ABC is Political

[MrBurns]

I too have no idea what Emily's List spin is. But I think the point craft is trying to make is not to create a system of quotas but rather to have more women participating in politics so that the pool of available talent means more women can reach the cabinet on merit.

Doesn't seem like a bad idea to me.

One things for sure Abbott wouldn't have left women out on purpose , this has come about because he has simply placed the best people in the positions, in fact it is to his credit that he has avoided the temptation to include more women just to satisfy those who dwell on these things.....like as the media and opposition (what's left of it)

 

[McLovin]

One things for sure Abbott wouldn't have left women out on purpose , this has come about because he has simply placed the best people in the positions, in fact it is to his credit that he has avoided the temptation to include more women just to satisfy those who dwell on these things.....like as the media and opposition (what's left of it)

I don't think he left them out on purpose. I've never bought into the Abbott is sexist meme, although I do think some of his views on women are a bit dated. It's a shame though that a group that represents 50% of the population is so under-represented in government.

 

[MrBurns]

I don't think he left them out on purpose. I've never bought into the Abbott is sexist meme, although I do think some of his views on women are a bit dated. It's a shame though that a group that represents 50% of the population is so under-represented in government.

That's true, I'm sure he'll correct it when he can, it's a little too honest to have left women out, a bit politically naïve I think......just leaves himself open to criticism from a few sides.

 

[DocK]

Miranda Devine says it better than I can.

Thank you for that link, Logique - I enjoyed the article and agree with it on the whole. This section:

Equally, his refusal to promote women over more deserving male colleagues, just for diversity purposes, shows Abbott doesn’t care about the optics of government, unlike his Labor predecessors, who were consumed by them.

That doesn’t mean it’s not disappointing there aren’t more women in Cabinet. But it’s hardly Abbott’s fault. The problem lies at the grass roots of recruitment.

Take, for example, the blue ribbon North Shore Liberal seat of Bradfield where a large and impressive field lined up for pre-selection in 2009.

Of 17 candidates, only four were women. In the end, a man won, Paul Fletcher, who may or may not have been the best candidate, but the Liberal Party has its own factional problems, and Fletcher was the Left’s choice.

All else being equal, there was a 24 percent chance of a woman being preselected in Bradfield that day, compared to a 76 percent chance a man would be chosen.

Like the children of migrants, ambitious girls at school still angle towards the big prestige careers in law, medicine and business.

Politics is generally a fringe aspiration. It is uncertain. It takes a certain type of person, imbued with single-minded ambition and a desire for service.

It provides comparably little in the way of money, or even prestige to start with, and it is undeniably family - unfriendly, whether because of obligatory night-time electorate functions or travel to Canberra when Parliament sits.

Undoubtedly, sexism plays into the bias of some pre-selectors as well. This is why Labor opted for the quick but fatal fix of a quota system.

Conservatives need to find a better way of inspiring young women to their cause.

But in the end, I’d rather the chances of a women elevated within an Abbott government for worthwhile and genuine career achievement than any woman elevated to fill a quota.

(my bolds)
gets to the heart of where I'm coming from. I agree with the selection of the best person for the job, regardless of gender, but I'm disheartened by the lack of women in the field. Personally, I feel a lot of Australian women would feel better represented, and therefore more engaged with politics, were there a more even balance. As has already been said, the challenge for Abbott, should he be interested in meeting it, is how to foster and encourage more female participation in his party. Perhaps a more moderate government intent on staying out of our daily lives will go some way towards reducing the viciousness of the more personal attacks in the media at the very least - entering politics must have been seen as akin to voluntarily diving into a shark pool to young people over recent years. A return to a little more dignity would be welcome, from both our pollies and the media.

 

[Duckman#72]

The ABC bias is becoming even more pronounced.

A couple of points:

Firstly - Indonesia

The Indonesian PM who has been critical of Tony Abbott's "Turn the Boats Around" policy was introduced by Tony Jones the other night as:

TONY JONES: ... Indonesian MP Tantowi Yahya is a prominent member of his parliament’s Foreign Affairs Commission… ?

However when the SAME Indonesian was critical of the Gillard Government's position last year the intoduction by the ABC was with much less fanfare:

MATT BROWN: Tantowi Yahya is a former host of Indonesia’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and he has a populist’s eye for how this will play out in Jakarta.

Surely the ABC wouldn't be trying to elevate Yahya's credentials now that the Coalition is in power?

Secondly - Climate Change

The same day that Abbott announced that Flannery's position had been terminated, the ABC runs with a story about the melting of the ice caps and how the sea level will rise by up to a 1 metre over the next 100 years. Was I the only one that thought it was an ironic story to run, considering one of Flannery's most outrageous comments over the past 5 years related to significantly rises in sea levels that were completely over the top?

Thirdly - and this is just a comment. Is it just me or do other people think Wil Anderson is a complete tosser! I enjoy his shows, I just can't stand him. Words that come to mind are pompous, arrogant, self-serving and egotistical. Although to be fair, he is the funniest comedian in Australia - just ask him.

