Tony Abbott for PM

[Julia]

Oh geez thanks
There goes 90% of my posts.

On the contrary, You're someone whose posts usually make perfect sense.
Have never particularly identified sarcasm with you at all.

 

[moXJO]

And yet strange how they (the Libs and Nats) all vote as a block. its almost like they are following the party line, same as the left side of politics except that officially they don't have to, and yet the reality is...they do.

I didn't know they were suspended if they crossed the floor in NSW labor.

On Tuesday night Ms Fazio joined the four Greens MP in voting against the Classification (Publications, Films And Computer Games) Enforcement Amendment Bill, breaching the party rule that members must vote as the ALP caucus decides.

The State Parliamentary Labor Party Caucus has been advised that ... Amanda Fazio's membership of the Australian Labor Party has been suspended pending a hearing of the NSW Labor Party's Disputes Committee

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/mp-suspended-from-alp-over-pr0n-vote/story-e6freuy9-1225941230111

 

[IFocus]

Two ways to look at that - one is that the Libs give more credence to conscience votes, the other is that the Libs policies can be unconscionable even to their own party members.

As an aside, listening to Petro Georgiou you do understand quickly why he was so popular in his electorate - someone who served his electorate before his own personal interests. Not many of those around these days.

In any case, sitting MPs (major parties anyway) vote along party lines in the vast majority of cases and the 0.1% of the time they don't really is splitting hairs.

Petro Georgiou would have been a minister pre the Howard years but alas he held principles far from the right wing that respected peoples rights above politics.

I found this interesting but not surprised

In March 2006, Josh Frydenberg, an investment banker and former political adviser, made known his intention to challenge Georgiou for his seat in an internal Liberal Party preselection. This followed another prominent Liberal former Victorian President Michael Kroger's decision not to contest the seat. Liberal Deputy Leader Peter Costello endorsed Georgiou and Kroger is believed to have supported him. [1]

 

[IFocus]

This from IFocus regarding the dismissal of Kevin Rudd.

You're both Labor supporters and you make opposite assertions.

No I don't think so many of the ministers were unaware of the move on Rudd until they started making phone calls as a result of an ABC report it was the rank and file MPs who removed Rudd convincingly

Ah, all is explained. Why did you give up coffee (with apologies for diverting the thread.)?

I love coffee it doesn't love me back, sitting in Mandurah at one of the numinous establishments with the family over looking the water enjoying breakfast with a good espresso flat white is to me a religious experience

I take a break from time to time along with drinking red wine, beer and bourbon.

I'm the first to acknowledge Mr Abbott's limitations, but I don't think it's reasonable to describe him as a simpleton. The bloke was a Rhodes scholar.
Not too many simpletons achieve that distinction.

Have to acknowledge you cannot argue a Rhodes scholar is a simpleton, pity Abbott cannot translate that to policy or replies.

That's not the point, IFocus. You know what I was talking about, i.e. that Stephen Smith got shafted so that Ms Gillard could keep her promise to Mr Rudd that (presumably) if he'd stop damaging the party, she would reward him with the position of his choice when they were re-elected.

I think the Rudd position was about trying to silence the leaks during the election and later it would have been about keeping him from resigning triggering a by election. Smith is a safe pair of hands (from WA of course ) as the Defense ministers position was vacant he really was needed to fill the gap.

I can't quite understand what you're saying here.
I don't mind Ms Gillard in some ways, and don't especially believe she will be pushed around by the factions or the unions.
She just seems reluctant to make decisions of her own, understandably given that to do so she's almost certain to upset one interest group or another, and she has to try hard to keep all the balls in the air at one time.
I was referring more to her quasi hiding behind the Defence Chief in making decisions about overseas deployments. If she's going to be PM, she's going to have to make some decisions herself.

I think / hope Gillard is playing the game according to the conditions or hand she has been dealt which means in reality seeing the term out until the next election. Fact is compromise will be the only way to move any thing through the houses.

Wait our Abbott until he blows up or the shine wears of the spin that he nearly won the election. Fact is Labor could not have run a worse election or have a more problematic entry into a election than what happen.

Abbott didn't win votes Labor threw them away IMHO.

Of course Abbotts ability to get the Coalition back into the game was nothing short of stunning.

 

[IFocus]

Howard was educated at a public high school but did a law degree at the University of Sydney and was admitted as a solicitor of the New South Wales Supreme Court in July 1962. He worked for leading Sydney legal firm Stephen, Jacques and Stephen. (specialised in company law I believe)

Remember Howard's enduring and fabled connection to the electorate was his understanding of an aspirational blue-collar band that became known as the "Howard battlers".

It is natural that I dislike Howard but found this interesting I watched the interview worth a read


"Former Herald Sun Editor Bruce Guthrie"

KERRY O'BRIEN: John Howard?

BRUCE GUTHRIE: John Howard didn't really work the press, certainly not during my time.

I think I only dined with him once at the Lodge and that was late in his prime ministership when I think he realised the polls were turning against him and he started to reach out to the media but by then it was too late.

