2010 Federal Election

[trainspotter]

It looks to me that on the surface Labor has been far more adept at the negotiations and discussions with the independents.

Labor hasn't conducted any negative discussion in public and over all looks far more able to govern with a minority much in the same way Steve Bracks did successfully in Victoria with the support of rural independents sound familiar.

Bracks won a second term with a land slide victory.

The federal coalition on the other hand currently sound desperate and critical of all concerned along with outlandish pork barreling a sign of their lack of commitment to the core principles required to govern.

Abbotts partisan, aggressive, bust though behavior in opposition has had outstanding results for the coalition but just wont cut it in government.

In Government you actually have to work with everyone Rudd is a great example of what happens when you don't.

After reading up on Katter I wont be surprised if he joins Labor as his forebears were very much Labor people of high moral principles. When Katter talks he talks straight from the heart, I like the man.

Agree with IFocus right up until the Katter statement. Only this part ...... When Katter talks he talks straight from the heart, I like the man"

 

[IFocus]

My nickname is due to my South African background. Nothing to do with rural independents.

Lunacy is policies like devalue the Aussie dollar, break-up Coles/Woolies, protect inefficent rural industries etc. Well intentioned but come on.

Nothing against the indepedents as human beings. Seem like a decent and sincere bunch of grass roots politicians.

Have friends still in farming beef sheep wheat etc here in WA.

The problem we face longer term is that through the current policies we will lose our food bowl on being able to feed the country and become a net importer. That in MHO is a national security issue +.

The Coles / Woolies issue isn't about inefficient rural industries its about control and market dominance. This is some thing both do with ruthless efficiency as they stamp out other possible food supply chains to kill competition.

How this is tackled I don't know only that Katter is the only polly to really understand the numbers and talk about it unlike the Nats who have long ago betrayed the rural sector.

 

[Julia]

My nickname is due to my South African background. Nothing to do with rural independents.

Lunacy is policies like devalue the Aussie dollar, break-up Coles/Woolies, protect inefficent rural industries etc. Well intentioned but come on.

Tonight on ABC Radio's "PM" Saul Eslake was asked to evaluate Mr Katter's wishlist. He very politely made it clear it was almost entirely nonsensical.

N

othing against the indepedents as human beings. Seem like a decent and sincere bunch of grass roots politicians.

Perhaps so, but still three blokes who are clearly thoroughly enjoying their burst of fame, something they'd normally never have envisaged.
The delight of all of them is palpable.

Of course the actual reality was that Andrew Wilkie was totally accurate in his analysis of Iraqs non existent weapons of mass destruction. It was Howard who was trying to protect a dishonest position by attempting to destroy the whistle blower Andrew Wilkie.

Absolutely correct. For this Andrew Wilkie is to be admired.
But his standards seem to have slipped somewhat if his purely political grandstanding with the Coalition re the Hobart Hospital is any indication.
He was obviously going to go with Labor from the start, and it's a pity Abbott and Co. took his request for $1 billion for the hospital as a serious proposition.
It was clearly designed to allow him to make his subsequent comment about the Coalition being reckless and irresponsible.
The AMA disagrees, btw, given that Tasmania does not have a decent teaching hospital, and they are less than delighted with Mr Wilkie.

Anyone considered the outcome of all of this? HUH?

I don't really give a flying fox who wins or loses. What good of it if the country is in a mexican standoff? It doesn't matter. If either party wins the country is deadlocked. Labor wins it is blocked. Liberal wins it is constipated.

None of this on a political scale is palatable. IMO

Yep, I feel the same. It will make little difference to me personally who wins.
I don't have any sense of confidence in any of the possible permutations of minority government. And even a return to the polls wouldn't really solve anything much either, as we continue to be stuck with the woeful quality of the current batch of politicians all round.
Had Costello, Mal Brough, Lindsay Tanner still been available, I'd probably take a different view.

*YAWN* .... *STRETCH* .... wahhhhhh ??? So it wasn't the Liberal preferences that got him across the line?? He is there on the off chance of pure luck. Not because he stood up for what is right or wrong.

