The Gillard Government

[Eager]

It has been interesting reading your posts since returning from your exile, self imposed or otherwise, Mr Burns. You seem to be held in high esteem; the prodigal son. But you are nothing to me.

I hope that when Heir Gillard has finished sorting out her own future she might start thinking about us, I know it's fanciful thinking but a little attention prior to the weeks leading to an election would be appreciated.

I was howled down during the week for suggesting that Abbott is not capable of thinking beyond the ALP, and that he needed to inspire the people with something beyond negativity. The membership here suggested that he didn't have to release any policy until the election is called. But, you want Gillard to keep on providing fresh policy, viz. paying attention to the people. So, let me borrow and slightly modify your words, and I will leave it up to you to explain why you should be allowed to remain above criticism, but I, not:

I hope that when Heir Abbott has finished sorting out his own future he might start thinking about us, I know it's fanciful thinking but a little attention prior to the weeks leading to an election would be appreciated.

 

[Calliope]

But, you want Gillard to keep on providing fresh policy, viz. paying attention to the people.

That's what governments are supposed to do. Perhaps you think she should pay more attention to the party.:shake:

 

[Miss Hale]

It has been interesting reading your posts since returning from your exile, self imposed or otherwise, Mr Burns. You seem to be held in high esteem; the prodigal son. But you are nothing to me.

I was howled down during the week for suggesting that Abbott is not capable of thinking beyond the ALP, and that he needed to inspire the people with something beyond negativity. The membership here suggested that he didn't have to release any policy until the election is called. But, you want Gillard to keep on providing fresh policy, viz. paying attention to the people. So, let me borrow and slightly modify your words, and I will leave it up to you to explain why you should be allowed to remain above criticism, but I, not:

I hope that when Heir Abbott has finished sorting out his own future he might start thinking about us, I know it's fanciful thinking but a little attention prior to the weeks leading to an election would be appreciated.

The thing is, Labor are currently in govenment so there is more responsibility on them to provide policies etc, afterall if they don't, what are they doing when they are supposed to be running the country? The other thing is, what is happening now is not in the control of the opposition, policies they may formulate at the present time may go out the window if actions taken buy the current government change the status quo, therefore, IMO, apart from broad policy directions, there is no point in the opposition developing detailed policies until an election is called and they know exactly what they will have to face if they are elected to govern. In short, I think the expectations in terms of poicy are justifiably lower for an opposition than a government.

 

[MrBurns]

But you are nothing to me.

Nice to meet you Eager and may I begin by saying that you are nothing to me either.

As the remaining Labor suporter anywhere which must call into question your sanity I say this - Abbott is in opposition he doesnt have to do anything yet and as far as being negative is concerned I suggest you try and find anything to be positive about with the Govt.

Of course they could stand on their record, lets see now -

Top 50 Labor Reforms or A Socialist Contribution to Growing Lemons (All within the last 5 years)

1.. Carbon Tax – “There will be no carbon tax under the Government I lead.”
2.. Nation Broadband Network – $50 billion but no cost-benefit analysis
3.. Building the Education Revolution – The school halls fiasco
4.. Home Insulation Plan (Pink Batts) – Dumped after deaths and injuries
5. Citizens Assembly – Dumped
6.. Cash for Clunkers – Dumped
7.. Hospital Reform – Nothing
8.. Digital set-top boxes – Cheaper at Harvey Norman and now going obsolete
9.. Emissions Trading Scheme – Abandoned
10. Mining Tax – Continuing uncertainty for our miners
11. Livestock export ban to Indonesia – A massive over-reaction that decimated the cattle industry and transport industry in Northern Australia
12. Detention Centres – Riots & massive cost blow-outs
13. East Timor ‘solution’ – Announced before agreed
14. Malaysia ‘solution’ – Scrapped because Malaysia not a signatory to UN Human Rights Charter
15. Manus Island ‘solution’ – On the backburner
16.. Computers in Schools – $1.4 billion blow out; less than half delivered
17. Cutting Red Tape – 12,835 new regulations, only 58 repealed
18. Asia Pacific Community – Another expensive Rudd frolic. Going nowhere
19. Green Loans Program – Abandoned. Only 3.5% of promised loans delivered
20. Solar Homes & Communities plan – Shut down after $534 million blow out
21. Green Car Innovation Fund – Abandoned
22. Solar Credits Scheme – Scaled back
23. Green Start Program – Scrapped
24. Retooling for Climate Change Program – Abolished
25. Childcare Centres – Abandoned. 260 promised, only 38 delivered
26. Take a “meat axe”’ to the Public Service – 24,000 more public servants added
27. Murray Darling Basin Plan – back to the drawing board
28. 2020 Summit – Meaningless talkfest
29. Tax Summit – Deferred and downgraded
30. Population Policy – Sets no targets
31. Fuel Watch – Abandoned
32. Grocery Choice – Abandoned
33. $900 Stimulus cheques – Sent to dead people and overseas residents. The majority spent on flat screen TV's and fast food.
34. Foreign Policy – In turmoil with Kevin (747) Rudd running riot flying around the world spending more than the US Secretary of State
35. National Schools Solar Program – Closing two years early
36. Solar Hot Water Rebate – Abandoned
37. Oceanic Viking – Caved in
38. GP Super Clinics – 64 promised, only 11 operational
39. Defence Family Healthcare Clinics – 12 promised, none delivered
40. Trade Training Centres – 2650 promised, 70 operational
41. Bid for UN Security Council seat – An expensive Rudd frolic
42.. My School Website – Revamped but problems continue
43. National Curriculum – States in uproar
44. Small Business Superannuation Clearing House – 99% of small businesses reject it
45. Indigenous Housing Program – way behind schedule
46. Rudd Bank – Went nowhere
47. Using cheap Chinese fabrics for Defence uniforms – Ditched
48. Innovation Ambassadors Program – junked
49. Six Submarines – none operational
50. Debt limit to be increased to $250 billion and rising – to pay for all of this and much more

