Gillard’s campaign debacle

Jane the elder says:

08:32pm | 07/08/10

The suspense is killing me.  Someone I know recognized that Aged facility as one where she has relatives staying.  Tell me the atheist, single and shacked up with a bloke, EMILYs List Julia, who has had an affair with a married man who left his wife and children DID NOT choose a Catholic run aged facility to make her announcement. lol

It would be just too much!  You’d have to wonder about how many friends she’d find there?

not a labor voter says:

12:40am | 08/08/10

This thing Latham is an aggressive dangerous Ferrel ,should be in a pound,or put down

Christian Real says:

06:09am | 08/08/10

Jane thye Elder
How dare you ridicule Julia Gillard because she said she was an atheist and because she also chose to live with someone and is not married.
The Liberal way Jane the elder, if you are an example of it is pathetic, Un-Australian and seems to be fast becoming a dictatorship.
As for catholics,they appear to think and believe that they are so perfect and above everybody else.
The home care organization that comes in to shower my father in law took it upon themselves to make arrangements to put him into a nursing home for respite.
We agreed to a respite stay for him of a fortnight , and later that day the nursing home rang us and we found out that this catholic care service had made arrangements for him to be in respite for a month,not a fortnight like we had agreed,the catholic care service had also stipulated to the nursing home a view, that he would become a permanent resident, this was all done without my wife’s permission.
I rang the catholic care service and told them that unless they fixed up the misinformation that they had gave the nursing home, that my wife and I would come and take him back home again.
As a person of Aboriginal origin Jane, we look after our own elders and treat them with respect,my wife and I have looked after her father for almost 19 years and we are not going to be dictated to by some catolic organization.
Another reason why I would never vote for Tony Abbott

MarK says:

08:46pm | 08/08/10

Ahhh I see Christian. It is just Catholics you dislike.

At least we are to the root of your bias.

Christian Real says:

05:39am | 09/08/10

Mark K
Just because someone has a different opinion of Tony Abbott or objects to the way a catholic organization is trying to dictate to them,as in my previous comment, does not mean that I have a dislike or I am in anyway bias towards all people of Catholic denomination.
Your comment appears to be a deliberate attempt to construe and twist what I have written.

E says:

03:46pm | 07/08/10

These people are the best they have left, the senior guys kill off anyone whose talent might threatend their ascendency, plus the toxic ALP culture of desperate used car sales people and spin at any cost.

In short, for the ALP, the moral or capable need not apply.

Christian Real says:

07:59am | 08/08/10

Eric
Is that why Tony abbott got the Top position as leader of the Opposition, because he is incompetent, a liar, an opportunist, and one who also breaches Parliamentary rules and gets away with it.
Twice Tony Abbott has breached parliamentary rules once in 1998, when he failed to disclose a secret trust fund that he set up to help Peter Sharples, a disgruntled One Nation candidate, take legal action against Pauline Hanson and One Nation, Abbott set the fund up in late Aust 19998, but failed to declare the fund on the Members register until 3rd December, 1998, and again just two years ago,Abbott took out a $710,000 mortgage and once again he failed to register this also on the members register.
It seems that Tony Abbott appears to think and believe that he is exempt from the parliamentary rule, because the Parliamentary rules clearly states that: “Parliament requires all MPs to register any changes in interests,benefits or liabilities within 28 days”

Aitch B says:

11:10am | 08/08/10

Keep trotting out your anti-Abbott rants, Christian. A good laugh brightens up everybody’s day!

School Shed sale$1.5mil says:

02:13pm | 08/08/10

@Eric,whoever Bill Shorten and his mob can manipulate gets a gig,the only prerequisite is incompetence

Reg says:

04:53pm | 08/08/10

Then here’s one for haith, the Liberal propaganda about daily borrowing is, according to Bernie Fraser ex RBA, the worst example of deceptive scare-tactics ever perpetrated on the Australian electorate. It’s official, Liberals are liars, as if we didn’t know already.

union officals who own pubs,nothing suss there! says:

05:31pm | 08/08/10

Stephen Smith has built a substantial support base of now 59 people including family and staffers,his undying support for anyone is his main weakness combined with his inability to administer his portfolio,apart from that he is despised,going well and looking for a job with Kevin Renyolds slimy crew

Adam Diver says:

03:37pm | 07/08/10

I am not privy to these interviews but I get the feeling, the questions are passive, pointless dribble. I want some media personalities of conviction:

“What Kevin and I discussed was him actively campaigning for the reelection of thee Gillard Government and that is what he is going to do.”

Immediately I want the question posed to her and any labor supporter, who defended the decision of Rudds sacking by claiming that is how the westminster system works.

If this is the case why do you refer yourself as the reelection of the gillard government? Such Hypocrisy.

Also if a politician does not answer a question, the question should be repeated by the entire media scrum, until it is a) answered porperly, b) turns into such a farce that it reflects poorly on the politician

E says:

05:25pm | 07/08/10

Yeah Adam, I totally agree. I am not sure why the media pack are so toothless and never work as a team. They should stategically allocate question lists to be asked in order to box the poli’s in and just keep hammering them!

Gregg says:

03:00pm | 07/08/10

Is BL for born/bred Labor for you seem to have a very short memory as it was the Liberal government who not only governed so as a $96B budgetting deficit was turned into a surplus situation just for Labor to squander it again.
The Libs were the ones who also not only introduced taxation cuts but Labor in first term only went with one that had been left courtesy of the Liberal surplus.
Labor might be preaching about a small business tax change for some time in the future just as they are looking to reap heaps from the most viable high earning industry we have and the same one that enabled a reasonable cash flow during the GFC, that more to do with us not being in recession than any cash splash.
Now they are borrowung to the tune of $100M a day and what do you reckon that will do fpr tax cuts.

Lucius says:

03:25pm | 07/08/10

Gregg, you sound like one of those Liberal staffers we hear so much about that haunt the online blogs and news sites daily to spread mindless Liberal propoganda. Do they pay you much?

Adam Diver says:

03:40pm | 07/08/10

@ BL, I am so sick of the overuse of the word “literal”. Usually I don’t care about how people use the english language, but do you literally get made sick to your stomach by the liberals??

