Tony Abbott for PM

[Julia]

Tony Abbott's come under criticism for this,



Upon reading it a few times, I see only one thing wrong with it. Take away the word authentic, but beyond that, criticism of the above is in my view, political correctness gone mad.

http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/br...re-language-clunky-lib-mp-20121114-29bea.html

That's typically poor reporting from the Brisbane Times. In "The Australian" the focus is as follows:

At a dinner in Alice Springs on Saturday, Mr Abbott described Mr Wyatt as a good bloke, but "not a man of culture". Several people who were at the dinner confirmed the comments and mentioned their concern about the remarks.

It's not just political correctness that deems such a remark to be insulting imo.

And on it goes.

No wonder voters can't see Mr Abbott as a leader when he apparently is incapable of suitably phrasing his comments so as not to insult his own MPs. It's difficult to see him on the world stage if this is the best he can do.

 

[moXJO]

At a dinner in Alice Springs on Saturday, Mr Abbott described Mr Wyatt as a good bloke, but "not a man of culture". Several people who were at the dinner confirmed the comments and mentioned their concern about the remarks.

Did he just imply he was a bogan

 

[McLovin]

It's not just political correctness that deems such a remark to be insulting imo.

I agree. Although, I don't actually think he makes such comments with the intent of causing offence, he's just not a very good speaker.

 

[white_goodman]

I guess we see what we want to see. I don't at all see how he has answered her question above about how he will ameliorate that additional 79% of price rises which are not attributable to the carbon tax.
Instead, he just parrots off his usual slogan. People are just sick of this.

its a stupid question, I didnt realise people were interested in pollies setting price controls..just as stupid as politicians guaranteeing petrol below a certain price or guaranteeing budget surplus when too much of the revenue is determined by macro factors out of their control..

now the better question is, what sort of policy measures will you enact to improve price efficiency within the energy market.. not "what are you going to do to ensure a ceiling price on electricity"

 

[drsmith]

That's typically poor reporting from the Brisbane Times.

The Australian has the same quote.

No wonder voters can't see Mr Abbott as a leader when he apparently is incapable of suitably phrasing his comments so as not to insult his own MPs.

With reference to the Saturday dinner comment in Alice Springs that The Australian has reported, that was a poor choice of words.

Listening to him on ABC radio this morning (about the Catholic Church) he sounded very tired. Perhaps he's been running his race too hard and has worn himself down, both physically and mentally.

I hope he takes the advice of his own party and takes something of a break over Christmas and lets some of his senior colleagues take more of the load.

I wouldn't give up on him yet, but he is going to have to overcome his current political difficulties. One thing going for him is that he is a fighter. He just needs the right strategy.

 

[McLovin]

its a stupid question, I didnt realise people were interested in pollies setting price controls..just as stupid as politicians guaranteeing petrol below a certain price or guaranteeing budget surplus when too much of the revenue is determined by macro factors out of their control..

now the better question is, what sort of policy measures will you enact to improve price efficiency within the energy market.. not "what are you going to do to ensure a ceiling price on electricity"

The question wasn't will you put a ceiling on prices, the question was will you bring prices down. It's clearly a loaded question but it has nothing to do with ceilings. It would be no different to saying "I will lower excise tax on fuel". That will bring prices down, without a price ceiling.

You either can or you can't. If you can't then just say you can't or at least have a more credible answer, perhaps about looking into efficiency rather than just repeating a tired hashtag.

 

[white_goodman]

The question wasn't will you put a ceiling on prices, the question was will you bring prices down. It's clearly a loaded question but it has nothing to do with ceilings. It would be no different to saying "I will lower excise tax on fuel". That will bring prices down, without a price ceiling.

You either can or you can't. If you can't then just say you can't or at least have a more credible answer, perhaps about looking into efficiency rather than just repeating a tired hashtag.

i disagree, fuel prices could lower and could also rise reducing the excise tax, as I said theres a large macro component thats out of a pollies control. If you read between the lines what she was asking was can you guarantee prices will be lower, thus if prices skyrocket due to macro conditions we can play gotcha journalism..

his answer was deficient, just not as deficient as the question itself

 

[McLovin]

i disagree, fuel prices could lower and could also rise reducing the excise tax, as I said theres a large macro component thats out of a pollies control. If you read between the lines what she was asking was can you guarantee prices will be lower, thus if prices skyrocket due to macro conditions we can play gotcha journalism..

his answer was deficient, just not as deficient as the question itself

I don't disagree with you, which is why I said it was a loaded question. He just answered it poorly and reverted back to a slogan which has been overdone.

The question on its own is not a bad question to ask: If you were elected how would you tackle rising power prices?

It's clearly something that concerns many people in the community and it's a fair question to ask someone who would be the leader of the alternate government.

 

[sptrawler]

I don't disagree with you, which is why I said it was a loaded question. He just answered it poorly and reverted back to a slogan which has been overdone.

The question on its own is not a bad question to ask: If you were elected how would you tackle rising power prices?

It's clearly something that concerns many people in the community and it's a fair question to ask someone who would be the leader of the alternate government.

Yes he could probably expanded the answer to include the explanation that removing the carbon tax will reduce the cost of generation by not placing an impost on burning cheap coal.
However, one would expect most people to know that, as it has been hammered for a couple of years.
IMO it shows the reporter is either thick or she thinks the viewing public is thick. My money is on her.