There we go, what a pack of socialist looters, get out and stay out !!!

 

[dutchie]

Top 50 Labor Reforms or A Socialist Contribution to Growing Lemons (All within the last 5 years)

1.. Carbon Tax – “There will be no carbon tax under the Government I lead.”
2.. Nation Broadband Network – $50 billion but no cost-benefit analysis
3.. Building the Education Revolution – The school halls fiasco
4.. Home Insulation Plan (Pink Batts) – Dumped after deaths and injuries
5. Citizens Assembly – Dumped
6.. Cash for Clunkers – Dumped
7.. Hospital Reform – Nothing
8.. Digital set-top boxes – Cheaper at Harvey Norman and now going obsolete
9.. Emissions Trading Scheme – Abandoned
10. Mining Tax – Continuing uncertainty for our miners
11. Livestock export ban to Indonesia – A massive over-reaction that decimated the cattle industry and transport industry in Northern Australia
12. Detention Centres – Riots & massive cost blow-outs
13. East Timor ‘solution’ – Announced before agreed
14. Malaysia ‘solution’ – Scrapped because Malaysia not a signatory to UN Human Rights Charter
15. Manus Island ‘solution’ – On the backburner
16.. Computers in Schools – $1.4 billion blow out; less than half delivered
17. Cutting Red Tape – 12,835 new regulations, only 58 repealed
18. Asia Pacific Community – Another expensive Rudd frolic. Going nowhere
19. Green Loans Program – Abandoned. Only 3.5% of promised loans delivered
20. Solar Homes & Communities plan – Shut down after $534 million blow out
21. Green Car Innovation Fund – Abandoned
22. Solar Credits Scheme – Scaled back
23. Green Start Program – Scrapped
24. Retooling for Climate Change Program – Abolished
25. Childcare Centres – Abandoned. 260 promised, only 38 delivered
26. Take a “meat axe”’ to the Public Service – 24,000 more public servants added
27. Murray Darling Basin Plan – back to the drawing board
28. 2020 Summit – Meaningless talkfest
29. Tax Summit – Deferred and downgraded
30. Population Policy – Sets no targets
31. Fuel Watch – Abandoned
32. Grocery Choice – Abandoned
33. $900 Stimulus cheques – Sent to dead people and overseas residents. The majority spent on flat screen TV's and fast food.
34. Foreign Policy – In turmoil with Kevin (747) Rudd running riot flying around the world spending more than the US Secretary of State
35. National Schools Solar Program – Closing two years early
36. Solar Hot Water Rebate – Abandoned
37. Oceanic Viking – Caved in
38. GP Super Clinics – 64 promised, only 11 operational
39. Defence Family Healthcare Clinics – 12 promised, none delivered
40. Trade Training Centres – 2650 promised, 70 operational
41. Bid for UN Security Council seat – An expensive Rudd frolic
42.. My School Website – Revamped but problems continue
43. National Curriculum – States in uproar
44. Small Business Superannuation Clearing House – 99% of small businesses reject it
45. Indigenous Housing Program – way behind schedule
46. Rudd Bank – Went nowhere
47. Using cheap Chinese fabrics for Defence uniforms – Ditched
48. Innovation Ambassadors Program – junked
49. Six Submarines – none operational
50. Debt limit to be increased to $250 billion and rising – to pay for all of this and much more



But on the other hand and to be fair, Rudd did say sorry.

 

[Eager]

Nice to meet you Eager and may I begin by saying that you are nothing to me either.

