Australian Federal Election - 2022

[Knobby22]

Stalwarts Kim Carr and Conchetta Wells won't be around after next election as their respective parties have removed their Senate spots.

 

[SirRumpole]

Stalwarts Kim Carr and Conchetta Wells won't be around after next election as their respective parties have removed their Senate spots.

Probably a couple of dinosaurs, although I did admire Kim Carr's passion for Australian manufacturing.

 

[wayneL]

Well, we actually have to know something about the people we are voting for.

As useless as they may be , the big parties are a known quantity, and unless Indies are well known in their electorates they don't usually get up, and the mainstream media ignore them.

The Devil you know, eh?

Well then, it looks like we're stuck with the Devil

 

[Smurf1976]

I'll simply observe that so many things are in such an extreme "kick the can" position, where the can can't be kicked much if any further, that change of some sort is inevitable no matter who wins.

Inflation, debt, energy, housing, international relations and so on. None can just keep going the way they've been going, it'll end up with disaster if they try that.

 

[Iggy_Pop]

Have to agree, we do not have very good politicians at the moment. Thought Abbot was bad enough, Morrison is trying to go lower, and Albo is an unknown, probably better then Shorten. Our system doesn't allow much else, and if we put a few independents in we could give big Clive or Pauline the balance of power which is a scary thought. About all we can do is give them two terms and boot them out.

Iggy

 

[wayneL]

I'll simply observe that so many things are in such an extreme "kick the can" position, where the can can't be kicked much if any further, that change of some sort is inevitable no matter who wins.

Inflation, debt, energy, housing, international relations and so on. None can just keep going the way they've been going, it'll end up with disaster if they try that.

I was listening to Ray Dalio today.

While it's nothing many of us haven't been thinking about in general, it was damned scary coming from him.

My big take away as far as Australia is concerned...

Let's all learn Mandarin... and perhaps stop p1ssing off Xi.

 

[PZ99]

Here's the state of the budget in the near future.. that's without factoring in the possibility of another global economic downturn

Spoiler: PSST...

anyone else noticed the ABC's choice of colours to reflect their umm... BIAS ? > LOL

More here...

Out of the Frydenberg and into the fire with debt and deficits for at least another decade

Once again, an election looms large over this year's budget, and decisions about the nation's finances will be framed through the prism of a deeply unpopular government seeking to secure another term, writes Ian Verrender.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Knobby22]

I was listening to Ray Dalio today.

While it's nothing many of us haven't been thinking about in general, it was damned scary coming from him.

My big take away as far as Australia is concerned...

Let's all learn Mandarin... and perhaps stop p1ssing off Xi.

Just been listening to an Australian security expert re: the Solomons on our ABC.

1. If the Chinese set up the base, we will be unable to help in any Chinese Pacific engagement as we will have to keep our forces close to shore. It's a containment effect plus if we did get into war they could cut us off from the USA easily.

2. They are also working hard on Papua New Gunea. Corruption of politicians is their method.

3. The USA has been uninterested and it has taken to the most recent Presidency (Biden) to commit that they are going to set up an Embassy in the country.

4. We helped China by cutting back aid.

5. Morrison's Government has been trying to fix things and put the funding back and also is allowing citizens to come to Australia to work in our agriculture sector. They need to do a LOT more. We should be prepared to spend big, it would be an absolute disaster if China got their way.

(On a side note, he also stated that the West is giving Ukraine just enough help so they can fail valiantly and really the deal with Poland re the jets and similar is required.)

 

[PZ99]

I reckon the West is happy for Russia to deplete their military stock whilst under sanctions. It ain't over 'till it's over

 

[Iron Triangle]

I'm voting for one nation this time , totally over the majors and don't mind Latham , the Govt recently tried to criminalise cash transcations over 10k in the middle of the night but 1N blocked it. My 2 cents I sorta think the Libs will maintain office again , like last time voters will go with the encumbent at the last minute as too many unknows with Labor.

 

[sptrawler]

5. Morrison's Government has been trying to fix things and put the funding back and also is allowing citizens to come to Australia to work in our agriculture sector. They need to do a LOT more. We should be prepared to spend big, it would be an absolute disaster if China got their way.

As I said in an earlier post, we can't outbid China, that is just silly talk, then if China put in place a similar pact with Indonesia, we are snookered, an umbrella forms over our Northern coast.
So everyone saying tell the U.S to pizz off, had better start pushing for mandarin being taught at schools, as @wayneL said.
This isn't rocket science, we are sitting on the raw materials China wants, they have to pay top dollar to get them when in reality what stops them from just taking them?
I wish all those with this incredible insight, into why we should just flick the bird to the U.S, can explain how we could stop a country like China from just setting up in the far North of Australia.
Really, if they have major naval installations in very close proximity to the North coast, how do we stop them just building say a base on Cape York for instance?
Then when that is established, just move slowly down in a passive takeover, they probably own a lot of agricultural land already in the far North, they don't have to declare war just bring more and more people in.
How would we stop it? I'm sure there are laws to stop it, but realistically who is going to enforce those laws? Us.

 

[Knobby22]

As I said in an earlier post, we can't outbid China, that is just silly talk, then if China put in place a similar pact with Indonesia, we are snookered, an umbrella forms over our Northern coast.
So everyone saying tell the U.S to pizz off, had better start pushing for mandarin being taught at schools, as @wayneL said.
This isn't rocket science, we are sitting on the raw materials China wants, they have to pay top dollar to get them when in reality what stops them from just taking them?
I wish all those with this incredible insight, into why we should just flick the bird to the U.S, can explain how we could stop a country like China from just setting up in the far North of Australia.
Really, if they have major naval installations in very close proximity to the North coast, how do we stop them just building say a base on Cape York for instance?
Then when that is established, just move slowly down in a passive takeover, they probably own a lot of agricultural land already in the far North, they don't have to declare war just bring more and more people in.
How would we stop it? I'm sure there are laws to stop it, but realistically who is going to enforce those laws? Us.