 

[white_goodman]

I don't disagree with you, which is why I said it was a loaded question. He just answered it poorly and reverted back to a slogan which has been overdone.

The question on its own is not a bad question to ask: If you were elected how would you tackle rising power prices?

It's clearly something that concerns many people in the community and it's a fair question to ask someone who would be the leader of the alternate government.

totally agree if that was the question, however the question she asked was essentially backing him into a guarantee out of his control largely..

"Can you guarantee that an Abbott government will bring energy prices down beyond taking off the carbon tax?"

he can aim for policy that increases efficiency for prices to come down, but he cant manufacture, manipulate supply and demand out of Canberra...I would have attacked her for the question being dumb wrapped in bandana

 

[sptrawler]

On the same thread, I wonder if Lisa Wilkinson will do a follow up interview.
Questioning why Gillard has dropped the closing down of brown coal fired power stations. When they were the major part of the governments justification for a carbon tax.

 

[McLovin]

Yes he could probably expanded the answer to include the explanation that removing the carbon tax will reduce the cost of generation by not placing an impost on burning cheap coal.
However, one would expect most people to know that, as it has been hammered for a couple of years.
IMO it shows the reporter is either thick or she thinks the viewing public is thick. My money is on her.

Prices have been rising for the last seven or so years, well before a carbon tax was even being discussed. From every break down of costs I have seen, over investment in infrastructure (poles and wires) and an archaic metering system that allows heavy power users to be subsidised by light users are the main price drivers.

If we were smart, we'd be investing in nuclear energy. Clean and cheap. The Greens don't want nuclear and they don't want coal, so I have to put my nan on exercise bike to power the TV so I can watch Big Brother.

totally agree if that was the question, however the question she asked was essentially backing him into a guarantee out of his control largely..

But I'd expect him to be able to deal competently with a woman who's toughest interview is asking some Hollywood reporter which celebrity needed the most amount of wax for their Brazilian. That's why Abbott is useless, IMO.

 

[white_goodman]

Prices have been rising for the last seven or so years, well before a carbon tax was even being discussed. From every break down of costs I have seen, over investment in infrastructure (poles and wires) and an archaic metering system that allows heavy power users to be subsidised by light users are the main price drivers.

If we were smart, we'd be investing in nuclear energy. Clean and cheap. The Greens don't want nuclear and they don't want coal, so I have to put my nan on exercise bike to power the TV so I can watch Big Brother.



But I'd expect him to be able to deal competently with a woman who's toughest interview is asking some Hollywood reporter which celebrity needed the most amount of wax for their Brazilian. That's why Abbott is useless, IMO.

public speaking ability doesnt concern me as much as a solid theory on the role of govt, and policy... the latter is still less then desirable

 

[McLovin]

public speaking ability doesnt concern me as much as a solid theory on the role of govt, and policy... the latter is still less then desirable

It may not concern you, but if you want to win an election you better have the ability to communicate your ideas to a broader audience than a bunch of wonkish economists.

I know he wants to get rid of the carbon tax. The rest of his policies are a mystery and/or enigma.

 

[Julia]

It may not concern you, but if you want to win an election you better have the ability to communicate your ideas to a broader audience than a bunch of wonkish economists.

I know he wants to get rid of the carbon tax. The rest of his policies are a mystery and/or enigma.

+1. Dealing with Lisa Wilkinson's questions can hardly be considered on a par with an interview with Kerry O'Brien or Leigh Sales.
No wonder Mr Abbott rarely graces "7.30".

 

[sptrawler]

It may not concern you, but if you want to win an election you better have the ability to communicate your ideas to a broader audience than a bunch of wonkish economists.

I know he wants to get rid of the carbon tax. The rest of his policies are a mystery and/or enigma.

Agree with those statements completely.
One would have thought Abbott would be spending spending a lot of time on role play and presentation techniques.
We have all thought that for some time.
Nothing wrong with his analysis of a situation, presentation terrible.
Maybe the Liberal Party Machine could do worse than employ Kerry O'Brien for an intensive 2 or 3 week thrashing for Tony.
Show him what a flogging is really like when someone doesn't like you.LOL
It certainly taught Howard how to remain calm and present the issues, without being distracted by the presenter.

 

[Julia]

Maybe the Liberal Party Machine could do worse than employ Kerry O'Brien for an intensive 2 or 3 week thrashing for Tony.

You can't seriously imagine Kerry O'Brien would be even remotely interested in such a proposition.

 

[sptrawler]

You can't seriously imagine Kerry O'Brien would be even remotely interested in such a proposition.

Depends how much they are prepared to pay him, he is a professional.
I am sure he would see it as a job and the Liberal Party would see it as money well spent.
As a reporter he really shouldn't be too bothered with who it is he is coaching and gives him another career prospect.

 

[Julia]

I'd think Mr O'Brien is well enough served with employment opportunities should he want them.
Working for the Libs would be very, very well down his list imo, in fact I cannot see it ever, ever happening.

 

[sptrawler]

I'd think Mr O'Brien is well enough served with employment opportunities should he want them.
Working for the Libs would be very, very well down his list imo, in fact I cannot see it ever, ever happening.

Well there must be somebody they can hire to imitate Mr O'Briens persona, jeez he can't be that unique. This is only hypothesis, lets not drag it out.
As to his personal employment preferences, I wouldn't hazard a guess, I don't know him at all.