If you do then:

Liberals

Liberals

Liberals

BobM says:

04:54pm | 07/08/10

Lucius, he probably gets paid more than you under Gillards Fair Work Australia or whatever BS name it has - double time and a half, no doubt, on Saturdays?

Let's secede! says:

05:42pm | 07/08/10

BL, name one tax that has been reduced under this Labor government. Not two or three, name just ONE! And don’t say company tax, because that is a policy not legislation. I paid $38,000 in individual tax last year plus $2,000 for the medicare levy, and I have my own private health care which costs me another $1,200 per year. So don’t crap on about labor looking after the working man.

Steve Putnam says:

05:56pm | 07/08/10

Gregg the Liberals balanced the books by selling everything that wasn’t nailed down and a 10% across the board tax. The stimulus package kept unemployment down to 5% and ensured none of our major financial institutions went under.
If you are so fond of government non-intervention why don’t you go Stateside and buy a re-posessed three bedroom house for $5,000? While you’re there you can chat to people in the many dole queues that snake over the land or the many people in need of urgent medical attention who lost all insurance cover when the companies they worked for collapsed in debt.
Mind you its possible to find the same things elsewhere. Public sector debt in Australia is under 10%. In countries such as France, the UK, Germany and Japan its starts at 80% and climbs to 140%. Australia is the economic envy of the world—but you’d throw that away for a budget surplus to worship like a golden calf and a fifty dollar a week tax cut?

Gregg says:

06:23pm | 07/08/10

Damm it Lucius and I do try and type so quietly.
But aside from that, do you not think there ought to be more revelation of facts and I imagine you would even like to be privvy to the facts of what the JGKR dealing may mean for who could be Labor’s next PM and I reckon Stephen Smith might even like to know about foreign affairs, though as just opposition shadower it’ll not be quite as big a deal.

Phil says:

08:59pm | 07/08/10

Steve.
Did you ever stop for one minuite and think why America got itself in the sh1t.
They gave out loans to those who had no hope of ever paying them back. This was a policy started by Clinton and Carter. Yes the other side should have stopped this policy, but they didnt. They also have major union issues and the quality and cost of their products rose to a level that they were uncompetitive. Many industries were crippled by lack of credit, sending them broke, but many of them should have been called charities not corporations, as they obviously were too employment heavy or uncompetitive, paying too much for bad people or just having too many on staff. Uncompetitive will often but not always mean heavy union involvement.
Yes the sub-prime was the major issue, but the US government simply have spent more than they earnt for far too long, trying to be nice to everyone when that is not possible whilst balancing the books.
USA is in debt big time. Personally I doubt they will ever pay it back, will probably default just like Greece in 2-3 years.
Workchoices was such a bad policy it gave us the lowest unemployment in many decades. Its flexability allowed many to reduce hours rather than be put off. Work Fair only really came into being 12 months ago, well after the worst had gone through Australia. I am not advocating for its return, but the current system is only workchoices lite anyway.
Our financial sector was and remains in good shape. We have 3-4 of the top 10 banks in the world.
The UK, Spain, Greece, Portugal Ireland and Italy are also screwed.
As for the GST other taxes were removed, lowered so minimal impact should have occurred. If it did then one must have been in a cash economy.
The cost of every job we saved was $210,000 per person based on the 200,000 that Labor state and the 42 Billion they spent on stimulus, which we have very little to show for. Was that good value?
Personally interest rate reductions helped more far better than cash hand outs stupid programs like Pink Batts and BER were just waste.
People like you and BL would probably agrue for an ETS, but not for its long term environmental benefits, but cause it may not cost you much after subsidies. I bet most for an ETS would change their tune (merchant bankers aside) if no compensation was given and everyone just paid for their polution.

Kirk says:

11:33pm | 07/08/10

Clinton and Carter?  I guess Carter started it, then during 12 years of Republican Presidencies nothing happened, and then Clinton finished it?

And @let’s_secede! learn that if you are a high income earner (which you’ll deny, but anyone paying $38k tax if clearly a high income earner) you have to pay a high level of tax.  Such is life.  If you don’t like it piss off to some third world country.  Taxes are well and truly low enough in this country.

Christian Real says:

06:19am | 08/08/10

Gregg,
It appears that you are just echoing the Liberal diatribe, I believe it was the Liberal Opposition who claimed that the government is borrowing $100 million a day.
If you have any proof Gregg that this $100 million a day figure that you are using in your comment is correct, please feel free to submit , the source and the web page link

Christian Real says:

06:28am | 08/08/10

Gregg,
One could ask the same abbott the dealings with Tony Abbott’s shadow ,John Howard who after getting rejected by the cricket, has bounced back into the political area to help his former attack dog in Parliament.

Ruxxy says:

07:48am | 08/08/10

Sorry BL- but if you want to straighten out your commentary and be fair about things - Tony Abbbott is not an idiot despite what some sections of the press would like you to think- and he originally voted against dropping the no disadvantage clauses in work choices.  He will not bring W/C’s back. As for taxes, Labor’s little ETS scam which they are avowed to bring in will cost each taxpayer in excess of $3k per year (+ growing)- not to mention other taxes to pay back their spending addiction.  TA will be a pussycat after this lot who have set new standards of low.

Steve Putnam says:

11:56am | 08/08/10

@Phil (below)There are many reasons why the US is in recession not the least of which was the folly of fighting a two front “war on terror” where defence contracts moreover, were simply given to Dick Cheney’s company Haliburton without any tender processes. The collapse of the US car industry had little to do with union issues and everything to do with poor marketing: they continued to produce over-sized, fuel inefficient cars that people no longer want. The behaviour of Wall St junk bond dealers also involved a client base well outside the sub-prime demographic. The point to be made is that in a country like the US which lacks a culture of public intervention nobody saw it coming. Market economists went on blithely predicting continued growth and economic sunshine and then it all went pear-shaped.
In Australia, the government acted immediately and that is why we are in a better position than any other economy. The stimulus package in the form of public and consumer spending grew GDP by 3.1% over 08/09 (Aust Bureau Stats figures)-unmatched world wide.
Since you bring up Workchoices I offer the following: as a small business person, I know that a majority of Australian companies—certainly all the successful ones—value their employees. There is, however, a cowboy element which would do anything to force down wages and in the draconian provisions of Workchoices had a ready made vehicle for doing so. I give my daughter’s experience of it as an example. She returned home from a seven month dance contract overseas in early 2007. As you are never certain of getting work in the entertainment industry she got a job at a fast food outlet whilst continuing to audition, As she lived only a few hundred metres from work she was the first person management called when people were absent, and most of the time was only too happy to help out: win/win situation. Come school holidays however she was told that, despite being guaranteed 30 hours work a week, she wasn’t needed for a for a fortnight. The manager was too gutless to tell her in person leaving it to one of his underlings to do so. This insect was happy to save money by paying a school kid’s wages instead of honouring his verbal assurances to a valued employee believing she’d just cop it sweet. Well she didn’t. The next day she marched straight into his office pushing one of his minders out of the way in the process, and demanded re-instatment of her full hours. He caved in on the spot.
The fact is, under Workchoices, people were given contracts to sign often running into 30 pages or more, at short notice and under duress with no legal or union representation permitted—all quite legal under the act.
At the 2004 election Howard breathed not a word about his intended scheme and then spent $100million of taxpayers money promoting it. No wonder the electors of Benelong sent him packing!

