Australian Politics General...

[sptrawler]

Every industry is collapsing under albo. Well except public service.
Was talking to some old stoner who said that even his pot dealer went out of business because of medical marijuana.

Unfortunately I don't see the other side offering any better ideas, it certainly is a sad state of affairs, when we appear to have a parliament full of career politicians, that have absolutely no clue how to build our economy.

It shows what 40 years of cruising and spending the capital does to the quality of politicians IMO.
When they are called upon to come up with a cohesive plan of how to diversify and build the economy, all they can do is bicker over ideology and handouts, god help us.

As I posted above, Australia is buying warships from Germany or Japan, while the U.S is getting them made by an Australian company.

Japan and Germany shortlisted for Australia's next warship program

Australia will begin building its next warships in either Germany or Japan after the government narrowed the field of designs for a contract worth $11 billion over the next decade.

www.abc.net.au

Austal to build US Navy ship in potential $4.8b deal

The Perth-headquartered shipbuilder’s shares soared more than 25 per cent on Friday morning after it secured the lucrative defence contract.

www.afr.com

Austal should stay independent of foreign frigate builders | The Strategist

It isn’t clear whether Hanwha Ocean is still interested in buying Australian shipbuilder Austal, but the government should oppose such an acquisition by the South Korean company or any other contender for the general purpose ...

www.aspistrategist.org.au

Why would the Australian Government oppose an overseas company buying out our shipbuilder, when the Australian Government doesn't even use them? Made in Australia? I don't think so.

 

[moXJO]

Unfortunately I don't see the other side offering any better ideas, it certainly is a sad state of affairs, when we appear to have a parliament full of career politicians that have absolutely no clue how to build an economy.

It shows what 40 years of cruising and spending the capital does to the quality of politicians IMO.
When they are called upon to come up with a cohesive plan of how to diversify and build the economy, all they can do is bicker over ideology and handouts, god help us.

Also concerning if this news article is correct:

The debt is expected to peak at 37 per cent of GDP, a 35.2 per cent increase forecast by Treasury last year.

Thats a rather large % to be out by.

 

[sptrawler]

Also concerning if this news article is correct:

The debt is expected to peak at 37 per cent of GDP, a 35.2 per cent increase forecast by Treasury last year.

Thats a rather large % to be out by.

Well when you consider iron ore, coal and LNG are the major contributors to Australia's bottom line, that could become rapidly worse especially when the coal and LNG situation is taken into account.

We are living in a fools paradise and Trump has exposed it, shame on him.

 

[JohnDe]

Unfortunately I don't see the other side offering any better ideas, it certainly is a sad state of affairs, when we appear to have a parliament full of career politicians that have absolutely no clue how to build an economy.

It shows what 40 years of cruising and spending the capital does to the quality of politicians IMO.

At least they're not throwing the baby out with the bath water and instead will allow us to use more of our natural resources in gas and coal. Whereas the Labour party and Greens are nobbling our country and industry by taxing and shutting down our use of gas and coal, while other countries power ahead.

 

[The Triangle]

It's about what's set in motion.

The economic landscape of the past few decades was heavily influenced by a single decision made in 1975 for example, that being the Lima Declaration.

It was barely reported at the time in Australian media, running well behind coverage of Cyclone Tracy and the Tasman Bridge collapse, but in that decision we'd effectively shaped the entire economic and political landscape for the next half century. A very long list of things that happened since have their genesis in that decision.

What we're seeing now in my view amounts to the rejection of pretty much everything from that era. A rejection of globalisation, a rejection of the dominance of universities*, a rejection of the idea that markets ought run essential services, a rejection of individualism over society, etc along with the in practice end of US dominance.

That'll take decades to play out just as the last change did.

*Not to be confused with education where it's necessary. Nobody's rejecting the idea that doctors, engineers and bona fide lawyers need a degree. They are however seriously questioning the educational arms race and stranglehold of educational institutions over the rest.

