We all know 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 is the link to the previous Media Watch discussion:
Café Whispers 
The main stream media have been working hard to assist the Coalition in their efforts to have MP Craig Thomson banished from Parliament, and write the same story day after day but this is ridiculous….
Libs shed credibility in fight
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/libs-shed-credibility-in-fight/story-e6freuy9-1226268660849
The story is about a NSW Liberal pre-selection cock-up, until the last unrelated sentence.
Time for the fiction writers to get a grip!
Audit says Government advertising meets guidelines
Gary Gray posted Wednesday, 8 February 2012
http://www.alp.org.au:6020/federal-government/news/audit-says-government-advertising-meets-guidelines/
Special Minister of State Gary Gray has welcomed the release of the Australian National Audit Office’s first performance audit of the Government’s framework for campaign advertising.
The Administration of Government Advertising Arrangements audit report, tabled in Parliament today, suggests that the Government’s transparency and accountability framework for campaign advertising is operating well.
ANAO confirms clean energy advertisements accurate
Greg Combet posted Wednesday, 8 February 2012
http://www.alp.org.au:6020/federal-government/news/anao-confirms-clean-energy-advertisements-accurate/
Tony Abbott has been caught out once again misleading the public.
The Australian National Audit Office today confirmed that 9 out of every 10 households will receive financial assistance as part of the Gillard Government’s clean energy future package, despite the Opposition Leader’s claims to the contrary.
After spreading myths for months, Mr Abbott’s claims have proven unfounded with the ANAO finding all of the factual statements in the Government’s Clean Energy Future advertising campaign last year were supported by the evidence.
This confirms the dishonesty of the discredited Abbott scare campaign on carbon pricing.
The ANAO performance audit report, Administration of Government Advertising Arrangements: March 2010 to August 2011, tabled in Parliament today, examines advertising and information campaigns including the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency’s Clean Energy Future campaign.
It confirms that the carbon price will apply to around 500 big polluters, more than half of the revenue will be used to assist households and 9 in 10 households will receive assistance.
Last year Mr Abbott wrote to the Auditor-General claiming that the Clean Energy Future advertisements were factually inaccurate.
Today’s audit report shows this complaint had no substance.
I reckon todays ABC midday report has “verballed” the Minister for Trade Craig Emerson. The sandwiching of a video clip between remarks on the government economic policy makes it appear that Emerson is discussing a Labor $70 billion black hole. This type of dishonest editing happens every day at the ABC.
The news editor responsible should be “sacked”.
Nah, he’ll get promoted. 😦
Coalition confirms “sensitivity” over Abbott’s mental health status.
The member for barker, may wish to reconsider his point of order. even slipper was laughing. Fancy confirming your leader has mental health issues.
Is the member for Barker suggesting the Tshirt should be rephrased.
Just when I thought the ABC “Let’s dumb it down” campaign could not get any worse, comes news that their sometime political correspondent Annabel Crab is to host a cooking program featuring politicians “Kitchen Cabinet”.
I wonder which genius at the ABC thought up this bit of shite.
What next, Chris Uhlmann running one of those let’s humiliate fat people weight loss programs?
Oh I bet I know Annabel’s speciality
Blancmanage
you must know the recipe
to a cup of milk (sop) add corn(starch) and sugar, then simmer
I think that the msm may have woken up today. This morning we had media people quoting a newspoll that said abbott was better than gillard on economic management. This afternoon the story has disappeared, which is very unusual.
Have the media realised that today’s newspoll result was a
“Jumping the shark” phenomenon
Sue, I missed that poll this morning and so thought I would have a look at it via their website..guess what, the site hasn’t been updated since 12th January.
http://www.newspoll.com.au/cgi-bin/polling/display_poll_data.pl?url_caller=latest&state=Any&mode=file&page=Search
Watching the “Rudd 4 corners” program I was wondering what sort of bonus News Ltd would pay Grahame Richardson to bring down a Labor government.
Lunalava, just watched the video you posted at 4:00pm. Just beautiful.
for an unbiased view of 4 corners program tony delroy is interviewing Denis Shanahan
ABC, really how stupid do you think the public is?
“Fevered speculation”.. all the journalists are using the phrase …brain fever more likely.
4 Corners
The Comeback Kid?
By Andrew Fowler and Peter Cronau
Trascript
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2012/02/10/3427070.htm
ABC, 4 Corners, lied to PM to get an interview.
see interview AM
and here is some of the transcript
SABRA LANE: We’ll get to the economy is just a moment. But first this morning a lot of people are asking the question: Why did you give Four Corners an interview for its program last night?
JULIA GILLARD: I was approached by Four Corners for an interview on what was described as the Government’s progress since 2007.
And so in those circumstances of course I said yes. My job is to answer questions and to explain what the Government is doing. I’m not someone who runs away from questions and so I did agree to the Four Corners interview.
SABRA LANE: Kevin Rudd didn’t. He maintained a silence. Do you think that you were misled about the terms under which the interview was going to be done?
JULIA GILLARD: Well I’ve explained to you, Sabra, the terms that were put to me – that it was going to be an interview about the Government’s progress since 2007, and of course outlooks for the future. And that’s what I’m particularly focused on – the outlooks of the Government for the nation’s future.
We’re in a time of challenge – economic challenge and economic change – and that’s my focus
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3429873.htm
It seems Maurice Newman’s legacy to the ABC is a highly politicised right wing dominated organization that thinks it is clever to engage in unconscionable conduct.
How about some redundancies and sackings at the ABC, this would be consistent with the conservative government approach to employees.
Sue, much ado about nothing.
Sue, remind me, was there not suggestions of a leadership struggle in the media at the time. They just missed when it happened.
Therefore would this not lead to Ms. Clinton being interested. therefore asking Mr. Beasley what he knew about what was going on.
What was clear last night in my opinion, that getting rid of Mr. Rudd took place in a short period of time and the majority of caucus was in agreement.
The most the PM can be accused of that the operation was clean and efficient, not a drawn out affair that would not have benefit anyone, except Mr. Abbott.
The PM is coming over this morning as a real person. Maybe in the long run, this lancing of the matter may be in her favour.
The attack by the media with the lost of jobs is more worrying. I suspect collusion when it comes to the banks.
As for retail, maybe they need to take some responsibility for not keeping up with the times.
With the high dollar, there is much restructuring going on in the community.
The figures that will count is the overall jobs lost against new jobs being created.
We cannot ignore the inconvenient facts to some of the high dollar, and the multi-speed economy we are experiencing.
It is impertinent that the MRRT comes into operation as quickly as possible, to spread the mining profits across the community.
There appears to be th prospect of great investment in this country.
Lets hope this investment leads to more employment than mining provides.
We must be aware that three word slogans and black and white descriptions do not explain what is occurring.
It is a difficult time for the Nation. I do not believe that Mr.Abbott has any answer whatever.
At least this government does appear to be identifying and addressing the problems we face.
Did anyone see media watch last night, listing the mistakes made on the ABC during the last week.
The list is impressive. It showed sloppy work in all areas.
These misatkes have no excuse for being made.
It is if no one at the ABC cares.
ABC viewers have told ABC News presenter Joe O’Brian (via twitter) that they are sick of stories concerning the Rudd/ Gillard leadership issue. When Joe asks ABC political correspondent Lynda Curtis why this story is important, she did not answer the question and uttered the most trite and trivial reasons for running this story.
Is this the best that the ABC can do at political coverage in Australia?
I believe that the media have a very big drawer full of obituaries of people who have not dies. They have them I believe just in case.
Would it have been beyond belief that someone in the office decided to prepare the speech just in case. Would not be their job.
We need to remember there was noise from the media that Ms. Gillard might challenge.
Once again much ado about nothing.
I can see no reason that we cannot believe that the PM made up her mind when she said she did. I also believe that it was an decision that she would have wished did not need to be made.
Nothing has changed after last night. The PM is still been asked questions in a way that is meant to make her feel uncomfortable.
Lunalava, the response should have been “because we drip-feed off news.ltd for our stories”.
CU
This may interest you. In the media today they refer to the PM releasing her own transcript of the 4 corners program. When I couldn’t find a link I telephoned thePM’s office. I was told it would be at the 4 corners progam site, I checked and it wasn’t there, only the programs own transcriot. Sso telephoned back to the PM’ s office. I told them that I would like to see it as I did not trust the msm to report accurately. I was then told that the PM’s office was not allowed to give me a copy and they also were not allowed to tell me why.
I can only assume that 4 corners has copyright and they will only release what was shown on the program.
Here is a slap in the face for 4 corners
The ABC’s Four Corners program, despite enormous media attention surrounding its story on the Labor leadership battle, drew only 725,000 viewers.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/revenge-tastes-sweet-for-seven-20120214-1t2uy.html#ixzz1mKRl4NxS
It does but I do not see how they can refused to play it now. Maybe with need to get that feedback button going.
There was little about in it QT. I believe it has already been confined to history.
Looks like Mr. Abbott has loss another fight with the Medicare rebate.
Ms Bronwyn Bishop, the one who could see no harm in giving the aged kerosene baths is nor talking against the bill.
Another scare campaign with no basis.
By the way, the government is beginning to deal with another abject failure of Mr. Howard. His expensive solution to housing the aged.
Sue, this gives pause for thought, and my thoughts are that the ABC can carry on it’s Murdoch Lite brand of trashing the government, and in particular the Prime Minister in this eoisode of 4 Corners.
You said it well
This is the transcript, for what it’s worth, from the ABC
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2012/02/10/3427070.htm
I must admit, the full interview does not give the impression that what they used does.
At least it is now in the public domain.
Cu, the early version of the deposing of Kevin Rudd stated that Julia Gillard was loyal up to the point at which she discovered that Rudd’s people were quizzing others about her loyalty, at which point she changed her mind.
Nothing has really changed since then except the ltd news/ABC script.
They definitely cherry picked the interview to get the impressions they wanted.
The PM comes across in my opinion, good in the interview.
The interview needs to get on utube and facebook. It does her no harm.
It was strong interview when viewed in full.
After watching the full interview and that shown on Four Corners, I wonder if Media Watch will have something to say next week.
It is a perfect example of how interviews can be manipulated to get them to appear to back up what you want it too.
The PM said that she agree because they told her it was about how the government was travelling since 2007.
The long interview back this up.
If I was the PM, I would have felt comfortable after completing the interview.
A long interview to get a few seconds of film for their story.
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/
Thanks Eddie. I listen to the Pure Poison podcast as well. What a great pair of lefties.
My resolve failed & I ended up watching a recording of 4 corners. I like many thought it was a bit of a beatup around a single “revelation”. But I’m amused by the differing standards applied to Gillard & Rudd by the media regarding their willingness or otherwise to be interviewed. Rudd’s refusal is hailed as a masterstroke. Not for him the accusations of “cowardice”,”what’ve you got to hide?” that would’ve been thrown at Gillard had she done that. Definitely out to get Julia, the media’s usual haranguing of anyone who doesn’t front up meekly on demand is suspended.
But the program’s doing what was intended, a bit more mud that’ll stick & the basis for a week or three’s leadership speculation. I’m annoyed that my taxes are funding it.
Bob, read the full interview, you will see how hard it was to find in, I believe an hour interview to get what they used.
It appears to take things out of context is par for the course when it comes to this PM.
History will not show this, but will show all that the PM has accomplished, not the gossip and the rumour mill that consumes the tension of the media.
Why is the parliament still debating the carbon tax. I believe it maybe a MPI. I have missed some, as I have been involved in clearing a sewer pipe. Reminds me of the slime that Opposition is pushing.
A couple of MPs said that the MPI should be televised as well as QT.
Maybe it should, if only to show how shallow the Opposition is.
Bob, I am interested in seeing if Media Watch has anything to say next week. I feel it might.
I just watched channel 7 news.
They mentioned the health rebate going through.
“In a rare win for the Government” 😯
I guess they don’t actually get to watch Parliament too often. Too busy watching each other and what they have to say about the ‘leadership’ challenge.
Tom, they have had only one disappointment that I know of.
That is the Malaysian Solution, and the fat lady has not sung there yet.
What they should have said, once again Mr. Abbott could do nothing.
Whats more most legislation has gone through with very little change.
266 pieces of leglisation, I believe and many are major.
Watching 7.30 tonight (not sure how much longer I’ll be doing that) I got the impression from Heather Ewart’s remarks that the media’s dropped all pretence of any sort of public interest & has decided to keep on & on with the Rudd thing simply because they feel like it. Hardly a revelation in a way but I was impressed by the brazenness of it all.
Oh, & one to match Tom R above. In mentioning the passage of the private health legislation, an ABC spruiker remarked that every time the government scores a win there’s an outbreak of leadership speculation. Bright lad, I wonder why it happens?
Well Heather Ewart and Barry Cassidy have to talk about something at home.
Bob and Sue, I’ve given up on 7.30, and Heather Ewart is the bitchy Mrs. Mangles of neighours fame; no, she’s much worse, spreading her poison with an enthusiasm deserving of a spot at a Murdoch establihment.
As for Cassidy and Ewart they deserve each other.
Senior, yes, journalists, no.
pip
and mrs uhlman is from the labor right.
The ABC favours “spruik” over announced when reporting on
government news.
ABC news and current affairs, FAIL.
Sue have you seen Uhlmann’s bio?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Uhlmann
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gai_Brodtmann
Tom R
I just watched channel 7 news.
They mentioned the health rebate going through.
“In a rare win for the Government” 😯
266 pieces of legislation passed so far, without a knockback.
Sue & Pip above.
Yeah, I have trouble getting across the tone of Heather tonight. It just struck me as so self important, that THEY would just keep on doing all this so there. A bit like Cassidy & Queen Nikki’s efforts of a few days ago.
By the way, if anybody here’s not keen on the government’s private health legislation, & are keen to pay others’ insurance for them I’ve got an opportunity for you to put your money up front. My house insurance is due in a couple of weeks, it’s a house not a person but it is a Private dwelling & surely the same principle would apply.
I’ve got private health insurance, I’m too scared of Abbott & the Liberals not to but I think it’s a Fundamentally Flawed idea. It’s got a lot of the hallmarks of a Ponzi scheme in that it just moves money around to shut up whoever’s banging on the door at the moment. I’m paying for my neighbour’s, he’s paying mine & his boyfriend’s paying for the next person who drives by in a red Hyundai…., it all just goes on & on. The money’s better off spent on a universal public system.
Heather Ewart’s 7.30 report was convincing wasn’t it?
“We told you there was leadership speculation and here are some half a dozen government people denying it. So it must be true!”………
……..”There was talk of a leadership challenge by Kevin Rudd. It didn’t happen. But it will happen later this year. So there!”
Pip
Abbott and Uhlmann share experiences don’t they.
patriciawa
and if it doesn’t happen, SHE WILL fall on her sword for the good of us journos/muckrakers
Oh and patriciawa
what about the comment that the rudd people are briefing journalists but when challenged won’t admit they are.
sounded like chinese whispers to me
So they’re still writing crap then Sue.
😳 and patriciawa…
yep
BSA Bob,
The money’s better off spent on a universal public system.
Most of the health insurance companies have shareholders don’t they?
Pip I don’t know much at all about the structure of the health insurance companies. I daresay they have their share of shareholders who would be needing a return on their investments. I don’t think they’re not-for-profit organisations. Certainly the rest of the private system isn’t.
BSA Bob, one useful thing came out of 7.30 and the Stephen Long session with the Independent Financial Planners. I have heard it before and I should remember it. That the most useful thing we can do with our money is pay down debt, which for most of us is our mortgage. That is, pay down that debt rather than invest in shares etc for our retirement.
I took it one step further with idle speculation and thought of the sum of all the insurance premiums I’d ever paid for anything, car, house, health etc, less any claims finally settled and paid by the insurance companies. How does that stack up against the value of one’s house less a miniscule mortgage?
I guess most of us are risk averse though, so house insurance etc. is a must and car insurance is a legal requirement. But health insurance isn’t and if you’re healthy as I am then the preimiums for private insurance would amount to much more than the occasional check up. Police friends tell me that when people are in accidents no one worries or asks about private health insurance. They’re whisked off to the nearest public hospital.
Sue @ 11.45pm, yes there are striking similarities which could explain why a PM who happens not to be a ‘believer’ gets a raw deal.
patricia
Police friends tell me that when people are in accidents no one worries or asks about private health insurance. They’re whisked off to the nearest public hospital.
That’s a system we should all be proud of.
Contrary to the naysayers running the news media things are not as bad as they would have us believe….
We’re still holding steady, even as jobs go
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/were-still-holding-steady-even-as-jobs-go-20120214-1t42e.html
Economists don’t have a good record on forecasting what will happen to the economy, but here’s a prediction I make with great confidence: whatever happens, it won’t be as bad as you think it is. That applies particularly to the jobs market.
Heather Ewart are you out there, journos beware the challenge date is drifting as reported by our msm
the challenge will be:
this week
by march
after the qld election
by may
by mid year, June probably (for the good of the party)
AND AS REPORTED TODAY by christmas
“While Mr Rudd still does not have the numbers in the 103-member caucus, some in the Gillard camp are countenancing a change if she cannot improve the situation. But they want to push out the timetable. One said yesterday that if the Labor vote was still about 30 per cent by Christmas ”that’s not sustainable”. Another is reportedly suggesting Ms Gillard should stand down if she cannot rally the vote by then.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/rudd-plays-it-cool-as-pressure-mounts-on-pm-20120215-1t6xz.html#ixzz1mTVsrSHR
Another hatchet job on 7.30
The ABC is doing them a lot lately
BRENDAN TREMBATH: Singles on at least $83,000 will see the rebate cut to 20 per cent. Above $93,000, it’s slashed to 10 per cent. Around $129,00, the rebate disappears. For families, the rebate is means tested from $166,000.
