Australian Politics General...

[mullokintyre]

it seems that the poer drunk egotistical premiers just can't help themselves.
Under the guise of fighting drug importation, WA police have been given new search powers that even the Premier is unceratain as to what the extent will be.
FromABC News

The WA Premier says a proposed expansion of police search powers "absolutely" does not amount to government overreach but could not say if officers would be able to search peoples' phones.

Key points:​

• The Premier says the changes are aimed at stopping drug importations
• But he was vague on whether police will be able to search people's phones
• It comes in the wake of privacy concerns with SafeWA and ServiceWA

Police Minister Paul Papalia on Tuesday announced the expansion of a suite of laws, which he said was necessary to prevent drugs being imported to the state.

It would aim to mimic pandemic powers to give police officers additional authority to search people at border crossings, airports, ports and railway stations, but the exact details have not been revealed.

Ethnic Communities Council WA president Suresh Rajan has raised concerns it could lead to an increase in racial profiling by police.

But Premier Mark McGowan said the measures were purely targeted at reducing the amount of drugs going through border crossings, and were not broad 'stop and search' powers.
When asked if that meant police officers would be able to search peoples' phones, Mr McGowan said he could not remember the exact detail of what was being proposed.

​

"But it may be just around the border areas," he said.

"Some of the criminal syndicates use encrypted apps and so forth, it may be about dealing with those things.

"When we actually finalise it, we'll be able to give you more details."

Those details will be a sensitive subject for many, after privacy issues emerged with both ServiceWA and SafeWA apps, including their use by police in criminal investigations.

The Premier repeatedly compared the search powers to those given to government officials to prevent pests and diseases being brought into the state.

Well if they are not broad stop and search powers, put it in writing instead of the vague crap they give.
One thing that has been consistently shown is that Police in all jurisdictions will always overstep when they think they have unfettered powers.
We in Victoria saw it time and time again during the pandemic when they completely overeacted on so many occasions, pepper spraying people, arresting pregnant women over face book posts, taking the phones of old ladies as the filmed police overeaction.
There have been two court cases instigated this week by journalists who were pepper sprayed by over zealous police.
The old saying about power corrupting, and absolute power corrupting absolutely, never rang more tru.
Mick

 

[mullokintyre]

The queensland premier has now joined the queue to ban "symbols of Hate", such as the Swastika from being displayed in Queenlans.
From Queensland Government

Multicultural Affairs Minister Leanne Linard said she supported the introduction of legislation that addressed serious vilification and hate crimes against culturally diverse groups.

“I meet and work with people from across our ethnically diverse state every day and have heard first-hand of the devastating effects of vilification and hate crimes”, Ms Linard said.

“This new legislation will protect against this form of discrimination and hold Queenslanders who commit these crimes to account.

“I endorse the Queensland Parliament Legal Affairs and Safety Committee’s recommendation to make it a criminal offence to display hate symbols to invoke fear in others.

“We know that swastika symbols have a profound meaning in some religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The new laws will allow these symbols to be used in these respectful circumstances but prevent them from being used as a symbol of hate. I look forward to the legislation being introduced later this year.”

The Attorney said the Parliamentary Committee had made 17 recommendations after reviewing the nature and extent of hate crimes and serious vilification in the State, and the effectiveness of existing laws.

“Our existing laws respond to some of the issues examined by the Committee, however, we are committed to strengthening our laws to ensure our diverse communities are better protected,” she said.

“That’s why we will be accepting all recommendations of the committee.

I look forward to them adding this symbol of hate to the list.

 

[moXJO]

it seems that the poer drunk egotistical premiers just can't help themselves.
Under the guise of fighting drug importation, WA police have been given new search powers that even the Premier is unceratain as to what the extent will be.
FromABC News


Well if they are not broad stop and search powers, put it in writing instead of the vague crap they give.
One thing that has been consistently shown is that Police in all jurisdictions will always overstep when they think they have unfettered powers.
We in Victoria saw it time and time again during the pandemic when they completely overeacted on so many occasions, pepper spraying people, arresting pregnant women over face book posts, taking the phones of old ladies as the filmed police overeaction.
There have been two court cases instigated this week by journalists who were pepper sprayed by over zealous police.
The old saying about power corrupting, and absolute power corrupting absolutely, never rang more tru.
Mick

I was hoping this authoritarian reach would stop under Labor. But lib and Labor states seem to be pushing further with this bullsht.

 

[sptrawler]

I was hoping this authoritarian reach would stop under Labor. But lib and Labor states seem to be pushing further with this bullsht.

When they're on a roll and there is no resistance, push the boundaries.
They never know when these opportunities will present again, may as well get laws in place, that might be useful down the track.

 

[moXJO]

When they're on a roll and there is no resistance, push the boundaries.
They never know when these opportunities will present again, may as well get laws in place, that might be useful down the track.

What's worse is people squat down and lick boot with glee. Then ask for more. It's embarrassing.

 

[wayneL]

I was pleased to see Jacinta Price got a Senate seat. She will be a great counter to Lydia Thorpe.

 

[mullokintyre]

Kristina Keneally like most political failures blames outside influences for her defeat by another female immigrant.
The red bandana boy gave her s sympathetic hearing.
from SMH

The most important factor was COVID and its impacts ... Fowler had the harshest and longest lockdowns in the state, supported by both Liberal and Labor, and there was an understandable sense of anger at both major parties, with people reacting with “a pox on both your houses”. At the same time you had a strong independent candidate running, and a wealthy person in Clive Palmer bankrolling the UAP – and while the UAP didn’t win any seats the impact that Palmer had was to drive down major party primary votes and deprive the major parties of Senate seats and preferences in lower house seats.

