The curse of Kerry: now Tony has a 7.30 meltdown

shabangabang says:

08:48am | 18/05/10

Kerry as PM, Julia Gillard as his deputy. Ranga heaven down under.

commie army says:

09:05am | 18/05/10

I’ve looked under the bed and I can only see old, dessicated commies commies—and not one is using Twitter!
Nice article, Pembo/Dumbo, shame about the stupid slur.

ADAM says:

09:14am | 18/05/10

Yep, i will vote for Kerry too

Ryan says:

10:11am | 18/05/10

And you would have a blatantly communist government

Joan says:

10:58am | 18/05/10

Kerry -The guy who didn’t wake up to Rudds snakeoil sales pitch till 2010.- real sharp leader that would make dah, dah, dah

AntiMajorMistakes or Others Man says:

11:45am | 18/05/10

Attention all left right out punchers.

You have just seen an excellent example of why the next election will see the return of real minor parties & independents. As opposed the red/greens who always were a fake shop front, to fool disgruntled ex getup/labour voters into thinking they could have a protest vote & then feed the preferences back to getup/labour anyway.

Don’t worry, Wayne Fehlhaber the Liberal/National coalition will still win the next election by a huge margin. But this will be off the back of preferences from minor parties who will be holding the balance of power in the senate.

Have a long hard look at all of the comments on this & all of “the Punch’s” political articles.

There are a significant & growing number of commenter’s like myself or John A Neve, Son of a Preacher Man, Scott Maxworthy, Damocles, Angus, Dancan, Sherekahn, Shane, Acropolis, Athena, Swampy, Against the Man, Super D, Edward James, Democrat, Bruce, Dave, Ben81, Axolotl.

Next election put red/greens, last, getup/labour 2nd last, liberals 3rd last, nationals 4th last, put all minor parties, independents ahead of them.

Then if nothing else the major mistakes might realise how tired of them, we all are & lift their game.

http://www.democrats.org.au/

http://ausfirst.alphalink.com.au/

http://www.ldp.org.au/

http://australianpolitics.com/parties/list.shtml

regards the former snag & swinging voter.

TB says:

12:17pm | 18/05/10

While Kerry O’Brien may be exceptionally skilled at asking questions, it remains to be seen if he can actually answer any himself.

Robert S McCormick says:

12:42pm | 18/05/10

Not possible! He is too direct and honest. Tobe a successful pollie you have to be a pathological and consumate liar, Due to psychological incapacity be incapable of asking, or answering, a direct question. Kerry is far too intelligent to even contemplate such a role!

Kerry for PM says:

03:31pm | 18/05/10

Onya Kerry! Keep the bastards honest…...

Jeremy says:

07:50am | 19/05/10

“AntiMistakes” just wants you to vote for the minor parties that are no threat to the major parties, and preference the Coalition. That’s what his/her proposal boils down to

The only real alternative to Labor and the Liberals is the Greens - as evidenced by the viciousness with which both attack it. Don’t believe the lies the majors tell about them - if you’re curious about a Greens policy (particularly one misrepresented by the ALP or Libs), ask ‘em. They’ll be happy to clarify what their ACTUAL policy is.

little annie says:

07:22am | 18/05/10

human induced climate change =crap
cutting $1b from healthcare= lie
Workchoices = jobs and an economy thats saved us from recession not giveaways and corruption.

Joan says:

08:36am | 18/05/10

Actions speak louder than words- Rudd classic example of all hot air and little action. ETS in the crap bin too busy with his phoney concern with daily bedside hospital visits. Rudd is top of the phoney chart and dud policy implementation.

Evan Findlay says:

09:53am | 18/05/10

Little Annie it would appear by your comments that they were not scripted. Tony did cut one billion dollars from healthcare. It’s listed in the budget papers. Are you saying Peter Costello misled the Australian parliament and the electorate?

RT says:

10:41am | 18/05/10

little annie - if human induced climate change is ‘crap’ as you and Abbott say - why does he have a policy that pretends to do something about it? If Workchoices is so great, why does Abbott try to distance himself from it at every opportunity? These things are like a dead cat around Abbott’s neck, except perhaps to rusted-on supporters like you.

Cam says:

11:05am | 18/05/10

little annie if you REALLY think humans have no contribution to climate change you are more of a braindead sheep than i could possibly have thought.

