The Albanese government

[wayneL]

He is the duly elected Prime Minister (just) and he has to do the job of representing the country which he does well imo. I hadn't noticed any speech impediment.

In a changing world we need alliances. Once these are established the need for travel will reduce.

Well he is mouthing mostly the right sort of platitudes at US state dinners, kudos to the speech writers

On the other hand, he has inadvertently caused the rest of the wokeosphere to believe Australia is full of goose stepping racists, via the disaster of the referendum.

Meanwhile, our society is turning to sh_t due to ongoing deep divisions and financial f*(kery.

It could have been worse though, imagine Bandt as deputy PM.

 

[SirRumpole]

Well he is mouthing mostly the right sort of platitudes at US state dinners, kudos to the speech writers

On the other hand, he has inadvertently caused the rest of the wokeosphere to believe Australia is full of goose stepping racists, via the disaster of the referendum.

Meanwhile, our society is turning to sh_t due to ongoing deep divisions and financial f*(kery.

It could have been worse though, imagine Bandt as deputy PM.

All true. There are deep divisions especially over housing and cost of living.

He's got 18 months to make some inroads into these otherwise I'll be thinking he's just another laissez-faire conservative.

 

[TimeISmoney]

As I see it, he's by no means perfect but he's the best option available.

Akin to employing the person who isn't at all perfect, but they're the best person who actually turned up to the interview so that's the one you pick then try and make it work.

My personal view he's the best since Hawke in that regard, with Howard being the only other who'd have at least been perceived as credible even though it wasn't his focus.

You have someone who's trying to decimate every industry bar social services and even that doesn't serve the people who need it well. Sounds like a great leader to me, with no perception of reading the public before a referendum. The quicker he gets ousted the quicker Australia can get back to work making money. I think he must really enjoy people living in their cars and tents.

 

[Sean K]

It could have been worse though, imagine Bandt as deputy PM.

I watched Q&A on Monday night with Comrade Adam on the panel. Unfortunately, there were some spoons laying about after dinner. I had a new TV delivered Tuesday morning.

 

[Smurf1976]

Good God @Smurf1976, are we talking about the same person?

...but do concede there is a laughable scarcity of talent ATM, a bit like picking the only semi-literate Neanderthal out of a group of grunting troglodytes.

As I see it, the available choices are basically:

1. Albanese

2. An alternative Labor leader - but who?

3. Religious fanaticism

4. Far-Left socialists

With reference to music, as I see it Albanese isn't the greatest frontman but at least he's trying, there's an actual band on stage with instruments and their intention is to play some passable music. Whether they can do it remains to be seen, but at least they've got an actual band with instruments and seemingly honest intentions.

Versus the main alternative that can't work out which end of the microphone to sing into, isn't sure which is the guitar and which is the piano, and which has turned up with a book of hymns.

And the other mob who outright refuse to sing any hard rock lyrics due to concerns about misogyny, refuse to perform electronic music due to CO2 emissions, object to pianos because they used to make the keys from ivory and are now using plastic, and don't actually have a band together anyway.

Whether Labor can pull it off is another matter, but they're the only one that has a chance of bashing out anything resembling a reasonable tune in my view.

I say that despite having major concerns on a number of subjects. But what's the alternative?

 

[wayneL]

So you are conflating the Libs with religious fanaticism? I don't think that's quite fair, as much I despise their current iteration.

Ideological idiocy runs deep in all the major parties, for every Lib waving a cross around there is an ideological Marxist in the Lab.... And a fair bit of crossover for what it's worth.

What you have with Albanese is a facade of expediency, if you look into his ideology on a number of levels, Australians should have cause for grave concern. He is merely the one who has been able to most successfully play to a gullible electorate at this point in time.

However I think with this voice
nonsense people are starting to see behind the curtain.

If Australians want to kick his ludicrous 4rse out, yes agree, none of the options are very appealing.

Basically, we're &$#@ed.

