Just how manipulative, dishonest, sensationalist, gutless, unfair and unbalanced is the media in this country? If, like me, you believe they need to be held accountable for the gross display of injustice they push down the throats of the Australian public then this is the thread in which to voice your opinion.
I intend to keep the Media Watch threads open indefinitely. If anyone sees an example of their lies in action then we’d like to learn about it. We will document everything we can and spread the message as far as we can.
The truth will win in the end.
The Media Watch pages are archived after 300 comments (or thereabouts), as beyond that they can be slow to open if accessed by some mobile phones.
Here are the links to the previous two Media Watch discussions:
Café Whispers 
What a better way to start Media Watch VI than something about the Murdoch media. This is courtesy of a facebook friend and facebook group Australians for an Honest Media…
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=12041
And this is the truth of the matter…an indication as to the destructiveness of the Murdoch media empire.
From Malcolm Farr..
Joe Hockey left stumbling over budget figures
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/joe-hockey-left-stumbling-over-budget-figures/comments-e6frf7l6-1226058319155
Sky news are currently doing their Look over There thing rummaging around to find some criticism about the NBN..from David Speers ‘unknowns, questions remain..’ blah and double blah while doing their best to avoid Joe Hockey the alternative, alternative Prime Minister.
“Pell not of Vatican faith on climate
A DIRE warning about the need to mitigate man-made global warning from a Vatican-appointed panel of scientists has not yet convinced Australia’s highest-ranking Catholic, who said the causes of climate change were “unclear”.
A report released this month by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences called on “all people and nations to recognise the serious and potentially irreversible impacts of global warming” caused by man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
“By acting now, in the spirit of common but differentiated responsibility, we accept our duty to one another and to the stewardship of a planet blessed with the gift of life,” it read.
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The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, said he would study the document carefully but questioned the effectiveness of any action.
“Climate change is real. The causes are unclear, and our ability to influence climate change [is] even less certain,” he said.
Earlier this year Cardinal Pell had dismissed the head of the Bureau of Meteorology, Greg Ayers, as a “hot air specialist” for suggesting that he had been “misled” by the geologist Ian Plimer, whose book on climate change had been criticised by scientists.
Cardinal Pell had relied heavily on Professor Plimer’s work when he argued against human-induced global warming in a written submission to a Senate estimates hearing, claiming increases in carbon dioxide tended to follow rises in temperature, not cause them.
“My attitude to any group of scientists depends on the quality of their arguments,” he told the Herald when asked about the academy’s report.
The document, Fate of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene, was compiled by a working group that included glaciologists, climate scientists, meteorologists, hydrologists, physicists, mountaineers and lawyers. It argued that carbon dioxide was “the largest single contributor to greenhouse warming”.
“Failure to mitigate climate change will violate our duty to the vulnerable of the Earth, including those dependent on the water supply of mountain glaciers, and those facing rising sea level and stronger storm surges,” it read.
It called for the worldwide reduction of carbon dioxide emissions “without delay”; a reduction in the concentrations of warming air pollutants by as much as 50 per cent; and preparation for climate changes that society would be unable to mitigate.
“The cost of the three recommended measures pales in comparison to the price the world will pay if we fail to act now,” it read.
Cardinal Pell said he agreed with Vatican spokesman the Reverend Federico Lombardi that the document was important but not part of the church’s teachings.
“It represents only the conclusions of the independent scientists involved,” Cardinal Pell said.
Mr Lombardi also noted that the report was a “significant scientific contribution” to the concerns that Pope Benedict XVI has voiced in both his encyclicals and public statements, the Associated Press reported.”
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/pell-not-of-vatican-faith-on-climate-20110517-1erj6.html#ixzz1MggUNcoX
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/pell-not-of-vatican-faith-on-climate-20110517-1erj6.html
From long time friend Joni who currently has limited internet access..
“He is so out of his depth.
And u see the accountants who “audited” his numbers are still under investigation.”
The above referring to the Joe Hockey stumbling link.
Mr. Hockey refused to use the word audit. He simply refused to answer the question, quoting that he knew what they were trying to do, playing games or word to that effect with the word audit. The only answer he would give was that we stand by our figures.
I tuned in late and by his body language, I though he must have been given a hard time. When he went to shake hands, he wiped his hand on his trousers, sign of stress, though not as dramatic as Mr. Swan’s broken glass.
I was surprise when I replayed the tape, he was only ask a couple of mild questions that challenged what he was saying.
It would be interesting to say how he would cope with some proper questioning of what he puts forwarded.
The Media seem to turning against Joe Hockey. Even The Austrlian have had a crack at him (perhaps part of a plot to have him replaced by Andrew Robb?)
http://guttertrash.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/joe-hockeys-embarrassing-budget-bungle/
Reb, thank you for your link. Hockey stuffed it up the last time, he’s stuffed it up this time.
It’s hilarious Min!
Can you imagine the post-speech debrief?
“Well that went really Joe, right up to the point where you started talking..”
Gawd Reb..do not use the words Hockey and debrief in the same sentence. I’m an Aspie and think in pictures..that’s a very very awful visual image!!
How is Joni Min? Starting to warm up over there yet?
Joni is doing well Bacchus..just a few ATMs eating his cards. I’ll pass your comment onto him.
Nobody does harrumphing, confected outrage like Joe, but this went aways beyond that. Genuinely flummoxed. I’ll be planting spuds in the backyard the morning after he becomes Treasurer.
Bob, by putting Hockey on display to demonstrate his absolute stupidity, Abbott effectively removes one of his greatest leadership threats.
I was only half listening, but did Tony Jones just totally destroy Malcolm’s cred with the Denialati and Boltistas? Are moves afoot to make Tony Abbott look good by comparison??
The Turnbull interview was interesting. Mr. Turnbull said he voted for Mr. Howard’s climate change policy. He said that Labor does not have a policy, only an idea.
He refuse to comment on the Abbott Direct Action, saying he would explain how it worked, but you would have to ask Mr. Hunt or Abbott if you wanted an opinion. He said this more than once.
He was not much better when talking about the NBNCo. What surprise me was his statement the Korea was only supplying fibre to the node, not the home. I must have read something wrong, as I thought they had already supply fibre to the node and were now extending it to the home.
Now Mr. Turnbull would not lie but he was an successful barrister if my memory is correct, and a very successful one.
What we got tonight was pure barrister talk. Putting forwarded a case as directed by the client/ boss, but not necessary believing in guilt or innocence.
He was challenged for once during the interview.
I think Mr. Hockey’s problem is that he is defending a situation that he knows is tripe.
Every time the Opposition puts forwarded the proposition that PM Gillard needs a mandate for introducing a price on carbon, they ask, where was Mr. Howard’s mandate for Work Choices.
CU and I think Mr. Hockey’s problem is that he is defending a situation that he knows is tripe. and Migs Bob, by putting Hockey on display to demonstrate his absolute stupidity, Abbott effectively removes one of his greatest leadership threats.
And Abbott is doing/has done the exact same thing with Turnbull. While Turnbull is nowhere near as stupid as Hockey whenever Turnbull fronts up to the cameras and has to defend his party’s stance on Climate Change, then he is made to look the aforementioned “stupid”.
Likewise Turnbull is under an obligation to make somewhat stupid statements about the NBN which he knows is on the cusp of becoming a fait accompli.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/opposition-arguments-against-national-broadband-network-may-soon-be-academic-20110518-1et2a.html#ixzz1Mk5ENtog
As I have mentioned previously, Turnbull will effectively be out of a job and if Abbott didn’t know that the NBN would go ahead knowing that this is something that at least two of the Independents are passionate about, and didn’t deliberately cause Turnbull to have a “planned redundancy”..I would be exceptionally surprised.
I agree that Abbott has set Turnbull up to fail as well.
The best piece I have read for some time on the Drum by Tim Dunlop:
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2718976.html
Should be compulsory reading for all journalists.
It seems the MSM is determined to drive their business into the ground, oh well it’s their money. Just be on the lookout for journalists seeking a government handout.
‘O’Farrell faces solar bonus revolt’
http://www.smh.com.au/
This headline should read
O’Farrell breaks election promise
or
O’Farrell burns the electorate
or
Coalition lies reneges on election promise.
or
Not even a hundred days, the betrayal starts
Hi Luna_Lava,
I read Tim Dunlop’s great article too.I’ve added it to ‘Twitter’ and ‘Facebook’.I too,hope a lot of journo’s read it.I for one won’t be feeling sorry for a lot of them.
here is a good headline
Turnbull singes Abbott on climate
http://www.theage.com.au/national/turnbull-singes-abbott-on-climate-20110518-1et58.html
The Australian makes an ass of itself over NBN coverage http://j.mp/lXyGeC
Well done Sue you could get a job with the outsourced sub-editors Pagemasters – Oh but then again.
Sue. O’Farrell’s betrayal started in his first 10 days and has not stopped since, with him shooting off some of his major election promises to long term committees way down the track. These were things that were “urgent”, needing “immediate attention” and “long neglected but won’t be by an O’Farrell government” when O’Farrell was attacking the Labor government from opposition.
Where is the media on this and the other O’Farrell failures, which like the other State Liberal governments are mounting?
Under the previous Labor governments hardly a day went by without damning media comment and condemnation of some kind on anything to do with the government, even against the most mundane statements.
Yet nowadays the O’Farrell government is barely in the news and if it is, it’s mostly positive or O’Farrell getting sound bites without challenge or accountability, like his statement on the Harbour Bridge incidence where he stated it was beyond government control, yet in opposition every incidence on that Bridge or the Tunnel was the Labor government’s fault no matter that it was demonstrably beyond government control.
It never ceases to amaze me how Labor governments ever get elected in this country and how Liberal governments manage to get ousted.
We’ve got Tim’s article up on Australians for an Honest Media Facebook too – thank you luna_lava 😉
Apparently Bob Brown went completely berko at the media in his news conference telling the media where they can go and where they can put it.
I haven’t any reports on this as yet.
Lovely watching Mr. Abbott explain Mr. Turnbull comments of last night on Lateline. As it was commented on after the interview, Mr. Turnbull does support Mr. Abbott but he believes there is a better option, that of the Government.
He is now answering question about England. His answer is that the government in the election argued against the carbon tax.???? Why are they taking such definitive action.
By the way he is praising Weet-bix’s every morning. He has Ms. Sophie Mirabella with him.
I have not heard him asked so many different questions on so many issues. He was given longer time than the PM press conference just before him.
He does not look or sound so cocky.
DO SANATORIUM PAY TAX, as the belong to a church.
I wonder if the Canadian Government will come up with a similar answer.
Mr. Turnbull’s body language and the look on his face during Mr. Abbott’s reply to the budget looked as if he had enough. He looked angry if the truth was to be known. What is Mr. Turnbull’s’ motive for his revelations last night. Is he fed up and looking at resigning? Does he have support from other’s who have similar thoughts. Is he thinking of joining the Independents. I do not believe that Mr. Turnbull would waste time making the comments he made without a reason.
………………………..
“Mr Turnbull said Mr Cameron believed there was an enormous opportunity to take a leadership role in the ”green tech revolution”. ”Britain has a prime minister of vision who wants to be part of that change,” he said.
Asked if his party had vision on the issue, Mr Turnbull said: ”I think they have a lot of vision. It’s just a question of whether you agree with it.”
http://www.theage.com.au/national/turnbull-singes-abbott-on-climate-20110518-1et58.html
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/turnbull-singes-abbott-on-climate-20110518-1et58.html#ixzz1MlMjjYII
Bob Brown said one heck of a lot more but this is all that I can find online at present..
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Politics/2011/05/19/Brown_takes_a_shot_at_media_614816.html
Don’t ya just love it 😀 and in BOLD there were shysters in the press gallery who misrepresented his statements Whoops Press..your slip is showing..
Maybe Mr. Turnbull’s motive is revenge. You set me up to fail, OK, but I am taking you with me.
More Mr. Abbott types of action but maybe Mr. Turnbull believes in Australia and does not want to see it destroyed under Abbott.
What the PM is not saying, Mr. Abbott is talking down the Australian economy and everything in it. Mr. Abbott seems to believe the only way he can win is to destroy every thing that is good in Australia.
At the moment, I am enjoying Mr. Abbott squirming on ABC 24. I am also enjoying seeing the PM on the front foot and on the attack.
The battle lines are now clearly drawn. The smooth run for Mr. Abbott is over.
ME, why would anyone expect any difference from the O’Farrell Government, when they have Mr. Max Wilton and Mr. Griener as their chief advisers.
Personally I see Mr. O’Farrell as nothing more than a puppet leader. The front man for the government who strings are pulled by others more powerful.
Cu, I think the problem with Griener when he was premier is he tried to run the state like a business.
Miglo, and he was not known as a too honest business man. Many clouds hovered over his head at the time. Not a very loyal family man when he came to his own family. I hope I have not gone to far. He was not a successful Premier.
Min, I just heard Brown on the radio at a press interview. He asked the journalist, after he had finished answering their question why the oo was taking a stand against action on climate. The journo got very huffy, declaring that we ask, you answer. The journos apparently are not required to explain their position. To me, the journo sounded like a spoilt brat who had her favourite dolly taken away from her.
And I do love Browns term, the Hate Media
CU, did not know that Max the Ax had got a job with O’Farrell. Time for some pruning in the state public service?
Tom, interestingly Bob Brown named The Murdoch Press specifically.
Tom R (1.56) Do you know the name of the journo. I want to know who they are so that I can interpret their motive.Then when they write an article I can judge how honest their approach.Like at the press club the journo names himsel/herself and the organisation before the question. Lets lose the anonymity.
In fact it would be quite good for the pollies to name them before answering.
‘The hate media’…so imotive and wrong headed.
I prefer to call them the axis of evil.
Sue, I can’t find anything else on this at present other than it was The Canberra Press Gallery.
The boys and girls in the press gallery in the majority will remain anon because their bosses want them to remain anon.
Min, he did specifically mention the oo from memory, not just ltdnews.
Sorry Sue, didn’t get the name of the reporter, I really only came in at the end.
I agree with Roswell. The axis of evil is so fitting.
The specific journo is probably not all that important because they are, as Migs says..the axis of evil.
I was only agreeing with Roswell, Min.
Love it! Lady at work tells me that Andrew Bolt reminds her of a disgruntled taxi driver.
Good grief Migs..imagine Bolt as a taxi driver. You wouldn’t want to go where he would want to take you.
I am not sure Max has a job with O’Farrel, but he has been mentioned as a adviser. Same thing as far as I am concerned. Mr. Farrell has not shown any evidence that he is capable of any vision or ideas of his own.
“MALCOLM Turnbull has conceded he still has ambitions to reclaim the Liberal leadership, but said he has no doubt Tony Abbott will lead the Coalition to the next election……
..Delivering a 21-minute address to the Queensland Media Club in Brisbane today, the Coalition communications spokesman spent more than 15 minutes outlining his personal economic vision for Australia, including the creation of a sovereign wealth fund to re-invest mining revenue.
Answering questions after the speech, Mr Turnbull conceded he still held ambitions to return to the Liberal leadership, which he lost to Mr Abbott in 2009………..”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/malcolm-turnbulls-attack-on-climate-policy-angers-coalition-mps/comments-e6frg6xf-1226059034118
From the Greens website.
Bob Brown’s press conference. 19th May, 2011.
http://bob-brown.greensmps.org.au/content/greencast/bob-brown-press-conference-may-19-2011
TomR and Sue @ 3.14pm and 3.27pm, the snarky journalist was Sid Maher, a very loyal Liberal spruiker.
TomR and Sue, the first journalist was Sid Maher, but the young fella who was so upset towards the end will probably out himself tomorrow with a very nasty response.
Grogs Gamut on The Drum…….poor Joe. 😦
Joe packs his bags for Saudi Arabia.
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2720362.html
Thank you for that Pip. I saw the 2UE microphone but didn’t know the face. And so it was a Fairfax journo…. but that’s probably irrelevant it’s the fact of the question and the fact of Bob Brown’s answer.
This is the issue that has been simmering away for quite a while now, the honesty of the media.
CU, thanks fot the link. What’s his game, I wonder?
Pip, thanks for the link to that press conference. It was the bit with the sid character I had heard. I scrolled to the end and heard the melt down from some (I’m guessing oo) reporter. Looking forward to having a closer listen later.
