The Gillard Government

[IFocus]

On the bigger issues

By Paul Kelly

GILLARD Labor has sensibly decided to support a bigger American presence.

The message sent by Labor this week has long-run consequences. It means the Australian-American alliance is being adapted to meet China's rise and the evolving power balance in Asia. Gillard Labor, acting on the foundations laid by Rudd Labor, has committed to a deeper strategic partnership with the US.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...o-strident-china/story-e6frg6zo-1225950377275

 

[Julia]

A young woman was about to finish her first year of university. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be very labor minded, and she was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs - in other words, the redistribution of wealth.

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch blue-ribbon liberal, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had attended, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harboured an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs.

The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth, and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing at university.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 90% average, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many university friends because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked, "How is your friend Audrey doing?" She replied, "Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies and she barely has a 50% average. She is so popular on campus; university for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over."

Her wise father asked his daughter, "Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct 20% off your average and give it to your friend who only has 50%. That way you will both have a 70% average, and certainly that would be fair and equal."

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That's a crazy idea, how would that be fair! I've worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!"

The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, "Welcome to the Liberal side of the fence."

Great illustration, Boggo. Maybe forward it to the Greens et al?

I guess the important thing is that it doesn't really matter what the overall government is doing.

It doesn't matter what the government is doing?????

 

[Logique]

True, same with the Liberals..

Nice try Knobby. To a much lesser extent and always has been.

 

[Calliope]

Julia Von Trapp: Gillard mistaken for Austrian hausfrau by G20 hosts

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/world/julia-...ts/story-e6frfkyi-1225951442285#ixzz14vJxPTBb

That's our Julia in the middle.

 

[Logique]

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1408591/Koreans-mistake-Gillard-for-Austrian
Koreans mistake Gillard for Austrian 11 November 2010

It appears something has been lost in translation at the G20 summit in South Korea.

In a quirky tribute to its powerful guests, the host nation has crafted a set of dolls in the likeness of world leaders.

However, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard appears to have been mistakenly depicted as an Austrian.

She might be holding the correct flag, but Ms Gillard's red and white puff-sleeved dress and pink apron is distinctly reminiscent of the traditional Austrian tracht.

The dolls are being displayed on a river float in Seoul, ahead of the two-day G20 summit which starts on Thursday.

Picture under: Julia Gillard appears to be wearing the traditional Austrian and Bavarian tracht outfit (AAP)

 

[Calliope]

Rudd must be laughing his head off. But if he had been there, there is no guarantee that he wouldn't have been dressed like this;

 

[drsmith]

Great illustration, Boggo. Maybe forward it to the Greens et al?

The Greens wouldn't be happy until it was 25% average, lights out at 8:30pm and a diet of hardcore raw veganism.

EDIT: That should read candles out at 8:30pm.

 

[todster]

Looks more like an Aussie housewife Xmas day

 

[Mofra]

A young woman was about to finish her first year of university. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be very labor minded, and she was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs - in other words, the redistribution of wealth.

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch blue-ribbon liberal, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had attended, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harboured an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs.

The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth, and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing at university.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 90% average, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many university friends because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked, "How is your friend Audrey doing?" She replied, "Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies and she barely has a 50% average. She is so popular on campus; university for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over."

Her wise father asked his daughter, "Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct 20% off your average and give it to your friend who only has 50%. That way you will both have a 70% average, and certainly that would be fair and equal."

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That's a crazy idea, how would that be fair! I've worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!"

The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, "Welcome to the Liberal side of the fence."

^^^ Haha, far right supporters actually believe this resembles "valid commentary"

 

[Logique]

I was wondering why the Aussie PM is the only one with a tilted flag , and of all things she's tilting it to her right, although to our left. In symbolic terms, in't that the truth. But they got the colours right.

 

[trainspotter]

HO HO HO ..... Merry Christmas Taxpayers Rejoice !

"The massive turnover of staff and the $5.4 million cost to the Australian taxpayer is a direct consequence of a Labor Government that has lost control of itself and of the government. A total cost of nearly $7 million is another example of a Labor Government out of control."

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/cou...rs/story-e6frfkvr-1225952377660#ixzz152PIJTOs

 

[wayneL]

^^^ Haha, far right supporters actually believe this resembles "valid commentary"

Where does this "far right" thing come from. I don't see any fascists around here.

 

[noco]

HO HO HO ..... Merry Christmas Taxpayers Rejoice !

"The massive turnover of staff and the $5.4 million cost to the Australian taxpayer is a direct consequence of a Labor Government that has lost control of itself and of the government. A total cost of nearly $7 million is another example of a Labor Government out of control."