Ed Walton is 30 years old and he’s been privately insured for as long as he can remember. He has a well-paying job as a policy officer. Under the proposed legislation, he’ll face the means test.
ED WALTON: Well I’m a little bit disappointed, to be honest, because I would consider myself a middle income earner and they’ve stated that these reforms are aimed at assisting middle income earners.
BRENDAN TREMBATH: Ed Walton is in pretty good health for now.
ED WALTON: I generally don’t use my private health insurance very much. I have it because I think I can afford to pay it, so I do hold it. I would generally use it if I go to visit the dentist for a regular check-up or if I require something like when I went to the physio a coupla weeks ago because I hurt myself while keeping fit.
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3431810.htm
$80k is ‘middle class’?
I need to talk to my boss I reckon.
I wonder why they didn’t tell us Ed worked as a policy advisor for the ACMA?
http://au.linkedin.com/pub/ed-walton/33/641/423
Tom, wasn’t that one of John Howard’s old tricks. I remember him saying “the average wage earner” on 45 grand when the vast majority of people were earning far less than this amount.
From the Bureau of Statistics: All employees total earnings 1 026.00 0.8 4.2
Whiich (trusty calculator in hand) equals $53,352. Therefore “Mr Average” Brendan is earning $26,648 more than the average.
http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/second+level+view?ReadForm&prodno=6302.0&viewtitle=Average%20Weekly%20Earnings,%20Australia~Nov%202007~Latest~21/02/2008&&tabname=Past%20Future%20Issues&prodno=6302.0&issue=Nov%202007&num=&view=&
Tom R
$80 k you must be kidding
Policy ananlyst would be EL1
as a guide in defence at 30 sep 2010 the range was $101515 to $121666.
So poor single ed may miss out altogether
Yes Sue and Min, I did shed a tear for the poor little lad, and just thanked the stars that my tax dollars might go some way to help making his acupuncture visits a little less painful.
Just like they help out those poor little rich kids afford their private education (while the public system collapses under the weight of supporting them)
Whoops I mean Ed. Excellent detective work too, Tom.
Excellent detective work too, Tom.
It’s just Google Min 😉
Thank them
An excellent article here on the subject of Middle Class Welfare. Those who whinge the longest and often the loudest are those who believe that Prada is an every day essential…
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/tough-past-makes-a-mockery-of-the-culture-of-entitlement-20120215-1t783.html#ixzz1mUcCHzAk
Tom, some people are yet to work that one out. 😉
I wonder if Ed has yet Min.
I also wonder why they said ‘policy officer’ when his linkedin account says Policy Analyst?
I suppose, they are only words, and theirabc cannot be expected to get everything right all the time. 😉
Just saw this on twitter. I think it sums up our media to a tea
If the site stops having issues, I’ll try and link to the actual comment (that puts the pretty little pictures in Min 😉 )
chriskkenny | 40 minutes ago
Mottram and Buongiorno spruiking the government’s private health moves – who’d a thunk it? #auspol Decide to skip leadership chat. LOL #ABC
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-06-02/question-time-live/2741600
How DARE they talk about policies, when there is a perfectly good rumour mill going on
😯
Sue @ 5.11am, another one for your list:-
ABC’s Allison Carribine to Fran Kelly about “the challenge”,
the “momentum is unstoppable now”
Tom R, that’s typical Chris Kenny; he doesn’t try to hide his loyalty to the Liberals. Ever.
The bigger questions about 7.30, ed walton
as an employee of acma should he be giving tv interviews?
did he approach 7.30 or did 7.30 approach him?
why didn’t he or 7.30 state he worked for the media watchdog?
is this political interference by a suppposed independent authority?
what is brendan trembath’s responsibility?
how did this get past the new director?
Pip, I think that is what the PM is saying but as usual people are interested in listening to the gloom spreaders.
They swallow the myth they are worse off because say electricity is dearer but ignore the fact that they are paying much less on their mortgages. I do not believe clothes and electrical goods have ever been cheaper.
The price of fresh food is coming down. The high prices was the fault of nature, not the PM.
No gloom and doom seems to win every time.
As I see it, outside the high dollar, the biggest danger facing the nation, is the Oppositions continual down talking of the economy.
This new economy we are entering calls for a little bi-partisanship. If not the losers will not be Labor but the country.
What is more frightening, is that Mr. Abbott does not appear to acknowledge or understand the economy as it is today. How then can many think that he or his party has the answer.
I say this, as all we hear is cut spending and lower taxes. We do not hear whose taxes will be lowered or where the cuts will be made.
We than have Mr. Abbott promising to restore unnecessary rebates to the wealthy. Does this not scare people. If not, I would love to know, why not.
I know one thing for sure, the nation and the globe cannot continue to move the share of profits from the workers to the employer without something giving. When this is added to by moving the tax load also from the wealthy, while cutting benefits to the poor, something has to give, and I say it has.
The problem today is not greedy wage demands, but the expectation of greedy and unrealistic profits. There is something immoral in a world that says the only thing of importance is the return to shareholders and what’s more it must break records every year, regardless of how the economy is travelling.
As for Qantas and those moving their workforces off shore, we still have the option of taking our custom elsewhere.
I realise that my questions should be put by those who really care, Senators Brandis and Abetz. Have the victorian police got some spare time?
The paradox of a presidential prime minister
Tim Dunlop
{ an excellent read }
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3832750.html
Of course, a great many of the media people we see & read & their friends & relations would be affected by the rebate cutoff figure.
Pip, thank you for the link..Tim is spot on as always.
Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2012/018
——————————————————————————–
HAS figures in The Australian completely false
Min @ 11.39am, You’re welcome. Tim Dunlop always delivers 🙂
How will the media deal with this little lot?
FBI review: Bligh’s statement February 15, 2012
Read later.Ministerial Statement
Premier Anna Bligh
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/state-election-2012/fbi-review-blighs-statement-20120215-1t5qk.html
*
Bligh launches attack on Newman’s family interests
Daniel Hurst and Bridie Jabour
February 15, 2012.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/state-election-2012/bligh-launches-attack-on-newmans-family-interests-20120215-1t5pq.html
Will poor Michelle Grattan have to find a new adjective for her description of Craig Thompson?
“EMBATTLED Labor MP Craig Thomson, at the centre of the Fair Work Australia investigation into the Health Services Union, has called for the inquiry’s report to be made public”
“Embattled” really Michelle? from even your own article it doesn’t look as though Craig is embattled, unless from the media itself.
“I think there needs to be a conclusion to the investigation that’s open to scrutiny from outside,” Mr Thomson told The Age yesterday. ”It’s most undesirable to have an inquiry going on as long as it is, costing taxpayers as much as it has, and having a secret outcome.”
“….he is confident his name will be cleared of the main allegations.
…….NSW police found no basis for action against him
,,,,,,,If the Victorian police laid any charges – which he has told people he does not expect”
Oh dear poor Michelle, things must be looking grim for the media, so still time to ramp things up
“For any action against him to follow an adverse inquiry…………have to be referred to other authorities, which would take a considerable time.”
And then the saddest reporting of all.
“It is now likely that Mr Thomson……..will see out this term of Parliament ”
But embattled Michelle cannot let it go she writes this gem “whatever the outcomes of the police and Fair Work inquiries.”
Michelle whatever will you write if the “whatever” is no charges.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/thomson-calls-for-inquirys-report-into-health-union-to-be-made-public-20120216-1tbv1.html#ixzz1mZk49lv2
And poor Michelle has another of her stock standard articles
“Now the party contemplates a return to Rudd….”
Really? who are you trying to convince? the msm agrees with you, the opposition agrees with you but you still have to convince the public and most of all the labor party.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/pm-wins-votes-but-not-voters-20120216-1tbrn.html#ixzz1mZnPj4qb
Laugh of the day
“Rudd must act or the public will tire”
http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/simonbenson/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/rudd_must_act_or_the_public_will_tire/
Michelle Grattan, talking with Fran Kelly, has just used a phrase we haven’t heard before
“if Craig Thomson is exonerated……..”
worrying times for the msm
“Rudd must act or the public will tire”
“Rudd must act or the media will look dumber than they do now”
Fixed it for her Sue 😉
Conroy sticks it to the oo, who are caught out misrepresenting the facts again
<i.HAS figures in The Australian completely false
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today released costings for the Household Assistance Scheme that disprove claims that “every” installation of a set top box could cost an average of $698.
“The calculations printed in The Australian newspaper are completely false and the method used to calculate them are intellectually dishonest,” Senator Conroy said.
“Figures from the Queensland component of the program show that the cost of an installation of a specially designed set top box starts at as little as $158 for a household in a large regional city.
“This includes a comprehensive 12 month in-home after care warranty that guarantees the replacement of the box should it not work as it properly.
“For an installation of a set top box in a household in a small country town, including a full antenna upgrade, the cost rises to $492.”
Senator Conroy said the cost of installing a set top box in remote outback Queensland town, including the installation of a satellite dish, decoder and new wiring, could be as high as $1528.
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2012/018
The oo hit back with one of the most limpid and cold hearted defences it could offer.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/price-check-on-set-top-boxes/story-e6frg71x-1226272114220
If this approach was undertaken from the start it would have prompted questions as to the merits of the scheme in the first place, quite apart from its questionable cost and implementation.
merits of providing the elderly with a way to continue to be able to access a television signal once the old system is turned off? Is this paper for real?
It is worth noting that a lot of the bureaucratic costs of the scheme are front-loaded in the early stages of the program.
And yet, it doesn’t appear to have factored into their figures. Go figure??
Based on the available numbers, the scheme is costing double the original estimate and 30 times the cost of set-top boxes at stores.
Using an estimate, or the cost of the cheapest piece of rubbish, which does not incluse all of the other services the scheme includes, is intellectual dihonesty at it basest, misrepresentation of actual facts yet again by a serial offender.
Given a pensioner could buy and install a set-top box for as little as $19, or ask a family member, friend or neighbour to help buy and install it, we see little reason for the scheme in the first place.
Can you imagine the outcry when the analogue broadcast is turned off, and the $19 clunker gives up the ghost. Pretty sure
Installation costs will vary greatly from region to region but Senator Conroy’s suggestion last night that installation costs “for a household in a large regional city” in a state such as Queensland start at $158 is still excessively high.
I challenge any of the competitors to offer a similar specially designed set top box, installation and comprehensive 12 month in-home after care warranty for the same price, instead of some cheap knock-off the oo are comparing it with that has no warranty, apart from the Gaurantee that it will break down within the first 12 months (I know, I’ve bought these dodgey ones and been burnt). Conroy put this challenge directly to harvey norman when he made similar claims. harvey hasn’t been heard from since.
We suggest this scheme is an indulgence at a time when the nation can scarcely afford it.
Providing elderly citizens with a vital communication tool is an ‘indulgence’ to the oo? I guess they get too much variety in their news source if they have a tele perhaps?
Some critics may accuse this newspaper’s campaign against government waste and mismanagement as reflecting a “Tea Party” ideology
One wonders where they might get that idea?
I wonder if the writer is prepared to go door to door and help out pensioners who can no longer view their television. Is this the most scrooge like institution on the planet? They call providing pensioners with vital communication assets an ‘indulgence’, while simultaneously railing against middle class welfare being withdrawn. If there is an indulgence, look towards that.
Tom R
I also heard Conroy and he said the sets they installed weren’t the $19 types but specially designed for people such as the aged, those with disabilities.
The most gob smacking deceit of the oo is that the coalition demanded such a scheme, when originally the analogue system was destined to be turned off in 2009, under the Howard time frame.
I also heard Conroy and he said the sets they installed weren’t the $19 types but specially designed for people such as the aged, those with disabilities.
Exactly Sue. If the Government tried to flog the $19 pieces of crap off onto the pensioners, you could imagine the outcry then couldn’t you.
And the fact that the oo, again, leave out the details that render their story complete rubbish is as telling as the fact that they even printed it.
Mind you, I’m still getting over the total hypocrisy of defending health rebates for millionaires, while calling supporting pensioners an ‘indulgence’.
There are times you just want to hit something!
Tom R
News ltd still think the colonies are for convicts. they were attempting to employ one of there “staff” in perth, until the coppers swooped
http://www.smh.com.au/world/australia-offlimits-for-murdoch-editors-aide-20120216-1tbqo.html
I see the oo is still trying to validate their crap, still by refusing to divulge the complete coverage of the set-top box scheme (which covers far more than a simple set-top box)
The new figures still indicate that the Gillard government is in many instances spending much more on the installation of a set-top box than the price of a 106cm digital TV, which can be purchased for $400, while set-top boxes can be bought for just $19.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/conroy-on-the-defensive-as-he-reveals-set-top-costs-up-to-1500/story-fn59niix-1226272164296
It is not for the Governmnet to be providing televisions. It is for the Governmnet to be providing access to a digital reception.
We personally needed to replace all of the cabling to the antennae, as well as a new antennae. That was after the set-top box. And I can tell you, the cost far exceeded their $158, in fact, it came close to the $400. And we live in suburbia. There are plenty of black spots to be found even there.
Or Rudd must act or Tony Abbott’s leadership of the Liberals is under threat.
Or Rudd must act or people will stop reading the Daily ‘graph..
I must admit Sue, I do get a great deal of satisfaction watching these corrupt media players being burnt in a pyre they built themselves, particularly after reading the dross our local version of these pyro’s have put up.
Thanks for that 😉
Sue at 8.55 The headline I would like to see in the Telegraph “News Ltd employee attempts to flee justice spreading Corruption to Australia”
http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/excess-baggage.html
How low can the 7.30 null sink?
Even after sending out this little tweet, the best they could come up with was a policy advisor from ACMA to push their barrow,
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2012/02/16/oh-how-far-theyve-fallen/
Now for a nice change, a factual comment in a newspaper
There is the usual dumb article by barry cassidy, in the drum. yes he is on about the challenge.
his main argument is that he knows the journalists that rudd spoke to. and that rudds denials have amazed him
“He can deny the approaches only because he believes the journalists involved are bound to both protect their sources and to treat such conversations as confidential. He is protected by the cloak of journalistic ethics.”
the dumb part about barry’s article is he reminisces about a similar incident with costello and 3 journos,
“Brissenden said the three journalists left the dinner with the understanding that the story could be reported as background.
But the next day they received frantic phone calls from Costello’s staff pleading that the conversation be treated as off the record.
They went along with that, but two years later, had a change of mind. They went on the record and outed Costello because they argued, “The strength of Mr Costello’s denials today (April 14, 2007) go to matters of credibility for the man who still holds hopes of one day leading the nation”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-17/cassidy-leadership-tussle/3834486
Sorry barry but who led the libs in 2007, who resigned rather than lead the lberals in 2008?
do you think barry you and the rest of the journos who constantly undermined rudd may be the but of a bit of pay back?
He is protected by the cloak of journalistic ethics
ROFL
tom r
i can hear you laughing
Sorry about that Sue, I’ll try and keep it down 😉
The opposition has been making much of the comparatively flat jobs performance of 2011 as evidence of Labor’s poor economic management.
…
According to the Bureau, 2011 saw the third-highest average employment to population ratio ever.
http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/02/17/gloom-doom-reform-understanding-jobs-growth-is-important/
Waiting on the update from the mainstream to correct…..
Sue, I have bought some of those cheap ones. They are a waste of money.
It is reported that the Opposition did not raised at the senate hearings, Mr Turnbull’s allegation re the two satellites.
I wonder why?
Tom R @ 3.53pm,
Waiting on the update from the mainstream to correct…..
Don’t hold your breath while you wait!
Well done Georgia Waters and Danielle Cronin of the Brisbane times, look what made it to Poll Call today
“Psephologists rejoice!”
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/state-election-2012/poll-call-february-17-20120217-1tcpu.html
This one’s good for a laugh.
Thanks to Eddie for the link on Facebook
“Wonder why Rupert is against NBN”
Twitter And Facebook Have Made Word-Of-Mouth The Most Powerful Marketing Model
http://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-and-facebook-have-made-word-of-mouth-the-most-powerful-marketing-model-2012-2
Vomit warning
Grattan has written a positive spin on Peta Credlin, smiley photograph accompanies the piece.
An unelected person, a guest , of the House shouting abuse at the PM and Leader of House gets praise by grattan
“Leader of the House Anthony Albanese jumped up to protest when he saw the Prime Minister targeted, only to find an interjection directed at him. Now that’s spirit!
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/caught-in-the-thick-of-it-20120218-1tfs2.html#ixzz1mlaMOFi9
How low will the msm go to put positive spin on abbott, well as low as michelle grattan.
There was a big change on capital hill with lyndal curtis tonight.
the leadership question was only addressed to labor.
for the liberal there were questions about tony abbott appointing sidonis and briggs to the economic team (yes i know now 5 members with 6 viewpoints)
then it was onto the gonski report.
so much better
we actually found out that bradbury (labor) has been reported as undecided by people he has never met and so once again he confirmed his support for gillard.
the liberal tried to say that the liberal party had a depth of talent and that is why abbott has extended the economic team (denying it was about younger and new talent, rather than the old howard team)
The drum has been dropped from ABC 2, 21
Sue the Liberal promotion went to Jamie Briggs…..who holds Mayo,
Dolly’s old seat…and just as irritating.
Sue, that seems to be the way..when the media can’t get an interview, the person is immediately slotted in under the category of undecided.
Min
trouble was nobody approached bradbury for his opinion. the media just compiled their lists. it was probably the same lists that led to the infamous IT’S ON, special presentation by abc news.
i wait for tonight to see uhlman apologise to his audience.
(as if)
Sue, Uhlmann. Apologise. ??
hehehehehehehahahhahahhahhahahahaha!
pip
i have just seen a promo for 7.30. uhllmann is in justification mode
probably about saving his job as anchor and political heavyweight as opposed to deadweight
Sue, i haven’t seen 7.30 but Uhlman is copping heaps on Twitter..