Meanwhile, looks like poking the bear has got it stirring
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/greens-leader-bob-brown-vows-to-take-on-the-media-to-shore-up-carbon-tax-push/story-e6frg996-1226058943187
‘As he refused to answer direct questions in Canberra today over his stance on key carbon policy points’
Not sure about that line. The only question I heard that might be construed s that was the timeframe one, a question he clearly stated he could not answer accurately as the commission was still debating it. And, when he opinied his preferred timeframe of 2000, they just weren’t happy with it.
Crikey now has this one up..and includes the footage from the ABC. Brown said more than this though.
http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/05/19/brown-brands-news-the-hate-media-in-presser-salvo/
I was just watching the community cabinet in Adelaide, was very interesting (I thought)
Then they cut away, so two journos could discuss it.
We have access to this technology where we can watch was a very interesting discussion, and they cut it halfway through, just so two talking heads can offer us their ‘opinion’ ffs
Worst thing is, I didn’t even realise it was on, otherwise, I’d have been there. 😦
A wingnut posted this on YouTube, thinking it demonstrates Bob having a “meltdown.” I reckon Bob actually had a win today. The Wakeup2thelies dude obviously doesn’t know a meltdown when he sees one – I’m thinking of Abbot silently shaking his head at Mark Riley…
What is Mr. Turnbull’s’ motive for his revelations last night. Is he fed up and looking at resigning?
Does he have support from other’s who have similar thoughts. Is he thinking of joining the Independents. I do not believe that Mr. Turnbull would waste time making the comments he made without a reason.
Maybe Mr. Turnbull’s motive is revenge. You set me up to fail, OK, but I am taking you with me.
Maybe Mr. Turnbull believes in Australia and does not want to see it destroyed under Abbott.
Mr. Turnbull’s body language and the look on his face during Mr. Abbott’s reply to the budget looked as if he had enough. He looked angry if the truth was to be known.
I find it hard to believe that Mr. Turnbull would be taking this pathway if he did not have some supporters.
I believe there must still be some in the Liberal party that have self pride and do not buy the tripe put out by Mr. Abbott.
The problem I have is identifying them, as all we hear from are a handful of Abbott’s gang.
If the story isn’t bad enough why do news.com allow the racist, disgusting comments to be published. Let’s incite the bogans.
Read the comments at your own peril.
There must not be a vacuum that allows the Mr. Abbott and the MSM to fill it with what amounts to lies and products of their imagination.
The PM needs to be aggressive and not take a step backwards. The MSM and Mr. Abbott need to be in the position that they are responding, not setting the agenda.
Mr. Brown made the media looks like idiots today. They are that arrogant that they did not realise what was happening. Answers they do not like, they consider as not being answered. This is something they have picked up from the Coalition during question time. Mr. Brown well and truly answered every question, some more that once.
I love the soft way he responded to the media questioning. Why does the media believe that they can ask and do what they like, without being challenged. They are not gods and not above reproached.
I hope that video of Mr. Brown’s press conference gets wide coverage, especially among the young.
The media at that press conference did not cover themselves with glory, and I believe that News Ltd is letting the ball go through to the keeper. Personally they are not in the position to do anything else.
“Opposition spokesman Scott Morrison says that shows Mr Bowen is bluffing.
“The Minister just can’t run around and make statements and make it up as he goes along,” he said.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/19/3221683.htm
I take it is is OK for the Opposition to run around making up statements as they go along.
Seems to be OK with the media.
TomR @ 6.07pm, the biggest melt-down was the guy near the end with anger for all to hear and his voice raised.
Bob Brown is way too smart to let these jumped up fools get the better of him.
CU @ 9.23pm, the arrogance of some of the journalists today was appalling, and it seemed as if the last fellow would have argued until morning; to no avail of course.
It seems as if they seriously believe they should be able to say what they like, call all the shots and never be called to account for their words.
Bob Brown has a much better idea, and it’s a crying shame that some of the Labor people won’t get down and dirty and put some of the worst of the journalists back on their behinds. They’ve got nothing to lose the way things are.
If all the politicians took the same tack the journalists would either have to report what they say, or make stuff up…too late, they’re already doing that.
Bob Brown said to the journalist, “J,accuse…”
Scroll down to the end of this and see what happened….
MARK COLVIN: Malcolm Turnbull says he stands by his assessment of the Coalition’s climate change policy as potentially expensive, and easier to scrap than an emissions trading scheme.
Carbon policy is outside Mr Turnbull’s shadow portfolio of communications and broadband, but that hasn’t stopped him talking about it.
The Government has used his comments to try to embarrass the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.
Mr Turnbull lost the Coalition leadership to Mr Abbott because of his support for an emissions trading scheme in 2009.
He says their relationship now is cordial, but he still harbours leadership ambitions.
From Canberra, Naomi Woodley reports.
NAOMI WOODLEY: Malcolm Turnbull’s historical support for an emissions trading scheme to address climate change is well known.
Since he was reinstated on the Opposition’s frontbench and bound by cabinet solidarity he’s given support to the Coalition’s “direct action” policy to directly subsidise abatement activities.
But on the ABC’s Lateline program last night, he said the policy did have the potential to be a drain on the budget, and it would be easier to wind up than an ETS.
MALCOLM TURNBULL: If you believe that there is not going to be any global action and that the rest of the world will just say it’s all too hard and we’ll just let the planet get hotter and hotter and heaven help our future generations; if you take that rather grim, fatalistic view of the future and you want to abandon all activity, a scheme like that is easier to stop.
NAOMI WOODLEY: Predictably the Government moved to highlight Malcolm Turnbull’s comments.
JULIA GILLARD: He said last night and I think these are very important words, when he was describing Tony Abbott’s plan; he said, this is a plan where industry was able to freely pollute, if you like, and the Government was just spending more and more taxpayers’ money to offset it.
That it would become a very expensive charge on the budget in the years ahead. Mr Turnbull telling us that Mr Abbott plans to blow the budget.
NAOMI WOODLEY: But the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott had a different interpretation.
TONY ABBOTT: I saw Malcolm on Lateline. I thought that he gave a very strong performance under a bit of goading and provocation. Malcolm and I talk regularly about these subjects and he fully supports the Coalition’s policy.
NAOMI WOODLEY: He says the comments from his communications spokesman have been misread. But the Prime Minister was also keen to pressure the Opposition Leader with the actions of the Conservative Government in the UK.
It’s promised to reduce its carbon emissions by half by 2025, from 1990 levels.
JULIA GILLARD: They have had a price on carbon for a number of years. We are looking for a cut in our carbon pollution of minus five by 2020; he’s saying minus 50 by 2025.
NAOMI WOODLEY: She says Tony Abbott is out of step with the rest of the world. But the Opposition leader looked to other areas of the Commonwealth for comparison.
TONY ABBOTT: You might have noticed that the main issue in the recent Canadian election was the carbon tax. The Conservative Government there campaigned against a carbon tax. It was the only major political party that took that position and it got a majority.
NAOMI WOODLEY: But throughout the day’s debate on the proposed carbon tax, the attention remained on Malcolm Turnbull.
During an appearance at the Queensland Media Club this afternoon, he stood by his statements to Lateline.
MALCOLM TURNBULL: I just encourage you to have a look at what I actually said. I described the Coalition’s policy factually and I think fairly and the feedback I’ve had from the colleagues that have been in touch with me has been quite positive.
NAOMI WOODLEY: He says while he was a strong supporter of an emissions trading scheme, he doesn’t see the Coalition supporting one in the foreseeable future.
But asked if he was still harbouring any leadership aspirations, this was his response:
MALCOLM TURNBULL: Every member of the House of Representatives has the field marshall’s baton of the leader’s baton in their knapsack, so nobody would ever discount that sort of ambition completely.
NAOMI WOODLEY: But he was also keen to quash any suggestion of a rift with his leader.
MALCOLM TURNBULL: I have absolutely no doubt, no doubt whatsoever that Tony Abbott will lead the Liberal/National party to the next election. I can’t say I have no doubt that he’ll win it but I think he’s more likely to win it than not; we’re certainly not complacent.
So I have every reason to believe that within a couple of years or so, Tony will be Prime Minister and he’ll do a very good job in that role.
NAOMI WOODLEY: He says he was surprised by this morning’s headlines.
The media, or at least some sections of it, has also been troubling the Greens leader Bob Brown. He says the maturity of the debate in Australia about climate change has been “debased” by the Murdoch press.
And he’s taken to asking his own questions of reporters.
BOB BROWN: You’re taking it badly. But keep smiling, that’s the important thing. This is a very healthy debate.
REPORTER: Not according to you it isn’t. You don’t think it’s healthy debate at all…
BOB BROWN: Well I think it’s fantastic.
REPORTER: You think it’s one sided.
BOB BROWN: Well Jacques Hughes (phonetic), you know, you’re getting very accusatory there because I’ve simply turned some questions onto you. Fragile I’d say; very fragile.
But there’ll be more of it, so get used to it.
MARK COLVIN: The Greens leader Bob Brown, ending Naomi Woodley’s report.
I have just finished reading comments on Greg Jericho piece on Joe Hockey. One of the comments was as follows:
“preciouspress :
19 May 2011 5:24:36pm
Having witnessed with embarrassment the Hockey performance at the National Press Club, I expected that this would be of some media interest but Greg Jericho is the first to cover this in any depth. David Uren in the The Australian only quoted Hockey’s numerous attacks on the government with no mention whatsoever of Joe’s choleric responses to several questions. Phil Coorey in the Herald did mention the Andrew Probyn contretemps but held back from any substantive criticism of Hockey. As for the ABC, nothing until Jericho’s worthy piece.
Surely the public are best served by media exposure of such incompetence of ministers or of those who aspire to a ministry. Why the seeming reluctance?”
All the top guns were at the press club, Michelle Grattan, Samantha Maiden, Peter Hartcher, Lenore Taylor, Malcolm Farr and Naomi Woodley to name a few.
So did any of this lot write up what actually happened? If they did, was their masterpiece trashed by the boss?
I need to know who is responsible for the media bias.
It certainly is heating up, this attack on the media. It’s not like they haven’t had it coming. They have had it politely pointed out to them on numerous occasions, only to attack those highlighting the issue. I reckon things are going to get pretty interesting in the coming months.
And thanks for all the links yesterday. As I said, I had only heard the tail end, and it sounded from that that this was going to grow.
Thanks for that transcript, Pip.
There was only one item about ferderal politics on the ABC news this morning and guess how it started? You guessed it: “The opposition says . . .”
The story was about the stoush between Federal Labor and WA State Liberals over their budgets.
And when handed the microphone what did the opposition spokesman say? Brace yourself for this – it’s monumental – the opposition said that: “Labor’s budget is built on a house of cards”.
Stunning.
And thanks for all the drinks yesterday. 😀
I think Mr. Tanners book has sparked an outrage and suspicion of the MSM that is widespread in the community.
I believe there is widespread distrust and dislike of how the media operates across the news spectrum.
There appears to be very few that like the way news is reported. This applies to coverage of sport and daily happenings as well as political coverage.
What is noticeable that different sites seem to be the same, stories often using identifiable words.
There is hardly a news story that does not portray the writer’s opinion. All news appears as opinion pieces, not just reporting of what happened or what was said.
The media appear to manipulate what occurs by omission. As Mr. Brown said yesterday, where was what the UK is doing I relation to climate change on the front page.
The MSM might not lie, but they come close to it. Reports taken out of context and not in full is the norm. Reports coloured by the personal beliefs and bias of the reporter is found every day.
An example is of the man who held up peak traffic on the Harbour Bridge. Most automatically took side with the man’s story without bothering to investigate the facts. (Man ‘s story could be correct or the wife and family might be victims.) We do not know because the media decided they know what the truth, because they do not like the system along with many fathers.
Reporters are there to report news, that is their role. Journalist do give opinions, but these opinions are not news and should not be reported as.
Reporters should desist in reporting what they think will happen as fact.
The media also has a duty to respect those they are interviewing, whether it is a person in the street, or the PM of this country. I consider that when the PM or other office holders are not treated with respect, it is an insult to those who voted. The media does not have the right to act as judge and jury. That is up-to the courts. People are innocence until proven guilty.
It is refreshing to see that the ABC is not going to follow it’s practice of not investigating or holding to account the State Coalition Government, as they refuse to do for the Federal Coalition, Opposition.
One other point you miss Cu is that reporters should not interview reporters, which is just another way of airing opinion and not fact.
ME, the MSM needs to be careful. We know that if people do not trust or believe what others are saying, they switch off.
I believe that the MSM are listening to what is said on sites like this.
A few weeks ago, I pointed out that many of Mr. Abbott’s appearances on the news, appear to be similar to video media releases of the Coalition.
Very quickly these types of news releases disappeared. A couple of times Mr. Abbott made a point of acknowledging the reporters present.
Reporter interviewing reporter has to be among the most stupid practice of modern MSM.
I might add, the MSM needs to refrain from treating news and current affairs as entertainment. It is not entertainment, it’s role should be to inform when it comes to news.
The role of a reporter is to inform us of what has happened, it is not the role of the reporter to inform us of what they think will happen.
On the subject of We are not alone… From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/may/19/al-gore-rupert-mudoch-news-corp
Chris Uhlmann must be feeling the heat after his disgraceful interview on 7.30 last Tuesday. when he interrupted and talked over Bob Brown.
Arrogance is not a quality he should aspire to but he ‘s wearing it like a badge of honour.
Harden up Greens, the game is changing [no comments allowed]
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/20/3222324.htm
I believe that cocky and totally rude reporter in question is Fairfax’s Michael Pachi.
Bob Brown should of taken him and his ilk further to task IMHO
I agree, Nuvolari. It could have been some good practice before hitting those hard nuts from the Murdochracy. It’s about time someone took to those bastards with a cricket bat.
Nuvolari, thank you for that. Although it seemed likely that it was a Murdoch-man, it was indeed a Fairfax reporter. They have tried to make Brown the boogie man in this, but there is no one who would disagree with Brown…it’s about time, over time in my opinion.
Harden up Greens, the game is changing
By Chris Uhlmann
…………….Now the game is changing for the Greens. To quote Barack Obama quoting Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility”. With the balance of power comes an added test: how will the Greens stand scrutiny?
How will they deal with meeting the marks they daily set for others?
Not well, if recent form is any guide.
Senator Brown has decided to engage in a war with News Limited, particularly The Australian. The battles are fought daily, in press conferences on an internal lawn in Parliament, with gorgeous flame-red autumn trees as a backdrop……………..
……….
Beyond that Senator Brown is venting an anger shared by most Labor ministers. The difference is they rarely talk about it publicly. So the fight takes some courage but, as ever, it is well picked: Senator Brown knows his constituents passionately hate News Limited. So there is political capital being garnered here.
But many of the questions asked by the Murdoch Press are perfectly reasonable and when any politician deliberately avoids reasonable questions they should be called on it. Particularly when the Greens so often use press conferences to demand that other politicians be called to account……….
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/20/3222324.htm
Maybe Mr. Uhlmann and his MSM mates need to harden up. At least we do not have to ponder as to where he stands.
Pip but contacts are allow elsewhere on the ABC. Such as the feedback site on every programme.
“Reporter interviewing reporter has to be among the most stupid practice of modern MSM.”
I made a formal complaint to the ABC about this as I was really sick and tied of one ABC reporter “interviewing” Chris Uhlmann for his “expert” opinion. The response I received was “so what, everyone does it”
Not good enough ABC.
“For Insiders host Barrie Cassidy, Bolt’s defection after 10 years was no surprise.
”Not only did he have strong, committed views on Insiders but he brought out the best in other panellists,” Cassidy says. ”I was surprised it’s taken so long given this is the direction [of] media around the world.”
Bolt’s aim for his debut hosting role, he says, was to ”get out of it alive”.
”And without utter humiliation,” he says. ”Based on GG’s letters, readers of the left are furious, which translates as a win. There’s a divide that civilised opinion is a thing on the left and there’s these ratbag, screamers, ranters, racists on the right. But there are people who, say, watch the ABC and hate what we see. We’re not stupid, racist or evil.”
Contracted for nine months, Bolt says Ten has been ”astonishingly welcoming”.