We're going to get along juuust fine.

As the remaining Labor suporter anywhere which must call into question your sanity I say this - Abbott is in opposition he doesnt have to do anything yet and as far as being negative is concerned I suggest you try and find anything to be positive about with the Govt.

It wouldn't matter if I suggested anything positive about the gov't or not, because plainly, it would be impossible for you to acknowledge it due to your blinkers. But being blinkered is not me, and some respectable members here can attest to that.

There we go, what a pack of socialist looters, get out and stay out !!!

I sincerely hope that you can find the correrct treatment for your anger management issues. Maybe you have come back too soon? Just concerned for your health, that's all. May I suggest a Bex and a good lie down.

 

[Logique]

...The repayments on $200 billion, come to more than one and a quarter billion dollars - every month - for 20 years. It works out we - as taxpayers - will be repaying $15.4 billion in interest and principal every year .. $733 for every man woman and child - every year.

The total interest bill over the 20 years is - get this - $108 billion.

Remember, this is a Government, that just 4 years ago, had NO debt. NO debt.

In fact it had enough money to create the Future Fund, to pay the future liabilities of public servants' superannuation, and it had enough to stick $20 billion into the Building Australia Fund....

Great post Bigdog, some hard data applied. Mind you I could just be '..spewing extremist right wing views..'

 

[MrBurns]

We're going to get along juuust fine.
I sincerely hope that you can find the correrct treatment for your anger management issues. Maybe you have come back too soon? Just concerned for your health, that's all. May I suggest a Bex and a good lie down.

It's not my anger Eager, it's the anger of many millions of Australians.

Anyway just go over the list, a few times, we could play pick the lie, or whats the biggest stuff up or what will this cost YOU and your kids for a long time to come, these vandalous actions don't come without consequences.

 

[MrBurns]

But on the other hand and to be fair, Rudd did say sorry.

Yes that'll fix it

 

[Calliope]

Yes that'll fix it

It didn't take you long to make enemies.That was a great list of Labor's failures. Perhaps Eager beaver will come up with a list of successes. He's the bloke who doesn't think it's the government's role to listen to the people. So that's one positive he could chalk up.

 

[sptrawler]

Whats the difference?

The difference is, government debt is how much they owe.
Getting the budget in surplus, means they are not blowing the debt out any further.
The problem still remains that the debt is still there and has to be payed back. As was the case last time labor were thrown out, then there was a $90billion debt.
As opposed to that, when Howard was thrown out there was zero debt, money in the future fund and a $20billion budget surplus.
After 4 years we are back in $200billion+ debt with nothing to show for it and the government is hoping they can stop it blowing out further.
Seems to me the difference is pretty clear.

 

[Eager]

Anyway just go over the list, a few times, we could play pick the lie, or whats the biggest stuff up or what will this cost YOU and your kids for a long time to come, these vandalous actions don't come without consequences.

You forgot to add No.51, her grating, monotone voice!!!

 

[MrBurns]

It didn't take you long to make enemies..

Well you have to stick up for what you believe in, I think he was an enemy of anyone who isnt Labor anyway.

 

[MrBurns]

You forgot to add No.51, her grating, monotone voice!!!

Excellent, dont forget the mantras, she thinks no one will notice, but everyone hates it

 

[IFocus]

Nice to see Carr become FM clearly the best candidate available I see he rated a shambolic Abbott government poorly as all do.

 

[Eager]

Well you have to stick up for what you believe in, I think he was an enemy of anyone who isnt Labor anyway.

Absolutely incorrect; I have friends on both sides. Like I said earlier, I am not blinkered.

Mr Burns, I have taken the time to humour you. In response to your list:

