Australian Politics General...

[wayneL]

Ive been at union meetings, where the organisers were often shouted down and told to fff off and we paid them. Lol

A long time ago, in my mercurial "youf", I was an eyelash away from snotting the Chairman of the federal committee of the Equestrian Federation of Australia (who was also CEO of a Perth brewery which made particularly egregious facsimiles of what they erroneously termed as "lager".

It was only the swift action of my best mate, a corporate lawyer and fellow scallywag (and privy to my predilection for clobbering such villains), that preempted what was about to happen and intercepted it.

Long story short, the pen is mightier than the sword.

 

[sptrawler]

A long time ago, in my mercurial "youf", I was an eyelash away from snotting the Chairman of the federal committee of the Equestrian Federation of Australia (who was also CEO of a Perth brewery which made particularly egregious facsimiles of what they erroneously termed as "lager".

It was only the swift action of my best mate, a corporate lawyer and fellow scallywag (and privy to my predilection for clobbering such villains), that preempted what was about to happen and intercepted it.

Long story short, the pen is mightier than the sword.

Absolutely, I have been involved in EBA discussion where we told the State organiser to not bother coming anymore, because we were sick of him arguing for the employers side.
It was hard enough breaking them, without having our paid rep backing them.?
Finally won and got a 32hr week and a pay rise, that was about 25 years ago, mid 1990's.?

 

[sptrawler]

At last some home truths, the magic roundabout has to come to an end and soon.
For years it has been about robbing Peter to pay Paul, it looks as though covid has brought it all to a head, real structural tax reform is required.
The can kicking might actually have to stop.

Politicians go Lowe - he goes high

For months, RBA governor Philip Lowe has copped criticism for interest rate changes. On Friday, he pointed to the problems left by the nation’s politicians.

www.theage.com.au

On Friday, the RBA governor returned fire with some very pointed kicks to the shins of the political class.

Facing the latest House of Representatives economics committee, where there were plenty of criticisms dressed up as questions, Lowe took the opportunity to wade into the very non-RBA world of fiscal policy.

Declaring the state of the budget a “significant issue”, he said the community – rightly – wanted high-quality services and infrastructure. The problem was that governments had been unwilling to confront the ways to pay for them.

Lowe pointed out that governments would soon have to either increase taxes, cut services or undertake some serious structural reform so the economy was larger and generated more revenue.

“Each of those are very difficult. Taxes, cutting back and structural reform. We have to do one of those three things, maybe all three of them,” he said.

You could hear the collective gulp from those assembled or listening in their parliamentary offices. Here was the RBA boss offering some sharp opinions about the fiscal elephant in the room.

But he didn’t just stop with a diagnosis. Lowe offered a timeline on when to start dealing with the issues facing the country.
“I would hope during this term of parliament that you could start addressing probably each of those three things to pay for the services that our community want,” he said.

And before MPs could move on to more RBA whacking, Lowe (thanks to a question from teal independent Allegra Spender) offered suggestions on what needed to be tackled.
The Productivity Commission’s Shifting the Dial report provided a welter of options, most of which have yet to be acted upon.

The tax system, from how it affected land use to consumption to savings, was crying out for change.
“Anyone who looks at [it] doesn’t say that’s the optimal system. In fact, they say we’re a long way from optimal on most of those areas,” he offered.

How we chose and funded our infrastructure, the way we trained workers, our education system, the blizzard of regulatory red tape. All needed reform.

In his central banker way, Lowe noted problems in the regulation of the energy system. “[We] probably haven’t nailed that,” he said deadpan.

 

[mullokintyre]

At last some home truths, the magic roundabout has to come to an end and soon.
For years it has been about robbing Peter to pay Paul, it looks as though covid has brought it all to a head, real structural tax reform is required.
The can kicking might actually have to stop.

Politicians go Lowe - he goes high

For months, RBA governor Philip Lowe has copped criticism for interest rate changes. On Friday, he pointed to the problems left by the nation’s politicians.

www.theage.com.au

On Friday, the RBA governor returned fire with some very pointed kicks to the shins of the political class.

