Tony Abbott for PM

[IFocus]

Just imagine how well the opposition would be doing if Costello were to replace Tony Abbott. Does anyone know what Costello is doing these days? Could he be persuaded to come back given the changed fortunes of the government?

Until the power base in the Liberal party changes from the control of the extreme right Howard-ites then the likes of Costello or in fact any one else outside of that faction of leading the parliamentary party is 0.

Its looking now very likely that Abbott will be the next prime minister.............. then it will get really ugly.

Abbott will face a deteriorating financial situation with the cockroaches still falling out from Europe and will not hesitate to use austerity measures.

He wont be able to tax the miners their fair share because they will by then own him.

 

[wayneL]

Until the power base in the Liberal party changes from the control of the extreme right Howard-ites then the likes of Costello or in fact any one else outside of that faction of leading the parliamentary party is 0.

Its looking now very likely that Abbott will be the next prime minister.............. then it will get really ugly.

Abbott will face a deteriorating financial situation with the cockroaches still falling out from Europe and will not hesitate to use austerity measures.

He wont be able to tax the miners their fair share because they will by then own him.

It already is about as ugly as it can get. Fortunately for the Kruddster, it is still possible for western economies to wear a mask, feigning attractiveness.

IF Abbott gets in, it may seem that the economics circumstances that are due to arrive will be blameable on him; such is life. But it will in actual fact be the fault of KRudd and to a lesser extent, Howard.

The next PM will be a victim.... unless of course it is still KRudd, in which case he (and the abominable Wayne Swine) will be forced to stew in their own juices.

 

[Bushman]

Abbott will face a deteriorating financial situation with the cockroaches still falling out from Europe and will not hesitate to use austerity measures.

He wont be able to tax the miners their fair share because they will by then own him.

Austerity package with the miners re-investing 75-80% of retained earnings into the resources industry vs a blatant tax grab to fund ill conceived social engineering projects. Which to choose, which to choose?

My main worry with Abbott is the cynical mantra of border protection, Pacific Solution and all that jazz. Howard mark II. Plus I remember his run as Health Minister well with his stance on issues like RU486. Scary stuff.

Sometimes you need to take a step backwards to move forward.

Labour is in the back pocket of the unions as much as Libs are funded by 'Big Business'.

 

[brad17]

Labour is in the back pocket of the unions as much as Libs are funded by 'Big Business'.

It is this type of unintelligent 'grandmother' folklore that destroys all serious credibility - choose another subject pls bushman!!!

 

[Bushman]

It is this type of unintelligent 'grandmother' folklore that destroys all serious credibility - choose another subject pls bushman!!!

Err yep ok Brad. Let me know what you want me to talk about first so you can vet it on intellectual grounds.

 

[medicowallet]

It is this type of unintelligent 'grandmother' folklore that destroys all serious credibility - choose another subject pls bushman!!!

Interesting how you know what he is talking about.

From that sentence I cannot tell whether he believes that they are both influenced, or neither are.

What are you assuming? Or did you send a pm to him to find out?

 

[IFocus]

Austerity package with the miners re-investing 75-80% of retained earnings into the resources industry vs a blatant tax grab to fund ill conceived social engineering projects. Which to choose, which to choose?

Actually a investment in reducing the tax rate in other parts of the economy, the part that actually employs the majority of Australians. Its also the part that didn't shed jobs like the mining company's during the GFC panic and also the part of the economy that will support Australia like its always done after each boom cycle.

Don,t get sucked into the story how mining save Australia, if we face a down turn the miners will have to shutdown their operations just like they always have done.

The current boom is not permanent

Mining is not the future for Australia..............once you are left with a hole in the ground you have.........a hole in the ground.

My main worry with Abbott is the cynical mantra of border protection, Pacific Solution and all that jazz. Howard mark II. Plus I remember his run as Health Minister well with his stance on issues like RU486. Scary stuff.

Yes but I am starting to think its the future.

Sometimes you need to take a step backwards to move forward.

Abbott could well damage the Liberal label

Labour is in the back pocket of the unions as much as Libs are funded by 'Big Business'.

Sorry reds under the bed is so 1960's not relevant today, unions much to their disgust have very little impact on the Labor front bench.

