Australian Politics General...

[Tisme]

I used to have casual talks with Ian .... he's rural interests to the core. I believed him to be one of those guys who realised to make change for good, you have to be in the mix that has that power.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...h/news-story/069fe81ecfcf76923a38d4d18d8139b8

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

I used to have casual talks with Ian .... he's rural interests to the core. I believed him to be one of those guys who realised to make change for good, you have to be in the mix that has that power.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...h/news-story/069fe81ecfcf76923a38d4d18d8139b8

Ian has a very good mind, and your comment about being in the power mix to effect change is apt.

I believe the ALP Qld Govt. are looking at giving him such a position. Let's hope they do.

gg

 

[basilio]

In the current mix of politicians in Canberra Nick Xenophon is probably one of the most respected by all sides of politics. In particular he has taken the lead on pressuring Parliament to take a far closer look at politicians travel arrangements and "keep them honest".

This quote from an article on that subject highlights how focused he is on the topic. I think He will be one of the pollies who improves his vote in the next election.

Xenophon urged the committee to put in place a more transparent system, which would see monthly entitlements published and tougher penalties to force MPs to pay back twice the amount claimed for cases of abuse.http://www.theguardian.com/australi...or-penalties-in-politician-entitlement-scheme

He said if the review recommends a “bit of window dressing”, parliamentary entitlements would become an election issue.

“If this is going to lead to a bit of tinkering or a bit of window dressing, it won’t cut it for most Australians, who don’t like different standards for MPs than for everyone else – and I am only talking about normal tax office standards,” Xenophon told Guardian Australia.

Xenophon came up with the scheme after his office mistakenly claimed a night of travel allowance in Brisbane, not knowing he came home because a speech finished early. The finance department accepted the claim based on an electronic signature.

When Xenophon realised the mistake – he paid back double the amount and gave instructions that any Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding the claim should be approved.

He said doubling the repayment in the case of mistake or abuse would “focus the minds” of MPs.

“Transparency and larger penalties would make a real difference in terms of avoiding abuse and would also increase the public confidence in the system,” Xenophon said.

http://www.theguardian.com/australi...or-penalties-in-politician-entitlement-scheme

 

[SirRumpole]

In the current mix of politicians in Canberra Nick Xenophon is probably one of the most respected by all sides of politics. In particular he has taken the lead on pressuring Parliament to take a far closer look at politicians travel arrangements and "keep them honest".

This quote from an article on that subject highlights how focused he is on the topic. I think He will be one of the pollies who improves his vote in the next election.




http://www.theguardian.com/australi...or-penalties-in-politician-entitlement-scheme

I'm only sorry I live in NSW so I can't vote for him.

I hope he gets a few more colleagues at the next election.

 

[sptrawler]

In the current mix of politicians in Canberra Nick Xenophon is probably one of the most respected by all sides of politics. In particular he has taken the lead on pressuring Parliament to take a far closer look at politicians travel arrangements and "keep them honest".

This quote from an article on that subject highlights how focused he is on the topic. I think He will be one of the pollies who improves his vote in the next election.




http://www.theguardian.com/australi...or-penalties-in-politician-entitlement-scheme

Yes, it will be interesting to see how he votes regarding negative gearing.
From a report I read he has 22 properties, there is nothing wrong with that, unless they have cause to influence his voting.
I find it very difficult these days, to believe politicians are there, other than for personal gain.
You never see them applying the rules enacted on the public, enacted on themselves.
It always seems to be about demanding public restraint and sacrifice, while they indulge in lavish excess, not much different to any third world nation I suppose.

 

[banco]

In the current mix of politicians in Canberra Nick Xenophon is probably one of the most respected by all sides of politics. In particular he has taken the lead on pressuring Parliament to take a far closer look at politicians travel arrangements and "keep them honest".

This quote from an article on that subject highlights how focused he is on the topic. I think He will be one of the pollies who improves his vote in the next election.




http://www.theguardian.com/australi...or-penalties-in-politician-entitlement-scheme

I find the focus on travel entitlements etc. a little myopic. Even if they were all defrauding the system its peanuts in the scheme of things.

 

[SirRumpole]

I find the focus on travel entitlements etc. a little myopic. Even if they were all defrauding the system its peanuts in the scheme of things.

There is such a thing as setting an example.

Politicians can hardly criticise the excesses of coporations if they have their own snouts in the trough.

 

[Tisme]

There is such a thing as setting an example.

Politicians can hardly criticise the excesses of coporations if they have their own snouts in the trough.

Doesn't stop them criticising Union reps who pilfer members funds and act like it's coming out of Joe Citizen's pocket; then hypocritically set up an outrageously expensive taxpayer funded feeding trough for LNP legal eagles to feed off in the name of looking after union members monies who they overtly despise.

Somehow the police force in this country can't operate without the expertise of the LNP showing them how to do their job ... selectively in time for electioneering of course. They must think we are stoopid or sumthink

 

[SirRumpole]

I don't see the Libs rushing to hold a Royal Commission into this :-


Liberal Party used 'charitable' Free Enterprise Foundation to disguise donations: NSW Electoral Commission

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-...d-political-donations-free-enterprise/7272446

 

[Tisme]

I don't see the Libs rushing to hold a Royal Commission into this :-


Liberal Party used 'charitable' Free Enterprise Foundation to disguise donations: NSW Electoral Commission

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-...d-political-donations-free-enterprise/7272446

Typical of the ABC, dredging up stories that may well be true, but always around elections, leadership spills, etc ... oh yeah that really doesn't allow them any periods of disassociation does it.