Reg says:

05:25pm | 08/08/10

Gregg, no doubt we’ll wait forever before your reply to Steve’s input although there is little doubt you’ve read it.

I would like to add that the great Howard fire-sale was a once off.  Asset stripping at its very worst and now the cupboard is bare.  But it didn’t stop there, the dreaded Workchoices was the next step at asset stripping, like digging out the gold fillings of the victims and fitting more in each box.  Of course Tony could up the GST. But for now he wants to continue the repression with the aid of all his bully-boys here present..

Helen says:

04:32pm | 09/08/10

“Let’s Secede”, if you paid thirty-eight grand in tax you earn a lot more than a lot of us do, so please stop whining, check your privilege and enjoy living ina civilised country with a still-good public health system and welfare safety net - because those things may not still be in place once Abbott’s done with it.

Phil says:

02:55pm | 07/08/10

Macca every cent promised will be offset by savings measures announced before the election.

I think they are all going to take a pay cut, or claw back the 8 billion wasted from the BER to pay for it.

What a joke.

This meeting today, could just ensure that TA does become PM. All the women getting all excited about a sister as PM must now look pretty dumb. Think Lisa Wilkinson, Mia Freeman, Helen McCabe et al.

They must truely be embarrassed by her performance. I for one thought Gillard would wipe the floor with Abbott, she has however done an All Blacks in the RWC, St George in the NRL Finals and choked.

Shane From Melbourne says:

03:09pm | 07/08/10

Yeah, welcome to the Gerontocracy. Entrenchment of the power and status of the old and wealth transfer from the young. Get used to it.

Tony of Poorakistan says:

04:57pm | 07/08/10

Phil, much of it is being paid for by raping and pillaging Medibank. They intend to claim a huge ‘special dividend’. End result - up goes health insurance.

BobM says:

07:04pm | 07/08/10

Why is she giving Older Working Australians a break? They just become pensioners, and we know they don’t vote for Labor!  Short term memory loss Julia? Or just trying to bribe the oldies.

Polywatcher says:

10:32am | 08/08/10

Macca, you are correct re the “No election sweetners” that Gillard promised.  I know there have been a number of sweetners announced by her since that untruthful statement. Has anyone been tracking her so far listing the exact amount from then.  She handed some out to seniors yesterday and last week teenagers, who remained at school, got $4000. Dont forget the fast rail system from Qld to Melbourne via Western NSW. Please keep the list going.

Reg says:

11:05am | 08/08/10

Let me tell you why BobM. Because the working older Australians lost great chunks of their self-funded retirement fund to the mismanagement of Australian companies in the downturn. If you think Australia managed it well then you have not looked at the losses suffered by banks such as First State for one. Along with the tax payer, the retirees paid for the buoyancy of Australian industry.

Helen says:

04:35pm | 09/08/10

Why is it “dumb”, Phil, to be happy about a woman as PM?
Why the mocking “sister” thing?
Don’t you think it’s appropriate that after 100+ years of federation we stop drawing on only half of the population for our top job?
Or do you secretly think that women shouldn’t aspire to be PM?

Julia says:

03:22pm | 07/08/10

When I was studying journalism there was a rule that unless you witness it, it is not fact and could not be reported as such.

If the journalists had been able to see the reconciliation, perhaps they could report the facts as per their job. As it is, they have to take the word of a woman who said she wasn’t real a week ago.

I want them to verify this relationship to make sure it’s real. Because if this is just some soap opera ending, then I’d prefer it doesn’t continue post 21 august.

Joe says:

03:55pm | 07/08/10

Its gillard who brought about this farce and she is the one conducting this in front of the media like this. Do we really want a hopeless party like this trying to run the country?

MarK says:

03:59pm | 07/08/10

Why?

This is what Labor are presenting us as the “moving forward” option for government.

Remember this is the election campaign..the main game. Imagine what what they will be like if in power. This is as united as they will get. It is a Greek tragedy.

Gregg says:

03:53pm | 07/08/10

Make sure you get tickets for next years festival and they may even put on an extra special few with the material they have.
I hear a number of scripts are already on the way for the ” Secret texting of Kev and Julia ” , even talk of a shakes and spearing production!

I could even see a survivor style reality show being a hit, Politically Moving Forward and then of course Mark Latham already has a board game coming out called Snakes and Liars.

Reader says:

04:33pm | 07/08/10

Looks like you’ll be voting for Bobby Brown to see him moving in to the Lodge with his spouse

Julia Gillard gave thanks to the Lord. says:

05:50pm | 07/08/10

Mrs Gillard thanked the Lord yesterday.  She’s not an atheist now.  Mark Latham may find her in church with Kevin tomorrow.

jim says:

11:07pm | 07/08/10

@Reader, why of course I’d like to vote for the Greens. Have done so a few times in the past, despite my religious connections.

However a vote for the greens in this election is a vote for Labor.

It seems Julia is desperate for votes. I’ll reconsider my vote if she dumps conroy… otherwise it’s Libs.

Ruxxy says:

07:53am | 08/08/10

Do you mean MacDuck?