Sherekahn says:

11:47am | 18/05/10

Aaaah but!  Australia has fairly recently become a God-awful country of Christians.
In a mere 2000 years, the Population of the World has increased at least 10 fold.  When Jesus is said to have remarked, “go forth and multiply,” I doubt if he meant as human destroyers of the Earth.
People=Factories=Pollution=Climate Change=Chaos=Global Degradation=Loss of Nature’s Flora and Fauna!
And people say, “we are God’s creatures.” 
We are a VIRUS on Earth.
Spreading people around the World is no solution at all.
Populations must be reduced.   
Mr Abbot is guilty of Ecocide.  He has refused a condom after having two children.

G David says:

12:21pm | 18/05/10

RT - if the punters believe that carbon is a pollutant and that humans are the cause of global warming then it is smart politics to pander to their fears and pretend that you can solve their problem.

Conversely, if the punters (thanks to a multi-million $ Union advertising campaign) are deceived that Workchoices is bad, then it is good politics to distance yourself from it.

As Howard and Costello found out the hard way, it is much harder to educate people about Climate change and workchoices than it is to use negative advertising and a whole lot of spin to frighten them into voting Labor.

Sherekahn says:

12:28pm | 18/05/10

OH BOY! Here we go again!
The FREE-THINKERS worst nightmare. A World Populated by Catholics! Thankfully, I don’t think it will come to that.
The most IN-present for future years at Christmas and Birthdays for under-40’s will be A PACK OF CONDOMS, or PILLS. We cannot wait for the Catholic Church to choose a YOUNG POPE, so leave them or disobey the TYRANTS.
The realities of the modern and future world demand Birth Control and a Tax on Ecocides. (anyone with more than two children).

Ras Putin says:

12:30pm | 18/05/10

Hang in there Malcolm,you will soon be needed…..Abbott told the truth on this occasion,but it just shows that he is not up to the job!!

Baz says:

12:31pm | 18/05/10

Character assasination. Is this all you have Alex?? Whats wrong with morality?’ Are you better   off under fairwork australia? No .Man made climate change is your opinion but there is plenty evidence that it may be a natural phenomenon. And what education revolution??Billions ,yes thousands of millions of dollars wasted for absolutely no increase in student standards. And what about the takeover of hospitals??When did that happen??. You sound like a Kevin rudd attack dog to me. Show the man some respect.

Ben81 says:

01:10pm | 18/05/10

Evan Findlay, OK, go back and read all the funding announcements Nicola Roxon posted here the other day.  When (yes when, not if) one or more of them fail to reach their targets and all the money isn’t spent, we’ll say that amount was “ripped out of the healthcare system”, ignoring all the other funding increases.  Fair’s fair, right?

Christian Real says:

09:34pm | 18/05/10

Joan,
The Liberals control the Senate,Abbott blocked the ETs and wouldn’t let it pass through.
It is Abbott that is to blame, not Rudd.

Evan Findlay says:

04:10pm | 19/05/10

Ben81, why am I doing your research for you! If you want to make a valid point then do your own research. And Tony’s billion was not money that wasn’t spent it was cuts to the health system. Geez you Liberal Party supporters are lazy.

James says:

07:38am | 18/05/10

I find myself in agreeance with you for the second time

Dan says:

05:51pm | 18/05/10

Someone will have to enlighten me:  I just can’t seem to remember the policy that forces Tony Abbot’s morality onto anyone.  Alex, would you please say precisely which policy that was?  Exactly how would all our personal private lives be negatively affected if he became Prime Minister?  Are you accusing him of an anti-democratic disregard for the laws of our land?  - otherwise how could he possibly force his morality on anyone?  Or are you just frustrated because you wish you could force your morality onto Australians but no-one seems to listen to you?

Thomas Solman says:

11:48pm | 18/05/10

Dan, didn’t T Abbott tell us not give away our daughters virginity to loosely?

acotrel says:

07:02am | 18/05/10

Don’t be an ingrate! People who don’t vote throw the sacrifice of thousands of Australian soldiers back into their faces.  They fought two world wars for democracy, so you’d have political freedom to vote!

Adam Diver says:

11:11am | 18/05/10

Acetrol are you being sarcastic, I can’t tell. If not being forced to vote is not much freedom, throw out compulsory voting.

shane says:

09:32am | 18/05/10

Thanks Douglas. Very amusing. The death stare was fantastic. “If this is the way he acts on the 7:30 report, I mean, how’s he act when he’s behind closed doors”. Such a sanctimonious, hypocritical knob.

Xela says:

09:40am | 18/05/10

Check it out. Thanks, disturbed to say he least.

CLem says:

09:47am | 18/05/10

Gold. Maybe that’s why he gets into trouble. He’s tried lying on TV. Doesn’t work, gets caught out. Now he tries telling the truth. Doesn’t work, gets caught out. Obviously silence is his best option.

