Joe Hockey for PM

[wayneL]

Has the Fabian Society infiltrated the Liberal Party?

The Liberal Party are purportedly economic liberals, but the party is stacked with social liberals and social democrats. WTF?

 

[GumbyLearner]

I heard from a trusted source years ago that this guy was one hell of a fund-raiser in his pre-pollie days. So it's not like he can't organise a group enmasse.

 

[Timmy]

Installing Joe Hockey as Liberal leader looks like it could well be an intelligent move. He has the similar moderate policies as Mr Turnbull, which is not going to scare the electorate (installing a fundamentalist - I mean that in non-religous sense - like Abbott would most likely be very damaging to the party, Australians tend not to like radicals as leaders). But he comes without the crash-through or crash, abrasive, approach that has seemed to characterise Mr Turnbull's leadership style.

Allowing a conscience vote on the ETS is very sensible indeed, it should see Liberal parliamentarians being able to vote for an ETS that has been hammered out by themselves in consultation with the government, an ETS that seems to be accepted by moderates as a good solution (The Australian newspaper ran an editorial supporting the ETS: A good deal, so cool the hot air..."But the bill, as amended after five weeks' intense negotiations with the Coalition, is as good a deal for business and farmers as they are likely to get").

In the bigger picture, Hockey is a likeable person (I don't think Turnbull could ever be described as likeable), he should be a good alternative in the minds of the electorate to Mr Rudd.

 

[GumbyLearner]

I heard from a trusted source years ago that this guy was one hell of a fund-raiser in his pre-pollie days. So it's not like he can't organise a group enmasse.

Just thought I'd add a fund raiser for charity and non-profit organisations to that post. That way no-one is confused.

 

[Julia]

Allowing a conscience vote on the ETS is very sensible indeed, it should see Liberal parliamentarians being able to vote for an ETS that has been hammered out by themselves in consultation with the government, an ETS that seems to be accepted by moderates as a good solution (The Australian newspaper ran an editorial supporting the ETS: A good deal, so cool the hot air..."But the bill, as amended after five weeks' intense negotiations with the Coalition, is as good a deal for business and farmers as they are likely to get").

That's in total contrast to the views of Frontier Economics who have analysed the amended ETS. This is an extract from the 7.30 Report of 25 November 2009.

CHRIS UHLMANN: The party brawling is also masking what some see as big problems with the compromised emissions trading deal.

DANNY PRICE, FRONTIER ECONOMICS: This will mean much, much higher electricity costs for a large number of households, most households.

CHRIS UHLMANN: Danny Price heads Frontier Economics which was commissioned by the Coalition and independent senator Nick Xenophon to produce an alternative emissions trading scheme. That report was released in August but never adopted as Coalition policy.

In November, Frontier produced a second report commissioned by Malcolm Turnbull and it showed the Government's scheme would rack up a multibillion dollar deficit. Now Danny Price thinks the amended deal is a disaster.

DANNY PRICE: What we've shown is in the next 15 to 20 years is the level of GDP growth level will be cut by about $55 billion. Wages will be about $700 to $800 a week lower than in the absence of a scheme that we proposed. And unemployment will be much higher, tens and tens of thousands of people.

CHRIS UHLMANN: Of course neither the Government nor the Opposition would now agree with that kind of criticism of the bill, it's being debated in the Senate and up to 17 Coalition senators are crossing the floor in each division but it seems likely to pass. Malcolm Turnbull's camp is calling today a win. One wonders what a defeat would look like.

The idea of a conscience vote is essentially to free Mr Hockey from having to actually make a decision, something I doubt is one of his talents. Viz, his asking Twitterers what he should do about the ETS, for heaven's sake!

 

[Tink]

The dinosaurs are destroying the Libs.

Now I can understand why Costello wouldnt even consider the position.

He knew what he would have been in for.

The party is too divided

 

[Timmy]

Viz, his asking Twitterers what he should do about the ETS, for heaven's sake!

That sounds like an innovative approach to seeking information, maybe even democracy in action!

 

[Nyden]

Tony Abbott is now the new liberal leader. I didn't entirely expect that!

 

[Timmy]

Tony Abbott is now the new liberal leader. I didn't entirely expect that!

More years of irrelevance and wandering in the wilderness coming up for the Libs!

 

[Putty7]

Garpal Gumnut will be having a good day then lol

 

[moXJO]

More years of irrelevance and wandering in the wilderness coming up for the Libs!

At least we have some form of opposition now, not more yes men. Even though I think Abbott and Bishop are a bit on the nose. At least the ets won't get up, but a DD loss is a certainty if they don't change public opinion very fast on this particular ets. IMO labor won't gain votes, will more likely go to greens or indies

 

[Wysiwyg]

Even though I think Abbott and Bishop are a bit on the nose.

What really would be on the nose is if Peter Costello came back to be Treasurer with Tony Abbot as P.M.

 

[noco]

Well Julia, you now do not have to worry about Turnbull or Hockey.

A new scenario is about to develope with Abbott in command.

Watch for the next episode of "The Days of our Lives" in Canberra???????????????

 

[moXJO]

What really would be on the nose is if Peter Costello came back to be Treasurer with Tony Abbot as P.M.

Deja vue you reckon wysi Hopefully abbot is just the attack dog while the libs foster some new presentable talent. Atm libs are just cutting too many slices from the same turd.

 

[dbcok]

Well there is chance of payback from the losing Turnbull voters.Abbott showed no loyalty to the leader and party decisions.
There is a chance that internecine conflict between opposing factions in the Liberal parties will be more important than any policy considerations.
In the past these internal conflicts can split parties for years.

 

[Wysiwyg]

Deja vue you reckon wysi Hopefully abbot is just the attack dog while the libs foster some new presentable talent. Atm libs are just cutting too many slices from the same turd.

I was thinking of the Abbot and Costello show. : I have never heard that expression used about "cutting too many slices etc." and being a predominantly visual person I found that disgusting.

 

[moXJO]

Well there is chance of payback from the losing Turnbull voters.Abbott showed no loyalty to the leader and party decisions.
There is a chance that internecine conflict between opposing factions in the Liberal parties will be more important than any policy considerations.
In the past these internal conflicts can split parties for years.

What’s worse, is that senators may cross the floor as revenge and pass the bill anyway. I think mostly labor voters were in love with Turnbull. Abbot however has no love from any voters at all, so a lot of work to be done. If anyone needs a spin makeover its this guy.

 

[Timmy]

Abbot however has no love from any voters at all, so a lot of work to be done. If anyone needs a spin makeover its this guy.

Is there much that can be done with a slice of turd?

 

[moXJO]

Is there much that can be done with a slice of turd?

Roll it in glitter

 

[derty]

Well that sure was a nice xmas present for Rudd.

I'd prefer Howard to Abbott, though it is a bit hard to stick glitter to them once they get all grey and powdery.