In fact current labor government is right of left hence Liberals RW running the show.

My comments about Abbott was more to do with his absolute support of the mining company's position which boxes him into absolutely no possible way of tax reform.

The miners should be paying more tax, royalties are an absolute joke how much more is the question not if. WA,s Barnett is desperately trying to renegotiate WA,s royalties pricing.

 

[todster]

Actually a investment in reducing the tax rate in other parts of the economy, the part that actually employs the majority of Australians. Its also the part that didn't shed jobs like the mining company's during the GFC panic and also the part of the economy that will support Australia like its always done after each boom cycle.

Don,t get sucked into the story how mining save Australia, if we face a down turn the miners will have to shutdown their operations just like they always have done.

The current boom is not permanent

Mining is not the future for Australia..............once you are left with a hole in the ground you have.........a hole in the ground.



Yes but I am starting to think its the future.



Abbott could well damage the Liberal label



Sorry reds under the bed is so 1960's not relevant today, unions much to their disgust have very little impact on the Labor front bench.

In fact current labor government is right of left hence Liberals RW running the show.

My comments about Abbott was more to do with his absolute support of the mining company's position which boxes him into absolutely no possible way of tax reform.

The miners should be paying more tax, royalties are an absolute joke how much more is the question not if. WA,s Barnett is desperately trying to renegotiate WA,s royalties pricing.

Great post mate the iron ore royalty % for a non renewable resource in this state is laughable i read somewhere it was 3.5% for fines and 5.5% for lump tell me i'm wrong please!

 

[Julia]

Abbott will face a deteriorating financial situation with the cockroaches still falling out from Europe and will not hesitate to use austerity measures.

He wont be able to tax the miners their fair share because they will by then own him.

I'm not sure that's entirely true, IFocus. The miners have made clear that they are prepared to discuss tax reform. Mr Abbott has been careful not to say that he would not alter the present arrangements. It's quite possible they could reach some reasonable compromise which was more fair all round.
You could equally say that the miners (if Abbott is elected) will owe him for saving them from the Rudd tax.

It is this type of unintelligent 'grandmother' folklore that destroys all serious credibility - choose another subject pls bushman!!!

That's unnecessarily rude. Why can't you clearly state your own view without being abusive toward an experienced and respected poster?

Yes but I am starting to think its the future.
Abbott could well damage the Liberal label

It's early days yet. Plenty of time for Labor to pick themselves up if they begin negotiating in a genuine way with the miners.

My comments about Abbott was more to do with his absolute support of the mining company's position which boxes him into absolutely no possible way of tax reform.

You may be right, but as I've suggested above, perhaps not.

 

[springhill]

Mining is not the future for Australia..............once you are left with a hole in the ground you have.........a hole in the ground.

Hi IFocus, if not mining, can you please define what is the future for Australia? We have SFA tertiary/manufacturing industry here it's all offshore, tourism has crashed (Where the Bloody Hell Are Ya, wasn't that a stroke of genius?), the Govt doesn't give a rats whizzer about agriculture (i know, i am in the the industry).
I'd be interested where you think employment and dollars will be coming from?

 

[medicowallet]

Hi IFocus, if not mining, can you please define what is the future for Australia? We have SFA tertiary/manufacturing industry here it's all offshore, tourism has crashed (Where the Bloody Hell Are Ya, wasn't that a stroke of genius?), the Govt doesn't give a rats whizzer about agriculture (i know, i am in the the industry).

I think like most Australians and the PM and treasurer, Ifocus thinks it is a good idea to boost retail and consumption.

It is what is happening now, with gearing and consumption and record private debt, and will be fuelled by a PM and treasurer who have no idea what they are doing.

 

[Bushman]

My comments about Abbott was more to do with his absolute support of the mining company's position which boxes him into absolutely no possible way of tax reform.

The miners should be paying more tax, royalties are an absolute joke how much more is the question not if. WA,s Barnett is desperately trying to renegotiate WA,s royalties pricing.

Yep Abbott sure has backed himself into a corner with the RSPT. It was just dumb to say that he flatly refuses to back it because no doubt the government and the mining industry are banging out a workable resources rental tax now which will leave the Libs stranded.