Compare ABC & Fairfax reaction to Rudd’s “no-challenge” announcement
http://swearycat.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/compare-abc-fairfax-reaction-to-rudds-no-challenge-announcement/
Maybe we need a special page for ABC FAIL Watch to help out Friends of the ABC.
Pip
good
i haven’t got twitter
garret stuck it to uhlmann. told him to let him answer questions, even before the first question garrett told uhlmann he didn’t agree with some of the premises raised.
uhlmann wouldn’t listen as usual. then u tried the leadership, garrett basically gave a quick answer the same he has done all day, then said now get back to gonski report.
There needs to be more of that , Sue. Pull Uhlmann up and make him LISTEN. With a bit of luck it will throw his questions out of sync 😀
Look at qld
“The LNP leader, clearly not used to having media follow his every move, was also questioned about disobeying three `don’t walk’ signs during his morning run.”
Mr Newman built anticipation for his announcement with a visit to Brisbane coffee mogul Phillip Di Bella, who had a word to him about payroll tax.
But to his discomfort he was bailed up by Albany Creek woman Pauline Stephens, who questioned his credentials for stepping up to the premier’s job after having served as Brisbane mayor.
The LNP also matched Labor’s plan to return the Queensland budget to surplus in 2014/15.
But Mr Newman had to admit he was relying on the books of Treasurer Andrew Fraser – whom the LNP calls “Australia’s worst treasurer” – to deliver the promise.
He couldn’t say how the LNP would achieve a surplus.”
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/newman-stumbles-in-media-spotlight-20120220-1tjju.html
Damnation, I wish that I had seen that..Garrett is mellow 99% of the time, but can dish it out when the need arises.
Min
see iview or better still tomorrow go to 7.30 homepage and just watch the garrett interview
Sue at 7.19
Never seen a picture of Peta Credlin before. In this one she looks like a superannuated heavy metal rocker in drag. Surely Michelle could’ve done better than this?
Married to Loughinane?? Friggin “ell.
What’s with the Krogers these days?
Bob, Michael Kroger and Planet Janet are an item 😯
Qld. LNP pulling out all the stops…
bsa bob
mrs kroger was on q&a last week, displaying why she will never amount to anything.
the picture of credlin was taken on one of her better days.
Sue, Pip’s making some pizzas and coffees. 😀
Pip at 9.58
Thanks, I knew there was something. Language fails…
Sue at 11.20
I know I’ve see Frau Kroger before & hated her, I just can’t think where.
An early rise beckons, I’m off to bed. Have a good night & see ya.
Bob, the previous Mrs. Kroger [no. 2] was Anne Peacock, and now he’s on with Janet Albrechtson…words fail me too ….
ABC news 24 yesterday.
in the morning news thay had the story of wilkie saying rudd would challenge because rudd had told him so, rudd had sought out wilkie for support.
during the day wilkie “corrected” the record of his meeting with rudd. the meeting was about iraq, he wilkie asked rudd generally about leadership rad de dah de dah.
however ABC news 24, as late as 5pm were still running with their early morning news.
What is the point of a 24hr news channel if they cannot run up to date news. What is the point of running a story that has been completely contradicted. That showed either ineptitude or complete political bias.
..”ineptitude or complete political bias”. Yes.
I have been contacted by you tube with the message that Channel 10 has claimed infringement of their copy right by posting the following video to youtube
It is clear from the logo, bottom left, that the footage was shot by the ABC.
I expect that Andrew Bolt, Chris Berg (IPA) and all the other right wing lovers of freedom of speech will leap to my defense over this attempt to censor political expression.
…and Abbott is an even bigger dropkick now than when this speech was made.
luna
that is the bottom right.
the abc is bottom right definitely not left
Oh lunalava
didn’t you know channel ten/murdoch has purchased the abc. or they will get for a knock down price.
so luna technically, they may own it. or does the footage screened on tha abc belong to parliament house, murdoch thinks he owns that already.
Now for some good news in the media
Ten tanks after profit downgrade
Ten Network Holdings has flagged a steep drop in earnings and revenue in the first half of its fiscal 2012 as the television broadcaster battles a tough advertising market.
Special thanks go to Lachlan, Gina and the Blot
with contributions from fat people, cooks and shock jocks
Sue at 4.22
Gina’s done her dosh. Sob…
Bob and Sue, sob sob…. 😆
Special thanks go to Lachlan, Gina and the Blot
with contributions from fat people, cooks and shock jocks
Sue & Pip
Andrew’s job’s safe, thank goodness. Nobody else’s mind you.
Lunalava, the appearance of the logo means that there is no copyright infringement. Dissemination of material for information is classed as fair dealings.
http://www.copyright.org.au/find-an-answer/
More to my happy news
Billionaires take a bath at Ten
“Figures from FreeTV Australia showed Ten captured 27.03 per cent of the capital city television advertising market in the six months to December 31, 2011, well behind Seven’s 38.1 per cent and 34.87 per cent at Nine.
Also, the result was down from the 28.85 per cent Ten achieved in the six months to June 30, 2011 and some distance from Ten chairman Lachlan Murdoch’s ambition of reaching 30 per cent.”
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/ten-tanks-after-profit-downgrade-20120222-1tni7.html#ixzz1n5yfnzN9
The great NBN fail
http://www.abc.net.au/technology/articles/2012/02/21/3435975.htm
And Ten expects to lift earnings with a new program starting today. read about the new host
“Mr Murdoch personally recruited Henry to front its attempt to earn a bigger slice of the $100 million-a-year breakfast market, of which Ten’s mix of news and cartoons now reaps just $3 million.
Henry, who reportedly is to be paid $1 million a year, hosted TVNZ’s breakfast show until 2010, when he resigned in disgrace after making racially charged comments about New Zealand’s then governor-general, Sir Anand Satyanand.”
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/ten-in-earnings-slump-20120222-1to60.html#ixzz1n8W56YdG
Did I mention before the “value” of shock jocks.
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3847892.html
Thanks Eddie. Good link.
http://centreforadvancedjournalism.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/r/3B83F9E865F33E01
Truth may not always sell, but it’s key to quality journalism
The Drum
By ABC’s Jonathan Holmes
Posted February 24, 2012
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-24/holmes-truth-may-not-always-sell/3849254
Has the media harmed itself more than the PM?
An oldie but goodie:
NZ NBN to add NZ$33bn to economy
http://www.zdnet.com.au/nz-nbn-to-add-nz33bn-to-economy-339332097.htm
Now according to the headlines and first sentence of the following story, you get the impression, that the 5 senior backers will be “culled”. The second sentence, the “cull” has “senior govt sources” saying 1 person will be removed from cabinet. now we know Albanese is ok, the PM says so, the story then goes on to say the other 3 should be ok
“Payback time as PM Julia Gillard culls Kevin Rudd’s mates
KEY cabinet ministers are in the firing line for “payback” after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday’s leadership spill.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/payback-time-as-pm-julia-gillard-culls-kevin-rudds-mates/story-e6frfkvr-1226283416061#ixzz1ncDvGvuh
Payback, cull what BS
WOW!
Simon Crean on radio national with Fran Kelly
Gee, Fran is really pissed off. Go Simon
Now, if you missed the interview, Fran wanted to go over the “entrails” as Simon put it. Crean said it was now about the future.
Simon explained that during all last week, work still went on and in fact he had been in Tasmania launching a new program where 1300 jobs had been created.
Fran said, “well who heard about that?”
Simon ” Tasmanians did, and if programs such as yours actually reported the news, maybe other australians would” He continued ” Fran you are keen to report job losses but where new programs are launced etc etc.” “Now today we are launching …………….”
By now Fran has really lossed it and said , “Well if you want to talk politics. That academy you are launching is only because of the independents”
Simon then corrected that impression.
Fran by now is happy to cut in and say, “now before we have to let you go……..”
Fran Kelly has been slagging the government for about three years and as such I’ll no longer listen to her while she presents biased, opinionated news. A golf ball would make a better journalist than she does.
So true miglo, then on AM the PM wasn’t putting up with Sabre Lane, either.
This weeks ABC media Watch program mentioned the Parliamentary Press gallery and the issue of
malicious leaksunnamed sources.The increasing use of unnamed sources is a way to avoid accountability by disgruntled politicians and of course journalist’s can lie their heads off with impunity.
We have just witnessed a twelve month campaign to destabilise an elected government run and directed by unnamed sources with the assistance of lazy journalists.
Unnamed sources not “faceless men” are the cancer in our political system.
Lunalava, or at very least it should be made very very clear that “unnamed sources” are just an opinion and may not resemble factual information in any way, shape or form.
I remember when Fran Kelly began her career. She had the flattest monotone way of speaking……terrible.
Then, she popped up in Canberra with a brand new voice, and accent, and a brand new attitude!
lunalava, they weren’t even “faceless”. Their faces were splashed across our screens on a daily basis in 2010.
I think it was Dr. Emerson who said yesterday that the “faceless” tag was started by Tony Abbott!
For the real NBN news this is the site to watch.
Media centre
Media releases, speeches and any publications issued by the Minister can be found here.
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases
The AM interview Sabre Lane with the PM, video or audio
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-28/gillard-won27t-rule-out-spill-payback/3856578
Spot the different reporting styles here…
Virgin announces carbon price surcharges
Updated February 28, 2012 17:15:01
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-28/virgin-announces-carbon-surcharges/3857886
or this:-
Virgin Australia raises airfares due to carbon scheme
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/news/virgin-australia-raises-airfares-due-to-carbon-scheme/story-fn32891l-1226284173095
Well Pip. it would have to be Tony. That is where he is rooted, back in the 50 and 60’s as Mr. Rudd said.
Mr. Abbott much have been asleep for the years in between.
I read months ago on that Liberal site, that is not a Liberal site. The way to beat Labor, is to ridicule them. Mr. Slipper must have read the same advice.
I have been practising it since.
With Mr. Abbott and his team, it is not hard to do. It is harder to say something sensible about them.
“today we are launching …………….”
By now Fran has really lossed it and said , “Well if you want to talk politics. That academy you are launching is only because of the independents
”
Gee whiz, Fran it only shows how well a minority government works.
Cu, I’ve been practising the same thing. 😀
Pip, it is really easy. One does not need to make things up, just stick to the facts and repeat what they say.
They do the job for us.
The last week appears to have evaporated into the ether already. The 24/7 cycle works both ways.
All that is left, is a stronger and more confident PM that is willing to take the media on and is taking control of the agenda. The Opposition is just a sideshow.
All Mr. Abbott’s plotting and plans since Christmas are no longer in play. New ones have to be developed, as now they realise there will not be a early election.
No one is mentioning Mr. Thompson, which leads one to think that is also going to be another fizzer.
Where have all the gloaters gone from a few days ago.
I believe that Labor pains have produced a healthy new baby. The nursery is now being redecorated to accommodated it.
Such a nice smile on the PM’s face.
It is nice to see that poker face she is so good at, put in the bottom drawer.
Cu, @ 6.59pm, this makes me smile
Oakeshott will not trigger early election
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-27/oakeshott-withdraw-reax/3853998/?site=melbourne
Mr. Oakeshott added:-
Love the last sentence.
Mr. Abbott has taken no interest in the workings of this parliament since the first day. He is only interested in abusing the procedures at the end of QT.
He can barely wait until the end of QT to raise the MSSO.
He had to do this to him to get the most of what appears on TV. He does not seem to realise we can watch ON ABC24, Sky or on or computer.
I find the most interesting time to watch parliament, is the hour or so following QT.
Mr. Abbott takes no other interest in what is going on. I am waiting for a reporter to ask him what bills have been passed this or any other week
According to the drongo host of the ABC 7.30 program Chris Uhlmann, there is currently a “flood of Biblical proportions” happening in the outback.
Maybe the crows are calling out “ARK ARK”
Yes Chris, good to see the time you spent at the Catholic Seminary was not wasted.
Just watched Lib Senator Eric Abetz commenting on live cattle exports and cruelty. He made the really stupid comment that Australia commenced with live exports to this country, I presume this is a reference to my ancestors who were Irish convicts sent to Australia in 1823.
This made me wonder why he did not also mention his grand uncle Otto who was a senior Nazi in during WW2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Abetz#Relatives
The apple does not fall far from the tree.
lunalava
you lose, as you were the first to mention Godwin’s law. However, I did read the link and found this bit on good old uncle Otto,
“Abetz’s function eventually evolved into becoming the catalyst for society, the arts, industry, education, and above all, propaganda. He assembled a team of journalists and academics.”
As you say: “The apple does not fall far from the tree.” and Eric has his own special Godwin.
Joe Kelly from the “Australian” at today’s National Press Club asked Rob Oakeshott the usual putdown question and was whacked out of the park for six.
Rob concluded by saying “Results trump insults”
This address was the greatest exposay of Abbott I have seen on TV. No one could consider him a potential leader of this country after watching this program.
I doubt it will get much exposure in the media.
He is correct, Humbug Creek near Ungarie has broke it’s banks.
I wonder if the humbug we are hearing will last longer than that flood which will be little more than flash flooding. It is a creek that one would find it hard to drown themselves in normal times.
Windsor and Oakeshott on MTP. Wilkie is attending his mother’s funeral
I do not expect to hear humbug here.
‘Results trump insults”
I do hope the PM keeps believing this. Sorry luna, I did not see you mentioning NPC.
lunalava,
I don’t think the media will report very much about the NPC;
My guess is that they will distort what Windsor said about the hung parliament and that is all.
Oakeshott’s account of what Hockey said when asked during the negotiations if they wanted to call another election….Hockey said, “No, don’t do that to us”
QT. First question from Tony Abbott about the ‘early’ ending of the Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme.’ how can we trust the PM blah blah when this scheme is closed early blah blah’.
The fact is that orders had to be in, and a deposit paid by 28th February, and the scheme is to stop by 30th June 2012.
Abbott, Milne and no doubt the media will overlook the part about the 28th Feb.,
Fury as solar subsidy scheme cut short
AM by Alexandra Kirk and staff
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-29/solar-subsidy-scheme-cut/3858738
The Prime Minister’s answer to Mr. Abbott made this very clear!
Jenny Macklin says that today, more than 140,0000 families are receiving paid parental leave….. made the obvuous point that Abbott’s plan is under attack from his own side.
The tele’s Miranda Devine is back to
EAR LOBES
just about says it all, about the quality of her journalism/ opinion
Sue, next up, Slugger Maiden to wheel out another white jacket
#awj hash tag again on Twitter.
lunalava at 12.17
Thanks for that link. I’ve always been able to visualise Abetz as a caricatured Nazi officer, & now I’ve got history on my side.
I don’t care about Godwin’s Law.
Now for something completely different from Fairfax
“this website understands”…
“sources have told’
“Sources have told this website”
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/gillard-personally-pushed-carr-for-senate-bid-20120229-1u1rq.html
A letter to the editor which should be sent to certain Coalition members.
Alarming ignorance of system of governance
February 29, 2012.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/letters/alarming-ignorance-of-system-of-governance-20120228-1u14x.html
Channel 7’s Rahni Sadler overstepped the boundaries.
Reporter charged over interview with killer
February 29, 2012 – 6:42PM
http://www.smh.com.au/national/reporter-charged-over-interview-with-killer-20120229-1u2qf.html
Has anyone linked to this video of the National Press Gallery with Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott.? Well worth watching. There are two parts to this by the way, not sure if my link takes in both.
I think this is Part 2.
Thanks to Frank at http://afrankview.net/2012/02/gillard-won-rudd-lost/a Fr
Another three overstep the bounds of decency.. Channel 10.
Ms Stynes and Mr. Negus should POQ !
Not a class act….
‘I feel sick’: Circle host shocked at backlash over soldier’s ‘dud root’ slur February 29, 2012 – 5:27PM
.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/i-feel-sick-circle-host-shocked-at-backlash-over-soldiers-dud-root-slur-20120229-1u1mr.html
patricia, NPC was worth bottling today.
Some Coalition MP’s could take a leaf out of their book.
I mentioned this @ 2.27pm, now it’s Lateline time, eight hours have passed and not surprisingly these days, the ABC hasn’t corrected their earlier reports.
the press gallerey must not have been listening to the Prime Minister in QT, when she explained how the scheme’s ending had been planned.
Fury as solar subsidy scheme cut short
AM by Alexandra Kirk and staff
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-29/solar-subsidy-scheme-cut/3858738
As posted earlier,
The fact is that orders had to be in, and a deposit paid by 28th February, and the scheme is to stop by 30th June 2012.
Disgusting ABC 7.00 News and 7.30 with their lies about the PM contacting Bob Carr re Senate vacancy and the so called ‘revolt’ over the FAM job. Even I had ascertained the truth of that several hours before. Quite apart from the facts Uhlman’s and Ewatt’s editorialising of their commentary was appalling. I’ll be complaining on line and on the phone tomorrowl.
Was this a scheme started by Mr Turnbull. I think the PM said it was to end now.
Mr.Abbott actually said gotch you.
The PM added it will not be needed after that time, Clean Energy Future kicks in. There will be other supports provided then.
I am sure that the PM said that Mr. Turnbull had also said it was only stop gap scheme until the EPS or like scheme was put on place.
Who killed off the Carr prospect is unclear. All that happened, feelers were put out. To many, it seems. Mr. Mundine appears to be another. A convenient truth in this story.
Patricia, the stupid thing is that the PM has done nothing wrong, even if all their facts were truth.
There is so many people involved, including at the airport, there does not have to be a leak.
There is nothing to leak.
patricia, as you said, the truth is available hours before 7 news and 7.30, and still Uhlman and Ewart in particular, run their anti govt lines.