Asked if the perception mining magnate, Bolt fan and Ten board member Gina Rinehart was personally responsible for drafting him, he chortles.
”The person who offered me the job was not Gina,” he says. ”I know Gina, James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch like what I do. What keeps you afloat is whether the audience does. These conspiracy theories are irrelevant.”
Ten’s director of news in Melbourne, Dermot O’Brien, runs a similar line. ”I heard stories individuals on the board wanted him,” O’Brien says. ”But I’ve seen no evidence of that. I started the negotiations with Andrew for the show at the behest of [chief operating officer] Kerry Kingston.”
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/determined-to-get-it-right-20110518-1ertb.html#ixzz1MrhXEWst
The MSM, including the ABC, is not backward in coming forwarded in giving the message, if you mess with us, we will get you back.
http://www.sauer-thompson.com/archives/opinion/2011/05/the-decline-of-1.php
Eddie, it might interest you to hear that Annabel Crabb congratulated me for starting up Australian Blog Sites. She could only have found it by keeping an eye on the political blogosphere. They obviously watch us. And read us.
Miglo, I think it was Cu who mentioned that the ABC began mentioning the reporters name after she had questioned them about Abbott’s odd appearances on the ABC.
Migs, I remember that from a while back..that on occasions there were some uncanny resemblances to comments on the blogs compared with sudden appearances of things amazingly similar in the MSM.
I can’t help but think that the angst shown by Brown is part of Brown’s plan. I remember Brown saying not long before the last election that previously he couldn’t get the MSM even slightly interested in what he had to say much less attend one his media conferences.
Show a bit of angst, make some controversial statements and the media are going to be there in droves whenever Brown speaks. This is apart from the fact that times are going to be very interesting indeed after July.
Katherine Murphy (National Times) is the first I have read to acknowledge that Bob Brown was not just being recalcitrant in his swipe at the media.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/browns-shattering-words-make-glass-jaws-quiver-20110519-1euz2.html
I won’t hold my breath waiting for News Ltd to follow suit.
Ever wonder why News Ltd and it’s political arm the Liberal Party are so strong in opposing the NBN:
“News won’t rule out another rebel comp”
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/news-wont-rule-out-another-rebel-comp-20110520-1ewm9.html
“NEWS LTD is refusing to guarantee it will not start another Super League war because of uncertainty over the future of broadcast rights.”
and further down the page:
“According to a recent report on Australian sports rights compiled by Goldman Sachs analysts, the introduction of the National Broadband Network will create new opportunities. ”The Australian television viewing landscape is undergoing a transformation,” the report says.”
So surprise, surprise opposition to the NBN is to support News Ltd’s strangle hold on sports broadcasts, in particular rugby league.
Forget about the wealth of opportunities it will bring ordinary Australians.
luna_lava, I see that article is in the Sports section. I wonder if any of the political journos can put 2and 2 together to see the whole picture. I suppose though it would be a tough ask of them to analyse this and frame some astute questions to Tony Abbott.
But luna_lava forget wealth opportunities for ordinary Australians, they should not aspire to own Bentleys.
Eddie @ 9.30pm, 20th, thanks for the link to Public Opinion.
Eddie, Friends of the ABC Vic. have been making submissions to the government about the need to safeguard the ABC [from the old foreigner].
Submission
to
the Australian Government
on
The future direction of
Australia Network
(Australia’s publicly-funded
international television broadcasting service)
July 2010
Click to access fabc%20ausnetwork%20submission%202010.pdf
and later a letter to Foreign Minister, Mr. Kevin Rudd from Friends of the ABC
27th October 2010
The Hon Kevin Rudd, MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Mr Rudd
Re: Australia Network Tender | Future of Australia’s International Broadcasting Services
Friends of the ABC (FABC) extends its congratulations on your appointment as the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
FABC wishes to inform you of its strong view that Australia’s interests are best served by the country’s
publicly-funded international television service remaining a service of the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation (ABC). The relevance and overwhelming benefits to Australia of the national public broadcaster
providing the country’s international broadcasting services leads FABC to conclude it is wasteful of public
resources to require the ABC to enter into a competitive tender process to continue to provide Australia
Network.
The national broadcaster has the legislative authority and the responsibility to provide the nation’s
international broadcasting services. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 specifies it is a
function of the ABC to broadcast to countries outside Australia to encourage awareness of Australia and its
attitudes on world affairs, and to inform Australians outside Australia. (Section 6 (1) b)
and from their News + Views
Public Broadcasting needs public support to survive Murdoch
Click to access fabc_news_apr2011_19_web.pdf
Independent public broadcasting around the world is in danger from political parties antagonistic to its existence. And the privatisation, commercialisation or serious erosion of a service by one government is rarely reversed by another, regardless of its political persuasion. The commercialisation of SBS is a good example.
Eddie, there is also mention of legislation to amend the selection to the ABC Board. I hadn’t heard about this so need to find out what’s happened if anything.
Submission
to
the Inquiry into the National
Broadcasting Legislation
Amendment Bill 2010
of
the Environment and Communications
Legislation Committee
for
Friends of the ABC NSW, Qld, Tas, Vic & WA
October 2010
B. Introduction & Summary
Friends of the ABC strongly supports the National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill which
will formalise the merit-based board appointment process that the Labor Government has practised
since it was elected in 2007 and restore the staff-elected Director to the ABC Board.
The past practice of governments appointing their supporters to the governing board of the ABC
resulted in the appointment of people who lacked independence or merit and sometimes both. If
allowed to resume, this situation, which was in danger of spiralling out of control, would ultimately
damage the public’s trust in the national broadcaster’s independence and in the integrity of
government.
No system can guarantee the independence of appointments to the ABC Board. However, FABC
believes the Bill offers a substantial improvement to existing legislation that deals with appointments
to the ABC Board. It balances well the right of the minister to appoint (in keeping with the
Westminster tradition of accountability), while encouraging the minister to appoint according to merit.
Importantly, the Bill restores the Staff-elected Director to the ABC Board. The Staff Director position
ensures there is at least one Board member with a sound understanding of the role and ethos of public
broadcasting and an intimate understanding of the ABC’s current operations. It is a sole counter should
any government again stack the independent broadcaster’s board.
Eddie, still no news about Maurice Newman, or the contract for Australia Network, and I haven’t yet looked for any replies from the government to the letters above.
Let us know if u hear anything more Pip.
luna_lava
Here is a good article for you by Michelle Grattan
Pushed to the limit, Bob goes in guns blazing
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/pushed-to-the-limit-bob-goes-in-guns-blazing-20110521-1exil.html#ixzz1N1cE7I2g
I noted that MG also spoke of the “glass jaw” of the political journos.
She finishes the article with these lines, which we the ones in the blogosphere have been shouting for.
“But they(Media) should feel themselves answerable to the community, and part of that duty is to be fair as well as frank. It’s a point that politicians have the right to push.”
Good article in the Age which led me to think of an episode of The West Wing
CJ the media spokesperson decided to allocate seating in the press room based on media organisations. Wouldn’t that be good in Australia if our PM decided to do the same. That would be say 2 questions per day and let the media decide who is their star reporter.
Here is the article
Mogul in the corner
Rupert Murdoch has let it be known within his organisation that Australia needs change in Canberra and his editors were simply doing his bidding.
Certainly there’s a growing paranoia within Labor circles and elsewhere that the Murdoch press is against them and there’s little or nothing that can be done to change that. Given News controls about 70 per cent of Australian newspapers, which, in turn, feed talkback radio and evening news bulletins, that’s a fight most politicians want to avoid.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/mogul-in-the-corner-20110521-1exun.html#ixzz1N1hcSUyz
Sue, that is indeed an excellent article by Grattan. The statement that I like is:
Sue, still from your link to Michaelle Grattan. I think that the statement which you have quoted says it, and says it precisely – that the media has a duty “to be fair as well as frank”.
‘Brown and other conspiracy theorists’…
Rupert has always been a ‘kingmaker’, but he doesn’t have to go out of his way on this occasion to inform his editors what to think.
Those who read Rupert’s rags do so because they already agree with the thrust.
At the time of Whitlam’s demise the left blamed Murdoch for the bloodless coup, but all that happened then and now is that they presented a different point of view which the people accepted.
With Aunty and Fairfax in Labor’s pocket the left should be able to at least hold their ground, but the government’s policies are so bad that the electorate don’t need Murdoch to reinforce their own beliefs.
And they will vote accordingly.
“With Aunty and Fairfax in Labor’s pocket “
Honestly el gordo just what universe do you live in or are your really just a lame troll? I suspect the latter.
Sorry to burst your misinformed and distorted right wing view of the world, the ABC is not in Labor’s pocket but firmly in the Liberals through a board and management that are openly right wing, a couple who are extremists. It has been found to be slightly but still significantly favouring the Coalition and the right in it’s reporting, and has been doing this for some time now.
Even a Howard stacked enquiry into ABC bias found it to be slightly favouring Howard.
PS. At least you now have dropped all pretence of being left wing, which is good as I suspect most here knew your statement of being left was bullshit and you are firmly in the conservative camp.
It seems that the knives are out for Turnbull..literally! For the blokes, the pic is a wee bit ouchy 😯
http://www.menzieshouse.com.au/2011/05/compassion-for-turnbull-he-just-wants-his-balls-back.html
As a concession I agree the ABC attempts to be neutral, except on the climate change debate.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/mogul-in-the-corner-20110521-1exun.html
The Oz has written an article where they are trying to put the knife into Tony Windsor. Only problem for the Oz it actually highlights, why their should be more independents especially from the country electorates.
Loyal lieutenant Tony Windsor royally rewarded
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/loyal-lieutenant-tony-windsor-royally-rewarded/story-fn59niix-1226059968485
Eddie, from your link..
I think that the very important point is that other-than-Murdoch press are now starting to come out and call it as we on the blogs have been noting for quite some time now.
We on the blogs have been trying to call attention to the bias – just have a look back at the topics via the Café, Gutter Trash and The Political Sword and others – for a long time. Can it be happening? That the subject of media bias is finally entering mainstream.
Media bias has always existed in the Fourth Estate, Rupert doesn’t back losers.
El gordo, the entire point is that by methods such as selectively quoting, by failing to accurately report successful government programs, by reducing everything to trivia such as the color of the PM’s hair and especially by failing to ask the Abbott opposition any hard questions whatsoever – that it becomes a media lead autocracy and very far removed from the fairness and equity which should epitomise a democracy.
The question I have for Abbott: You once said the whole climate change thingy was ‘crap’, what made you change your mind?
Uhlmann is the only one capable of doing it.
El gordo..don’t you worry, Abbott spoke the truth the first time – he still thinks that climate change is crap. Abbott is far more likely to have been influenced by his ‘mentor’ Archbishop Pell than Uhlmann.
Meaning that Abbott is doing what is politically expedient.
Whenever there is a mention of “lunch with Murdoch” Abbott, or in the PM’s case,”breakfast with Murdoch”, it’s clear that orders are given or hinted at. The old foreigner just loves his power.
el gordo, Uhlmann is incapable, full stop.
el gordo, by your comments, you have no problem with a powerful media magnate choosing country leaders worldwide. You see no problems with this.
Mr. Murdock does not have to say anything to get his own way. As media ownership has contracted, job opportunities lessen.
All Mr. Murdock has to do is ensure that those who are willing to bend to his views are hired.
You see nothing wrong with reporters putting forward propositions and opinions while interviewing, which should not be challenged by those being interviewed.
You do not really believe that reporters have the right to say what they like during an interview without being accountable or challenged. I know during some interviews, I get a little hot under the collar when this does not occur.
Many reporters appear more interested in getting their opinion across than eliciting information and facts from those being interviewed.
That sounds like a one sided world to me.
What is different from Mr. Brown disagreeing with a reporter, saying he is mistaken to Mr. Abbott saying any other questions, on other matters?
Why should reporters claim that questions have not been answered, when the reality is that they have not got the answer they wanted?
If a person says they cannot answer because the final decision has not been made, is not that an answer.
I also find it disturbing that everytime our PM’s , of every colour, visits the USA, Mr. Murdock is high on their list to dine with.
Why is it neccessary to visit the media tycoon?
Min, Cardinal Pelle has a problem, he cannot get the church to agree with him, in Australia or Rome.
Cu, every time the report says “lunch with Murdoch”, it just highlights who’s running the country.
Min, he also cannot get the Catholic scientists to agree with him, but he still continues to bury his head in the sand.
I would like to add re the media, it might not think it can or should be held accountable but a growing number of the public do not agree with them.
The media response message for the events of the last few days is clearly disagree with us at your peril. We have the power to destroy you.
Sadly they do this by destroying the reputations of those who attempt to defend themselves. What they write borders closely on defamation or libel. Much of what is written is cruel and unnecessary. Most is manipulated and twisted and often repeats of what has been proven to be false or incorrect.
One of the greatest offences in my mind is an opinionated headline, that the reader would be lucky to find any representation in the body of the story.
CU, Pell is also at odds with his Pope. Benedict offered prayers for the success of Copenhagen.
Things are starting to change – have a look at the way that the Fairfax media (and with a substantial amount of glee) grabbed Bob Brown’s comments about the Murdoch media..and have run with it.
This is a very big turn around as previously reporting of and commenting about media bias has been the domain of the so-called Lefties and reported solely NOT IN the MSM, being the blogs and alternative media such as Crikey. It is now being reported in the MSM.
This is not to say that Fairfax hasn’t seen something in it for them. I would suspect that Fairfax has been noting that they cannot play the same game as the Murdoch papers without losing readership to alternative media and so will move back to centre-left…an arena they deserted sometime around the last election.
Pell is correct and the Pope is wrong about climate change, as for the Catholic scientists, what a bunch of jokers.
Murdoch has always had too much power, that is reality and there is little we can do about it. Our PMs should not visit this American citizen, it’s humiliating.
Sorry el gordo the Pope cannot be wrong..he’s infallible 😀
Yeah, the pope is god’s representative on earth. This climate change debate is going to pull down some powerful figures.
Spin Alert
Coalition govt NSW breaks election promise, so now decides to deflect from the heat of the issue by creating another……..pink batts scandal.
This story aided and abetted by our ABC running yet another story that has no journalists name attached.
Where did this story originate? NSW government offices?
Safety fears spark solar panel tests
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/22/3223477.htm
Sue re NSW government offices, probably a fair-enough guess. If it doesn’t have a name then it’s likely to be a Press Release.
What a convoluted stupid ridiculous load of twaddle. It’s the fault of shoddy installers – shoddy installers are the fault of the Federal government – not our fault – not my fault..all the other one’s fault.
It appears that Fairfax are a little smarter than our ABC on this issue as they smell a rat:
“Mr Griffin declined to directly answer questions from journalists about any potential political motivations behind the statewide audit.
He also denied NSW Fair Trading sat on its findings from the Port Macquarie checks.”
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/statewide-solar-panel-checks-after-flaws-discovered-20110522-1eyi3.html#ixzz1N3twNUyW
O’Farrell breaks core election promise and Labor’s is to blame!
Well done Michael Pascoe on your article about the WA government decision to increase royalty on iron ore:
“We’re left to wonder if The Oz blathers wilfully or in ignorance, but Barnett knew WA wouldn’t get the money – his Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore told me so last June.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/was-royalties-stunt-results-in-costly-pyrrhic-victory-20110521-1exth.html#ixzz1N3yiglBy
Its good to see at least one journalist explaining the spin. The WA state government would rather score political points than extra funding for infrastructure.
WA Liberal government. Yet again the Liberals prove they can only rule by deceits, stunts, spin and lies, screw the people and the country, their power and spin offs to their wealthy mates is what matters.
“This climate change debate is going to pull down some powerful figures.”
Yep when the deniers will finally have to face up to the truth some of those at the top pushing the confusion and denialism will have to face a whole lot of angry people they duped, like those who go on blogs repeating the discredited denials and ape the scripted talking points with nary a lucid thought.
I’ll take my chances, Mobius, the world will not warm because of an increase in CO2.
Regional cooling has already begun and there will be no angry people, everyone will be rolling around LOL.
The Failed Estate.
http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com/
The Political Sword.
http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/
luna_lava and Eddie, thanks for the links.