Labor won the primary vote, dear heart, in his electorate. May he well remember that !

Mr Wilkie is choosing to ignore this, of course, preferring to bathe in the hubris of his new found power.

It looks to me that on the surface Labor has been far more adept at the negotiations and discussions with the independents.

Labor hasn't conducted any negative discussion in public and over all looks far more able to govern with a minority much in the same way Steve Bracks did successfully in Victoria with the support of rural independents sound familiar.


The federal coalition on the other hand currently sound desperate and critical of all concerned along with outlandish pork barreling a sign of their lack of commitment to the core principles required to govern.

Abbotts partisan, aggressive, bust though behavior in opposition has had outstanding results for the coalition but just wont cut it in government.

In Government you actually have to work with everyone Rudd is a great example of what happens when you don't.

I agree with you on this. If I were one of the independents, I'd have more respect for the party who stood ready to answer questions honestly (?impossible?), without making aggressive approaches. For the Libs to be getting aggressive at this stage is somewhat insulting to the independents, a bit like the way both parties treated voters during the interminable election campaign.

After reading up on Katter I wont be surprised if he joins Labor as his forebears were very much Labor people of high moral principles. When Katter talks he talks straight from the heart, I like the
man.

Do you equally like his protectionist policies? It's fine to think you'd like the bloke, but that isn't what this is about.

 

[IFocus]

Do you equally like his protectionist policies? It's fine to think you'd like the bloke, but that isn't what this is about.

No I don't but that doesn't change the fact that there are issues that need addressing and Katter is really the only one willing to talk about them.

 

[So_Cynical]

What's this!...the ASF right and other deniers accepting the inevitable defeat? at the hands of the superior political operators...there seems to be an acceptance coming over this thread that the coalition hierarchy simply hasn't got the political will to actually govern.

LOL its just like Costello and Howard all over again....the failure to accept political reality seems to be the coalitions Achilles heel, the obvious seems easy to do but the reality of actually bending to accommodate the 3 amigos is just to much to bear.

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

What's this!...the ASF right and other deniers accepting the inevitable defeat? at the hands of the superior political operators...there seems to be an acceptance coming over this thread that the coalition hierarchy simply hasn't got the political will to actually govern.

LOL its just like Costello and Howard all over again....the failure to accept political reality seems to be the coalitions Achilles heel, the obvious seems easy to do but the reality of actually bending to accommodate the 3 amigos is just to much to bear.

The Show ain't over until the Northern Leb sings.

gg

 

[Julia]

What's this!...the ASF right and other deniers accepting the inevitable defeat?

Deniers of what?
I just detest that expression.
It has been so inappropriately applied to anyone who questioned the zealots and fanatics about anthropogenic climate change.

Let's for heaven's sake leave it out of the current political discussion.

There are some of us who are genuine swinging voters, devotees of neither side, reluctant voters of whom we see to be the 'least worst'.
Unlike you with your slavish devotion to Labor regardless of their breathtaking incompetence.

Maybe have a read of some of IFocus's posts. He/she is also clearly a Labor voter, but nonetheless still capable of some objectivity and rationality.

 

[noco]

Just maybe Tony Abbott is smarter than he appears. IMHO it would better for him to lose and not get bogged down with the turmoil that is about to begin.

He might even be encourageing two of the there amigos to go with Joolya and Katter to come on board with the Coalition giving the Green Labor coalition a majority of one.

So let Joolya have the worry. With a double dip recession expected next year, where will she get more money for a new stimulas package?

Higher interest rates, higher unemployement, higher cost of living and another election in 12 -18 months.

The alternative is one amigo to Joolya and the other two to Abbott. 75 all and another election.

 

[trainspotter]

What's this!...the ASF right and other deniers accepting the inevitable defeat? at the hands of the superior political operators...there seems to be an acceptance coming over this thread that the coalition hierarchy simply hasn't got the political will to actually govern.