I am all for sensible tax reform. I would support a properly implemented and fair resources tax but on the caveat that I would want the funding to go to the Future Fund or some such body.

 

[Julia]

Yep Abbott sure has backed himself into a corner with the RSPT. It was just dumb to say that he flatly refuses to back it because no doubt the government and the mining industry are banging out a workable resources rental tax now which will leave the Libs stranded.

He said the Opposition will refuse to back the RSPT as presented by the government. This version is apparently a bastardisation of what Ken Henry actually proposed. As far as I know, he has not ruled out a fairer version of an RSPT.

 

[noco]

He said the Opposition will refuse to back the RSPT as presented by the government. This version is apparently a bastardisation of what Ken Henry actually proposed. As far as I know, he has not ruled out a fairer version of an RSPT.

Yes Julia, that is my understanding as well. Abbott would certainly improve his standing if was able to broker a deal between the miners and Rudd that would satisfy all concerned. Rudd would most likely oppose Abbotts negotiations, but it would be well worth a try.

 

[IFocus]

Hi IFocus, if not mining, can you please define what is the future for Australia? We have SFA tertiary/manufacturing industry here it's all offshore, tourism has crashed (Where the Bloody Hell Are Ya, wasn't that a stroke of genius?), the Govt doesn't give a rats whizzer about agriculture (i know, i am in the the industry).
I'd be interested where you think employment and dollars will be coming from?

Yes agriculture is really up against it, lack of rain, water, retail monopoly's screwing every one with governments looking the other way etc etc.

As for what the future is the scary part is most seem to think its mining and it will last for ever. Have worked in and out of mining state wide in WA since the 70's from BHP, small gold mines and mineral sands.

Boom and bust is very much part of the environment but these days its simply scary at the rate and scale of stripping out the minerals, bigger holes a whole lot faster.

We only get one shot at reinvestment what that is unfortunately I cannot say but plenty of examples of nations that relied on oil and are about to run out with nothing to show for it.

If there is no effort to diversify our economy during boom times then as a generation how fu<ken lazy are we. Maybe we can just keep middle class welfare going for another decade or two so every one can get elected and screw the future

BTW nice win for the crows I am WCE and been coping a bit of stick from Freo supporters nice to send some back.

 

[IFocus]

I think like most Australians and the PM and treasurer, Ifocus thinks it is a good idea to boost retail and consumption.

No I don't sorry you didn't understand my point

 

[IFocus]

It's early days yet. Plenty of time for Labor to pick themselves up if they begin negotiating in a genuine way with the miners.
.

Its been quite stunning the success of Abbott running the Republican RW style of block and reject everything coupled with Rudds problems.

Abbott still has the chance of blowing up during the election campaign but you would have to think he would have minders all over him.

I wonder if the Australian public will just switch off to both party's

 

[GumbyLearner]

I wonder if the Australian public will just switch off to both party's

Well don't you mean parties? I'm sure the more learned bloggers from offshore will be able to qualify that.

Are Mal Turntable & Goldman Sucks still shorting BP?

Overall IMO Tony is doing well. That's just my opinion.

 

[Julia]

Abbott still has the chance of blowing up during the election campaign but you would have to think he would have minders all over him.

You may be right about the minders: he has been noticeably more reasonable in the last couple of weeks. I suppose he has the impression all he needs to do at present is sit back and let Mr Rudd wallow in his own mess.

I wonder if the Australian public will just switch off to both party's

Largely that's what is already happening with both leaders' approval ratings increasing, and the substantial swing to the Greens.
I wish the Democrats were still around.

 

[moXJO]

Its been quite stunning the success of Abbott running the Republican RW style of block and reject everything coupled with Rudds problems.

Abbott still has the chance of blowing up during the election campaign but you would have to think he would have minders all over him.

I wonder if the Australian public will just switch off to both party's

I still don't think he is leadership material. He seems to be ahead by not saying anything. To date, I don't like his policies, or his ability to answer questions when pressure is applied by the labor govt. The only plus side is he isn't Rudd. Well that and he could kick ass in a marathon against other world leaders