Facing the latest House of Representatives economics committee, where there were plenty of criticisms dressed up as questions, Lowe took the opportunity to wade into the very non-RBA world of fiscal policy.

Declaring the state of the budget a “significant issue”, he said the community – rightly – wanted high-quality services and infrastructure. The problem was that governments had been unwilling to confront the ways to pay for them.

Lowe pointed out that governments would soon have to either increase taxes, cut services or undertake some serious structural reform so the economy was larger and generated more revenue.

“Each of those are very difficult. Taxes, cutting back and structural reform. We have to do one of those three things, maybe all three of them,” he said.

You could hear the collective gulp from those assembled or listening in their parliamentary offices. Here was the RBA boss offering some sharp opinions about the fiscal elephant in the room.

But he didn’t just stop with a diagnosis. Lowe offered a timeline on when to start dealing with the issues facing the country.
“I would hope during this term of parliament that you could start addressing probably each of those three things to pay for the services that our community want,” he said.

And before MPs could move on to more RBA whacking, Lowe (thanks to a question from teal independent Allegra Spender) offered suggestions on what needed to be tackled.
The Productivity Commission’s Shifting the Dial report provided a welter of options, most of which have yet to be acted upon.

The tax system, from how it affected land use to consumption to savings, was crying out for change.
“Anyone who looks at [it] doesn’t say that’s the optimal system. In fact, they say we’re a long way from optimal on most of those areas,” he offered.

How we chose and funded our infrastructure, the way we trained workers, our education system, the blizzard of regulatory red tape. All needed reform.

In his central banker way, Lowe noted problems in the regulation of the energy system. “[We] probably haven’t nailed that,” he said deadpan.

Well, he finally got something right!
Mick

 

[SirRumpole]

At last some home truths, the magic roundabout has to come to an end and soon.
For years it has been about robbing Peter to pay Paul, it looks as though covid has brought it all to a head, real structural tax reform is required.
The can kicking might actually have to stop.

Politicians go Lowe - he goes high

For months, RBA governor Philip Lowe has copped criticism for interest rate changes. On Friday, he pointed to the problems left by the nation’s politicians.

www.theage.com.au

On Friday, the RBA governor returned fire with some very pointed kicks to the shins of the political class.

Facing the latest House of Representatives economics committee, where there were plenty of criticisms dressed up as questions, Lowe took the opportunity to wade into the very non-RBA world of fiscal policy.

Declaring the state of the budget a “significant issue”, he said the community – rightly – wanted high-quality services and infrastructure. The problem was that governments had been unwilling to confront the ways to pay for them.

Lowe pointed out that governments would soon have to either increase taxes, cut services or undertake some serious structural reform so the economy was larger and generated more revenue.

“Each of those are very difficult. Taxes, cutting back and structural reform. We have to do one of those three things, maybe all three of them,” he said.

You could hear the collective gulp from those assembled or listening in their parliamentary offices. Here was the RBA boss offering some sharp opinions about the fiscal elephant in the room.

But he didn’t just stop with a diagnosis. Lowe offered a timeline on when to start dealing with the issues facing the country.
“I would hope during this term of parliament that you could start addressing probably each of those three things to pay for the services that our community want,” he said.

And before MPs could move on to more RBA whacking, Lowe (thanks to a question from teal independent Allegra Spender) offered suggestions on what needed to be tackled.
The Productivity Commission’s Shifting the Dial report provided a welter of options, most of which have yet to be acted upon.

The tax system, from how it affected land use to consumption to savings, was crying out for change.
“Anyone who looks at [it] doesn’t say that’s the optimal system. In fact, they say we’re a long way from optimal on most of those areas,” he offered.

How we chose and funded our infrastructure, the way we trained workers, our education system, the blizzard of regulatory red tape. All needed reform.

In his central banker way, Lowe noted problems in the regulation of the energy system. “[We] probably haven’t nailed that,” he said deadpan.

We will see what the budget brings but he can't tax people already doing it tough.

So who is doing well ? Resources maybe ?

 

[sptrawler]

Well, he finally got something right!
Mick

He isn't Robinson Crusoe.
If you lined up everyone who gets things wrong in Australian politics and the media, the length of line would put the Queens queue to shame.
At least up until now, he has only made the one stuff up, those throwing the bricks, have taken all the windows out of the green house. ?

