Punch on: Open thread 12/11/2010

ianm says:

05:51am | 12/11/10

Totally wrong Acotrel the court has ruled on processing on Xmas Island an Australian territory. Howard processed asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island not beholden to our Legal system just for that reason so they couldn’t bog down our courts and cost millions of dollars in appeals.

Rudd closed these centres in 2008 and as usual Labor acted without thinking of the consequences, which unfortunately has been a trademark of Rudd/Gillard governments so far.

Pete says:

06:36am | 12/11/10

dont worry it’s ok Tony the pratt and Scott the self abuser have come out and said that it’s all the ALP’s fault!  and they looked so genuine to.

TimB says:

06:49am | 12/11/10

This is either ridiculous spin, or it shows that you have no grasp of what the court decision actually means. Habeus corpus has nothing to do with it. At all.

All it is saying is that any asylum seekers on Australian territories such as Christmas Island, have to have their applications reviewed under full Australian law rather than the “non-statuatory” process that was put in place by the Labor Government in 2008.

It has *zero* effect on the asylum seekers who were sent to Nauru, under the Coalition’s policies. 

In fact, the only affect this will have is an even further delay in processing , forcing these people to be locked up for even longer.

You’re pointing the finger in entirely the wrong direction.

MarK says:

08:18am | 12/11/10

It is funny how the facts never get in the way of a good Abbott and Howard bashing by the likes of acotrel.

You are so so wrong.

Read a bit about it.

Come back.

Say you are sorry.

Then proceed to blame Howard for someone kicking a kitten.

acotrel says:

08:18am | 12/11/10

When the Howard government had asylum seekers and their kids locked up in places like Baxter.  They had no way of getting to court and asking the reasons for their detention.  A writ of habeas corpus means the authorities must show just cause for your detention, or release you.  It’s a fundamental human right, available in all western democracies, and the Howard government denied it to the asylum seekers.  I refer you to Julian Burnside’s book titled ‘Watching Brief’! John Howard knew very well that he was depriving the asylum seekers of their rights, he used them as election fodder.  A return to Nauru will never happen.  John Howard will never be vindicated! The Liberal Party, Abbott and Morrison are a disgrace for continuing his cynical manipulation of people in need! If you want a real giggle, just watch the fancy footwork they’ll do over this turn of events!

acrotwit says:

10:13am | 12/11/10

what part of Australian Territory and replying to the correct post don’t you get? Please read the correctly positioned responses to your initial statement for clarification and cut the crap.

Onya Bobby Dan - haven’t thought of a kewpie doll in years. She’ll have that wide eyed stare soon enough but at this point I don’t think the stick will fit up there for the already existing bug.

Adam Diver says:

08:33am | 12/11/10

Sorry wrong again TimB, you have been selected by Penbo to provide story ideas for the punch. Essentially you are now a deputy editor here…congratulations.

A comment about the lies of labor so we can have an in depth article would be nice.

Aitch B says:

08:56am | 12/11/10

@TimB

Very impressive powers you have there, Tim.

Can you tell us when they’ll be posting the clip of the Team America sex scene?

I’d like to see THAT!!

BobbyDan says:

09:11am | 12/11/10

On yah, TimB, email me your thoughts before you post them here, so I can check out what interests me. Then I will be able to plan my day better, instead of trawling thru this site looking for you, I can waste the time in FB.

Davida says:

09:36am | 12/11/10

Thanks for the warning.  Please don’t ever post anything involving Wayne Swan or Joe Hockey’s penchant for nudism.

acotrel says:

09:57am | 12/11/10

Poor old Julia!  There must be SOMETHING wrong with her?  After all she’s got her head straight on religion and relationships.  And she plays Tony Abbott on a break! One might even go so far as to claim she has superior NEGOTIATING SKILLS?

MarK says:

11:16am | 12/11/10

“...she has superior NEGOTIATING SKILLS? “

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/20/3043856.htm

Yah.

Right.

One might also say no she doesn’t.

TimB says:

12:33pm | 12/11/10

I’m not sure if that’s how it works. Or even if it works .

For amusements sake though….

Somewhat serious prediction- Another article on Asylum seekers, this one in the context of the recent high court decision.

Less serious prediction- An article debunking people who claim to be psychic.

Macca says:

08:11am | 12/11/10

The RBA doesn’t take any money from you. Its role is to keep the economy strong by mitigating inflation. Unlike other banks, the RBA doesn’t have shareholders. Actually, scratch that, it’s shareholders are the Australian Public, and whilst this move may cause you some personal fianancial stress, the overall impact on Jobs and income is far more beneficial than you would care to imagine.

