wit amongst you.
^^ Right Wing Projection! ^^
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A_KqwcVCMAApCU1.jpg:large
el dildo, the only thing that people laugh about wrt your comments, is the level of stupidity, which is the ONLY area where you and the rest of the RW nutjobs excel.
Truly pathetic! 😛
JULIA GILLARD – GILLARD GOVERNMENT – IS THERE A BIGGER FARCE?
Tony Abbott savages Gillard Government…a blast from the past!
For those short of attention, skip to 04:10). In a classy, fiery display of modern political oratory, Tony Abbott rips into the worst government in Australia’s history. Piece by piece he takes Gillard and their inept Government to task for their various policy failures. The latest (which is accentuated here) is the tax on carbon dioxide (and we used to joke when we said the Government will tax air next). It is worth considering the extent to which ALP has shifted from being the party of the working man in light of its high taxes on cigarettes, alcohol and petrol and now this reverse-tariff madness of “carbon tax” which is designed to put our industries at a global disadvantage (and its flow-on effects on petrol, groceries and of course electricity- all of which affect the conditions of the working class disproportionately). ALP is now all about pleasing its wanker academic followers in Canberra and Press Gallery. The bit at the start is some idiot unshaven hippies blowing whistles and carrying on.
Tree troll, what is it about LEFT WING blog that you don’t get?
Sad, really sad 😦 😦 😦
el gordo
DECEMBER 28, 2012 @ 12:53 PM
‘we tend to respond, somewhat, tongue in cheek,’
There’s not a wit amongst you.
HEAR HEAR! some can’t even tell when the piss is being taken
Truth Seeker
DECEMBER 28, 2012 @ 2:03 PM
“Tree troll, what is it about LEFT WING blog that you don’t get?”
TS What is it about this mission statement that you don’t get?
“Since its beginning in June 2010 Café Whispers has evolved into a ‘light’ political blog with a definite lean to the left. About 80% of our topics would be of a political nature with the remainder made up of media discussion, social issues and the occasional light-hearted banter. Yes, we do take our blogging seriously but we also like to have a bit of fun.”
HEAR! HEAR! and the circle jerk is complete.
Comment deleted by Miglo.
Note the Right-Wing Projection from Abbott when he is asked if he’s embarrassed… Look what he does next…Lol!
Tree troll, what is it that you don’t get?
Cuppa, says it all really! 😳
pathetic 😆 😆 😆
“It has never been easier to get away with telling lies. It has never been easier to get away with the glib one liner.”
So Mr. Turnbull does not believe it is any great skill today, to get away with one liners or lying.
As the PM is not into glib remarks or one liners, three word slogans for that matter, he must be referring to the present Opposition Leader, the worse beyond any doubt that this country has seen.
Having a go at Swan, but I believe he will find bigger offenders must nearer jome.
Things could just be turning around. Well at least it is not a negative.
Funny how none of Mr. Abbott’s dire predictions do not come to fruition. I sense he needs a new crystal ball.
The biggest failure, is that this PM and this government are still going strong. Never once looked like going under.
Yes, that extreme right wing will have much to be answerable for.
Turnbull must be talking up his credentials for when the police report of the Mal Brough investigation and the links to the “non specific” Tony Abbott.
Turnbull must be thinking that the msm has forgotten about his attempts at “fact checking” the Godwin Grech emails, where Turnbull , Abetz and Steve Lewis tried to bring down a democratically elected government.
CU quoted Swan…”In response to the US crisis, Mr Swan also said it was “lamentable” so much of the world’s post-GFC economic recovery had been held hostage by the grassroots political Tea Party movement”
CU if you believe that you will believe anything!
“Yes, that extreme right wing will have much to be answerable for.”
It was certainly on Turnbull’s mind.
Tree, I do believe that,. They are causing damage worldwide. There are many thinking economists and experts that agree.
Austerity is not the answer. Was not back in the Great Depression. Is not now.
Why are all eyes on the USA today, if this is not true.
All your and others denial will not prevent calamity, if their view holds sway.
We just have to wait and see.
Tree, please tell me of one success that Mr. Abbott has had this year.
Yes, there is one. His inaction and inability to negotiate, has left the asylum seekers in a terrible position. The boats keep coming, and the effect on the budget is a terrible waste, with money that would be better spent elsewhere.
It is time for the PM to say enough is enough, and challenge him back to the negotiating tables. His demands have been put into operation , and have been a massive failure.
It is now time to put the whole Houston Report into operation. No ifs, no buts. All, including Malaysian, solution.
There is no black and white answers. No easy ones either. None that is guaranteed to work.
No, there will not be an early election. That is wishful thinking on the part of the right. They are aware, as the year goes on, things will turn Labor’s way.
The PM will be happy to sit back, as Keating did before her, do an Opposition leader slowly.
The “fiscal cliff” is a curious thing, being simultaneously both real and imaginary.
First, it is “real” because enough people believe it exists, so it distorts markets in real ways, especially the labour market.
And “imaginary” because to anyone with an understanding of US monetary mechanics, the so-called debt is a figment of the imagination.
Or, to put it another way, it is like a debt to oneself, for it is a debt held mainly by American citizens.
CU
“Austerity is not the answer. Was not back in the Great Depression. Is not now.
Why are all eyes on the USA today, if this is not true”
You have grossly simplified a complex situation. The only reason eyes are on the US right now is because the MSM is obsessing about the Taxmageddon deadline.