I do not know if I have the right information.
@SenatorBobBrown is trending on Twitter in W.A.
@SenatorBobBrown: If I’m “the most powerful politician in Australia” how come I can’t get my letters to the ed printed in The Aust?
The problem is that the PM did not offer Mr. Carr the FM job, She said early that she spoke to him. Does the PM have to tell the media or the Opposition every word she utters while doing her job. It is described as a back flip even today.
Would she be the first person to canvass people while filling an position. It would be amiss of her if she did not.
Is that the same as giving them the job, I am sure that most have been told by a boss that a opening is coming up and they should apply. That is not saying you have the job,
The PM said that the story she was rolled was inaccurate. That is true.
The PM at that time had made no appointment, How can she now say, as the article claims, that she changed her mind.
In the media, where other people who also said they had been approached. Why is it not been said, the PM offered then the post.
and this seems to be the inconvenient truth. Do not let facts get in the way of a good story.
Why not are the Opposition being criticised for mounting such a vicious attack on what amounts to at least the twisting of facts and misinformation. An attack that is unwarranted by any extent of the imagination.
Treasurer Wayne Swan has written an essay for The Monthly magazine,
“The “0.01%”.
Editors Note
http://www.themonthly.com.au/blog-march-2012-editors-note-monthly-wire-4685
– ABC24’s Latika Bourke began to explain to news anchor Jane Hutcheon about Mr. Swan’s essay, and Hutcheon’s not so professional comment was:-
“What’s he done now?”.
If Ms Hutcheon sees a problem with our Treasurer taking on three of the greediest individuals in Australia she should explain her comment to her viewers and save the glib comments for the sports segment. –
As one wag on radio this morning described “fat cat” Clive Palmer’s
foray into the world of professional soccer as “throwing all his toys out of his cot”, one could safely say that about Rinehart, Forrest and Palmer!
Herald Sun campaign of outrageously misleading readers on carbon price continues
March 2, 2012 – 9:00 am, by Jeremy Sear
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2012/03/02/herald-sun-campaign-of-outrageously-misleading-readers-on-carbon-price-continues/
Pip. the media are back in over drive. The Treasurer is only saying what most on this site have been saying for a couple of years.
Mr. Pyne dismisses it as class envy or such. He is wrong.
The treasure is not attacking the rich. He is attacking three that have over stepped the mark.did it’s job, instead of insisting in being a player.
The attack has increase on the PM. Some are telling the Coalition to get ready for an election.
Will they ever learn.
It is not a free press we want, it is an honest one.
They are not even bothering to claim what they say is fact.
As we predicted, the uproar would continue this year, as time runs out for the Opposition. The Opposition was asked this morning why his numbers were not better, continuing the run the PM has had in the last couple of weeks.
I see Ms. Bishop’s speech being describe as a wonderful speech and the transcript provided. It was not. It was nasty speech full of bile and very few truths.
Pip, all now have matters before the court, mainly because they are demanding their own way.
The feeling of entitlements these three have are beyond contempt.
I should not say this, but at least to live up to the cartoons we seen a century or so ago, of robber barons. There is ample of them.
Cu, yep, the media is still working hard to assist Abbott into the Lodge.
With the Mining Tax and the Carbon Pricing due to start very soon, plus the NBN rolling across the nation, time is running out for for Smudgy Bugglers to stop any of it in aid of his corporate backers.
Malcolm Turnbull is doing his best to muddy the waters on the NBN.
Surely he knows better. some people are saying they’d prefer Turnbull to Abbott, but reflecting on his Godwin Grech episode, I wouldn’t trust him any more than I trust Abbot.
Thankfully, there are alternative sites to the main stream media, at which to glean the correct information
Turnbull again misleads public on NBN
http://delimiter.com.au/2012/03/01/turnbull-again-misleads-the-public-on-nbn/
Another lie the media is pushing. That of the faceless men. The do not exist.
Pip at 11.10
Not the actual topic, but I agree that I’m not in the “Turnbull would be OK I suppose” camp. I get a bit bemused at the prospect, what with all the abrupt revisions of noalition policy that would be required, & more than a bit angry at the knowlege they’ll be waved through without a comment from the MSM.
Bob, the more I learn about Turnbull the more that I think that he is nothing more than an opportunist. He was a progressive when the occasion suited, but now he seems to be quite content to back up Tony Abbott’s lies and distortions.
Pip, Mr. Abbott is sticking to three things, I do not think will go down well when an election is called.
Doing to FWA, what Gillard did to Workchoices.
Sticking with his ridiculous parental scheme, which only Liberal voters would care about.
Abolishing NBNco, which I believe most support.
Add to that his ineffective and expensive scheme to deal with carbon emission and the 70 million black hole before he starts, I do not believe the public will swallow much of Mr. Abbott.
With his promises to dismantle most of what Labor has achieved will only bring to the public noticed, Labor’s achievements. There is not much that the public would see as wrong.
I believe those polls will change quickly.
Bob, your prediction that “all the abrupt revisions of noalition policy would be waved through without a comment from the MSM”would come true with indecent haste.
Abbott at Solahart on ABC24
Greg Hunt reciting….costs will go up and up.
jobs offshore – no notice, no warning of rebate scheme ending.
Abbott “bungled withdrawal of solar rebate scheme”.
“no conception of the needs of business and workers in their lives.”
manufacturers facing carbon tax, using a lot o power is particularly prone to extra costs with carbon ‘tax’.
Rheem h/w system is subject to carbon tax
imported system not carbon taxed.
“private members bill to ensure the Solar Rebate money is spent till 30th June.”
Here’s a newsflash for Tony Abbott, the Solar Hot Water System Rebate Scheme was budgeted with a specific amount to spend by 30th June, 2012
Orders placed with a deposit paid by 28th February will of course be covered.
Had the government overspent on this Budget item, Abbott and Hunt would still be lining up to take a swipe!
Abbott’s comments….for Min…
“targets of Swans attack, wealth creators, Swan is a waster”
“pink batts, school halls, digging up streets to give something people don’t want.”
Questioned about Swan’s attack on the three miners, Rinehart, Forrest and Palmer. and Rinehart’s investment in Fairfax, Mr. Abbott says he’s glad that someone is investing in Fairfax.
Well yes, Mr. Abbott would say that given that the conservatives have for as long as I can remember, accused Fairfax of being too left-wing – It’snot –
so of course he’s pleased that the far-right Ms Rinehart is now a major shareholder in Fairfax!
lol
A journalist on ABC24 just referred to Gillards moving Bob Carr to Foreign Minister as a ‘reverse wedgey’ on the media gallery.
Tom, even Latika wouldn’t know what that means…the media hacks don’t know whether to scratch their watch or wind their butt today…
The media aren’t going to like this one…
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/new-body-needed-to-keep-media-in-line-inquiry-20120302-1u7gj.html#ixzz1nvSppNvw
Min & Pip
The comments re Turnbull. I think he has his own version of the general noalition policy. The idea being to do & say what it takes to get the reins of a country that’s doing very well indeed & coast.
I’ve just popped out to Aldebaran for some shopping. Has Dennis set & failed Gillard on any tests since I was last here?
Bob, 😆
a. Probably
some good media news
right wing radio station MTR goes off air
“Since its launch in April 2010, MTR has run up losses of more than $9 million.
Sydney-style shock-jock format in 2010 with presenters including Price, News Ltd columnist Andrew Bolt and former TV presenter Steve Vizard.
Macquarie’s action follows a very poor showing in the ratings last week, when MTR’s share of the Melbourne market fell to 1.4 per cent, equating to about 8000 listeners
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/no-worries-as-mtr-goes-off-the-air-20120302-1u7ji.html#ixzz1nx3dHtWZ
Sue,
some good media news
right wing radio station MTR goes off air
that’s devastating news…. 😆 :lol:… for the Bolta and Steve Price 😆 😆
Pip
so only 8000 listeners, so what are the real numbers for readers of the bolta and watchers of his report?
Maybe Gina will take note and come to the overdue realization that nobody likes listening to Bolt. His blog is only a success due to the scum it gives a voice to.
A book to watch out for
“The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars is a startling depiction of a scientist persecuted for trying to tell the truth.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/mar/03/michael-mann-climate-change-deniers
Mr. Denmore pings the corporate talking heads…and their enablers in the ‘news’ media
The ‘Certainty’ Myth
http://www.thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/
Pip @9.05pm Friday, perhaps no such luck..
Ewww..
But here’s the bit that I really like..
http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/mtr-successful-and-may-return-says-price-20120303-1u9zo.html#ixzz1o8faFu2p
http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/freedom-from-press.html
Eddie, that’s an excellent article from Mr Denmore.
I love the one that said we need freedom from the press. Spot on.
Emma on Lateline, began with the statement, biting the hand that feeds you. This set the environment for the rest of the programme.
Mr. Hockey’s reply, the faceless men. How it fitted into his answer to the question, I have no idea.
If freedom of the press is that of saying what they like. Surely they therefore they have a duty to also present, in the same manner, size sand space, those who disagree.
This does not occur.
It appears that the world as we know it will come to an end, if the media is force to tell the truth and substantiate what they say.
This does not prevent the media from having views that differ. it just stops them from lying.
The belief that the board cannot be put beyond the control of government is just plain stupid and misleading. It this was true, we would not have the separation of the legal and government systems. We would not have independent bodies such as the FWA.
I know the Liberals have problems with this concept, but it can be done. One has representives from all involved. It is not too hard.
The media we now have undermines our democracy.
Cu. The media we now have undermines our democracy. which is why I post government Ministers’ press releases here. 🙂
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2012/025
Joint media release
THE HON NICOLA ROXON MP
Attorney-General
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
——————————————————————————–
Good article from Robert Manne.
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3871300.html?WT.svl=theDrum
Goodness, I wonder what it’s going to cost Tony to get out of that contract…
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Finance/2012/03/07/Telstra_finalises_11b_NBN_deal_726306.html
Ross Gittins one one of a very few who buck the system.
Reporting crime drop just doesn’t pay, it seems
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/reporting-crime-drop-just-doesnt-pay-it-seems-20120306-1ui95.html
Crikey.
http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/03/07/oz-editor-marshals-lawyers-to-halt-manne-attack/
Eddie, from your link..
So this is the “freedom of speech” which the OO continuously bleat about.
Professor Michael Ashley open letter to Newman (ABC)
http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/opinion-an-open-letter-to-mr-maurice-newman/
Eddie, I’m saving that one for tomorrow..well make that, later this morning, but just as a taste..
Eddie and Min, the link @ 6.21pm has been changed and is now
http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/03/08/oz-editor-marshals-lawyers-to-halt-manne-attack/
I really like this bit from Professor Michael Ashley
You can easily prove me wrong, all you have to do is name just one scientist who has published a viable alternative theory in a credible science journal, that hasn’t since been debunked. I bet you can’t do it.
It is a shame that someone like that has such control over a public financed corporation.
I guess it is a testament to the culture at the ABC that they have (largely, there is ulman) ignored his (Newman’s) whimpering.
Is Cassidy experiencing a pang of remorse?
Or is he setting her up for something?
Or will he ignore his new found contempt of the media next week, just like he did when he forgot about how Gillard did not lie about the Carbon Price.
Straight factual reporting of publicly available material, and unremarkable, sound analysis no longer cut it in an increasingly fragmented and diverse media market.
Editors want exclusives, first and foremost. They want their journalists to break stories. They will be judged and ultimately rewarded on how well they meet that criteria. That is where the downward spiral starts.
To succeed according to such standards, political journalists need to build close contacts with politicians and staff, professionally and socially. They need to win their confidence and trust. Those with the clout to do so, reward the “sources,” the “leakers,” with favourable coverage and commentary. They marginalise or ignore those who don’t play the game. It’s called the reward and punishment system.
Julia Gillard, unusually for a political leader, is one of those who don’t participate in “the game.”
She does not engage in off the record backgrounding, nor does she place selected journalists on some sort of unofficial government drip.
Who apart from Julia Gillard could have played the extraordinary hand that she did at the height of the Rudd challenge when she offered to free all journalists of any ethical obligations if they could identify a time when she had criticised Rudd to them?
But such practices win few friends in high places in the media. Political journalists trade in information. That’s what they do.
And it happens at very senior levels.
Consider this scenario.
A prime minister asks an editor-in-chief for a “fair go” in their media coverage. The editor says he’ll give the prime minister and the government “a fair go” if the government gives the paper exclusive stories.
That’s the trade off. A “fair go” for leaks.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-09/cassidy-rules-of-engagement/3877924
Tom @ 12.22pm, let’s see, if Julia Gillard had played the background briefing game [sometimes known as leaking,] with a selection of journalists, if she had cultivated their ‘friendship’ as the journalists do with the politicians, we, the public, and Julia Gillard, may not have been subjected to quite so much lying, malicious, damaging, lying, opining, smearing, did I mention lying, and all round manipulation of the government news.
Is Cassidy experiencing a pang of remorse?
Or is he setting her up for something?
Or will he ignore his new found contempt of the media next week, just like he did when he forgot about how Gillard did not lie about the Carbon Price.
Tom I’d like to think that Cassidy is feeling a pang of guilt, and even if he is I’m sure he’ll get over it soon enough.
Is he setting her up for something?….quite possibly; if he is belatedly arriving at the conclusion that he and his colleagues have done the Prime Minister a terrible injustice, will he be man enough to genuinely make good the damage? I doubt it!
If the awful Murdoch culture which happened to the ABC under the Howard appointees can be rectified with the arrival of a new Chairman the public and the public purse will be better served.
Speaker Peter Slipper has long been the subject of a campaign by his local paper, long before he accepted the role of Speaker, which reads something like this…
Peter Slipper bad – Mal Brough good –
The fact that Mr. Slipper previously accepted the role of Deputy Speaker did
not meet with the approval of the Coalition.
Maybe the journalist was one who had written pushed one too many crap articles.
Slipper staffer allegedly tosses reporter’s phone
Posted March 09, 2012
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-09/slipper-staffer-tosses-phone/3880048
The Sunshine Coast Daily has been writing about Mr. Slipper’s “expenses” for a long time, yet they still haven’t written the truth, that it’s not the expenses they are annoyed about.
It seems to me that they simply want him out of the way so that Mal Brough, who lost his seat in the 2007 election, can come back via Mr. Slipper’s electorate.
Speaker Slipper made them even more determined to have him dumped when he accepted the position of Speaker.
This is what the Sunshine Daily published on the 7th March, which would explain the “phone throwing” It’s no excuse but it’s understandable given the relentless vitriol and lack of genuine facts..
Whole truth on Slipper expenses
Bill Hoffman | 7th March 2012
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2012/03/07/theres-nothing-like-the-whole-truth-for-slipper-ex/
The real problem seems to be that Mr. Slipper is protecting “the government’s slim majority”.
Had Tony Abbott had the ability to negotiate with the cross benchers and
put the Coalition into government the “slim majority” argument would not be raised.
Did anyone notice any shrub in the video. I only seen some unmowed grass.
It was Mr.Abbott, thanks to his old boss Mr. Howard that lost Mr. Slipper.
The Manne article is still on the Drum.
From the andrew elder article. i just love this bit, enjoy
“Then there’s this. I wish Heffernan had the presence of mind to round on Mirabella, after a dramatic pause, with: “Don’t you speak to me like I’m your boyfriend”. The whole party room would have laughed and it would have lightened the mood, which Mirabella would have destroyed by going berserk.”
http://andrewelder.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/turning-to-custard.html
Cu, I had to search for information about Mr. Slipper’s press announcement which was not mentioned in the excitement of the allegedly thrown iphone.
The audio on the ABC video was faint and drowned by the traffic noises in the background. Bad ABC!
In amongst the numbers of “bad Slipper” articles there is this:-
Mr. Slipper spent 35 minutes talking about an important annuncement and the
end story is about a troublemaking journalist allegedly having his phone taken away and thrown in the bush. Media fail.
Tuff!
Sue, maybe the Manne article hasn’t said anything that’s not true…
can’t sue if it’s true :!
Grattan was due for a serve.
Oh noes, Lyndal Curtis just asked her guests – paraphrasing –
“if the government has a good story to tell, why do you think they can’t get their message across.”
Change the damn record!
This is the sort of statement from articles in the MSM which become quite nonsensical under scrutiny..
One would expect that for a government “on the run” that they would be pandering to Abbott, changing policy continuously as an example.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/labors-air-of-defeat-shows-its-obsession-with-abbott-20120309-1upx8.html#ixzz1oi33K2Rh
For a government on the run, they do pretty good.
Just imagine what they could do, it they were not on the run.
I week ago they were written off by all. Still going stronger that ever.
Min, do you think that maybe the media and Opposition are prone to getting things wrong.
Not one bill rejected or amended. Over 269 pieces passed.
Not one SSO or censure motions on more that 42 efforts successful.
One piece of legalisation put on hold.
Not one minister force to resign.
Why we have the Queensland LNP that cannot even get three of theirs to the polls before being dumped.
No, this government is fart from being on the run.
Cu, Tony Abbott is still backing Campbell Newman to win the seat of Ashgrove..that the Independents would see the error of their ways any tick of the clock. Come to think of it, it hasn’t been all that often that Abbott has managed to get anything right at all.
Agreeed, but not just that one statement, Min; the whole article is nonsensical. It’s as if Carney has thrown together a string of anti-government ideas to meet his weekend deadline. Feels to me it’s journalists like him who are on the run. They can’t go on denying the realities of our political scene and trying to write good copy at the same time.
Patricia, how can one have respect for a media that had the PM slaughtered and buried last week.
According to most, “she” was finished.
There has been no withdrawal of comments made by journalists.
No acknowledgement that they were wrong.
Much of what the focus their attentions on has little value in addressing what is occurring in the political scene.