 

[SirRumpole]

Typical of the ABC, dredging up stories that may well be true, but always around elections, leadership spills, etc ... oh yeah that really doesn't allow them any periods of disassociation does it.

Absolutely shocking of the ABC, biting the hand that feeds it, even if the feed is a lot less than the last mob...

 

[SirRumpole]

They must think we are stoopid or sumthink

You and I aren't , but most people ...?

 

[Craton]

I don't see the Libs rushing to hold a Royal Commission into this :-


Liberal Party used 'charitable' Free Enterprise Foundation to disguise donations: NSW Electoral Commission

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-...d-political-donations-free-enterprise/7272446

Heh heh, I really dig a bit of muck-racking but will this mud stick to the Federal Libs?
Doubt it.

No, wait, um, well, ah, I mean... nah, can't happen coz there is simply NO corruption at any level of govt.

 

[SirRumpole]

Heh heh, I really dig a bit of muck-racking but will this mud stick to the Federal Libs?
Doubt it.

No, wait, um, well, ah, I mean... nah, can't happen coz there is simply NO corruption at any level of govt.

Well Arfur Daley, oops Sinodinus was involved, so who knows ?

 

[Logique]

This is why Labor should stay the course on negative gearing (my bolds).

Thousands of empty homes adding to Sydney's housing crisis, experts say
March 28, 2016 - Leesha McKenny and Inga Ting

SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/thousands...xperts-say-20160323-gnpc52.html#ixzz4492i7NqE

Sydney's housing affordability crisis is being artificially inflated by up to 90,000 properties standing empty in some of the city's most desirable suburbs, experts say.

Vacant properties were among the "perverse outcomes" of tax incentives that encouraged some investors to favour capital growth over rental returns, according to the analysis by the UNSW's City Futures Research Centre.

"Leaving housing empty is both profitable and subsidised by government," researchers Bill Randolph and Laurence Troy said. "This is taxation lunacy and a national scandal."...

 

[SirRumpole]

This is why Labor should stay the course on negative gearing (my bolds).

That's an interesting twist to the NG debate.

No wonder the Negative Gearing party (LNP) are so against Labor's reforms. All those properties that showed no income would be hit with a CGT.

It just shows what a farce the NG rort is.

 

[MrBurns]

This is why Labor should stay the course on negative gearing (my bolds).

If the ALP play this card correctly at the election they might win.

Turnbull has no idea how the other half live and Bishop thinks she is a teenager the way she dresses and struts around.

As much as I think Shorten is a no hoper I'd have to back him on this one.

 

[Tisme]

If the ALP play this card correctly at the election they might win.

Turnbull has no idea how the other half live and Bishop thinks she is a teenager the way she dresses and struts around.

As much as I think Shorten is a no hoper I'd have to back him on this one.

It troubles me to think that Labor may win..... I just can't stomach the concocted soup of social control they seem welded to. I can handle them spending money on nation building, their support for individual liberty (via unions if necessary) from exploitation by (areshole) business proprietors and other programmes that elevate the worth of each and everyone of us decent, as God intended people . But this is a party that used to share core values with other mainstream parties of the past, but now parades that underbelly as the way forward.... as key planks in fact.

It troubles me that to think that LNP may win .... another term of policy on the run looking for fear monger materials, gratuitous taglines, smoke screens, witch hunts and scripted cliches. Any notion that the current leader was not a puppet of his chief of staff or wife have been dispelled for all to see; a new skin in an adhoc political plaid jacket ... deadmen wear plaid.

It scares me to think that the Greens outwitted the Senate and managed to change the voting system in their favour. It double scares me to think that they are an attractive goto party for Labor light voters.

We really need a take no prisoners Paul Keating right now, popular/hated, but visionary, smart, articulate and vehemently Australian and a nation builder.

 

[SirRumpole]

We really need a take no prisoners Paul Keating right now, popular/hated, but visionary, smart, articulate and vehemently Australian and a nation builder.

I heard Dick Smith may run in Bronwyn Bishop's seat.



BTW I agree with your other comments. It's a matter of the least worst option.

 

[MrBurns]

I wonder if the ALP would change NG even if they did get in.

The smugness of Turnbull and Bishop turns me off but the stupidity and self interest of that union hack Shorten doesn't inspire me either.

The kids need to be given a chance in this world -

Thousands of empty homes adding to Sydney's housing crisis, experts say
March 28, 2016 - Leesha McKenny and Inga Ting

SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/thousands...xperts-say-20160323-gnpc52.html#ixzz4492i7NqE

Sydney's housing affordability crisis is being artificially inflated by up to 90,000 properties standing empty in some of the city's most desirable suburbs, experts say.

Vacant properties were among the "perverse outcomes" of tax incentives that encouraged some investors to favour capital growth over rental returns, according to the analysis by the UNSW's City Futures Research Centre.

"Leaving housing empty is both profitable and subsidised by government," researchers Bill Randolph and Laurence Troy said. "This is taxation lunacy and a national scandal."...