Peter says:

09:47am | 12/11/10

@ Macca. Time and time again, it’s been the central bank and people playing with interest rates that leads us into boom/bust cycles. We’ve just been lucky we’ve had a mining sector that’s protected us from this rubbish this time around.

The RBA does not need to meet every 30 days to make us sweat over what’s going to happen with interest rates. It’s overkill. I’m even beginning to question the need to have a central bank in the first place. To them, money does grow on trees, and they just put a cost on it. Doesn’t help business, doesn’t help us. Your getting conned, and you can’t see it..

Peter says:

10:34am | 12/11/10

@ Macca. Some interesting reading for you..

http://www.apfn.org/apfn/fed_reserve.htm

Keep in mind, im a lefty…

A Bob says:

10:46am | 12/11/10

The employment figures are a trailing indicator. The October figures reflect what went on in Spetember, well before the current interet rate change. Plus, total employment went up with a larger increase in casual numbers than the drop in full time numbers. This is definitely bad for those who lost full-time jobs but a relief for those picking up more casual work.

And, the participation rate was the highest in 32 years, meaning more people are out looking for work. This pushes the effective unemployment rate up. This is a good thing as it indicates renewed optimism about the eceonomy and creates a potential for growth.

The RBA meets every month to consider the interest rates question. They have done this for ages. It is the politicians, media and vested interests like the REI who turn it into a speculative circus. So much so that it’s now possible to bet on the RBA decision.

If all the BS that goes on about interest rates is such a problem for you planning your budget ignore the BS. Instead, learn a bit more about economic principles and read publications that give sensible informatio about trends.

Macca says:

11:19am | 12/11/10

@Peter, the fact that you state the RBA is more dangerous to the economy than the mining boom shows you are economically illiterate

The mining boom is actually one of the most dangerous things for the Australian economy. It causes inflation as demand for workers in remote areas drives up wages and prices. Australia is already plagued by a two-speed economy as WA and QLD continue to grow, on the back of mining, international service economies of Sydney and Melbourne fail to grow.

As increased wages drive up inflation and prices, the RBA must act to prevent us returning to the Keating years.

The RBA’s early slashing of interest rates two and a bit years ago when the GFC was taking effect was one of a number of actions that prevented Australia from going into recession.

The RBA has never been involved with boom and bust cycles in Australia. It merely acts to mitigate them.

Macca says:

12:41pm | 12/11/10

@Peter, you linked to a 1990s article on the US Federal Reserve… and that is supposed to influence economic debate on Australia’s Reserve Bank in 2010? Top shelf.

Peter says:

01:08am | 14/11/10

We’ll see…

acotrel says:

11:46am | 12/11/10

That didn’t take much effort on my part!

NicoleG says:

04:35pm | 12/11/10

Hooray!!!!!!! You finally got it. Now just remember how to do it

BobbyDan says:

11:05pm | 12/11/10

NicoleG, read acotrel’s posts and think about them before U get upset.
acotrel in general has a clearer view than U.

NicoleG says:

08:52am | 13/11/10

BobbyDan, if you knew what I was talking about you’d understand. But it looks like he’s now getting the hang of things.

TimB says:

12:44pm | 12/11/10

They did that in the latest Star Wars series, Fate of the Jedi. Called it “Force Psychosis”.  A bunch of Jedi running around the galaxy going insane= fun and games for all.

The writers were actually asked if they were inspired by Capgras Delusion when they came up with the plot idea. Apparently it was a coincidence.

Exactly why is this on your mind now anyway? Who of your family has been replaced?

MarK says:

01:01pm | 12/11/10

@NicoleG - don’t let acotrel get to you.

Stiff upper lip kid

TimB says:

02:57pm | 12/11/10

@ MarK

LAWL

God I hope that was on purpose.

MarK says:

03:51pm | 12/11/10

@TimB

I will leave that up to the community to decide

acotrel says:

01:11pm | 12/11/10

Was there something wrong or ILLEGAL about the new SA anti-bikie laws?

stephen says:

11:33pm | 12/11/10

Yes.
The motive for these laws was to stop illegal activity amongst the bikie gangs.
Some bikies are crooks, and some are not.
But there are some very clever people amongst them, (witness this post).
Perhaps it is time to negotiate. (And on drugs alone.)

acotrel says:

03:11am | 13/11/10

So you’d believe that stalinist type regulation of business is desirable? It probably would have prevented the pink batts debacle?