I think anything the UN comes up with is about on par with the chants of pro-Palestinian protestors or the opinions of Alabaman MAGA supporters on said protestors (irrelevant and should be ignored). Money and greed drives everything. The UN said put factories in India... or... We can pay Indians cents per hour to make the same t-shirt we're paying Americans in Michigan $15 per hour for... Which is more likely the driver of outsourcing? (both can be true)

I hope things are changing for what I would consider the better (which is what I consider more aligned with my views) However as I previously mentioned my view of how things on the street are rolling hasn't really changed. My cynical view is that the only thing we're seeing change is the media focus which is probably entirely done for some form of sick revenue raising optimisation exercise. People who hate plastic straws and watch Drag Queen story hours at the library with Emma (formally Eric) still have the same views. Spanner turners who head off to Thailand for MMA training, still hate vaccines and drag queen story hour (although they seem to support transvestites but that's a different conversation). Change comes when people change their opinions and the way they operate and I'm not saying people change their opinions or the way they operate.

Unfortunately I don't see the other side offering any better ideas, it certainly is a sad state of affairs, when we appear to have a parliament full of career politicians, that have absolutely no clue how to build our economy.

It shows what 40 years of cruising and spending the capital does to the quality of politicians IMO.
When they are called upon to come up with a cohesive plan of how to diversify and build the economy, all they can do is bicker over ideology and handouts, god help us.

As I posted above, Australia is buying warships from Germany or Japan, while the U.S is getting them made by an Australian company.

Japan and Germany shortlisted for Australia's next warship program

Australia will begin building its next warships in either Germany or Japan after the government narrowed the field of designs for a contract worth $11 billion over the next decade.

www.abc.net.au

Austal to build US Navy ship in potential $4.8b deal

The Perth-headquartered shipbuilder’s shares soared more than 25 per cent on Friday morning after it secured the lucrative defence contract.

www.afr.com

So much for winning the war. We should have let the Nazis and Japanese takeover. Maybe would have saved a lot of lives (sorry Israel) Both countries seem to be between better than almost anywhere else in the West. Their societies have lower crime rates higher happiness rates and have better opportunities for those less fortunate.

So is Japan going to build the ships out of steel made in Japan from Australian iron that has been marked up a billion zillion percent? Or is Japan going to make them out of Chinese parts and then stick an assembled in Japan's sticker on it?

 

[sptrawler]

At least they're not throwing the baby out with the bath water and instead will allow us to use more of our natural resources in gas and coal. Whereas the Labour party and Greens are nobbling our country and industry by taxing and shutting down our use of gas and coal, while other countries power ahead.

It's still a band aid vision, the West needs to think bigger and support and develop industries that it has a natural advantage in.

That takes Federal politicians, thinking outside the box and none in the last 40 years have had to do that.
So politics has become the goto job, for gifted talkers, not necessarily gifted thinkers IMO.

 

[JohnDe]

It's still a band aid vision, the West needs to think bigger and support and develop industries that it has a natural advantage in.

That takes Federal politicians thinking outside the box and none in the last 40 years have had to do that. So politics has become the goto job, for gifted talkers, not necessarily gifted thinkers IMO.

Reminds me of something my father said to me when I was a kid; "everyone needs to learn how to walk before they run".

And if you Google that you will get -

According to an old proverb, we should learn to walk before we try to run. This suggests that we must first understand what we are attempting to accomplish before attempting to accelerate it. If we don't accomplish that, we won't have grasped the task's principles and won't be able to construct a solid foundation.​

Transfer that to government and you get a Labour/Green group taking Australia down the road of accelerated carbon free power leap frogging countries we compete with, and without having prepared the foundation.

While, love or hate him, Dutton wants to secure our energy needs by build a foundation first and then moving to carbon free.

 

[sptrawler]

While, love or hate him, Dutton wants to secure our energy needs by build a foundation first and then moving to carbon free.