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/cou...rs/story-e6frfkvr-1225952377660#ixzz152PIJTOs

TP, $7 million is 'PEANUTS' to the Labor Party. They believe money grows on trees. You know the one they call the mineral tree.
Yes, they are out of control and the sooner they go the better it will be for all.

 

[sails]

TP, $7 million is 'PEANUTS' to the Labor Party. They believe money grows on trees. You know the one they call the mineral tree.
Yes, they are out of control and the sooner they go the better it will be for all.

I sometimes wonder if the labor government is deliberately trying to leave an awful mess in the event the libs win government at some stage.

Maybe in the hope that voters won't like the pain caused by bringing the budget and other issues back under control.

It is a worry as to how much damage this government can do should they remain in power for the full term.

 

[noco]

I sometimes wonder if the labor government is deliberately trying to leave an awful mess in the event the libs win government at some stage.

Maybe in the hope that voters won't like the pain caused by bringing the budget and other issues back under control.

It is a worry as to how much damage this government can do should they remain in power for the full term.

sails, it's history repeating itself over and over again. The Labor Party are notorious for bad economic managment.

 

[drsmith]

As crook as this government is, that generalisation is perhaps a little extreme.

 

[noco]

How can anyone trust the Treasurer of this Labor Government. Swan has been exposed once again for his slight of hand tricks.


http://blogs.news.com.au/couriermai...rmail/comments/swan_saves_by_taxing_you_more/

 

[joea]

Hi.
Because we live in a democracy, and the labour government is in power, its basically a wait and see period on how they go.
Firstly we have accept they won the right to govern. That's a fact.
We will soon see how capable they are.
My personal opinion is that Wayne Swan could not organise, or balance a church fete.
But thats not the point. 50% of the people think he can.

So no matter how many times we quote the media etc. Gillard is running Australia.

What we have to accept is, that in Australia we have the opportunty to express ourselves as does the media.

What Australians have to do, is ensure that at the first opportunity that we have a government that we are cofident with.

The coming state elections will show the current opinion of the Australian
people.

We have been conned, but thats the nature of politics.

Cheers

 

[noco]

Hi.
Because we live in a democracy, and the labour government is in power, its basically a wait and see period on how they go.
Firstly we have accept they won the right to govern. That's a fact.
We will soon see how capable they are.
My personal opinion is that Wayne Swan could not organise, or balance a church fete.
But thats not the point. 50% of the people think he can.

So no matter how many times we quote the media etc. Gillard is running Australia.

What we have to accept is, that in Australia we have the opportunty to express ourselves as does the media.

What Australians have to do, is ensure that at the first opportunity that we have a government that we are cofident with.

The coming state elections will show the current opinion of the Australian
people.

We have been conned, but thats the nature of politics.

Cheers

joea, I can only agree with you, but nevertheless, this government must be exposed for all their wrong doings on a regular basis otherwise they will endeavour to make voters believe they are doing a great job. This is where a good opposition should be on the ball daily.

 

[Julia]

Hi.
Because we live in a democracy, and the labour government is in power, its basically a wait and see period on how they go.
Firstly we have accept they won the right to govern. That's a fact.

Yes they have, but not by an outright majority by any means.
They are in power simply because the Independents who were able to decide who became government had old scores to settle with the National Party.
Not at all because they had any genuine faith in the competence of the Labor Party.

We will soon see how capable they are.

Their incompetence is already apparent.

My personal opinion is that Wayne Swan could not organise, or balance a church fete.
But thats not the point. 50% of the people think he can.

As above, that's simply not true. The Coalition won the primary vote.

The coming state elections will show the current opinion of the Australian
people.

To some extent, perhaps, but the State vote will have much to do with local State issues. All the State Labor governments seem to have been on the nose for some time. The reason they've been there for as long as they have has more to do with incompetent and stupid Oppositions, than any belief by the electorate that they are actually doing a decent job.

We have been conned, but thats the nature of politics.

This is a really interesting allegation. Have we actually been conned?
From a purely personal point of view (and I know plenty who feel the same), I don't feel I've been conned by anyone. I voted for whom I considered to be the least worst option. Never at any stage had any belief that any of the options would provide decent government. I suspect much of the electorate felt similarly.

Hence the considerable movement to the Greens who at least appear to stand for something.
Now if the media would just apply the same blow torch to the Greens' policies and ask them for the same level of explanations that they do with the two major parties, some of that default to Greens vote would fall away, as people understand their policies are not costed (or if they are the budget would blow out beyond belief), and that their 'feel good' environmental stuff masks a heavily socialist agenda.