Bleary says:

03:27pm | 07/08/10

Here is a idea Jones,how about you supervise your own bloody kids and leave everyone elses rights alone thanks.
Also,did Gillard have a rosy tinge to her cheeks during that presser? She seemed a touch tetchy to me,those pesky journos wouldn’t stay “on message” It is like watching a train crash in slo mo.
Bleary

Barbara says:

03:31pm | 07/08/10

Pray tell how the Internet will be any safer?  I had my nephew demonstrate to me how easy it is to bypass any filter.  It doesn’t stop paedophiles communicating peer to peer or by email, which is their preferred method. What it does do is give the Government of the day the ability to block any website they so choose, with little or no scrutiny by the public they pretend to be protecting.  Forget about any semblance of free speech or discussion over the internet if they get their bureaucratic little fingers on it.  Why don’t you and people like you just take some responsibility and do your jobs as parents by educating your kids and supervising their internet access instead of imposing a one size fits all approach.

E says:

03:50pm | 07/08/10

Wow ...
First, the internet filter wont make the internet safer, its only going to block 300 (up to 10,000) of the tens of millions of porn sites, so you lose there. And I have no idea what you are talking about when you say ‘violence in games and media will soon end’ , what is the connection?

Mark says:

04:25pm | 07/08/10

LOL JohnJones, and when that filter starts blocking something you are interested in, I guarantee you’ll be one of the ones crying foul the loudest and demanding the government you so blindly supported reverse their decision….and they wont.

Why not lobby for something worthwhile like a CPI increase for pensioners each year, for more affordable daycare for families where both parents have to work?

How about promoting that it’s parents responsibility not governments to look after children.

How about promoting a reviewed classification system for games. That way games that are not suitable for 15 year old are correctly classified for adults.

It’s lobby groups like yours that are driving this country backwards, and helping us become one of the laughing stocks of the western world. It’s lobby groups like yours that sweep the country up in your views whether we like it or not and ram your stupid beliefs down our throats via government intervention.

You might not like my views, and that is your prerogative. But my views do not imped your right to information, to freely express yourself without fear or to games or other media that is not appropriate for my children, but appropriate for me as a 40 year old gamer.

Macca says:

04:38pm | 07/08/10

@JohnJones, would that be the “No Fun” Lobby Group

The Scarlet Pimpernel says:

05:05pm | 07/08/10

I assume you are taking the piss. There couldn’t be two people as stupid as Stephen Conroy, surely.

jenni says:

05:09pm | 07/08/10

Not sure if it is your own spin or Julia’s you have been smoking mate.
If this is the little ray of sunshine that you are hanging onto, then I suggest that you both have buckley’s to none!

Tarzan says:

05:12pm | 07/08/10

Totally agree with JohnJones, we have also put a petition to Julia to stop violent games access on the net. Conroy has been positive with us.
And Mark as a 40 year old gamer, don’t you think it’s about time you grew up? And futher more I bet Bleary and Barabra don’t have kids so wouldn’t undersand.

Bleary says:

06:04pm | 07/08/10

In reply to Tarzan.Again,I say that you should do your own censoring buddy,it is not the role of the government to do the job of lazy parents.Furthermore freedom of speech and access to information is very important to a lot of people with views that may be different to yours.
Who are you to impinge your views on everyone else anyway?
I mean how would you like it if I banned your access to the website that discusses the virtues of long socks and shorts hey?
Not so nice now is it?

Timbo says:

08:18pm | 07/08/10

JohnJones take your PC back to the store and tell them you are too stupid to own it.

TimB says:

08:39pm | 07/08/10

@Tarzan. My god, you are ignorant. Telling Mark to “grow up”?

You do realise this isn’t the 1980’s anymore, most people should have moved past the idea that games are “just for kids”. The average age of gamers today is something like 25-30 as I recall.

So how about you do your job as a parent and manage your family yourself. Leave the rest of us alone.

Mark says:

10:40pm | 07/08/10

Dear Tarzan. If playing Wii Sports Resort with my 6 year old is childish, then I am a child. And your ignorance just proves my point.

Robert Smissen, rural SA, God's own country says:

11:29pm | 07/08/10

John Jones how about you man up & be a proper parent? ? Next thing you’ll want teachers at school to teach you kids about morals etc.Stop expecting others to do what YOU should be doing. You’d have to be dumber than dog shit if you think a filter will protect you kids. that’s up there with Aluminium foil hats to protect you from mind control.

Robert Smissen, rural SA, God's own country says:

11:31pm | 07/08/10

Timbo, you rock! ! !

Tarzan says:

07:20am | 08/08/10

May I please add this comment: Mark: Your words were “not appropriate for my children, but appropriate for me as a 40 year old gamer.” I admire anybody who finds time to be with their children. Which brings to the point. How can any person of the age 25 and above find time to sit and play computer games? You are either a ““drop kick” or you are missing your full potential. And as for internet laws, you cannot display a porno in the local news agent which has public access, why is the internet any different? And as for freedom of information and expression there is no such thing. Nobody cannot fully express all their opinions or views without fear of imprisonment or persecution. We even read today that Blackberry is selling data to the Arabs so calls can be monitored. And it already happens here. You and me actually have very little freedom, wherever government imposed, media imposed, or financially imposed we are all under control some way or another.  “we all have to serve somebody” and do what they say.

Barbara says:

11:14am | 08/08/10

Tarzan, you really are an imbecile.  I’m not surprised you can’t understand how anybody could find time to play computer games in their spare time.  I picture you with no TV or radio, kneeling beside your bed under a wall mounted crucifix, bible in hand praying into the wee hours of the morning before a round of self flagellation.  Your right about displaying of pornographic material in the newsagent, but the point here is that it’s still available from under the counter when requested, not banned.  And you’re wrong about freedom of information and freedom of speech, that’s what the current internet environment provides.  It isn’t governed by religious zealots, dictatorships or agenda driven Governments and individual countries constitutions, because it doesn’t have any borders.  It’s our last means of sharing information openly and freely to the world whether good or bad or right or wrong, think Tiananmen Square, Wiki-Leaks to name just two.  But I understand your mentality, people like you think you’re Gods chosen children, so you just want to silence people who don’t follow your religiously zealot driven existence.  And you say that you and I already have very little freedom because of Government, Media and Corporate control.  So why the hell would you want to allow Government to then take control over the last bastion of free speech we have available to us.  Too bad we no longer have the Christian versus Lions show at the Colosseum; I could get you on the team.  And with regard to your ealier assumption, I actually do have children.  It’s their future freedom that worries me the most, and I won’t have that taken from them by zealot minority lobby groups who happen to scream the loudest in the room.