LOL its just like Costello and Howard all over again....the failure to accept political reality seems to be the coalitions Achilles heel, the obvious seems easy to do but the reality of actually bending to accommodate the 3 amigos is just to much to bear.

LOLOLL ..... BULLSEYE !

Clearly you of all people can see what is unfolding before you. It is not over yet. The corpulent contessa is merely gargling at the moment.

Still laughing at "superior political operators" comment ... I have worked with many people that are completely incompetent but yet they believe they are quite capable of doing the job in earnest. THEY DO NOT KNOW ANY BETTER.

 

[So_Cynical]

Deniers of what?
I just detest that expression.

Deniers of political reality.

While to there credit, some of the ASF right have expressed there concerns about the continual lack of political credibility displayed by the coalition...others (gang of 4) have not, i think its fair to say that the vast majority of the ASF right fall into the deniers category because they support the coalition in there denials....for example.

Little Johnny had to go, the tide had turned and his use by date had well and truly passed...and yet the required tap on the shoulder simply didn't come, and thus Costello's political potential was never exercised....denial of political reality.

Choosing '1 vote Tony' over Turnbull was political stupidity...choosing to oppose everything (because that's what oppositions do) simply for the sake of it was very dumb and a denial of political reality.

Alienating the 3 amigos and playing tough guy politics when you have everything to lose = very dumb and a clear denial of political reality.

And yet 'the deniers' here still seem to think that somehow the coalition deserve to be in government and could do a better job than the party leading the way in negotiation and consolidation.

Still laughing at "superior political operators" comment ...

I put that in just for you Tranny.

 

[trainspotter]

Hahhahahhaaaa So_Cyclical you are hilarious !!

Deniers of political reality belong far in the Left zone. Only a coupla months ago you had the most popular Prime Minister EVER and the Labor Party had an unassailable lead in the primary vote. ... now what have you got? A hopeless collection of Unionists promoting a vox pop red head into the position who denied her right as the Dear Leader kicking and screaming every step of the way.

I am still waiting for her to line up at full forward for the Doggies BTW !!

John has gone and so has Costello ... get over it. We have. Move forward ... afterall that is the slogo of the "workers".

Tony Abbott has given your mob a fair dinkum run for their money. You should have stuck with Ming Pong Kluddy. You had half a chance at winning without the blood nut on the watch. Abbott has displayed that it does not take much to shake the Labor movement to the very foundations. Imagine what a skillful politician would do to the rabble that hides behing the CFMEU !!

SCREW the Independents. Go back to the polls in 6 months and see how you fair then. My money would be a landslide away from the Labor machine and the dirty back stabbing politics you mob carry on with and call it "democracy" Pffffffffttttttt !

The coalition has already proven they are more adept at running the country into surplus rather than debt like the Labor Party. The problem with socialism is that the government soon runs out of other peoples money.

"I put that in just for you Tranny." ...... why thank you very muuuuuuuchh ... I am still giggling.

 

[springhill]

What's this!...the ASF right and other deniers accepting the inevitable defeat? at the hands of the superior political operators...there seems to be an acceptance coming over this thread that the coalition hierarchy simply hasn't got the political will to actually govern.

LOL its just like Costello and Howard all over again....the failure to accept political reality seems to be the coalitions Achilles heel, the obvious seems easy to do but the reality of actually bending to accommodate the 3 amigos is just to much to bear.

SC, this is a situation that will lead to another election in another 3 months, TOPS. The ALP looks to be achieving a one seat majority, which is doomed to fail. No Govt is workable in this situation, all is takes is one defector.
The Greens will be decimated in the Senate in the next (soon!) election for being a bunch of twats and tea-baggers.... not least of all for wanting to reintroduce death duty, plus mining taxes and carbon tax, which as sure as i am drunk ATM will cripple Aus mining. This is an irrefutible comment. They will pay in the long run, their power makes the public feel good ATM because it's PC to lick ass of the flavour of the month. Mark my words they will be decimated soon enough when voters realiose they have gone too far (do the Democrats ring a bell?). Life is a pendulum SC, we swing too far one way, then too far the other. As sure as eggs, the Greens will face political armaggedon soon enough. And i, for one, will be laughing my head off when Gillard falls.
Hell, what would i know? I'm just a W.A. voter who is sick of propping up the septic tank economies of Vic And NSW, no wonder you guys are the sronghold of federal ALP voters, easy to take GST money ripped out of WA.
Disc: this post was based purely on alcohol, and stands to be ripped apart, i have no qualms with this