They are making and giving strong opinions that appear to have little connection to any facts and truth seems to the last thing considered, if considered at all.
Insiders ABC 2.
It was mentioned that the deficit that arose during the GFC was seventy billion. Twenty billion was the stimulus. Fifty billion from the collapsed in revenue.
In other words the damage was not caused by the stimulus, but by business slowing down.
It the twenty million was not spent, the deficit would be bigger.
Why cannot Labor get this message across.
Cu, the Treasurer also pointed out the little matter of the $140 bill., drop in revenue.
http://ministers.treasury.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=transcripts/2012/002.htm&pageID=004&min=wms&Year=&DocType=
25 January 2012
Press conference
Brisbane
SUBJECTS: Consumer Price Index; World Economic Outlook; Australian economy; interest rates; Queensland election
TREASURER:
…..
Of course one does not have to read Mr. Bolt to agree with him, or so they say. The MSM have got it made. They can now have the headlines without worrying about the content.
I noticed Mr. Abbott on ABC24 a while ago with sleeves rolled up to ‘help out’
in Wagga Wagga, and while he was there he took some time out for the ready camera, to announce that there should not be another flood levy because the national economy is worth $350 billion [or words to that effect].
Mischievous as usual.
Trouble is, the Prime Minister made this statement six days ago :-
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/queensland-floods/emergency-funds-available-to-victorian-nsw-victims-of-floods-and-inundation/story-fn7iwx3v-1226290610041
Just watched the Bolt show.
Mr. Kroger and Mr. Bold sure put the boot into Mr. Smith. There treatment of the PM was not much better.
I wonder if they realise how ridiculous they sound.
I wonder why they talk as if everyone agrees with them. All about the serving officer.
Kroger sounds very angry. I wonder why.
FWA. Showed Mr. Abbott and his view. No mention that FWA hands are tied from handing over anything to the police, because of legalisation put into place by Mr. Abbott. Legalisation that was transferred from his effort to FWA.
And Bob Katter’s party is cheap, they have lifted the photo
“Two European men who posed with fake breasts and a pregnant stomach prothesis are believed to have been used in the Katter Australian Party’s anti-gay marriage advertisements without their consent.”
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/what-katter-gay-marriage-attackad-was-too-coy-to-show-20120312-1uu36.html#ixzz1osuPBVUZ
7,30 what a piece of croc.
Have they run out of news? chris not up to the challenge?
7.30 just ran a story on the wool crop, trouble is they have borrowed it from landline . the story with the chinese fashion designers visiting a farm was shown in october last year.
http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2010/s3340885.htm
Sue, are you still holidaying in the Apple Isle?
No
hence the full on attack by me on cw this afternoon.
I’m sure that once you and hubby left the island the average IQ of the place would have dropped a few points.
Glad to have you back among the intelligencia.
talking on the apple isle. news is the only paper there. one day at a coffee shop i happened to glance at the free copy, the big item of news and the question to the readers was “what do you think of bob carr getting the fm and senate position.”
well as expected all comments were negative but what i found incredulous was that they printed comments like
“we didn’t vote for carr, when will labor learn
we need an election, to vote for our people
labor is killing democracy…………
and on it went.
no explanation by news ltd tasssie that doohhh it was a nsw labor senate appointment
talk about a disservice by a news organisation. anyway i never bothered looking again.
on another issue, this morning on the boat i saw the today program with carl stefanovic. he was pissed
i couldn’t believe it but it is not the first time. his colleagues were trying to cope with it. appalling. but havn’t seen any comments in the press!
Hockey on ABC News 24 has just had a go at the government over the appointment of a new Chairman for the Future Fund.
Apparently Peter Costello has been slighted by not being offered the job.
Peter you are lucky to have any job, you took the Future Fund gig because the corporate world did not share your high opinion of yourself (maybe Howard got that one right).
The Future Fund has pissed away money with loses in the Greek sovereign debt. I would like to know “was this a Costello brain fart decision?” Just like the way he conned oldies to buy Telstra shares?
lunalava
as the government has no confidence in costello, costello should resign.
anyway in this story the choice is gonski and a new appointment to the board is from morgan stanley, the managing director no less.
yep ,time for costello to resign he is out of his league. the job with the ff was afterall an appointment by rudd when costello resigned from parliament. at the time costello had presented his credentials around the world but noone wanted him.
http://afr.com/p/national/ms_chief_for_future_fund_M5s6bw93RXNLgv6KOs0TVM
lunalava
it is now official
“Gonski appointed Future Fund boss
The Government has also appointed Steven Harker to the Future Fund board.”
go on Joe have a whinge, as for pete, well just cope with the disappointment you know you will.
Sue and lunalava, Costello was never quite the genius he wanted to be…
he should leave the public arena and enjoy his oversized pension.
pip
funny thing is labor is getting “its grubby hands on his future fund”, not to spend but denying pete the control he so desired
oh happy day!
Peter Costello
“it can’t be touched until it meets its target or 2020, that is what the legislation is. Now the only way that you could raid that fund would be to get into Government and to pass legislation which enables you to get your grubby hands on it”
http://ministers.treasury.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=transcripts/2007/063.htm&pageID=004&min=phc&Year=&DocType=2
Re Costello’s non appointment.
One of Rudd’s errors was to appoint lieberal has beens like Costello & Downer to important positions- as one commentator remarked “what’s Kevin Rudd got against the Cypriots?”. If he thought he’d get any reciprocity he was mistaken.
I still recall with glee Costello’s “Me & Al” moment, probably his greatest material contribution to global financing trends, pity about the direction they took.
Sue @ 8.06pm, well spotted. I didn’t watch 7.30 tonight so missed this
7.30 just ran a story on the wool crop, trouble is they have borrowed it from landline . the story with the chinese fashion designers visiting a farm was shown in october last year.
What are they doing ???
Sue at 8.06
Didn’t see the bit you mentioned, but the ABC does a lot of reruns these days it seems to me. Was passing the TV (don’t regularly watch 7.30 anymore, one of the many..) & saw Penny Wong. I don’t think Uhlmann landed a glove on her, almost respectful he was. Set me thinking about the contrast between this & Hockey’s dismal performance on the show a week or so ago. Take away that bumptious confected outrage of his & there’s nothing else.
Bob, re Joe HockeyTake away that bumptious confected outrage of his & there’s nothing else.
Just hot air!
Sue apparently Costello’s Future Fund Board colleagues preferred Mr. Gonski…
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/economics/disquiet-on-future-fund-executive-moves/story-e6frg926-1226295448039
On AM this morning they interviewed the liberal senator humphries who said that serving members of defence shared the views of cantwell about stephen smith. humphries then said he wouldn’t name the serving members.
well here is a little bit of info about Humphries, he sure knows when to look out for his own POLITICAL skin. as a canberra senator he was an advocate for climate change, he was even spoken about a posible crosser of the floor for the rudd bill, then he got taken aside spoken to and he quietly slunk off to the never never chambers of the senate.
Now in the last week Humphries the Canberra senator has spoken out against cuts to the public service in particular the Abbott post election Audit, saying there is no fat left.
So surprise, surprise today humphries is in the news slinging mud, not naming names,oh no he wouldn’t compromise serving defence personnel, no so much easier to sling mud and keep bosses in the party on side, when is no evidence.
What a sleaze, but true to form for the canberra senator
Humphries the sleaze bag, also tabled an anti-Muslim petition at the behest of three out of town nut jobs thus putting him right up there with Senator Cory Bernardi.
His vote has steadily declined in recent elections and hopefully he will be knocked off by a Green candidate soon.
Humphries is the consummate hypocrite.
During the last election campaign he fought hard against the NBN. Then he rolls up at a local meeting and claims he should take the credit for our district being on the next NBN rollout. Yep, he reckons he lobbied for it.
Perhaps he didn’t read his own election brochure where he canned it.
After the humphries interview, AM said they had approached cantwell but he declined to come on the program but stood by what he had written on the weekend.
by that response it appears the retired general is content to lob in a grenade and leave the mess to be cleaned up by the serving defence personnel.
what a ………
Gillard on news 24
in the screen behind the PM is a book The Other Anzacs, a great read
Sue, re Cantwell, it much easier to stand outside the tent…….in!
Smith’s lone stand in the military’s war on women
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3887374.html
Pip
from your post
“It takes a pretty bizarre view of the world to turn an inquiry into the sexual abuse of a female cadet into victims-rights for Commodores but that’s the Federal Opposition for you. “
what a piece of rubbish from Emma Griffiths
“The MRRT is within days of becoming law, but the row over the company tax cuts has placed the entire measure in jeopardy.”
No Emma you obviously do not understand, The MRRT will become law next week.
Then in May budget the government will introduce legisaltion for a cut to tax for small business, start date July 2012, the greens have agreed to support this bill.
Then after that the government will introduce legisaltion for a cut to big business tax rates from july 2013. this is the bill the greens and coalition do not support.
“entire measure in jeopardy” i do not think so. what a poor reflection of understanding the issues by Emma Griffiths, but she does work for the ABC.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-14/political-row-over-tax-cut-plans/3888962
Emma Griffiths is the “chief political reporter’
and so little political understanding
Sue, I’ve been following the progress [or lack], of Emma Griffiths for some time, and she either lacks any understanding of her topics, or is simply following the Liberal hand book like many other ABC reporters.
Pip
or gets her facts from liberal tweets
The Australian says it has 30,000 paying digital subscribers
http://mumbrella.com.au/the-australian-says-it-has-30000-paying-digital-subscribers-78982
Just watching Downer and Snotdestroyer on ABC doing a hatchet job on Labor. The ABC presents this pair as an example of “balanced” commentary, however Snotdestroyer’s husband (Ian Smith former Liberal adviser) works with Downer in a private lobby company (Bespoke Approach)
Why does Labor allow the ABC to get away with the sort of lies these two sprout.
Downer has much in common with Costello in that he was given a job by Rudd and stuffed it up (almost restarted the conflict on Cyprus).
Labor has to “get going” and set the record straight on this ABC bullshit.
lunalava
look at this from the bio of Ian Smith, from Bespoke Approach
“He led the communications strategy for the Australian Government for the Telstra 3 Share Offer, as well as taking a similar role in the Telstra 2 transaction and on a number of other government privatisations.”
and where did all those Telstra shares end up, The Future Fund.
So as you say “balanced” view from interviewees on news 24, obviously not.
Who at the ABC News24 program arranges the “guests”?
lunalava while i was there here is a bit from downer’s bio
“Secretary General of the United Nations’ Special Envoy on Cyprus
His network with governments around the world remains unique and he has a reputation for his keen sensitivity to the cultural issues that can create unseen impediments to anyone trying to work across borders.”
BUT LOOK WHAT the parliament of CYPRUS thinks 2/2/2012:
“The Cyprus parliament has taken the unusual step of rebuking United Nations envoy Alexander Downer over perceived bias it says is hindering long-running reunification talks.
MPs unanimously approved a resolution late Thursday decrying Downer’s “one-sided and detrimental statements and actions” that they say have eroded his credibility as an impartial facilitator in the talks.
The former Australian foreign minister said last month that a peace accord needed to be reached before “Greek Cypriots” take over the European Union’s rotating presidency in July.”
http://phantis.us/news/cyprus-parliament-rebukes-downer?quicktabs_3=1&quicktabs_4=3
So the parliament of Cyprus does not think Downer is impartial BUT our ABC?
Another crap appointment by Rudd.
Downer is obviously try to whitewash his appalling record, but why is he the go to guy at the ABC?
should become law today I believe. Senate sitting and debating bill.
Why have we been seeing so much of Downer during the last few weeks. Must have plenty of free time. The government must have ordered him to lay low for a while.
We are also seeing plenty of the lady Senator sent to Rome.
Do they get paid for appearing on the ABC.
ABC 24 Retailers once again blaming overseas online buying for their plight. Shame that the figures just do not add up.
They forget they are buying from the same sources and charging us through the nose.
With thanks to Bob Brown for the link..should be interesting for those who can make it.
http://greensmps.org.au/events/senator-bob-brown-david-mcknight-media-diversity-and-power-media-moguls
CU it’s about time the ABC produced some statistics on their “guest experts”. I have tried very hard to spot the “Labor” guest (note Bruce Hawker and Graham Richardson don’t count).
As for Palmer’s proposed action on seeking court action. I assume that we will find Mr. Abbott behind this move.
It fits in with past actions of his over the years.
According to Mr. Downer, the government should have kept at arms length.
I wonder if this also applied when Mr. Rudd gave him the job.
The only thing that counts, is whether the man appointed is the best for the job.
Please does anyone know the due process that got Mr. Costello on the board.
Natasha. He was obviously liked by his peers on the board. Yes, maybe, but peers that many were appointed by him.
Cu, Palmer boasted recently that he has won 68 out of his 68 Court cases.
IMO he is providing financial support indirectly to the Coalition by way of attempting to stall the implementation of the Carbon price.
Constitutional Lawyer Anne Twomey was on the Drum yesterday explaining the two parts of legislation designed to head off a challenge such as Mr. Palmer’s, and as I understood her, she was saying that he would need a State or States on board for him take the government to court.
The Liberal Premiers would happily oblige, I’m sure!
I find it a little irky that people this government has appointed to represent the government feel free to give political comment, condemning the government they work for. I find this doubly so when the represents the government overseas.
The only one that refrains is Mr. Nelson.
It is like biting the hand that feeds you.
More push polling by the ABC.
First the story with the dodgy polling: Newspoll -Newman leads: margin of error 4.5%
“Newman tipped to win in latest poll”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-16/bligh-newman-face-off-at-community-debate/3893036
Second story from Newman, see labor smear hasn’t worked because newspoll says i’m winning.
“Liberal National Party (LNP) leader Campbell Newman says the latest Newspoll shows Labor’s attacks on him have backfired. ”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-16/labors-personal-attacks-have-backfired-newman-says/3894202
Pip, I believe he now has two coming up he might lose.
I do not believe he will have any better luck with the soccer world.
Whose husband was Jeff Jackson. Did not Mr. Thompson make allegations against this man.
Typical fare from the Australian – mostly crap !
.
Because he’s a Liar, CU.
CU @1.11pm, that’s because Nelson, for all his other faults, seems to be that rare breed for a tory-a gentleman.
Downer should be publicly dumped in the most humiliating way possible. He is an oik and bar and deserves no better treatment.
CU, Jeff Jackson is the former husband of the Liars Party’s favourite “whistleblower”, Kathy Jackson.
I believe Thomson was no fan of either of them, but particularly her, and that’s why Kathy Jackson has a strong grudge against Thomson. I think he may have accused them of rorting, but that’s off the top of my head and I could be mistaken.
Sue, I had the misfortune to see Can’tdo on News Breakfast the other morning. What a weedy nonentity!
Senator EricA betz, as is his usual practice when he sees an opportunity to “get’ Labor is once again telling the independent FWA how to conduct it’s business.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-16/fair-work-releases-report-into-hsu-victoria/3894032
They would know what their duties are without the interference of the “diligent” Senator; I remember just how “diligent” he and his leaker friend Godwin Grech were a few years ago!
I wonder who tipped off the Herald sun at the beginning of the HSU saga?
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/fair-work-report–brings-jetabout-union-bosses-back-to-earth-20120316-1v9xg.html
and
Is Mr. Abbott so obsessed with his quest for The Lodge that he seems prepared for some bending of the rules in the Thomson matter…whatever it takes, as another “colourful” political figure once said!
Pip @5.26pm, Liealot seems to have forgotten Slagabella and her little problem. He should exercise some caution in his quest to nail Thomson. People in glass houses etc. I’d laugh if she has a case to answer.
His obsession with getting into the Lodge will be his undoing, I think. It’s certainly unhinging him, imo.
This is the only reason that Mr. Abbott is interested in Mr. Thompson.
The crocodile tears for the union members is beyond belief. This is proven by the fact they have only gone after one person, when it has been clear all along, there are many involved, including their informant Ms. Jackson.
I have said all along, if Mr. Thompson goes down, there will be many others.
I would imagine other bodies such as taxation and other law identifies are quite able to decide whether they should be involved, without the help of Mr. Abetz and Mr. Brandis.
Most law organisations generally do not go on fishing expeditions without some evidence to begin with. That is not justice.
Thanks for the update on Downer folks, I didn’t realise he’d done anything in Cyprus, but I see he’s maintaining his scoring rate. It was Mungo MacCallum who asked “what’s Kevin Rudd got against the Cypriots?”.
Nasty creature, not one of Rudd’s better ideas.
Bob, Alexander “I knew nothing about it” Downer never did much in Australia either.
It was reported that the day after the 2007 election his office shredded enough paper to fill eleven mobile garbage bins.
The MSM often uses the term “tired and emotional” to describe someone who was pissed rotten drunk.
So when I read that:
When her children dropped her in the shit with the Australian Tax Office over possible tax avoidance.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/rinehart-saddened-by-family-feud-20120317-1vbkq.html
The mental image I got was not one of a rotund old lady having a quiet weep into her hanky.
A suggestion from the MSM that smirky was the leaker, is that a first
“The reports about Costello being passed over were leaked by someone, maybe someone with a grandiose sense of entitlement.
Abbott should have let it lie, rather than prancing about in Parliament, suggesting Costello was entitled to the job.”
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/abbott-digs-himself-into-a-big-hole-20120316-1v9w1.html#ixzz1pJsCI7b2
As our filthy rich miners, who themseles have a history of being ‘loose’ with the truth, particularly in terms of what they pretend the present Labor Government is doing, are preparing to enter the media market, to offer it ‘diversity’, it appears our present media are doing a fine job all by themselves of misrepresenting the Governmnet.
Yes, another NBN FUD from the oo
School faces $200,000 bill to join NBN
A story ran in The Australian early this week, stating boldly that a school in South Australia was facing a bill of $200,000 to secure an NBN connection. It was a heck of a headline — but as it turns out, it wasn’t the case at all.