Ash’s Machiavellian Bloggery had some VERY interesting guff on how ltd. news conducted it’s “advertising” offers to a political party in 2001, in this case, the Labor Party.
http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/the-australian-baits-australians/
News Limited has nearly three-quarters of daily metropolitan newspaper circulation and so maintains great influence in Australia. Internal News Limited documents reveal a brazen offer during the 2001 Federal election campaign to promote the policies of a major party in its best-selling newspapers nation-wide for almost $500,000[3]. Other documents include a marginal seats guide written by a senior business manager for internal use. It evidences a corporate strategy to target marginal seats at the 2004 election[4]. Some of the documents appeared on Media Watch[5] but received very little coverage[6].
This story was also covered by Media Watch:-
http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s1193440.htm
News Ltd unlimited cheek :: 06/09/2004
News Ltd was hoping to snare Labor strategists last election with this seductive offer.
Re Knowledge Nation – Getting the Message Through.
The ALP can leverage the reach of News Limited metropolitan newspaper network to explain Knowledge Nation and sell the concept to the electorate. Our newspapers can deliver this message effectively, with high credibility and precise timing.
-News Limited letter to Melissa Horne, 22 October 2001
-Read letter
We know about this offer because it’s one of dozens of News Ltd documents which appeared recently on a website called limitednews.info. And News admits that it’s genuine.
I wonder what the going rate for advertising is these days; or are the Coalition getting a free ride.
Scripted lies.
In Phil Coorey’s piece today he highlights the Coalition’s scripted lies
.
When a journalist, Andrew Probyn, asked Joe Hockey about the Coalition’s rubbery budget savings at the shadow treasurer’s post-budget Press Club speech last week, it was a fair question. Hockey, after all, had boasted the Coalition would return the budget to surplus a year earlier than Labor. But Hockey wrongfully accused Probyn of asking a question written by the government.
and this one
When asked about Malcolm Turnbull’s comments on the Coalition’s climate change policy, Abbott indirectly blamed the interviewer, the ABC’s Tony Jones, by saying Turnbull had been put under some duress.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/little-to-salvage-from-a-week-of-stinkers-20110522-1eyqj.html#ixzz1N7wMladQ
So rather than answer legitimate questions they follow the media managing script, lie and blame Labor.
But it is good to see the MSM picking up on this at last. So here is to some more probing questions, we the public require an unbiased media.
Sue, there appears to be a little bit of light being cast on the Coalition at last. Long may it continue.
.Did you see my link @ 2.30am about News Ltd. offering to look favourably/”advertise” Labor’s virtues in 2001.
Media Watch also had a look at this one.
I’m currently listening to The Age”s Tony Wright talking about how Julia Gillard’s website is mirroring Obama’s website and also his campaign speech.
Better have a look.
I first saw this on Twitter. Bitchy journalists tweeting about the PM wearing “another white jacket” have taken their obsession to new lows after countless mentions of the whte jacket over a period of months.
Daughter informs me that white jackets are “in’ now and of course this is the most important subject for the “journalists”.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/julia-gillards-white-jacket-the-hardest/story-fn8hjtzy-1226060198023
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/galleries/gallery-e6frecgc-1226060155445?page=6
It’s a white out
What do these morons want the PM to wear, jeans and a blue singlet?
I noted that Insiders on Sunday stated that Gillard was following Abbott’s lead in running around the country with hard hats and photo ops.
The gist I got it was apparently OK for Abbott to do this as he was leading the way but not for Gillard as she was just copying him.
Of course it’s all utter nonsense as yet again they attempt to sully Gillard with things that political leaders have always been doing.
Just another case of Abbott=good Gillard=bad.
And notice this guff always comes out when Abbott and his party are in trouble or have stuffed up big time. The media run interference for him all the time and I’m certain if he had to stand on his own and fight politics on his merit, the polls would be woeful for him and we would have seen Turnbull as leader a long time ago.
Shit Pip, Abbott has worn yet another black suit. What is it with him and black suits?
Mobius, far better than the bloody budgie smugglers I suppose.
I posted this earlier and it really is worth a read.http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s1193440.htm
News Ltd unlimited cheek :: 06/09/2004
News Ltd was hoping to snare Labor strategists last election with this seductive offer.
Re Knowledge Nation – Getting the Message Through.
The ALP can leverage the reach of News Limited metropolitan newspaper network to explain Knowledge Nation and sell the concept to the electorate. Our newspapers can deliver this message effectively, with high credibility and precise timing.
-News Limited letter to Melissa Horne, 22 October 2001
-Read letter
We know about this offer because it’s one of dozens of News Ltd documents which appeared recently on a website called limitednews.info. And News admits that it’s genuine.
So what was the Murdoch empire offering Labor in the last election campaign?
Proposal
We propose an 8 PAGE MONO FEATURE/SUPPLEMENT within the leading Sunday newspapers in each state.
-News Limited letter to Melissa Horne, 22 October 2001
Mobius, I found this stuff via Ashghebranious who did the searching.
http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/the-australian-baits-australians/
Quite a way into the blog, you’ll find a copy of the letter from News ltd. to Labor offering their services…. which Media Watch confirmed as genuine.
Which question should we be asking?
What will it cost us or what is the price our descendants will pay.
Keep in mind, we have a choice, they do not.
What I finding amazing over the last week there is a suggestion, that it is not prudent for politicians to challenge the media.
Does anyone believe that Mr. Brown, the Greens, and Labor for that matter will be treated any better for shutting up and take what the media dishes out.
Can some one tell what puts the media above everything else in society? Where did they get the right to be a law unto themselves?
Where is the outcry that any organization can threaten our democracy by threatening to get even with those who dare to disagree with them?
If the media take unto themselves the right to support one side in politics, and put in place a government that suits them, they must be held accountable. In other words, if they insist on playing politics, not just reporting politics, they must be open to questioning and scrutiny, as all other parties in politics are.
The media and Mr. Abbott have been very successful in burying the budget, I wonder why this is so.
The only reason I can think of, is the budget is right for our times, that the media and Mr. Abbott could not allow the public to see in a positive way.
Are we as stupid as the media and Mr? Abbott believes us to be?
Cu, I think the only permission that rates with the journalists is from the boss…..the old foreigner does the bidding perhaps by a comment, which they take on board, or perhaps direct orders. Either way, he gets exactly what he wants. I heard a discussion recently on radio, about a meeting of editors with the old foreigner in California which described the way his wishes are conveyed.
It’s clear enough that they follow orders.
We get the dregs.
My links @ 11.52am and 12noon tell of an offer to Labor, in 2001, of “advertising” by News Ltd. ……at a price! It’s an enlightening must read.
I don’t know whether anyone has linked The Failed Estate yet.
Journalist$ principals
http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com/2011/05/journalistic-principle.html
When Greens leader Bob Brown recently broke up the ritual of a Canberra doorstop to bravely take a direct swipe at elements in a thin-skinned media that demand intense scrutiny of everyone but themselves one could guess what was coming next.
Mission accomplished??
Bar the ambiguity, war in Afghanistan is over
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/bar-the-ambiguity-war-is-over-in-afghanistan-20110522-1eys0.html?comments=12#comments
Forget all the back-pedalling, caveat-making and second-guessing from the military establishment and supporters of the war since Obama made this declaration in December 2009; the fact is the US is headed for the exit. Allies are also making ready to leave – Australia included.
Australia’s political leaders are fudging this fact, not because they have set out to deceive the public about this now unpopular war, but because we are followers rather than leaders in this mission.
Australia’s formal position is ambiguous for reasons of alliance management. The mission – creeping as it has over the past decade, from the hunt for al-Qaeda terrorists into propping up the regime of Afghanistan’s President, Hamid Karzai – will never deliver a clear ”victory”. But, not wanting to be seen to abandon its American ally, Australia hangs on with a time frame for withdrawal based on the understanding the US is on the path out
Does watching fox news (reading ltdnews??) make you ignorant, or does ignorance seek out it’s own
http://www.desmogblog.com/fox-news-effect-few-references
Considering I often seek out ltdnews stories for my own nefarious purposes (ie, to see what bullshit they are printing today) I’m going for the latter.
Although, I am sure that extended exposure will amplify the effect. 🙂
“The Federal Government has recovered $735,000 in fraudulent payments made to installers in the failed home insulation scheme……….
……….Climate Change Department deputy secretary Martin Bowles told a Senate Estimates hearing that money has been clawed back from around 350 installers…………
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/23/3224845.htm”
I expect to see headlines, saying it was crooks that cost the taxpayers money, not the Rudd government.
It was crooks who believe along with many in the community that it is OK to rip off the government.
There are many that see the government as fair game, and see no wrong in stealing from the taxpayer.
Catching Up at 9.08
It would be nice to see headlines about people ripping off the Government but you won’t. I’ve long thought that there’s an aspect of redemption in all this- problems in the insulation program could be categorized as “this is how Australians behave when you give them money & trust them.” This is of course incompatible with our national image of ourselves, so it’s best to single out a scapegoat- in this case the ALP- & go back to telling ourselves we’re a nation of soldier heroes & sporting legends.
I have to agree BSA Bob, we are still of the opinion that it’s ok if it fell off the back of a truck – still ok with people rorting local traders by selling via EBay and Cash Converters – still ok to pay cash in hand. And yet be are one of the biggest nations of dobbers where rorting of Centrelink payments is concerned.
Why the rorters of the insulation system were successful is because of greed..get something cheaper and stuff the consequences for reputable businesses.
Rorting and ‘getting it cheaper’ via rorting isn’t exactly ethical behaviour.
Joe gets his numbers wrong again, or, rubbery figures.
http://www.alp.org.au/blogs/alp-blog/may-2011/hockey-gets-him-numbers-wrong—again—and-again/
Hockey gets him numbers wrong…again…and again
Gary Gray posted Monday, 23 May 2011
After two weeks of being set right, Joe Hockey still does not understand what the Australian Public Service is and has sloppily got his numbers wrong….again.
Today in Parliament Mr Hockey said that the Australian Public Service has increased by more than 20,000 people since the Labor Government came to office in 2007[1].
He can make all the claims he wants, but the cold hard facts are the same as they were two weeks ago – the Australian Public Service numbers 8,355 more than 2007.
At 30 December 2010 the Australian Public Service numbered 163,778. There was 155,423 Australian Public Servants at 30 June 2007.
The only way we can work out how he has arrived at this number is to assume he is counting the general government sector, which includes Army and Reservist personnel, ASIO and the Australian Federal Police. To count these people as public servants is quite simply wrong and Mr Hockey knows that.
In Parliament today Mr Hockey also said wants to cut the jobs of 12,000 Australian Public Servants.[2]
This shows that Joe Hockey still has his training wheels on and is looking wobbly.
MPs threaten to cross floor on plain packaging. 😀
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/24/3225372.htm
The Federal Government has used reports that some Liberal MPs will cross the floor over cigarette packaging legislation to accuse Tony Abbott of “following the orders of big tobacco”.
The Opposition Leader has reacted sceptically to the Government’s plans to introduce plain packaging, saying he thinks the move may be counter-productive.
Fairfax newspapers have reported Liberal MP Alex Somlyay, a cancer survivor, has been joined by West Australian MPs Dr Mal Washer and Ken Wyatt in threatening to cross the floor should the Opposition vote against the move.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/plain-cig-packs-novel-but-effective-roxon-20110524-1f1ua.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/24/3225348.htm?section=justin
NSW Parliament to decide bipolar magistrate’s future
Posted 2 hours 12 minutes ago
Map: Sydney 2000 The New South Wales Parliament will decide whether a Sydney magistrate should be dismissed because of mental illness.
The Judicial Commission of NSW has recommended that Brian Maloney should be dismissed from the bench after his diagnosis with bipolar disorder last year.
The state’s Supreme Court has today dismissed an application from Mr Maloney to block the report from being handed to Attorney-General Greg Smith.
The commission’s report will now go to Parliament tomorrow.
Mr Maloney has a reputation within the legal community for having a colourful turn of phrase.
He has been sitting on the bench for 15 years and has been receiving treatment for his condition.
Magistrate Maloney had the last word.
“I’m disappointed with this decision,” Mr Maloney said.
“Despite a great deal of political and community focus on mental health, this outcome indicates that it may be some time before those with present or past mental illness are treated equally before the law.”
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/quips-and-quirks-as-bipolar-magistrate-rapped-for-his-misbehaviour-20110518-1et4z.html
http://bipolar.about.com/b/2011/05/23/bipolar-disorder-in-the-news-52311.htm
Next there’s a judge in Australia whose “admittedly inappropriate behavior” in court was due to undiagnosed bipolar disorder. After diagnosis, Brian Vincent Maloney went on medication and has since performed his duties without incident, yet the New South Wales Judicial Commission wants Maloney permanently removed from the bench. The reason? He might go off his meds. Excuse me? Who knows how many judges and magistrates have medication-controlled bipolar disorder. Why is this one man more likely than any of the ones they don’t know about to go off his meds? Gee, they’d better investigate the medical records of every judge and sack all those that turn out to have BP. This story is an outrage.
One could also ask, how many of the judges and magistrates might have the odd tipple at lunch time or the occasional snort of cocaine or other mind altering substance . Just asking.
The list of possibilities is endless.
NSW Parliament to decide bipolar magistrate’s future
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/24/3225348.htm?section=justin
The New South Wales Parliament will decide whether a Sydney magistrate should be dismissed because of mental illness.
The Judicial Commission of NSW has recommended that Brian Maloney should be dismissed from the bench after his diagnosis with bipolar disorder last year.
The state’s Supreme Court has today dismissed an application from Mr Maloney to block the report from being handed to Attorney-General Greg Smith.
The commission’s report will now go to Parliament tomorrow.
Mr Maloney has a reputation within the legal community for having a colourful turn of phrase.
http://bipolar.about.com/b/2011/05/23/bipolar-disorder-in-the-news-52311.htm
Next there’s a judge in Australia whose “admittedly inappropriate behavior” in court was due to undiagnosed bipolar disorder. After diagnosis, Brian Vincent Maloney went on medication and has since performed his duties without incident, yet the New South Wales Judicial Commission wants Maloney permanently removed from the bench. The reason? He might go off his meds. Excuse me? Who knows how many judges and magistrates have medication-controlled bipolar disorder. Why is this one man more likely than any of the ones they don’t know about to go off his meds? Gee, they’d better investigate the medical records of every judge and sack all those that turn out to have BP. This story is an outrage.
😳 😳
Sorry folks. The post appeared to have gone missing so posted it twice. Oh well.
Pip, for some reason you were languishing in spam 😦
I’ve been guilty of many things, but never spamming. 🙂
I should have mentioned the irony of the Magistrate’s situation in a year when the federal government is actively proposing the opposite policy.
““this is how Australians behave when you give them money & trust them.” This is of course incompatible with our national image of ourselves, so it’s best to single out a scapegoat- in this case the ALP- & go back to telling ourselves we’re a nation of soldier heroes & sporting legends.”
The problem has re-occurred in greater numbers in Queensland after the floods.
Centerlink is chasing a large number of people who have claimed money they know they were not entitled to.
The saving grace in this incidence is that many people find this behavior disgusting and have done what is not considered the Australian way and dobbed them in.
Mr. Hockey thought he had the treasurer. Problem is that the treasurer answered the question, admittedly not to the Opposition’s likening.
The answers given overall by the treasurer would have alerted a more awake Opposition, that it is prudent sometimes to stop following script when it is not going to plan.
Neither side covered themselves in glory.
Mt. Abbott got his extra time to speak, without realizing it cut into the motion time, allowing the motion to lapse.
Former ALP chief Karl Bitar’s new job prompts call for lobbying reforms
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/industry-sectors/former-alp-chief-karl-bitars-new-job-prompts-call-for-lobbying-reforms/story-e6frg98o-1226062120049
INDEPENDENT senator Nick Xenophon has hit out at former ALP national secretary Karl Bitar over his new job as government affairs manager for the operator of Melbourne’s Crown Casino.
The South Australian senator and anti-pokies campaigner seized on the appointment to call for new lobbying bans to stop politicians and staffers from using their contacts to gain high-profile appointments for at least two years after the conclusion of their political careers.
Senator Xenophon suggests that Labor politicians be transparent in all their dealings with Mr. Bitar and he’s right.