 

[mullokintyre]

He isn't Robinson Crusoe.
If you lined up everyone who gets things wrong in Australian politics and the media, the length of line would put the Queens queue to shame.
At least up until now, he has only made the one stuff up, those throwing the bricks, have taken all the windows out of the green house. ?

As I suggested, unless he departs early, he will have another one wrong by next year with his call to have inflation back to 3%.
Mick

 

[sptrawler]

As I suggested, unless he departs early, he will have another one wrong by next year with his call to have inflation back to 3%.
Mick

And if he gets it right?

 

[mullokintyre]

And if he gets it right?

It means I will be completely wrong.
mick

 

[sptrawler]

At last @SirRumpole , they may be seeing the light, the first glimmer of back to the future.
What is the definition of stupidity? continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different outcome, hopefully this is the start of a trend to rewind the privatisation of public services.
They aren't there to make a profit, from the people who are public, they are thereto provide a required service to the public at as low a cost as possible.
How giving it to a private company, who have to make a profit, would make it cheaper beggars belief.
Time to admit some of these ideologically driven ideas have failed and rewind the problem.
There is nothing wrong with trying it, but when it is an obvious failure, it is the politicians responsibility to return to public ownership. That goes for a lot of services.

‘Abject failure’: Parliament committee wants to roll back Sydney bus privatisation

Labor member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neill is open to putting the bus networks in public hands again. But Coalition MPs warn such a move could create a “significant risk”.

www.smh.com.au

The NSW government should consider returning privately operated bus networks into public hands, according to a new parliamentary report, linking the privatisation of public transport with a stark decline in service quality and higher costs for commuters.
The NSW Legislative Council report, released on Tuesday, found privatisation of Sydney’s bus network had incentivised cost-cutting, which unfairly impacted vulnerable people.

 

[SirRumpole]

At last @SirRumpole , they may be seeing the light, the first glimmer of back to the future.
What is the definition of stupidity? continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different outcome, hopefully this is the start of a trend to rewind the privatisation of public services.
They aren't there to make a profit, from the people who are public, they are thereto provide a required service to the public at as low a cost as possible.
How giving it to a private company, who have to make a profit, would make it cheaper beggars belief.
Time to admit some of these ideologically driven ideas have failed and rewind the problem.
There is nothing wrong with trying it, but when it is an obvious failure, it is the politicians responsibility to return to public ownership. That goes for a lot of services.

‘Abject failure’: Parliament committee wants to roll back Sydney bus privatisation

Labor member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neill is open to putting the bus networks in public hands again. But Coalition MPs warn such a move could create a “significant risk”.

www.smh.com.au

The NSW government should consider returning privately operated bus networks into public hands, according to a new parliamentary report, linking the privatisation of public transport with a stark decline in service quality and higher costs for commuters.
The NSW Legislative Council report, released on Tuesday, found privatisation of Sydney’s bus network had incentivised cost-cutting, which unfairly impacted vulnerable people.

Might they start thinking the same about the power industry ? We can only hope.

I'm surprised that Perrotet hasn't tried privatising the railways, but it's only because no sane business people would buy it, given the grip of the unions on that industry.

 

[mullokintyre]

In another example of rats deserting the sinking ship, a fourth ( or is it fifth?) NSW state minister, Rob Stokes, has announced his retirement.
Labour now a shoe in at state level NSW.
Mick

 

[Knobby22]

In another example of rats deserting the sinking ship, a fourth ( or is it fifth?) NSW state minister, Rob Stokes, has announced his retirement.
Labour now a shoe in at state level NSW.
Mick

I thought the LIbs would have a fighting chance. Hmmm.

 

[SirRumpole]

I thought the LIbs would have a fighting chance. Hmmm.

I think the Libs do have a fighting chance.

I live in NSW and the Opposition gets hardly any air time and are pretty invisible.

However, maybe the Libs are too old and tired now and the electorate may vote for change without knowing what that is.

 

[mullokintyre]

I think the Libs do have a fighting chance.