…
….
After checking the scheduling maps (some of which aren’t publicly available yet, although many are due to be released as part of the next three year plan due by the end of the month), the school in question is directly within the fibre footprint.
It will be connected, and there will be no charge. End of story — even if it is substantially less sensationalistic.
And, apparently, Finklstein was barking up the wrong tree? I reckon he is getting warmer. I reckon, for outright lies like this, the penalty should be a full front page apology, along with a hefty fine.
Let’s see if the miners are so interested in ‘diversity’ if their ‘independant’ papers have to print facts, rather than fiction.
I initially got the story from here, where a poster shows that the school in question WILL be within the rolllout area.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1867627&p=57#r1138
Basically, doing the reporting that the ‘reporter’ should have done.
Although, considering NBNCo were contacted, it would be interesting to know what information they passed on, what questions were in fact asked of them in the first place, and just what info did the story not manage to fit into it’s allocated space, and what was left on the clipping floor (assuming it got that far)?
ltsnews continues with it’s anti-carbon price propoganda
Carbon tax puts fridge repairs on ice
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/carbon-tax-puts-fridge-repairs-on-ice/story-e6freuy9-1226302757779
While segments of the story might be true, what is glaring is the ommission of the options available to these technisians to by-pass the price entirely. The only way they will be left out in the cold is if they do not operate smartly.
It is very simple, just use natural refrigerants as a replacement.
http://www.beyondhfcs.org/article.view.php?Id=299
One wonders why these ‘jounalists’ might have missed that option?
But only because she’s been sprung for the greedy self-absorbed harpy she actually is, lunalava.
Sue @8.59am 17/3, particularly as we now know the rules that apply to these appointments and who wrote the rules!
One wonders indeed, Tom R.
Open letter to The Australian from journalism academics
Open letter in response to the article ‘Finkelstein report: Media’s great divide’ and editorial ‘It depends who you talk to’ in the Weekend Australian, March 9–11.
…
…
…
A statutory media regulator would be problematic, and this is acknowledged by many of those cited in your article. If you had contacted for comment all of those named in the Weekend Australian story, a richer, more complex and hence truer picture would have emerged.
http://blogs.abc.net.au/drumroll/2012/03/open-letter-to-the-australian-from-journalism-academics.html
Hoisted by their own Petard.
Media Manipulation ABC 7.30
7.30 did not report or interview on things that actually happened for the Australian electorate today
Smith, Clare – Defence, a plane, a boat and armoured vehicles
Gillard, Evans-Trades hecs style loans and more training places
Shorten, Albanese-Trucking reforms
Albanese- A new deal for Australian flag ships
NO, No, No for 7,30 the big issues were coalition GUNNA deals
we’re guuna get thompson
we’re gunna get more wild life rangers to protect dugongs and turtles
So from a story of 8March a supposed illegal trade in turtle and dugong, 7.30 gave Greg Hunt of the Coalition the opportunity to spruik a potential policy, as long as it gets by Hockey/Robb.
There has been so much passed in the last week or so. I posted a list of what was occurring somewhere today. It was impressive.
We had Mr. Smith and Mr. Clare release an impressive list for defence and and rehash of what has been approves in the last few months.
Would not matter, but much was made of how Mr. Smith was ineffective and was not making decisons. That was obviously false.
We had Mr. give a run down of what the governmental had been doing with the states in border control. There were new policies being put in place. It explained Mr. Morrison shrill attempt to get that MSSO. After MR. Clare spoke, in become redundant. Obviously from your comment, 7.30 also ignore that.
Also there was movement towards the Dental bill also debated today.
Min, they are not becoming unhinged. They are well and truly unhinged.
I like what I am seeing of Mr. Clare.
If you enjoyed the 1st series of The Killing on SBS be aware the 2nd series that starts tomorrow evening is on the digital channel SBS2
Investigative journalism (ABC style); Reporter drives down highway – finds pothole – complains about Government lack of funding for roads.
Meanwhile in Federal Parliament, Anthony Albanese rises and talks about record expenditure on highways, talks about NSW Liberal State government backflip and refusal to honour their share of funding committment
– nobody hears about it.
Just watching the Prime Minister finally getting the upper hand with the right wing News Ltd press (company tax cuts) the ABC cut her off and went to a weather report.
Does anyone still believe the ABC News coverage is not biased against the government?
Good read by Mr Denmore.
http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/mega-perspective.html#comment-form
Sue, it is one of the reasons I refer to it as the 7.30NULL
There is really nothing in it.
lunalava,(re Investigative journalism (ABC style)) and then they have the balls to complain that the Government has a problem getting their message across 😯
Tom when I hear the media asking “…and why is it that you can’t get your message across?” I reckon they are deliberately insulting the government and the viewing audience ‘s intelligence.
ABC news online is running a banner
Watch live memorial for Nancy Wake
but if you click on it all you get is the usual continual loop news on abc24
7.30
Yep a story about Craig Thompson and a 2 “independent council members from his electorate who want to run a job placement agency.
Oh the story had photos from the 2010 election campaign, there were text messages, there were emails and letters. the only thing it didn’t have was originality.
Yes an old story reproduced with the colourful descriptors like, CT who is being investigated for paying for prostitutes on a credit card. That FWA has been investigating for 3 years is close to the end of the investigation.
Oh and of course the statement by Uhlmann that CT declined to comment on this story. But Uhlmann did not mention that C Thompson is actually on medical leave.
So who in the ABC decided to dig up this story? who in the ABC still ran with it even though it is not news and Thompson is on sick leave?
Who in the ABC is running the political agenda?
What a really stupid question. 🙄
Correction to my last comment
Who in the ABC is not running the coalition political agenda?
Sue, if you were facing all the allegations Mr,. Thompson is, would you speak to anyone.
I am sure his legal eagles would advice him to keep his mouth shut.
I am sure we are still have a right to silence in this country.
One does not have to give evidence that convicts one self. It is up to the law bodies to mount a case.
Everything one says in his position is open to be twisted and taken out of context.
One has no option but to remain silent. This would be very hard if one is innocence.
Why can’t they wait. It will only be few weeks at the most.
Miglo.
What a really stupid question
What a wonderful answer.
The PM told her to look to the scoreboard.
If you were under the care of a gastroenterologist, I would say that holding interviews would be way, way down the priority list.
CU and Min
The story was an old one. That is what irked me so much.
Another stupid program I saw a bit of today was The Drum.
they were discussing abbott and his paid maternity leave for the wealthy.
The idiot Liberal said, i kid you not
“Tony has a perceived problem with women.
He is surrounded by women, his wife, his 3 daughters, his chief of staff, the PM and the GG. That is why he decided to give them maternity leave, it would be good for them.”
I almost keeled over laughing, what progressive thinkers those liberals are. Gee i bet the PM didn’t know she figured in Abbott’s thinking on maternity leave
And this bit, Tony was definitely stuck with the maternity leave proposal.
Sue and He is surrounded by women, his wife, his 3 daughters, his chief of staff, the PM and the GG. That is why he decided to give them maternity leave… 😯
Umm, I would have thought that the GG might have been just a little bit passed it…
The commentator was really really trying to explain just how many women influence Tony.
He should have started and stopped with his chief of staff. The remainder just get on with their lives
There is also the state governor and his three sisters.
It is said that they where trained by his parents to treat him as the future pope or PM. The world in that household spun around the white haired boy.
No wonder that man has issues.
He should have started and stopped with his chief of staff. The remainder just get on with their lives
Why, does she want to have his children? 😯
http://www.sauer-thompson.com/archives/opinion/2012/03/20/SpoonerJGillardadrift.jpg
There appears to be a change in the narrative in the fairfax press on the govt, today.
Sue, we have had a few false starts before. Hope this one keeps going.
That question was ruled out of order quickly. Did not even get the question out. One sentence. This speaker misses nothing.
Surprised that there is not a question about Wyong Council and the dubious Thompson allegations.
Maybe because there is not truth in the matter. Garrett would have a chance to explain.
Have I missed something or can someone explain to me what Mr. Smith did wrong.
He travelled home according to the rules. Is it now wrong for a minister to attend events that include his children. I am sure these same children do not see much of their father.
It is a little like the attack on Mr. Thompson. That is if the media has decided that a person has done wrong, they are no longer to any entitlements.
Not even the entitlement to be treated fairly,
Two media outlets today have made a big thing of this story. Maybe there is more. One cannot tell, as it is behind the pay-wall.
This ” were within commonwealth travel guidelines” suggest there is not.
It is now seen a frivolous for a party to want to watch his daughter playing in the Under-18 National Hockey Championships.
This government must be travelling well, if incidents like these are all they can find to criticise.
We had Ms. Bishop on talking FM. on ABC 24. It was a shame it consisted on mostly putting the boot into Carr.
Ms Bishop was a little weird too. Somehow she bought Mr. Whitlam and his conspiracy theories into the conversation. You know the one that was around in 1975.
Palmer mentioned it yesterday. The problem is that Ms. Bishop was trying to sound serious.
They keep sprouting the lies, even in parliament. That is the media and Opposition.
Is not that misleading parliament.
Good article that reminds one of what occurred and sorts the truth from the lies.
They add to their lies by claiming this government is responsible. That is not true, it was the previous government. Not that makes much difference.
Cu, thank you for that JohnL over at TPS has done some amazing amount of research..articles such as this one on the BER should be kept as a reference!
Min, I know the topic is becoming tedious bit we have to keep reminding ourselves what the truth is.
Her in the parliament again today that Labor insulation led to your house burning down.
We hear this regardless of the facts that the fire danger for houses actually deceased under the screen and the fatality rate also was lower.
Thanks to the actions of Mr. Garrett, the industry is much safer.
One million roofs were insulated, leading to hundred’s millions being saved in electricity cost.
The scheme, in spite of the adverse publicity was an success. Maybe not politically though.
The media and the Opposition are aware of the facts.
We can only say they are lying when they say otherwise.
This article is worth reading. Pity we are not seeing similar in the MSM.
Can he do it. I suspect that there is little depth of talent that would produce a better shadow cabinet.
I believe it would be the end of Abbott if he did.
Maybe I should have made this a post. Does Mr. Abbott have to do anything to prevent himself from going backwards.
I am sure that laughing clown we seen today, could not have the answers.
Would having a reshuffle help.
Everyone seems to agree that Mirabella has to go. They also agree that she has powerful backers and will put up a fight.
They would not be talking about faceless men, would they.
Andrew Elder makes some very valid points – about Abbott’s failure to do anything with his shadow cabinet, a technique coming straight from John Howard – never, ever promote any talent if you want to remain leader.
Surely J.Bishop cannot be the best that the Liberals have on offer by way of a Foreign Minister, and surely isn’t there anyone better than Hockey for Treasurer. What’s the bet that Turnbull would end up with Defence or ??
I kid you not. I just heard a senior Channel 9 reporter say, “About 12:04 to be exact”.
CU @9..08pm 21/3, but it’s incumbent on the government to call Prissy and the Liars on this.
Force them to list how many fires there have been and how much damage and then force them to admit that of the 4 deaths, 3 were due to employers disregarding Garrett’s OH & S rules and 1 due to the employee disregarding his employer’s direct instructions.
One of the commenters on Andrew Elder’s blog was Lau Guerreiro who has a blog with a couple of interesting posts on the msm and the current squealing by the Australian about the Finkelstein Report.
http://amimakingsense.com.au/
Min @10.49pm 21/3, Andrew Elder hit the nail on the head in his post and has confirmed the paucity of talent in the Liars Party that we’ve all commented on.
I disagree with him about Turnbull and Sinodonis giving Swan and Wong a run for their money. I think those two are so well across their portfolios that they would slice and dice them in double quick time.
I still contend that Turnbull is damaged goods and if he raised his head, the government front bench would lop it off without drawing breath. I think he has well and truly compromised himself by letting Liealot manipulate and humiliate him on NBN.
I think he is still the same arrogant, hubris laden fool that fell for the Grech scam.
The Liars Party is the Sahara desert of talent. And it will remain so as long as they allow those refugees from the Rodentochracy to infest their ranks. I think it’s well past time for that particular boat to be turned back to sink beneath the waves of its own mediocrity.
Tasteless msm.
In the week where we have Tony Abbott saying the PM and Leader of the House have targets on their foreheads and Qlders wont miss.
Peter Hartchers article “Bigbucks versus democracy” has an illustration by Rocco Fazzari depicting Clive Palmer aiming and shooting a rifle at Bob Brown and Wayne Swan both have tagets on their backs and the bullets hitting Brown in the head.
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/big-bucks-versus-democracy-20120323-1vp95.html
The illustration was enough, I decided not to read the article.
On shotguns this story from Canberra
“Police have found a sawn off shotgun in one of Canberra’s most affluent suburbs, making it police’s fourth firearm seizure in a week
ACT Policing found the shotgun and a blue long sleeve hooded jumper in a hedge on Empire Circuit, near the Tennyson Crescent intersection in Forrest”
Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/shotgun-found-in-forrest-hedge-20120323-1vp0n.html#ixzz1pycS4WhG
Most probably not related but the location is not that far from Parliament House or the Lodge.
Earlier this week there was a demonstration on the lawns of parliment house, at the time it was reported
“No politicains fronted the rally”
were the 2 related?
I decided not to read the article.
I would reconsider that decision Sue.
Appalling image aside, the article is not bad, and in fact continues the debate that Swan started (although, with perhaps not the conclusion that Swan would have hoped for)
He actually raises some valid points (yet still with no answers, just more problems)
That is the story of Gillard and Swan bowing before the power of BHP Billiton, Rio and Xstrata to redesign the mining tax to suit their interests. It’s the story of the Gillard government’s fresh handout of nearly a quarter of a billion dollars to General Motors Holden, without even the benefit of a Productivity Commission report to guide it. And it’s the story of the government’s endless catering to the demands of the trade union movement.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/big-bucks-versus-democracy-20120323-1vp95.html#ixzz1pyzqXlc4
Mind you, personally, I don’t have too much of an issue with the influence of the unions. After all, they themselves are simply a representative of a larger group of people, who, although their numbers themselves are dwindling, are active on behalf of an even larger group of people.
And not sure how he can complain about the handout to Holdens, the flow on effects of such a deal have been proven time and time again, and really does not warrant another report into it.
Agree with him about the big mining companies though. But that is what really has brought this debate to a head, so perhaps some good will come out of it.
Harcher also ignores the fact that he and his peers were compicit with the miners in their initial ‘anit-tax’ campaign, perpetuating the myths they put forward. It would have rounded out a good article to put that forward.
Tom r thanks for that, I just hate the whole issue about guns. abbott the scumbag has been riding it for a week.
Guns- found- illegal- sydney shootings – gillards fault
lnp win qld- labor lose qld–carbon tax – shoot at pm- gillards fault
Oh what drama,
“Derryn Hinch risked AIDS in liver transplant ”
“BROADCASTER Derryn Hinch was warned he risked contracting hepatitis or AIDS before he was given a new liver last year from a long-term drug user who had committed suicide.’
And oh the hypocrisy, guess where the liver was going
“Hinch’s alcohol-ravaged, cancer-riddled liver”
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/derryn-hinch-risked-aids-in-liver-transplant/story-fn907478-1226309738621#ixzz1qAEgUsjP
Australian flag shipping
The Minister said the Bill aims to:
Promote a viable shipping industry that contributes to the broader Australian economy;
Facilitate the long-term growth of the Australian shipping industry;
Enhance the efficiency and reliability of the Australian shipping as part of the national transport system; and
Maximise the use of vessels registered in the Australian General Shipping Register.
http://www.tandlnews.com.au/2012/03/22/article/Coastal-shipping-reforms-introduced-into-parliament/UZKQCCQKHN.html
And so the battle begins for the so called battlers and oft xenophobic…
Read between the lines…
And analyse the difference in tone and message:
From Miranda Devine:
The New York Times has called reality TV the “crack cocaine” of programming.
It costs less than a third the price of drama to produce and audiences love it.
It seems the more that email and social media replace everyday physical contact with other people, the more hungry we are to observe genuine human interaction, whether it’s Big Brother, Australia’s Next Top Model or Real Housewives.
The more you have the more you want, and in the US, the Bravo channel can’t churn them out fast enough to keep up with demand.
Under pressure last week, Ten programming head David Mott retracted the claim The Shire was modelled on Jersey Shore.
Instead, he said it takes its inspiration _ and its producers _ from The Only Way Is Essex, which has been described in Britain as “a pestilent example of depraved New World values and a leading indicator of the apocalypse”.
But that hasn’t stopped its raging popularity, which hit an audience of almost 1.9 million in its season finale.
Its nobody stars now feature in the gossip pages of the Daily Mail. Real celebrities must be relieved the pressure is off them.
But if the lads and ladettes of The Shire have any sense they will run a million miles from Ten’s cameras.
For the rest of us The Shire will probably become a guilty pleasure, equal part squirm and amusement.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/miranda-devine-the-shire-is-our-new-reality/story-e6frezz0-1226308979710
NOW THIS FROM CRIKEY:
Combine sun, sand and stubbies with a few ethnic tensions and you get the Cronulla riots, and a faint siege mentality. But on a sunny weekday, with only lifesavers and toddlers on the sand, the beach is a spectacular Australian landmark.
I won’t be watching The Shire, because life is too short to watch reality TV, which I think sucks up your brain cells. But I do hope it contains the Shire’s best joke, from Oliver Phommavanh:
“Our suburb celebrated Australia Day with a riot. I caught up with guys I haven’t seen since high school.”
http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/03/23/the-shire-like-west-berlin-with-more-bibles-and-more-suspicion/
The comments say it all.
The Crikey article attacked as dismissive, elitist.