Mark says:

12:31pm | 08/08/10

For the record Tarzan, I work well over 40 hours a week as a senior engineer for both Brisbane and Sydney offices. I make time to be home in time so that I can have dinner with my wife and 2 children, and then help my 6 year old with his homework and put our 2 year old into bed.

On weekends I take the kids to swimming classes, they ride their bikes/scooters out in the street with the other kids in the street, and I occasionally play the Wii with my 6 year old.

When I have the time I play PC and PS3 games. It’s a form of relaxation just as playing with my kids is. However, I do not play the games when my children are awake as they are not suitable for youngsters.

I let my son play shockwave or flash games on the computer and I also have mathematics games for him, all of which I constantly keep an eye on to ensure there is nothing that he may be exposed to I am not comfortable with.

If this makes me a looser or a drop kick as you so eloquently put it, then so be it. And as you have mentioned, yes governments/financial institutions do keep the general public to ransom, so why let them take more of our freedom?

I resent any organisation who feels it is their God given right to dictate to me how I should raise my children. It is not your role, and it is not governments, it is my wifes and mine.

It’s time you learnt that.

Tarzan says:

06:49pm | 08/08/10

Barbara, you really have no idea.

Tarzan says:

05:36pm | 07/08/10

Funny that Gregg, your first sentence just contradicted your statement about Burquas in the other posts.

Gregg says:

02:25am | 08/08/10

I wouldn’t say that Tarzan, for if you are referring to
” So ocker,
Have you had one on frequently to practice the driving eating and communication? “
I was replying to Ocker who claims they are impractical.
For sure seeing someones whole face may allow you gain a greater insight than just the eyes but the eyes alone can also give extra meaning to the words.
But we are really crossing wires somewhat.

Reg says:

05:03pm | 08/08/10

Blah Blah Blah… You keep repeating your bullshit Gregg and it all takes so long. Still there’s nothing in it except your recurring hate.  Take a rest or come up with something fresh ,,,,,, pleease’

MarK says:

06:02pm | 07/08/10

Joe - you have hit the nail on the head.

Great post.

Reg says:

06:36pm | 08/08/10

Cat food E, Cat food.  First, not all older workers are aged pensioners but I guess you’re too young or ignorant to know that. Then there are self-funded retirees who have been forced to find work due to Australian companies having gobbled up their investments. If the aged pension or handicapped pension was anything more than barely manageable, we can be sure you would be howling your objections E.

BobM says:

11:49pm | 07/08/10

I think they’ve both lost their way - and a map is not going to help them. Are we moving forward yet….?

Reader says:

05:41pm | 07/08/10

Are you a real Tony Abbott? At least you sound like him. Did you forget why Howard lost 2007 election? Do you think that these cronies were so good and we all as a nation gave then great injustice by voting them out? Do you want to bring them back? Have a look at how many of them from the Howard’s club are in the current shadow cabinet which is already getting ahead of themselves by acting like they have already won the election.

BobM says:

11:52pm | 07/08/10

Hey Reader, it looks like Julia thinks they have already lost the election - in case you haven’t noticed, they have brought back their last failed leader to save them.

Sirro says:

12:21am | 08/08/10

The answer Reader is pretty much yes to most of your questions.

Rudd and Gillard are so bad that even Bronwyn Bishop would be a viable alternative as leader compared to them.

In all seriousness, I think most Australians will look back and realise that voting the coalition out of office in 2007 was a big mistake. Sure Howard needed pass the leadership to new blood, but Rudd/Gillard have shown that Labor was not the answer to that.

Can any Labor supporter who is now rolling along aimlessly with the Gillard/Swan view of economic management, seriously argue that their pathetic spending spree that supposedly saved us during the GFC was better than what Peter Costello would have come up with had he been the PM?

After 12 years the guy had set the Federal balance sheet up to weather any coming problems. Rudd/Gillard/Swan were unbelievably lucky to inherit this and no amount of BS spin will convince anyone who votes and has half a brain otherwise.

Reg says:

01:08am | 09/08/10

Sirro, you can rewrite history all day but it does not alter the record of Abbot and the Liberals voting against the economic management that saved the jobs of millions of Australians and prevented the demise of vast number of Australian businesses doing so. What Costello might have done is totally irrelevant since the Liberal fanboyz dispensed with his services. Perhaps you’re pretending to say that he’d have done exactly as the Labor Party had done. If so you’re just beating your gums.

Theresa says:

05:13pm | 07/08/10

Actually Wal, I would say the reason we’re in this diabolical mess now is because Kevin 07 was allowed to coast to victory in the last election due to ZERO scrutiny or hard questioning from our left-leaning media.

E says:

05:35pm | 07/08/10

big picture fella, ALP are ridiculous

Gregg says:

06:40pm | 07/08/10

Where art thou Wal?
If you reckon there’s no scrutinising of Abbott and every word he utters looking for something to criticise, you’ve had your head somewhere soundproofed and out of sight of any media presentations.
Kerry O’“Brien goes back and reviews every interview Abbott has ever done to try and trip him up as though policies do not get developed as we move from one year to the one after the next and from one decade to the next.
Other people will even drag up what a stud he was back in rugby playing days at Oxford.
Just on Friday, a particular news presenter, a Logie winner no less and in prime time referred to him as the Mad Monk in reading latest political news.
In the same breath it was all about Julia losing a shoe just like a princess! and they even got the bloke on who picked it up and helped Julia slip her foot back in.
Being a workplace where people normally wear safety footwear, you could wonder about her being on a work site without correct footwear.
Abbott would be saying it would be inappropriate for the opposition to talk with Nauru in respect to what as a government could occur right now but is there any harm in sounding them out as an opposition being prepared for government if they become so.
It might just help to get the fiasco sorted a lot quicker than what the current government has been doing.

Kirk says:

11:39pm | 07/08/10

Yeah that Murdoch press is so left learning it drives me insane!  At least the ABC has a charter which forces them to provide equal and fair coverage to both sides of every debate so the conservative view point gets an airing.

Let's secede! says:

05:50pm | 07/08/10

Now I know why you refer to yourself as Wombat! LOL

BobM says:

07:23pm | 07/08/10

Yeah, but there’s a few long faces over at the ABC tho.  Ha ha!