Remember the Ansett collapse? and the Howard government $10.00 surcharge…whatever happenend to that money?
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/business/items/201105/s3224870.htm
Questions linger over Ansett collapse
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcast: 23/05/2011
Reporter: Tracey Kirkland
As Ansett employees receive their final payments there are still questions over profiteering and responsibility for the death of the airline.
Transcript
TICKY FULLERTON, PRESENTER: 30 suicides, 17,000 jobs lost, $750 million in entitlements in the balance.
There’s no doubt the collapse of Ansett Australia 10 years ago was a massive blow to the airline industry.
Now at last Ansett employees are set to receive all final payments, but questions of profiteering and responsibility remain.
New Matilda.
http://newmatilda.com/2011/05/25/more-bosses-more-press-freedom
Here is an interesting article where the journalist( Bella Counihan) points out that Abbott takes the easy option for media interviews.
Abbott not so hairy-chested, as the PM toughs it out
Despite conspicuous displays of manliness, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is decidedly cautious in his choice of media outlets. And it appears that the strategy of going to the media that will let him off lightly is paying off. So much for manhood Tony……..
He has tended to focus his media appearances on regional radio, and with interviewers who, one could say, are more likely to go easy on him.
Since election day, he has been on John Laws’s program six times, Melbourne Talkback Radio eight times and has had seven interviews with Jones with barely a difficult question asked in any.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/abbott-not-so-hairychested-as-the-pm-toughs-it-out-20110524-1f25c.html#ixzz1NMRHJZeG
As Abbott appears to be a bit precious it is up to our political journalists to challenge Abbott at his media appearances. I wonder who will be the first journalist to laugh at his outrageous claims that towns like Whyalla will disappear when a Carbon Tax is introduced. Wouldn’t that be something worth watching. Or highlighting in front of workers at the Ford plant (where Abbott was spruiking that jobs would be lost if a carbon tax is implemented) that Abbott’s policy was to cut assistance to the automobile industry.
Eddie and Sue, thanks for the links.
For fans of Archie Roach, he’s on Radio National, Late Night Live, tomorrow night, talking to Philip Adams 🙂
Alan Jones (Einstien)
http://www.news.com.au/technology/shock-jock-impressed-by-laser-speed-breakthrough/story-e6frfro0-1226062824273
That was hilarious about Anal Jones. What a dumb prick he is.
After all the Joe Hockey’s amateurish bluster in Question Time about whether Wayne Swan knew about Premier Barnett’s stunt, raising the mining royalties fines, Treasurer Swan, happily waving some papers at the Opposition, stated that Mr. Barnett told the Commonwealth Grants Commission LAST NOVEMBER that he wouldn’t raise them.
Slippery little pisher.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/9515951/swan-slings-mining-mud-back-at-oppn-wa/
Too many roosters??
Liberals accuse Malcolm Turnbull of disrespect for party
http://www.smh.com.au/national/libs-accuse-turnbull-of-disrespect-for-party-20110525-1f4hx.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
TENSIONS inside the federal Coalition were on the boil last night when Malcolm Turnbull and four of his colleagues were accused by their own side of totally unacceptable behaviour and of showing ”great disrespect” to the Coalition for missing a vote in Parliament.
The charges were levelled in an email sent to every Coalition MP by the opposition Whip, Warren Entsch, and his four deputies.
But such is the level of suspicion in the Coalition that some MPs blamed the leader, Tony Abbott, and his office, for what many construed as a provocative overreaction.
Gee ya think. Abbott…..provocative over-reaction…..nah 👿
Mr. Abbott said today after QT, that the average mortgage has gone over $500 per month since 2009. What size mortgage would he be talking about? He forgot, that this rise has been from a very low interest rate level.
A wonderful passionate speech on what the carbon pricing mechanism is going to cost the average family. Is that a family on $150,000?
It is a shame to waste such passion on what he must see in his crystal ball. It has to be in his mind, as there have been no figures releases yet for him to form his scenario. He, along the way, took time to condemn cigarette taxes.
Mr. Abbott alleged that this carbon tax was based on a lie.
As I said it was a wonderful speech. It is a shame that it contain little reality. Once again, it was based on what he perceives will happen, in his imagination.
It was on the cost of living pressures in this country, which I hope is addressed by more than slinging together a few stale slogans.
It was a further shame for Mr. Abbott, that minister Shorten, did not give such a dramatic or passionate but he did address the matter of public importance, that of the cost of living.
Now we have Mr. Truss, the leader of the Nationals with just as dramatic response. He wrenched at my heartstrings with his concerns, whom for I am not quite sure.
By the way, what the Opposition was talking about is the proposed carbon tax.
Am I sensing a little a little desperation in the Opposition as we approach July. By the way, Mr. Truss said that this is not some of scare tactics; we did not make it up.
How to make something look like it is not…..
The Australian is really honesty trying to help overthrow a government. Innuendoes and out right misleading statements scatter its pages. One such piece reported the goings on in Question Time on Tuesday 24th of May.
At least it reported to have reported it.
As usual the headline is all they care for. Get in big letters on on the page.
Wayne Swan credibility left looking shaky
….The PM went through the time line that Hockey referred to in his series of questions as he jumped around from 2011 to 2010. From Aprils to Mays. From last weeks to last years. The PM laid it all out in one easy to follow timeline and Hockey’s attack died a horrible death. And that is where it should have ended. In fact Dennis in his piece describes it thus:
Julia Gillard, when she got the only Coalition question not directed to Swan, proved her parliamentary superiority and delivered an effective and logical answer to Abbott’s attack.
As I said. The matter should have ended there. But they had spent the bulk of question time on the issue and had nothing else. They persisted…….
………….. There was much guffawing. The coalition slapped each other on the back and Abbott wallowed in the laughter. But he wallowed a little too long.
As Abbott rose to recite the now common liturgy for a censure, the speaker had already given the call to another minister who had already started their question. Abbott looked like a dill. You see you can’t call for standing orders to be stopped when you have an MP standing and asking a question. He demanded the call but Harry smiled, winked, apologised for stealing his theatrical spotlight as he was a poor director of such events and Abbott had to sit and wait his turn……..
http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/how-to-make-something-look-like-it-is-not/
“Libs accuse Turnbull of disrespect for party
TENSIONS inside the federal Coalition were on the boil last night when Malcolm Turnbull and four of his colleagues were accused by their own side of totally unacceptable behaviour and of showing ”great disrespect” to the Coalition for missing a vote in Parliament…..”
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/libs-accuse-turnbull-of-disrespect-for-party-20110525-1f4hx.html#ixzz1NNo0YlVS
http://www.smh.com.au/national/libs-accuse-turnbull-of-disrespect-for-party-20110525-1f4hx.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Now as a follow on to the hyperbole Abbott is allowed to get away with
“Abbott warns manufacturers of carbon tax ‘death
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has told a gathering of Australia’s manufacturers they must fight the carbon tax or their industry will die.”
Now I know Abbott was at a dinner but also at the dinner was Mark Dreyfus, who said
“The carbon price will create opportunities for our manufacturers to improve their resource efficiency, to develop low-carbon products and technologies and to maintain competitiveness in a changing global environment.
But yes “You will Die” is I suppose unbiased reporting for our ABC, when the alternative “You will prosper ” is so government propoganda.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/26/3227199.htm?section=justin
Sue, what Abbott really meant was Ye shalt be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone as an eternal punishment oh ye supporters of a carbon tax.
Here is a good story on Howard spending
Queen’s state carriage turns into a pumpkin
A Senate inquiry was told that former prime minister John Howard decided to give up to $350,000 to Mr Frecklington to support “Australia craftsmanship” and help with the cost but insisted it was not an official government gift. About $245,000 has been paid
……..
they did not know where the coach was
there was never any contract
A missed carriage of accountability from the man who held the reins of power( Howard) .
no carriage , no contract just hand over the money
Oops, maybe I should not have trotted that out as Costello wants to lead the IMF.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/queens-state-carriage-turns-into-a-pumpkin/story-e6freuzi-1226063004121
Good one Sue. What’s the bet that Hyacinth took it with her when she had to leave Kirribilli 😉
Thanks Min @7.43, nothing like a bit of warmth from the Abbott pulpit.
Holy Pink Batts Sue, Howard gives $350K to a mate for a non-existent horse carriage (no problems) and Rudd is pilloried for the loan of a crappy old ute.
And now pathetic news.com – obviously in defense of their dimwitted friend Anal Jones – are running a poll asking readers if the NBN should be renamed the National Laser Beam Network.
They really are beyond a joke.
I was just looking at the Press club web site and I saw the application form for “The Paul Lyneham award” for excellence in journalism for the press gallery.
“The award recognises insightful analysis ……
……outstanding journalism that informs, readers/listeners/viewers…..”
It goes on…
“highest standard of journalism with respect to:
impartiality, independence and accuracy ……….”
Hmm could be tough because apart from that already stated one of the conditions says, “submitted work must be the original work of the applicant”.
Anyway closing date was 23May, it will be a laugh to see who wins.
The Murdoch papers have gone quiet, with no opinion on the CC Commissioners report.
Maybe they are waiting for the weekend.
el gordo, maybe they have found nothing to whip Labor with and are choosing to ignore it.
You could not expect Murdoch papers to print anything positive.
el gordo, the paper has your problems, only discredited stale arguments to put a negative case.
ABC Managing Director Mark Scott isn’t sounding so confident today about the renewal of the contract for the Australia network which expires on August 8th.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/natural-disasters-cause-2m-hit-to-abc-20110526-1f593.html
The ABC and Sky News are bidding for a 10-year contact to broadcast the government-owned Australia Network.
What to do about the Murdoch steam-roller.
Friends of the ABC are doing their best:-http://www.fabcnsw.org.au/PDFs/AustraliaNetworkTender.pdf
http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/question/tender-australia-network
http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2009/03/08/sky-news-to-tender-for-australia-network/
http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2009/03/08/sky-news-to-tender-for-australia-network/
Same Media Spy link twice Pip?
Who’s the sook?
Wow, great move by the government and a good way to cut Ltd News off at the knees along with the ABC mindlessly aping Ltd News feeds.
I hope we see a lot more of this from the government along with fighting back every time they are misrepresented by the media.
Great link Mobius. About time something like this was done. The media can cry a smuch as they like.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/commentary/defence-dodge-a-disgrace/story-e6frgd0x-1226063711910
Eddie, Ltd News responds as it always does, like a spoilt child caught in the act. It gets defensive and throws a hissy fit of faux outrage of being hard done by.
I really hope there is a lot more of this from the government.
This has got to be worth watching, and if I’ve missed it (might have been last night) then I’ll definitely catch the replay.
Dumbing Down Democracy
How can you resist Tanner and Megalogenis head to head in an open forum discussion on the media.
Mobius, sorry, now I can’t remember what the fourth link was 🙄
Thanks for the great link. If the ltd news mob want to continue misrepresenting the facts, the public will know about it.
Shit I almost missed this SMH story on yet another bagging of Abbott, how many is this now from the SMH?
Abbott cherry-picks easy interviews to avoid tough questions
Abbott’s time is nigh methinks, as many of the comments also iterate, even from professed Liberal supporters. This is also mirrored in the comments of other forums I’ve read.
If Abbott cannot engineer an election before July 1st I think the writing is on the wall for him as there’s little chance of his lasting 2½ years as Liberal leader having to be out front and lucidly arguing their case. He just cannot be Mr. No and Dr. Negabore for that long without it hurting the Liberals, which by the is something I have alluded quite a while back in response to an article on the long term brand damage being only negative does for the short term gain you might engender.
Mobius, I’ve noticed more and more great stuff condemning Abbott in the media and independent blogs of late. I don’t know how it will translate in the polls, but there certainly is momentum.
I’ve also noticed that when I type your name in my iPad the two little dots appear above the o. They don’t appear when using my iPhone or computer. Interesting.
That will be down to the ASCII set being used by the device. You should get it on your computer though, but it could be because of the character set selected.
Do you have US English and US Keyboard as you language setting.
I wouldn’t know, but I imagine it’s US on the iPad. I might fiddle with the auto-correct a bit later and see what I can conjure up.
Oh and those dots a called an umlaut.
I like that word, I also like aglet.
Mobius..one of my favorite words is willothewisp. 🙂
I used a word in a uni assignment and in front of the class the lecturer announced that it was his favourite word. Then, in front of the class he asked me to tell everybody what it meant.
I had no idea, and he knew that.
I think the word was compradorial.
ltd. news is now openly going after the ABC. GAME ON.
Whose ABC ?
Warning:- this is written by Chris Kenny, the former Chief-of-Staff to Alexarnder Darner. Mr. Kenny is not noted for his unbiased reportage; rather, he is among the most partisan jornalists at ltd. news. More of a spruiker for the Liberals and follows the Murdoch line that the ABC should not exist in it’s current form.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/whose-abc/story-fn59niix-1226063961087
Let us assume, just for argument’s sake, that the critics of the ABC are right; that its publicly funded journalists and program-makers, with their commitment to public broadcasting, inner-city sensibilities and disdain for commercial media, reinforce a progressive political culture that inevitably skews their story selection and treatment to the Left and provides content that can often be out of touch with the mainstream.
The question that would immediately arise is how the situation could be rectified.
FOI block keeps the ABC audience data secret
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/investigations/foi-block-keeps-abc-audience-data-secret/story-fn8r0e18-1226064422023
THE ABC is refusing to release its detailed television, radio and online audience data, relying on an exemption to Freedom of Information laws that allows the taxpayer-funded media giant to keep its programming information a secret.
Despite the federal government’s pro-disclosure policy and the introduction of new FOI laws, the ABC has used an overly broad interpretation of the exemption to deny The Weekend Australian access to its audience data.
The Weekend Australian editor, Mr Nick Cater said:-
“I suspect the reluctance to release this information is because it might destroy the illusion that the ABC is the national broadcaster in any democratic sense of the word. In metropolitan areas, the ABC seems content to narrowcast to the inner-city and inner-suburban middle classes while leaving commercial stations to serve the battlers in the outer suburbs.
“If voters in these electorally crucial outer-metropolitan seats realised they were subsidising a boutique middle-class service to their select band of listeners, Mr Scott might start to feel some political heat.”
That comment is offensive, and smacks of the kind of *#@!-stirring heard on the rabid radio stations.
‘Taxpayer-funded’, ’boutique middle-class’ ??
It reads as if ltd news is looking for a ‘government waste’, ‘them against us’ hook.
Here’s another ‘fair and balanced’ article by Mr. Chris Kenny.
Doco sees ABC giving more air time to Hicks
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/doco-sees-abc-giving-more-airtime-to-hicks/story-e6frg6nf-1226064424069
THE ABC has begun production of a one-hour television program on the life and times of self-confessed terrorist supporter David Hicks.
In correspondence with prospective interview subjects, obtained by The Weekend Australian, the ABC has referred to the project as a “news and current affairs special program”, stressing that it will be “balanced, impartial and fair” with views from all relevant players and decision-makers.
ABC television and radio have covered Hicks’s public appearances, championed his cause, arranged for him to put a video question on air to former prime minister John Howard on Q&A, devoted two episodes of Four Corners to his case and played extensive excerpts of his claims of torture and maltreatment without seriously challenging his claim to be an innocent victim. Now the taxpayer-funded broadcaster will tell his story again.
There’s that ‘taxpayer-funded’ again. The Australian has a cheek criticising anyone for not being ‘fair and balanced’ in their presentation given their own track record.
More on ABC MD, Mark Scott.
James Murdoch out to ‘destroy the BBC’, says ABC head
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/sep/09/james-murdoch-abc-bbc-mark-scott?INTCMP=SRCH
The head of Australia’s public service broadcaster has torn into James Murdoch over his attack on the BBC, accusing him of wanting to “destroy the BBC as we know it”.
Mark Scott, the managing director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, took issue with the News Corporation Europe and Asia chief’s recent claim in his MacTaggart lecture that the BBC was constraining commercial news organisations from charging for news.