Lastly - I agree with Julia about Tony Delroy. What right has Tony got to be calling someone "economic illiterate"?

Duckman

 

[MrBurns]

Yes this comment from the ABC web site - what a joke...........

major elvis newton

9:44 AM on 19/09/2013

"...Tantowi Yahya is an Indonesian presenter, country singer and entrepreneur. He is most famous for hosting the Indonesian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?..."

And this is the ABC goto guy for legitimate comment on border protection/asylum seeker policy.

Pretty low barriers to entry for the Indonesian Parliament. No wonder Eddie McGuire wants a republic.

 

[DocK]

The ABC bias is becoming even more pronounced.

A couple of points:

Firstly - Indonesia

The Indonesian PM who has been critical of Tony Abbott's "Turn the Boats Around" policy was introduced by Tony Jones the other night as:

TONY JONES: ... Indonesian MP Tantowi Yahya is a prominent member of his parliament’s Foreign Affairs Commission… ?

However when the SAME Indonesian was critical of the Gillard Government's position last year the intoduction by the ABC was with much less fanfare:

MATT BROWN: Tantowi Yahya is a former host of Indonesia’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and he has a populist’s eye for how this will play out in Jakarta.

Surely the ABC wouldn't be trying to elevate Yahya's credentials now that the Coalition is in power?

Secondly - Climate Change

The same day that Abbott announced that Flannery's position had been terminated, the ABC runs with a story about the melting of the ice caps and how the sea level will rise by up to a 1 metre over the next 100 years. Was I the only one that thought it was an ironic story to run, considering one of Flannery's most outrageous comments over the past 5 years related to significantly rises in sea levels that were completely over the top?

Thirdly - and this is just a comment. Is it just me or do other people think Wil Anderson is a complete tosser! I enjoy his shows, I just can't stand him. Words that come to mind are pompous, arrogant, self-serving and egotistical. Although to be fair, he is the funniest comedian in Australia - just ask him.

Lastly - I agree with Julia about Tony Delroy. What right has Tony got to be calling someone "economic illiterate"?

Duckman

I enjoy both Gruen Nation/Transfer with Wil Anderson, and have also enjoyed Adam Hills over the years - but I too am becoming increasingly weary of them using their positions to ram their political views down our throats. Hosting a tv show shouldn't be seen as a platform to advocate one's personal political views - unless it's a political tv show such as Bolt that doesn't even pretend to be neutral. I stopped watching The Project on 10 for the same reason - Charlie Pickering can take self-righteousness to heights never before seen!

 

[Country Lad]

I don’t know what Emilys list spin is..........

I too have no idea what Emily's List spin is.

Emily's List is a movements started to encourage and assist more Labor women to stand for parliament.

Probably a good idea at the time but as happens in the Labor movement personal agendas get in the way. Once Gillard became deputy Labor leader she and a few others hijacked it for the campaign of personal attacks on Abbott to make him appear "unelectable".

The Canberra division of this movement is known as "the handbag brigade".

 

[Boggo]

The Canberra division of this movement is known as "the handbag brigade".

And this is another example of their taxpayer funded exercises...
http://www.wgea.gov.au/

 

[Julia]

With respect that sounds like Emilys List spin. We've seen how it worked out for the previous Labor/Green government.

I don’t know what Emilys list spin is – but having my personal beliefs likened to spin reminds me why I generally steer clear of politically motivated threads

Miranda Devine says it better than I can.

Thanks, Logique. Agree.
Craft, I think perhaps you're misinterpreting Logique's original remark which didn't suggest to me that he was accusing you of 'spin' but maybe rather that you have uncritically accepted Labor's spin.

Thanks to Country Lad for providing the background on Emily's List.

Emily's List is a movements started to encourage and assist more Labor women to stand for parliament.

Probably a good idea at the time but as happens in the Labor movement personal agendas get in the way. Once Gillard became deputy Labor leader she and a few others hijacked it for the campaign of personal attacks on Abbott to make him appear "unelectable".

The Canberra division of this movement is known as "the handbag brigade".

One things for sure Abbott wouldn't have left women out on purpose , this has come about because he has simply placed the best people in the positions, in fact it is to his credit that he has avoided the temptation to include more women just to satisfy those who dwell on these things.....like as the media and opposition (what's left of it)

I agree. He would be entirely aware that there would be all the predictable indignation from the Left (and some of his own side) about the minimal representation of women. Despite this, imo it's to his credit that he has promoted on merit.

I pointed out earlier that Mr Abbott had specifically referred to considerable talent 'knocking on the door'.
You could probably look at Kelly O'Dwyer as an example. She's smart and articulate but doesn't quite yet imo have the gravitas necessary for a senior role.

I don't think he left them out on purpose. I've never bought into the Abbott is sexist meme, although I do think some of his views on women are a bit dated.

Such as?

 

[Julia]

he same day that Abbott announced that Flannery's position had been terminated, the ABC runs with a story about the melting of the ice caps and how the sea level will rise by up to a 1 metre over the next 100 years. Was I the only one that thought it was an ironic story to run, considering one of Flannery's most outrageous comments over the past 5 years related to significantly rises in sea levels that were completely over the top?