Who needs scrutiny of Abbott when we’ve got the “Old Rudd and New Julia’ show!

Steve Putnam says:

11:36pm | 07/08/10

Look at Abbott’s shadow ministry: 68 year old Bronwyn Bishop a total failure as a minister to the point that Howard had to sack her despite being his strongest factional ally in the NSW Liberals. Kevin “Grecian 2000” Andrews-he tried to create another Tampa election by loading up that Indian doctor with terrorism charges and wasting tens of millions of taxpayer dollars in doing so. Joe Hockey, who in his comment about the proposed 60/40 Federal/State funding of health, demonstrated a complete inability to grasp basic percentages. Barnaby Joyce who uses productivity commission reports as toilet paper and Julie Bishop who as Abbott’s choice of Foreign Minister sees nothing wrong with foreign governments stealing the identities of Australian passport holders to commit assassinations! Mediocrity incarnate.

Mr Fs Aunt says:

04:50pm | 07/08/10

Cant agree more Johnno - now apparently Latham has “cast a heavy shadow” at Gillards press conference today - well really? Isnt it the media that has given him oxygen - who else cares what he is doing or saying? The media is driven by controversy and muck raking - does it pay? Well who knows, there doesnt seem to be a choice anymore.

Gregg says:

06:59pm | 07/08/10

Perhaps Aunty, the media and even the Labor biased side at that are acknowledging the Laborious situation we have is creating the theatre we have to have and that there’s nothing left in the locker for Labor other than theatre.
The choice you have is to vote for a pack of hyenas who know little about fiscal management and will scavenge from where ever they can or vote for a government that believes spending like Paris Hilton is not sustainable.
And Johnno, the $43B NBN was jumped into without any sort of feasibility study and no business plan at all needed according to Conroy so how the hell anybody could know what the ultimate cost will be is just a guess as is the costing.
All a bit like the BER and computers in schools etc.
And then Swann’s latest budget, the national budget mind you and they didn’t even have correct information for what their Super Tax revenue would be, the Nations Budget!
How can you even have any faith in them at all not to mention believe promises they will have the budget back in surplus within a few years.

MarK says:

01:12am | 08/08/10

It is the election Barny. Labor just blew it.

This reanimation of Rudd was Labor jumping the shark.

In NSW we have seen his crap over and over again. We know it leads to poor governance.

The election is there for Abbott to lose now. Gillard/Labor cannot win it.

Reg says:

11:13am | 08/08/10

Yes she was Stewart. But you’re right, you’re confused.

Reg says:

08:59pm | 08/08/10

Then zip it up.

Kirk says:

11:43pm | 07/08/10

Good on ya’ Moggy.  Hopefully if we vote for Abbott we’ll get Intelligent Design taught in schools and the kids will be put on the right path early in life.

Shane From Melbourne says:

11:52pm | 07/08/10

Your grand children are going to be slaves working for their Chinese or Indian masters. They own the future. Get used to it.

Billy B says:

08:09am | 08/08/10

Carlo - Who said we like him?  We all know he was Dr Death.

Phil says:

09:02pm | 07/08/10

Agreed. I honestly thought Gillard would have Abbotts measure. She has not. She panicked, choked and is off song.

I do hope they lose as much to show the muppets in labor that they cannot dictate as much as it is our system who leads their party.

To do as they have done showed utter distain for the people of Australia.

They have probably wrecked the political career of Gillard in the process.

Barbara says:

11:31am | 08/08/10

I have to say that I have been impressed with the way Abbott has maintained self control during this election.  Labor have really pinned all their hopes on him coming apart at the seems.  My prediction though is that Labor will just scrape back into Government on the Green preference vote.

Phil says:

09:06pm | 07/08/10

Steve

Most journalists vote Labor. Some dont, but anyone with half a brain will pick that after reading a few pieces.
Here, and this is a guess, Tors is a swinger. Leo is Libs, Mark is Labor, Colgo is all over the place and probably currently getting pissed after a dismal go forward by the wallabies, running out of legs at 60 mins. Pembo I think he liked Kevin and does not Julia, Probably Labor depending on whose running.

Mazzy says:

09:34pm | 07/08/10

I agree with your comments , imagine a female reporter being confronted by a large male bully and all the surrounding people gleefully watching her facial expressions,hoping for a tear or some fear. We could all applaud.
But reality sets in, a media organisation employs a known nasty, abusive, large male to push cameramen out of the way to confront a woman (this country’s Prime Minister) talking over and down at her.
Where were her security guards! 
Channel 9, 60 Minutes I think you are disgraceful but I don’t expect the rest of the media to agree with me.

watchingwithinterest says:

11:03pm | 07/08/10

Sorry but if Labor is in such disarray as appears to be the case then it should be open for all to see.  If they can’t manage themselves at the most important time of the election cycle, why should they have the previlage of managing the country.

I do think that there is some talent in the Labor party but they were the party that ramped up the presidential style campaign with Kevin 07 and now are having to wear the consequences.

Reg says:

06:32am | 09/08/10

Then you could do the disgraceful US thing of questioning all judges before parliament so’as to ascertain where they stand on everything. McCarthyism knocking at our door. “Are you, or have you ever been, or have you ever known, a Communist. or a Seventh Day Adventist or drinking mate of Mark Latham?”  Steve, you’re an idiot.

But wait, I’m sorry, perhaps I have inadvertently wandered into the pre-pubescent pack.

Jennie says:

08:22pm | 07/08/10

Like Rudd has become relevant to Gillard/Labor I suppose.

TimB says:

08:30pm | 07/08/10

Funny how whenever Labor kicks itself in the balls yet again, Seano comes out to claim how irrelevant it all is.

Anyone with a shred of objectivity can see the Labor campaign for the farce it has become. You can’t stay in denial forever Seano.

Aitch B says:

09:47pm | 07/08/10

@Seano

So Latham wasn’t relevant to Labor when Julia backed him for the leadership? Get a grip, son….......

Jezabel says:

10:21pm | 07/08/10

Yeah…..a silly irrelevant man who knows where all the bodies are buried plus a hell of a lot more dirty little Labor secrets. I look forward to his stint as a journalist.