There is no point in securing your energy needs, if everything that needs that energy has shut down.
It's a very one dimensional platform to be basing your whole campaign on and it is first and foremost about winning office, not just winning one argument.
What the majority of Australians want, is a future for their kids and grandkids, that offers careers and skills and opportunity to aspire to make something of their lives.
As long as the light comes on when they turn on the wall switch, they really don't give two $hits whether the electricity comes from a power station or a solar panel, only the extremists care about that. Those that are passionate about green energy or those that are passionate about leading edge nuclear technology.
Most people don't now the difference between a type two reactor or their elbow FFS, let alone a Gen 3 or Gen4, furthermore until they don't have that light come on they won't care.
IMO Dutton, same as Albo, hasn't got a clue, that is the unfortunate bit.

 

[JohnDe]

There is no point in securing your energy needs, if everything that needs that energy has shut down.

Everything has NOT shut down YET. We are back to the old proverb "learn to walk before running".

 

[SirRumpole]

There is no point in securing your energy needs, if everything that needs that energy has shut down.
It's a very one dimensional platform to be basing your whole campaign on and it is first and foremost about winning office, not just winning one argument.
What the majority of Australians want, is a future for their kids and grandkids, that offers careers and skills and opportunity to aspire to make something of their lives.
As long as the light comes on when they turn on the wall switch, they really don't give two $hits whether the electricity comes from a power station or a solar panel, only the extremists care about that. Those that are passionate about green energy or those that are passionate about leading edge nuclear technology.
Most people don't now the difference between a type two reactor or their elbow FFS, let alone a Gen 3 or Gen4, furthermore until they don't have that light come on they won't care.

Of course not, most people don't have a BEng(Elec), they leave it up to experts to supply the power or prescibe medicines or give a legal opinion etc .

Trouble is experts are being shut down by ideological demagogues, eg Anthony Faucci who spent his lifetime studying infectious diseases but he knew stuff all according to Trump.

Why send people to university to actually learn things, and then ignore their advice ?

.

 

[sptrawler]

Of course not, most people don't have a BEng(Elec), they leave it up to experts to supply the power or prescibe medicines or give a legal opinion etc .

Trouble is experts are being shut down by ideological demagogues, eg Anthony Faucci who spent his lifetime studying infectious diseases but he knew stuff all according to Trump.

Why send people to university to actually learn things, and then ignore their advice ?

.

Absolutely, even experts can get it wrong, but at least they use a methodical approach, based on theory not ideology.
So what chance do politicians have, who are more worried about the next election, than actual policy outcomes .
Just my opinion.

Garnaut-backed Zen Energy sinks to $35m loss as volatile prices bite

Zen Energy, backed by Ross Garnaut, suffered volatile early-winter electricity prices and a near-$100 million loss on hedging contracts.

www.afr.com

Zen Energy, backed by the family of transition expert Ross Garnaut, has slumped to a $35.5 million loss after volatile early-winter electricity prices and nearly $100 million dusted on hedging contracts hit the renewables and storage company’s bottom line.

The result – an $86 million shortfall on its budgeted profit – comes five months after the company raised $54 million in debt, the proceeds of which it planned to use to develop its Templers battery project north of Adelaide and other projects in South Australia and south-east Queensland.

 

[sptrawler]

Everything has NOT shut down YET. We are back to the old proverb "learn to walk before running".

Yes, so getting in office obviously is the legs you require, before you can stand up.
Let alone thinking about walking, you need something to walk on, which is attaining office when you can actually do something.

 

[SirRumpole]

Absolutely, even experts can get it wrong, but at least they use a methodical approach, based on theory not ideology.
So what chance do politicians, who are more worried about the next election, than actual policy outcomes have .
Just my opinion.

Garnaut-backed Zen Energy sinks to $35m loss as volatile prices bite

Zen Energy, backed by Ross Garnaut, suffered volatile early-winter electricity prices and a near-$100 million loss on hedging contracts.

www.afr.com

Zen Energy, backed by the family of transition expert Ross Garnaut, has slumped to a $35.5 million loss after volatile early-winter electricity prices and nearly $100 million dusted on hedging contracts hit the renewables and storage company’s bottom line.