 

[So_Cynical]

SC, this is a situation that will lead to another election in another 3 months, TOPS. The ALP looks to be achieving a one seat majority, which is doomed to fail. No Govt is workable in this situation, all is takes is one defector.
The Greens will be decimated in the Senate in the next (soon!) election for being a bunch of twats and tea-baggers

I see it this way...Labor has on the one hand the Greens to pull them to the extreme left and on the other (with luck) the 3 amigos voting as a block to pull them to the centre right (balance that the coaition dosent have)...a 2 seat majority? and control of the senate, the trick will then be to simply make sure no legislation comes up that will be a deal breaker.

Do a health deal, a pokies deal, gay marriages, parliamentary reform...and leave the potential climate deal breaker for last...thing is that its Labor that's sticking its neck out and taking the political chance's that the coalition wont....and they will reap the political rewards if they can pull it off.

 

[springhill]

I see it this way...Labor has on the one hand the Greens to pull them to the extreme left and on the other (with luck) the 3 amigos voting as a block to pull them to the centre right (balance that the coaition dosent have)...a 2 seat majority? and control of the senate, the trick will then be to simply make sure no legislation comes up that will be a deal breaker.

Do a health deal, a pokies deal, gay marriages, parliamentary reform...and leave the potential climate deal breaker for last...thing is that its Labor that's sticking its neck out and taking the political chance's that the coalition wont....and they will reap the political rewards if they can pull it off.

There was major talk in the west on talkback radio of the 3 amigos, not voting as a block.

ALP have the Greens and Wilkie. All they need is 2 of the independants to form Govt, which as reported on radio today, 2 of them may be leang that way.
As Katter said in the press today 'Good luck forming governent with only one vote up your sleeve' or comments thereabout. If he heads the Libs way, which looks likely judging from that statement, like i said look forward to another election.
My opinion only.

 

[nulla nulla]

SC, this is a situation that will lead to another election in another 3 months, TOPS. The ALP looks to be achieving a one seat majority, which is doomed to fail. No Govt is workable in this situation, all is takes is one defector.
The Greens will be decimated in the Senate in the next (soon!) election for being a bunch of twats and tea-baggers.... not least of all for wanting to reintroduce death duty, plus mining taxes and carbon tax, which as sure as i am drunk ATM will cripple Aus mining. This is an irrefutible comment. They will pay in the long run, their power makes the public feel good ATM because it's PC to lick ass of the flavour of the month. Mark my words they will be decimated soon enough when voters realiose they have gone too far (do the Democrats ring a bell?). Life is a pendulum SC, we swing too far one way, then too far the other. As sure as eggs, the Greens will face political armaggedon soon enough. And i, for one, will be laughing my head off when Gillard falls.
Hell, what would i know? I'm just a W.A. voter who is sick of propping up the septic tank economies of Vic And NSW, no wonder you guys are the sronghold of federal ALP voters, easy to take GST money ripped out of WA.
Disc: this post was based purely on alcohol, and stands to be ripped apart, i have no qualms with this

No offense but I believe your post would be more appropriate in the drunken rant thread.
As for WA propping up the Eastern states with their G.S.T, it would be more accurate that g.s.t collected from NSW & Victoria (with their higher population and consumption) have been the highest contributors of G.S.T which has then been disproportionaly apportioned to the other states such as W.A and Qld.
IMO, bring on the tax on mining super profits. The contribution from W.A major mining super profitable ventures will help reimburse the rest of Australia for stumping up the initial capital for infrastructure that enable W.A to be developed in the first place.