No, Duckman, you were not the only one. I was rolling my eyes also. Especially when they flogged both stories one after the other time after time.

 

[sails]

No, Duckman, you were not the only one. I was rolling my eyes also. Especially when they flogged both stories one after the other time after time.

I don't listen to the ABC too much, but I have my doubts they ran this story:

• Leaked United Nations report reveals the world's temperature hasn't risen for the last 15 years
• Politicians have raised concerns about the final draft
• Fears that the findings will encourage deniers of man-made climate change

Scientists working on the most authoritative study on climate change were urged to cover up the fact that the world’s temperature hasn’t risen for the last 15 years, it is claimed.

A leaked copy of a United Nations report, compiled by hundreds of scientists, shows politicians in Belgium, Germany, Hungary and the United States raised concerns about the final draft.

Published next week, it is expected to address the fact that 1998 was the hottest year on record and world temperatures have not yet exceeded it, which scientists have so far struggled to explain.

The report is the result of six years’ work by UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which is seen as the world authority on the extent of climate change and what is causing it – on which governments including Britain’s base their green policies.

Read more from the UK MailOnline:
World's top climate scientists told to 'cover up' the fact that the Earth's temperature hasn't risen for the last 15 years

 

[noco]

No, Duckman, you were not the only one. I was rolling my eyes also. Especially when they flogged both stories one after the other time after time.

+1 I say good riddance to bad rubbish. This Flannery has cost this country $billions and was paid $180,000 per annum for 3 days work a week.

I hope Abbott has disposed of the other 1000 or so in Flannery's Climate Change department as well.

I believe there is something like $6 billion tied up in desal plants which are now in moth balls.

Good on Andrew Bolt for exposing this fraud and the Labor Party for the past 5 years.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...f-climate-career/story-fnihsr9v-1226723406045

 

[noco]

+1 I say good riddance to bad rubbish. This Flannery has cost this country $billions and was paid $180,000 per annum for 3 days work a week.

I hope Abbott has disposed of the other 1000 or so in Flannery's Climate Change department as well.

I believe there is something like $6 billion tied up in desal plants which are now in moth balls.

Good on Andrew Bolt for exposing this fraud and the Labor Party for the past 5 years.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...f-climate-career/story-fnihsr9v-1226723406045

Here with another link to the Climate Change Committee. I would like to know the exact number employed in this department and how they all fill in their time.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...mate-bureaucracy/story-e6frg6xf-1226723161774

 

[noco]

Here with another link to the Climate Change Committee. I would like to know the exact number employed in this department and how they all fill in their time.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...mate-bureaucracy/story-e6frg6xf-1226723161774

Andrew Bolts interveiw with Tim Flannery reveals we may not feel any effect from the carbon tax for 1000years.

Wow!!!!!!!!!! What a joke.




http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/...lumn_sacked_flannery_should_give_us_a_refund/

 

[Julia]

I don't listen to the ABC too much, but I have my doubts they ran this story:

Well, sails, I listen all the time to Radio National, Local Radio Network and Classic FM.
You are correct. Absolutely no mention of the story you quote. But we would expect nothing different, of course.

 

[boofhead]

Is the story based on misreading of the report where the same author wrote a similar storya year ago or so that also misread the report?

 

[craft]

Thanks, Logique. Agree.
Craft, I think perhaps you're misinterpreting Logique's original remark which didn't suggest to me that he was accusing you of 'spin' but maybe rather that you have uncritically accepted Labor's spin.

Are you just taking the piss or are your actually serious when you write this type of stuff.

Preferring to see a gender representation that roughly reflect the population, which it would do naturally if MERIT was the only thing at play in an organisation does not make me a Labor Stooge. I neither said it should be corrected over night or be brought about by quota’s or any other type of positive discrimination.


ps

The ABC is not nearly as biased as biased people think it is.

 

[sails]

..ps

The ABC is not nearly as biased as biased people think it is.

Those who are biased to the left seem to be the ones mainly saying there is no bias in ABC politics. I suppose it is difficult to see bias when such bias agrees with your own bias.

On that basis, Bolt is not nearly as biased as people think he is...

 

[Julia]

Those who are biased to the left seem to be the ones mainly saying there is no bias in ABC politics. I suppose it is difficult to see bias when such bias agrees with your own bias.

On that basis, Bolt is not nearly as biased as people think he is...

+1.

Even one of the ABC hosts, Rodd Quinn, said about two months ago, in a candid moment "We all know you have to vote Labor to get a job with the ABC".

And to expect a fifty/fifty gender balance in parliament, simply because that's representative of the population overall, is unrealistic and simplistic. Given all the long hours and travel, time away from home and family, most women are not going to be attracted to politics as a career, especially when the job requires a thicker skin and a greater capacity to absorb pure nastiness than many women would want to cope with.

I do, however, admit to a bias in favour of the new government, a huge sense of relief that the Labor circus has gone, so am undoubtedly more prepared than those on the Left to give Tony Abbott's judgement a chance.