“The real dysfunction is a federal budget that has doubled in 10 years, an annual deficit of some $1.5 trillion, and a national debt bursting through its statutory limit of $14.3 trillion and approaching 70 percent of GDP.
We’ve become so used to these unfathomable levels of deficits and debt—and to the once-rare concept of trillions of dollars—that we forget how new all this debt is. In 1981, after 190 years of federal spending, the national debt was “only” $1 trillion. Now, just 30 years later, it’s more than $16 trillion – and all that debt rung up during a period without a major war or Great Depression….Those are the kinds of numbers that caused the rise of the Tea Party and the election of members of Congress who vowed to stop out-of-control spending and debt. It’s too bad that Congress hasn’t been able to rein in spending without the pressure of a debt ceiling or a “fiscal cliff.” But it hasn’t. And so if fiscal conservatives in Congress can use those deadlines to put some caps on the money-shoveling, more power to them.
Where did all this debt come from? As the Tea Partiers know, it came from the rapid increase in federal spending over the past decade…If the “dysfunctional” fight that has sent us to the edge of the fiscal cliff finally results in some constraint on out-of-control spending, then it will have been well worth all the hand-wringing headlines. But that doesn’t seem likely. The problem is not a temporary mess on Capitol Hill and not a mythical default; it’s spending, deficits, and debt”
http://www.cato.org/blog/fiscal-cliff-congresss-dysfunction
No, I have not attempted to simplify it. It is you people that do that with your continual carping of the words, debt, deficits and living within ones means.
None mean Anything within themselves.
Yes, it is much more complicated, and there are never any simple answers, as you lot would have us believe.
Sometimes all f the above can count. Sometimes they do not.
Yes, the PM said she wanted a surplus by now. Yes, it was hoped the global economy would improve better than it has.
Yes, there has been a consolidation of budget greater than any seen in this country before. Yes, the PM said that they would continue to make the necessary adjustments for the surplus to occur,
Yes, the PM has to accept the global economy and fall in ore prices, leading to reduced revenues, means that it is no longer possible to make adjustments, without sending the economy into freefall.
Yes, we might not get to that surpluses as quickly as the PM planned. Yes, we are still on the way to achieving it a little later. Yes, the deficit is much, much smaller than last year.
No, it is not just a simple matter of debt.
You dare accuse me of doing, what you do yourself.
It might surprise you to know, in real terms, the USA debt is not that great. I suspect it is more a case of not being willing to raise taxes, to cover expenses that leads to the debts.
It is a case of those who are able to, being willing to pay their way.
‘In the next year, Chinese interest in Australian resources is expected to remain strong but the real growth is expected to be in agricultural assets.
‘A steady stream of large Chinese players have already been kicking the tyres at a wide array of assets, particularly in dairy, aquaculture and red meat.
‘The chief executive of EMR Capital, Jason Chang, says the Chinese are keen to get as much of a foothold on strategic agricultural assets as possible, not necessarily to secure supply but more to gain exposure to global food price inflation, which is almost inevitable given the growing middle class in China and India and dwindling arable land.’
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/wave-of-reforms-needed-at-a-time-of-seismic-shift-20121228-2bz0q.html#ixzz2GQ1Y3YVh
CU wrote:
“No, I have not attempted to simplify it. It is you people that do that with your continual carping of the words, debt, deficits and living within ones means.
None mean Anything within themselves.”
Gee you write some nonsense CU. You actually did simplify the matter…just read back over what you wrote.
BTW are you sure you’re not related to Joh Bjelke Petersen? Phrases like ” It is you people that do that” are reminiscent of the great man deflecting the chooks…book book bkark (Cu here) book book bkark…
“It might surprise you to know, in real terms, the USA debt is not that great. I suspect it is more a case of not being willing to raise taxes, to cover expenses that leads to the debts”
Quite so CU. There is also no doubt that austerity, or fiscal prudence, played a large part in delaying the US recovery from the Great Depression. FDR’s New Deal was working until the fiscal conservatives reasserted their influence in 1937, and as we all know, it took a war (and deficits far greater than now seen)to set the US up for the historic recovery of the 40/50’s.
Treeman’s gibberish from the Cato Inst just perpetuates the debt nonsense.
The so-called debt is around 100% of GDP, an essentially meaningless statistic. I think Japan’s is more than double that with zero interest rates and no sign of inflation. It also has no trouble selling its bonds despite being downgraded by the likes of S & P. Japan just ignores them.
Notice that nobody from the “big bad debt” camp has ever come out and actually said what will happen if the US hits X % Debt/GDP ?
This is just a political game with a lot at stake. If the representatives of the 1% can pull this off, then inequality of the nation’s wealth gets set in stone. It’s like a re-run of the Civil War, but with different players: the uber-rich vs the rest.
If Treeman sees himself as one of the 1% then his self-interest would be at least understandable. If he’s like (I’m presuming) the rest of us, then he’s just carrying the esky for his masters.
There are plenty of economists (that I read every day) who know this is all bullshit but the MSM is not capable of getting its head around some of the concepts. And if the MSM is where you get your education in economics, then you stay ignorant. Just how the 1 % lie it.
The big sponsor for world series cricket
Benson & Hedges World Series Cup (1979–80 to 1987-88)
Benson & Hedges World Series (1988-89 to 1995-96)
New laws limiting tobacco advertising in Australia forced the name to change after 1995-96
Nasty plane crash caught on car vid.