But I always found him an eminently decent man to deal with and I respected him.

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2010/s3036588.htm

Far from a "simpleton" me thinks on the academic front.

OK, OK I agree

 

[Julia]

IFocus, I do appreciate that, despite your obvious affiliation toward Labor, you do retain some objectivity and are prepared to consider reasonable objections to the Labor party line when we put them up.

Well done on the coffee, wine etc. Do you actually feel any better as a result?
I'd take some convincing, I have to say.
(Apologies again for diversion of the thread here.)

 

[sails]

IFocus, yes your objectivity is certainly appreciated...

Although we differ on some issues, I suspect that most of us posting here really only want the best for our country. I have nothing to gain personally from my political ideas (e.g. not part of a political party and certainly not paid to post...lol), however as a parent and now a grandparent, I have a concern for the future of our country.

 

[trainspotter]

With all those qualifications, how come Abbott can't string two words together?

Abbott may well be a classic example of a "rote" learner. He can memorise and repeat written statements, but has little comprehension or logic.

Maybe he just does not have the gift of the gab? Maybe he does not like being put on the spot in an interview? I concur he has been known to fluff his lines when under pressure and seems to do better when in parliament once he is up to speed with the detail.

Which is better? A beautiful mind like Stephen Hawking but unable to communicate or some halfwit who can talk the leg off a chair? I know which one I would vote for.

 

[wayneL]

Maybe he just does not have the gift of the gab? Maybe he does not like being put on the spot in an interview? I concur he has been known to fluff his lines when under pressure and seems to do better when in parliament once he is up to speed with the detail.

Which is better? A beautiful mind like Stephen Hawking but unable to communicate or some halfwit who can talk the leg off a chair? I know which one I would vote for.

Indeud!

Such is the problem with Oz's presidential style elections these days. It's a high school popularity contest rather than a meaningful decision on who can best run the country.

 

[IFocus]

Coalition goes left wing wants to turn Australia into a communist state this is great news.

Michael Pascoe

"Never let facts get in the way of good demagoguery"

Nice to see Joe Hockey multiskilling, demonstrating his talents as a potential talkback radio shock jock. The secret to successful demagoguery is telling the punters what they want to hear - and not letting facts get in the way of a populist story.

Thus the shadow treasurer's amazing performance suggesting the government consider legislating bank interest rates. Heck, why stop there? Nationalise the bludgers! Electing Menzies in 1949 was a terrible mistake - Ben Chifley had been right.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/neve...d-demagoguery-20101021-16va7.html?autostart=1


Unfortunately nobody told Randall

Asked outside parliament this morning about tightening the regulation of banks, Mr Randall dismissed the idea, thinking the question referred to Greens policy.

“Well, you know, this is typical of, you know, Bob Brown before the election and during the election wanted to talk about a super profits tax on the banks. This is just another one of their, as I said lunatic fringe-type ideas,” the Liberal MP said.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...is-not-justified/story-fn59nsif-1225941714852

 

[Julia]

Coalition goes left wing wants to turn Australia into a communist state this is great news.

This was just breathtakingly stupid on the part of Joe Hockey. He simply invited the government to ridicule him.

If the Coalition doesn't stop shooting itself in the foot, then they absolutely do not deserve to ever win government.
The thought of Joe Hockey as Treasurer makes me weep.

 

[noco]

This was just breathtakingly stupid on the part of Joe Hockey. He simply invited the government to ridicule him.

If the Coalition doesn't stop shooting itself in the foot, then they absolutely do not deserve to ever win government.
The thought of Joe Hockey as Treasurer makes me weep.

Upon watching Parliament Question in the lower house today, Swan was brought to task over the statement he made a couple of months ago that he would come down on the Banks like a tonne of bricks if they increased their rates beyond the RBA rates. He replied, "I did not say that", and he rambled on in his usual waffle about how important this was and that was to get the budget back inot surplus after the GFC.

 

[IFocus]

This was just breathtakingly stupid on the part of Joe Hockey. He simply invited the government to ridicule him.

If the Coalition doesn't stop shooting itself in the foot, then they absolutely do not deserve to ever win government.
The thought of Joe Hockey as Treasurer makes me weep.

Maybe a hint of a leadership tussle by Hockey or maybe some tension inside the Coalition really unusual all the same

 

[nulla nulla]

This was just breathtakingly stupid on the part of Joe Hockey. He simply invited the government to ridicule him.

If the Coalition doesn't stop shooting itself in the foot, then they absolutely do not deserve to ever win government.
The thought of Joe Hockey as Treasurer makes me weep.

Julia, with respect to our differing political perspectives, I find your outspoken criticism of Mr Hockey a breath of fresh air for which I thank you. Personally I have had more time for Mr Hockey since his exposure on Channel 7 "Sunrise" a few years back, but I don't believe he has a head for finance and he is out of his depth in this portfolio. Thank you for your expressed objectivity.