I live in NSW and the Opposition gets hardly any air time and are pretty invisible.

However, maybe the Libs are too old and tired now and the electorate may vote for change without knowing what that is.

Every Government has a use by date.
The Feds coalition under Scomo reached theirs.
Sometimes the replacement only lasts a year (STh Aust , QLD under Newman, Victoria under Bailieu).
I think NSW has reached theirs).
Mick

 

[SirRumpole]

Every Government has a use by date.
The Feds coalition under Scomo reached theirs.
Sometimes the replacement only lasts a year (STh Aust , QLD under Newman, Victoria under Bailieu).
I think NSW has reached theirs).
Mick

I agree and it may be the same in Vic.

 

[mullokintyre]

Interesting that the QLD Premier has thrown her treasurer, the unfortunately named Cameron Dick, under the proverbial bus.
From ABC News

The Queensland government has shelved changes to land tax after the premier met with interstate leaders — but Treasurer Cameron Dick has continued to defend the policy.

Key points:​

• Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk denied the move was a backdown on her government's land tax policy
• Queensland's real estate lobby had been calling for the "illogical" changes to the tax to be repealed
• Treasurer Cameron Dick says he stands by his support for the tax changes

The proposed changes, which were slated to come into effect next year, would have meant some people with properties in Queensland and interstate would have paid more tax on their land.

The amendments to the tax had already been legislated, which means they will now be deferred in Parliament.

The decision comes after opposition from other state and territory governments and the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ), which labelled the plan "illogical".

Earlier this week, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said his government would refuse to supply data to Queensland to help implement the tax.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk denied the move was a backdown on her government's land tax policy.

She said the decision came after she spoke to state and territory leaders on Thursday night.

"Contrary to what the public report Dominique [Perrottet] and I get along quite well," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Mr Dick has stood firm on his support for the policy after weeks of campaigning.

He said data needed for the policy could have been obtained through the titles office.

"The treasurer stands by everything he's said about land tax, but of course he accepts the decision the premier has made after talking to other leaders," a department spokesperson said.

Earlier this month, the REIQ criticised Mr Dick's policy, claiming it would deliver a "king hit" to investor confidence in Queensland and would "send commercial rents through the roof".

Land tax is paid by owners on land valued over $600,000 with exemptions for principal place of residence.

It was always a novel approach to charge Qld residents for land tax based on the value of property they owned in other states.
It was never explained how a QLD person whose only property was their prime residence in queensland, which would itself be exempt from land tax, but other properties would be taxed.
Not sure if he would be able to get the details of property from the Titles office, as each state has their own register.
Immaterial now, its dead in the water.
Mick

 

[SirRumpole]

Has Brittany lost her bottle ?

She has failed to show up for the second day in a row.

I hope she manages to see it out, but the stress is obviously a factor.

Brittany Higgins unavailable again as Bruce Lehrmann's trial enters sixth day

Brittany Higgins remains unavailable to give evidence on the sixth day of Bruce Lehrmann's trial for her alleged rape in Parliament House in 2019.

www.abc.net.au

 

[mullokintyre]

Has Brittany lost her bottle ?

She has failed to show up for the second day in a row.

I hope she manages to see it out, but the stress is obviously a factor.

Brittany Higgins unavailable again as Bruce Lehrmann's trial enters sixth day

Brittany Higgins remains unavailable to give evidence on the sixth day of Bruce Lehrmann's trial for her alleged rape in Parliament House in 2019.

www.abc.net.au

Could be many reasons, but one would assume that the venerable judge must have given thevok, otherwise the legal system would be a complete farce . Oh wait …
Mick

 

[sptrawler]

Has Brittany lost her bottle ?

She has failed to show up for the second day in a row.

I hope she manages to see it out, but the stress is obviously a factor.

Brittany Higgins unavailable again as Bruce Lehrmann's trial enters sixth day

Brittany Higgins remains unavailable to give evidence on the sixth day of Bruce Lehrmann's trial for her alleged rape in Parliament House in 2019.

www.abc.net.au

Yes from reading last weekend's paper, it was a bit of a horror show.
It probably won't end well for all involved IMO.