Another, Mr. Abbott promises to take away. Or at the very least, make it harder to get. Will only respond to receipts, as he believes none of you parents cannot be trusted to put it through the pokies.
That will mean that more will be spent on handing out the money.
PM now at Woodford, Queensaland. ABC 24
Are we in for some real competition.
Twitter doing what the MSM should.
Ashbygate
The growing references to Ashbygate and one nail at a time into Abbott’s coffin.
Abbott’s slush fund won’t go away in 2013 either if the 5th has anything to do with it.
Anatomy of an interview
Sour grapes galore from Joe Hockey..umm, Joe you mean the Woodford Folk Festival where PMs have regularly paid visits over the years.
Hey Joe, you’ve forgotten something.. Turnbull also went to Woodford..
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/prime-minister-julia-gillard-woodford-folk-festival-queensland/story-e6frg6n6-1226545263265
The PM made a speech yesterday in SA. Is she still on holidays. Point out, this is Sunday.
I am sure she could have been asked that question, if anyone believe it was important enough. What apologies for doing the right thing for the nation.
By the way, there could still be a surplus. All the announcement said, that the government would not be cutting further to reach the surplus on target.
Maybe Hockey should keep with the truth. No story., unless he continues with the lies.
Expected what is the only petty small mindedness from Hockey.
The PM did open herself to questions.
Yes, Mr, Abbott could have also attended. No one stopped him as far as
I know,
This is what the PM had to say, and was greeted warmingly.
Where is the pay wall today.
No. Mr. Hockey, no one asked her about the surplus.
Beatles are on tonight on SBS at 11.25. Magical Mystery Tour Revisited.
Cu, one despairs at times..how the NDIS can be considered a minor detail while Abbott’s photos ops, the last one being his *surprise visit* to Afghanistan just so happened to be able to garnish SIX fully photoshopped-newspaper-ready images of Tones Resplendent.
Something mellow from Paul..
How history will remember The Beatles.
A song about the modern Liberal party.
Sorry off convo.. but I have just got my boy (14 tommorrow ) an Asus All in one computer with touch screen and am totally amazed at how fast I can now *scroll* the trolls… just say’n 😉 …wish my lap top had that 😦
…. ok, back to the fab 4
2013 is coming around quickly.
Somehow I don’t think 2013 is going to be too kind on our Joe.
You people just don’t get it. Gillard and Swan are on their last legs as far as their positions are concerned. That is why they are out there now.
The players are turning away from them yet you still support the trash? Talk about the bottom of the food chain!
This version is better than the Beatles’, even though she forgot the words.
Surely one person here has an inside to the Labor Party? Silly question.
I wish a rock band would play in my living room.
You’re full of shit scaper, always have been.
You’ve been spruiking the demise of Gillard for a long time now and she’s still there.
The Libs have their troubles.
” You people just don’t get it. Gillard and Swan are on their last legs as far as their positions are concerned. That is why they are out there now.”
It is you that does not get it. Gillard to going to be reelected, what’s more she will increase her majority. They are going to drop the goods on Abbott in the new year, and it is not going to be nice. The Australian public are just starting to wake up fo the coterie of social mis-fits and other assorted shysters you support, and about bloody time. Even if all you say were true, only an abject moron would believe, that Abbott and other members of the opposition are not involved in trying to bring down a government by using the courts for mischief making.
Oh yes it is, much to my displeasure over for Abbott, I would actually like to see him stay and win. Yes win, with this nonce at the helm of the Australian ship of state ,it will set back conservative politics in this country for a hundred years. This is Australia’s Watergate watch this space.
No. scaper, it is you that just doesn’t get it.
We don’t have to share your view. This is a left-wing blog and the regulars here are lefties. No matter how much this bothers you, we aren’t going to change. Oh I’m sure some of us might drift a bit to the right one day, as people often do, but until then we will be lefties and we’ll keep pushing the barrow.
Fucking idiots!
How’s the weather up your way, scaper?
” Fucking idiots!”
Not yet scaper, but come over and see me sometime.
I thought the ABC’s evening coverage of Julia at the festival was a bit funny, in a sad kind of way. It seemed to me that the reporter on site had her instructions to get something negative in no matter what or else they’d all be in trouble. I suppose we should be grateful the “heckler” wasn’t given more prominence.
Which reminds me. Come Judgement Day I reckon the Australian media will be getting a major serve over their gushing treatment of those Parliament Interrupting Fuckwits the liberals used to truck in to disturb things to get a good amount of footage on that night’s TV. It must’ve been a bizarre sight, worthy of report I’d have thought. All these twats decanted into the building, apparently treated to lunch courtesy of the coalition or its backers & then ushered upstairs to begin their chanting when they got the call. Probably time for a quick hair & lippy check before they were on again walking through the corridors.
Books will be written about this period in our history. The ones worth reading will be by people we haven’t heard of yet. The current crop will all be writing up their excuses.
P.J. @9.24pm, 😆 😆 😆
Anyone think Liealot will lead the Liars to the 2013 election from jail after he’s convicted of bribing a candidate?
” Anyone think Liealot will lead the Liars to the 2013 election from jail after he’s convicted of bribing a candidate?”