MarK says:

01:01am | 08/08/10

Tsk tsk Seano you make it sound as if the conservatives MADE him open his gob. This is the man Labor pushed at us to be a PM.

What a farce.

Seano says:

07:59am | 08/08/10

Even Latham’s new boss is apologising for him. What does it say about conservatives that you fall in love with someone after it turns out they’re a low life.

Ruxxy says:

08:11am | 08/08/10

That’s because even Latham looks seriously great whenever he’s around today’s players in the Labor party.

Seano says:

10:21am | 08/08/10

@Ruxxy - really? Latham looks great? really? This is what conservatives pass off as sensible comment. Latham looks like the foolish and bitter man he is. He ran a bad campaign against Howard and lost. And ever since all he’s done is pissed and moaned and apparently become the darling of conservatives who think bitter stupid people are worth paying attention to.

MarK says:

10:53am | 08/08/10

Hahahahahaha Seano.

I will speak for the conservatives since you do so love to generalise and group us as a “mass”.

We as the conservatives despise Latham. We believe his politics were foul.. We believe his personal actions and attitudes were foul.

We also believe that, with the exception of KRudd and that Whitlam guy, he would have been the worst PM the country would have ever had. And we say this with perfect confidence not even having seen him in the job. He was a farce, a debacle and a joke that Labor (and Gillard as a main cheer girl) wished to foist upon us the Australian people as a form of punishment for who knows what.

That is our view of Latham as a collective.

Latham as a journalist is a rude, arrogant, bullying, inept, egotistical, old and self interested crackpot. In other words he is the same man in a different job.

He, however, asks the questions he sees fit. He is not fed them by the “conservative” scary monsters. We will however do a few things when we see Latham in this campaign as follows;

1. Put on the kettle.
2. Send the kids from the room (think of the language if Latham and Kruddy meet up)
3. Ensure the popcorn is cooked.
4. Get in a real comfy seat and buckle up because he will take us on one hell of a ride.

I like horror movies. Slash and burn as well as psych. Watching Latham is like that. Fascinating because you know he will be in there with a chainsaw cutting stuff down left right and centre. It is predictable and boorish but goddam fun.

He is Labors beastie seano. Don’t try and tip your garbage on our side of the fence. He smells awful. Keep him by all means.

PS Can you ask Hayden to come out and play. Everyone else is and I would hate for Bill to feel left out. Lets ask him about Hawkie….better yet get Keating to ask him. ROFLMAO

Seano says:

11:47am | 08/08/10

@MarK - So much bile and so little of worth - you have much in common with Latham.

TimB says:

01:20pm | 08/08/10

So do you by the sounds of things Seano. When was the last time your posts had anything approaching a valid point?

Apart from your usual ranting and raving about those awful awful Conservatives I mean.

Christian Real says:

01:25pm | 08/08/10

Tim B
I agree with seano, there are far more important issues and matters to campaign on, instead of this trivial, childish, unprofessional stalking of Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd
And whose Mark Latham,he has no room to gutter-snipe Gillett or Rudd, considering that he failed to meet the challenge himself and fell apart during the 2004 Federal Elcetion

TimB says:

01:46pm | 08/08/10

@ Christian Real, of course you agree with him, what a shock.

But you are the last person to talk about “important issues”, considering your annoying tendency to dig up pointless unrelated stories about Tony Abbott, and copy/paste them endlessly in some bizarre hope that anyone but you actually cares.

Tony has gotten on with the job of campaigning. He’s outlining what he’s going to do for the country. All Labor are doing is squabbling. These people are children, not leaders.

PS. @ MarK- Forgot to mention before, BRILLIANTLY said

Christian Real says:

02:50pm | 08/08/10

Tim B
These stories are relevant because Tony Abbott is running for Prime Minister, and his character and past breaches of Parliamentary rules and the lies he has told not only during the 7.30 report, interview with kerry O’brien , but also the lies he told during an interview with a ABC Four Corner’s programe in 1998 should be questioned..
Also,why should Tony Abbott be exempt, or even believe that he is exempt from the Parliamentary rules that covers ALL MP’s.
Australia does not need a person of his calibre running and ruining our Country, as for the promises he made, it seems that he was part of a Liberal Government in for 12 years, that did absolutely nothing towards Hospitals, schools or infastructure, they were too busy cutting back on everything, building huge surpluses and telling everyone how great they were(or thought that they were)

Seano says:

07:03pm | 08/08/10

My point was Timmy that Latham hasn’t been relevant since he was rejected by the Australian public and subsequently rejected by the ALP for acting like a raw prawn. My point was that anyone who sees anything of value in what Latham is doing or saying now because it matches their own spiteful views when the man is clearly only motivated by bile and spite is saying more about themselves than anything else. I couldn’t have been any clearer champ.

TimB says:

08:15pm | 08/08/10

So Christian, I assume you’re equally scathing of the lies Julia has told very recently, some of them during this very election campaign. (“We are in negotiations with East Timor”, is just one example that comes to mind. Also the one where she had no intention of challenging Kevin Rudd).

If you expect us to treat your views with any kind of credibilty, I expect your admission that Julia is unsuitable for the Prime Ministership of Australia to be forthcoming.

MarK says:

09:06pm | 08/08/10

Haha thanks TimB - I took it upon myself to have a say for us righties on the matter. I think I got the general feeling about right. Whenever Seano accuses me of bile or a rant I know I must on target or thereabouts.

These guys still don’t get it. Latham is just a symptom of the dysfunction of Labor. He is relevant because he personifies Labor boorish behavior and the power for power sakes attitude they have. If Latham can’t have the job neither can Rudd. If Rudd can’t have neither can Julia.

And of course Julia has no idea what to do having lost control of the campaign and the party. This weekend was a disater for Labor.

There is only one party that can possibly lead the nation. Labor is in disarray.

It is so refreshing to see a political party that can actually get along in public. They can all go out and eat together at lunches and dinners. Apparently they actually talk to each other and stuff to. you know like adults.

The smell of desperation is officially a stench.

Reg says:

02:17am | 09/08/10

You take far too much credit for your being on target MarK. Mark Latham is clearly unbalanced and yet you regard him as normal and blithely judge others according to your erroneous way-point. A very basic mistake MarKo.

Horthy says:

10:45am | 08/08/10

Wow. It’s unlike twitter kids to pat themselves on the back.