Upon watching Parliament Question in the lower house today, Swan was brought to task over the statement he made a couple of months ago that he would come down on the Banks like a tonne of bricks if they increased their rates beyond the RBA rates. He replied, "I did not say that", and he rambled on in his usual waffle about how important this was and that was to get the budget back inot surplus after the GFC.

If he did say it, wouldn't it be on record with some Jounalist or Interviewer or Hansard?
Without being able to quote where I heard it (or think I heard it) I'm sure he did indicate that "there was no reason for the banks to increase interest rates above the increase set by the RBA".

 

[Mofra]

Julia, with respect to our differing political perspectives, I find your outspoken criticism of Mr Hockey a breath of fresh air for which I thank you. Personally I have had more time for Mr Hockey since his exposure on Channel 7 "Sunrise" a few years back, but I don't believe he has a head for finance and he is out of his depth in this portfolio. Thank you for your expressed objectivity.

Bingo. Trasury is far too important a portfolio to be left to someone whose main qualification is "being likeable".
In Wayne Swan's defence, he's certainly not in the position because he's likeable :

 

[Julia]

Julia, with respect to our differing political perspectives, I find your outspoken criticism of Mr Hockey a breath of fresh air for which I thank you. Personally I have had more time for Mr Hockey since his exposure on Channel 7 "Sunrise" a few years back, but I don't believe he has a head for finance and he is out of his depth in this portfolio. Thank you for your expressed objectivity.

Nulla, you might be surprised to know that in the 18 years I've lived in Australia I've voted Labor more times than I've voted for the Coalition.
I'm genuinely a 'sit in the middle' swinging voter.

Criticism I've made of the current government doesn't translate into support for the Coalition as it is at present.

Likewise, I'd happily vote for Labor if the two top positions were held by Stephen Smith and Lindsay Tanner, on the assumption some of the more wasteful policies that have occurred under Rudd/Gillard/Swan, would have been quite different.

Bingo. Trasury is far too important a portfolio to be left to someone whose main qualification is "being likeable".
In Wayne Swan's defence, he's certainly not in the position because he's likeable :

He's certainly not likeable. Nor imo is he a good Treasurer. I reckon Lindsay Tanner would have done a far better job.

 

[Mofra]

He's certainly not likeable. Nor imo is he a good Treasurer. I reckon Lindsay Tanner would have done a far better job.

Tanner would have been a better choice - unfortunately the way political power plays out, it's not always the best candidate for the job who gets it.

Poor Swannie - even his mum only likes him as a friend.

 

[sails]

Agree that Joe Hockey seems a bit out of depth as shadow treasurer.
However, I would prefer the occasional gaff or blunder than for these issues to continue:


Asylum boat carrying 90 intercepted (Article dated yesterday, 21/10/2010)

Close to 5000 asylum seekers have arrived by boat in Australian waters this year, placing severe strain on detention centres around the country.

That's 5000 already and the year isn't over yet. Obviously word is getting around that, not only is everything is free once you get to Oz, you get paid as well. Who cares if Australia's needy citizens have to go without and who cares if Australia's debt levels go through the roof. Perhaps the aslyum seekers should be sent to Canberra or Tassie before sensible laws are made.. Remembering that these people appear to have enough money to pay boat smugglers and any other fares required to get them to the smugglers, it would seem many are not destitute.

Woodside in the Adelaide Hills is the latest to be having 400 taken into their neighbourhood. No consultation and angry residents. Article here.

But then it appears (as many of us have probably questioned) that not all asylum seekers are for real. They apparently arrive without any papers. Very convienent for those who want to diddle us. How many scammers arrive on each boat load? This from SRI Lanka's security supremo:

Sri Lanka urges hard line on Tamil asylum-seekers

SRI Lanka's security supremo has called on Canberra to get tough with asylum-seekers amid claims most return home within a year.

The call by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa came as terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna said 70 per cent of Tamils granted asylum in Australia and Canada had returned to Sri Lanka for a visit.

And is this what Aussies want from Conroy?:

Minister threatens to use law to force people on NBN if states revolt

Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy says he will wield federal law as a weapon to force people on to the national broadband network (NBN) if the states and territories don't make connections mandatory.

 

[nulla nulla]

Personaly I would prefer Tanner in the top job and Ferguson in Treasury. Tanner showed a good no-nonsense command and Ferguson showed level headed negotiation skills in trying to deal with the Henry report on tax and the mining industry. Another good one should be Combay. Time will tell.

 

[IFocus]

There are a few questions up in the air about SRI Lanka's government

An attack on the The Australian's Rowan Callick

"A one-eyed view of Sri Lanka"

Despite the newspaper featuring stories over the last years about the Sri Lankan government's Israeli-style blitzkrieg on the Tamil population, this is utterly irrelevant to the impression this week's stories have falsely created in the public mind. Letters to The Australian in the last days show readers are outraged that 70 per cent of Tamil refugees granted protection are supposedly returning to Sri Lanka within a year of arriving here. Yet there is no documented evidence that this is true.

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/40326.html