No. But that is a dream I have and no doubt share with many here.. I would love to see Abbott inside doing porridge or, even better, Pinoclean. My God can you imagine it? Let your imagination run reckless for a moment, Pino would last about five minutes before they started asking for their conjugal rights 🙂 Abbott would find out quick smart, the real hard men are in the best/worst university the taxpayer can pay for.
When you look at some of them in the opposition the mind does boggle how some of them won their seat. If I should live to be a hundred, I will never work it out. Still I guess some of wing nutsnuts that get on this ere blog explains much.
Interesting times ahead, I worry for my grandkids futures, for the first time I might add, in my life time.
“When you look at some of them in the opposition the mind does boggle how some of them won their seat.”
There are rusted on Liberal and Labor seats, but the rusted on conservative seats are more set in stone.
It doesn’t matter which Liberal or their dog runs as a candidate for that seat, the people will vote for them. It’s why Liberal and Labor parachute in favoured members over local candidates to ensure they get elected, though that tactic is beginning to wane with local voters and there has been some backlash over it.
A story I have told before was about my time living on the Mornington Peninsula where Peter Reith was the Liberal member. This was a dyed in the wool safe conservative seat, which was why Reith was parachuted in there.
Reith was a shocking a local member. He was rarely in his office and never available for the locals, not once taking any of their issues to Canberra. His office was so seldom occupied that it was more often than not covered in graffiti. There was a Chinese takeaway next door that I used to frequent and they said Reith was hardly ever there and the office closed more often than not.
Though they complained bitterly about Reith as a local member, bringing it up in meetings and in general conversation, they voted for him. Well they didn’t vote for Reith, they blindly voted conservative. But it was heartening to see that at each election the seat was losing it’s margin to the Liberals to the point when Reith quit it had become a marginal seat.
The intense hatred for “The Left” that scaper and his mates give vent to on this blog borders on the psychotic.
I think some pervert disguised in a Labor Day banner or something must’ve once interfered with them in a public dunny, scarring them for life. It’s time they got some counselling.
“I see PM has broken her holidays to go to a folk festival. Shame the PM didn’t front up to apologise for breaking 400 promises for a surplus”
Even I (fully understanding that running a surplus alongside a current account deficit is stupid) can forgive the government for repeatedly assuring “the market” they were determined to bring the budget back into the black.
As we’ve learned, it’s all about “confidence”. And if the market is oddly reassured by the promise of a surplus, then give it reassurance.
And with Abbott talking down the nation’s prospects to the point of treason at every opportunity, I think I can understand this counterbalance to the destructive Abbott bullshit.
‘…something must’ve once interfered with them in a public dunny, scarring them for life.’
Lay off the turps MJ.
Where do we want to be next year?
I didn’t actually have you in mind EG but if there’s something you need to tell us, feel free
And all that started under Hawke/Keating Cu.
I will give Howard some due though, but not when he was in power, when he was opposition leader.
He worked with Keating in a bipartisan approach to implement some of Keating’s reforms we are still getting the benefit of. He then went on to savagely stab Keating in the back but that’s another story.
It would not surprise me if the Liberals again gain power on the back of an improved economy set up by Labor, as is their norm, and then take all the credit for the improvement whilst they cook the books like they did in NSW and Queensland.
“There are rusted on Liberal and Labor seats, but the rusted on conservative seats are more set in stone.”
I understand all that, what it doesn’t explain, buts reveals much, is how thick people really are. Some people who have been voted in, break out of the safe seat mentality
Both sides have them btw. More so on the Liberal benches, who by observation mostly always parachute in effeminate men, the mind does indeed boggle..
Three quarters of a million. 🙂
A wonderful achievement Migs. 🙂
Well done Migs (& Min & CU & Café patrons). It’s a fitting day to reach this milestone too 🙂
Migs, the milestones are coming around quicker than ever. Is there a number of the comments made.
Great stuff Migs.
What are you doing this coming weekend? I need to get away for a day ride, working through the holidays on a tough project, and wouldn’t mind going to a shop in Bungendore that sells high level motorbike underclothing so as to have a break.
I’ve been to the Café Wood Works once and had a great coffee there if you and Migs would like to meet for one on me?
Email me if you want.
Hi Mo. Consider it a date. I’ll email you when I get home a bit later – I have to race out for more drinks.
Thanks Baccie. Let’s celebrate with a fine drop.
Cu, just shy of 109,000 comments. 🙂
Hall and and el gordo, I just want to clarify what you are saying.
Are you saying that Migs should put up posts that support Mr. Abbott. If not, what in the hell do you mean.
Visitors to this site are given free rein to write what they like.
What they do not seem to like, is that most here challenge or disagree with what they say.
What could be more balanced than that.
Miglo, that is a lot of words.
Migs, Min and whisperers, great achievement well done.
1 Mill on it’s way 😀
Cheers :smile 😀 😆
Is Marijuana an ‘Exit Drug’? Study Suggests Some Are Taking It as a Substitute for Prescription Drugs and Alcohol…
A surprising three quarters of medical cannabis consumers say they subbed in pot for more harmful substances.
http://www.alternet.org/drugs/marijuana-exit-drug-study-suggests-some-are-taking-it-substitute-prescription-drugs-and
Where is Australia on the medical cannabis debate? Nowhere.
“….many patients may have already identified cannabis as an effective and potentially safer adjunct or alternative to their prescription drug regimen.”
Its a panacea.
https://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/medical-marijuana/
Thanks Migs. Pardon my ignorance.