“I can’t let this pass without commenting on James Murdoch’s recent claim that it was ‘essential for the future of independent digital journalism that a fair price can be charged for news’,” Scott said in a speech tonight to the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association at Australia House, central London.
and,
Think about this: the reason it sounds like a bad idea is because it is a bad idea … Strip away the lofty language, and you see that the James Murdoch solution is less about making a contribution to public policy than it is getting rid of the BBC’s services, effectively destroying the BBC as we know it – a tragedy for the UK, a tragedy for the world.”
and,
Scott suggested that Murdoch’s antipathy to the BBC resembled the attitude of his grandfather, Sir Keith Murdoch, an Australian press baron who objected to plans for an ABC news service in the 1930s.
“Sir Keith Murdoch’s newspapers began calling for a reduction in the ABC’s licence fee on the basis that an ABC news service would constitute ‘improper competition’.
“As James Murdoch’s recent MacTaggart lecture shows, it’s a phrase that has resonated for the family down through the years.”
Last one and I’m off to bed
Keating attacks new strictures for australian broadcaster
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/oct/16/broadcasting?INTCMP=SRCH
Strict new rules aimed at stopping bias creeping into programming on the Australian public broadcaster, the ABC, have been criticised by politicians and employees.
and,
Critics have said the changes will open the broadcaster to far greater pressure from lobby groups wanting to complain about its coverage.
The former Australian prime minister, Paul Keating, said the new rules showed “brazen government meddling” in the national broadcaster. He accused the current prime minister, John Howard, of trying to impose political correctness on Australian society.
“The only apologia for this brazen interference by the Howard government is the new whispered word balance, which, decoded, means – let’s hear more from us,” Mr Keating said.
Mr Keating said Mr Howard was obliging the ABC’s “loaded board” to have the managing director “jump hoops to halter the ABC’s staff”.
PK always has had a way with words…..
What has Mr. Abbott done to upset so many, so quickly. Are the polls changing.
“Abbott does the drawback on opportunism
Tony Abbott is rightly accused of changing his colours more often than a chameleon. Climate change, paid maternity leave, immigration and mental health are just some of the issues that have seen him play both sides of the fence when it has suited him.
But his pusillanimous accommodation of Big Tobacco, it seems, is a consistent theme. His refusal to lend support to Labor’s plan to introduce plain packaging of cigarettes is in keeping with his earlier stand on graphic health warnings on cigarette packets ………………..
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/abbott-does-the-drawback-on-opportunism-20110527-1f849.html”
“Abbott should show a little respect
MALCOLM Turnbull didn’t deserve to be treated the way he was on Wednesday when chief opposition whip Warren Entsch sent out an email admonishing the former leader and four of his colleagues for missing divisions.
And Tony Abbott – who at the least sighted the email before it was distributed, at worst approved it – needs to understand he is fuelling instability by authorising public insults against colleagues.
Abbott may have implored his partyroom not to make itself the issue the day before the email was sent, but he needs to start taking his own advice.
Yesterday he told the Nine Network that Entsch was correct to do what he did……
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/commentary/abbott-should-show-a-little-respect/story-e6frgd0x-1226064365068?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheAustralianOpinion+%28The+Australian+%7C+Opinion%29”
“Carbon tax could send Abbott up in smoke
IF or when a soft carbon tax becomes law, all on the Labor side and some on the Liberal side believe, with fingers crossed, that Tony Abbott will lose his raison d’etre as Opposition Leader.
Abbott appears to realise, finally, that the morning-after reality of a carbon tax will not match his grotesque rhetoric. Yet he is confident his scare campaign will have currency at the next election, whenever it is held, because he believes Labor has no antidote to his populism.
He gave a clue to his long game in a media appearance on Wednesday.
“Well, I think it’s clear that the Prime Minister is going to try to start the carbon tax as low as she can,” he said.
“But no one should believe that that’s where it’s going to stay. Once this tax is in, if it comes in, it will go up and up and up.”
Abbott sounds like US evangelist Harold Camping shuffling the dates for the end of the world from May 21 to October 21……….
…..Labor lost its way but Abbott’s scare campaign against the ETS would not have had as much traction if the cost of electricity hadn’t broken ranks with the general inflation rate.
The rub for Abbott is the energy price cycle seems to have peaked in the middle of last year. On present trends, the annual increase in electricity charges will be below 10 per cent by the end of this year.
If China takes it upon itself to slow the world economy next year, a carbon tax might arrive when the cost of living is no longer the domestic hot button issue. Abbott may then find he is bloviating like Kim Beazley in 2001, when he promised to roll back the GST after people had moved on to the other issues………….
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/commentary/carbon-tax-could-send-abbott-up-in-smoke/story-e6frgd0x-1226064360471? “
………………………………………
“And Tony Abbott – who at the least sighted the email before it was distributed, at worst approved it – needs to understand he is fuelling instability by authorising public insults against colleagues.”
Channel 7 are reporting an exclusive this morning that shows Abbott missed four of the same sittings Turnbull was lambasted by the opposition whip for.
The Libs are playing this down and saying the whip was just doing his job and was right. Abbott won’t comment.
I note though that the tone and substance of the MSM reporting on the Liberal party rift and malcontent is more subdued and conciliatory than reporting on Labor party squabbles. There is also a bit of getting the facts and information before condemning going on whereas that never stopped them reporting supposed Labor infighting where there was none, even totally making up stories apparently sourced from anonymous Labor insiders.
Tim Blair.
http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/timblair/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/the_money_maker#83205
Peter Martin.
http://www.petermartin.com.au/2011/05/where-jourmalism-went-wrong-view-from.html
Maybe Mr. Turnbull does not want Mr. Abbott’s job.
I bet thought he would be very happy to see Mr. Abbott replaced.
I suspect that Mr. Abbott is treating his party like he does the public, as fools, and they are objecting.
Where is Mr. Jones apology.
“Selling the NBN has become a little bit easier for the government with news that a team from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, based in southwest Germany, has broken the record for data speed transfers. Led by Professor Wolfgang Freude, the team sent data via a 50 kilometre laser beam at the rate of 700 DVDs per second. Granted, it’d take you about a month and a half without sleep to watch that many DVDs, but that’s not the point.
The point is that this is an endorsement of the technology that lasers call home, fibre, and the news fell into the lap of NBN Co chief technology officer Gary McLaren: “Tests such as this just go to show just why a fibre-enabled National Broadband Network is the best infrastructure for Australia’s future… As fibre optic technology improves, so too will speeds and the amount of data that can be carried over the network we are building today.”
All this was apparently lost on 2GB shock jock Alan Jones this morning (Thursday), who saw the report about Professor Freude and his team, and concluded that ze Germans had “done” 26 terabits compared to the NBN’s lowly target of 100 Mbps. “Their 26 terabits is 2.6 million times faster than what we’re getting. And Canberra want us to believe that the technology we’re spending up to 60 billion on, won’t be updated by the time it’s rolled out. Of course, they’re kidding
http://technologyspectator.com.au/nbn-buzz/nbn-buzz-tender-memories”
Catchin up, thanks for that lovely link.. poor ol’ Anal Jones really landed upside downin the subject of the NBN, and he can’t really explain away his ignorance.
😳 “downin”….slips 🙂
Phone Hacking.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/may/27/phone-hacking-mail-journalists
Thanks for the Peter Martin link Eddie. Martin is one of the most underrated journalists in the country, which is disappointing because I consider him to be one of the best. He asks the questions that are only ever asked by independent bloggers. He’s like us having a voice in the media.
Insight to how Mr. Abbott thinks.
“But Abbott has never shown himself to be a reformer. People who like him and worked with him closely as he moved from one ministerial portfolio to the next are flattering about a range of things not always evident to his detractors – his people skills, his inclusiveness, his competence.
But his capacity for grasping a big idea, or championing an important cause, or for being ahead of the game was deficient. His wages for housewives plan, one of his few “big ideas”, was so costly it never could win converts even among the Liberal dries.
As health minister, he was dead against providing federal funds for mental health. Professor Ian Hickie, executive director of the Brain and Mind Institute, recalled lobbying Abbott six years ago. ”Abbott believed people should be able to control their thoughts and emotions; he believed they should exercise free will,” Hickie told me. ”He admitted his own views made it hard for him to understand mental health issues.”
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/abbott-does-the-drawback-on-opportunism-20110527-1f849.html#ixzz1NdJrmkHN“
Eddie @ 4.46pm, thanks for the link. Maybe the old foreigner’s $30 million kitty [hush money ?] might not be enough to prevent the exposure he must be dreading.
It’s like a shaggy dog story…..it just keeps on going.
Great link Eddie @4.46
It was bad enough that News of the World lied to the Famous and the Pollies but imagine how outraged the Journos must be . To think that NOTW have hacked into the phones of their rivals, while all this time claiming innocence.
Does the disgust of this practice extend here? Are our journos wary of News journos?
And to think that the owner of News of the World wants to get the Australian government contract for broadcasting to Asia.
Sue @ 7.16pm, And to think that the owner of News of the World wants to get the Australian government contract for broadcasting to Asia.
The “owner” wants it all.
Mr D has a great article.
Sue, thanks for mentioning Mr. D at The Failed Estate.
Journalism as a Public Good
http://www.thefailedestate.blogspot.com/
The Australian media is one of the least diverse in the world. At what point does the dominance of a single player become so great that our democracy is at risk? How, at a time of accelerating convergence in media and the slow death of traditional business models, can we encourage a multiplicity of voices while preserving and encouraging press freedom? And why is no-one asking these questions in the mainstream media space?
Big Congratulations to Archie Roach.
Archie Roach honoured with Red Ochre award.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/27/3228495.htm
Singer-songwriter Archie Roach is to be recognised for his contribution to Indigenous arts and culture at a special awards ceremony in Sydney tonight.
Roach has won the $50,000 Red Ochre Award, which honours outstanding Indigenous artists as nominated by their peers.
A member of the Stolen Generations, Roach – together with his long-time partner Ruby Hunter who died last year – went on to a successful career giving a voice to his people through music.
His 1990 song Took The Children Away won a Human Rights Achievement Award and he has also been recognised as a crucial figure for young performers by giving opportunities to new and emerging talent.
“…his people skills, his inclusiveness, his competence…”
That had me in stitches, especially the competence bit. By any measure he was amongst the worst ministers for any portfolio he held and he certainly isn’t showing any competence as an opposition leader.
Is this one of the reasons Murdoch lunches with our PM?
Rupert Murdoch uses eG8 to talk up net’s power to transform education
News Corp moved into the $500bn (£310bn) US education sector in late 2010, paying about $360m in cash for 90% of technology company Wireless Generation, which provides mobile and web software to enable teachers to use data to assess student progress and deliver personalised learning.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/may/24/murdoch-eg8-invest-education-technology
That’s interesting, Sue. Has old Rupe now realised that faster broadband can be a good thing – he might actually make some money out of it?
Perhaps he has been listening to his accountants for too long and focusing only on the bottom line. Somebody’s probably tapped him on the shoulder and suggested he should hear what his tech heads have to say.
There’s gold in them thar hills.
Failed Estate.
http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com/
R ead the ‘Public Review’.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/beecher-chancellor-muscle-in-on-fairfax-property-empire/story-e6frg996-1226065223632
Sue @ 10.41am, 29th.
Is this one of the reasons Murdoch lunches with our PM?
Rupert Murdoch uses eG8 to talk up net’s power to transform education
The old foreigner has more faces than the old Town Hall clock. He also has a young family to educate and of course he’s interested in educational opportunites, but as Miglo pointed out, there’s gold in them thar hills. Lots of gold, which is why he has invested $360 million in an educational software company.
The OO comments on the departures and arrivals on the ABC Board.
http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/mediadiary/index.php/australianmedia/comments/rules_of_the_board_game
Rules of the Board game
THERE comes a moment when the balance of power on the boards of both the ABC and the SBS tips in favour of the incumbent government. For the Rudd-Gillard Labor government, that moment is imminent. The ABC board has eight members, but one of them—managing director Mark Scott—is appointed by the board itself. Four of the other seven—Peter Hurley, Keith Windschuttle, Steven Skala and chairman Maurice Newman—were appointed by John Howard. Of those four, Hurley and Windschuttle are to retire on June 14. Their replacements will join Julianne Schultz, Cheryl Bart and Michael Lynch as Rudd-Gillard appointees—meaning Labor will have appointed a majority five of the seven. Skala, although appointed by Howard, was reappointed by Labor, which leaves the chairman, Newman, as the only pure Howard government appointee.
Given that the government hasn’t renewed Mr. Windschuttle’s appointment, one can live in hope that the same will apply to Howard’s mate, Mr. Newman, and will instead appoint a person with a genuine interest in the ABC and not just the bottom line…..and the protection and promotion of the Coalition.
SBS also gets a mention.
I didn’t know that Mr. Piers Ackerman was on the SBS Board his departure can’t come soon enough.
SBS changes
NOW to the SBS, where the situation is pretty much the same: Gerard Stone, Jillian Broadbent, Christopher Pearson, Patricia Azarias and Bob Cronin were Howard appointees. Of those, Stone has already gone; and Broadbent has attended her last meeting. Cronin retires next month; Azarias’s term also expires in June. Pearson’s term expires in October and there’s no reason to think he’ll be reappointed. If Labor replaces all of the above, it will have appointed at least seven, and possibly eight, of the eight.
There is no lengthy opinion on the Boards being stacked with Labor people but there will be, soon enough.
Wonderful, during a debate on a suspension order Anthony Alabanese described Tony Abbott as the bubezula of australian politics. Not bad when you first hear it but then you realise it only has one note.
nooooooooooooo
nooooooooooooo
Sue, running the risk of appearing ignorant but what’s a bubezula??
I caught a snippet and the nooooooooo nooooooooo was very good 🙂
Min
Bubezula -The plastic trumpet heard at every soccer game in South Africa during the world cup. Loud and monotonous.
Just like Tony Abbott’s cries of nooooooooooooooo,noooooooooooooo
Will the Bubezula Tony make the news edits tonight?
Thank you Sue 🙂
Sue @ 3.33pm, it’s vuvuzela and Albo is right. It’s very annoying, can cause deafness, it’s high-pitched and has only one note…..just like Abbott
I think bubezula is a better looking word as an adjective to describe negabores. 😀
Pip..I believe you’re right. This is it ***disclaimer turn down the volume! I found out the hard way!!!!
Min, thanks but no thanks. It’s just awful…
Pip and Sue..but it does very much resemble Abbott 👿
Min, yes it does, and from this day forth I shall name him bubezula. 😀
It is OK, Mr. Abbott has everything under control.
“The Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, is understood to be annoyed at the infighting, but according to a source ”has everybody’s measure” and does not expect a worsening of the situation this week.
Tensions between Mr Turnbull and Mr Abbott flared last week when the Herald reported that an email was sent to every Coalition MP scolding Mr Turnbull and four other colleagues for missing a vote in Parliament.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/stop-sniping-hockey-warns-as-coalition-faces-poll-hit-20110529-1fazh.html#ixzz1Noko7Ps4“
CU..Abbott “has everybody’s measure”..pardon the expression, but eewwwwww spewwwww….
Who would have thought Playschool on the ABC had the biggest influence of Opposition tactics in Question Time in the Australian Parliament, House of Representatives.
For goodness sakes when 2.50pm ticks over and Abbott gets to his feet to have a Suspension of Standing Orders, the collective listening audience groans.
2.50pm is the critical time because that gives Abbott a free go of 10 minutes free TV time before the ABC stops the coverage and crosses to Playschool.
So this is the poverty of ideas that Abbott brings to Question Time. This is how fragile Abbott is, another try at the sneaky king hit, rather than open and constructive questioning of government policy.
Maybe if the Coalition does not want to ask questions and participate in process they just could give up the time for the Independents.
Sue, I am certain that quite a number of Abbott’s opposition are straining at the leash because people do not go into politics because they want to avoid debate..they want to go for it..!! This is irrespective of which side of the house or in between..people who go into politics want to debate, love the challenging of ideas.
It is no wonder that Abbott’s opposition are becoming very very frustrated.
Min @ 5.24pm….MIN !!!!
Catching up @ 5.19 I also read somewhere today that Abbott described the email antics as “a storm in a teacup”,
soup bowl more like..
A ‘Drum’ article about the man at the “centre of the storm in a teacup”.