Well yes, why would enforce our laws.
Don't understand.

 

[sptrawler]

Well yes, why would enforce our laws.
Don't understand.

Well it is a bit like what is happening in Ukraine, they have laws but Russia is ignoring them, fortunately the Ukraine has allies that are supply arms and ammunition.
If we don't have pacts with the U.S and U.K, who supplies that service for us, if China decides to follow Russia's lead, but in Australia?
I don't think we produce any arms and ammunition in Australia, but I may be wrong.
I just can't see as the World order changes, why China with its massive wealth, population and military might, would not just eventually move into Australia it ticks all their boxes. Vast areas of under utilised agricultural land, abundance of raw materials and only 25million people here, makes absolute sense that it becomes a food bowl for them.
What deterrent do we have, to stop them just walking in?

 

[Knobby22]

Well it is a bit like what is happening in Ukraine, they have laws but Russia is ignoring them, fortunately the Ukraine has allies that are supply arms and ammunition.
If we don't have pacts with the U.S and U.K, who supplies that service for us, if China decides to follow Russia's lead, but in Australia?
I don't think we produce any arms and ammunition in Australia, but I may be wrong.
I just can't see as the World order changes, why China with its massive wealth, population and military might, would not just eventually move into Australia it ticks all their boxes. Vast areas of under utilised agricultural land, abundance of raw materials and only 25million people here, makes absolute sense that it becomes a food bowl for them.
What deterrent do we have, to stop them just walking in?
Currently the problem for China is the logistics of extremely long supply lines, to feed and arm the forces that would be at the front, however if they could build up major supply bases in the Solomons, New Guinea and Indonesia, that problem is solved.

We do have pacts. We can produce ammunition here. I personally worked on one project.
They have to conquer us to build a navy base in Townsville. They have other fish to fry.

 

[Humid]

Well it is a bit like what is happening in Ukraine, they have laws but Russia is ignoring them, fortunately the Ukraine has allies that are supply arms and ammunition.
If we don't have pacts with the U.S and U.K, who supplies that service for us, if China decides to follow Russia's lead, but in Australia?
I don't think we produce any arms and ammunition in Australia, but I may be wrong.
I just can't see as the World order changes, why China with its massive wealth, population and military might, would not just eventually move into Australia it ticks all their boxes. Vast areas of under utilised agricultural land, abundance of raw materials and only 25million people here, makes absolute sense that it becomes a food bowl for them.
What deterrent do we have, to stop them just walking in?

Spears and rocks like the last time it happened....

 

[sptrawler]

Spears and rocks like the last time it happened....

Yes except next time there wont be a Centrelink, NDIS, rental assistance, medicare, the dole etc. ?

 

[Humid]

Perhaps buying hardware fit for purpose would help
From John Menadue

Not one major item of defence expenditure purchased over the past twenty years is either fit for purpose or appropriate to Australia’s defence needs. Partly this is due to lack of proper process, lack of scrutiny and an inability to decide strategic imperatives. Australia does not need heavy tanks. The F35 bought off the plan is fraught with faults. The European fleet of helicopters has been scrapped to be replaced with the US Black Hawk. The Adelaide was laid up in Tonga on a mercy mission with engine water filters apparently not designed to cope with volcanic ash.Believe that if you will.The problem did not bedevil Chinese naval competitors who were in and out of Tonga before parts for the Adelaide arrived.

Responding to US pressure Morrison scrapped the French submarine deal, which had Macron pick him in one, calling him a liar. ‘I don’t think he is a liar; I know he is.’ The Americans want to be in charge of their future war against the Chinese, so they gave the French the flick. Australia has been solemnly promised new US submarines in twenty years or so.The Australian media swallowed it, anchor and chain. All this was done under a new defence arrangement known as AUKUS – Australia, United Kingdom and the United States. Why the UK is in on the arrangement is unclear but colonial deprivation seems as good a reason as any.

 

[sptrawler]

The defence of Australia requires a new force posture review | The Strategist

The strategic and capability judgements outlined in the Australian government’s 2020 defence strategic update have superseded the Defence Department’s last force posture review released in 2012. The expectation that the Australian Defence Force will be ...

www.aspistrategist.org.au

 

[sptrawler]

Perhaps buying hardware fit for purpose would help
From John Menadue

Another ex public servant, they always seem to have an axe to grind, or want to still be relevant.
John Laurence Menadue AO is an Australian businessman and public commentator, and formerly a senior public servant and diplomat. He served as Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 1975 to 1976, working under the Whitlam and Fraser governments.
Born: 8 February 1935 (age 87 years), South Australia

Not one major item of defence expenditure purchased over the past twenty years is either fit for purpose or appropriate to Australia’s defence needs. Partly this is due to lack of proper process, lack of scrutiny and an inability to decide strategic imperatives. Australia does not need heavy tanks. The F35 bought off the plan is fraught with faults.

Maybe he should send his article to the Canadian media.

Canada locks in deal for 88 F-35 fighters​

Lockheed’s fifth-generation F-35 stealth jets are considered the most modern combat aircraft in the world.

Or Maybe these other Countries.

Why the F-35 is at the top of the shopping list for militaries in Europe

For many European countries, choosing the F-35 is as much a geopolitical decision as it is an operational and financial one.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[moXJO]

Some US polls seem to be showing that US citizens are not keen for war against China or Russia and don't think they should get involved.

That's a major problem for us long term.