That will make some useful holiday reading.
Looks like this one will catch more than a couple of corrupt Labor Pollies.”
This is something that has always fascinated me when one talks a about left and right politics. Free market or welfare economics.
When things go haywire, such as GFC, all countries appear to be affected the same. The political or economic systems do not appear to count.
It does not seem to matter what the government spending or taxation is at.
……………….”But the disagreements among Keynesians, or between Keynesians and various heterodox schools, are less important than their collective disagreement with the classical view. According to classical economics, a global recession like the one we are observing, occurring simultaneously in many very different countries and lasting for many years, should be impossible, or at least highly improbable. For the classical view to work, lots of separate and differently organized labor markets must have simultaneously gone haywire, and stayed that way for a long time. But the improbability of this hypothesis hasn’t shaken the faith of classical supporters…………..
http://johnquiggin.com/2013/01/03/the-big-issues-in-macroeconomics-unemployment/#more-11202
Quiggin has a nice style.
Recession has hit our town and income is down two-thirds in most small businesses. The petit bourgeois (sic) talk among themselves as to why this has occurred?
It doesn’t get a mention in the Fairfax rags, so it might have something to do with a pernicious tax … otherwise we have imported deflation.
First place to look might be the effects of any cuts your friend Mr O’Farrell has made el gordo 😉 How much money has he removed from circulation in “your town”?
Could have much to do with that high dollar, talking down of the economy
A fragile world economy might just play a part.
What a pernicious tax are you talking about.
Could even be incompetent businesses that have done nothing to keep up with the times.
I live on the upper end of New South Wales Central Coast. It appears to be blooming. New businesses opening up all the time. The old ones reopening, and new business areas opening up. Three within kilometers of me.
Not only are these businesses opening, they seem to be attracting customers. Well parking is hard to find.
I expected the older regions to go backwards, that has not occurred. Yes they have changed, one village now becoming a major medical centre. Retailers moved out, the medical mob in.
el gordo, I do not know why it is so bad in your region. It is not that wa\y across the country. Another I visit, is around Narellan. Same there, crowded shops and busy parking areas.
Yep like Newman in Queensland sending that State backwards, O’Farrell is doing the same by removing large swaths of money from the economy whilst cutting essential services, which also retracts a State’s economy.
‘How much money has he removed from circulation in “your town”?’
None that we can see, a few TAFE reachers in the soft arts.
We can say that the new technologies have created ‘online shopping’ and wiped out retail, that is happening universally. Classical economists might have something to say on that.
In the area of accommodation its imported deflation.
:”None that we can see, a few TAFE reachers in the soft arts”
Where did the word :soft art” come from. I think you will find these courses are more than recreation. They are skills needed in a wide range of industries. One with that many in your town will find employment with. May even find someone with the skills to improve your own advertisements, to bring new trade in.
I think you mean the fine arts. Nothing soft about them at all.
el gordo, many of those selling online are based in the bush, Right out in the real bush.
There is nothing stopping many of the local industries going down that path. It is called moving with the times. Any business that does not goes under.
el gordo, I have been watching documentary, where small towns have taken advantage if available Fed money, creating new industries, fairs and festivals, reinvigorating and growing their communities.
It entailed in all cases, the business leaders getting together, throwing their lot behind the ideas that were raised. Doing this instead of whining and complaining.
There could even be some in your town, that could be made more successful, drawing visitors to your town. I am sure there is much to sell there. Maybe use some of those fine art graduates in your quest.
By the way, it was made clear that this money is only there because of the minority government. Will dry up when that goes. So you better act quickly.
Let the public know about the wonderful things you have to offer and they will come.
otherwise we have imported deflation.
No Shit Sherlock. Most of the Western world is still in recession (or teetering). Things will not remain the same here.
What is the best way forward for remote communities in technological age? Wonder if the NBN will help 😯
Maybe Rina could invest some of her own money in her dreams for the north.
Who’s that old bloke who’s hijacked your gravatar Migs?
Some good looking, distinguished gentleman, Bacchus. 😀
😆 😆 😆
‘…to improve your own advertisements, to bring new trade in.’
No its not like that, we are talking about savvy people on the interwebys and totally covered, what we are experiencing is a universal disease…. the Great Malaise.
As I’m involved with the arts the loss of TAFE jobs are no big deal, a Renaissance has already begun where enthusiasts are seeking out particular potters or fine artists, to lean their skills and become successful in their chosen medium.
This is the power of free enterprise.
Sorry, el gordo. Fine arts is about much more. It is about design, entertainment, advertisement. The skills are needed in every industry. What do you mean about soft art.
It is not about the local art appreciation group, or amateur pottery or painting displays.
That was my first thought Migs, but I remembered you saying you were much younger than that fine gentleman looks – is he your much older brother? 😆
this will not be read by Abbott, Hockey, Robb and Newmann
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/03/an-amazing-mea-culpa-from-the-imfs-chief-economist-on-austerity/
Sue, some of our visitors might also benefit.
There is a time and place when attempting to bring budgets back to surplus. In Australia’s case, the government has just recognized now was the time not to cut more. As cutting more would lead to a bigger budget.
It is also true, that no government is full control of a nation’s economy. Many other factors, within and outside the country have more influence.
Some need to learn that spruiking deficit and debt, as if that is all there is to good governance is childish and misleading, The words in themselves mean nothing.