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2736420.html
Crash through or crash: Turnbull’s kamikaze mission
What is Malcolm Turnbull up to? It’s an interesting question, isn’t it? Last week I gave a speech to the CEO’s Forum, and when chatting with The Australian’s Greg Sheridan afterwards outlined my own thesis. Greg said he liked it, so I thought I would reproduce it here. Let me say upfront that I have not spoken to Malcolm or anyone else about this. But here are my thoughts in any event.
First, we take as given that Malcolm is very smart and highly strategic. The shenanigans in recent weeks were not just a random bull-in-a-china-shop episode. There was method to the supposed madness.
Pip @ 7.12pm..you’re right, you did better with your Bugger comment.
Dick Smith suggest that Mr. Rupert Murdoch should come home, take out Australian citizenship, and take charge of his editors.
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/smiths-plea-to-murdoch-on-climate-change-20110530-1fbpy.html
Smith’s plea to Murdoch on climate change May 30, 2011 – 1:28PM
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Media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s stance on climate change is at odds with that of his Australian newspapers, entrepreneur Dick Smith says.
At the launch of his book, Dick Smith’s Population Crisis, he said that, while Mr Murdoch believed that climate change should be addressed, the views of the many papers he owned were contradictory.
Mr Smith claimed the papers, particularly The Australian, had “gone off the rails”.
He got that right !!
The question is, does Rupert really mind that his editors think nothing of distorting and/or omitting the facts on a daily basis?
Pip, Turnbull has done this before..so full of promises and speculation about going to the backbench, running as an Independent.
http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2010/04/malcolm-turnbull-to-retire-from-parliament.html
It’s all a bit deja-vu-ish isn’t it. Having said it but not done it, it does get to be a case of I’ll believe it when I see it.
Dick Smith gave the Murdoch media a real spray on ABC local this afternoon. He stated he didn’t go on the Say Yes campaign because he knew News Ltd would lie and denigrate him.
Then he made the great point that he wants to know why News Ltd is attacking Blanchett when Murdoch has stated he believes in global warming and has spend millions on making his organisation carbon neutral, millions that has been passed onto his consumers.
Mobius..it was sorta wishy-washy about the comment from Smith (although it was good that he at least said something)…
..I didn’t appear in the advert because the naughty Murdoch newspapers are likely to say nasty things about me. I would have thought that someone such as Dick Smith should be over what the Murdoch media might say about him…..
Something stinks in Australia when the likes of Dick Smith, whom I believed had a thick skin is reluctant to speak out.
If Dick Smith is afraid to speak up, who else feels that it is not safe.
As some said, people in an position of influence have a duty to speak out if this is what they believe to be true. As someone else said, this is not politics.
Mr. Abbott is calling for an election to allow people to speak. Maybe Mr. Abbott and his people should just call the press dogs off, and allow all people to speak, not just those who agree with the “no” case.
Is Mr. Abbott so out of touch, that he does not realise that those on ABC24 watch QT until 3.30 pm, enabling us to see the reply to his angry ramblings.
Those who are interested in listening further to the public interest debates that occur after question time listen on their computers or even the radio.
Contrary to his belief, it does not show him in a good light. The government is winning every encounter.
We do not have to watch Play School.
Min @ 7.24pm that is an image not worth thinking about. Your ewwwwwwwwww spewwwwwwwwwww said it best.
soup bowl more like..
Maybe a pot, not one you cook in. One we used to have under the bed.
As for Mr. Turnbull, maybe his aim is to get a carbon pricing mechanism through parliament.
Do not forget, Mr. Abbott not only took his job but also his chance to take part in introducing the climate change bill.
By memory didn’t Abbott do the dirty on Hockey too? Saying he wouldn’t contest the leadership then stood at the last minute.
Sneaky. Damn sneaky.
Speaking of Hockey, why are so many in the media suggesting him as a future leader when all he does is make a fool of himself? As a Shadow Treasurer he should remain just there – in the shadows.
Catching up, “the pot we used to have under the bed”…..the story goes that all the ladies talked very loudly for dignity’s sake while the “pot” was in use so people in the next room could not guess what was happening. 🙄
This was the way things were in small houses way back then, according to some of my relatives, now long departed.
There is a good reason why Malcolm Turnbull would want to see an ETS. His old firm, Goldman Sachs stand to make another fortune if it happens.
“By memory didn’t Abbott do the dirty on Hockey too? Saying he wouldn’t contest the leadership then stood at the last minute. ”
I seem to remember Mr. Hockey sneaking off to see Mr. Howard at his home. I believe Mr. Abbott also seen Mr. Howard.
I generally do not go for conspiracies, but..
Pip, some looked like over size teacups. You know how Mr. Abbott like to exaggerate things, when talking about others. He is inclined to minimize his own mistakes.
Mr. Abbott needs to ensure he does not slip while walking both sides of the fence when dealing with people. Accidents of this type can hurt.
Catching up and Miglo, Abbott threw his hat into the ring because Joe Hockey wanted to have a conscience vote on the ETS if he became the leader. Tony Abbott and the other hard Right drongos led by the conspiracy theorist no doubt, couldn’t agree with that so Abbott stepped up.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/shock-result-as-abbott-wins-liberal-leadership-by-one-vote–ets-dead-20091201-k1uz.html
But a moderate source said the party had just ‘‘f—– ourselves over’’.
Not yet they haven’t….
Cu @ 1.56am, some of them were quite pretty..and matched the washbowl and pitcher….
Tony Abbott was trying to connive his way to an early election as far back as 1st December, 2009, but the government didn’t bite, and he still wants an early election, but this time without the benefit of a Senate majority. No wonder he’s unhinged.
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2009/12/01/112981_todays-news.html
on the ETS he said:-
Mr Abbott told the partyroom after his win that the party would renege on the deal done with the Government last week on its climate change policy.
If the legislation is blocked, the Government would have a trigger for an early election.
Yes, but they all held shit.
“Not yet they haven’t….”
I think they are close to doing it.
Blunt Instrument.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/blogs/blunt-instrument/no-carbon-tax-europe-will-make-us-pay-instead-20110530-1fcu9.html
That’s a good one Eddie..I particularly like Birmingham’s conclusion,
How does Labor clawing back a point in the latest newspoll, while the libs drop two, get reported by the oo
‘ALP fails to profit from Liberal ructions: Newspoll ‘
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/alp-fails-to-profit-from-liberal-ructions-newspoll/story-fn59niix-1226066007981
Lets hope they continue to fail like that on an ongoing basis 😉
Tom, the poll results are nowhere to be seen on the face of news.com. Pitiful.
And Abbott’s PPM rating went down and Gillard’s went up but I guess that is Gillard failing.
They can dress up polls all they like but the one thing that has remained constant is that a considerable number of voters out there, and that includes Liberal voters, don’t like Abbott and don’t want him as PM.
I’d like to see him out of politics altogether, Möbius. Politics has no credibility while he is part of the landscape. To him, Parliament is a cross between a boxing ring and Play School.
Mobius, and the fact still remains..exactly how representative are these polls given that there is no breakdown regarding age group. This is one that (from memory) Possum at Crikey brought to everyone’s attention – the fact that the polls are increasingly unrepresentative given that fewer and fewer under 35yrs have land lines.
Migs, the poll was up at the OO this morning..it’s been very quickly buried.
“….Blanchett and her co-stars were aiming to refocus the debate on the climate science, the moral and economic arguments for carbon pricing and the need for the country to do something. From the Coalition’s point of view, that had to be stopped.
The ”say yes” campaign is just one of numerous ”third party” efforts to try to broaden the climate change argument. The climate commission has reported. This week leading economists will step up. Professor Ross Garnaut will start touring the country after the publication of his final report today”
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/politics/carbon-cate-is-just-fodder-for-coalition-campaign-20110530-1fczz.html#ixzz1Nu49vzGJ
Tom R at 10.45
You can always rely on the Oz for that flavour. As Howard’s polling deteriorated during 2007 I dared to hope for a poll indicating the only person intending to vote for Howard was himself. Whereupon I believe Dennis would have delivered the headline “Bad news for Labor- John Howard has the John Howard vote locked in tight.” Alas it was not to be.
Catching Up at 3.54
Read the link, & I think this country has struck a dark new low over its treatment of Blanchett. The abrupt ruthlessness of the attack on her makes it plain that anybody getting in these peoples way is to be damaged as much as is required. It’s also reminiscent in a way of the “save Tony” campaign so quickly mounted after his brain snap.
Some of us here are curious about the ABC Chairman, Mr. Maurice Newman, who was appointed by John Howard. His term as ABC Chairman ends in September and there is no news on the subject of whether he will have his contract extended or not.
I don’t believe he should be given the privilege given his unqualified support for the climate change sceptics.
http://www.climateshifts.org/?p=6729
The peer reviewed literature has spoken
STEPHAN LEWANDOWSKY
ABC DRUM
Much confusion and spin infects current public discussion of “peer reviewed” research: first we had Maurice Newman, the Chairman of the ABC, who suggested that “distinguished scientists” challenge the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change by “peer reviewed research”, although he oddly failed to name such research.
Reading between the lines I note that Navy has been “overlooked” for the top military job of Chief of the Defence Force. It had been Navy’s turn but they had so many stuff up in recent years the job has gone straight to an Army guy.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/01/3232564.htm
This will not go unnoticed by the Canberra based military establishment.
Luna_lava..I’ll have to correct you on that one. No not the Navy’s stuff-up, but Defence procurement. Is it Navy personnel’s fault that the Howard government stuffed it up big time – Sea Sprites – warped hulls on the patrol boats – ships that were supposed to be pensioned off a decade ago still being put together with ticky-tacky.
With the exception of Afghanistan the hard yards these days are all being done by the Navy. Believe me, it won’t be just Canberra who will take this as a slight against all the work that they are being asked to do.
luna_lava @ 11.52am, This will not go unnoticed by the Canberra based military establishment.
There could be some bent noses in Canberra, but they shouldn’t be surprised.
Min, Newspoll do give a demographic breakdown, but it’s usually a couple of months behind. For example, the most recent available Preferred PM demographic figures are:
WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD MAKE THE BETTER PRIME MINISTER?
Feb – Mar 2011
MS JULIA GILLARD MR TONY ABBOTT
TOTAL 49 33
NSW 50 35
VIC 53 30
QLD 42 36
SA 50 30
WA 49 33
MALE 48 37
FEMALE 51 30
18-34 54 30
35-49 51 31
50+ 44 37
CAP CITIES 50 33
NON CAP CITIES 47 34
http://www.newspoll.com.au/cgi-bin/polling/display_poll_data.pl
Min @12.01
It was Navy who told the government that they could supply Cairns if Yasi had hit Cairns. Only after the cyclone did it become news that they didn’t have a seaworthy vessel capable of doing the job.
Hmmmmmm.
Now the other bit you did not mention luna-lava is that Air Force got the 2nd in charge job.
Now that definitely is a sign that the government is not happy.
Sue, my son is a leading seaman..in Cairns. Would you believe that only yesterday was Defence Housing coming around to chop down the tree that came down during Cyclone Yasi..and Millie is still waiting on a new clothesline..
Son worked for a polling company while still at uni. (Most of the market research companies don’t do their own actual polling – they simply design the poll & contract it out to one of the polling companies).
The polls are designed with a specific % of responses from each demographic. The most difficult quota to fill has always been 18-34, even before declining landline usage.
Have you ever had one of these polling companies call but not ask you any questions because your demographic is full? This is why…
Bacchus..precisely it. Now where would you be if you were 18-34 when the polls are taken..certainly nowhere, doing nuffin’ where you would want to take a phone call 😉
Min @ 12.29
Unfortunately I do believe it. But can you imagine the outcry if Yasi had hit Cairns and Millie among others needed evacuating.
The government had assured the populace that they would be protected. Gillard and Bligh jointly gave the assurance, all the while the Navy bosses could not deliver. Imagine the stress your son and his colleagues would have had to endure, due to poor leadership.
So yep the Navy top heavies have missed out on their rotation to the top job.
Will the MSM pick up on this?
Sue, many of Millie’s indigenous family had to be evacuated as they live beach-side. Navy people can only work with the tools and equipment which they have and the first priority was to get the patrol boats upriver and others were anchored out at sea – following normal emergency procedures. All personnel were then given leave to get back to their families. Procedure from the Navy could not be faulted.
Who was going to evacuate them? The are the evacuation personnel. The next day son and all other enlisted personnel were deployed to assist civilian search and rescue personnel.
There is nothing under heaven nor on earth that could somehow protect people from a force of nature such as Cyclone Yasi.
My son has nothing but praise for the leadership..mind you there are a few midshipmen…(wink to Mobius).
Son is a 10yr man with two tours of the Gulf and two tours of East Timor including shore patrol with the federal police, so I guess that he knows what he is talking about.
Go for it Penny!!
Thanks, for that, Min! Isn’t she impressive!
I just love her at Senate Estimates.
Every girl looks sexy at a Senate Estimates 😀
I know what Wong, in fact all the girls who have ever dared trying to enter politics have gone through.
Here is an article I saw through a comment, by kuke, at The Failed Estate.
How mining and media distort Australia’s carbon tax debate
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2011/may/31/mining-media-australia-carbon-tax
Sue thanks fot that link. We can add her to the list of self-centred, deliberately uninformed “human induced climate change is crap” brigade. Another day another dollar…..
I have just realise, the word “lie” has new meanings. A lie today is something we do not agree with.
Ms. Wong has been copping in the senate what the PM has had to endure in the lower house.
I was disgusted today when the three worse offenders in question time jumped to their feet, claiming they would never do that.
In the past, Mr. Pyne continually called the PM sexist names across the chamber. He had to withdraw every day.
Ms. Bishop and Mirabella are little better.
I believe it is time that either the MP has to state what they have said when they apologize or better still, the words be picked up so the public can hear first hand.
What was ignored today, if this behaviour occurred in the workplace, these people would be losing their jobs and the boss big finds.
They are cowards and the behavior would disappear if we were told or heard what is said.
It took courage for both of these woman to speak out.
The truth is that they should not have too.
The public is left with the impression that the woman are thinned skin. This is not fair, as what is going on is serious.
I think the government got to be Abbott a little today. He was very angry during his regular spruik after question time.
Could not resist the word of the week.
Min, the lady sitting behind sure has a poker face.
Wonder what she was texting?
Congratulations PIP. 25.000 is a sizable number. How many visitors do we have?
Approaching 200,000 Cu.
Thank you Cu, due to serendipity I have won an evening in the cellar if you would care to join me.
and you too Sue.
I don’t know who’s here cos I haven’t found the light switch.
Boys are welcome as long as Miglo says so 😀
Congratulations to the administrators of the Cafe on achieving such an amazing number of visitors.
The ABC continues its assistance to the Coalition
Coalition would reverse carbon tax cuts: Joyce
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/02/3233189.htm
The above story is a cleanup of the interview on Lateline last night, read the transcript and see for yourself.
Pathetic, ABC
From Crikey.Very good read.
http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/05/09/innovation-in-journalism-an-example-of-how-to-do-it-profitably/
Yahoo, Abbott had his Suspension motion at 3.25 today.
No flying home early for the Coalition today. Watch out Tony that one act could cause even more problems for him in the Party room.
Here is a yet another nasty article about Rudd. It is just pathetic that the journalist decided to write an opinion piece, rather than report on Rudd’s address at the press club.
In the first 2 paragraphs Tony Wright has a swipe about Rudd ” and his urge to talk” and yes you guessed it “frequent flying politician”.
For the record Rudd addressed the Club for the usual press club address length and gee as Rudd said he as part of his job description has to meet “foreigners”and they are overseas.
All smiles, and elbow, as Rudd presses UN claim
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/all-smiles-and-elbow-as-rudd-presses-un-claim-20110601-1fgsv.html#ixzz1O65KYn1Z
Cheap shot journalism rather than ANY analysis from supposed National Affairs Editor.
Point taken from Wilkie that Abbott is treating the electorate with contempt by his repeated calls for a new election..Wilkie..Australia voted last year and so what is Abbott saying? We’ll just keep going back and having repeat elections until Abbott achieves the result that he wants.
I thought that both Combet and Garrett did an excellent job today:
Combet, in Parliament today: “I’m not frightened of you mate, you’ve gotta be kidding, you’ll have no clothes on”.
Sue @ 6.36am, try as much as I can, I cannot make sense of anything that comes out of Barnaby’s mouth….