 

[Smurf1976]

“The studies revealed the remaining mineral resources are not economically viable due to low ore grades and areas where, due to geological conditions, safe extraction can’t be achieved using current technology, this all coupled with ageing infrastructure.”

It turns out that the WA state government was warned, in writing, in July 2010 by Alcoa of the company's concerns regarding the state's future energy supply both in terms of physical adequacy and price, and noted that the economic viability of the bauxite and alumina operations absolutely depended on adequate and price competitive energy remaining available.

A few quotes from that communication dated July 2010:

Alcoa considers that energy security is the biggest challenge facing Alcoa’s business in Western Australia. Given the significant resource potential available to Western Australia, long-term competitive energy supplies also represent a significant opportunity if managed well.

Australia has less than 2% of the world’s natural gas reserves and is one of only two nations that allow full open access to its oil and gas reserves

My comment = it's 1.57% to be precise according to US EIA data for all countries.

Alcoa has actively considered expansion of its Wagerup refinery; however this is now on hold due, in part, to the lack of long-term domestic gas supplies.

Alcoa’s bauxite reserves can sustain current capacity for more than the next forty years

I won't quote the rest but the company argued firmly that there's a need for government to ensure adequate domestic supplies and noted that, with one exception, no other country on earth adopts an approach of simply leaving it to the market.

I'll now add to this that WA faces a natural gas shortage in the not too distant future, it becomes serious about 2030.

Add that all up and Kwinana is the oldest and apparently least economic of the company's three alumina refineries in WA so the logical first to close but, given the energy situation, my own view is it's not at all difficult to see the whole lot being shut in due course as gas supply falls short since by 2032 the forecast shortfall exceeds the gas consumption of all three refineries.

As for the reserves in the ground, well that's a function of costs and price. As the company noted, it has plenty of ore left. Trouble is, with energy costs having risen and now physical availability under credible threat, that kills it basically.

 

[Smurf1976]

If Australians want to kick his ludicrous 4rse out, yes agree, none of the options are very appealing.

This, in short, is the problem as I see it.

It's a bit like the days before the internet where pretty much everyone at some point listened to or watched things they weren't really into but which were simply the most palatable option available at the time. Flick between the 2 - 5 TV stations depending where you lived, end up watching whatever seemed most reasonable. But once the internet came along, well there's a reason a lot of those TV programs died out, they wouldn't stand a chance in an environment of actual choice.

Same with politics. If not Albo then who? The alternatives, between all parties, just aren't inspiring.

If I were to get the crystal ball out then the 2030's is when things will get really exciting. We'll muddle along until then with Labor or the Coalition but we're heading into an overall environment that's ripe for someone "out of the box" to emerge and disrupt the whole thing.

 

[wayneL]

This, in short, is the problem as I see it.

It's a bit like the days before the internet where pretty much everyone at some point listened to or watched things they weren't really into but which were simply the most palatable option available at the time. Flick between the 2 - 5 TV stations depending where you lived, end up watching whatever seemed most reasonable. But once the internet came along, well there's a reason a lot of those TV programs died out, they wouldn't stand a chance in an environment of actual choice.

Same with politics. If not Albo then who? The alternatives, between all parties, just aren't inspiring.

I think there are alternatives, perhaps just to much in their infancy right now, especially in their awareness and acceptance.

 

[Sean K]

Basically, we're &$#@ed.

I don't think we're fvcked. Yet. We just have an extremely high bar of governance and expectations of our well being and lifestyle. We truly are the Lucky Country. I know you know this.

Having seen the worst of the World on every continent, I think having to put up with some idiots who managed to sneak into the Senate is the least of our worries.

I've recently thought about leaving Melbourne again to go somewhere more peaceful, like the Cook Islands.

What is certain though, is that I do not like being governed by this Yarra City Council / Victorian Labor / Marxist regime and the Albo / Union Federal Big Brother. Their overall strategy will destroy our wellbeing.