Chalk that one up.

Gregg says:

02:41am | 08/08/10

If you want to believe old Bernie, go for it but then he has probably never been short of a bob or two in his whole life.
It’s more than just the stimulus that we do not have the debt levels of other countries and it’ll only be better discipline that will see us not moving in their direction.
And then if you consider the industries of other countries, their closeness to greater markets and our huge reliance on digging big holes, you might look upon the situation a little different to Bernie.
Like you do not want to go killing off your gold egg laying goose do you?

Phil says:

11:47am | 08/08/10

Brad

Currently runnimg around the country like a chook with its head cut off. Yesterday, she had a coffee and chat over a map with KRudd, followed by a confrontation with Latham. Today I think she is in the NT. Tomorrow who knows.

As someone else said, she is currently the Deputy, Sorry PM of Australia.

Gregg says:

02:44am | 08/08/10

Threatening and Intimidating Steve?
Come on sunshine, wasn’t he just trying to get some questions answered!
She is very evasive at any time.

Against the Man says:

08:02am | 08/08/10

What low? Gillard stabs her boss in the back and she gets away scott free. When it comes to low, Gilltard is the Queen.

Jezabel says:

11:28am | 08/08/10

I have watched this moment of pure poltical comedy & I never once saw Latham threaten Gillard. He wanted his questions answered but all she could do was repeat the same platitudes over & over & over again. And doesn’t this sum up the whole campaign with Labor & Gillards performance over the past 3 years. Just platitudes repeated parrot fashion over & over & over &over; & over again. Gillards treats us all like children who need to be drilled into being obedient. Now that’s communism 101 for you! Now I await the personal insults from the red brigade!

Phil says:

11:51am | 08/08/10

Steve as a union and ambulance chasing lawyer for the top of class actions, S & G, Julia would have learnt to dish it out.

She thought it would be ok in the tough mens world, but is finding out its a bit harder than she thought. She was obviously conned by Howes, Shorten, Arbib etc etc. Learning that there is indeed heat in the kitchen. Come on outdone channel 7 for stalking gay bathhouses? Can I please have some of what your on. Sounds very delusional. How on earth did you survive the 60’s.

Mayday says:

06:05pm | 08/08/10

Her security were moving forward.
Julia confronted her past again and didn’t look happy.
Latham did his job and gave us a story.

Reg says:

09:54am | 08/08/10

Gawd now they’ve all caught the bug to be reporters. So suggestible it’s wearisome. No we were not wondering about the EKKA , Cub Gregg. But look out behind you ‘cos Mark Latham is stalking your microphone with evil-in-tent. And do try to not stand in the cow-shit as you maneuver fo…oh strewth now you’re ****ed.

Barry, you are talking to the Prime Minister. says:

09:37am | 08/08/10

Ambitious Gillard?  She just reminded Insiders’ Barry Cassidy (twice) along the lines:  “I am the Prime Minister”  “You are talking to the Prime Minister of this country”.

Yesterday she advised journalists during the Mark Latham Labor mate scrap (while placing “those” fawning hands on him - imagine if Rudd placed his hands on her) don’t “overestimate” themselves.  What?  If journalists are the public’s only conduit to government business, then with Gillard in control, our rights to information could finish up no better than we observe in China.

Rosie says:

01:05pm | 08/08/10

If Julia cared about her image as the PM of Australia and was not just trying to turn her PM appointed position to be the first elected female PM she could have easily said to those looking after her safety that she didn’t want to talk to Mark Latham and would like to be escorted away from her. That would be a smart thing to do and required common sense.

I am watching the Liberal Launch and so far I see a party that will do Australia proud on the world stage and not a party that has no class and more like a soap opera.

Hawke & Keating didn’t let Australia down, they did us proud on the world stage unlike this Labor Govt if they are re elected.

Reg says:

08:50pm | 08/08/10

So the priorities for Rosie are “class” and “image.”  The Labor ones are “approachability and concern.” Even concern for a cot case like Latham, so you see the “smart thing” for a Liberal is “self-image,”  while for the Labor politician the “smart thing” is concern for the “other person.” Listening and empathizing always demands greater effort than getting the minders to stave them off so’as not to have the delicate Liberal image tarnished.

You have just indicated quite clearly the differences between the two parties Rosie. Well done.

Lib Voter says:

10:50am | 09/08/10

Their care & concern for Kevin Rudd on June 24 was overwhelming…maybe they were worried he was overdoing it & needed a bit of a rest…

Steve Putnam says:

12:06pm | 08/08/10

Channel Nine is bogan television. Apart from the sport, the only programme they air that is worth watching is the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.

E says:

04:47pm | 08/08/10

Its because Mrs Poopie-Pants, being an intelligent, hard working and qualified high income earner, has commitments to pay a mortgage and other bills. What the average ALP voter tends to overlook is that people on 150K generally have worked very hard for a long time to get there, and deserve to enjoy the rewards of the work. These commitments require her income level, so failing to provide her with a supplementary income when she becomes preganant forces a choice between reproduction and enjoying the rewards of her hard work.

If we start making all the highly intelligent qualified women choose between passing on their gene and having a high quality lifestyle all we are going to get is more ALP voters on welfare spawning equally useless children, without any quality people to tell them what to do, the death of civilisation.

Philip Crowley says:

05:41pm | 08/08/10

You’re not anti-Abbott, you’re anti-woman!

Reg says:

06:11am | 09/08/10

E, you are espousing the philosophy that led to the Holocaust. Have you attended any good book-burnings lately? And Philip, if you’re going to wriggle around looking for discriminatory factors, you can’t go past E with his “quality people.”

E says:

04:48pm | 08/08/10

Its unfortunate that a once great man can be reduced by the ravages of ageing and the associated cognitive decline, so reduced he has become a leftard. Time makes leftards of us all.

Reg says:

07:19am | 09/08/10

Perhaps maturity brings enlightenment E, but by your failure to address the contention we are led to accept that he is correct in what he says.  He’d know better than either you or I surely?

MarK says:

09:44pm | 08/08/10

Oh hai.

Abbott actually fought for a leadership, won it on merits, in a democratic election about the direction of the Liberal party.

So instead of saying “moving forward” “lost our way”“blah blah blah” he went and did something and changed direction.

Seems to have gone ok in voter land.