1.. Carbon Tax - yes, a lie. Politicians do lie, y’know. It is not the end of the world.
2.. Nation Broadband Network – it is about time we had a go at catching up with Lithuania.
3.. Building the Education Revolution – apparently, by comparison, there will be no education under the coalition.
4.. Home Insulation Plan (Pink Batts) – Dumped after deaths and injuries due to coalition voting rogue small business proprietors rorting the system.
5. Citizens Assembly – Dumped. No big deal.
6.. Cash for Clunkers – Dumped, but a good idea at the time. Have you still got an LH Torana or something?
7.. Hospital Reform – Nothing yet.
8.. Digital set-top boxes – Cheaper at Harvey Norman and now going obsolete, but only if your Great Aunt can afford a new telly instead.
9.. Emissions Trading Scheme – Temporarily delayed, but it will take over from the Carbon Tax soon enough.
10. Mining Tax – Continuing uncertainty for our miners because Twiggy might actually have to pay tax, the poor dear.
11. Livestock export ban to Indonesia – An initial over-reaction that caused some disruption to the cattle and transport industry in Northern Australia, but nothing compared to the drop in quotas that everyone in the industry knew were coming anyway.
12. Detention Centres – Riots & massive cost blow-outs like any incarceration facility regardless of government.
13. East Timor ‘solution’ – Announced before agreed that it was a possibility...
14. Malaysia ‘solution’ – Scrapped because Malaysia not a signatory to UN Human Rights Charter, but even the opposition was sure it would get through at the time.
15. Manus Island ‘solution’ – On the backburner, but still there.
16.. Computers in Schools – $1.4 billion blow out; less than half delivered, but still far better than no computers in schools.
17. Cutting Red Tape – 12,835 new regulations, only 58 repealed [please cite]
18. Asia Pacific Community – Big picture thinking, the likes of which the coalition are not capable of.
19. Green Loans Program – morphed into the Green Start program.
20. Solar Homes & Communities plan – Shut down after $534 million blow out due to phenomenal uptake; the people want to be green, y’see.
21. Green Car Innovation Fund – Abandoned to pay for natural disaster relief. That’s what governments should do; look after people in need at the time. You obviously disagree.
22. Solar Credits Scheme – Gradually scaled back as it was always going to be. STC’s still get paid at 3x until July 1. Don’t you have solar panels yet? Why not?
23. Green Start Program – Scrapped due to the realisation of unmitigated risks, just as any responsible gov’t would.
24. Retooling for Climate Change Program – Abolished in name only. I know for a fact that money is available for businesses to become greener through various State programs.
25. Childcare Centres – Abandoned. 260 promised, only 38 delivered, A Rudd initiative.
26. Take a “meat axe”’ to the Public Service – 24,000 more public servants added [please cite]
27. Murray Darling Basin Plan – back to the drawing board because the bickering state governments couldn’t agree.
28. 2020 Summit – Meaningless talkfest, like any talkfest, regardless of who is in power.
29. Tax Summit – did you mean the Henry tax review? Some policies adopted, like the change in FBT rules for novated leases, have resulted in a windfall and have ensured that the Carbon Tax will not be applied to fuel.
30. Population Policy – Sets no targets, nor should it.
31. Fuel Watch – Abandoned. There is no point when private industry colludes anyway.
32. Grocery Choice – Abandoned. People are intelligent enough to make up their own minds.
33. $900 Stimulus cheques – Sent to dead people and overseas residents. The majority spent on flat screen TV's and fast food. [please cite]
34. Foreign Policy – In turmoil with Kevin (747) Rudd running riot flying around the world spending more than the US Secretary of State, proving that the US Secretary of State was lazy by comparison.
35. National Schools Solar Program – Closing two years early but better than no program at all.
36. Solar Hot Water Rebate – Abandoned just 4 months early after running for over 4 years. There was no rebate prior to that.
37. Oceanic Viking – Caved in, after all, we are talking about human beings.
38. GP Super Clinics – 64 promised, only 11 operational so far.
39. Defence Family Healthcare Clinics – 12 promised in the long term, 8 trialled to start with.
40. Trade Training Centres – 2650 promised, 70 operational so far.
41. Bid for UN Security Council seat – A Rudd aspiration.
42. My School Website – Revamped but problems continue like any new IT system.
43. National Curriculum – States in uproar because they don’t want to be found out.
44. Small Business Superannuation Clearing House – 99% of small businesses reject it because they see superannuation as a cost rather than as a responsibility. Poor workers.
45. Indigenous Housing Program – way behind schedule but happening nevertheless.
46. Rudd Bank – Why are we still focusing on Rudd?
47. Using cheap Chinese fabrics for Defence uniforms – Ditched, as it should.
48. Innovation Ambassadors Program – I googled that and got directed to the NASA website lol!
49. Six Submarines – none operational because they are not planned to be until 2025!!!!!! You’re desperate now, aren’t you?
50. Debt limit to be increased to $250 billion and rising – to pay for all of this and much more, but still a drop in the ocean on a world scale.

 

[sptrawler]

Nice to see Carr become FM clearly the best candidate available I see he rated a shambolic Abbott government poorly as all do.

Did he really, I thought he would have given them a big wrap.

 

[dutchie]

Nailed it Eager, now that you've explained it that way Labor is the bees knees.

Sure put Mr Burns in his place.

Psst...... are you really Julia Gillard in disguise?

 

[IFocus]

Nailed it Dutchie, now that you've explained it that way Liberal is the bees knees.

Sure put Mr Burns in his place.

Psst...... are you really Tony Abbott in disguise?

Lets change that a little, in other words check the mirror eh.....

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

What has me beat is that with such a record of incompetence the ALP don't have the decency to call an election, go the people and have a new government run this great country as it should be run.

gg