I think I might have said this somewhere else, but the Western World is leaning progressive Left because we've become so wealthy and comfortable that we generally think we can just tax tax tax and give handouts to the less fortunate, weak, or disabled. It might be the first time in history that the wealthy are actively giving back to the poor and down trodden, en masse. It could be just embarrassment for their riches, but there's a lot of billionaires handing out 100s of millions just to soothe their soul. It's why the Teals exist, to some degree.

Back to point, Albo is looking like he might be a one-term PM, but who the hell replaces him? Marlo?

I don't think LIberals can win with Dutton in the front chair, but I can't see another option.

There might lay the problem with Australian politics. We have a very small gene pool of talent.

 

[farmerge]

I don't think we're fvcked. Yet. We just have an extremely high bar of governance and expectations of our well being and lifestyle. We truly are the Lucky Country. I know you know this.

Having seen the worst of the World on every continent, I think having to put up with some idiots who managed to sneak into the Senate is the least of our worries.

I've recently thought about leaving Melbourne again to go somewhere more peaceful, like the Cook Islands.

What is certain though, is that I do not like being governed by this Yarra City Council / Victorian Labor / Marxist regime and the Albo / Union Federal Big Brother. Their overall strategy will destroy our wellbeing.

I think I might have said this somewhere else, but the Western World is leaning progressive Left because we've become so wealthy and comfortable that we generally think we can just tax tax tax and give handouts to the less fortunate, weak, or disabled. It might be the first time in history that the wealthy are actively giving back to the poor and down trodden, en masse. It could be just embarrassment for their riches, but there's a lot of billionaires handing out 100s of millions just to soothe their soul. It's why the Teals exist, to some degree.

Back to point, Albo is looking like he might be a one-term PM, but who the hell replaces him? Marlo?

I don't think LIberals can win with Dutton in the front chair, but I can't see another option.

There might lay the problem with Australian politics. We have a very small gene pool of talent.

Sean the gene pool of talent is like looking at the plug hole in a bath after the water has vanished.
So who have the Libs got Yesterday's no-hopers Abbott and Scotty from marketing Morrison.
Can't really see any bright lights on the horizon just bum polishers wanting a perptual career in politics without doing very much.

 

[sptrawler]

He is the duly elected Prime Minister (just) and he has to do the job of representing the country which he does well imo. I hadn't noticed any speech impediment.

In a changing world we need alliances. Once these are established the need for travel will reduce.

The thing is we are going to get alliances, because we have most of the minerals that the first world need to make stuff, secondly if Australia falls to a non Western power, it basically makes shipping lanes from the Indian ocean to the Pacific much less secure.
Therefore it is better for the U.S , EU and UK to have an alliance with Australia, to safeguard shipping lanes, minerals and off season produce.
Albos biggest challenge IMO, is to keep Australia as a society where effort and handwork leads to reward, that is what is being eroded, yet that is what made Australia the great country it is.
At the moment, those Australians are being treated as mugs and that will only be accepted for so long, when the reward for endeavour and risk disappears so does work ethic and pride.
It's all well and good putting those most needy first and foremost, but when those who are going to work to pay for it start seeing their dreams disappearing, resentment, push back and anger takes over.
It's called human nature.
Everyone keeps saying it is terrible the way the younger generation won't be able to own a house, yet no one is doing anything to address the root cause for the issue and constantly applauding politicians for achieving the easy wins like alliances FFS if no one had an alliance with us China would own us already.

 

[sptrawler]

Sean the gene pool of talent is like looking at the plug hole in a bath after the water has vanished.
So who have the Libs got Yesterday's no-hopers Abbott and Scotty from marketing Morrison.
Can't really see any bright lights on the horizon just bum polishers wanting a perptual career in politics without doing very much.

Unfortunately both sides are like that, which is what I think @Smurf1976 was alluding to.

 

[SirRumpole]

It turns out that the WA state government was warned, in writing, in July 2010 by Alcoa of the company's concerns regarding the state's future energy supply both in terms of physical adequacy and price, and noted that the economic viability of the bauxite and alumina operations absolutely depended on adequate and price competitive energy remaining available.