That is the nature of capitalism. There are many theories on how it works, and none is static new ideas involving all the time. Could be a little truth in them all, at one time another.
I believe this is so, is because human beings are involved, and their actions influence what happens, It is recognized, I believe or was told so 50 years ago, any economy can be talked down. I also believe from those days, that once unemployment reached double figures, it takes on a life of its own, and is near impossible to turn about.
‘It is about design, entertainment, advertisement. The skills are needed in every industry. What do you mean about soft art.’
Potters, fine artists, sculptors…etc. These are the soft arts, because there is little money in them….true artists live on the smell of an oily rag.
The digital arts could go online….maybe.
Any skills education required for industry, commerce or the mines will be retained.
Miss the duck. Min, you sure look happy and good. Something in life must be agreeing with you.
Awesome, even if the drums are too loud.
The 25 Funniest AutoCorrects Of 2012
Funny, and there’s a duck one for Migs.
AG Roxon Media conference re Tassie fires. ABC 24
Seems like we are on a winner when it comes to the NBN.
Looks like the areas under fire now extend to the Queensland border. Yes, things are only normal.
Wonder what it will be like, when this temporary pause in the hot weather ends, and the high temperatures come back.
Does not look like any rain either.
Victoria, 6 out 9 districts under threat.
Yes, us oldies can use broadband. Opens up a new world for us. Will extend the time we remain independent.
Just A reminder of what this minority government is achieving. Building for the future.
Bhttp://www.zdnet.com/au/turnbull-repays-massive-roaming-bill-charged-to-aussie-taxpayers-7000009493/y Josh Taylor and Chris Duckett | January 8, 2013 — 04:16 GMT (15:16 AEST)
And I thought Abbott and Howard hounding Pauline Hanson into prison was bad.
The complete destruction of Slipper’s reputation, possible imprisonment. loss of pension and the personal effect on his family seems to be the punishment of Slipper for acting against Abbott.
And that interview on Lateline in 2011 was the peek into what would happen in 2012.
Is Turnbull channeling Reith, do you think?
CU, no surprise that the Rodent has his snout well embedded in the ex PM trough-$100k on limos, ffs!!!!! How tf do you spend $100k on limos in 7 months? Get your slimy paws out of my taxpaying pockets, you freeloading waste of oxygen.
Definitely time to review the freeloader gold card enjoyed by the likes of the Rodent. For a start he can pay for the limos out of his own pocket, or catch the bus like other far more deserving people have to.
Jane, that’s his reward for being the biggest lying piece of excrement that ever took up residence in the Lodge, and finally getting dumped, even by his own electorate.
The only one who might beat his lying arse is Abbott if he ever gets the chance.
God help us!
Cheers 😀
Orcas caught off guard….
‘A dozen killer whales are trapped under a vast stretch of sea ice in northern Canada, while officials try to work out a way to free them.’
‘Locals in Inukjuak, in the far north of Quebec, said the mammals have gathered around a car-sized hole in the ice to get oxygen.’
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whale-watch/icebreaker-plea-for-trapped-killer-whales-20130110-2ci2b.html#ixzz2HXaHGO5Q
‘Ms Eva Cox said the prime minister may be Australia’s first female national leader, but “she has real flaws in her feminist credentials”.
‘The academic noted that at the time of Ms Gillard’s verbal attack on Mr Abbott, her Labor government was cutting the incomes of almost 100,000 single parents.’
AAP
el gordo, there are many different types of feminism. It is not one great movement where all think the same.
Do not believe I have seen anywhere that the PM claims to be one. All that was said in that speech still stands, All that the PM describe was words and actions that Mr. Abbott has said and used against her. None very nice or civil.
It matter not whether his is or not. What cannot be denied he acts like one, and uses the language of one.
As for Eva Cox, I like her and generally agree. This time, I find her comments a little strange.
It is I think more ay attacking the PM for the changes made to the single parents benefits.
A prominent feminist has knocked the idea that Tony Abbott is a misogynist and says some of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s policies are sexist.
Author and academic Eva Cox says the opposition leader, who last year was accused in a high-profile speech by Ms Gillard of holding sexist and misogynistic views, is ‘not feminism’s worst enemy’.
‘He is a somewhat inconsistent, confused conservative with the attached sexist views on gender roles, which he seems to be trying hard to minimise,’ Ms Cox wrote on website The Conversation.
‘He is not in my terms a misogynist.’
Ms Cox said she was sticking to ‘the useful distinction’ between a view of gender as the basis for entrenched discriminatory differences, and those who have a pathological deep dislike of womenkind and an antipathy to what they may stand for.
‘Abbott fits the first, but not the second category.’
Ms Cox said the prime minister may be Australia’s first female national leader, but ‘she has real flaws in her feminist credentials’.
The academic noted that at the time of Ms Gillard’s verbal attack on Mr Abbott, her Labor government was cutting the incomes of almost 100,000 single parents.
She said she was concerned that issues of the leaders’ personal traits and mudslinging could weaken debate over ‘good social policies’.
‘This is the area where real gender issues arise and neither party is focusing on addressing income inequality, and inadequate welfare and community services,’ Ms Cox said…
http://www.skynews.com.au/politics/article.aspx?id=834288
Migs, I hope you are OK, and soon back on deck, the cafe is not the same without you mate.
Get well soon. 🙂
Cheers 🙂 😀
” The academic noted that at the time of Ms Gillard’s verbal attack on Mr Abbott, her Labor government was cutting the incomes of almost 100,000 single parents.”
