Abbott’s message to migrants too incendiary by half

southernX says:

05:18am | 26/01/10

I am seeing the same old arguments rolled out by the media about why immigration and population growth is ‘good’ and ‘inevitable’ that was saw in Europe since the 60’s.  The emerging disaster we see there in terms of sheer weight of numbers and culture clash does not have to happen here if we act sensibly. 

Three things have been proved by Europe, especially the UK, in relation to immigration.  Firstly, there is a clear environmental cost from increasing human numbers.  Swathes of the UK in particular have been built over, decreasing the quality of life for all.  Secondly, the lower paid - tradies especially - see a direct impact on wages.  Thirdly, social cohesion suffers, resulting in higher stress and crime rates (see Italy for examples). 

The other main lesson is that those at the top of the scale - professionals, media (including the article writer), politicians - DO gain many benefits (larger markets, asset increases), and seldom have to live with the negative impact, as they can pay their way to live in less populated suburbs, etc. 

So - if you are rich, or have a very well paid job, immigration is indeed a good thing.  For the rest of us, it is a crap deal.

Dingo_aus says:

06:54am | 26/01/10

What sweeping statements and pure sophism!

“Coalition of the Willing bombed their old ones” - Remind me when we last bombed Tamil areas in Sri Lanka, China, etc? This is a most inflammatory remark by itself.

The author of the article needs to realise that modern Australian’s have never had a referendum,  nor voted at an election with this issue to give the Politicians a mandate to increase immigration to current levels. It is that sense of being ignored by our Politicians that makes us (rightly) wary of what they are doing and why they are doing it.

We are 22 million people in a world of 6 billion - we should be picking and choosing the very best people to come and live here - we can’t take everyone who wants to come.

Evan Findlay says:

07:11am | 26/01/10

Couldn’t agree more Tracey. After the last couple of years I have abandoned Australia day celebrations as I now find the day has been taken over by right wing extremists and their narrow minded and uneducated views. After last years disgraceful display of racism and violence I now cringe at being called Australian. And you are correct in your analysis that simple minded neanderthals and their conservative views, the same views that are aired by the media by the likes of Tony Abbott and Alan Jones are responsible. I can only hope this year the celebrations will not be marred by the same level of stupidity and bigotry but I feel that recent events and Tony’s speech has already given us a prelude as to what may come.

marley says:

01:05pm | 27/01/10

Dwest - since most of the “plane queue jumpers” are not in fact white, your comment is somewhat off the mark.

Paul says:

07:32am | 26/01/10

Well said Tracey. I’ve never liked talk about immigration-related issues around Australia Day.

acker says:

07:37am | 26/01/10

In another thread on this site people are calling early Brittish migration to Australia as an invasion. Does any other migrant to this nation have a right to consider themselves any better ?

annie says:

07:51am | 26/01/10

hows it go tracy   if you dont love it leave   and outside your cafe latte world of the left its how normal working aussie feel. and we especially feel threatened by boat arrivals. And look how well certain immigration is benefitting Europe.  foreign residents in Germany rose steadily between 1971 and 2000 - from three million to about 7.5million - but the number of employed foreigners did not budge. It stayed rock-steady at around two million.  Muslim immigrants in Denmark constitute 5 percent of the population but consume upwards of 40 percent of the welfare spending. and one in every three Muslim students in the UK said that killing in the name of religion was justified, with one third also in favour of a worldwide Islamic caliphate, or empire, based on Islamic sharia law

Yolanda says:

08:01am | 26/01/10

This reads like the minutes from an ALP meeting. Did you discuss the ETS and Climate Change Tracey as well?  Fair suck of the sauce bottle.

Geoff says:

08:03am | 26/01/10

Fact #2: Most of the refugees are looking for new homes because the Coalition of the Willing bombed their old ones.

Didn’t you learn any geography when you were reading the teleprompter? Unless I’m mistaken, we didn’t have anything to do with the Sri Lankan civil war… and the Taliban were doing a great job making Afghanistan unlivable before 2001.

Link bait and pageview rubbish from an idiot.

butter says:

08:21am | 26/01/10

Stick to newsreading.

Wayne Hutchins says:

08:27am | 26/01/10

Well done Tracey. Obviously you and the crew at the Punch are on a mission to piss as many Australians off as possible. Mission accomplished.
We average Australians must disgust you! We don’t think like you do, we don’t act like you do and we are most definitely not perfect like you and the crowd you hang with. It is such an inspiration to have people like yourself to look up to. 
Lucky you told me that I should never describe anything as Bombay like. Could of made a racist goose out of myself hey! I got myself one of those bucket hats made to look like an Aussie flag that the Sunday Mail gave away in Queensland. I took your advise though and I burnt it. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for inciting any racial violence around my place. I am also sorry that we have bombed the rest of the world! I didn’t know it was that bloody John Howard who was responsible for all these poor refugees. I just didn’t realize. Boy, has he got a lot to answer for. In the last couple of years he has ruined this place hey. Thanks for at least trying to put us all on the straight and narrow. This country will be much better for it.

Larry says:

08:33am | 26/01/10

What a load of beat up crap. And by the way…...... who the hell is Tracey Spicer?

Patrick says:

08:45am | 26/01/10

The race card is the only one the Coalition has left to play, they have been thoroughly rubbished by Labor on every other issue, especially the economy, so with nothing else to say they will take the lowest, most morally reprehensible path in their quest to regain power at all costs.

Kiwi in Australia says:

08:50am | 26/01/10

Ms Spicer, I get the feeling if he copied Rudd word for word you still wouldn’t like Abbott.
He did not call all migrants criminals - he only reiterated that minority groups are expected to adhere to Australian law and respect Australian values as the majority of Aussies respect theirs.
Do you think that Abbott is putting his head in the sand over the Indian student attacks? Let me quote a passage from his speech:
“The last thing that any Australian should want is to make recent immigrants feel unwelcome in their new country. After all, they have voted with their feet for Australia in a way that the rest of us have not. That’s why we should be especially concerned at the possibility that ethnic Indians have become the victims of racially motivated crime. This would be worse than a law enforcement problem. It would be an affront to our self-perception as society where people are judged on their merits rather than on their skin colour.”
Also, to say the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ is responsible for the immigrant crisis is going a bit far. I don’t remember there being an Allied war on Tamils, I can’t recall the US defence forces (or any other ‘group’s apart from fundamentalist religious groups) covering Afghan women head to toe, denying young Arab women education and opportunity, ruling through iron fists, encouraging racial and holy conflicts, denying regions almost all basic rights, and suppressing their own people in the streets. There’s a little bit more at play here than the Marines playing drop the bomb, Ms Spicer.
By the way, the ‘F*** off we’re full’ slogan is directed at every non-Australian - not just ethnics at the beach.
Stop cherry-picking and actually read the transcript of Abbott’s speech, instead of skimming through, chasing the soundbites.

Shelby Wright says:

09:02am | 26/01/10

Tracey - people come here because they want to, not because they have to. What a lot of “already here” Australians object to is the idea that having invited someone into your home, the invitee wants to make it look like their old home. I’m all for immigration, it’s just that your article is so full of single example, out of context emotion that it doesn’t add anything to a debate that should be had. Also I absolutely dispute your “Fact #2”.

Nicole says:

09:02am | 26/01/10

Oh what a load of crap. Jesus what’s this, bash Abbott week? Trash Tracy, absolute trash, as per usual!

Lucie says:

09:08am | 26/01/10

Look out Julia here comes Tracey….....

Wallaby says:

09:12am | 26/01/10

So you are saying that we shouldn’t expect migrants to obey the same laws that the rest of us have to obey? Gee! I wish I had known that when I came here 50 years ago.

And as far as the attacks on Indians students, you will see Vic police have arrested 8 Asians for the latest incident. Um, game, set and match to Mr. Abbott as far as I’m concerned.

watty says:

09:16am | 26/01/10

How dare the major stores sell T-shirts with the Australian flag taking prominence?

When Spicer opens her door to provide immigrants ,legal or otherwise, with accommodation I may take heed of her self righteous bleating.

Go have a beer with your bleeding heart Comrades Martin,Negus,Fitzsimons et,al Tracey and leave the rest of us alone.

Frank Scicluna says:

09:22am | 26/01/10

“You’ll never have a peaceful world until you knock patriotism out of the human race” - George Bernard Shaw

How very true those words are!

What makes one patch of the world superior to another simply because you were born in it? When are we going to learn and accept the fact that nobody “owns” a piece of land for themselves to the exclusion of everyone else?

The sooner we get into our heads that every village, town, city and country belongs to the whole of humanity rather than to an individual nation, the sooner the world can live in some sort of peaceful harmony.

Steve of Cornubia says:

09:27am | 26/01/10

Your intentions here are way too obvious, Tracey. You take something Abbott said LAST WEEK, well before Australia Day, run a piece about it ON AUSTRALIA DAY, then accuse Abbot of ‘igniting an Australia Day tinderbox’?

This is trickery that would shame even the most amateur magician.

Besides the usual spin and hiding facts behind your own agenda, you use the not-so-clever journalist’s trick of conjoining anecdotes of racism with a piece about Abbott and the Liberals, even if the two are not actually connected.

There is only one person trying to fan the flames of racism here Tracey - you.

Ronnie says:

09:33am | 26/01/10

‘‘The inescapable minimum that we insist upon is obedience to the law,’’ he said.
Oh I see, Tony. You think migrants are criminals.
The problem is people like you who can’t help to add stupid hate inspired comments like this. Tony you think migrants are criminals? He didn’t say that Tracey, YOU did.

Windy says:

09:33am | 26/01/10

Nice work Tracey….putting your own shallow interpretation on his words then attacking that interpretation rather than analysing what he has actually said.
Cheap and dishonest writing.

Louis McLennan says:

09:40am | 26/01/10

If you are not god fearing, it would make sense that you would want to have a high standard of living. Because this life is all you have. If we want to turning this country into some multicultural ruin then it’s a waste of many peoples time who have gone to war and defended this country from invasion and oppression.

Our migrant intake my only be a “drop in the ocean”. The fun facts are we are a young country, we are a big country, we don’t get enough rain to sustain large population in alot of the country. Europe has screwed themselves, it does not mean we have to go down the same path. It is unreasonable to expect me to live a life of less quality because some dreamers like the writer here want to open the gates to randoms from overseas who insist on keeping their own culture and are quite happy to neglect the fact they live in Australia.

I’ll just respond to your “facts”.

1. Europe and the USA get much more rain than our selves so their country can support larger population. Opening the flood gates in the UK has clearly worked because a parties like the BNP have not formed and have not won seats and things are dandy.

2. Well that’s no good. So not only do we pay for the bomb but we pay for a new house and facilities to support them?

3. And then to support that wave of randoms what do we do?

4. So we do away with our culture and lifestyle to support those who refuse to give up their own?

I’ll support some immigration, i just feel we need to promote our own culture and really think about how many people this country can support(in these major cities) and more importantly which government is prepared (to save money in the budget) to spend the dosh to build the additional infrastructure to make it happen.

More people will only fix the problems like grodlocks and full trains and buses right?

My mind and vision so so so so small. I don’t see a bright future for Australia when i read these articles. I apologize if I’m wrong, please do prove me so in 20 or so years!

nic says:

09:52am | 26/01/10

“Speaking last week at an Australia Day Council dinner, the federal opposition leader used language reminiscent of the darkest days of the Howard regime.

‘‘The inescapable minimum that we insist upon is obedience to the law,’’ he said.”

Are you serious?

Shawn says:

09:54am | 26/01/10

You are a drip Tracy.

Bill says:

11:28am | 26/01/10

‘‘‘The inescapable minimum that we insist upon is obedience to the law,’’ he said.

Oh I see, Tony. You think migrants are criminals.’

Not a Tony Abbott supporter at all, but I don’t think that quote even comes close to resembling its subsequent interpretation.  As for the rest of the article, is this what journalism is about these days - hysterical sensationalism and unashamed verballing and bashing, to suit one’s own agenda?  Come on, you can do better than that Tracey.

D'oh says:

10:23am | 26/01/10

[face palm]

Tracey Spicer EPIC FAIL

Since when did you put your hand up to be an Abbott smearer?  You chave certainly stooped very low indeed.  The preceding comments have covered your failing adequately and all I can add is that you should be ashamed of yourself.

John says:

10:29am | 26/01/10

Do they actually pay you big dollars to write this rubbish, get out into the real world.

Azza says:

10:34am | 26/01/10

I immigrated here a long time ago and when we came we sold all our possessions to survive. I grew up with my two brothers married an Aussie girl, had five kids and now seven grand kids. We have all bought numerous houses, cars and spent hundred of thousands of dollars here.
We are all true blue mate and I would love to talk longer but I have to go light the Barbie. I will have one for you and if you are in the neighbourhood, call in mate and I’ll shout you one.

Justin Davies says:

10:50am | 26/01/10

This is just priceless, the commentary above in the most part is fantastic. I was reading this puff piece of rubbish wondering how the editors of The Punch even allowed it to be published. THis used to be an intelligent forum, I didnt always agree with the authors comments, but at least they were thought provoking or poignant…  Stuck in highschool, still trying to write what you think the teacher wants to hear.

Charles Kelly says:

10:58am | 26/01/10

An ill-informed narcissistic journalist jumping to ignorant conclusions - so what’s new?

Michael says:

11:08am | 26/01/10

“‘‘The inescapable minimum that we insist upon is obedience to the law,’’ he said.
Oh I see, Tony. You think migrants are criminals.”

The sheer amount of spinning necessary to come to this conclusion is astonishing. We insist upon obedience to the law by born-in Aussies as well. Does that mean you think every Aussie is a criminal? Priceless. What a stupid article.

Warren Ikin says:

11:21am | 26/01/10

Before you can expect us to tolerate immigration you must first solve the underlying problem of immigrants not respecting us and our ways. We always hear the wonderful stories of how immigrants have blended into our society so well but what about the huge amount that simply despise us, the way we live and our values. Try being a victim of racial discrimination in your own home and then you will understand why immigration is such a taboo subject. As I write this reply my job is in jeopardy thanks to Japanese tour operators manipulating the Japanese tourism industry through corrupt back room deals which occur in a Japanese bar that Australians are refused access. You want us to show compassion and understanding? Lets get a bit back in return first. Respect and a fair go is all I am asking for!

Joe says:

11:31am | 26/01/10

This article is absolutely comical, the elites propaganda machine is getting sloppy. I wonder if the author actually believes this shit.

David V. says:

12:01pm | 26/01/10

We are heading the same path as the UK with endless Anglo-bashing from the left elites, which will trigger an inevitable backlash. The UKIP and BNP resonate with many of the “Angry White Male” vote who are fed up of constant British-bashing. The lack of gratitude towards the British is amazing- their capacity for industry and work ethic are unmatched in the developed world. Nobody works harder than Brits (or Anglo-Australians) do.

Davo says:

12:07pm | 26/01/10

Spot on Tracey.

You know when you get the bigots and racists this upset (the Punch’s own usual suspects) you’ve told some home truths.

I hope you, Penbo et al. get the same kick out of writing these articles, and reading the subsequent comments, as I get out of reading them.

Oh, and Eric, if you want to read articles which are actually hysterical you should visit the Australian men’s rights web site. Now those guys are whinging fruitcakes of the highest order. Poor things.

John L says:

12:13pm | 26/01/10

Surely Tracey wrote this a satirical article…..surely?

Jenny says:

12:29pm | 26/01/10

At least Tony Abbott has the guts to stand up and say what he believes in. I’m sure he knows he risks being rediculed by some and may even cost him votes, but what he has said is not racist in anyway at all. I’m glad he isn’t afraid to stand up for all everyday aussies, black white or brindle he makes no distinction. Kevin Rudd has no back bone and would not in a fit have the guts to say anything that could possibly harm his popularity. Good on you Tony. Tracey you should go back to reading the news, not trying to write it. Pitifull article. F for FAIL. Abbott mentions immigration, wow he’s inflaming racism. GET A LIFE!

TC says:

12:30pm | 26/01/10

Tracy, Tracy, Tracy. What utter, utter garbage.

Firstly, you might want to get your “facts” straight or at least go look up the meaning of the word “fact”. Not one of what you say is an actual fact.

Secondly, why dont you write and comment on what Abbott actually said instead of making up stuff that he never actually said? Abbott did not say “all immigrants are criminals”, you said that.

Thirdly, what do “budgie smugglers” have to do with anything here. Are you that shallow Tracy? The man is a surf life saver. Do you know what that is? He is a volunteer who donates his time preventing idiots like you from drowning at our beaches. You cannot swim in surf with shorts on. Maybe you should write a piece on appreciation of our volunteers instead of being a judgemental, smug bitch.

I hate your hair BTW, it makes you look like a lesbian. Its OK to say that here isn’t it? I mean since we’re going to run people down on how they attire themselves.

Has it occurred to you that your comments about “budgie smugglers” is probably sexist. Can I call you a “pumpkin smuggler” in your swimmers?

Fourthly; how is it racist to make reference to Bombay? Are you serious? Can we say its as cold as Canada or is that racist too?

Fifthly; how do historical satements by Alan Jones about Lebanese a year ago have anything to do whatsoever with Abbott? Where is the link Tracy? Where?

This is a bunch of hysterical rubbish, none of which is based upon anything that is even remotely close to resembling fact or what was actually said. Probably the worst article I have ever read on this site. Try writing with both your eyes open

iansand says:

12:35pm | 26/01/10

Is there any evidence that immigrants are less likely to obey the law than people born here?  If, as I suspect, the answer is no what was Mr Abbott trying to achieve by implying the contrary?  Why did he feel the need to say what he said?

It’s that old dog whistle again.

Aitch B says:

01:00pm | 26/01/10

Tracey: Hope you’re not being marked on this….. you’re still at journalist school, right? If you’re not then I suggest you go back there or at least revist the ‘subjective’ lectures.

D minus….. it’s an anti-Abbott rant and nothing else. It’s your right to be critical of his attitude if you wish but to selectively take parts of his speech and use them to suit your own political agenda is….. well, bordering on criminal.

Davido says:

01:07pm | 26/01/10

With others, I also dispute your so-called facts. You really do damage your credibility with stuff like this:

Fact #1: Australia’s migrant and humanitarian intake – totalling approximately 170,000 – is a drop in the ocean, compared with that of the US or Europe.  WRONG.. by comparison we have a higher per capita immigration rate than either the US or western Europe. Australia is ranked 18th on net migration. Here are the actual stats for your perusal…

# 18     Australia:  6.34 migrant(s)/1,000

# 31     United States:  2.92 migrant(s)/1,000

# 35     New Zealand:  2.62 migrant(s)/1,000
# 36     Netherlands:  2.55 migrant(s)/1,000

# 38     Denmark:    2.49 migrant(s)/1,000

# 44     Switzerland:  2.21 migrant(s)/1,000
# 45     Germany: 2.19 migrant(s)/1,000  
# 46     United Kingdom: 2.17 migrant(s)/1,000
# 47     Italy: 2.06 migrant(s)/1,000

# 54     France:    1.48 migrant(s)/1,000

Fact #2: Most of the refugees are looking for new homes because the Coalition of the Willing bombed their old ones.  WRONG -  Most refugee claimants are rejected on the basis they are not refugees. One recent survey found the majority of refugee claimants rejected to be economic migrants. SOME refugees are the victims of civil wars. But very few are the result of the war in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The fact is… Australia is one of the most culturally diverse nations on the planet. The very fact that we all get along, for the majority of the time, in perfect harmony suggests we are doing very well. Open discussion, like this, is invaluable in addressing issues when they do arise. There is absolutely no need to address sections of the public in perjorative terms.

According to the 2006 census more than one fifth of the population were born overseas. Furthermore, almost 50% of the population were either:
1. born overseas; or
2. had one or both parents born overseas.

Stats from:
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/imm_net_mig_rat-immigration-net-migration-rate#definition

and

http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/research/_pdf/poa-2008.pdf

Terry of Brisbane says:

01:22pm | 26/01/10

So Tracey, if Tony Abbott is a racist and fanning the racist flames, can you please tell me how you would describe the “young men of Asian appearance” who have just been charged with the assault of two Indian students?
Your ill informed and senseless interpretation of a speech made over a week ago leads me to believe that you actually have no idea of what goes on in the world unless it is on your teleprompter.
Of course there could be another reason. Ray Martin got one up on you by suggesting we should change the flag. Must have put your nose out of joint with another media tart getting more publicity than you.

Kanga says:

01:42pm | 26/01/10

Its nice to see Tracy Spicer writing something other than a bitter feminist rant.Its just a pity this article is total crap & judging by many of the comments above i am not alone in my thinking…...

Max Gross says:

02:09pm | 26/01/10

All Aussies are immigrants or the descendents of immigrants. Un less you happen to a Koori. So to all you flag wavers out there: Happy Australia Day!

Brian says:

03:35pm | 26/01/10

Is this supposed to be funny?

Why don’t you say you don’t like Tony Abbott, did not like John Howard, don’t like Catholics, ashamed of being white, attractive and successful?? What else??

The “Coalition of the Willing” part was gold .......Sri Lanka ? China ? Tibet ? Pick a country in Africa ? Quick call back those bombers…....whoops never went there.

As someone else said, stick to newreading, leave geopolitical analysis to the adults.

Brad Coward says:

03:45pm | 26/01/10

Tracey, get your mind off the budgie smugglers for a few minutes and people might take you and a few of your ilk seriously.  Big bloody deal…Abbott wore a pair of speedo’s to play lifesaver.  He may not have looked like a Greek God, but really…who cares !  Have you bothered to think that perhaps not everyone gets hot and bothered at the thought of Tracey Spicer dressed in a negligee ?

Your article once again proves the need for “journalists” to be breath tested before being allowed to get near a keyboard.  I too expect all migrants to obey the law, and no…I don’t believe that all migrants are criminals.  I also expect all native born Australians to obey the law, wishing that we had a few less native born criminals.

Seriously, it appears as if there is much about this country and its population that you despise.  Have you considered emmigrating to a more politcally suitable land ?  I’m sure that there’s someplace worthy of you and your ilk.  In fact, don’t consider.  Just go !  I just want you to be happy !

Brad Coward says:

03:52pm | 26/01/10

Again, Evan Findlay speaks to show that bigotry is not the domain of the conservative elements of society.  You cringe at being called “Australian”, Evan ?  Why not give us the opportunity to call you long distance, preferably with the assistance of an overseas operator !

There’s a country more to your liking awaiting your arrival.  Cool drink, pipe and slippers are already laid out in inticipation !

Bye !  I’m missing you already !

Greg says:

03:55pm | 26/01/10

Tracy, perhaps you would do well to step out to some of Sydney’s more western suburbs were believe it or not, there are crime gangs based around ethnicity and to say otherwise is just plain ignorant. Because of people like you the police have to pause before telling us what an offender’s appearance is because if they use certain terms people like you drag out your race cards, yes thats right, your race cards. Your piece is both ignorant and simple and not in touch with the majority of Australians.

My partner immigrated to Australia and she can’t understand why her sister has to wait 3 years for her paperwork to be processed and yet if you come illegally by boat you get a Rudd deal even if there are serious security concerns.

Oh, and by the way I agree with Tony. If Australia is good enough to allow people to become citizens of this fine country the very least they can do is respect our laws and not become outlaw bikies or crime figure nightclub owners. Pull your head out of the sand!

And one more thing, I don’t give a rats what happens in Europe. If you like the way they treat their 170 000 illegals so much why don’t you go there to live and roll out the welcome mat for them.

David V. says:

04:31pm | 26/01/10

Maybe we should show you our tax returns to prove how hard Australians work. Nobody is better or harder working than Australian males, nobody.

Slim says:

04:35pm | 26/01/10

The Libs are also committed to to the current levels of immigration - it greases the wheels of their commerce.

Michael Ferguson says:

05:08pm | 26/01/10

Fascinating . ... abbott blows his dogwhistle and all the mutts bark on cue for him.

welcome to 1984 says:

06:29pm | 26/01/10

What’s going on now - the media cannot wait to label us all as racist? Is this meant to force us all to quietly acquiesce to open borders and ridiculously unsustainable population numbers? Is this the way Labor will media spin it so we all to cave in?

This is downright the most vacuous nonsensical piece of throwaway journalism I have had the misfortune to read in many years. What worries me more though is that there might be other Australians that think like this. Scary.

Mikko says:

07:59pm | 26/01/10

Hey Tracey you were good as a news reader, maybe you should stick to that . As a news commentator you’re wide of the mark if you think saying you expect people to obey the law is a rascist comment. Getting your knickers in a knot may have restricted the flow of blood to your own brain because I would expect any prime minister or contender for the top job would expect ALL Australians to abide by Australian laws, nothing more, nothing less.

Louise says:

08:48pm | 26/01/10

What a dishonest piece of absolute rubbish and she has the gull to call herself a journalist.

What is even more frightening is, in the attached biography she calls herself a “media trainer”. Is this where Rudd et al learned the art of taking down everything you say, twisting it with false non-PC overtones and using it against you with the help of either really naive or lazy or dishonest journalist?

Bill says:

05:42am | 27/01/10

Louise,

Just because you call yourself a ‘media trainer’ doesn’t mean you are any good at it, this article being a case in point.

Singularly, by far and away, the worst article I have ever seen here on the Punch.

David says:

08:32am | 27/01/10

Tracey, you used the quote; ‘‘The inescapable minimum that we insist upon is obedience to the law,’’ as made by Abbot. To which you then interpret as meaning; “Oh I see, Tony. You think migrants are criminals.”

No Tracey, whatever your political orientation, that quote does not mean that Tony Abbot thinks that migrants are criminals. This false intepretation then makes the rest of your ‘article’, I prefer the word rant, void.

Michael says:

09:22am | 27/01/10

Personally? I don’t see what is wrong with expecting all people who live in this country to obey the law. Equally I don’t see what is wrong with being careful with people entering the country with no documentation. Benefit of the doubt is one thing - creating a risky situation is entirely different.

I have no problem who want to come from overseas to live here - I do have a problem with those who come and don’t contribute to society. I’d like to see Tony Abbott make immigration a central issue at this election and discuss these points.

Paul says:

10:35am | 27/01/10

I seem to have wandered into a meeting of Self-Loathers Conspicuous…

“Hi, my name’s Tracey and I’m a self-loathing Australian.”

“Hi Tracey”.

James says:

10:48am | 27/01/10

Yes there is a racist agenda in calls to limit immigration, on the other hand there is a strong environmental/social justification for it.  One way to neutralise race in this debate is to highlight that any immigration policy will be non-descriminatory and that immigration and accepting refugees are two different things.

Now that is out of the way we can start to debate the facts. 

#1 Many Scientists suspect that Australia can only support 10-21 million people, with our current average lifestyle and current climate.

#2 The average lifestyle shows no signs of becoming more sustainable, with larger houses, increases in meat in diets, kms traveled by car showing no signs of lessening.

3#  Global warming will mean damage to the current Australian landscape and biosphere.

4#  Critical social institutions in particular public hospitals and public transport are critically underfunded in Australia’s two biggest cities, with no easy or cheap way to fix them.

5#  Australian house prices are massively inflated with the cost of housing over 8 times the average yearly wage.

6#  Importing young people to support older Australian’s will not solve the problem of an aging population in and of itself.  Young upwardly mobile migrants do not have an interest in looking after the elderly.  Only a concerted effort to strengthen the value society places on elderly citizens is likely to have any real benefits.

Australian state and federal govenments have demonstrated that they are unable properly deliver public services with the populations they have, even during a mining boom.  I have little faith that they will deal well with a 50% increase in population by 2050.

Marilyn Shepherd says:

02:39pm | 27/01/10

Well gee, the parliament made the law I posted.  Why shouldn’t the pollies be forced to obey the law of the land.

Darryl Price says:

11:02am | 27/01/10

If you need a reminder of your role in the media, check your look in the mirror. Then stick to reading other peoples words off the autocue…

TC says:

02:39pm | 27/01/10

Dead right on point 6. Immigrants can vote and once voting I think you can expect that people will resent being enslaved to underfunded baby boomers.

near as i can tell, the logic that necessitates a population of 36M in 2050 necessitates a population of 100M in 2070.

James says:

03:22pm | 27/01/10

Make no mistake about it, the real debate is not being had by broad brush stroke pollies or commentators, much easier to focus on the headline grabbing issue of race than a serious discussion involving research into the effects of population on the environment and society.

The absent voice is the scientific community of this country, let them model what outcomes we can expect with certain levels of population growth and let us base the discussion around that.

Only a fool would reduce the issue of population to the logic that a “big” Australia is a good Australia.

Bill says:

03:23pm | 27/01/10

If you watch the industry you will see this for yourself.  The media and indeed the film industry (see Hollywood and the US Presidential race) think they own social policy and they determine what should be done and by whom.  Woah betide anyone who doesn’t subscribe to their point of view.

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03:50pm | 27/01/10

“The inescapable minimum that we insist upon is obedience to the law,’’ he said.

Oh I see, Tony. You think migrants are criminals. “

Really Tracey? You really want to put your name to this??? You know full well that Tony Abbott was not inferring that all migrants are criminals. You knew that before you posted the article. And if you actually do believe that he meant that, you should have your mental capacity assessed.

Such a trivial piece of trash, in which you have taken a quote completely out of context and have yourself done more harm to the racial debate than Tony Abbott ever could.

You lit the fuse and hoped that something would happen to prove your inane writing correct. Do yourself a favour and keep your ill informed, poorly executed and completely incorrrect opinions to yourself. And I do say opinions because you did not use a single fact.

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You know Tracy, I used to rather admire you the way you faced down the T.V. Moguls when they went on about mutton dressed as lamb? But I’m afraid that you can’t join the radical, extremist, stupidities of Generation Y by making such abysmally foolish and vacuous statements. If what you wrote is your genuine belief, then I must point out that several of your #facts are simply wrong, wrong and again, wrong. How many Sri Lankan homes were bombed by the coalition of the willing? But I’m sure some of the Gen Y’ers would find your comment re Tony’s budgies just so-o-o-o-o-o droll - NOT !

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