Maybe the reason McGowan quit, it was all getting too hard.

 

[SirRumpole]

Everyone keeps saying it is terrible the way the younger generation won't be able to own a house, yet no one is doing anything to address the root cause for the issue and constantly applauding politicians for achieving the easy wins like alliances FFS if no one had an alliance with us

That will end as soon as he gets back.

The hip pocket nerve among voters is twinging.

"

yet no one is doing anything to address the root cause

Which is ?

 

[Sean K]

The thing is we are going to get alliances, because we have most of the minerals that the first world need to make stuff, secondly if Australia falls to a non Western power, it basically makes shipping lanes from the Indian ocean to the Pacific much less secure.
Therefore it is better for the U.S , EU and UK to have an alliance with Australia, to safeguard shipping lanes, minerals and off season produce.
Albos biggest challenge IMO, is to keep Australia as a society where effort and handwork leads to reward, that is what is being eroded, yet that is what made Australia the great country it is.
At the moment, those Australians are being treated as mugs and that will only be accepted for so long, when the reward for endeavour and risk disappears so does work ethic and pride.
It's all well and good putting those most needy first and foremost, but when those who are going to work to pay for it start seeing their dreams disappearing, resentment, push back and anger takes over.
It's called human nature.
Everyone keeps saying it is terrible the way the younger generation won't be able to own a house, yet no one is doing anything to address the root cause for the issue and constantly applauding politicians for achieving the easy wins like alliances FFS if no one had an alliance with us China would own us already.

Our little island is absolutely critical to the Anglosphere and its Allies.

 

[IFocus]

I'll now add to this that WA faces a natural gas shortage in the not too distant future, it becomes serious about 2030.

Add that all up and Kwinana is the oldest and apparently least economic of the company's three alumina refineries in WA so the logical first to close but, given the energy situation, my own view is it's not at all difficult to see the whole lot being shut in due course as gas supply falls short since by 2032 the forecast shortfall exceeds the gas consumption of all three refineries.

As for the reserves in the ground, well that's a function of costs and price. As the company noted, it has plenty of ore left. Trouble is, with energy costs having risen and now physical availability under credible threat, that kills it basically.

The gas supply is a problem but not insurmountable not saying it will get fixed but there are options unlike the East Coast train wreck.

I know the operation at Kwinana well, Alcoa have been trying to close it for years as it's costs are higher and it chews up capital they would like to spend at Wagerup and Pinjarra which are both far more efficient and scalable.

Only politics has kept it open and that's both sides of politics.

 

[Smurf1976]

I know the operation at Kwinana well, Alcoa have been trying to close it for years as it's costs are higher and it chews up capital they would like to spend at Wagerup and Pinjarra which are both far more efficient and scalable.

You know far more about it than me.

All I know is what the company said to government and what the gas situation is.

Kwinana itself - I've been there a grand total of once in my life and that didn't involve visiting the alumina refinery.

I did however end up absolutely drenched. Went for a wander on foot, there was a massive bang which briefly had me thinking some sort of industrial accident had occurred, then down came the rain and lots of it. The bang was thunder.

It's feels like quite a long journey back to the Perth CBD when you're soaking wet.

 

[farmerge]

You know far more about it than me.

All I know is what the company said to government and what the gas situation is.

Kwinana itself - I've been there a grand total of once in my life and that didn't involve visiting the alumina refinery.

I did however end up absolutely drenched. Went for a wander on foot, there was a massive bang which briefly had me thinking some sort of industrial accident had occurred, then down came the rain and lots of it. The bang was thunder.

It's feels like quite a long journey back to the Perth CBD when you're soaking wet.

By foot or train.

 

[Smurf1976]

By foot or train.

Car.

As driver whilst soaking wet and trying to work out where to go.

Strangely it wasn't raining in the CBD, which must've made me look even more ridiculous getting out of a car soaking wet.