The Devine piece is tricky stuff…an attempt to pull aspiring yuppies etc into the reality show.
That’s why Murdoch is winning again.
N’
Nas’, television shows such as this rate alongside Toddlers & Tiaras IMO.
I’m with Crikey..
Min,
It’s about the Coalition winning the battler vote via Channel Ten…in Scott Morrison’s area…I reckon…
Spreading the message outward via Gina and Lachlan’s channel ten..
Lara Bingle is part of it
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/lara-bingles-being-lara-bingle-the-shire-teen-reality-show-and-the-tv-version-of-puberty-blues-all-filmed-in-sutherland/story-e6frewz0-1226307647407
Don’t forget hat since New Jersey Shore and other claptrap has been around the Governor of NJ has been Christie…
Republican who uses aspects of the clichés pushed in the show successfully for popularity.
This is part of a move to win the next election…spread the Shire way…I reckon.
N’
I’m with Crikey..
I won’t be watching The Shire, because life is too short to watch reality TV, which I think sucks up your brain cells.
——–
But Min…yer not the audience they care about…it’s the yoof vote…and battlers…and aspiring yuppies…like my brother-in-law and his wife who are swing voters,
N’
Nas’..I agree, it’s The Great Dumbing Down. I rarely if ever bother with television at all these days. If there is a show worth watching, somebody tell me about it please..
Min,
I think it has a lot to do w/ curiosity…the gaze…and many wanting to feel represented on TV…even tho they are only seeing oft manufactured and cliched stuff the curious and ever adapting viewer begins to emulate the characters in the popular show…
Popularity has much to do with spruiking, advertising via Internet, radio, newspaper articles…controversy…oft again manufactured…celebrity Appel etc…
If the corporates want to make something popular…they can…much of the time…unless other major influencers, reviewers with street, beach cred undermine it.
Cheers N’
Should be “celebrity appeal”
Blasted iPad keeps changing words on me.
N’
Here is an example of how the Murdoch media especially set out to provoke a reaction..in this case it’s a story aimed at provoking the red neck element into howls of outrage, How dare these furriners…
http://www.news.com.au/national/fury-at-anzac-day-centenary-divisive-fears/story-e6frfkvr-1226309777159#ixzz1qBKfgKfG
Too true Min…they take a small part of a report and turn it from a molehill into a mountain.
But they are very good at it…
And this is why it’s important the public service and Labor don’t leak as much…
And have people well and truly prepared to combat and elaborate on this stuff straight away…
To offset th community dividing, fear-mongering campaigns…that drive voters over to the Coalition.
This topic has been out there all morning…and the ALP response?
N’.
Like reality TV, why bother reading Miranda Devine. Next thing some one will say they read and watch the Blot.
Who gives a ****. The article would have been a cross promotional piece that we see all too much of today, advertising as News
LOL
Berg would say that:
It is a professional pastime of politicians to complain about newspaper influence and the grubbiness of journalism. We do not have to treat their whining as novel. And we must not believe it is anything more than the traditional antagonism between government and press.
Chris Berg is a Research Fellow with the Institute of Public Affairs.
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3901866.html
———-
More on the columnist Mr.Berg:
http://ipa.org.au/people/chris-berg
Checkout the articles. 🙂 Libertarian anyone?
And:
http://left-flank.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/chris-bergs-libertarian-dreaming-or.html
Ya gott admit…the right-wing propaganda machine is fast…and working overtime.
The Lefts?
Not so much.
N’
Sue,
I watch Fox News sometimes, a lot of Sky News…and read some of these propaganda and advertising articles like Devine’s because I’m interested in what campaign the Righties of the Murdochracy ar putting together.
You might want to do same.
No matter how much you detest it, as I do…the punters watch and read this sh*t…
Enuff of them who swing vote at least.
Doing otherwise means we have our heads up our own proverbial arses…unaware of what is coming…
Think QLD.
BIG BIG BIG LOSS.
N’
The right wing nutters of the Sydney shock jocks took their wares to Melbourne.
They failed in Melbourne, the station folded, even though they had a daily dose of Melbourne’s Bolt. One of the shock jocks had a good tight contract and his shouting has been taken back to Sydney, for their enjoyment.
Sometimes just by not participating you win.
Hi Nasking have a look at this, I found it amusing.
“Libs ‘miss the bus’ on small business levy
LIBERAL voter and small-business owner Derek Stewart is baffled that Tony Abbott has not backed a tax cut for smaller operators to be financed from the mining tax proceeds.
Mr Stewart, 46, who has run Queanbeyan Diesel Service just outside of Canberra for 22 years, said yesterday he was surprised the Coalition was not backing the measure.
Mr Abbott visited Mr Stewart’s business in October last year to campaign against the proposed introduction of a carbon price mechanism. “I’m quite surprised that they (the Coalition) don’t support it,” Mr Stewart said yesterday of the revamped mining tax package. “I would have thought that something like this could be of benefit to them by getting through to most people in small business.”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/treasury/libs-miss-the-bus-on-small-business-levy/story-fn59nsif-1226305678736
Watch out Joe Kelly of the oo, Peta Credlin will not be amused.
Sue,
I’m not telling the general populace to participate.
I would not want to inflict that on them. 🙂
It’s about knowing your enemy’s firepower, their positions, their tactics, campaigns…knowing what they’re up to.
If ya don’t…yer likely to get hit by an attack you should’ve seen coming.
It also helps to cut them off at the pass. 🙂
BTW,
Here’s an interesting article from the fairly new Global Mail:
http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/the-secret-business-of-making-a-judge/144/
It’s useful to promote alternative news and opinion-makers as well.
N’
Sue,
I saw that story 5 days ago…it’s useful…but we need a helluva lot more of these small business types on side.
A one percent tax cut with offsets just won’t do it…not with them having to deal with the carbon price, the superannuation cost increases, the high dollar and increasing petrol costs…
Not to mention paying high rates on weekends…
And dealing with price collusion and dropping prices by multinational corporations and other biggies…
The increasing cost of electricity…
Interest rates…
The rising cost of hiring workplaces…setting up in malls etc…Rent…
The Chinese dumping goods…
The cheaper Internet prices…
Cost of health and safety regulations…and accountants dealing with taxes and GST
I imagine it’s a financial nightmare for them. Very stressful.
They need more rental offsets…and a much bigger tax cut…and a lower carbon price…And some loosening of IR laws…a wee bit for their circumstances.
Labor will see a tsunami if not.
I reckon they went gutless on the mining and general super profits tax.
N’
Btw,
Having these extra threads at the top of the page is brill Migs and Min.
Great idea implemented.
N’
Spot on and astute observations from Mr. Denmore and others:
As the Guardian columnist George Monbiot put it recently, the “freedom” championed by the press barons is really a bastardised libertarianism, one in which vague notions of liberty are prostituted to justify exploitation. Monbiot cites the backlash against better banking regulation in the wake of the GFC, but the reactionary response to Finkelstein is cut from the same cloth.
“In the name of freedom – freedom from regulation – the banks were permitted to wreck the economy. In the name of freedom, taxes for the super-rich are cut. In the name of freedom, companies lobby to drop the minimum wage and raise working hours. In the same cause, US insurers lobby Congress to thwart effective public healthcare; the government rips up our planning laws; big business trashes the biosphere. This is the freedom of the powerful to exploit the weak, the rich to exploit the poor.”
When reading these rallying calls, it serves to ask: How is “freedom” compromised by ensuring members of the public, the victims of poor journalistic practice, have a prominently published right of reply or correction? Whose freedoms are we protecting here? The truth is we are being asked to rank the rights of those who own the presses above those with no recourse to the megaphone that mass media provides.
Think of it this way: At its peak, The News of the World was the biggest selling newspaper in the English-speaking world. Judged by the market, this was an extremely successful enterprise. But judged by the principles of journalism, this was a rag staffed by muckrakers prepared to hack the phones of dead children for a story.
Wrapped up in all these self-serving defences of lousy, low-rent journalism is the idea that freedom in the economic market (the idea of freedom that the Right has been espousing as the sole freedom for the past 30 years) is the ultimate condition for democracy to flourish. Most journalists go into the profession by advocating a belief in the internal ends of their craft – which is the enlightenment of their readership irrespective of the commercial imperatives of their employers. That quickly changes under the pressures of careerism and the internalised and clannish cultures of the media institutions that employ them. A good story is a “good yarn”. And a good yarn is what sells.
This is at the crux of the breakdown between the notion of a free press – one whose aim is an informed and critical citizenry – and a commercially successful press – one which commands a certain number of eyeballs looking at the ads of the client base – the advertisers. In a landmark paper written 20 years ago, the English philosopher John O’ Neill As the Guardian columnist George Monbiot put it recently, the “freedom” championed by the press barons is really a bastardised libertarianism, one in which vague notions of liberty are prostituted to justify exploitation. Monbiot cites the backlash against better banking regulation in the wake of the GFC, but the reactionary response to Finkelstein is cut from the same cloth.
“In the name of freedom – freedom from regulation – the banks were permitted to wreck the economy. In the name of freedom, taxes for the super-rich are cut. In the name of freedom, companies lobby to drop the minimum wage and raise working hours. In the same cause, US insurers lobby Congress to thwart effective public healthcare; the government rips up our planning laws; big business trashes the biosphere. This is the freedom of the powerful to exploit the weak, the rich to exploit the poor.”
When reading these rallying calls, it serves to ask: How is “freedom” compromised by ensuring members of the public, the victims of poor journalistic practice, have a prominently published right of reply or correction? Whose freedoms are we protecting here? The truth is we are being asked to rank the rights of those who own the presses above those with no recourse to the megaphone that mass media provides.
Think of it this way: At its peak, The News of the World was the biggest selling newspaper in the English-speaking world. Judged by the market, this was an extremely successful enterprise. But judged by the principles of journalism, this was a rag staffed by muckrakers prepared to hack the phones of dead children for a story.
Much more here:
http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/
Why is this blogger not more widely read?
Puts that dreadful nervy performer and sh*t stirring propagandist Bolt to shame.
Is the world upside down?…
Are we living in the evil, irrational, greed is good universe…as opposed to the saner one?
Bolt makes mega-money for spewing heaps of cynicism…and politically-biased turd balls…
And bloggers like Mr. Denmore remain quietly unpaid in the alternative shade.
Headshake.
N’
Wrapped up in all these self-serving defences of lousy, low-rent journalism is the idea that freedom in the economic market (the idea of freedom that the Right has been espousing as the sole freedom for the past 30 years) is the ultimate condition for democracy to flourish. Most journalists go into the profession by advocating a belief in the internal ends of their craft – which is the enlightenment of their readership irrespective of the commercial imperatives of their employers. That quickly changes under the pressures of careerism and the internalised and clannish cultures of the media institutions that employ them. A good story is a “good yarn”. And a good yarn is what sells.
This is at the crux of the breakdown between the notion of a free press – one whose aim is an informed and critical citizenry – and a commercially successful press – one which commands a certain number of eyeballs looking at the ads of the client base – the advertisers. In a landmark paper written 20 years ago, the English philosopher John O’ Neill showed vividly how devotion to the idea of the “free market” undermines the relation between journalism and democracy. vividly how devotion to the idea of the “free market” undermines the relation between journalism and democracy.
Mr. Denmore…I read his stuff and go
FUCK YEA
SPOT ON
N’
The big story on 7.30 The Australain government listened to security advice by ASIO and blocked the Chinese company Huawei from tendering for the NBN rollout.
What, they listened and acted how dare they. Yes and guess who is complaining Alexander Downer, who is a board member of Huawei. Now Downer I thought is against the NBN, so why does he want a Chinese company involved in the rollout? What would upset him more we didn’t include the company at the advice of ASIO or we did include the company against the advice of ASIO?
Why and who set the story up with 7.30? and guess how 7.30 concluded the story (which in itself asks more questions).
“never the less Huawei will plough on ahead afterall there could be a change of government. And last year the company Huawei flew Julie Bishop and Andrew Robb to head office in China.”
Which asks at least this question,
If Abbott gets into office will he ignore the security assessment by ASIO and sell off Australia’s NBN to the Chinese?
Bloody 7.30 why couldn’t they ask the questions of the coalition rather than suggest the government in some way or other had made an incorrect decision about a company Downer is involved with. and over the NBN for goodness sakes, the NBN the coalition wants to wipe out.
Didn’t Downer’s daughter jump the queue to get a scholarship with former President Bush’s administration?
I note that 7.30 suggested the decision to exclude the Chinese came about after Obama’s visit. Maybe Downer is trying to get back at Obama?
Haven’t seen the 7.30 null reprot, and probably won’t bother.
A couple of good discussions about this going on though
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1888865
http://delimiter.com.au/2012/03/24/govt-bans-huawei-from-nbn-tenders/
Personally, I am not against the decision, but I think for all the wrong reasons.
Which might mean it isn’t really a good decision in the washup.
lunalava
i thought downers daughter got the scholarship, without the marks, in the UK, then at the completion of her studies she got preferred employment with foreign affairs department. and i think it was Howard’s son who worked with the Bush administration.
Interesting but long article. I apoligise if anyone else has put it up.
Tom r the discussions were interesting.
The government hasn’t stated what were the security concerns only that there were security concerns and the government acted in Australia’s interest. Now that would normally be the end of it, so the question remains why did 7.30 get involved and why and what is Downer’s involvment?
After that the questions go to Julie Bishop and Andrew Robb.
CU at 8.30 thanks heaps for the reference on research into the bias and unbalanced nature of the ABC Q&A program.
Great to see this kind of research into what is happening with our tax funded public broadcaster.
Let’s hope the research continues into the other flagship political programs 7.30 and the Drum (TV).
A separate research assignment into the IPA /ABC political connection would also be good.
Typical ABC response to “proven” breaches to their charter “so what!!!”.
Next step needs to be government action to ensure the ABC meets it’s commitments. Maybe linking funding to improved performance.
Luna, with their current slide in standards they’d be lucky to get sixpence.
From Catching Up’s link:
This response is belied by Figure 1, which shows many of the “elite” are not politicians at all — but are often News Ltd and Fairfax journalists, but also comprise lobbyists, actors, executives, political staffers and scientists (amongst others). But even if we ignore this and take the ABC’s claim at face value, some senior politicians, as you can see by figure 3, have never been selected to appear on Q&A, including former deputy Labor leader Jenny Macklin and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson.
Figure 3 (the political non-elite):
The ABC’s false balance
Q&A has been touched by controversy for almost its entire existence. As early as series one, in 2008, it was accused by conservatives of having on more progressive panellists (and even audience members) than conservatives (an assertion my research indicates, in fact, is false).
The selection of the tweets it chooses to broadcast while the show airs has also raised some eyebrows, and even led to a public apology to Christopher Pyne on one occasion. Also, in 2010, a lobbyist for Gunn’s pulp mill, Sue Cato, appeared on the show without her paymaster being properly disclosed to viewers. (We will discuss how Q&A continues to neglect to properly accredit lobbyists from the IPA later in the piece.)
But it is its treatment of the debate over climate science and carbon pollution that has led to the majority of criticism from viewers. The criticism is mainly to do with the fact that even though anthropogenic (man-made) climate change science has now been scientifically established beyond any significant scientific doubt, Q&A repeatedly questions the science of climate change and puts denialists on the show, thereby creating the illusion that there is a real and current scientific controvery. This is when a debate is even allowed.
—————–
Frankly, I can’t stand much of the show…Jones allows so many Libs and News Ltd types to hog the time…and interrupt…
And the show seems setup to mock the PM…and the government…from every perspective.
Bloody Abbott gets a free ride usually.
And often the valable issues or aspects of a topic aren’t dealt with…or Jones moves on too early.
I reckon he’s a bleedin’ moderate Liberal.
There is something very middle ages about this show…the mocking and the bawdy BS banter…the dumbing down aspect…lack of respect…audience and tweets sometimes fawning over celebrity guests…somentimes getting stuck into them…guests rolling over and acting like court jesters for King Jones.
Surprised Jones doesn’t throw joints of boiled meat to the audience.
The ABC needs a replacement show.
N’
luna, OMO the Drum was good value tonight.
The problem is that it is very inconsistent.
Capitol Hill is a little better but often strays.
While Ulhmann is there, there is no hope for 7.30, The man has no ability whatever, which I find more annoying than his bias.
We have two men in the public domain that were nearly priests. Ulhmann is one, the other is I do not have to name. They are very similar.
The ABC needs to decide whether these programmes are to inform, or is entertainment the main game. They cannot do both.
BTW,
I reckon 7:30, Q&A and Insiders have really damaged both Rudd’s and Gillard’s governments.
There needed to be a fair..and yes balanced…appraisal and reporting of facts over the years…
Partially to offset the News Ltd a-holes and their propaganda machine…and shock jock allies…not to mention channels 9&10
It didn’t happen.
These ABC shows kept sticking the boot in and loving it by the mocking grins.
Sack the Fairfax man behind the scenes…Mark Scott.
And at least that dick behind the Q&A show who screwed over the YOUR SAY question people.
N’
CU from your link 8.30
I didn’t know this but then again I don’t know much at all about the IPA
“the IPA is an organisation intrinsically linked to the Liberal Party, being one of a number of groups which came together to form the Liberal Party after the collapse of the UAP in the 1940s”
Sue and CU,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Public_Affairs
N’
Nasking
thanks
eeeekkkkkkk
“In 2003, the Australian Government paid $50,000 to the Institute of Public Affairs to review the accountability of NGOs”
thank you john howard
Never watch Q&A anymore, can’t be bothered. But it seems to me that any promos the ABC runs to advertise it usually contain anti ALP swipes. Anyone agree or disagree?