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2011/s3233160.htm
Lateline. Transcript of interview with Barnaby Joyce.
In fact it’s really not worth reading 😀
Thanks for the warning Pip..I won’t 😉
“Yahoo, Abbott had his Suspension motion at 3.25 ”
Someone must have told Mr. Abbott that ABC 24 televises 90 minutes of QT. Does not turn over to play school. What Mr. Abbott does not realise that 24 will go over that time. It says on air until QT finishes.
Mr. Combet’s calm reply was very impressive.
That means both sides are televised. Not what Mr. Abbott wants.
What his action today did, was to cut into Mr. Turnbull’s MPI on the NBN co.
Well that’s it..gone..kaput for Tony..
Cassidy is being generous in 18 months. He’ll be gone the end of this year.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/02/3233965.htm
Sue @ 4.26pm here is the transcript of Kevin Rudd’s speech to the National Press Club.
http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2011/kr_sp_110601.html
I thought he gave some very good reasons why Australia should try for a place on the UN Security Council.
Tony Wright in your link has, or used to have the ability to critique, but has become a clown, much like Annabel Crabb on the Drum.
Serious reporting is definitely out of fashion.
http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/not-all-news-is-good-news-20110601-1ff5u.html
Anyone surprised?
“Not all news is good news
The ABC’s current affairs flagship is failing.
Something is missing on week nights at 7.30pm on the ABC and it’s not just the word ”report”. The retooled 7.30 is misfiring: the public broadcaster’s current affairs flagship is suffering the effects of a belated and blotchy start to the year as it comes to grips with the generational change invoked by the departure of Kerry O’Brien. Shortening the name has become a motif for the show’s failings. Something is missing…………….”
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/not-all-news-is-good-news-20110601-1ff5u.html#ixzz1O7XZpPWZ
Eddie and Cu, “something is missing” from the 7.30 [Report]. Yep, Kerry O’brien….. or, a journalist who isn’t prone to interrupt when the interview isn’t going according to his plan.
It is his comment, something throughout interviews along the line “it is a known fact” or words to that effect that anger me more. He says this before most of his questions. Mr. Swan disagreed with him every time.
It is arrogant of him.
This has been done to death but I really like the headline 😀
Gillard drops Abbott in pile of poodle doo
http://www.smh.com.au/national/gillard-drops-abbott-in-pile-of-poodle-doo-20110602-1fizk.html
TONY ABBOTT ”congratulated” the Prime Minister when she called the manager of opposition business, Christopher Pyne, ”mincing” and ”a poodle”.
Come in spinner….
Coalition climate policy just a gesture says Joyce
http://www.watoday.com.au/national/coalition-climate-policy-just-a-gesture-says-joyce-20110602-1fizn.html
THE Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce says that in his view the Coalition’s ”direct action” policy is just as meaningless a ”gesture” for the global climate as Labor’s proposed carbon tax, but says the Coalition policy has the advantage of ”having other benefits, like improving the capacity of the soil”.
Asked whether the $10.5 billion allocated to direct action over 10 years was appropriate for a ”gesture”, Senator Joyce told the Herald: ”We’ve got $3.2 billion over the four years of forward estimates; that’s the part of the process that those of us who are here now are responsible for, so that’s all that I am talking about.”
Poor old Barnaby just doesn’t know when to shut up. 😀
Pip, you understood what Mr. Joyce was saying.
I was left with the feeling, he himself did not know what he meant.
Yes he has put his foot into it in they have no intention of spending beyond the $3.2 billion and has been proven that figure is as rubbery as.
What it also shows is that the opposition are willing to throw away at least $3.2 billion just as a token of appearing to be doing something different to the government. $3.2 billion of tax payers money down the drain with much of it handed to the biggest polluters for nothing.
No wonder Gina and the other wealthiest in this country are doing everything possible to get Labor out and Abbott in. Abbott must seem like their own personal Santa with their Xmas coming everyday he is in power but instead of the gifts coming from the hard work of elves in the North Pole they will be coming on the backs of the hard work of Australians.
So true Mobius but how long will it take for the PM to start telling the voters, that Abbott is willing to throw away the $3.2 billion. Because as night follows day the MSM won’t challenge Abbott on it.
Cu @ 8.07am, I think you’re right, Barnaby is the classic example of “the lights are on but nobody’s home”.
Will his colleagues have to spin their way out of this or will the story just disappear?
Mobious the Coalition probably aren’t planning to spend anything. They’re too busy looking for a way to bring down the government and assuming that this “policy” can disappear.
Sue I think we can set our watches for QT; the PM won’t let Barnaby’s comments go without a vigorous response. 🙂
Bob Brown.
http://theconversation.edu.au/bob-brown-and-the-media-ill-take-them-on-theyve-crossed-the-line-1607
Eddie @ 4.16pm, I’ve just read your link,
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2744690.html
I hope some of the journalists do the same. If they do they’ll fire back in the same hysterical fashion as before, but with some luck, maybe, just maybe, one or two of them will take on board what Bob Brown has said.
He is discussing his encounter with the hostile pack of journalists, where he began his press conference with news about koalas. Can anyone remember whether the koalas were even mentioned the next day? I can’t.
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/ec_ctte/koalas/index.htm
Bob Brown continued, recalling the day the Greens announced that they had formed an arrangement to form government with Labor. They held a press conference and this is what happened:-
[On] the day that we announced we had gone into an arrangement to form government with Gillard, not Abbott, when we had a press conference. The Australian had three journalists spread around, who were just hammering us. Not in a way which was aimed to get information but in a way which was accusatory in its nature even though there were questions attached and that’s been the case ever since.
On the day before [the agreement] we had a front-page editorial dressed up as a news story from Denis Shanahan saying there should be a new election. Then a few days later we had an editorial that the Greens should be “destroyed”. And then we had Rupert himself in Australia saying “the bloody Greens”.
The editorial from the Australian a few days later on Sept., 9th, said this:-
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/needed-a-policy-for-julia-direction-for-labor/story-e6frg71x-1225916087426
JULIA Gillard has shown us that she can do process.
Now the Prime Minister must show us she can do policy. The challenge for the new minority government scrambled together in Canberra this week will be to move beyond appeasement of the Greens and independents and prosecute the reform agenda Australia needs.
Mr. Shanahan moves lightly over the GFC, attacked Wayne Swan, and wrote this about the Greens.
Greens leader Bob Brown has accused The Australian of trying to wreck the alliance between the Greens and Labor. We wear Senator Brown’s criticism with pride. We believe he and his Green colleagues are hypocrites; that they are bad for the nation; and that they should be destroyed at the ballot box.
The Prime Minister has actually been prosecuting the reform agenda as best she can despite the efforts of Tony Abbott and his backers at every Murdoch paper, as well as the ABC, as Bob Brown mentioned.
Just as Shanahan demanded a new election at the beginning, so ltd. news has continued.
Sue on June 2 at 4.26
Pip at 5.25
Been away for a couple of days, looked in & read the Wright article. I was going to post a comment “This article is bitchy rubbish” on their site but comments are closed so I’m doing it here. I used to think Wright wasn’t too bad but I agree he’s just there for cheap shots now. Getting going now, Wright’s often come across to me as one of those commentators (Crabb?) who think all this is a bit of a giggle really & we’re hanging out for their witticisms.
BSA, on Wright and Crabb, maybe they’ve reduced to “Look at Moo”. I won’t be bothering with either of them from now on.
Mr. Denmore just tweeted:-
MrDenmore
Fast forwarding through @730 on mute while son plays Turkish March on piano; strangely insightful
LOL
I cannot help but think that there are some more balanced views appearing in the media lately…maybe the media crossed over the border about being fair and reasonable (or even pretending to be).
Even in the OO…
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/some-poppies-are-taller-than-others/story-e6frg6zo-1226068527322
Scary news on ABC
Death threats sent to top climate scientists
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/04/3235561.htm
Yesterday there was the reporting of the NSW Whip and his comparison of climate scientists and nazis and now death threats.
Is this another Cronulla riot, where the shock jocks have whipped up hysteria aided and abetted by Abbott’s ruination speeches.
I wonder what is in store for tomorrow and the GETUP campaign for climate action.
Sue, scary news indeed that people who are doing no more than their job – and with the best of intentions – should be subjected to these sort of threats.
Climate Change Action
http://climatechangeaction.org.au/
http://climatechangeaction.org.au/get-involved/events/
Climate Change Action Events
Say YES National Day of Action
On Sunday June 5th all across Australia people will be participating in a National Day of Action to say YES to pricing pollution.
Sydney: Prince Alfred Park, 11 am
Melbourne: Outside the State Library, 11 am
Adelaide: Victoria Square, 11 am
Brisbane: Riverstage, 1pm
Perth: Perth Cultural Centre – Wetlands stage, 11am
Hobart: Franklin Square, 11am
Canberra: Regatta Point(near the bridge), 1.30pm
Mike Carlton writes in defence of Cate Blanchett
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/now-thats-a-cashedup-carbon-footprint-20110603-1fkqc.html
Now that’s a cashed-up carbon footprint June 4, 2011
What on earth did Cate Blanchett do to bring the fury of the Murdoch empire crashing down upon her luminously beautiful head? Snubbed Rupert and Wendi at the Oscars, perhaps? Scored a better seat than Sarah and Lachlan at Dolce & Gabbana?
Whatever it was, the attack was vicious and personal, founded on a blatant lie on the front page of last weekend’s Sunday Telegraph which asserted that Blanchett’s appearance in the carbon tax commercial ”had sparked outrage in the community”.
No it hadn’t. No one had actually seen the ad at that stage. But it was a slow news day and the beat-up had legs. And alliteration: Carbon Cate! Ever reliable, Barnaby Joyce duly arced up
and further down,
But the News Ltd. myrmidons understand exactly what buttons to push: envy and greed. The rich and famous can get stuffed. Unless, of course, they are Rupert Murdoch himself, whose lavishly appointed Boeing Business Jet wafts him to and from.
A $44 million penthouse on New York’s 5th Avenue once owned by the Rockefellers;
Rosehearty, a $14 million beachfront shack on New York’s Centre Island, recently rented out to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie;
An 11-bedroom mansion in Beverly Hills, California 90210;
The Crystal Springs Ranch in Carmel, California, a spread reputedly the size of a small Middle East sheikhdom;
An $8 million apartment in London’s posh St James’s;
A soaring harbour view penthouse in Sydney;
Cavan, a picture-perfect, 17,000-hectare sheep station near Yass in southern NSW;
A 56-metre yacht, also named Rosehearty (interiors by the French designer Christian Liaigre), berthed on the Cote D’Azur.
Now that’s what I call a carbon footprint. Blanchett looks poverty-stricken by comparison. Unsurprisingly, none of Rupert’s no-doubt essential domestic comforts scored a mention in the News Ltd assault upon wealthy celebrity know-alls
I had to look it up…..
myrmidon: A faithful follower who carries out orders without question
When push comes to shove, Cate is entitled to her opinion. Surely it’s only when the mega-wealthy try to influence policy and have something to gain for it themselves (aka money) then there is cause for complaint.
Just heard on ABC news that two climate scientists have had to be moved to a secret location because of escalating threats against them, including recently death threats.
They are working on projects that will further confirm the link to man made climate change being responsible for global warming.
They have been receiving phone threats for a few months now saying they will be attacked if they go out on the streets but the threats have gotten much worse so they are being moved.
That they are being moved means the authorities are taking the threats seriously.
Pip @2.21 may be wise to check times. The original email and RSVP had different times eg Canberra. Email 11am RSVP 1.30, a correction was forwarded.
So when is a journalist going to ask Abbott if he feels responsible for inciting death threats against climate scientists.
When is Abbott going to censure Phelps after his absurd outburst.
A phone call to a few plumbers who support the anti climate change action, what does it prove.
Sadly my opinion of plumbers of many years have been reinforced by this beat-up, that many are not very bright and take no interest outside their love of making money.
What this story told us, they have not taken the time or interest to find out what climate change and the price on carbon is about. They are too engrossed in making money from the strong economy we are enjoying. Maybe if they had less work, they would have the time to give some thought to the matter.
“Just two of the plumbers – Nick Baker of Traveston, Qld and Chris Kelly of Woodcroft, SA – were unequivocal in supporting immediate action on climate change. “I would rather save the planet than worry about my hip pocket,” Nick said. Chris agreed. “I understand that it will largely affect the bigger polluters, the coal-fired power industries, and I think we need it.”
Overall, what conclusions can we draw from the intervention of the group of 13 plumbers? We can probably conclude that the communiqués we’ve seen from eminent economists, senior clergy, and national living treasures such as John Hewson, Malcolm Fraser and Mick Dodson are a useless bit of middle-class posturing. We can conclude that instead of indulgent symbolic gestures from the political class, people would like some details about how much the tax will cost and how it will operate. A stunning revelation, and well worth the 13 phone calls. I thank the plumbers for their time.
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/13-eminent-plumbers-speak-out-on-the-carbon-tax/”
More on the death threats to scientists from the ABC
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/05/3235810.htm
The plumbers stuff reminded me of those other infamous plumbers:
“White House Plumbers, sometimes simply called the Plumbers, were a covert White House Special Investigations Unit established July 24, 1971 during the presidency of Richard Nixon. Its task was to stop the leaking of classified information to the news media. Its members branched into illegal activities working for the Committee to Re-elect the President, including the Watergate break-in and the ensuing Watergate scandal.”
Update. The News story was repeated and they state it was several ANU climate scientists, who along with other things have been threatened if they make any media appearances to explain the science.
The AFP know of the threats but are not following up.
Failed Estate.
http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com/2011/06/fast-and-fatuous.html
Denmore makes sense.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/abc-may-have-its-flaws-but-its-still-our-best-defence/story-e6frg9to-1226069734893
Eddie from your link to Mr. Denmore..truer words were never spoken..
Should we have concerns about present day polling?
I do not put any credibility on any poll unless I have access to the methodology used. I like to know how the questions are formed and how they are asked. I like to know the numbers, location and ages of those interviewed.
I do not put any credibility on any poll that does not interview around 2000 people.
……Two pollsters have lowered their colours in recent days with poorly framed questions on the carbon tax. Last week, Roy Morgan conducted a phone poll which, among other many things, asked of respondents: “Australia is only responsible for about 1% of the world’s total carbon dioxide emissions. Are you aware of this or not?” This is essentially a political talking point framed as a question: understandable from a political party engaged in the desperate tactic of push-polling, but quite incomprehensible from a market research firm. Beyond that though, I don’t think the Morgan poll did much harm. As Peter Brent of Mumble rightly points out, results for the aforementioned question and those asked thereafter must be regarded as unreliable, but the nature of these questions was such that this is no great loss. The question on voting intention was presumably asked before the ones on climate change, and the first three climate change questions were usefully framed and produced results consistent with other polling. If the voting intention results from the poll do not seem plausible – and they don’t – this must be put down to sampling error and perhaps some systemic bias suffered by Morgan phone polls, although this hasn’t been evident in the past.
More troubling is today’s Galaxy poll, which targeted a small sample of 500 respondents on behalf of the Daily Telegraph. For the most part, its results are of genuine concern for the government. Only 28 per cent answered in favour of a carbon tax against 58 per cent opposed, corroborating the 30 per cent and 60 per cent from Newspoll when it last asked the question on April 29-May 1. Even worse for the government, fully 73 per cent said the tax would leave them worse off against only 7 per cent who opted for better off. Less remarkably, the poll found 20 per cent believe the tax would have a major impact on the environment, 46 per cent a minor impact and 29 per cent no impact.
The problem lies with the following: “Does the PM have a mandate to introduce the tax or should she call an early election?” This gives respondents no outlet for the obvious third alternative: that while the Prime Minister does not have a mandate for a carbon tax (and given her position during the election campaign, it could hardly be argued otherwise), the government should nonetheless govern as it sees fit and face the music at the end of its term. …………
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2011/06/06/taxing-credulity/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CrikeyBlogs%2Fpollbludger+%28The+Poll+Bludger%29
Un-be-lievable…positive commentary from the OO.
Thousands say yes to carbon rally
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/families-drawn-to-carbon-rallies/story-fn59niix-1226069746023
90210, gee ta for that. I hope that you don’t mind that I deleted the links..they were were very spam-ish.