The Gillard Government

[noco]

Eventually their new found fame fades and they are just thrown out with the dirty bath water. They are not stupid (welllll maybe) so they will realise as things go from bad to worse that at some point it is best to jump in the lifeboat. Rather than go down with the ship.
If they don't there is no way they won't be thrown out and then you are of no use to your electorate. Actually I am suprised they have not yet distanced themselves, lets not forget they had protracted talks with Abbott and Gillard before deciding their allegiance.

I would like to know what Hawkie really knows about Gillard gone in 3 months.

Where is GG? He is generally well informed on these issues with his contacts at the Ross Island Pub.

 

[Julia]

What if the Indies joined the National Party? Surely they would be safe from extinction!!!!!

That's really a pretty ridiculous suggestion, noco. They placed their allegiances with Labor purely because they had had such vicious fallings out with the Nationals in the past and were intent on getting revenge. They have absolutely no reason to change this in terms of their personal interests. They clearly don't care an iota about their electorates.
And on that latter score, Tony Windsor's electorate at least has been the recipient of quite magnificent largesse from the government in order to keep Mr Windsor happy.
Probably Mr Oakeshott's electorate has benefited similarly.

Thanks for the heads up Calliope - I just voted and there are now 7939 votes (about 1400 more since you posted) and still at 18% think she can recover and 82% don't think she can.

Astonishing result from Fairfax devotees!

I think she has to get a mandate from the people at the next election before imposing carbon tax and pick up the phone to Nauru. That might stop the polls falling so quickly, however, it may be too little too late for Ms Gillard.

Sails, what remote reason would she have to go to an election before legislating the carbon tax? She would obviously lose massively. It makes no sense for her to expose herself to this, when she can hope that the electorate may have calmed down about the carbon tax when they know they'll be vaguely compensated, and she may still have some faint chance of regathering support before the election is due.

Getting back to Barnett, I wonder if the Libs will parachute him into Federal politics, at least he has the smarts.

He seems very capable, and very determined. Would hugely benefit Federal Libs.
Better leadership material than what's presently on offer imo.

 

[sptrawler]

Barnett is very much the statesman, he learnt a lot from speaking from the heart and being honest, sometimes things are best not said.
He has started taking his own counsel as well as defering to others. Seems to be growing day by day to me.
He appears to be one step up the ladder above the rest. In computer terms he seems to be able to multi task. Time will tell.

 

[drsmith]

Are the rats getting ready to jump the sinking ship ?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/16/3245609.htm

 

[sails]

Are the rats getting ready to jump the sinking ship ?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/16/3245609.htm

Thanks for posting the info, drsmith... Last few sentences from that article:

Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt says the campaign would be a misuse of taxpayer funds.

"This announcement adds insult to injury for Australian taxpayers," he said.

"Australian mums and dads are being asked to pay for the Government to advertise why mums and dads should pay higher electricity prices.

So true. Why does the taxpayer have to pay for these ads when the polls are showing the majority don't want this new tax? And even IF if was actually going to do anything to help with co2 reduction (and you believe that should happen), I don't think labor are capable of managing such a major tax. Their track record at managing anything is dismal, at best.

Let's hope the two independents regain a little credibility by doing the right thing on this issue.

 

[Calliope]

The Coalition is crazy to support Greens' motions in both houses to condemn the Malaysian Solution. Much better to let it proceed and disintegrate under its own stupidity. This motion would let Labor get out of a hole and give the Greens bragging rights.

Federal Parliament has passed a motion condemning the Malaysian asylum swap deal, a move which opens the way for Greens legislation that could scrap the proposal.

The Greens motion, which had already passed through the Senate, is the first time a motion has passed through both houses condemning a Government policy and asking it to be withdrawn.

It passed through the House of Representatives 70-68 with the support of the Opposition, Greens MP Adam Bandt, who moved the motion, and independents Andrew Wilkie and Bob Katter.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/16/3245289.htm?section=justin

 

[bellenuit]

The Coalition is crazy to support Greens' motions in both houses to condemn the Malaysian Solution. Much better to let it proceed and disintegrate under its own stupidity. This motion would let Labor get out of a hole and give the Greens bragging rights.



http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/16/3245289.htm?section=justin

The government doesn't need house support to implement the Malaysian solution. They intend to go ahead anyway.

 

[noco]

Are the rats getting ready to jump the sinking ship ?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/16/3245609.htm

Thanks for that support Doc. My rediculous statement as quoted by Julia, may not be so rediculous after all.

The Indies have got what they wanted from Labor, so what have they got to loose now?

They may even reconsider the Nationals are the lesser of two evils especially in the advent of a leadership change in the Labor Party. They stated last year they would not support Labor if there was another leadership change.

We will just have to wait and see I guess, but come what may there will be, IMHO, an implosion in the Labor ranks before Xmas. The fuse is getting shorter by the day.

 

[IFocus]

Getting back to Barnett, I wonder if the Libs will parachute him into Federal politics, at least he has the smarts.

I hear they want a canal built over there.............

 

[drsmith]

I hear they want a canal built over there.............

Forget the canal. Now it's the Orrong Expressway.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/airport-expressway-could-slash-travel-time-20110616-1g4wi.html

"I've asked Main Roads to look at what they can do to solve a challenge. That challenge is how do you get from the Graham Farmer Freeway down Orrong Road and up Leach Highway into the airport precinct without any traffic lights," he told 6PR radio.

He suggested the road could be built either above, under, or alongside existing roads.

He might choke on the cost though, if the following viaduct project in Adelaide is anything to go by,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Road_Superway

The above, currently under construction, has a cost over $800m.