 

[Calliope]

Little Johnny had to go,

The way you keep sneering about "little Johnny", indicates that you are in "denial" of your Short Man Syndrome.

Calliope, you are just waffling and showing your usual bias.

And as for you Macquack, yes I am biased. I am biased against hypocrites and bottom feeders.

 

[Logique]

'Denier' is offensive, it evokes an earlier usage: holocaust deniers, a truly extremist right wing element. This is toxic leftist propaganda of the worst kind, and especially insensitive to Jewish people.

From Springhill:
Hell, what would i know? I'm just a W.A. voter who is sick of propping up the septic tank economies of Vic And NSW, no wonder you guys are the sronghold of federal ALP voters, easy to take GST money ripped out of WA.

Sounds good to me, rave away Springhill. Thankfully, next March, the tragic NSW Labor govt will be shown the door.

The Greens won't be budged as easily as the Democrats. They might seem flaky, but politically they are rat cunning. To me the issue is more - will the party outlive Bob Brown? They are frantically auditioning clones of Brown all over the place.

They're in the schools brainwashing our kids, courtesy of the left-leaning teacher unions. This is a huge sleeper issue. There was a story this week in Sydney, a teacher told the primary school kids not to sing 'gay' in the song, i.e. they had to sing '..Kookaburra 'fun' your life must be..' Parents were outraged.

 

[trainspotter]

No offense but I believe your post would be more appropriate in the drunken rant thread.
As for WA propping up the Eastern states with their G.S.T, it would be more accurate that g.s.t collected from NSW & Victoria (with their higher population and consumption) have been the highest contributors of G.S.T which has then been disproportionaly apportioned to the other states such as W.A and Qld.
IMO, bring on the tax on mining super profits. The contribution from W.A major mining super profitable ventures will help reimburse the rest of Australia for stumping up the initial capital for infrastructure that enable W.A to be developed in the first place.

Whoooooaaaa there Big Boy. Not quite accurate.

Treasure Island: 130 k's off the north western Australian coast, the largest single resource project in Australia's history is now underway. From the seabed surrounding Barrow Island, 40 trillion cubic feet of gas, equivalent to 6.7 billion barrels of oil will be extracted and processed, most of it already pre-sold for export as liquid natural gas. The goldmine of Gorgon alone will bolster Australia's GDP by around $64 billion. (GST is applicable to all of this BTW as well as the PRRT)

NEW West Australian Nationals MP Tony Crook has met Tony Abbott to demand a "fairer" carve-up of GST funding for his state.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...up-from-liberals/story-fn59niix-1225912526910

http://www.ato.gov.au/budget/2009-10/content/faq.htm#5 .... Try here for some facts.

and here .... http://www.budget.gov.au/2010-11/content/bp3/html/bp3_general_revenue.htm

Did you know ... Western Australia 's overseas exports accounted for 60% of the nations total exports. WHICH ARE TAXED on a state and Federal level which gets shared to the rest of Australia.

Ummmmmmm ..... Charlie Court used State money to develop the North West.

As minister for industrial development in the Brand government in the 1960s, Court was the architect of a number of important development initiatives in the Western Australian iron-ore industry, paving the way for the subsequent Western Australian mining boom. He was integral in transforming the state from one which as recently as the 1930s had required special assistance from the Commonwealth Grants Commission, to one which was able to generate substantial income

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Court

 

[Logique]

Whoooooaaaa there....Not quite accurate....Did you know....Western Australia 's overseas exports accounted for 60% of the nations total exports. WHICH ARE TAXED on a state and Federal level which gets shared to the rest of Australia. ....

Yes the record needed to be corrected. No coincidence that the Royalties to the Regions concept genesis was in WA.

And WA needs a fairer deal on GST returned. Perhaps some GST subsidization can be taken off Tassie's bottom line, revealing the true consequences of that state's rusted on Labor and Green leanings.

 

[Surly]

Thanks for saving me the research and response TS.

I assume this is a common misconception and probably the one that leads to people suggesting WA secede every so often.

cheers
Surly