Although the Liberal party would love to have done what Gillard has done, i.e. cutting benifits . this may yet cost them government. I have had time to re-think this issue, and I think it is now over for Labor. The interesting thing will be, if Abbott promises to re-instate the benifit should he be elected. If he does it’s over for Labor.
What this women was thinking is anyones guess? There must have been other areas to trim the fat.
PJ, the Liebs are more likely to lower the child’s age to qualify than re-instate this. You need to remember that this legislation is just correcting the anomaly created by the Howard government’s 2006 legislation, which initiated this change to 8 years of age.
The problem was, he “grandfathered” those who were already on Parenting payment so that they would continue on this benefit until their youngest child turned 16. This allowed young mothers to “churn out” more babies and stay on the benefit, while new mums are subject to the age limit introduced in 2006.
Hasn’t Mr Abbott spent a bit of time doing “very important work for Australia” in the UK recently? Mr Cameron’s government lowered the age where parents must move onto “Jobseeker’s Allowance” (as it is called in the UK) to five in May 2012…
More details here:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1112a/12bd164
Migs update. I am very relieved to report that Migs is improving after being very ill. It is expected that he will be well enough to be able to come home from hospital, perhaps even as early as the weekend. However, as those who have had a serious illness will know, recovery has it’s ups and downs.
We would particularly like to thank those who have given the blog so much support during our absence.
I agree, pushing these mothers (and some fathers) onto the dole is a major step backwards. I don’t think it will affect the votes at all. Everyone is aware that, no matter how bad Labor make it, the libs will always make it worst for those worst off.
I don’t disagree with enticing these parents to work, but I don’t think the dole is a suitable answer.
‘He is not in my terms a misogynist.’
Ms Cox said she was sticking to ‘the useful distinction’ between a view of gender as the basis for entrenched discriminatory differences, and those who have a pathological deep dislike of womenkind and an antipathy to what they may stand for.
‘Abbott fits the first, but not the second category.’
So the title should read “Eva Cox rejects Abbott ‘misogynist’ tag … by her definition of the term”
Why is there no debate in msm over tabots use of the term in relation to Slipper, who it can be noted doesn’t have a past of offenses that could be rattled off like Gillard did in relation to tabot?
‘…if Abbott promises to re-instate the benifit should he be elected. If he does it’s over for Labor.’
No need, it won’t be an issue. And the Coalition will still win handsomely.
Why should those who first became parents before 1 July 2006 be treated differently to those becoming parents since then?
These are the only parents affected by the changes to legislation. Anyone who became a parent after this date has been subject to the move to Newstart once their youngest child turns 8.
This just fixes the anomaly – there may very well be an argument to reverse the original 2006 Howard legislation, but that’s not what this legislation is about…
Tom, clearly if after hours child care was thruppence an hour there wouldn’t be a problem.
I am visualising a poor single parent..gets the neighbor to drop 3 juniors off at school before putting in 9 hours, gets granny to pick the kids up after school. Parent picks up 2 and 3 up from granny’s, however #1 son has cricket practice and so after dropping #2 and #3 off at home does the bolt down to the oval…arrives home, throws on some chops and veg..everyone whinges… Parent then receives a note from the school that #2 has failed to hand in “set tasks” and that he/she needs to front up to the school at 9.30am the next morning. Parent has to take a day off via sick leave in order to attend the required meeting. Swarmy 20’something teacher tells parent that he/she should be reading to their child at least 30mins per day PLUS restricting internet time, which should always be supervised. Parent visualises low flying pigs… Parent arrives at work the next day and is asked, Where is your Doctor’s Certificate for you day off it’s required on the boss’s desk by 10am today…. Yes, just get a job you lazy layabout single parents…
Best wishes to Migs and his imminent recovery
It seems not many actually understand what this legislation does 🙄 All seem to think that it is introducing the changes that were actually made by the Howard government in 2006.
Good to hear Min. He still owes me a “we’ll do this again sometime.”
Mobius, and we most definitely will. It was without a doubt, a huge pleasure to meet you..so let’s make it soon.
Thank you Tom. Migs is a person of huge resolve and I am certain will be back as soon as is humanly possible.
So the Peta Credlin was a liberal strategy to woo the women vote. the liberal party approached Marie Claire and News Ltd to publish the story.
http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/01/09/credlin-a-reluctant-but-savvy-star-in-abbotts-female-strategy/
Personally, I believe all should be treated the same. I suspect very free will have 8 year old kids. Most will be much older.
This government has bought in much assistance to assist these people.
Mr. Abbott will not revert this one.
Yes there needs to be changes made., Not too sure it is providing benefits, but assisting them with education, training and childcare.
I was in similar situations when raising my children, both when married, on the dole, and Invalid, Later on single parent support. All were only bandaid answers at the most.
I worked when I could, but always on low wages, which never got me out of the trap. Trap is what it is.
It was Mr. Whitlam’s changes and opportunity to go to Uni, that got me out of the rut.
Yes, it was not easy, but worhtwhile.
Yes, I join the rest of you in wishing Migs well again soon.
” PJ, the Liebs are more likely to lower the child’s age to qualify than re-instate this.”
Lets be honest, most young single mothers would not be aware of past legislation by Howard or for that matter, anyone else They were receiving x amount of dollars, now they are getting less. Simple really.