Evan Findlay says:

09:59am | 18/05/10

That is classic Douglas. Thanks for that. It just shows that nothing has changed. He is one of the worst liars because he continually gets caught out. Workchoices is dead…. yeah right Phoney Tony! The ads for the election are writing themselves. They will all end with “And spoken by Tony Abbott”

Sal says:

12:22pm | 18/05/10

Funny how Rudd, Gillard, Tanner, etc, can tell outright lies, half truths, breaks promises, etc, constantly, and the media calls it “doing back flips”, which, of course is so much more sanitised and acceptable than saying they tell lies.  Only Liberals lie, apparently.

Joan says:

09:59am | 18/05/10

Snakeoil salesman Rudd revealed for what he is, as he crapped his million ETS - Rudd true colours at work since election not just Kerry show- the real game not just Kerry game show- That`s what counts the action.

young wiberal says:

10:15am | 18/05/10

True Richard, the mad monk self-immolated.

Daniel says:

12:11pm | 18/05/10

Hey Joan, I think you should take a good look into what ‘crapped’ the ETS.

What Abbott says might not become Policy, but it gives you a horrible idea of what is going on in his head. You don’t want that leading the country.

James1 says:

12:32pm | 18/05/10

Sense not much making Joan’s post is.

Spoken with the eloquence of Glenn Beck.

Isabel says:

01:12pm | 18/05/10

Joan, are we in the same country? It was Abbott who sabotaged the ETS leaving Rudd with either double dissolution or put it on the back burner till the next election. Rudd has also committed to serving a full term so he would have been damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. What he was able to do such as apology and Kyoto, he has done - the rest requires the co-operation of the Senate.  He could and did initiate the stimulus package and, having been overseas and seen the economic carnage elsewhere, he has to be given credit for that.

chugga says:

06:53pm | 18/05/10

Ah, one of those people Joan is who Jedi on the census for religion answer

Jack says:

11:50am | 18/05/10

Yeah… who’d of thought there would ever be a vacuum where the Democrats used to be. Australian Politics is in a bad state when an incompetent and high spending Krudd looks like the better option.

Joel says:

04:40pm | 18/05/10

There was an Australian Democrats party at one stage, but a deal with the Coalition successfully set the stage for their slow death in the late 1990s.

Tex says:

11:22am | 18/05/10

It was a pitch for the female vote - not very well thought through.

Ben81 says:

02:14pm | 18/05/10

Yeah Tex, but I just got a sense of something out of character, something a bit too shallow and counterproductive in the situation..

Rob r Charteris says:

07:24am | 18/05/10

It just isn’t good form for a would be alternative PM to be caught out lying, And how many times did we get poked up the behind by Howard…. seems to be a common strain in the Liberal party. And typically like Bruce above Liberals will always blame someone else. At least with Kev we know he takes the blame.

Wayne Fehlhaber says:

08:09am | 18/05/10

Yeah Rob , he takes the blame and passes it down the line. heh heh heh.  Krazy Kev’s backflips and bungles outshine any political act in the last 10 years.

Pendragon says:

09:06am | 18/05/10

@Rob r Charteris

If its isn’t good form for an alternative PM to be caught out lying then it must be a grievous and unforgivable sin against humanity for a sitting PM to be caught out outrightly deceiving the Australian public to featehr his nest.

Your sword has two edges with one sharper than the other.  Blind Freddy can see that KRudd has fallen on this word.

Steve_of_Cornubia says:

09:08am | 18/05/10

I think Tony has seen just how successful a strategy of lying and failure has been for Kevin (boat people, Grocerywatch, Fuelwatch, Insulation, BER, Health reform, our relationship with China, the ETS, federal/state relations, our reputation overseas, etc, ec) and so he’s decided to copy him.

Adam Diver says:

11:17am | 18/05/10

Ignoring Rob’s comments I have to agree with Bruce. How easy is it for a reporter to catch out any politician. My real concern is that it doesn’t happen any where often enough.

Christian Real says:

04:44am | 19/05/10

The Liberals think and believe that “they Are born To Rule”, perhaps they should alter their perception of thinking and believing to"Born To Lie.’
Tony Abbott sure can’t get away with his lies because everytime he fronts ABC programes he get caught out, .Abbott was caught out lying also on Four corners in 2003, htttp://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/27/1061663854618.html

Robert S McCormick says:

11:49am | 18/05/10

Just what back-flip on either climate change ormaternity leave are you talking about? We all knew Abbott was/is a climate change sceptic and was opposed to Rudd’s ETS/CPRS, which even many experts on the issue agreed was ‘deeply flawed’. Maternity leave back-flip? Where’s that. He told us that a Coalition Government would give 6 months and it would be funded with a tax on companies whose profits exceeded, if memory serves, $5m per year. However I agree with you when you say “Thank God (if you believe in one) for Kerry O’Brien. They must really hate him! No-one can accuse the ABC of political bias now can they???

persephone says:

05:55pm | 18/05/10

Robert

the backflip referred to is that, prior to the parental leave policy announcement, Abbott had consistently said he would not introduce any new taxes.