Agree. Totally.
agree
Sue @10.29pm, the Poison Dwarf wrote a pretty good article exposing the Rodent government’s slimy attacks on NGOs because of their continued opposition to the treatment of asylum seekers, the poor, unemployed and disadvantaged. Probably the last one he wrote.
Nas’ would probably remember with his prodigious memory.
Agree too, Bob.
Oh noes! Is this an example of group think? Oh my goodness groceries me, what will people think?
what will people think?
Whatever you want us to jane 😉
I agree with that, too.
More from my comment @ 7.55
Robb backs Downer, but then he was a beneficiary from Huawei.
“Opposition spokesman Andrew Robb said the Gillard government had been ”clumsy, offensive and unprofessional” in handling Huawei.
There was a sharp reaction within the opposition last night to Mr Robb’s intervention. Sources said Mr Robb had issued his defence of the company without consulting his seniors – and that he had accepted a trip from the company.”
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/china-company-ban-puts-trade-relations-at-risk-20120326-1vunh.html#ixzz1qFukiS75
More:
“The federal parliamentary interests register shows Huawei has been courting senior coalition figures. The register shows Huawei’s Australian arm sponsored trips by the opposition’s deputy leader Julie Bishop, finance spokesman Andrew Robb and frontbencher Bronwyn Bishop to China over the past eight months.
Julie Bishop’s trip……was also given a Huawei MediaPad tablet computer.
Mr Robb and a staffer were guests of Huawei on a trip…..
Bronwyn Bishop’s trip to Singapore and China,
also said former Labor premiers Kristina Keneally and John Brumby, who now sits on the company’s Australian board, had also been on sponsored trips.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/it-pro/government-it/chinese-tech-giant-huawei-courts-mps-20120326-1vtnn.html#ixzz1qFx9EBw0
Now Coalition the trips have all been in the last 8 months, while the company has been wanting to tender for the NBN and while the opposition has been saying it will sell off the NBN. Some questions to answer there.
Andrew Robb, is it usual that a shadow minister travels with a staffer? Huawei paid for the trip “from December 13 to 19 to Hong Kong and China, which included free transport and hospitality”, who paid for the Australia to Hong Kong leg.
My next topic is going to be how group think is influenced by recipes and knitting patterns.
“But I also believe in being a decent human being and not tarnishing them by making up all sorts of wild accusations about them.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-27/drew-hutton-to-sue-clive-palmer/3914194
All those tools who carried on about Swans article being nothing more than class warfare, I wonder if their positions are changing at all now?
Tom, from your link well done Drew Hutton.
And..
There is free speech, however that freedom also carries with it responsibilities, that being to ensure the accuracy of one’s information so as not to defame.
Palmer in his ego believed that his wealth and power put him above all of that.
Did Palmer’s comments tarnish the Green’s in the Qld election?
Is it something the electoral commission should look at?
The electoral commission found against dodgy pamphletts put in letter boxes, what about total TV and Newspaper headlines days before an election?
Looks like all of our media are in a race to emulate ACA or TT
Yet, if their implants are ruptured or if they’re really anxious, public hospitals will take them out for free, and there are Medicare benefits to help pay for private operations.
In the segments they put to air, 60 Minutes and Sunday Night failed to give viewers the information they need to make up their minds on a crucial issue; they implied that the Australian regulator is doing nothing; and they helped to scare women with PIP implants out of their wits.
http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3464163.htm
One thing I have noticed in all of this garbage being propagated, the blame always ends up with the Governmnet, no matter how false the story is
Did Palmer’s comments tarnish the Green’s in the Qld election?
I’m not sure anybody could take anything palmer says even half seriously. However, the fact that he continues to do this is worry enough. We already have a toxic political conversation, without brain dead billionaires adding to the swill.
Jane,
There was a Milne article in 2005 that the OZ seems to have deleted but can be found here (scroll down):
Uncharitable clampdown
http://australianpolitics.com/words/2004/archives/00000137.shtml
N’
Sue and others may want to read this:
–The Center for Media and Democracy
(PRWatch, SourceWatch)
Institute of Public Affairs/IPA targets non-government organisations
In April 2001 the IPA launched a specialist newsletter, NGO Watch, to investigate human rights, development and environmental organisations.
However the October 2002 edition was its last. “It just wasn’t financially sustaining, there weren’t enough buying the product,” IPA Senior Fellow Gary Johns told Inter-Press Service in April 2004.
Johns, who was a Labor Party member of Parliament between 1987 and 1996 and Minister and headed the IPA’s Non-Government Organisation Project. This project echoed the rhetoric of the ‘defund the left’ campaign in the US in insisting that non-government organisations that gain tax benefits or funding from government need to be subjected to more scrutiny.
As a 2001 Fulbright scholar to the U.S., Johns teamed up with the American Enterprise Institute to reseach NGOs. While the IPA has a stated policy of not accepting government funding, in late 2002 it proposed the conservative Australian government fund a consultancy to advance its proposals that a protocol be developed between government and NGO’s. Part of the project is the development of a “framework for assessing the role and standing of NGOs” in relation to eight government departments and Ministers.
The IPA complains that advocacy NGOs are displacing unorganised citizens. The solution, it proposes, is that NGOs would have to pass a series of threshold disclosure tests before gaining high level access to government officials, funding or inclusion on committees. Information to be disclosed to government would include “their source of funds, their expertise, their membership and the means of electing their office holders”.
In a letter to departmental officials in early July 2003, the secretary of the Department of Family and Community Services, Mark Sullivan, revealed that part of the $A50,000 consultancy project would involved compiling an inventory of the interaction between NGOs and eight government departments including those responsible for health, environment and Aboriginal affairs.
The Department of Family and Community Services claim that the IPA contract was let on the grounds that the expertise was not available within the department and that the project required “independent or impartial research/assessment by an independent organisation”.
Johns report was submitted to the Department of Family and Community Services in April 2004 and is scheduled to be discussed by the Prime Ministers Community Business Partnership in mid-June 2004.
The IPA have also developed a good working relationship with the American Enterprise Institute. In June 2003, Nahan and Johns travelled to Washington to co-host a major seminar with AEI on challenging the role of non-government organisations. It was at this seminar that AEI launched their NGOwatch.org online database.
While using the language of increasing ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’, critics of the project see it as little more than an attempt to restrict the role of NGO’s in shaping public policies that affect the IPA’s corporate sponsors.
In its January 2001 submission to an Australian government inquiry into the definition of charities, the IPA’s Director of Economic Policy, Jim Hoggett, wrote “we would prefer the definition to be limited to organisations that provide direct relief for poverty, sickness or like distress—in other words, the traditionally accepted meaning of charity”.
The adoption of such a definition, he stated, would have the effect that environmental, cultural and other organisations would cease to be defined as charities. He also proposed that charities be required to provide greater detail on what they spent their funds on which he said “would exclude a number of what are, in reality, political action groups falling under environmental and ethical and other headings”.
In July 2003, the Australian government proposed a Charities Bill that included a “disqualifying purpose” preventing a charity from gaining tax concessions would include any of “advocating a political party or cause”, “supporting a candidate for political office” or “attempting to change the law or government policy”. A charity would be excluded if advocacy were deemed to be either the sole purpose or “more than ancillary or incidental to the other purposes of the entity concerned”.
The draft legislation also sought to disqualify groups involved in civil disobedience or advocating a political party or a political cause or attempting to change the law or government policy. The IPA Executive Director, Mike Nahan, was enthusiastic about the proposed changes, acknowledging that the disqualifying purposes “will threaten the charity status of several organisations”.
“For example Greenpeace, which regularly engages in trespass and other breaches of the law, would have its charity status threatened by a requirement to not break the law. The Wilderness Society and many other environmental groups regularly run marginal -seat campaigns during elections and their charity status would be threatened by a rule against such action,” he wrote.
Following a storm of protest, the Australian government dropped the proposal in early 2004, but in 2005 the Australian Tax Office passed a ruling that contained some of the most contentious elements of the proposal.
The IPA’s advocacy that non-profits groups should be reigned in has won fans in the PR industry too. Ross S. Irvine approvingly cites Johns views in his writings. In May 2002 Irvine was a keynote speaker at the annual conference of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand. In his presentation Irvine identified “charitable organization legislation” as one of the key focal points to consider in New Zealand.
And go here:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Institute_of_Public_Affairs
The climate change stuff is worth reading.
I’ve been putting up links to these guys since Road to Surfdom days…it’s good to see people curious about them again, considering their influence…and how often some are on the ABC and SKY NEWS AGENDA etc.
N’
Includes Tim Wilson (who acted like an overly-excited kid finding extra gifts under the Xmas tree after the QLD election results on The Drum)…
John Roskam…and Chris Berg. They come across as amiable enuff pro-free market Libertarians.
N’
“There is free speech, however that freedom also carries with it responsibilities, ”
This is what most seem to forget. Free speech is a double edge saw.
Years and years ago, there was great debate about the rights of children. Many seen this as wrong, giving kids rights over parents.
What was wrong with the proposition, was that most were spuiking half the message. Yes. children have rights but they also have responsibility’s. This was an entirely different thing.
The same is true for any right we have, it ALWAYS comes with responsibility.
I believe it is the same with the right to vote. In this country, we do not have the right not too. With this right should come the responsibility to make an inform choice.
IMO humble opinion, that is not happening. They are so wrapped up it their own entitlements, which also carry responsibilities, they do not bother to take the time to look at both sides. They rely on what has become the perceived truth, she lied, to make their decision.
They are not willing to take the time to ask, did she. Why did she, if she did. Was the change of mind the right decision.
They have also come to the decision, they are badly done by. Again without any proof. A little research would show most this is not true.
Yes some things are more expensive, others cheaper that a decade or so ago.
Labor appears afraid to point out, that some maybe suffering but the majority are not. Labor could also remind the people that they are doing their best to look after those who are falling behind.
Labor has good reason to be afraid, as all they say or do is twisted by the Opposition and media with great success.
Lazy, disinterest voters have as much to do with Labor’s plight as anything else.
When Mr. Howard became PM, the states, as their elections came up, switched to Labor.
When Labor regained power, the process has been a little slower in switching back to the Coalition. Queensland and NSW won elections that they should not have. The voters have have been doubly angry at the second round of elections.
Howard had to deal with wall to wall Labor. It will not be unusual for a Labor PM.
This is the nature of PM politics.
What is behind those polls today, is a little puzzling.
I could understand it, if the Coalition was offering something. They are not.
Sue, it appears that the Greens vote is stable. What is true, voters did not avail themselves of the option of preferential voting. Last weekends election literally became first post the post, which is basically unfair.
If the preferences were compulsory, there would have been a different outcome. The numbers of seats won, would have had some resemblance to the vote casted.
I am NOT saying that Labor would have won. They still would have been badly thrashed.
First past the post does not represent the will of the voters.
the OZ seems to have deleted
It appears that that might become the norm for them
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2012/03/26/not-quite-right/
Mind you, the damage is probably already done, far beyond what a small correction on page two might absolve
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=nbn%20school%20bill
(that last from here http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1867627&p=61#r1207)
Mega G has one of the few sensible takes on the Queensland election
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnews%2Fopinion%2Ffederal-state-divide-offers-gillard-some-hope%2Fstory-e6frg7ex-1226310714446&ei=CMlwT7GfHObkmAXjzqiSBg&usg=AFQjCNGTcRJwtubfFN8PDY916OyHVyMRKQ
Something has got to be done about the ABC.We want balanced reporting.I thought ABC belonged to the taxpayer and NOT THEIR ABC.I just turned TV off last night and read Social Media here on PC.
Tom R
from the comments in the above. there needs to be an expose of negative stories by oo and tele proved wrong. the nbn need to lift its game in exposing the lies and getting the truth out there, otherwise the nongs in electorate will go on thinking that schools have to pay exorbitant costs for connection to nbn.
To add to the notion of responsibilities,
the nbn need to lift its game in exposing the lies and getting the truth out there
Yes, but how do you do that?
The media is largely controlled by ltdnews. This is where the message comes from. As we have seen, no matter how often the Governmnet put forward their credentials, if the media don’t report it, or report it through a prism of negativity, nothing the Governmnet does will ever cut through.
If they got the same unadulterated, set pieces that tabot gets, without a clamouring of ‘gotcha’s’ then they are really hamstrung.
I watched an interesting interview with Gillard last night (I think th Project), who nicely accentuated the absolute hopelessness of our current crop of ‘journo’s. The first question to her, whilst she was in Korea(??) for the current talks, was on the Queensland election. She held her hand up, said (paraphrased) ” I am happy to take that question, in its time. But first, I will take all questions relevant to my trip here”. She looked around briefly, raised her eyes to the skies, then turned back to the initial ‘journo’, and proceeded to answer another inanity about the Queensland election.
Talk about bangin’ your head against some mad buggers wall
Eddie, there isn’t much on the ABC that is balanced any more. Media Watch is the last bastion of fairness. Radio National Breakfast is now a joke. Anybody would think that Fran Kelly is a Liberal stooge.
<i.Anybody would think that Fran Kelly is a Liberal stooge.
You mean she isn’t 😯
Hutton has been told it is an open and shut case of defamation. He intends to sue.
Thanks to Mr. Palmer’s big mouth, he now has motive, in my opinion.
Hi all,
It seems America has its own mega-rich shaping and manipulating:
‘Koch Brothers Exposed:’ New Film Examines How Billionaire Brothers Shaped The Political Narrative
The Echo Chamber of Influence – Documents and interviews unearthed by Brave New Foundation researchers illustrate a28.4 million Koch effort that has manufactured 297 opinions and commentaries, 200 reports, 56 studies and six books distorting Social Security’s effectiveness and purpose. This is just one example of the vast industry comprised of Koch brothers’ spokespeople, front groups, think tanks, academics and elected officials, which has built a self-sustaining echo chamber to transform fringe ideas into popular mainstream public policy arguments.
Voter Suppression – Through their web of political influence, the Kochs’ have bought access to democracy’s lifeblood: free and fair elections. The Kochs’ have funded efforts to thwart 21 million Americans from voting as Koch dollars helped write and propose voting suppression bills in 38 states.
Re-Segregation – Americans for Prosperity led the effort to remake a successful school diversity policy in Wake County, NC; which was the model framework for scores of school districts across the country. The 2009 school board election provided the Koch brothers’ front group an opportunity to lay the groundwork for candidates who advocate for re-segregation, or in Jim Crow terms “neighborhood schools.”
Cancer in Crossett – Koch Industries is among the top ten worst air polluters. And, Georgia Pacific, a Koch Industries subsidiary in Arkansas, is one of the largest manufacturers of the human carcinogen, formaldehyde. While the Koch brothers wage war against safety precautions, every day this factory is dumping millions of gallons of wastewater into streams that flow near a small rural town. The surrounding area is noticeably affected by air pollution – particularly in a minority neighborhood now dying of cancer. The brave community members of Crossett give powerful testimony to how they believe their health is being ravaged by a Koch Industries plant.
Keystone XL – Koch Industries and its employees are the single largest oil and gas donors to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Along with ample evidence linking the Kochs’ business to the Canadian tar sands, they refuse to testify in Congress about their financial interest in the controversial Keystone XL. At the same time, the Kochs’ allies in Congress are doing their best to stonewall and remove oversight.
Higher Education – At a time when governments are slashing higher education funding, the Charles Koch Charitable Foundation has given more than14.39 million in grants to over 150 universities. In return, some of these campuses are required to hire candidates who adhere to Koch-defined ideological guidelines.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/26/koch-brothers-exposed-robert-greenwald-david-koch-charles-koch_n_1380335.html
Grotesque.
The faceless men behind the conservative, libertarian Republican and Tea parties.
N’
Trailer to Koch Brothers Exposed:
Has anyone got the e-mail address to make a complaint about the balance in ABC reports,not one sided BS.Not that the people in ABC will take any notice of it.
Crikey on Sandilands being hit with a wet lettuce by the regulator..
http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/03/27/sandilands-and-the-fat-slag-vitriol-but-not-incitement/
No need to have media regulation, it is OK, well for those who work in it.
The public obviously do not count.
Kyle, Clive, Tony etc. There’s a class of people emerging in this country who can simply say anything they want. It’s getting worse.
It’s not much of a penalty, apparently instead of a 10 second time lag, there is to be a 30 second time lag. However, in spite of the 10 second lapse, the station did zilch about Sandiland’s comments.
My own opinion. The ruling is plain bloody disgusting. How can it be said that ridiculing this woman did not incite those feelings in others. If the case had been Anti-Discrimination, this would most definitely not been the ruling.
From Cu’s link:
Onerous? Onerous to prevent Sandilands from broadcasting indecent content or material “that is likely to demean women or children”? Southern Cross Austereo, I suggest that you take a good hard look at yourself.
Min
And ACMA has I think over 600 emplyees to come to that decision.
Any one have any idea what they do?
My emphasis. Have no desire to read this book. Seeing the man on qanda was enough for me. A very nasty individual indeed.
How much work did Howard do outside parliament. A suburban lawyer for a short period. Made up his mind to be as a kid. hen it is not what I do, it is what I say.
Not too sure who these elites are. Suspect it is hatred of the fact, most now can an
In other wor5ds, the4 working class no longer know their place. They have this stupid idea, t6hat they are as good as their master.
If I am correct, Howard would be top of the list in this idiot eyes.
Of course there could not possibly be any of these on Abbott’s shadow front bench.
“There is little doubt there has emerged a morally superior, dismissive, sneering group within political debate in Australia.””
NOTE Article not behind pay wall.
We now getting Abbott’s IR policies. ABC 24. Will be interesting, I believe.
Why do all photos show Abbott as being sly????
Please Migs. can we find out why I cannot get to photos to show up. Please try some yourself.
Has anyone else been able get a photo to appear lately?
Everything else works, such as quotes.
……. and not a mention of Viagra….. yup, must be spam 😆