El gordo, although I have my doubts about the outcome of any future election, the Lieberals are not going to win handsomly. A week is a long time in politics. I am still unsure the Lieerals are not going to shaft Abbott. He is only there because Labor have decided to run with Gillard. If they would have put Rudd back in, Abbott would be history.
.
All the best, Migs. As someone with ME, I sympathize with you.
Where’s Neil when facts about the Howard years are released?
http://m.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/hey-big-spender-howard-the-king-of-the-loose-purse-strings-20130110-2cj32.html
Bacchus,
I heard a rumour that the Liars Party are planning to release a set of new slogans for this, the election year. Spam personnel have been recalled to HQ, and are in intensive lockdown to learn the slogans and the Spin that goes with them.
Just a rumour, mind you, but it might explain why the Cafe has been delightfully free of trolls during the last few days.
Alternatively, it might be that the trolls are cowering in the shade under the bridge, there to escape the frigging heat.
Bacchus
i note that the ABC and it’s parent the Murdoch press have not picked up this story.
Surprise surprise Sue 😀
Twitter is abuzz with that story this morning though 😆
‘ANGRY farmers have accused the Tasmanian Labor-Greens government and its Environment Department of stopping them burning bush undergrowth during cool months, a move that might have slowed or stopped the ferocious fires that roared through the state’s southeast last weekend.
‘The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association said yesterday the inability of many farmers to obtain fire permits allowing winter and spring burn-offs on their properties must be considered a contributory factor in the ferocity of the fires.’
Sue Neales in the Oz
That blame game of not allowing burning undergrowth has been raised after each and every fire, and when the enquiries come out, as they will for Tasmania and the other major fires, it turns out to be false.
What they don’t tell you is that the clear felling of large tracts of forests causes the remaining forests to be drier and more susceptible to fires, which is what’s happening in Tasmania and other wetland forests around the world, where in the past major fires were very rare but are now becoming regular events.
Clearing forests is also a significant contributor to global warming also drying out remaining forests and making them more susceptible to major fires.
When you get to the bottom line of these complaints you will inevitably find the forest industry involved and farmers wanting to clear more areas not for fire reduction but for their own profits.
Let’s just be done with it and get rid of every forest, bushland and grassland in Australia. We’ll be one big desert but the bushfire problem will be solved.
‘Let’s just be done with it and get rid of every forest, bushland and grassland in Australia. We’ll be one big desert but the bushfire problem will be solved.’
Mo, before humans came to this island the gum tree wasn’t dominant, so we should return the environment to its pristine state and only leave pockets of gums as a reminder.
Obviously this idea will require further research.
el gordo the ABC
“At Dunalley it appears most of the bushland the fire tore through is privately owned.
The Tasmanian Minister for Emergency Management, David O’Byrne, says public land accounts for 20 per cent of the area affected by the fire.
“Fuel reduction and that sort of management is a joint responsibility between government, in terms of our land and in the parks land, but also in the private land that is around Tasmania,” he said.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-10/dunalley-locals-question-fire-prevention-strategies/4459040
Bacchus
Twitter is abuzz, sure is. and still the ABC resists. I wonder how many helpful tweets they get over their NON reporting of the story. with more pollies coming back from holidays, no doubt they will drop the IMF assessment into interviews.
Big story today is unfolding involving AFP and Dept of Finance conspiring against Peter Slipper.
The Australian Federal Police and the federal department of finance have declined to confirm whether former speaker Peter Slipper offered to refund car-hire payments that are now subject to court action.
Investigative reporter Margo Kingston has reported online that Mr Slipper made the offer several months ago, before the AFP issued a summons for the Queensland federal MP to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court next month. …
Ms Kingston wrote in an article posted on the Independent Australia news website on Thursday afternoon that sources had confirmed Mr Slipper had “immediately offered to repay the excess” when he was made aware of the overpayment.
“But sources say Finance refused to allow him to do this. Instead, they said that because the AFP was interested, they would not follow the (Minchin) protocol,” Ms Kingston wrote.
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/questions-over-slipper-car-refund-offer-20130110-2cikp.html
Margo Kingston’s article posted yesterday at IA:
http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/politics/exclusive-how-finance-defied-protocol-to-crucify-slipper/
Clearing the forests, leave more grassland. I cannot see any of those farmers burning off their grass which I imagine they have stock on.
Grass fires can be more terrifying than forest. Also travel quickly.
Saying that, farmers can take action to help. In my memory, it does necessary include burning off.
I remember every paddock having ploughed firebreaks along each side of every fence, to slow any fire down.
Why is this argument is always raised after the fires, not before.
Is this where we are heading. Our democracy controlled by big business.
ABC finally breaks the IMF story on profligate Howard
‘http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-11/imf-labels-howard-most-profligate-pm/4460900
Yes Sue, but giving the Liberals space to defend Howard.
http://moslereconomics.com/2013/01/10/meet-the-genius-behind-the-trillion-dollar-coin/#comments
This is a story that’s been kicking around the Modern Monetary Theory blogs for the last year and a half.
It has the potential to leave the Republicans and their idiotic obsession with the debt ceiling looking like, well, idiots.
It does seem that when it comes to monetary operations it’s only those pesky MMT folk who’ve got any idea how it all works.
It’s quite possible, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Obama is just feeding the Republicans line, as one would having hooked a very big fish in open water. Wouldn’t work with a Mangrove Jack.