I would perspnally like to see Orrong Road upgraded as I use it regularly.

Sorry,
Waht was this thread about ?

 

[sptrawler]

I hear they want a canal built over there.............

He would make a better fist of it than Carmen Lawrence did. LOL

 

[drsmith]

Barry Cassidy is clutching at straws here,

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/16/3245672.htm

The lesson from Ryan and Aston is that political fortunes can change very quickly; that often holding your nerve is the best option.

The scenario can be repeated if the government breaks a habit and manages well the announcements on the structure of the carbon tax and the related compensation. Then, from July next year when the tax starts, the government will need to further unwind the impact of Tony Abbott's effective campaign against it.

It all seems such a long shot now in the face of deteriorating polls. And Julia Gillard has nothing like the authority and credibility that John Howard had even in his most troubled times.

The big if above goes against the history of this government and, unlike Labor, John Howard took his GST to an election before introducing it.

 

[Julia]

The Coalition is crazy to support Greens' motions in both houses to condemn the Malaysian Solution. Much better to let it proceed and disintegrate under its own stupidity. This motion would let Labor get out of a hole and give the Greens bragging rights.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/16/3245289.htm?section=justin

Agree with you, Calliope. For the Libs to side with the Greens is such an obvious stunt to damage the government which will be to no effect anyway, given the motion in both Houses is non-binding. The government can simply ignore it which is what they propose to do.

However, we are yet to see a final agreement with Malaysia, and in the meantime the concern about human rights abuses in Malaysia may well see the government's stakes depressed even further.

 

[Julia]

Thanks for posting the info, drsmith... Last few sentences from that article:

So true. Why does the taxpayer have to pay for these ads when the polls are showing the majority don't want this new tax?

Sails, it's my understanding that the amount they are planning to spend on 'educating the public' about the carbon tax is significantly less than the Howard government spent on promoting Work Choices.
They all do it. I'd have been surprised if Labor didn't devise some sort of public persuasion plan.

And even IF if was actually going to do anything to help with co2 reduction (and you believe that should happen), I don't think labor are capable of managing such a major tax. Their track record at managing anything is dismal, at best.

True enough, plus the additional layers of bureaucracy that will be involved in administering it.

Let's hope the two independents regain a little credibility by doing the right thing on this issue.

Well, I suppose we may hope, and certainly their irritation today is a positive sign.
However, I still don't believe there's any chance they will join the Nationals as you're so keen to suggest, noco. I'll happily apologise to you if they do, because I can think of no more desirable outcome.

 

[noco]

Barry Cassidy is clutching at straws here,

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/16/3245672.htm


The big if above goes against the history of this government and, unlike Labor, John Howard took his GST to an election before introducing it.

Doc, it is a well known fact that Cassidy is very biased towards the Labor Party as much as the ABC is.

It is wishful thinking on his part that Labor and Gillard will rise from the ashes.

 

[noco]

Agree with you, Calliope. For the Libs to side with the Greens is such an obvious stunt to damage the government which will be to no effect anyway, given the motion in both Houses is non-binding. The government can simply ignore it which is what they propose to do.

However, we are yet to see a final agreement with Malaysia, and in the meantime the concern about human rights abuses in Malaysia may well see the government's stakes depressed even further.

Well Julia, is it not the name of the game for the opposition to damage the government or would you prefer them to sit there like stunned mullets?

It is absurd to say the Coalition sided with the Greens for the Coalition had been opposing the Malaysian issue since its concept, long before the Greens came on the scene and rightly so.

Whilst the Government can simply ignore the motion from both houses, it will have a psychological effect on voters. It proves just how arogant Gillard and Labor are. They have stopped listening a long time ago.

 

[Logique]

..It is absurd to say the Coalition sided with the Greens for the Coalition had been opposing the Malaysian issue since its concept, long before the Greens came on the scene and rightly so..

Yes I think it was less about supporting the Greens and more about adopting a consistent line. The 'Malaysian Solution' is bizarre, unnecessary with Nauru ready and waiting, a bad deal for us, inhumane for the people sent there (not a signatory), and damaging to foreign relations with that country and our reputation in Asia.

 

[sptrawler]

Yes I think it was less about supporting the Greens and more about adopting a consistent line. The 'Malaysian Solution' is bizarre, unnecessary with Nauru ready and waiting, a bad deal for us, inhumane for the people sent there (not a signatory), and damaging to foreign relations with that country and our reputation in Asia.

My sentiments exactly, Logique. I am sure Nauru could do with the money and resulting employment as much if not more than Malaysia.
Also the coalition siding with the greens can't help the green labor relations. Nothing like adding a bit of accelerant to a smoldering fire.

 

[Knobby22]

Yes I think it was less about supporting the Greens and more about adopting a consistent line. The 'Malaysian Solution' is bizarre, unnecessary with Nauru ready and waiting, a bad deal for us, inhumane for the people sent there (not a signatory), and damaging to foreign relations with that country and our reputation in Asia.

I agree with your summary of the Malaysian solution, Logique but at least it removes the asylum seekers. The trouble with Nauru is that we will essentially be responsible for them and will end up taking most of them anyway after years of incarceration.
The government is really in a mess over this issue.

 

[Calliope]

They are both serial liars, but their body language gives them away.

FOREIGN Minister Kevin Rudd has rejected media reports that he and Prime Minister Julia Gillard indulged in screaming matches yesterday.

"That's just fabrication," he told ABC Television today.

Mr Rudd said the pair talked often about various policy challenges and talks yesterday centred on Indonesia and the decision to suspend live cattle exports.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...ith-pm-says-rudd/story-e6freooo-1226076838786