The result – an $86 million shortfall on its budgeted profit – comes five months after the company raised $54 million in debt, the proceeds of which it planned to use to develop its Templers battery project north of Adelaide and other projects in South Australia and south-east Queensland.

There is no place for nervous Nellie's in the energy market. The governments have to do the heavy lifting and let the commercials pick up the crumbs. It too big an ask to expect the private sector to do most of the job. That's one thing where Duttons plan has it right, the rest of it though is lunacy.

 

[JohnDe]

Yes, so getting in office obviously is the legs you require, before you can stand up.
Let alone thinking about walking, you need something to walk on, which is attaining office when you can actually do something.

True, and both major political parties have the legs to stand on their own. Both have generational resources, both have experience. Standing up is not the issue.

Everyone is politically biassed, including me. The difference though, is trying to be fair to all sides. No one is perfect here, but your slip is showing

Your debate has not been about one political party being completely unprepared for government (standing comment), it was about which party was better prepared. Now that some evidence is coming up to show that the labor government is letting the country down with poor energy legislation, you have started to shift the discussion and also adding a laughing emoji to disrespect my comment. Meaning you have lost the debate. No offence intended, just my observations.

 

[sptrawler]

True, and both major political parties have the legs to stand on their own. Both have generational resources, both have experience. Standing up is not the issue.

I will repeat my quote:

What the majority of Australians want, is a future for their kids and grandkids, that offers careers and skills and opportunity to aspire to make something of their lives.

As long as the light comes on when they turn on the wall switch, they really don't give two $hits whether the electricity comes from a power station or a solar panel, only the extremists care about that. Those that are passionate about green energy or those that are passionate about leading edge nuclear technology.

Most people don't now the difference between a type two reactor or their elbow FFS, let alone a Gen 3 or Gen4, furthermore until they don't have that light come on they won't care.

IMO Dutton, same as Albo, hasn't got a clue, that is the unfortunate bit.
End Quote.

Now I can see why you mentioned in an earlier post, you were OCD, it isn't about the power generation it is about giving an inspirational vision that the voting public can embrace.
The general public expect a reliable power system, they don't aspire to it or hope for it, they aspire to a country with a future of hope and a better life and politicians who can deliver it.
Both parties are bereft of any vision whatsoever IMO, they are still just arguing about what they are going to spend the money on, not how it will improve Australia's living standard or trade imbalance, or diversifying exports or reducing our dependence on our dig and ship mentality..

 

[wayneL]

Why send people to university to actually learn things, and then ignore their advice ?

.

Like gender affirming "health care"? OxyContin? Thalidomide? ....and mRNA?

Financial advisers? Lawyers????

Caveat emptor.

 

[sptrawler]

Like gender affirming "health care"? OxyContin? Thalidomide? ....and mRNA?

Financial advisers? Lawyers????

Caveat emptor.

A bit off topic, but i was helping a lady trim a tree late last week and tripped over dislocating my shoulder badly. When they got me to hospital to put my shoulder back in, they gave me fentanyl, I thought WOW I hope no one tells Donald.

Back on topic, Joe a mop and bucket page #3,717

 

[SirRumpole]

Like gender affirming "health care"? OxyContin? Thalidomide? ....and mRNA?

Financial advisers? Lawyers????

Caveat emptor.

I would bet on scientists success/failure ratio over politicians any day.

 

[wayneL]

I would bet on scientists success/failure ratio over politicians any day.

Politicians being approximately zero?

1% is a win with such a comparison, but still 99% wrong

 

[sptrawler]

Even the left wing reporters, in left wing media, are seeing the writing on the wall IMO.
His last paragraph sums it up well

This election is too important to play it safe

Which side has the answer? So far, neither. Labor offers platitudes, the Liberals offer complaints.

www.smh.com.au

Australians have no reason, other than party loyalty, to think one side or the other has a convincing answer to the nation’s challenges. Voters deserve better. The leader who is bold enough to set out a better vision for this country will be the leader who deserves victory, but neither will meet that test if they merely play it safe.

A feeble campaign will mean a feeble future. Nobody should want that.