Moreover, this wasn’t an ‘unscripted’ or unsupported policy statement - it had been agreed to by the party room and was one of the Liberals’ main claims to economic credibility. Several of his Shadows pushed the ‘no new tax’ line as well.

This was also in the context of painting the CPRS as ‘a great new tax on everything’ with the argument that, although it wasn’t a tax and only polluting companies would buy carbon credits, its costs would trickle down to the general populace through increased prices (which were, btw, compensated by the government for this).

Abbott announced his parental leave plan in an unplanned, unscripted, off the cuff speech. He had not cleared it with the party room and had to beg their forgiveness.

To pay for this scheme, he proposed to tax all companies making over $5 million profit.

By doing this, Abbott has undermined his credibility in the following ways:

1. He introduced a new tax, less than a month after saying he would not do this.

2. He didn’t consult with his party room, after campaigning to have Turnbull deposed for the same reason.

3. He imposed a Great Big New Tax on Everything, if you use the same arguments he used against the CPRS, blunting the Liberals’ ability to use that argument.

In the context of last night’s remarks, it’s even more interesting.

1. Last night, he said the only policies you could believe him on were the scripted ones.

2. The ‘no new tax’ was the scripted policy; the parental paid leave was not, yet it was the second which got up at the expense of the first.

3. So you can’t believe Abbott’s policy statements when they’re scripted. And you can’t beieve them when they’re unscripted.

All of which further demonstrates that he has no clue about good governance or economic management.

John A Neve says:

06:02am | 18/05/10

Saskia,

Based on your knowledge of “socialism” or should I say lack of it !!
One could be forgiven for thinking you are one of the “dishonest uber public servant(s)”. Based on your posts no one else would employ you.

acotrel says:

07:05am | 18/05/10

Can we now have some social justice?

persephone says:

07:27am | 18/05/10

Didn’t watch the interview, did you, Saskia?

Over on other blogs, even die hard Liberal supporters are admitting it was a terrible interview.

For a leader to admit that you can’t trust what he says is….well, unbelievable.

Christian Real says:

07:36am | 18/05/10

Saskia,
So you would prefer to follow Abbott, who admitted that he is a liar, the old saying is that people are known by the company they keep, I guess that makes you loose with the truth also.

T.Chong says:

07:41am | 18/05/10

Thats the way saskia, the Lie-berals head man is an unprincipled opportunist, will say anything, and thats OK with you?
His “mistakes” are lies.

Dude says:

08:25am | 18/05/10

Above, that’s for sure. Abbott’s off the planet and you’re not far behind. Reality’s a difficult place for righturds

Wayne Fehlhaber says:

09:56am | 18/05/10

Saskia :  John is a specialist on Socialism. : acotrel ??????  :  persephone is a Labor dictaphone :  Christian is a parrot.  :  T. Chong is Julia Gillards love child and the Dude has a dirty mouth.
Yes , i agree Saskia , i have the same view as you , compared to Rudd Tony can make what mistakes he likes , he is still the better man.

John A Neve says:

10:12am | 18/05/10

Wayne,
So Tony is the “better man” !!  Is that “better” than Howard?  Or maybe “better” than Nelson?  Surely not “better” than Turnbull?

But that’s your problem Wayne, you believe what ever the party tells you!!
Come on tell us, who in your view is the best of the coalition’s many leaders of very recent times?

Saskia says:

10:30am | 18/05/10

As many have already said: nothing will make me not vote for Abbott.  He is real, an achiever and doe not have to conform to the petty rules that grey bureaucrats like Rudd and ex Labor speechwriter hacks like O’Brien claim to adhere to.

No Rudd is a liar and a fraud.  A Christian Socialist and yet not Christian, a fiscal conservative yet not conservative.

The ALP are without talent, ideas, non-PS/Union experience, business qualifications, or class.

Nicole says:

10:42am | 18/05/10

@Wayne Fehlhaber, you forgot to mention that they’re all a bunch of sheep. If you look close enough, you can see the mushrooms growing on Rudd’s chin, he speaks that much crap. He is the master of disaster and it’s mind boggling that they still support the numpty. