Gillard is now Prime Minister in name only

Aussie Born and Bred says:

10:14am | 08/03/11

@ Tubesteak - That would be great if Labor were leading the country.  However, Bob Brown has snatched the reigns from Gillard and is forcing the Greens’ agenda on the country.

I look forward to seeing the Labor powerbrokers tap Julia on the shoulder as they slide the knife into her back.

Blind Freddie says:

10:24am | 08/03/11

If only the election slogans were the worst of it!
I would prefer to endure them for another couple of months now, than to have another minute or the pretender (Joo-Liar) telling me that she didn’t lie to me, but it is merely that I misunderstood her.
The ALP has done enough damage to the economy to take us through several lifetimes, and why the ‘independents’ continue to support her beggars belief. 
Talk about having a Government that is open to the highest bidder!—it wouldn’t be quite as bad if they were using their own money, but they are not - they are using our money, and also pledging that of our kids for generations to come.

Super D says:

10:27am | 08/03/11

The ads for the next election have already been written.  Every single one will feature Ms Gillard stating “There will be no carbon tax under a government I lead”

That is if she’s still the leader by the time the next election is called.

Jordan says:

10:29am | 08/03/11

Polls? So what? The media and commentators are misreading this situation. Labor lost votes during at the last election because they turned away from dealing with climate change - amongst other things. The Green consequently pick up labor’s lost votes in respect of climate change. There is NO DOUBT that there is broad community support for action on climate change - Rudd gained that mandate earlier. Abbott says he’ll get rid of the carbon price at the next election. Once a price on carbon is in place, the public going to be VERY reluctant to vote for Abbot if he says he will remove it. Its actually Abbott that has painted himself into a corner and the one most likely to back-flip. The issue may even cause a leadership change in the Liberal Party before the next election. Lets face it - Abbott’s not popular because he is a CREEP. So the problem long-term is not with Labor - it’s with the Liberals position on the matter. If Gillard maintains her line and gets the carbon price through - she’ll bolt in - all other things remaining equal. PS - before u make assumptions -  I’ve never voted for Labor.

Matt says:

10:38am | 08/03/11

@Jordan
I’m sure most people would assume you voted for the Greens.  I also think there is some doubt as to the “broad support” for a carbon tax, as seen in the latest polls. That’s kind of the point of the article.

chloe says:

10:47am | 08/03/11

Jordon the public lost faith in Rudd because he dumped the greatest moral challenge of our time, it was about his LIE don’t you understand that?
Now it’s about Gillard’s Great Big Lie, then the denial of the lie then the confession over 24 hours later that it was a LIE, only it didn’t matter because she had talked about it before the LIE.
We all know she told Rudd to dump the ETS in order to have him stabbed in the back.
She is a ruthless, backstabbing LIAR who will sell her soul to the devil if need be (she did) to get what she wants.

Cancera Vota says:

10:47am | 08/03/11

I read some comments her and I wonder how people survive in this country when they believe nonsense without ever questioning it.

The Newspoll admits it didn’t cover the whole country (it left out flood ravaged areas). Thus it is NOT representational.

People believe in Climate Change until some politician yells as loudly as possible “it’ll cost you”. Well stuff and nonsense. Abbott’s scheme will cost you more—or you’ll end up with NO services to pay for it. And still they want low income earners to pay my Health Insurance. How anyone with any sense believes his rubbish is beyond me.

The current govt relies on compromise. That is a very good thing. Abbott wants to be a dictator running a ‘guided democracy’. Take the time to look it up. You’ll be enlightened about the motives of the Coalition.

Brian Taylor says:

11:48am | 08/03/11

you haven’t got a button to turn off ads on your remote? maybe turn TV off might be a clue for you, and queen bee julia won’t last 2.5 years, take that to the bank

Jordan says:

11:59am | 08/03/11

@ Matt - didn’t vote for the Greens either. But I know a few people - including my flatmate who switched votes from Labor to Greens over Gillard dropping climate change from the agenda. Gillard’s mistake was saying what she said before the election. Getting back on track with climate change now is not a mistake. Having worked in the ‘Sustainability Industry’ last year - people need to realise that electricity prices will increase irrespective of whether there is a carbon price or not. So the choice is this - increasing electricity prices with a switch to low carbon AND low income households subsidised OR increasing electricity prices with no switch to low carbon AND no subsidised support to low income households. This is the reality and this message is being lost in all the irrelevant talk about climate change. Households are consuming more electricity. People are buying big LCD TV’s not realising that they use more electricity in a month when they’re turned OFF (in standby), than when they are turned ON. Unless under-investment in the electricity sector is sorted out quick smart, Sydney going top have ‘brown outs’ in 2 years time. Who going to care about the price of electricity when the power goes out at dinner time because everyone’s got their aircon’s going flat out? Everyone needs to ‘grow-up’,  step back and get a handle on the situation in respect of the impending electricity supply crisis facing Australia - in particular NSW and Sydney!!

you must be kidding says:

12:06pm | 08/03/11

whatever Jordan is smoking it should be shared around so that we all live in the same delusional universe Jordn occupies. Clearly w=one of the watermelons who support PM Bob (never elected but I am running the show) Brown and his flakey lacky Gillard.  hate to tell you this but climate changes all the time,. Personally I suspect Jordan is probably a brain dead uni studnet with a serious latte obsession and has never actually worked for a quid in thier lives.

Jordan says:

12:24pm | 08/03/11

@  you must be kidding says - you see - its these types of ignorant comments are unhelpful. For your information I’m 43 and own my own business. I attended a conference last year and spoke with the people at Schinder lifts. They’re worried that when the ‘brown outs’ commence, the transformers that they’ve installed all over Sydney are going to burn out because they were designed to operate in ‘brown out’ conditions. This is the simple fact - and I’ve reviewed the numbers and I’ve discussed this issue with an employee in the NSW Treasury - on current projections - NSW does not have the capacity to met the steadily increasing household electricity consumption. Why did State Labor sell off energy assets? Because when the shit hits the fan - they want to carry the can. ‘Not our responsibility - we don’t supply electricity”.

Everyman says:

12:35pm | 08/03/11

Get rid of Gillard.

Neil Campbell says:

12:46pm | 08/03/11

Jordan - you say that there is NO DOUBT that the consensus is in; the majority has spoken!!! Jordan backed by your ‘moral righteous indignation’ it should be a shoo in; but OOOPS, the majority of Australian’s dont want a carbon tax that will do bugger all to help the environment - it is only the powers that be (politicians, academics and the tertiary educated) who want this delusion & deceit called CT/ETS.

PatC says:

01:25pm | 08/03/11

@ Jordan… (and anyone else who cares to answer)

Okay simple question, please tell us what X (below) equals…

A carbon tax will lower the plants temperature by X degrees.
(Celsius, Fahrenheit or Kelvin will be fine, I can do the conversion)

After all that is what this is all about isn’t it? A need - nay moral imperative - to lower carbon outputs to reduce the planets temperature.

Scott H says:

03:40pm | 08/03/11

This is just a re-run of the FUD campaign run against the ETS. Big Business, the MSM and the opposition are running a fear campaign full steam ahead, each for their own selfish reasons.  The Big Miners were very successful in removing (with the help of the Murdoch Media and an unthinking public) both our elected PM and the leader of the opposition. They’ll be feeling very smug and all powerful now; ready to remove anyone who they percieve stands between them and their mountainous profits.

Jill says:

05:22pm | 08/03/11

Why is reducing CO2 by 5% of our 1% total - or 0.05% the number one issue for this government. There are real issues around and people have woken up to the climate tax con. This issue should be dropped like a hot potato and get on with real issues out there. It’s disgraceful that our fart in the atmosphere on a global perspective is the main focus of this rabble of a government.

Peter says:

06:05pm | 08/03/11

@Jordan says:11:59am | 08/03/11
Having worked in the ‘Sustainability Industry’ last year - people need to realise that electricity prices will increase irrespective of whether there is a carbon price or not.
NOT TRUE,  Brown and Gillard can dance sing and whistle, but nothing takes away the truth each has a copy of the New Technology Obahma, Gillard and Brown so welcome.  Half price electricity, no Carbon, no Coal burning base load electricity 24/7, to which Gillard and the Greens have fought against all the way.  One would would be amazed at the lengths they have gone to to stop Australian developed technology getting a toe hold in Australia.

Matthew says:

06:08pm | 08/03/11

The point is that people WANT an election. This Labor government have lied and bribed their way into power and finally the suckers that fell for it before are starting to wake up.

julie says:

06:13pm | 08/03/11

Party members elect ‘leaders’. The electorate elect a representative.
There’s a big difference. I don’t need someone to ‘lead’ me, I need a representative.

acotrel says:

06:51pm | 08/03/11

‘And Ms Gillard remains preferred Prime Minister over Mr Abbott, 45 per cent to 36 per cent after a serious decline over the past two weeks.’

Tony Abbott is the true face of the LIberal Party.  However is he the true face of Australia? Every voter knows that if he became PM, the rest of the world would judge us with him as a reference point!

The liberal party says, says:

07:52pm | 08/03/11

“Gee, I hope all these climate skeptics dont revolt over our climate change policy when we bring it in after we win an election, after all, its hard enough just trying to find an economist that’s willing to back our plan at the moment”.....

ZSRenn says:

10:02pm | 08/03/11

Australia has just donated to Washington! Yes Washington folks! Washington!

That’s $3.5 million dollars courtesy of the Queen of Tax for a Vietnam Veterans Education Centre in Washington DC United States of America.

I am old enough to have a couple of older mates who went through the drill. I am sure after all the legal fees and drama these guys went to proving to governments from both sides that they had been affected by Agent Orange that maybe they could use an additional $3.5 million to assist in their later life problems in later life due to their exposure. 

But No it goes to fucking Washington DC United States of America! Is there no end to this madness!

Lance says:

02:13am | 09/03/11

Broad support for a massive tax on carbon (the base of life). You have to be kidding .. the only people supporting it are brainwashed idiots, and the ‘scientists’ paid to produce studies that ‘prove’ it.

yourjoking says:

06:27am | 09/03/11

has everyone forgotten obama was due to come here twice! then changed his mind after all our security and military arrangements were already in place -  she had to go to him, like the lackey the ALP are to the united states. then gave them 3.3 million dollars of our money for some memorial without the consultation of our own RSL.  She and this government are an embarrassment to history full stop

Colleen says:

08:26am | 09/03/11

Gillard is a great embarressment to this country. I am also embarressed that she represent females.

The Observor says:

08:41am | 09/03/11

Labour and their bed partners the greens are only doing what they know best: taxing people more! Why, why can’t we get past this naive, foolish concept that the only way to tackle carbon emmissions is to raise prices? Surely we must look at developing lower cost carbon friendly solutions so that the market willingly adopts them vs being forced to via taxes.

James says:

09:35am | 09/03/11

I for one thinks it’s refreshing to have a PM with the balls to take this country in the direction it needs to go, even if the required policy is unpopular.  Sadly we have a country with a high proportion of ignorant, uneducated people whose perceptions are easily manipulated by scare mongers like Abbott.  To make matter worse, we have clowns like Farr publishing ridiculous commentary like this.  I’m sure Gillard will continue to push this policy and will ultimately be punished by the so called faceless men, or the public, and we’ll end up with a populist mouth piece like Abbott as PM. We’ll then have a PM who has no back bone and will only ever run with policy that has the popular support of the country ... and we all know that would serve only to keep him in a job at the expense of the country’s long term growth prospects. Would be nice to see a journo support this carbon policy instead of getting on the bandwagon just to sell a few more papers.

ellen says:

09:46am | 09/03/11

So you would rather put up with another 2.5 years of Bob Brown running our country into the ground then have an election, just so you don’t have to put up with a few adds, PLEASE

I don't suffer fools says:

11:48am | 09/03/11

Dear James,
Your comments were very interesting.  You say a “High proportion of people in Australia are ignorant and uneducated.”  That would be the people arriving in boats illegally, and they will follow anyone who will give them a medicare card, a centrelink card, subsidised accommodation or complimentary accommodation and free meals, free dental, free English lessons. They may be uneducated but they are not ignorant as they know every lurk and perk in the book before they jump in their highly paid for dangerous boat trips.  Maybe Gillard does have a scrotum and her so called mandate doesn’t.  This could be a transgender relationship.  Gillard is only pleading for the carbon tax to fill her Government coffers after Labor managed to give all our lovely surplus away and recklessly spending. It won’t stop carbon at all. Gillard trying to bribe the president of the United States of America with a 3.3 millon dollars (which don’t have to spare) for a war memorial in Washington.  Who gave her permission to give this away? Australia is in a state of emergency and we can ill afford this, nor her wasteful trip in an RAAF aircraft.
Gillard is an ignorant uneducated person who thinks she is the Prime Minister.  This is who those ignorant uneducated people you refer to are following.  She is a joke and an embarrasement and is deluded and will try and bribe anyone who’ll take our money.  Gillard you are a liar, cheat, thief and backstabber.

LC says:

11:06am | 14/03/11

@ Jordan,

Even if he says he will remove it upon getting into power, he won’t be able to until the election after next because the Greens will still hold the balance of power in the senate until the election after next, and will surely block any attempt the Liberals make to remove it.

John says:

09:36am | 08/03/11

Moral condescension is the very name of their game unfortunately.  They’ll never get it… the Left never do… and the further left you go, the worse it gets… they just want to tell people how to live their lives, and anyone who disagrees is an idiot.

The only way to control them is to send them back to their natural habitat – opposition.

Julia will be gone in a matter of months, the rest of the Labor and Green clowns at the next election.

Tax, Fees & Charges Weary says:

09:43am | 08/03/11

I am so with you Elphaba. Labor (and others) seem to think that if we don’t support the tax or future ETS it’s because we don’t care about the environment or that we’re simpletons, uneducated, ‘flat earthers’ or, according to Wayne Swan, just a bit confused and being lead by the nose by the likes of Tony Abbot. Well Labor, the more I learn (for myself) the less I like. And, Greg Combet, could you please be sure to include both sides of the coin next time you tell us about all those ‘others’ that have a tax or ETS?

Elphaba says:

09:45am | 08/03/11

@John, do you think a deposing of Julia would only ruin Labor’s standing further?

People might get spooked by the uncertainty and punish Labor further.

Don’t get me wrong, it would be spectacular if it happened, but I wonder whether the factions see this as a storm they can weather.

Theories, theories…

BobM says:

10:02am | 08/03/11

The reason they punted Rudd when he was pushing for this unpopular TAX was because they were only a few months out from an election that they knew they would lose. Unfortunately, we still have a couple of more years until the next scheduled election, so there is less pressure on the back room boys to punt Julia. She just has to keep bending over for the Greens and appeasing the ‘independents’ till then…..

John says:

10:18am | 08/03/11

Deposing Julia would be very difficult… any challenger would have to secure the support of the Greens and independents for it to be possible.  Not that I think they’d back the Coalition instead in any case.

But I also reckon there’s many Labor MPs who are very ambitious and far from willing to watch Julia subject their party to a generation in the political wilderness.

Ultimately – they rolled Kevin07, I reckon they’d find a way to roll Julia.  It’s not just policy – her personal standing is damaged, perhaps irrevocably.  They’d probably find a way to convince her to “resign the leadership”.

Not sure about it “ruining Labor’s standing further”.  How much worse can it get?  It would seem from polling that everybody aside from the absolute core has abandoned them anyway.

Elphaba says:

10:34am | 08/03/11

@John, all good points.  It certainly will be interesting to watch, and like you said, I wonder how many people in the Labor camp have bitten their fingernails down to the quick wondering about how they’re going to turn this around.

Things will be extremely tense for the next few months - the inevitable result of the NSW election will shake them up, I think.

Concera Vota says:

10:52am | 08/03/11

Have you honestly looked at the oppositions motivation Elphaba? And have you honestly looked at the poll questions? Talk about ‘leading’ in its phraseology.

Labor is a damn sight more inclusive than the Coalition. They would never deign to ask the populace for their opinion. Look up ‘guided democracy’. Then come back and say you’d prefer the coalition and it’s policies.

Elphaba says:

11:19am | 08/03/11

@Concera Vota

I cannot, will not, support a carbon tax.  It is a sham, has nothing to do with ‘saving’ the environment, and will not work.

Whilst I don’t agree with some of Abbott’s policies (his paid maternity scheme wasn’t going to work), I simply can’t vote for a government who believes a carbon tax is the way to go.  It’s foolish.

Anything else is rhetoric. 

Sorry if it’s not what you wantto hear, but I won’t abide the fiasco I’ve witnessed.  And the implication that I’m not well read or understanding of both sides of politics is offensive.  Just ask any regular Puncher who has read my stuff about how serious I am about informed voting.

Fiona says:

11:27am | 08/03/11

This is Labor moving forward, on the great ship Australia, that has collided at full speed with an iceberg and is rapidly sinking into oblivion. The question is, will anyone get a life boat? (I suspect Shorten might have hidden them.)

Catching up says:

01:42pm | 08/03/11

You would rather have Mr. Abbott insult you by talking in three word slogans, the words made up of very few letters.
Even then Mr. Abbott has to say them over and over, does that make them true, or is it to ensure people understand.

Elphaba says:

01:50pm | 08/03/11

@Catching up, voting is about picking the lesser of two evils.

I am happy in my choice.

dinkidi says:

03:11pm | 08/03/11

“I will stop the boats”
“There will not be a carbon tax in any government I lead”

enough said.

magdalene says:

11:09am | 09/03/11

Miss Edgar says- I agree with Colleen- one of the concerns is that, yes she is the first woman in the top office—however the comment from men out there is just LOOK at the mess and waste- she will take females back in terms of the % of women in top positions for years- she is destroying the foundation of this country- to think that a country of 22 million people and we are going to lead the world and save the planet that is not in trouble just financially - LOOK AT THE WASTE- have to claw back the $900 that the whole dam nation received somehow.

Craig says:

01:36pm | 09/03/11

It’s a nice point you make Elphaba, but yet I can’t bring myself to even include Abbott as a viable alternative due to his airy-fairiness in almost everything policy related.

Abbott’s carbon “incentive” scheme is akin to allowing a Pink Batts 2.0 to befall us - which is no better than Labor’s bungled policies. Instead of middle class welfare, we will now have high class corporate welfare under this scheme.

Oh yes, don’t forget his “We’ll stop the boats” renditioned Enimem style.

Another point I’d like to make is Abbott’s lack of ability to capitalise on the public outrage against Labor’s policies - how many “free kicks” has he had?  It is similar to playing soccer’s World Cup, having a free kick right in front of the other team’s goal, with the goal posts a kilometre wide, and yet still missing your kick from a millimetre away.

I am not so sure that Labor will be so easily outed at the next election, and mind you I am not saying that it would be due to their general ability, more due to Abbott’s inability to sell, and market ALTERNATIVE ideas.  If he can’t make the most out of this sham of a Carbon Tax outrage, then he should be removed from politics immediately for utter ineptitude.

I think this is the biggest problem with our country as of now. Under a normal democratic system you’d expect to vote out a bad Government ...... provided the Opposition was really worth the effort. There’s no doubt and it’s beyond undisputed that Labor is garbage. That’s in the realm of Captain Obvious and has been for a while, but Labor are still hanging by the slimmest of threads and will end up continuing to do so until the other side of the fence actually proves that they’re ACTUALLY AN ALTERNATIVE. Like Kevin Rudd or not, John Howard or not, these two men were actually very good at selling their ideas, even if your opinion on each of their policies differed, and which Abbott has shown no or very little aptitude in doing.

I guess I’m of a unique brand? Dissatisfied with Labor, but yet unconvinced about the merits (if there actually are any) of the Libs?

It feels kind of like an “Egypt” scenario, you kick out the current government for being bad, which is well justified, but yet, in my opinion, the “alternative” is anything but, and we end up in a blank void. I’m sure the uncertainty in such a scenario will bring a smashing and rockin’ result for the Holy Grail of a Surplus That Must be Held Sacrosanct Above All Else.

I think people only keep Labor in because they prefer the devil they know, and not due to any benefits they supposedly bring.

Elphaba says:

10:05am | 08/03/11

Oh please, that would be far too easy.  Listening to the Australian public?  Surely you jest!

Space Kidette says:

10:13am | 08/03/11

Jade, Julia is not taxing you. She is putting a price on carbon pollution to encourage Great Big Polluters to spew less pollution into the atmosphere.
Tony Abbott will be taking your tax payers money and giving it to the Great Big Polluters. This will put an enormous burden on the budget and Tony will have to cut other services like health, education,and policing. And guess what, the Great Big Polluters will continue to spew forth carbon. Tony’s approach will not encourage them to find ways to reduce the amount of carbon they spew forth.

And let’s be clear. Investment in this country will slow to a stop because we don’t have a clear policy in place. Without investment we will lose infrastructure, jobs and prosperity.

Elphaba says:

10:44am | 08/03/11

@Space Kidette, if you actually think that Julia’s carbon price is not going to dip into your pocket, you’re dreaming.

A carbon price will not stop carbon emissions, because businesses will pollute above the cap, pay the difference, and pass the costs onto the consumer.  Because carbon and electricity for the backbone of just about everything, everything will rise in price.  Because people use carbon differently (some people feed 5 mouths and drive an SUV, others drive a Eurobox and feed only themselves), compensating people will be impossible.  So compo will be means-tested - which means low income families will get the bulk, the middle (maybe) something, and the high income earners nothing.

Any government (and this applies to the LNP as well), who is serious about carbon emissions and securing Australia as a world leader in energy, will implement nuclear power ASAP.

This Labor party ideology you’re spruiking - my friend, you’ve been sold a lie.  An absolute whopper.  But your writing suggests you’re a Labor party staffer.  Or a 16 yr old living the idyllic dream with Mum and Dad picking up the tab.

Whoever you are, know this - Labor’s carbon plan will not do anything to reduce emissions.  It is about fleecing the Australian public for everything they’ve got because they’re such woeful administrators of public money.

The writing is on the wall…

Janno says:

10:57am | 08/03/11

Agree Jade. We are buckling under massive increases in just about everything. A carbon tax (and that’s what it is) is a further imposition on taxpayers.  We have given until we can’t give any more. Politicians need to understand the rest of us don’t have our noses stuck in the trough as they do. We poor suckers have the “privilege” of paying for them to take every financial advantage of their position to bolster their personal wealth.

Mike W says:

11:01am | 08/03/11

Space Kidette
I respectfully suggest you go back to basics and learn a little - Labor is only ever interested in raising taxes to redistribute income to non performing parts of the economy. It’s in its DNA. This (additional) ‘tax’ will not achieve a thing toward assisting the environment - what it will do is raise more money for the government and sting everyone through cost of living increases. Labor would like you to believe what you have espoused but it’s fairyland. Once again we see Labor offering great big ‘symbolic’ policies they state will have an effect - none has to date have you noticed? Of course if you don’t agree with them, they once again wheel out the moral arguments - ‘don’t you care for the environment?’ And if you dare mention refugees you are labled ‘racist’ I am afraid this Labor government will go down as one of the most inept and morally bankrupt in history and they are damaging this country so well done all you Labor voters. I’m not saying the libs are perfect but they sure as heck beat this bunch - at least they are generally honest (even if you disagre with them) and they have the countries best interests at heart and will assist small business (remember them? They employ people!) as opposed to Labor - hit em every which way you can. What a sick joke….

Fiona says:

11:31am | 08/03/11

@Space Kidette -  Let me understand you correctly. You believe that PM Brown and Deputy PM Gillard can hike the taxes of companies and somehow consumers are not going to have those costs passed onto them? If this is what you believe, you are either delusional or having us on.

Jade says:

12:16pm | 08/03/11

I would answer your comment Space Kidette… but everyone else has done a good enough job at it for me!

@ Janno , they need to step back into the real world for a while and see how the people are dealing with their taxes and price increases.

PaulB says:

04:43pm | 08/03/11

Space Kidette.  You are either naive in the extreme or you just aren’t very good with how to spin your talking points.  Not easy this astro-turfing is it?

Some awareness of how the real world works would have been a requisite for the job I’d have thought.

Dingbat says:

02:57pm | 09/03/11

Rudd/Gillard have taxed the Australian people less than John Howard did. Tony Abbott voted in a 10% tax on your electricity bill ten years ago, and is so concerned about your cost of living he will not remove it.

Jordan says:

10:45am | 08/03/11

Are you referring the the domestic violence campaigns? I’m against DV all the way. But I’m sick of men always being portrayed as perpetrators of DV. The SA Ombudsman recent corrected misinformation about these matters saying “we know that at least 1-in-3 men are victims of DV”? What about DV against the elderly? Lets have a ‘Minister of the Status of Men’ at a Federal level!!! After all - men pay taxes too!

MB says:

11:24am | 08/03/11

Agree with you Erick. I’ll take one inth of interest in “women’s issues” when father’s rights are equal to women’s when it comes to alimony and child custody.

I’ll further give a toss when women’s names are revealed that allege rape when they are proven fabricated.

I’ll also start to care when we have the same zeal espoused for men’s health issues and we too have a Men’s Day and International Day for Men etc. Y’know, this being a ‘equal’ world ‘n all.

Don’t hold your breath for women to fight against this injustice. After all they have the upper hand in this, the rest is just candy on top.

Plain Jane says:

12:20pm | 08/03/11

I’m a female chauvinist! Women’s liberation/feminism etc has a lot to answer for. I like a man that works hard, supports and leads his family. Personally I’d rather be in the kitchen then in the workforce… Being a housewife/mum is a darn tough job but the best in the world. I don’t mind our PM being a woman- I just don’t like the one we have in power. I certainly didn’t vote for her! Abbott has his faults- but he places value on honesty and integrity- something not valued by a fair proportion of society- hence he’s often labeled a “creep”!
Now wait for all the venomous remarks from women about what a terrible person I am!!

Erick says:

03:26pm | 08/03/11

Yes, Jordan, I am referring to the domestic violence campaigns - which we see here on The Punch in full flight today.

Domestic violence is wrong, and it should be campaigned against. But this government is specifically attacking men by depicting them as perpetrators, while ignoring victims. And vice-versa for women.

Furthermore, the ALP has an “affirmative action” system of discrimination that works to suppress men getting into positions of political power.

No man should vote for Labor. The whole party is against men.

Janet A says:

08:20pm | 08/03/11

Ummm, I am sure that it is true that men are also victims of domestic violence, however, it is still the case that far more women are subjected to more extreme violence, including sexual violence and homicide (have a look at the numbers of women as opposed to men who are killed by their intimate partners).  So to call the Government’s anti-domestic violence campaign a hate campaign against men is to attempt to trivialise the scale and nature of this problem.  And if anyone wants any evidence that attitudes towards women have not changed in this country, all they need to do is look at the level of vitriol that has been directed at our Prime Minister.  It is extremely disrespectful and often carries the theme that her leadership is illegitimate.  I suspect the hung parliament is not the only reason for this suggested illegitimacy, but that gender is also a factor here.

Lawrie says:

09:15am | 09/03/11

How can this country ever get itself out of the hole it is in when people can’t even focus on the issue being debated? How did we get onto this topic? It’s very important and shouldn’t be trivialised with illogical and untrue comments like “..hate campaigns against men.” but it isn’t the topic being debated and should be ignored.

simon says:

09:15am | 08/03/11

Actually Daniel, 2 million trees would dramatically reduce emissions!!!!

Kosta says:

09:39am | 08/03/11

Daniel,
It’s simple, it’s all about making energy more expensive in Australia for a minuscule possible reduction in world emmisions and don’t give me that emiisons per head rubbish, Australia’s population is hardly a small town in global terms.

Adam Diver says:

09:43am | 08/03/11

“People need to read up on this”

Well Daniel this is the perfect forum to start, how about instead of following Labors example of talking down to individuals, you engage them by providing some sources of your wisdom.

I will start, I recommend everyone read the following article on the science behind climate change/AGW

Quadrant article

Lesley says:

09:50am | 08/03/11

Daniel you are showing your Green ignorance as usual.

Utopiandreamer says:

10:14am | 08/03/11

Are we all suckers Daniel? I didn’t beleive Gillard for one second, when she promised “NO CARBON TAX” but it seems all the disillusioned diehard lefties who couldn’t bring themseves to vote consevatively, voted Greens after all.

Adam says:

10:23am | 08/03/11

@Adam Diver: Is that supposed to be a technical / scientific paper? It is written by 2 businessmen and a poet. No peer review by anyone of scientific credibility.

Although i accept that people may disagree with the science on man made climate change, would you at least reference scientific peer reviewed research that supports such a claim.

John Margan says:

11:09am | 08/03/11

Surely Daniel, the only thing you know about carbon pollution is when you read Flim Flam Flannery, and Ross Garnaut. Both men with extensive self interests in the global warming scam. If you choose to read an INDEPENDENT report, by thousand of REAL experts in the area, you will find out that even if we turn Australia off, totally, for one whole year,  we will make a difference of .0005 of 1degree centigrade to the global climate. In the meantime we export 300 million tonnes of coal per year. What do you think happens to that coal? Fool!

Fiona says:

11:35am | 08/03/11

Daniel, you know I don’t mean to rain on your parade but Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is not a pollutant and it is good for the world. So when Gillard says she’s gonna slug us with an Oxygen Tax (cos that’s what it really is), there are plenty of well-read people (and more still who remember primary school science) that know that the very basis for “reducing the emissions” (the air you breathe) to save the world is a furphy. Gillard could be the best saleperson in the world, sadly, this is still akin to selling ice to eskimos. People don’t want their oxygen taxed.

judy from the ridge says:

04:12pm | 08/03/11

Gillard is unable to formulate any policy let alone implement them. Think stop the boats and detention centres (think East timor) BER rorts, insulation (think Batts) Wonder if she consulted Obama about why he is going wireless when we have the NBN, why we have carbon dioxide tax when he has given it away because it can be rorted. I wonder why…why…why

Graham B says:

04:16pm | 08/03/11

Are you sitting down?  Okay, here’s the bombshell.

In just FOUR DAYS, the volcanic eruption in Iceland, since its’ first spewing of volcanic ash, NEGATED EVERY SINGLE EFFORT you have made in the past five years to control CO2 emissions on our planet - all of us.

Of course you know about this evil carbon dioxide that we are trying to suppress - it’s that vital chemical compound that every plant requires to live and grow and to synthesize into oxygen for us humans and all animal life.

I know, it’s very disheartening to realize that all of the carbon emission savings you have accomplished while suffering the inconvenience and expense of: driving Prius hybrids, buying fabric grocery bags, sitting up till midnight to finish your kid’s “The Green Revolution” science project, throwing out all of your non-green cleaning supplies, using only two squares of toilet paper, putting a brick in your toilet tank reservoir, selling your SUV and speedboat, holidays at home instead of abroad, nearly getting hit every day on your bicycle, replacing all of your 50 cent light bulbs with $10.00 light bulbs ...well, all of those things you have done have all gone down the tubes in just four days.

The volcanic ash emitted into the Earth’s atmosphere in just FOUR DAYS by that volcano in Iceland, has totally erased every single effort you have made to reduce the evil beast, carbon.  And there are around 200 active volcanoes on the planet spewing out this crud out at any one time - EVERY DAY.

I don’t really want to rain on your parade too much, but I should mention that when the volcano Mt Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines in 1991, it spewed out more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than the entire human race had emitted in its entire time on earth.  Yes folks, Mt Pinatubo was active for over one year - think about it.

Of course I shouldn’t spoil this touchy-feely tree-hugging moment and mention the effect of solar and cosmic activity and the well recognised 800 year global heating and cooling cycles, which keep happening, despite our completely insignificant efforts to affect climate change.  I do wish I had a silver lining to this volcanic ash cloud, but the fact of the matter is that the bush fire season across the western USA and Australia this year alone will negate your efforts to reduce carbon in our world for the next two to three years…and it happens every year.

Just remember that our government is trying to impose a whopping carbon tax on you on the basis of the bogus “human-caused” climate change scenario.  Hey, isn’t it interesting how they don’t mention “Global Warming” any more, but just “Climate Change” - you know why?  It’s because the planet has COOLED by 0.7 degrees in the past century and these global warming bull artists got caught with their pants down.

Just keep in mind that you might yet have an Emissions Trading Scheme - that whopping new tax - imposed on you, that will achieve absolutely nothing except make you poorer.  It won’t stop any volcanoes from erupting, that’s for sure.

But hey, relax, give the world a hug and have a nice day!

Dick J says:

04:51pm | 08/03/11

It is a scam this carbon tax. It is baloney to suggest that this will force power producers to look for better energy solutions. It is just a revenue device for Swannys surplus lie- yet another one. Presently they are pannicking as this will be one lie too far.

The secret if you are an AGW believer is to fund research to make green energy more cheaper. At the moment green energy is supported by governments and runs inneficiently at at a great cost to the taxpayer. The carbon tax model is wrong.A window tax would make more sense.

Frustrated by shortsighted morons says:

05:52pm | 08/03/11

up until the 80’s or 90’s we were mostly concerned with air pollution and smog (smoke or other atmospheric pollutants combined with fog in an unhealthy or irritating mixture), caused by cars and industry. The smog, often visible over large cities, wass accepted as a health risk back then, is it not still?.

All of you out there in Lib land, shouldn’t we still be concerned about, and keen to reduce smog? I’m not sure how to go about it, but anybody who believes the basic problem (by any other name) is crap, isn’t going to be the best to fight against it. Being minister of health for so long didn’t teach your beloved leader anything.

The media was right behind efforts to lessen smog, encouraging renewable energy etc, but when greed became god and the greedies realised they couldn’t buy and sell the sun and wind, they started to trash solar and wind power. Also, the spread of greed made people reluctant to pay any taxes that might be used for ‘green’ initiatives.

Why am I bothering, most of you have been brainwashed by the 3-4word slogans of a very dishonest man in red speedos.

Steve Woy Woy says:

09:53pm | 08/03/11

@Adam Diver I’m with Adam and his comment “It is written by 2 businessmen and a poet. No peer review by anyone of scientific credibility.” Adam there is research from when the late great mountebank Johnny was around which more than likely prompted this response http://youtu.be/e5jtiJPlv4Y

CANBERRA, Australia, May 10, 2005
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2005/2005-05-10-02.asp

paulh says:

07:05am | 09/03/11

The problem is that the figures stated by Abbott are based on the LABOR figures supplied when Rudd tried with his carbon tax, if the greens get their way the amount will be higher.If EVERY nation cut emissions as stated scientists predict that there MAY be a .5 degree cut in temp.Therefor Australias is too small to forecast.Note these are forecasts and guess’ based on an incomplete science using computer models that do NOT even use solar activity and cloud info.Finally when in opposition Labor opposed everything ?

pat says:

08:12am | 09/03/11

Lets look at the facts that the carbon tax is a greens initiative and Gillard is doing what bob brown tells her to do plains and simple.  Where is the money going to hmm - to pay off the debt labor/greens have now put us back into after years of perfect economic management by Liberals.  Swan makes statements that the big polluters are paying the tax not us, where do you think the polluters will recoup the money from that they are losing from this tax -  EVERYONE.
How about they instead invest the NBN into green technology power plants including Nuclear for Australia hmmmmmm.

Lawrie says:

09:27am | 09/03/11

@Simon, yes the trees would significantly reduce the emissions however they actually have to be planted in viable areas which just happen to be where our food is grown so yes plant trees by all means but just don’t complain when your food prices rise. 

Also, the planting of trees will have no impact on our emissions targets as vegetation capture is not recognized by the rest of the world as part of the ways to reduce carbon emissions. We need alternative energy sources and they need to be price competitive which carbon pricing will enable.

Valma says:

09:47am | 08/03/11

Yes what the poll shows is the public woke up to the fact that Gillard and Swan (and perhaps all of their crew) are LIARS.
If they can lie about something that will ruin many of us then what other lies are being told?

Space Kidette says:

10:25am | 08/03/11

Are you going to be side tracked by the Great Big Lie or are you going to ask yourself what is the real issue here?

The real issue is carbon pollution. The Great Big Polluters get to spew carbon into the atmosphere. The same atmosphere you breath. If it continues we will continue to see more natural disasters.

The real questions are Do you believe it is real and if you do you want it to stop? If you want it to stop then what is the best method for doing so?

Then you need to look, without the emotive language, at the pro’s and cons of each of the proposed policies.

What you will notice is that Tony is taking money from you the taxpayer and giving it to the Great Big Polluters. You get no compensation for your increased costs. The Great Big Polluters continue to spew forth their filth. It puts an enormous burden on the Australian Budget and does not encourage the Great Big Polluters to reduce their pollution levels. Additionally it does not encourage investment into this country which will result in lost jobs, lost infrastructure, lost money.

Julia is proposing to put a carbon price on pollution. She is going to take money from the Great Big Polluters and she is going to give it to taxpayers to compensate them for the inevitable price increases that will flow on from putting a price on carbon so the net affect on your home budget is nil.  This will encourage Great Big Polluters to find ways that will reduce carbon pollution.

Because investors know we have a Carbon Price and how it works they will be able to make the investment decisions based on facts and investment money will continue to flow into this country increasing jobs, infrastruce and prosperity.

Norma says:

10:38am | 08/03/11

Thanks Vince. Spared me typing pretty much the same thing. The lie mattered big time. If Labor continue to deny this, encouraged by their many friends in the media, Federal Labor will fall to NSW Labor territory. The sooner they call an election, the less the damage will be.

simon says:

10:53am | 08/03/11

So Space Kidette, you think it’s ok to lie on big issues. Glad I don’t know you, and you name Space Kidette sounds tailor made for you!!!!

Kelvin says:

11:34am | 08/03/11

Space Kiddette - you are a fool. No doubt about it.

You can’t seriously believe anything that you wrote here.

Climate Change, man made global warming - call it what you like is a scientific hypothesis that is unproven in the same way that the scientists told us that the Y2K bug would destroy our computers unless we bought their patches.

That was a con and this is a con put out by a whole new industry of scientists who have their snouts in the climate change money trough.

Gillard is both a liar and a servant to the Greens - not a leader’s boot lace but as this policy on the run involves a big tax that will trickle down on everything that you buy she has embraced it with her left wing, socialist arms.

She is completely delusional as are her colleagues. If she has the guts (and we know that she doesn’t) let her put her/Bob Brown/Christine Milne tax that’s only a semantic tax to the ultimate test before the electorate and see how far she gets. It will look similar to what is coming NSW Labor’s way in a few weeks time.

Fiona says:

11:38am | 08/03/11

Space Kidette doesn’t remember primary school science. CO2 is the air you breathe out. It’s plant food. Its harmless. Tell you what, spacey, we’ll call it the oxygen tax because that’s what it is and maybe then you’ll understand why people don’t want it.

Joe says:

11:44am | 08/03/11

Kidette, do you know that there is a difference between Carbon and Carbon Dioxide? This isn’t a tax on Carbon. Carbon Dioxide isn’t pollution. Please study a little and don’t believe everything your teachers tell you.

Space Kidette says:

12:25pm | 08/03/11

You can bury yourself in the Great big lie sold to you by Abbott or you can address the issue. Do you want your Australian government to address the burning issues of the day or do you want them to be swept under the carpet?  Do you want your government to address this particular issue? If you do then it requires a solution. And before we get into the science arguement please note that Abbott believes that Climate Change is real and it is caused by Man, hence he has a policy on it. They just have a different solution to the same problem.

All I am asking you to do is bury the emotion and examine the personal and national economic facts and impacts based soley on the facts not on the emotional garbage that surrounds this debate.

The fact is that the current PM is Julia Gillard. Senator Bob Brown is the leader of the Greens in a hung parliament. Hung parliaments require that there is a degree of consultation, collaboration, negotiation and compromise. Brown and the other independants, in fact any MP, chooses to vote either with their party or on their beliefs.

When it comes to a solution of this magnitude I am glad that their is a hung parliament because it ensures the solution has included and represented the greatest numbers of people in this country. An original idea expanded and improved from the input of a great number of minds and people from differing perspectives. It is an approach that should be embraced not put down.

Fiona, I know my science. I am using the parlance that every one is using and understands.

Ben81 says:

02:14pm | 08/03/11

@ Space Kidette “All I am asking you to do is bury the emotion and examine the personal and national economic facts and impacts based soley on the facts not on the emotional garbage that surrounds this debate.”

Raw facts - this tax can’t reduce emissions unless a whole lot of individual people, that being the entire population, are forced to change the way they live through an increased cost of living.  That is what it’s meant to do by design.

You are calling for facts, while saying things like “She is going to take money from the Great Big Polluters and she is going to give it to taxpayers to compensate them for the inevitable price increases that will flow on from putting a price on carbon so the net affect on your home budget is nil.”, - things that are nothing more than speculation about ‘facts’ that don’t exist yet and make the whole point of the tax pointless in the first place.
Collecting more tax that a company merely passes on to consumers that is then paid back to consumers by the government is just plain stupid and doesn’t encourage individuals or companies to do a damn thing.

On the other hand, if there is no assistance, we’re seriously hurting households to achieve an emissions cut that other countries will overtake in a matter of weeks.  It is not justified when out actual impact is so small. 
We’re talking about a complete cessation of all emissions contributing to about 100th of a degree by the year 2100.
http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/images/stories/papers/originals/impacts_climate_mitigation_australia.pdf

Now tell me, what impact will our slight reduction of emissions have in light of this fact, and how is the means in any way justified?

Confused says:

05:53pm | 08/03/11

@ Space Kidette you say “She is going to take money from the Great Big Polluters and she is going to give it to taxpayers to compensate them for the inevitable price increases that will flow on from putting a price on carbon so the net affect on your home budget is nil.  This will encourage Great Big Polluters to find ways that will reduce carbon pollution.”

So let me get what your saying correct (ill keep the maths simple for you): Government taxes big polluters $10. Big polluters charges consumer extra $10. Government compensates consumer $10 so net affect on budget is nil. —so who exactly is paying? and how exactly is that going to encourace big polluters to stop polluting?

L. says:

10:01am | 08/03/11

“We’re fast becoming the negative talk of the world “

No.. Not even close. Lybia and Egypt have that sewn up… But thanks for the hyperbole.

Bloggs says:

02:52pm | 08/03/11

Well, certainly the negative talk of the Western World!

joe says:

08:36pm | 08/03/11

The western world is on it’s last legs and is being proped up by governments printing money on a massive scale(devaluing their currencies). Standards of living have already started to decline in western world countries and no doubt we will be joining them. The carbon tax will only speed up the process.

Daniel says:

11:07am | 08/03/11

Funny, Australia became more dependant on Welfare under the last Liberal government. It’s how they stayed in power for 11 years.

Perhaps take a look at the alternative being spruiked by Abbott, that is being seen as more expensive than the Carbon Tax.

dinkidi says:

03:21pm | 08/03/11

This is simply what the ALP does-everytime they are voted in. They cannot help themselves, their egos outstrip their capabilities and away goes Australia again, down the drainpipe. Always the same.

Daniel says:

05:00pm | 08/03/11

Yeah dinkidi, Australia is doing awful currently. Just horrible… in another dimension perhaps, where the Liberals win and refuse to do anything to help Australia other than more middle class welfare to win the next election.

Bloggs says:

08:44am | 09/03/11

Daniel is a typical ALP voter - living in complete denial.  That’s OK, Dan, you will be able to join the rich poor people living on the helping hand of this government as soon as you convert to Islam and re-enter the country by Indonesian boat.

Abbott has got your number, though, and when he tosses out Ju-Liar come next election, you will have to go back to the back seat for another 11 years. 

As for who gives the most welfare: Look at the disparity between old age welfare under the ALP and what they now give in welfare to illegal boat people from the Middle East… the illegals get heaps, up to $56K a year compared to $16K a year to the people who worked for the country for 40+ years.  Oh yeah, the ALP is good for you!!  not

Rod says:

09:31am | 09/03/11

Well. as an EX Liberal party member. ( I had to leave, for Abbot is a true imbecile, and the party is now a neo-con basin of filth). I have to say that the Ayatollah wannabe is not worthy of the position of PM.
Just remember that voting day.
His elevation will be the ruin of us all

Bloggs says:

02:48pm | 09/03/11

Dear Rod, 

With that bile coming from your keyboard, there is no way you are speaking the truth.  Your real name is Swan, isn’t it?  because that’s the sort of rubbish the World’s Worst Treasurer comes out with in QT.

Or perhaps you are in reality Simon Crean, or even Kevin Rudd… because you ain’t no ex-Lib party member and you clearly don’t speak the truth, at all, anywhere!  LOL

Reg says:

09:52am | 08/03/11

Never happen.

The GG is merely a ceremonial figure these days, appointed for the purpose of eating cucumber sandwhiches. Whilst she has the power, she doesn’t have the balls to do anything with it (metaphorical balls that is).

Which is a shame, considering I hear Bryce was a pretty tough old bat back when she was Sex Discrimination Commissioner. She is too weak now, or comfortably living the ceremonial life of a GG to actually be bothered working.

Ricky says:

10:08am | 08/03/11

The GG who couldn’t afford to give war veterans an afternoon tea, but spends over $110,000.00 a year on flowers for her publicly funded residence? A relative of another unemploayed alp thug Bill Shorten, do you think this excuse for a figure head will threaten her own publicly funded lifestyle??? Don’t think so. The ALP is all about bribes, pretending to hold the high moral ground on all subjetcs and condecension. They are all academic elites today, nothing like the ALP of old.

BobM says:

10:12am | 08/03/11

Reg, she’s also BillShorten’s mother in law, so she’s not going to make any hasty decisions regarding the best interests of Australia if it will see her little boy (by marriage) out of a job. Don’t hold your breath, and anyway, she’s way too busy buying flowers and seeing important people. Good job for a repulican, eh?

But if you want to contact her and let her know how you feel, here arethe details from her website:

To contact the Governor-General or Government House, the postal address is:
Government House
Dunrossil Drive
YARRALUMLA ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6283 3533
Fax: (02) 6281 3760
You can also e-mail her office at:  governor-general@gg.gov.au (however all correspondence is processed by the Office before coming to the attention of the Governor-General).

Ryan says:

10:18am | 08/03/11

@Ricky: couldn’t agree more, this is the problem with Labor today, its filled with the entitled and elitist scum who would just as soon stab their closest working mate in the back as look at you. Lets not even go into the way they treat the Australian people as mugs, lying to us to get into power then delivering nothing.

mandy says:

10:21am | 08/03/11

Ricky in fairness she did give them a cup of tea just nothing else, not even a crumb.
She did not turn up at all, sending her husband along to explain they could not afford biscuits( due to cut backs.)
What a disgraceful slap in the face to our diggers.
I would not be surprised if this too is a plot to have Australia scream for a Republic, can’t trust them as we now know.

James says:

12:48pm | 08/03/11

Be real, the GG, Quentin (the Price is Right) Bryce won’t sack the Labor government, who will pay for her $1,000.00 a day flower habit, her private chef/s and untold secretaries who fly around with her and do nothing but eat up tax payer money, at least Kerr did something for the country.
James

loxy says:

09:55am | 08/03/11

I agree that the way Rudd was dumped was awful, I agree Julia isn’t doing a good job, however the opposition isn’t really much of an opposition. Abbott is about as far away as you can get from PM material and I wouldn’t trust him for a second, he’s an extremist trying very hard to fool us all that he’s not. He takes spiritual advice from Cardinal Pell, a man known to have covered up child abuse and a man who no doubt will heavily push his own agenda through Abbott if he ever got into power.

The liberals need to boot Abbott and bring back Turnball and then they will get my vote, however as long as they keep Abbott as there leader they will never, ever get my vote.

L. says:

10:04am | 08/03/11

“The liberals need to boot Abbott and bring back Turnball and then they will get my vote”

So you want a carbon price? Because that is what Turnball stands for.

Nan says:

10:08am | 08/03/11

@ loxy - don’t worry, Liberal don’t need your solitary vote sweetie

PeterinSydney says:

10:37am | 08/03/11

Loxy well written. I agree with all you said. I would support both Turnbull and Joe Hockey as leader. I think many like you are turned totally cold by Abbott.

maggie says:

01:53pm | 08/03/11

Everyone wanting Turnbull back in as Leader, step back.
We know you are Labor supporters because no one wants someone who wanted us to willingly succumb to a great big new tax.
He was not putting up an argument against this.
He too was willing to sell us down the river of poverty distribution.
Under this as Maggie Thatcher once said
“to lesson the gap by making business poorer, you make the poor poorer ” but Labor does not get it.

PeterinSydney says:

04:13pm | 08/03/11

Oh maggie! You have been listening to 2GB too much and so you think that it is easy to categorise people you don’t like. Actually my preference is for Joe Hockey to lead them. Mr Turnbull is far more qualified to lead than Mr Abbott could ever be. Not even John Howard thought Abbott was suitable to lead the party of Menzies.

Sandy says:

06:33pm | 08/03/11

@ loxy - don’t worry, Liberal don’t need your solitary vote sweetie

No Nan, the liberals needs lots of solitary votes from swinging voters or they are not going to get back in. They already have thier conservative voters rusted on and pounding the airwaves and comment sites.
Its the swinging voters they cannot get because of Mr Abbotts type of leadership. So if we hold another election it may be the Liberals with a hung parliament and he will have the same problems as Ms Gillard.

Craig says:

01:47pm | 09/03/11

Nan, I think you’re pretty naive to claim that the Libs “won’t need those votes”.

Yes they will. It is more due to Abbott’s personal leadership ineptitude rather than the any perceived merits of the Labor party as to why the Libs are in opposition, even if it IS by the slimmest of margins.

As people are claiming poll this, and poll that, I find the fact that although the bigger majority prefer the Coalition, MORE people prefer Gillard to be a PM over Abbott.  This completely defies all normal logic.

I’m in the camp of kicking out Abbott and Libs might get my vote, but I’m not saying Turnbull etc, just someone who’s not as crude and airy-fairy as Abbott when it comes to policy. Enough of his Boat People slogans already.

Bloggs says:

02:54pm | 09/03/11

The libs have got the votes.  Abbott is going to be a fine leader.  Dear Old Mal shot himself in the foot and hopefully won’t be back because he’s a self made millionaire and has no idea as a result on how to lead real people.

Julia Gillard is ‘old news’, Swan is ‘no news’, Rudd is ‘past news’ and teh rest of the ALP are ‘dead news’.  The real NEWS is surely going to be Abbott.  You won’t like it, but we don’t mind that.  Here’s to Abbott and another 11 years of the coalition!!!

Bill Grant says:

09:26am | 08/03/11

Gary, the facts do not support you here.  Tobacco use has fallen - price, and reinvestment of the tax revenue in education has been effective.  Similarly, increases in fuel price (due to the market, not tax) have driven purchasing of more efficient vehicles - check the stats on this over the past 5 years in Australia and the US - it is a dramatic fall.  Pricing carbon (or other pollution) does drive efficiency, and there is a wealth of data internationally to show this is the case. Even better, a small tax on polluters (a tax we can avoid by using less polluting energy)  can generate funds to invest in a low carbon future.  The sort of price increases the average householder will experience will be less than typical costs increases due to commodity price fluctuations.  The carbon pricing model proposed by the government is to move a to a trading system (probably when we can link into international trading, where Australia stands to gain in a big way) and have a lower fixed price in the interim - this could start low, and rise gradually to reduce the ‘shock’ of the the higher international carbon price.  It makes sense when you ignore Abbott’s fear campaign.

FIona says:

11:42am | 08/03/11

Bills says “it makes sense when you ignore Abbott’s scare campaign” except that CO2 (which Brown and Gillard want to tax) is the air you breathe out and Australians don’t want their oxygen taxed.

Justin says:

12:16pm | 08/03/11

Bill Grant makes a good point - increasing taxes on tobacco has lead to a drastic reduction in use.

A carbon tax could do the same for energy use here.

Now, seeing as this is a global issue, I suppose we should look at the reduction in smoking rates in China due to tobacco taxes in Australia.

Oh dear.

bill says:

12:50pm | 08/03/11

FIona - if you really believe that this debate is about the CO2 you breathe out, then you probably shouldn’t be joining the debate.  We are talking about releasing fossil carbon at a rate that is changing the amount of the sun’s energy that is kept in the atmosphere and warms the planet.  This is indisputable physics.  Your point re: breathing is either ignorant or wilfully misleading (a ‘lie’ in fact). 

Justin - what is your point?  should Australia not try to kerb our emissions when we generate over 20 times more emissions per head more than the Chinese and are in the top 15 emitters as a Nation (even more so when you count our exports of fossil fuels).  The Chinese are doing more to address climate change than we are.  If every nation tales your position, then nobody will act (which is the fossil fuel industry’s objective).  Pricing carbon isn’t going to hurt as much as you think - many other nations have done it or are doing it.

Gary D says:

02:41pm | 08/03/11

Bill Grant,-  you need to read the facts, tobacco use didn’t decrease, it is just sold more on the black market the more the taxes went up. It is just that now the government has lost control of the statistics as they have no way of counting sales. Taxing Carbon will be like Taxing fuel or tobacco. We pay 85% tax on fuel yet year after year more and more fuel is used, Taxing it was supposed to reduce consumption to save reserves, but the opposite has happened we use more and the fuel efficiency of family cars is still under 30mpg, the same as when fuel was 15c a litre. So taxes didn’t do a single thing to halt our use and save oil. Taxes will not stop our need for energy and the production of carbon from the need for this energy.
You cannot reduce CO2 levels without costing Jobs, this is why Labour is taxing a gas, that is not a pollutant but an essential part of the environment because they believe there is no economic way to reduce man made carbon without causing an economic disaster.
If you cut man made CO2 by 800% you have to reduce coal, oil and fuel use, therefore production. If you do this Australia will have no trading partners and economically the planets economies will collapse.
If I produced an engine for cars and trucks, that is 800% more efficient and these were fitted into cars and trucks and they used 800% less fuel, It is estimated that over 1,700,000 jobs in Australia will be lost as a direct result of being more efficient, So the trick is to be more efficient and at the same time have a parallel industry that can employ those that would become redundant. (Liberals Plan) Duplicating such a scheme world wide would never be able to happen as peoples economies are all different and not all countries have the ability to produce a similar offset parallel industry as Australia does.

Gary D says:

02:43pm | 08/03/11

I wonder what the carbon tax will be on cremations where it is estimated that 2.5 ton of carbon is produced at each and every one and will there be a carbon tax on the back yard BBQ?

whatever says:

07:08pm | 08/03/11

Gary D, if you get your wish and the desperate one takes office, he will probably reduce the tobacco taxes as he is beholden to the tobacco companies (Large political donations).

clive says:

09:55am | 08/03/11

The public votes in the polls not Senior Labor Party Hacks,
this about a great big lie, compounded by the public seeing Brown as the real PM.
No one much cares about gay marriage it’s a matter of priorities.

Matt says:

10:16am | 08/03/11

Have to agree with you Bo. Pushing the Greens’ agenda like gay marriage which many of the rank and file Labor constituents don’t approve of is also what is adding to her poor polling. There are so many major issues facing the country and gay marriage is not even the minutest contemplation in peoples’ minds yet there it is front and centre day after day, pushed forward by the Greens.

Labor’s way back is simple. Move to the centre, dump the Greens and restore old Labor values. Maybe then, maybe, even those that have turned to the Libs may return but for now, while she has a Green alliance, she loses her base. If you hop into a Green bed, something Brown will ooze. S’true.

BobM says:

10:18am | 08/03/11

The voters in Tony Windsor’s electorate need to put the heat on him to resign - he’s retiring at the next election anyway (so that he doesn’t have to face his constituents - the man has no ticker). Then we’ll see how popular his decision was, to go with Julia and the Greens.

Danny B says:

11:35am | 08/03/11

Now that you mention it, all it will take will be one byelection in a Labor seat.

Space Kidette says:

12:12pm | 08/03/11

BobM,

Tony Windsor, has in fact, stated that “He isn’t going anywhere” in answer to the question about him retiring after this term.

Concera Vota says:

12:14pm | 08/03/11

Okay—I hear this rubbish from a lot of barrow minded people who talk before they think. I’d like evidence for what you say.

Our country’s finances is better than it has ever been while the rest of the world is in or emerging from recession. How can you say this govt or Gillard is a dud? None of this is a result of PC one way or another.

The PM’s gender has NOTHING to do with her capabilities. She has shown she can be more successful than her male adversary ... otherwise he’d be currently in her position and he is not.

The hung parliament is the MOST democratic way of governing. It means all views will be canvassed—not just one extreme or another. It has a better chance of “keeping the bastards honest” than at any other time in our history. And it means policy will be based on best outcomes, not party political advantage. A good thing!

Finally. Go and look up ‘Guided Democracy’. That is what Abbott advocates. How much say do you think YOU will have in such a situation? Not a lot I’ll wager.

brickbat says:

02:31pm | 08/03/11

Concera Vota
don’t know what planet you live on but life is a shocker under this Gov.
People are anxious, worried and angry.
The bills are going up daily,
there is great uncertainty because we have a Gov that is chasing it’s tail instead of doing anything.
We are sick of the Lies and BS and wish John Howard was still running the place because it was good while he was steering the wheel.
This Gov has too many trying to steer that wheel in too many directions.
Result CRASH!

simon says:

09:12am | 08/03/11

The only thing is that GST goes back to the states, good old JuLiar and Goose wouldn’t be able to get their filthy hands on it!!!

fml says:

10:32am | 08/03/11

ahh not true,

Its idiots like you who spread ignorance and fear into a rational argument.

Here is a list of countries that have implemented some form of carbon tax/emissions trading scheme.
South Africa, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands, UK,  Sweden, Norway, Switzerland and various Canadian and US States.

citation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_tax

Please do a little research first before making uniformed, emotive comments.

P.S. Please dont vote.

C1 says:

11:03am | 08/03/11

@fml,

If you are going to provide citations, at least do a little better than wikipedia. I would say the same thing to you about doing a little research yourself.
Also why is John an Idiot, simply because he puts forward an opposing view.

john says:

11:09am | 08/03/11

@John@fml its not an emissions trading scheme -yet, doubt it will ever be, imposing such stupidity on their citizens might stop us living like the consumer obese whores we have become in the last 10-15 years.

I don’t like paying more tax, but had we not become filthy capitalist consumers and prostitute our mineral wealth to other nations in the unapologetic way that we do,  I doubt we would have had a carbon problem like we do now, or the need for the carbon tax.

John says:

11:22am | 08/03/11

“Please do a little research”… followed by a citation from Wikipedia.

Gold.

It’s the way of the Left – anyone who disagrees is an idiot.  Thankfully it would seem people are waking up to it.

Tinman says:

02:36pm | 08/03/11

fml try looking a little further down the search results !

http://www.carbontax.org/progress/where-carbon-is-taxed/

fml says:

03:09pm | 08/03/11

booo hooo im not listening because its wikipedia,

still doesnt detract from the fact that there are countries in the world which do have a carbon tax. Would it be ok if i quote a news.com.au article?

““Coming from Europe, that sounds slightly bizarre because there are 30 countries in Europe that have had a carbon price ... since the beginning of 2005.”

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/bizarre-are-bigger-whingers-than-brits-on-carbon-tax-eu-expert-jill-duggan-says/story-e6frfkvr-1226017748557#ixzz1FytdGzmO”

poo poo wikipedia all you like but my point stands, as the original john said, “No country in the world would dare to impose such stupidity on their citizens just to make them uncompetitive”. Which is untrue. There are already countries which do.

also how do you know im from the left? was it something i said?

@c1 john is an idiot because he made a statement saying “NO” country in the world would implement a carbon tax. This is not an opposing opinion. This is incorrect. Despite the source, the fact of the matter remains. There are countries which have a carbon tax and john is an idiot because he said there wasnt any.

Opinion is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Start crying it was only your opinion when you are stating untruths?

@john you say its the way of the left, at least there i tried to show a little of proof, the way of the right is, im just going to talk rubbish and not provide any proof and bag the left.

Go on then, show proof that no countries in the world have a carbon tax?
all you got is a load of left bashing rhetoric.

Diamantina Dick says:

09:21am | 08/03/11

We had that but Kevin Rudd is gone…

Mark says:

09:31am | 08/03/11

And this how is different from the last Labor leader?

simon says:

09:20am | 08/03/11

I would take Abbott in a second over this two faced lying dictator.

TCB 24 X 7 says:

09:41am | 08/03/11

Hey peter.
For Starters, Border Protection and No Carbon tax Policies.

Sue Millar says:

09:57am | 08/03/11

Take the blinkers off, Peter, and you’ll be able to answer your own question. Guaranteed!

Blossom says:

10:08am | 08/03/11

Gillard has treated the Australian public like they are 5 year olds in school.
She talks down to us and commands us rather than listens.

But above all of that SHE LIED to get her nose over the line in the Election.
We don’t trust her, it’s that simple.

PeterinSydney says:

10:28am | 08/03/11

Sue do you want me take off my blinkers - if I have any, and put on your blinkers instead !!!

Sue says:

12:19pm | 08/03/11

Going by the numbers in today’s Newspoll, Peter, I’d suggest you at least get your blinkers checked. It seems a substantial majority of Australians can answer the question you posed. Don’t bother telling me about Abbott’s numbers v Gillard’s. The ALP is gone.

PeterinSydney says:

01:59pm | 08/03/11

Sue as another contributor said the election is two and half years away. A long time in politics. So I suggest you might be protesting too much too early. But go on listening to Alan Jones so you can be consoled by a fellow traveller. By then we might all be sick of the Liberals in state governments in NSW and Victoria. Already some are not happy in Victoria I notice.

Steve Smith says:

02:42pm | 08/03/11

Simon,
Tony Abbott said “Don’t believe everything I say” and also said that   “The statements that need to be taken absolutely as the gospel truth are those carefully prepared scripted remarks.”
I am not as simple as you Simon, and that is why I wouldn’t support a radical racist redneck, like you would.

Kevin says:

12:15pm | 08/03/11

Greens and Brown only teamed up with Gillard Labour because they knew 2 things for sure.
1. They could control Gillard
2. Gillard would never call an early election because she knew she would lose in a big way
Because Brown recognised that he would also lose in the next election, but needed to stay in power for as long as possible.
(possibly so he could retire with a multi million dollar payout).

Sandy says:

06:43pm | 08/03/11

Unpopular Greens? they were the ones that increased thier vote in the last national election - where were you?

simon says:

09:01am | 08/03/11

It’s a standard Labor tactic to blame everything on the opposition. Well Australia can see right through that now. Abbott is listening to Australians while Gillard and Brown have their heads in the sand!!!

HeatherG says:

09:21am | 08/03/11

I would be laughing at the constant references to the “scare campaign by the Opposition about a carbon tax” if I wasn’t so stunned that she actually thinks we’re stupid enough to *fall* for that nonsense. Er, it’s only a “scare campaign” if it’s not actually true, you doofus, Julia.

As for Mr Swan, given you almost lost your seat (and only held it narrowly because of the Greens), I’d suggest you have no laurels at all to rest on, Mr “it’s not really a carbon tax even though Julia Herself called it a carbon tax.” Do you even know what a tax IS, Mr Treasurer? Holy criminy.

I’ve also realised how naive I am. I actually am surprised that some people are so rusted on that 39% of people still think she’s okay.

Sunbeam says:

10:14am | 08/03/11

Gillard listens to her boss Bob Brown instead of listening to her people.
She has to does she not?
Else lose her “PM” throne.

stevem says:

12:00pm | 08/03/11

I don’t think that’s on the cards. The electorate was furious that she stabbed Rudd in the back and I don’t think doing the same to Gillard will win them any votes. In order to win back the support they have lost they need her to resign due to ill health - either hers or a close family member.

Peter says:

10:45am | 08/03/11

GB you state “The Australian public, by and large, aren’t stupid…” how can you say this with a straight face when they re elected the worst federal Government in history and gave the Greens the balance of power in the Senate?

GB says:

11:48am | 08/03/11

@Peter. Fair point mate. I was trying to be pragmatic

moonwalker says:

02:51pm | 08/03/11

it was approx 50/50 that elected the party with the help of the Independents.
That is no mandate and does show that about 50% of the population did not like what happened, and don’t like being called deniers, heretics etc.
They have been outraged at the shenanigans of this mishmash lot in power.
So more now agree with us ...Gillard/Swan must go.

Peter says:

08:58am | 08/03/11

Why would Bob Brown be happy in the current situation?  It’s his policy that is being rejected by the majority of Australians.

belinda says:

10:24am | 08/03/11

Because they have gone up in the polls while Gillard has gone down, that’s why.
Labor will end up with less points at the polls than the Greens soon.
Then what?

Alice of Wonderland says:

09:03am | 08/03/11

I haven’t seen the poll Rosie….is Abbott now the preferred PM? - What a nightmarish thought if he is.

Mark says:

09:35am | 08/03/11

Alice, Abbott being PM could not be worse than the nightmare of Gillard and Brown

S says:

10:19am | 08/03/11

FFS,

Welcome to the Westminster system, please learn it.  We vote and elect the Party.

The leader is irelevant, they are only a figure head and a spokeman. 

Stop whinging, “Tony Abbot is a nightmare”...sook.

The only nightmare is the Labor/Green Alliance

Rosie says:

01:21pm | 08/03/11

Alice of Wonderland

No not Abbott but Kevin Rudd the people’s PM that Gillard shafted to take over! He is now the preferred PM.

CD says:

09:33am | 08/03/11

I suspect you could be right Que. Amazing what you can get people to accept if you explain things in terminology they understand and will acknowledge as making sense.

Gillard may have won over those sitting on the fence of man made CC if she had admitted outright she had erred rather than avoid the ‘big lie’ scenario.

I’m fed up with all the jargon and being treated like a schoolchild so dumb that teacher Julia can explain it away but don’t worry about the facts. Teacher Julia has it all in hand.

No she doesn’t and coming to the electorate with a mere proposal and no details whatsoever is showing disdain for the people this will affect.

Where are the answers to questions asked over and over again eg how will this better the environment?
How can this be a positive to industry when bigger polluters do nothing but encourage their own country’s economies. China, India etc
What is in and what is out with the carbon tax? Do the Greens get the final say?

Amazing to me that people aka died the wool Laborites just want us to sit back, say nothing and merely accept a future without any details just because a party named Labor with cohorts Greens and Indies say so.

Oh that’s right. Everything will be sorted by July 2012. No need to worry our pretty little heads about it.

Cuppy says:

09:21am | 08/03/11

Yep, Emily, Atheists unfortunately see themselves as God. Now, Australia gets to see the consequences of having an atheist PM. Looks socialist to me…who would’ve thought?

S says:

10:46am | 08/03/11

Please don’t use Ms Gillard as a bench mark to judge the rest of us Atheist.

I for one, do not think i am God…....

Gillard is nothing more then an Idiot

simon says:

09:10am | 08/03/11

Kevin has a chance to do the ultimate payback on Gillard. If the carbon tax ever gets to a vote Kevin Rudd should cross the floor and vote with the coalition. Now that would be a blockbuster!!

Claudia says:

10:59am | 08/03/11

They are just using Gillard the way they used Rudd.
Two egos so big they didn’t not recognise it.

GT says:

11:54am | 08/03/11

We’d say no Evan, but Swan etc would say yes - think about it. They “won” the last election because so many nitwits in Australia thought it would be “nice” to have a female PM - completely overlooking the fact she was an absolute dud as a Minister! If they hadn’t tricked a gullible electorate, they would have lost under Rudd

Martin Hopes says:

09:18am | 08/03/11

Ian - I believe they would be correct. let’s face it, we are the undoubted redneck bogan capital of the world, the yanks will have no trouble understanding rednecks, they may struggle with the term bogan though!

herme says:

09:25am | 08/03/11

Agreed, I cringed when I heard her on RN this morning. When on a diplomatic visit to the USA is not the time or place to play the usual petty internal politics. The Americans have probably never heard of Tony Abbott…well, until the next election, that is…

Flexo says:

09:33am | 08/03/11

I wonder if Tim is doing Michelle Obama’s hair?

Anyway, Gillard has proven my point that the ALP has become dangerously irrelevent to Australia and its future.

Time to vote out these clowns.

Sorry Julia you are so finished.

Nan says:

10:14am | 08/03/11

@ flexo -“I wonder if Tim is doing Michelle Obama’s hair?” So funny!!

Ronda says:

10:18am | 08/03/11

Fact: is Victoria is Bogan central . Listen to Tanner, Wong & Gillard on the “econo-ME”  Comba / Shortnin are lightweights there is not a leader in sight de register them.

vickie says:

11:23am | 08/03/11

The body language isn’t friendly despite Obama’s smile.
Knees pointing oopsite from each other while crossed , arms across the chest etc .
I bet he would like a big distance between them if he could.
He didn’t visit Rudd either, not enjoying the LOSER company because it may rub off on him.

Daniel says:

11:31am | 08/03/11

What’s your point? If Abbott was PM now it would only be in name only. And if the election was held a week earlier, it would have been a clear win to Labor. If it was held last week, Labor would win. If it was held this week, the Libs would win. All it does is show the fickleness of uninformed public opinion. Crying about the Greens and ‘so-called’ independants is hilarious, and saying Gillard ‘connived’ her way into the lodge is laughable. Abbott would have a killed a first born to get in.

Michael says:

12:18pm | 08/03/11

Amazing how blinkered supporters of one side can claim a lack of legitimacy to govern.  Correct me if I’m wrong but I could have sworn that Abbott didn’t win the election either?  And he had as much opportunity to govern with the independents as Gillard?  But no, silly me - it’s all just a big conspiracy.

mel says:

03:36pm | 08/03/11

Daniel you little creep how dare you say Abbott would kill a fist born to get in.
You loathsome little grub so very typical of you and your creepy little posts.

Graham B says:

04:26pm | 08/03/11

Some reading for you Daniel:    Are you sitting down?  Okay, here’s the bombshell.

In just FOUR DAYS, the volcanic eruption in Iceland, since its’ first spewing of volcanic ash, NEGATED EVERY SINGLE EFFORT you have made in the past five years to control CO2 emissions on our planet - all of us.

Of course you know about this evil carbon dioxide that we are trying to suppress - it’s that vital chemical compound that every plant requires to live and grow and to synthesize into oxygen for us humans and all animal life.

I know, it’s very disheartening to realize that all of the carbon emission savings you have accomplished while suffering the inconvenience and expense of: driving Prius hybrids, buying fabric grocery bags, sitting up till midnight to finish your kid’s “The Green Revolution” science project, throwing out all of your non-green cleaning supplies, using only two squares of toilet paper, putting a brick in your toilet tank reservoir, selling your SUV and speedboat, holidays at home instead of abroad, nearly getting hit every day on your bicycle, replacing all of your 50 cent light bulbs with $10.00 light bulbs ...well, all of those things you have done have all gone down the tubes in just four days.

The volcanic ash emitted into the Earth’s atmosphere in just FOUR DAYS by that volcano in Iceland, has totally erased every single effort you have made to reduce the evil beast, carbon.  And there are around 200 active volcanoes on the planet spewing out this crud out at any one time - EVERY DAY.

I don’t really want to rain on your parade too much, but I should mention that when the volcano Mt Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines in 1991, it spewed out more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than the entire human race had emitted in its entire time on earth.  Yes folks, Mt Pinatubo was active for over one year - think about it.

Of course I shouldn’t spoil this touchy-feely tree-hugging moment and mention the effect of solar and cosmic activity and the well recognised 800 year global heating and cooling cycles, which keep happening, despite our completely insignificant efforts to affect climate change.  I do wish I had a silver lining to this volcanic ash cloud, but the fact of the matter is that the bush fire season across the western USA and Australia this year alone will negate your efforts to reduce carbon in our world for the next two to three years…and it happens every year.

Just remember that our government is trying to impose a whopping carbon tax on you on the basis of the bogus “human-caused” climate change scenario.  Hey, isn’t it interesting how they don’t mention “Global Warming” any more, but just “Climate Change” - you know why?  It’s because the planet has COOLED by 0.7 degrees in the past century and these global warming bull artists got caught with their pants down.

Just keep in mind that you might yet have an Emissions Trading Scheme - that whopping new tax - imposed on you, that will achieve absolutely nothing except make you poorer.  It won’t stop any volcanoes from erupting, that’s for sure.

But hey, relax, give the world a hug and have a nice day!

Daniel says:

05:04pm | 08/03/11

Wow Graham B, that was a whole lot of dribble not at related to what I posted. But hey, whatever lets you get it off your chest I guess. Since you obviously don’t believe in ‘Global Warming’ do you think there are possibly any other reasons we might want to encourage less reliance on fossil fuels? Any? At all? Give it a try.

Daniel says:

05:12pm | 08/03/11

mel: You know it’s true though.

However i’m not sure what other posts of mine you’re referring to. Maybe there is some freak coincidence, and there’s someone else on earth with the same name as me, however unlikely.

S says:

12:35pm | 08/03/11

Would Peter Costello still have resigned?

I doubt Malcom Turnbull would have got the job of PM over Costello

Mark says:

09:52am | 08/03/11

Dont care. Not listening.
Global Warming is a socialist scare campaign of epic proportions designed to legislate wealth from the rich and redistribute it to the poor.

Ted says:

09:57am | 08/03/11

Dear Space Kidette,

Your message makes one horrendous assumption, and several other significant ones.

1. You assume that monies raised in this Carbon Tax will be used wisely…. not a Labor strong point I’m afraid. When the process is more important than the goal, it’s hard to celebrate any tangible achievements.
2. Australia’s contributions (or conversely corrective behaviours) are significant on a global scale…. which quite plainly they are not. 
3. Labor is not interested in the keys to the Lodge any more than Liberal… an absolutely ridiculous contention.
Your idealism and naivity is alarming. Your advocacy and anyone elses’ in this situation will not lend support to tangible climate outcomes…. despite this being what you are actually hoping to have achieved. Your support unfortunately will lead to a licence to print money. Climate change is not and should not ever be about making money… neither for Govt nor Business. It is not the next “.com” fad. Unfortunately the Labor party is heading that way, and the gravy train is looking forward to a new cash source.

Aitch B says:

09:59am | 08/03/11

@Space Kidette

“..... biggest scare campaign in living memory…..”

No…. I would put the “Workchoices” scare campaign run by the ALP and the unions in both the 2007 and 2010 elections above this one. And I would suggest that the majority of those against the tax were against it long before any “scare campaign” by the Coalition.

“Julia proposes to take money from the Great Big Polluters and compensate Australian taxpayers for the inevitable price rises that will be passed on to Australians.”

Incorrect. Julia’s proposes to compensate SOME of the Australian taxpayers…. mostly the ALP demographic. Many will get none whatsoever because they earn too much or don’t have any dependents. Middle income singles or couples with no dependents will just have to bend over and cop it.

“The Australian Public deserve the truth. They deserve to be presented with the facts.”

Can’t dispute that. Julia told us the truth, right? She’s given us facts, right?

Right?

Barge says:

10:00am | 08/03/11

Where do you think the ‘Great Big Polluters’ will get the money from to pay Juliar. They will get it from us by increasing their prices.

Anna C says:

10:01am | 08/03/11

Space Kidette, people’s opposition to a Carbon TAX has nothing to do with Abbott’s scare campaign.  Why is it so hard for people like you to understand that we are not stupid and know that this tax has nothing to do with fixing the environment; it is another cash grab pure and simple. With cost of living pressures increasingly high, this is the last thing that we need.  A lot of people like myself are not convinced about human induced climate change and are more focussed on just surviving the day to day, which has become increasingly harder due to this government’s economic incompetence and mismanagement.

Grounded says:

10:02am | 08/03/11

“The Australian Public deserve the truth” - Well we all know we aren’t going to get the truth from Ms. Gillard and co. don’t we.  And what’s all this hogwash about our children’s childrens lives depending on a Labor government carbon tax being introduced and Tony giving money to big polluters from Australian taxpayers ..... Whaaaat?  What an apt name of “Space Kidette”.  You need to spend more time on earth Spacey.

Adam Diver says:

10:03am | 08/03/11

“one of the biggest challenges ever, one that threatens our very survival”

You know this is not true, when we disregard nuclear power.

In any case, she doesn’t need public support, she needs numbers in the senate and HOR. If she knows the extinction of mankind, I am sure she would go futher than a price on carbon. 

Some logic goes a long way

Mick In The Hills says:

10:19am | 08/03/11

OK here’s a fact to start with - Aust produces only 1.4% of the world’s emissions.  We could all die out today and the planet’s atmosphere would not notice any difference at all.  We are just not a factor in this issue.  To think we are is delusional.  That’s what the Gillard govt is demonstrating.  Is this truth enough for you, Space Kidette?

L. says:

11:49am | 08/03/11

“one man’s personal ambitions, have created the biggest scare campaign in living memory”

Yeah, and his name is Al Gore..

hermes says:

03:54pm | 08/03/11

@Space Kidette, or should I call you Persephone perchance? Or one of the other ALP apologists too embarrassed to reveal their allegiance, and hiding under a new pseudonym?

donna says:

10:34am | 08/03/11

Rubbish Abbott is doing a fine job, he will see these “PM” out the door too.

Pete #205 says:

11:57am | 08/03/11

You do realise that you, as a responsible consumer, are free to go and buy your services and products from non-emitters (wind farms for example) and still be reimburssed by the govenment.  That’s your price signal there.

Aasq says:

12:07pm | 08/03/11

I’m very surprised that despite being, (according to some of these comments), the worst person to ever live ever, Tony Abbott is still considered as worse. How does he do it, Nicole ?

carol says:

04:03pm | 08/03/11

And Australia was in safe hands.
Alas no more.

MB says:

10:41am | 08/03/11

Oh get over yourself. 15% is hardly something to be crowing about. What matters is on the polling day and on that day it’s a two horse race. This Greens poll showing is like the last Fed election and Victorian election. The Greens polled high but it was not reflected on election day - because people are not stupid and don’t buy the socialism under the guise of “environmentalism”.  Brown is a leftwing loon and 85%+ of people know it and he will be history eventually. You obviously need to mature a little then you will understand what it is the Greens are, radical socialists.

MB says:

10:42am | 08/03/11

Oh get over yourself. 15% is hardly something to be crowing about. What matters is on the polling day and on that day it’s a two horse race. This Greens poll showing is like the last Fed election and Victorian election. The Greens polled high but it was not reflected on election day - because people are not stupid and don’t buy the socialism under the guise of “environmentalism”.  Brown is a leftwing loon and 85%+ of people know it and he will be history eventually. You obviously need to mature a little then you will understand what it is the Greens are, radical socialists.

FelictyC says:

11:34am | 08/03/11

MB poor MB you arnt related to TimB are you ? Well fof a left wing loon Bob Brown is doing well to increase the vote for the Greens MB. Now if we are talking about loons lets look at the leader of the Liberals Dr Strangelove. Hes still way behind the redhead Labor leader in popularity. In fact I would say the Liberals are dragging a large anchor by the name of Abbott. Jettison him and they might just get in but then anothe rproblem arises as they will have to work with the Greens. Maybe Turnbull could do that but not Abbott. See your problems MB ?

TCB 24 X 7 says:

10:30am | 08/03/11

Hey democrat.
Hocus Pocus,your stupid labor has lost billions, you know pink bats etc. Cant protect our borders,Stab elected leader in the back and now Uncle bob is riding gillard like a horse.
This has got to be the Dumbest and Worst Labor Party Ever to be in Office.

Daniel says:

11:13am | 08/03/11

Get over the Pink Batts, that’s old news for incessant desperate grasping Libs looking for something to be negative about - the same fools that expected stimulus spending to be extremely efficient during the GFC (omg it didn’t happen!). Also, Australia’s current treatment of Refugees (omg boats) is as per the UN, the alternative (turn the boats around!) is universally panned as inhumane garbage.

Denny Crane says:

12:40pm | 08/03/11

Daniel - Pink batts may be old news to you but not to those who lost loved ones or watched their house burn down. To me, and anyone with a a brain, it inhumane to entice people onto boats that leads them to their death. Over 200 people have died thanks to Gillards humane policy.

Wazza says:

02:29pm | 08/03/11

Daniel

Pink Bats aren’t old news to me, Im having my ceiling inspected 11am Thursday to check for faulty government implementation.

Did you mean the north Atlantic financial crisis, where debt ridden economies had to pay the ferryman.

Wake up

Daniel says:

05:10pm | 08/03/11

Houses burning down, and people dying had nothing to do with the Government.

Oh, and we ENTICE people to get on death trap boats? Really? Do we send invitations? Does it only count if they are in Australian waters when they die?

Wazza: Keep pretending re: the GFC. I guess it helps some people maintain the rage.

Mattb says:

08:54pm | 08/03/11

Oh crap, someone has commented on the liberals climate change policy, quick, change the subject, PINK BATTS, PINK BATTS!.....

mandy says:

11:28am | 08/03/11

Marr has Bats in his Belfry,
he is just an out and out nutter.

Just laugh at his antics it’s all they are good for.
Navel Gazer Marr pffft!

Rocket Surgeon says:

12:36pm | 08/03/11

Seriously, anyone who thinks referring to the Prime Minister, no matter what you think of their performance, as a “red headed slag” is the embarrassment.

I used to think the left wing attacks on John Howard were over the top and counterproductive. They have nothing on the venom and drivel that is being spat here.

TCB 24 X 7 says:

10:19am | 08/03/11

Rick,
Checkout the internet for dates and times for proposed rallies against carbon tax.

Tinman says:

11:58am | 08/03/11

Spot on Rick ! Not to mention that all this talk of replacing a leader ( cough we have none ! ) is exactly what the Labor party want. the PARTY is using Juliar to get the PARTIES AGENDA of a Carbon tax up . If they find the tax is still an issue at the next election. They will tap Julawillingscapegoat on the shoulder . This then allows them to change the cover but keep the text ( or taxed)  and tell the masses that they listened. They get their new tax to fix their budget . While poor old Juliar will have to console herself in her new job for the boys ! All political parties will gladly trade a leader to achieve the PARTIES agenda ambitions ! Just as deceitful though are the liberals whom just like Labor with the GST are actually salivating at the thought of a new scam tax to pork barrel elections and fund their agendas etc etc etc. Publicly though they will oppose it. Until the time comes to backflip to the default party $ettings. Two $ides of the $ame coin are our political Partie$. The sad fact is “we the people” like most trapped gamblers, are the losers at each and every toss of the coin ! We talk up our small wins but ignore our great losses ! Both parties do their upmost to subvert our constitutional rights and the very constitution that is the foundation of politicians and laws very existence. If they as parties are willing to subvert the constitution how can we ever trust them not to subvert our rights ! Educate yourselves , read the Constitution , this takes away the parties powers to hoodwink the population . One wonders why the constitution is not taught in schools ?  After all it is suppose to be an education revolution ?  Perhaps that is the point. educating the population as to their rights would actually cause a revolution of knowledge thus removing the power of the parties via their politicians to hoodwink the population and subvert their power !

Anna C says:

10:33am | 08/03/11

Seen enough, I totally agree with your sentiments.  I am sick to death of this government putting OUR national interests always last.  This government purposely disregards what we the taxpayers want and goes out of their way to help people like illegals.  How many billions are now being spent feeding and housing illegal boat people?  When are they going to put the interests of taxpayers first for a change?  Why should we be expected to keep opening our wallets to pay for their dud policies and schemes?

matt says:

11:35am | 08/03/11

I believe they are hoping we forget people washed onto rocks, over 4000 beds opened for the boat people under her watch, while our Hospitals are in limbo.

The open invite to all and sundry is absolutely one of the reasons for the drop in the polls.
Also the other big lie.
If you bring children you will get a free pass,
can’t bear to think how that will play out,
we wouldn’t even know if the children were not grabbed by single males wanting to come in.

Michael says:

12:48pm | 08/03/11

We will be overrun by the brown people!  Man the lifeboats!  No, wait…

They are not “illegals”.  Their arrival here is perfectly ok under Australian and international law.  Whether they are genuine refugees or not is another matter.  But just think - some of them might actually be escaping from something terrible.

Chris j says:

10:39am | 08/03/11

Hey Peter, how about this for another theory. ALL dud products are identified by the media and voters as dud products. Then we might get people to understand that the this country they got very close to getting these very dud ones:

The Boat Phone
$10 Billion election commitment black hole
levy on business for generous parental leave, incl. high wage earners
The government paying polluters directly out of our taxes to stop emitting carbon
a $20 billion black hole in carbon purchase program
a leader who can only be believed when he gives his word in writing
a leader who lets an American commander of the hook for an Aussie soldier’s death by saying that sh*&t happens’
an economy in recession because we ‘couldn’t afford’ stimulus money to buffer the global economic downturn
a narcissistic prime minister who’s would ‘do anything’ to be elected
a billion dollar bill for a hospital in Tasmania
a country with a dog-eat-dog industrial relations system where ordinary workers will be required to negotiate directly and individually with their corporate bosses just to get fair conditions
the sending offshore of billions of $ of lost revenue from wealthy mining companies for digging up and selling our natural resources while our national rail, port, road, education and hospital system goes under funded

Wow, looks like the dud policies are everywhere. So next time you start cherry picking, maybe you and the media can look at the very real problems with the alternative (for once)

Tony of Poorakistan says:

01:30pm | 08/03/11

Looks like they have loonies on the left in the UK as well. Check out this quote. What does she think pushed up the oil & commodity prices? Their electricity bills went up 40% !!!!

‘‘Ms Duggan also dismissed suggestions that a carbon price would dramatically push up electricity prices, arguing higher oil and commodity prices accounted for three-quarters of the 40 per cent increase in power bills during the first year of an ETS in the UK’‘

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/aussies-whinge-more-than-brits-on-carbon-tax-eu-climate-expert-says/story-e6frfku0-1226017748461#ixzz1FyVqOH5z

Bris Jack says:

11:52am | 08/03/11

The TA stalkers, I went looking for them too. But it is Tony’s fault, Julia just told America it is.

Jedi_T says:

12:26pm | 08/03/11

LOL @ Bris Jack
Spot on lad.
Know I thought that Obama was an alright bloke, but after the praise the fool layered Gillard in, well lets just say i wont be paying much attention to what he says moving forward.

simon says:

10:39am | 08/03/11

You are clearly deluded Michael, Howard took his GST to an election and won a mandate, Gillard would never do that she would be out on her fat arse. You are obviously ok with Gillard lying to Australians to get elected and then in true dictator style trying to push some new tax onto all of us against the wishes of the electorate.

Chris j says:

10:45am | 08/03/11

Here here Michael, some sense on this otherwise rationality free zone. And that nonsense includes Mr Farr’s very ordinary piece which began the tirades - I assume they pay him for that lazy regurgitary garbage? C’mon Malcolm, please please please do some real work and try and stop this country from delving into the depths of inanity and mindless populism!!!

Michael says:

12:39pm | 08/03/11

Simon:
I’m not ok with politicians lying.  Are you ok with Abbott and his “I only tell the truth if I’ve thought about it for a while and it’s written down” statement?  Or “children overboard” scandal of the Howard years?
I’m not a Gillard fan - personally I think she’s under-performing - I just think that some focus on the real issues would be a pleasant change.  That goes for both the opposition and the media.

TCB 24 X 7 says:

10:37am | 08/03/11

Singh you fool,
Howard put the gst to an election and nearly lost.
gillard has not got the Guts to on the carbon tax for she knows she will Lose.

              P.S Name Abbotts hatred policies.

Rhys says:

10:49am | 08/03/11

Ahh Singh…while it is true that Howard changed his view on the GST. He actually took the policy to the election, having a mandate to do so….and won.
Comparing this to Gillard who categorically rules out a carbon tax, then tries to slide it through without it being an election issue, as though we wouldn’t notice….

Anna C says:

10:55am | 08/03/11

Yes Singh, we know that all politicans are hopeless but at least Howard (who I hated by the way) went to an election saying that he was going to introduce a GST if he got elected; which he did.  Julia on the otherhand has to do the Greens bidding cause she has not real power of her own and knows that if an election was called today she would be out on her arse.
In response to Abbott’s so called hatred politics, while I am no Abbott lover I know that people like Scott Morrison and Cory Bernardi are just echoing the concerns that a heck of a lot of people in the community have about immigration in particular muslim immigration but are too scared to say anything cause they know they will be accused of being racists.  Like it or not Australia is a free country and if people want to hold alternate views on anything including immigration they can. I mean really isn’t that one of the reasons why so many people want to come here in the first place.

HeatherG says:

10:34pm | 09/03/11

Dude. Hey. Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t vote for her.

I was part of the handover from Labor to a Liberal in Brisbane (who was, as an aside, a female, but that’s not why she got my vote). Pity about the reshuffle, they could’ve used my vote against Swan.

Ted says:

11:27am | 08/03/11

Every time you use your medicare card at the doctors, take your four weeks annual leave, and eventually access your superannuation, thank the labor movement for these iniatives, not thase right wing northshore nazis.
Everytime you you get slugged 10% on goods at the cash register, thank John Howard, who lied to us blatantly and said we will never have a gst,then conned Meg Lees (Democrats), into supporting him, and today that party is non existent!
You obviously want that sexist, Say No to everything, stammering, nasty bit of work, called Abbott, to be the next PM, with the three amigos Joyce, Hockey & Robb, what a bunch of inarticulate fools,... and they won’t tax us!
Stop listening to Alan Jone, watching Foxtel and reading the Telegraph, get your head out of the sand, stop being a follower, wake up!!

Chris j says:

10:59am | 08/03/11

Chris, Gillard formed a minority government, as Abbott would have had to do if the independents had of sided with him. I get the feeling you would not have called his government illegitimate?

I also doubt whether you care that Abbott’s position on any given issue can only be trusted if it is in writing. Or that he rolled his leader too. Or that he didn’t actually win government for the Liberal party despite some very major ALP problems, including dumping a PM and perceived mismanagement of government programs?  Or that his finance teal are inept?

simon says:

10:57am | 08/03/11

Holly, you are completely out of touch with the rest of Australia. A carbon tax will do absolutely nothing to reduce emissions, it will cripple Australia and push carbon jobs offshore. This is about communist wealth distribution not about saving the environment!!!

Tony Abbott’s plan to plant 2 million trees will do much more to reduce emissions than this psychotic tax.

warren says:

11:10am | 08/03/11

Business just wants to know how much BIG NEW tax will cost..
They cannot plan anything.

They did not have to worry just before the election because there was NOT going to be a Big NEW TAX remember?
Smaller business is shutting doors as we speak.

BobM says:

10:50am | 08/03/11

True, Anjuli. And Tony Winsdor sold his farm to a coal mining company - so where’ s his commitment to stopping ‘climate change’?  I guess it’s different if you can make a tidy buck out of it.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/independent-mp-tony-windsor-in-league-of-his-own-on-farm-sale/story-fn59niix-1225911091227

Chris j says:

10:51am | 08/03/11

because Anjuli, the Australian people don’t want to completely upend the Australian economy. Stopping coal mining in Australia tomorrow will not make a single dent in global emissions.

What people don’t realise is that a price on carbon is a econically responsible way to restructure the Australian economy over the next 20-30 years so that we will be at least in the game when the world prices carbon - which it is already doing and will continue to do so. A 19th century economy which relies on carbon intensive industry or resources extraction will not survive. Thank God that we at least have an Australian government who gets this.

I implore everyone on this forum to just think more broadly and give our children an economic future in this country.

stevem says:

12:23pm | 08/03/11

Chris j, You may very well be right that the economy may need to be restructured to survive. Julia went to the election promising no carbon price would be applied during the current parliamentary term. We knew she and the Labor party favoured a tax and we believed her at her word.

What we thought would happen is that she would spend 3 years formulating a carefully crafted plan with full(ish) understanding of the effects on the economy both for the domestic economy and for trade exposed industries. What we have instead is a half baked plan with none of the costs or effects analysed and due to be implemented in 15 months. We have repeatedly seen what happens when this government implements its schemes with insufficient planning.

When the GFC was at its height spending did need to be done and the lack of planning and oversight was forgivable, albeit barely. If done poorly a carbon price could inflict untold damage upon the Australian economy.

This is why even those in favour of a carbon price are railing at the decision. We need and deserve a government we can trust. Instead it seems we have a government prepared to go which ever way the wind blows - and the Greens and independents are currently fanning the breeze for their own benefit. This government has shown over the last four years that we cannot trust it to be either competent or honest.

Elphaba says:

11:23am | 08/03/11

Great piece. 

Daniel says:

11:49am | 08/03/11

I find it funny that people think the Liberals will some how be able to control cost of living. Likey the could control interest rates I guess? How are they going to control electricity prices? Fuel prices? Grocery prices?

These people are now in charge of our economy, that is GOING GREAT. But please, ignore that fact.

The simple fact you seem to ignore, is that there is no majority government. Regardless of who is in power there is going to be compromise and change to promises made in the last election. It’s a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation. You either try and do something, or simply do nothing. The most disturbing thing is how quickly these polls turn around, and the reasons they turn. The ‘election deciding voters’ seem to be amazingly fickle - and that’s amazingly scary.

kosmiester says:

11:58am | 08/03/11

spot on…
But I still think the price on carbon will be passed.
And they will lose the next election.

Gavin says:

12:10pm | 08/03/11

Yes, and you quite clearly have the authority to speak on behalf of millions of people you’ve never met. You don’t know what public opinion will do - thats why its public, its not ‘the opinion of one person.’ PS, don’t preface your opinion with ‘anyone with a brain’ statements. Its a rhetorical trick. I have a brain, its big and juicy and filled with knowledge and wisdom. Millions of Australians likewise. Don’t condescend. Persuasion has a tone, and its not present in your comment.

Elphaba says:

12:35pm | 08/03/11

@Daniel, I don’t believe the Libs can control cost of living, any more than I thought Labor could with FuelWatch and GroceryWatch.  I knew as soon as they promised them, they’d be unmitigated failures.  The economy cannot be wrangled by the government of the day.

What a smart Govt can do though, is not make the situation any worse than it has to be.

bobw says:

11:51am | 08/03/11

What, so everyone allowed to engage in public debate would derive their “expertise” from a single source of information?  Brilliant.

JamieW says:

08:03pm | 08/03/11

“Brilliant.” says the man with the ultimatum the “the economy is dependent on the environment”.

I’ve never seen the complexities of climate, life and business summed up so conclusively before

bobw says:

09:47am | 09/03/11

JamieW, I believe you have me confused with someone else.  Whoops!

jamie says:

09:50pm | 09/03/11

Yeah i did, my bad. I guess your point is slightly more valid now

Chris j says:

11:44am | 08/03/11

Liberal = right wing economic rationalists = champions of big business = entrenched privilege

[both my statement and yours, Its Obvious, are ridiculous and inane generalisations]

simon says:

02:22pm | 08/03/11

It will hit your hip pocket catching up, every single thing you buy will increase in price. Abbott is being 100% honest, Gillard on the other hand is a two faced, delusional dictator. I think many people agree with me when I say that I can not believe a word that comes out of her mouth!!

Christian Real says:

05:46pm | 08/03/11

Simon.
Hell will freeze over before Tony Abbott ever becomes honest,and you are being far too generous giving Tony Abbott 100% for honesty, I would have gave him 1/2%, but I am feeling a little bit generous, so I will give him 1% for total honesty.
That 1% was when abbott said “Don’t believe everything I say.”, and that ” The only statements that need to be taken absolutely as the gospel truth are those carefully prepared scripted remarks. ”

Not happy says:

02:52pm | 08/03/11

I agree.  This whole forum has left a bad tase in my mouth. I’ve never seen so much venomous drivel come from eitherside of the party loyals.. you people disgust me…. your all arm chair / keyboard warriors, really. Get on with your jobs and lives.. Protest if you want, dont protest if you are happy.  Otherwise move to Libya and protest there.

simon says:

12:23pm | 08/03/11

Holly you are living in fairy land if you think a carbon price will lower emissions. Humans only contribute 3% of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and with our piddly 1.38% contribution to that 3% will make virtually zero difference.

Also, Gillard stated on 5 occasions prior to the election that there would be no carbon tax, you have a serious case of selective hearing i think.

Anna C says:

12:41pm | 08/03/11

Holly how old are you 12?  Because you certainly are niave if you think that a carbon TAX is going to make us more competitive and create jobs in the future.  If we go ahead and introduce this TAX it will make Australia anything but competitive against big polluters like China.  To go ahead with this TAX when we only produce around 1% of the world’s pollution will result in the destruction of our economy; it’s economic suicide.  Has it escaped your notice that our economy is now heavily reliant on mining and exporting minerals like coal etc which isn’t exactly ‘green’?  Also tell me Holly what exactly are these jobs that the TAX will create?  People like you and the Greens are always going on about these new jobs and I’m sure we would all really like to know what they are.

Anna C says:

12:41pm | 08/03/11

Holly how old are you 12?  Because you certainly are niave if you think that a carbon TAX is going to make us more competitive and create jobs in the future.  If we go ahead and introduce this TAX it will make Australia anything but competitive against big polluters like China.  To go ahead with this TAX when we only produce around 1% of the world’s pollution will result in the destruction of our economy; it’s economic suicide.  Has it escaped your notice that our economy is now heavily reliant on mining and exporting minerals like coal etc which isn’t exactly ‘green’?  Also tell me Holly what exactly are these jobs that the TAX will create?  People like you and the Greens are always going on about these new jobs and I’m sure we would all really like to know what they are.

bobw says:

01:48pm | 08/03/11

Your conclusion does not follow from its “premise”.

Ken says:

01:57pm | 08/03/11

Even as a troll this is painfully stupid. Let’s take you at face value, if your story is true, and assuming that the property would be in a an area projected to be flooded, how does that invalidate all the tomes of evidence pointing to climate change? It might mean Rudd feels the government will simply build sea walls, or that by the time the water encroaches he will be long gone, or that he’s simply a short sighted moron.

The presumption that scientists are engaged in a monumental conspiracy is ludicrous, after all if they cared about money and power they’d be politicians or merchant bankers, not scientists. Add to that the impossibility of keeping such a massive conspiracy involving hundreds of thousands if not millions of people quiet and its obvious your suggestion is lunacy. Even after that and we still assume the scientists are engaged in an absurd conspiracy, it would be exposed by simply looking at the data and performing your own measurements. Then we have to ask, how are they going to profit by this conspiracy anyway?

On the other hand, if you’re trolling and you don’t actually believe what you say, then your basically stabbing yourself in the eye for a laugh.

B J of Syd says:

03:12pm | 08/03/11

Yes Scot it is interesting.  The oceans are supposed to rise by a few metres due to global warming but everwhere except in front of Kevin Rudd’s seaside resort and not outside Al Gore’s Florida oceanfront home.  The rest of us are going to drown it would appear.  The fact that they manage to keep a straight face while toting this garbage out to the public in the name of CC is laughable.

bobw says:

04:22pm | 08/03/11

What’s “interesting”, B J of Syd, is that you made that post after Ken, with admirable patience, took the time to point up the basic absurdity of Scot’s claim.  Did you even read Ken’s post?

Anna C says:

12:55pm | 08/03/11

And of course YOU Geoffry are above all that.  You must really hate democracy cause it means all us pesky people get to have our say.  I really hope what you were being a little tongue in cheek cause otherwise you really should get to a Proctologist quick smart to have your head removed from your arse.

geoffry says:

05:36pm | 08/03/11

Actually Anna, I hate the corruption of democracy in which you so obviously revel. Do you seriously believe your opinions are your own?

If you’re such a lover of democracy, then why are people of your ilk so determined to do everything possible to misinform, distract and distort? Take your misleading response to me for example.

John says:

03:07pm | 08/03/11

Its simple yofussn: taxes are increased to pay for these schemes.

This government has already introduced a new mining tax.  Now they’re trying a carbon tax.  Does anyone really think it’ll just end there?

This is how the Left side of politics works.  They have an inbuilt predisposition of superiority: they know better than us how to spend OUR money.

The answer to EVERYTHING is to increase the power of government by increasing taxes.  The people have less money and can make less decisions; the government has a bigger percentage of our money and makes more decisions (usually wasteful as the public sector is inherently inefficient).

They just don’t get it I’m afraid.  It’s that simple.

People who have actually earned at least one honest day’s pay in their lifetimes tend to get it.

Rhys says:

12:54pm | 08/03/11

and ken….if you aint got a “rich” liberal employer or small business owner, you ain’t got a job!

MarK says:

01:22pm | 08/03/11

“There will be no carbon tax under a government I lead”

You were mentioning believing and truth?

Denny Crane says:

01:25pm | 08/03/11

Well thank god you are here to help pebbles. I imagine that the polluters will just cop the extra expense without passing those extra costs to the consumers. How naive of me to think that a business would not build in all expenses into the price they charge. It would be un-Australian for them to do so.

Stop listening to Swan. he is an idiot. Of course everything is going to cost more. Its simple economics and only fools like Swan and Brown would try and argue any different. Is it any wonder that Labor get votes with idiots prepared to swollow every bit of crap they spew out.

Ben81 says:

01:41pm | 08/03/11

“it is a tax on polluters not you”
Thanks captain obvious, now if that tax wasn’t going to be passed on to consumers why immediately follow up that comment with “most of you will get assistance”?  And isn’t the point, as Gillard has said, to make people change their habits by increasing those costs?  Kind of makes it pointless, doesn’t it?  And where is this assistance package, last time I checked it doesn’t exist yet, so what is the “most of you” part based on?

“his climate change will only cost 10 billion dollars and will not cost the taxpayer a cent, ha ha ha ha”
A cent more than we’re paying right now?  Well not really, no.

“come on wake up to this idiot. its all fear mongering and you idiots are falling for it “
Fear mongering?  It seems the facts are well and truly on his side. 
The only way this tax will actually reduce emissions is by increasing individual peoples cost of living so they’re forced to change, so either the cost of living will go up or “assistance” will make it all completely pointless.  Pick one if you like, Gillard hasn’t told us which one it is yet.

minnie says:

02:15pm | 08/03/11

So 200.00 a year will help pay the increases in living?
Are you mad?
Things have gone up more than that already!!!
wake up to yourself pebbles.
You obviously mooch off your parents or the Government because if you were paying the utilitiies and other costs you would not make silly statements like that.

Shelly says:

02:43pm | 08/03/11

If carbon dioxide is pollution - why is there no mention of it in the National Environment Protection (National
Pollutant Inventory) Measure 1998 report - url -
http://www.ephc.gov.au/sites/default/files/NPI_NEPM__NPI_NEPM_as_Varied_200811.pdf

Eduardo says:

03:49pm | 08/03/11

Pebbles, obviously you haven’t paid attention to the latest craze…. find a new way to pass the cost back to the consumer. Look at the airline industry… buy a ticket at a low cost airline and then pay for booking / baggage / excess baggage / food / (the hostie is probably next!?... Sir / Maam - would you like a seat with a safety card or one without? Seatbelt?).... It can very quickly end up far more expensive than the full price ticket.
How many times do you here companies saying “we have to preserve the bottom line”.... heck, Qantas and Telstra have sacked hundreds at times on this mantra, and the banks do it with ATM charges, even when they know the charges are excessive. Mobile phone companies do it with call costs, and petrol companies do it everytime a bad news Middle East story hits the news…. the price goes up instantly even though the fuel in their tanks was bought & delivered before the latest Middle Eastern turmoil. And funnily enough we are all polluters…. we all exhale carbon dioxide so you can probably expect that someone will charge you for heavy breathing and exhaling. So Pebbles, if you use anything…. anything at all…. that is generated by a company that is considered to be a polluter (or even a shrewd company that is just factoring in a “Green Levy” cause they can make a few extra bucks) , you can start watching your money walk out the door, as they try to recover costs from you. Poor naive Pebbles….

Ken says:

02:03pm | 08/03/11

Reality 101, the economy is dependent on the environment.

bobw says:

03:22pm | 08/03/11

Yep, thank god for MBAs.

TIMFROMTHETOPEND says:

05:50pm | 08/03/11

The earthquake has something to do with climate change?????
I thought it was just a convenient cover for a press release about how much of a lying shrew Julia Gillard is

carol says:

03:31pm | 08/03/11

wash your mouth out please.
Once you start using that language it defeats your purpose.

michael j says:

07:24pm | 08/03/11

NOW comon Carol if it was half as offensive as the stuff we are commenting on it would be edited wouldn’t it ,,that makes me wonder whats under those black lines in freedom of information papers,,,
apology to you carol

Catching up says:

01:46pm | 08/03/11

No one has ruled out nuclear.  Nuclear is expensive, and if you support nuclear, you need to support a price on carbon to make it a economical possibilty.

I believe that nuclear is too dangerous and the price too high, that is only my opinion,

Travis says:

04:17pm | 08/03/11

i understand that its dangerous but dont you think it would still be worth exploring? i mean with the price of electricity already going up even without a carbon tax i think this option would be viable i reckon

Nuclear Is The Answer says:

05:16pm | 08/03/11

@ Catching Up, the Greens and the ALP Left have ruled nuclear out, let’s not pretend. I hail from South Africa and we’ve had a two nuclear reactors running since 1984 & 1985. In fact, SA is planning to build more nuclear reactors shortly. If it can be run safely in a 3rd world country, why not here? The problem is the Greens and environmentalists suffer from the same delusions they accuse others of. Only THEY have the answers. THEY want to tell others how to live.

We have an abundance of uranium and skills and we could easily power our country for the next 10000 years if we wanted to without releasing any contaminants into the atmosphere. It seems the Left/Greens want their cake and eat it too.

bobw says:

03:39pm | 08/03/11

Yes, I seem to remember something about that in the Constitution:

“A federal election will be held following the failure of a government to respond to a ‘policy challenge’ issued by the anonymous blog poster known as ‘Against the Man’.  ‘Against the Man’ will only issue such a challenge if said government is ‘worst than the worst’.  ‘Against the Man’ and will be the sole judge of whether the challenge has been met.”

I think it’s called a “doubly delusional” trigger, or something like that.

Against the Man says:

04:20pm | 08/03/11

Well said Wayne Swan, oops I mean bobw.

ATM is exposing the corruption!

http://www.6minutes.com.au/news/Nicola-Roxon-refuses-to-release-Super-Clinic-detai

Dingo says:

02:02pm | 08/03/11

Andy, as has been pointed out dozens of times of late, when Howard changed his mind on a GST he took it to an election. So if Gillard wants to change her mind on a carbon tax, let’s have an election.

Every Australian who uses electricity is a polluter and if we have a carbon tax we will all be paying. That however is not the right question. The real question is will emissions be reduced by increasing the cost of something we really can’t avoid using and the answer is a resounding NO.

coral says:

02:08pm | 08/03/11

The people must vote on this, it’s too important not to allow them their say.

Eduardo says:

04:03pm | 08/03/11

Andy Thomas:
1990s Election = GST Mandate (and being fiscally sensible) = paying down national debt and saving a $20 billion surplus….
2010 Election = No carbon tax promise (and NO mandate in a hung parliament) = no Labor fiscal control = broke and looking for another source of cash
The two situations just don’t compare….

Paul C says:

03:17pm | 08/03/11

No Pat, Gillard is a Puppet of the Green Party.

robyne says:

03:20pm | 08/03/11

What fair go?
Take the Carbon Tax to the people.
That would be a Fair Go

Libsupporter says:

02:45pm | 08/03/11

Gee, the polls really have got to you darl’n. x
I understand though, never mind, blame Julia and Wayne.

GB says:

02:54pm | 08/03/11

@Steve Smith. Best laugh I’ve had all day. Careful you don’t blow a gasket there Stevie. And you can spare us the faux outrage by the way. That diversionary tactic has already been tried by your comrade leaders and failed epically. Of course your beloved ALP beacons of virtue would never resort to such tactics as playing the man or deliberately spreading misinformation would they.  Sounds like desparate times at ALP HQ.

Anna C says:

03:04pm | 08/03/11

Steve Smith FAIL!!! Don’t you know the rules of debate? The first person to invoke Nazism loses the argument.  While I am no fan of Liberals (or any political party for that matter), calling them “‘the most racist neo-nazi party that Australia has ever had to endure” is just ridiculous. Surely you’ve heard of One Nation?

Brian says:

03:04pm | 08/03/11

Mr Smith, you’re no different to the Liberals that you despise when you resort to name calling and comparisons to Nazi Germany.

Well done on a perfect example of hypocrisy and self destruction of the little credibility one has online…

Bewildered says:

03:50pm | 08/03/11

Dude stop smoking whatever you’re smoking it’s clearly wrecking your brain. Racist? Enabling Laws? Insults? Are you blind? Abbott’s not racist by any means, and if you want enabling laws try the LABOR government of Victoria’s anti-vilification laws. You know the ones that saw a Pakistani who fled to Australia to avoid getting killed by Muslims in court because his views on Islam are verboten! Attacks on Muslims by a liberal senator, can’t recall the specifics there so I’ll pass on those. Refugees flown to attend funerals. That one’s justified. My grandmother died recently and nobody flew her family anywhere. In fact one cousin was lucky to make it over in time for it. He missed getting to her deathbed. Why give support to illegals when legals don’t get the same rights? Insulting the PM by comparing her to Gaddafi? Maybe you’ve forgotten the Conga Line of Suckholes comment. That was by Labor’s heroic leader of the hour. But maybe you’ve written Latham out of the list of working class heroes? No pride in the country? Well no I don’t, but then I’m not an Australian. I’ll stick with being comfortable amongst a bunch of semi-civilised foreigners -  Abbott’s clearly proud to be Australian though and, when the media bothers to show it, demonstrates a serious community minded side. Sure not everyone in the Coalition’s as good e.g. a certain ex leader, but there’s better and worse everywhere. Gillard on the other hand, well don’t get me started on that lying backstabbing ice puppet! I think your sentiments are returned in full. Sure there’s some intelligent people on the wrong side of politics but all too many demonstrate sickening imbecility and mindless parroting of the “free thinking” they’ve had drummed into them.

Dr B S Goh says:

04:32pm | 08/03/11

Re: Steve Smith. I do not know what you are raving about saying that the Opposition is the most racist and neo-nazi party.

I am not a Caucasian Australian. I support the Anti-Terrorism Laws and I want to see a complete stop to the boat people.

I am against the proposed carbon tax on the simple ground that it has no significant impact on reducing global warming if the major nations do not act in an effective way on global warming. Furthermore it will HURT THE AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY. It is a simple and logical reason why we should not have any carbon tax at this point in time. Later yes if many nations come together on it.

If the world becomes miserable because of global warming be comforted by the fact that Australia will be one of the top two nations which survive.

Maurice says:

01:56pm | 09/03/11

A lesson in how to be proven wrong. I thought the 2 dumbest people in Australia to ever hold the PM post would be Rudd and Gillard, two abject failures and liars in every sense of the word.  However along comes Steve Smith, who out dopes even these two.  I guess we now know who the next chosen one will be for a Labor Leader, introducing PM Smith and his Deputy Garrett LMAO. Long will reign the Libs, the true economic and social reformist managers of this country.

I thought I'd Heard it all says:

03:50pm | 09/03/11

Re: Steve Smith,
You are raving I hope.
What is a Muslin?  If the refugees (which they are not, they are illegal immigrants) don’t want to risk death, they shouldn’t risk the journey.  They should be sent back immediately and apply in the correct and legal manner.
If they are legitimate they are most welcome.  You disgust me. Against anti-terrorism and referring to any of our Government officials as Neo Nazis is an insane notion.  Perhaps you should be put on trial for treason and sent to Christmas Island.

MarK says:

02:37pm | 08/03/11

It is my country too Christian.

Don’t you ever forget that pal.

Quick quiz. Which party has an aboriginal member in the lower house?

harold says:

03:03pm | 08/03/11

ha ha ha you can bet your bottom dollar when Labor is losing they take out the race card.
Christian I was born here same as you,
we are Australian mate!

Bris Jack says:

03:15pm | 08/03/11

Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk.

Puzzled Cat says:

04:55pm | 08/03/11

Christian - on your own today I see.  When the beloved comrade, Mal Farr, writes an article like this you know the party is over.

Dave says:

06:04pm | 08/03/11

Mate you were conquered.  get over it.  Happens a lot in history.  Normans did it to the Brit, Aryans in India did it to the tamils.  You lost.  Not your land anymore.

JamieW says:

07:59pm | 08/03/11

Hi Christian,

Your ancestors ancestors came from the Pacific-Asia region. But guess what, that doesn’t matter because your ancestors ancestors ancestors, who happen to also be my ancestors ancestors ancestors, all happened to be homosapien.

So technically this isn’t their land and just so we are clear, my ancestors ancestors ancestors want you to grow the f*ck up.

TCB 24 X 7 says:

08:11pm | 08/03/11

Hey christian real.
It took the liberal party to have the first Aboriginal candidate.
            You should be ashamed of your labor party,

Jacki says:

02:41pm | 08/03/11

After the polls today I don’t know why they’d be working? Strange comment, I’m sure they’re all down the pub celebrating.

John says:

03:09pm | 08/03/11

Oh Lord DM.

The worse it gets, the bigger the denial.

raspberries says:

03:13pm | 08/03/11

Well you can say what you like .
Too bad, the Greens will go too.
Labor work with the Greens?
Bob Brown is our PM.
Why do you think the polls have dropped?

FelicityC says:

03:34pm | 08/03/11

raspberries look at the latest Newspoll Greens Primary vote UP 2%. Bob Brown is the only untainted credible party leader in Australia today. A man of principle and conviction not a wind dancer like Gillard and Abbott. The Coalition would suffocate in 6 months unable to work with the Greens. Labors crook but the Coalition just plain sick.

simon says:

08:43pm | 08/03/11

Felicity if the coalition was in power there would be no carbon tax bill that would pass the lower house as the coalition would have numbers without the greens to block any bill. So no need to negotaite with the Greens anyway. The real Dr Strangelove is Bob Brown.

chloe says:

04:18pm | 08/03/11

you obviously haven’t seen some Labor comments.
I was once told to get back in my doghouse because nobody could love a bitch like me.
Now I do not say disrespectful things but I had dared to say something to the resident potty mouth.
As soon as the swearing and verbal abuse starts it loses credability.

GB says:

04:19pm | 08/03/11

Yes shame on us Bill. How dare we be up in arms about a PM who lied her way into office and then stuck her middle finger up at all of us by introducing a tax that is going to hurt all of us. At least those of us who work for a living. Excuse me while I give myself an uppercut.

PaulB says:

04:45pm | 08/03/11

What bill?  The opposition is supposed to jump up and down and cheer for Julia and the Green Gang?  Just to look “Australian”  (sorry “Aussie”)??

Christian Real says:

06:10pm | 08/03/11

John Howard brought the radical rednecks in with his style of Government, demonising the boat people, Tony Abbott is just carrying on the family Liberal tradition,by failing to condone and sack his Ministers and Senators for their racist comments towards muslin and other foreigners that arrive on our shores seeking refuge.
When Liberal Senators misuse our parliament by hurling abusive and derogatory slurs and names at the elected Prime Minister, and at the same time putting the Office of Prime Minister into disrepute, then those Liberal Senators and Ministers do not deserve to have the priviledge to grace our Parliament, and should take their racist redneck idealism elsewhere.

JamieW says:

08:05pm | 08/03/11

Bill, you are both right smart and insightful.

FelicityC says:

05:23pm | 08/03/11

danny donaldson - cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo !

danny donaldson says:

04:57pm | 08/03/11

Yes we pay all the toerags that wrecked and sold off our country large pensions for life.When we get our way there will be Nuremberg trials for all these bums. We will have our day; I can feel it coming in the peoples rage.
Take a look at them Carr, Iemma, Keneally, reese, Brumby all fabian N.W.O- labour- Agenda 21 stooges, planted here by the City of London banks.

The only one worth his salt was Mr Howard.

Dr B S Staye says:

07:58pm | 08/03/11

The conservatives are against nuclear energy as well.

Rob says:

06:55pm | 08/03/11

Noel,  the only reason the red headed idiot went to the US is:
a.  To get her next round of orders from the puppet masters and b.
She can dodge the heat and let the idiot treasurer Swan take the rap.
Although I don’t think this is going to die down in a hurry.

I should point out that I am no supporter of politicians of any flavour and the majority of them should be rounded up and either hung or shot.

Louisa says:

07:46pm | 08/03/11

Would be nice if her mother taught her how to use a knife and fork correctly.

Wonder what she tought of BO saying grace before a meal

Christian Real says:

05:59pm | 08/03/11

Ann,
Julia Gillard also made a carbon price promise on the Eve of the last Federal Election in 2010, but I guess you either have trouble reading, or just didn’t bother to read it at the time.
This Story from ” The Australian “
” Julia Gillard’s carbon price promise”
Written By : Paul kelly and Dennis Shanahan, on 20 august,2010 @ 12.00AM
” Julia Gillard says she is prepared to legislate a carbon price in the next term. ‘
” It will be part of a bold series of reform that includes school funding, education, and health. ‘
” In an election eve interview with The Australian, the Prime Minister revealed she would view victory tomorrow as a mandate for a carbon price, provided the community was ready for the step. ”

mervous theunemployed says:

05:55pm | 08/03/11

being an unemployed smoke stack sniffing accountant, I cant wait for theday when I start sending my charges for the above mentioned services!

Climate Skeptic says:

06:22pm | 08/03/11

If Aust. was serious about climate change and or global warming our politicians ould start to discuss nuke power stations.Wind and Solar cannot produce a ‘base load’ power supply. Only hydro ,gas , coal or nuke power can do this.Before you start to talk of nuke waste the Gen. 4 nuke reactors like those built by Canndu of canada will and do burn nuke waste to produce electricity.

MarK says:

06:33pm | 08/03/11

Why wait.

Knock yourself out here

http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/malcolm-farr/

Mal is unashamedly a warmist and it influences his writings. He would have been shocked by these polls. Mal would not be able to understand why us plebs are against the CO2 tax.

James says:

01:33pm | 11/03/11

Mal Farr and thousands of the world’s best scientists, as opposed to Tony Abbot and his gang of good ol boys.

bananabender says:

07:55pm | 08/03/11

“There is only one way to change a government and its called voting. And an election is still 2 and a half years away. “

Wrong. Julia only has to lose the support of one member of the House. This can occur via a by-election or if one of the Independents refuses to guarantee supply. The PM would be forced to immediately resign and call an election.

bananabender says:

07:48pm | 08/03/11

Sea levels are rising at 1-2mm per year - the same rate as they have been rising for thousands of years.

It was warmer 800 years ago, 2000 years ago and 7000 years ago.

Steve Woy Woy says:

10:21pm | 08/03/11

@bananabender ...We voted on the ETS 72% of voters said yes, had an agreement be it in principal but Tony thinks no….! oh forgot he listens to what the people say that’s right.. Dead buried cremated or is that on the health program? No wrong again it is the workers rights yeah got it now dead buried cremated!! Or was it John Howard talking about read my lips something something… GST… no wrong again!!!

Shelly says:

06:45pm | 08/03/11

I am a climate change sceptic for all the reasons that have been included in today’s posts. However, I strongly support the democratic process - if the majority of the Australian population support action on “climate change” that will impose additional cost on us all, then I can live with that, if it’s a clear majority favoured by the Australian people.

TAKE IT TO AN ELECTION JULIA.

By now, we all know what the Labour Party, the Greens and the independents really stand for and where their alliances lie. The Labour party was not voted into government by the majority Australian population, and a lot of the votes they received from working class Australia were on the back of a lie.

Julia, if you believe “the Australian people will ultimately be confident enough to take this step on pricing carbon” give us all the chance to vote on this. If you are so confident, you should not be worried. However, there’s not a chance of this because we all know you will end up out on your backside.

Against the Man says:

07:46pm | 08/03/11

When Gilltard back stabbed Ruddy and became PM, her job was simple - be better than the worst PM (Mr Kevin the Lemon Rudd) in Australian history. She must have misread the game plan, because based on today’s poll she is worse than the Kevinator. Gilltard lacks the brains, skills and personality to be a PM of any reasonable standard. But with a pension on the line, she just has to hold it together and continue selling out Australia to the Greens. Australia has learnt a very important lesson - Vote ALP and pay, pay, pay and suffer, suffer, suffer!

TCB 24 X 7 says:

08:16pm | 08/03/11

KR,
Bob Brown is in control, he is riding gillard like a horse.

                  GIDDY UP,  YIPPY YI YAY.

danny says:

08:22pm | 08/03/11

great to see that Australia is awake to the fraud.
Thanks

Steve Woy Woy says:

10:47pm | 08/03/11

@Labor=Tax .... Yet again whenever there is a conversation on finances or government monies or management of finances the not so well informed lemmings of those lost times for Australia the Dumbing Down Of The Nation Programme come running out on cue!!! salivating from the triggers of the Pavlov’s dog experiment from those times of the failed treasurer who governs the yes man treasurer. Well now the curtains are drawn back take a look folks then tell me that the great financial wizards of that time were right and had the best interest of all at heart… I think not!! To take over with the biggest resources boom this country has ever known at the time $3.3 bil then have a ten year negative growth for the country take our national debt from $700 bil in 1996 to $3.2 trillion in 2007 steer us on track like the rest of the liberal republican right wing agenda governments around the globe to crash out of sight… Interestingly Labor’s stimulus package comes in at about 1% of that total that’s the one which saved us from the GFC and I’m sure not many really understand that either… or don’t wish to..I’ve just come back from a ten day tour of what could have been called the Howard and Costello future visions of Australia tour… USA, UK and Ireland tour… I particularly like the way they begged at the windows… http://youtu.be/koY6kXhQDQo the link will help you save some face and gain some insight into how you were duped. Protection from public monies and management of .... you jest of course!!

Cheryl says:

09:58pm | 08/03/11

Also, a lot of us out here are independent thinkers who can do our own research on the internet.  We do not need politicians to tell us how or what to think!  This carbon dioxide tax is purely a money maker to balance the books of an incompetent government.  And when did carbon dioxide become a pollutant?  More devious nonsense from our politicians, some might call it scare mongering.

Gary says:

03:14am | 09/03/11

It’s quite obvious that democracy belongs exclusively to the ‘born to rule’ liberals. Perhaps we should have to register our political leanings so you can disenfranchise us lefties once and for all.

danny says:

08:32pm | 08/03/11

Thanks Julie, too true.

Steve Smith says:

08:19am | 09/03/11

thetruereal
You are so right, no figures have been put on a carbon price or tax yet, so Tony Abbott is lying to the australian public once more by claim it to be a big new tax.
It is time for Tony Abbott to put up the figures that he claims this ‘big new tax’ will be, or to shut up.

Steve Smith says:

08:21am | 09/03/11

thetruereal
You are so right, no figures have been put on a carbon price or tax yet, so Tony Abbott is lying to the australian public once more by claim it to be a big new tax.
It is time for Tony Abbott to put up the figures that he claims this ‘big new tax’ will be, or to shut up.

Tombowler says:

01:59am | 09/03/11

Lisa; this is an educated guess and I’m more than happy to be corrected here. I suspect it is the following:

1) Low population density and a huge nation means we are trucking a shit-ton of stuff around for a relatively small amount of people.

2) We don’t have any nuclear power and neglible solar etc

3) Low-density urban environments means that we are all driving everywhere and not inconsiderable distances all the time

Essentially I think it’s mostly to do with the fact that there are so few of us spread over such a vast area. If you think about trucking/train routes, the huge amount of livestock in the country, the fact so much of the population consistently drive and our fairly de-centralized way of life it’s not hard to see how our per capita emissions are so high…

To politicize:  f#$k lowering emissions. We hold ourselves out to ‘make a difference’ despte the miniscule effect it will have on global emissions. Simultaneously we excuse India, China etc their massive and increasing emissions because they are ‘developing’.

I fail to see why their development is any more of an excuse than our low-density, largely uninhabitable continent and our innate desire to preserve a decentralized, spacious and uniquely aussie way of life

Anyway; let me know if that helps you at all Lisa.

simon says:

08:17am | 09/03/11

We emit higher emissions per capita because the Greens and Labor will not allow nuclear. Those countries in Europe that Combet talks about that have carbon prices all have nuclear base load making up a significant amount of energy. Blame the Greens and Labor for the mess we are in today!!! The carbon price in Europe is only $1.76 per tonne, Bob Brown want $45 per tonne here, which is so hypocritical given their negative stance on nuclear.

TCB 24 X 7 says:

01:35am | 09/03/11

Hey Margaret,
Did it ever occurr to you that you may be Wrong and that you may be the ignorant one.As for gillards Leardship, well lets see,
with the greens on her back, Uncle Bob has already started pulling the strings and that my friend is definately Weak not Capable Leadership.

simon says:

08:12am | 09/03/11

We have technologies like hydrogen fuel cells that could eliminate the need for oil overnight. Unfortunately the oil moguls will not allow this technology to be released until every last drop of oil is milked to it’s maximum. Also the Greens will not allow nuclear energy which most developed countries already have which means that we all pay more for energy because of the Greens foolishness. It’s just crazy that we could be benefiting from emission free technology right now but because the greens wont allow it we have to burn fossil fuels for our energy which means we get hard hit by the carbon tax. So blame the Greens and to some extent Labor for the spiraling energy costs. Those countries in Europe that do have a carbon tax get most of their energy from nuclear, hydro with only a small amount coming from coal or gas so the carbon price had little impact on power bills over there. A carbon price in Europe is currently only $1.76 per tonne. Bob Brown is pushing for $45 per tonne, this will decimate Australia.

LC says:

09:05pm | 10/03/11

“We have technologies like hydrogen fuel cells that could eliminate the need for oil overnight.”

Too bad the infrastructure required cannot be installed in the same amount of time…

simon says:

08:03am | 09/03/11

I agree there are many other things we could be doing to reduce emissions rather than having a carbon tax. It seems that Gillard and Brown have chosen this option because there is extra tax revenue for the government to use prior to the election and to further pork barrel their demographics.

MargD says:

04:30pm | 09/03/11

REALLY ????? Could have fooled me!!!!! lol
The Coalition will be laughing all the way to the Lodge after the next election and I don’t give a toss who leads the charge as long as we get rid of this incompetent lot…

The Redman says:

03:15pm | 09/03/11

Actually, the ALP (rather than Gillard) did won both more seats and more votes that the Liberal Party - and by a long way. In fact, the ALP exceeded the Liberal Party’s Primary vote by almost 1 million voters. The ALP secured 38% of the Primary vote compared with the Liberal Party’s 30%.  Even if you’re talking about the Coalition (The Nationals secured a whopping 460,000 (3.7%) Primary votes) you’d be wrong. Gillard, if you must, secured the largest vote of any single Party in the election and by a long shot. It also holds the most seats of any single Party in Parliament by a long way.

Beau says:

09:34am | 10/03/11

Stop listening to Alan Jones, watching Foxtel and reading the Telegraph, and you may have a better understanding of the facts.The only embarrasment to Australia, are these right wing bigots, who give us a bad name overseas, which was evident during the Howards era! The liberal front bench would look good woud’nt it, with Barnaby Joke (Joyce), “Can’t make my mind” Joe Hockey, rambling Robb, and the stammering, lurching, “say no to everything”, Abbott,.. heaven forbid and help Australia, should these idiots get in! Everytime you pay 10% more at the register in gst, thank John Howard, and if you think there won’t be new taxes under the liberals, you stupid. So wake up to yourself!!

LC says:

08:58pm | 10/03/11

June, had people seen this coming at the last election Abbott would have been voted in (even if only just). I, as an atheist, would certainly have no qualms doing so.

Problem is she went to the election saying “There will be NO carbon taxation under my government”.

I’m just hoping Australians haven’t got short memories and remember her dishonesty come next election (and I’m sure if they don’t, the Liberals campaign will be quick to remind us). But the problem is if the even if the Liberals win government at the next election, they will not be able to revoke any carbon taxation plan unless they win the election after that (as the Greens will still hold balance of power in the senate and block any attempt to overturn the legislation).

And no, it’s not OK for any party to say “x will/won’t happen if I am elected” and then go back on their word when they are elected. Howard is no exemption. Then again, I wasn’t keen on voting liberal at that time regardless.

Belinda says:

12:44pm | 09/03/11

I suggest the polls were all taken in Warringah.
But hey,
Let the stooges party for a little while.
It’s a long way till the next election.

James says:

01:40pm | 11/03/11

I am not a sceptic (hard to be as I have a physics degree) and I agree with your goals they are the most sensible areas for the money to go.  One thing I would say though is that the household compensation should go into making poorer household more efficient rather than just giving them money back.

The tax needs to be low say under $25.  What we really need are feed in tariffs for alternative energy and to invest in grid up grade and smart grids.  I work in the energy industry and I have news for people, a carbon tax ain’t the problem our real problem is underinvestment in infrastructure this is what is going to kill consumers.  Like PT our power grid is not up to scratch and is going to cost consumers big time, the carbon tax is trival in comparison to this.