No consideration to the idea that perhaps her opponent ran a better campaign, was part of the local community, had not been parachuted into a western suburbs seat from the uber rich areas of the North Shore, or perhaps voters just don't like her.
No she says its all Clive Palmers fault, and a general pox on both your houses due to lockdown.
This despite the fact that all the lockdowns were not put in place at a federal level, but put in place by state governments, and in the case of this particular NSW seat, a Liberal one at that.
Nah, does not compute.
Surely now the labor party will finalise realise she is pretty much unelectable.
Mick

 

[Knobby22]

Kristina Keneally like most political failures blames outside influences for her defeat by another female immigrant.
The red bandana boy gave her s sympathetic hearing.
from SMH

No consideration to the idea that perhaps her opponent ran a better campaign, was part of the local community, had not been parachuted into a western suburbs seat from the uber rich areas of the North Shore, or perhaps voters just don't like her.
No she says its all Clive Palmers fault, and a general pox on both your houses due to lockdown.
This despite the fact that all the lockdowns were not put in place at a federal level, but put in place by state governments, and in the case of this particular NSW seat, a Liberal one at that.
Nah, does not compute.
Surely now the labor party will finalise realise she is pretty much unelectable.
Mick

Yea, her political career is finished. But good on SMH for interviewing her. Nice to get her take even if it does betray her lack of self awareness.

Did you see the other well thought article about the Teals? That they are basically a franchise? And like McDonald's, once they get common they appear everywhere. The article stated the safe Labor seats will be targeted next election.

 

[mullokintyre]

Yea, her political career is finished. But good on SMH for interviewing her. Nice to get her take even if it does betray her lack of self awareness.

Did you see the other well thought article about the Teals? That they are basically a franchise? And like McDonald's, once they get common they appear everywhere. The article stated the safe Labor seats will be targeted next election.

You mean This one ?
Interesting analysis, but not sure if I accept the premise.
Time will tell as to whether the franchise model targets inner city labour seats at the next election or not.
We have the best part of four years to wait.
Mick

 

[wayneL]

Yea, her political career is finished. But good on SMH for interviewing her. Nice to get her take even if it does betray her lack of self awareness.

Did you see the other well thought article about the Teals? That they are basically a franchise? And like McDonald's, once they get common they appear everywhere. The article stated the safe Labor seats will be targeted next election.

Simon installed as El Presidente?

 

[Knobby22]

Simon installed as El Presidente?

You mean Governor General! ?
Can't see it myself.

 

[PZ99]

He should be treasurer...
$10m for 10 seats... Clive Palmer $100m for no seats

As for Kristina Keneally, her name should be added to the ASF swear filter.
Frankly I hope this favouritism costs Labor their majority. Nothing gets my goat up more than working your backside off for years only to get passed over because of some blow-in bimbo with NFI about the job.

Penny Wong is another irritant on my sheet list - but at least she's done a few hard yards... Keneally has done jack all.

"It's a pretty ugly table guys"​

 

[SirRumpole]

He should be treasurer...
$10m for 10 seats... Clive Palmer $100m for no seats

As for Kristina Keneally, her name should be added to the ASF swear filter.
Frankly I hope this favouritism costs Labor their majority. Nothing gets my goat up more than working your backside off for years only to get passed over because of some blow-in bimbo with NFI about the job.

Penny Wong is another irritant on my sheet list - but at least she's done a few hard yards... Keneally has done jack all.

"It's a pretty ugly table guys"​

I'm sure they will find something for Kristina to do. She may end up a Minister's Chief of Staff or something.

As long as we can't hear her whining voice.

 

[PZ99]

I'm sure they will find something for Kristina to do. She may end up a Minister's Chief of Staff or something.

As long as we can't hear her whining voice.

LOL. I think she should do herself and the country a favour. They didn't go all the way with KmKK either

Keneally pays back puppet masters

THE Premier, Kristina Keneally, will reward the dumped ministers John Della Bosca and Ian Macdonald by reinstating them to senior positions in a cabinet reshuffle this weekend.

www.smh.com.au

"Rewarding the plotters against the former premier Nathan Rees will fuel criticism that Ms Keneally is a ''puppet'' of powerbrokers Eddie Obeid, Joe Tripodi, Mr Della Bosca and Mr Macdonald, who all backed her into the leadership against the wishes of Labor's head office."

Familiar names right ?

I CAC myself every time I hear that voice

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

I'm sure they will find something for Kristina to do. She may end up a Minister's Chief of Staff or something.

As long as we can't hear her whining voice.

Ambassador to USA unfortunately.

KK always ends jam side up.

gg

 

[Knobby22]

Ambassador to USA unfortunately.

KK always ends jam side up.

gg

Born in Las Vegas, grew up in Ohio. Has an Aussie Mum from Brisbane! Didn't know that.
Ambassador for sure.

 

[wayneL]

You mean Governor General! ?
Can't see it myself.

It's a simple referendum and people have been proven to be dumb enough to fall for anything. I'm being facetious of course, but I wouldn't rule anything out in these Foucaultian days.

 

[wayneL]

KK always ends jam side up.

I always find that curious. What power does she have over the Labor Party?

 

[SirRumpole]

I always find that curious. What power does she have over the Labor Party?

She's a woman.

 

[basilio]

National Party kicks out Barnaby Joyce.

Just great. Maybe some integrity and intelligence at last.

David Littleproud elected new Nationals leader with Perin Davey as deputy

Barnaby Joyce has been defeated by the Queensland MP in a leadership spill

www.theguardian.com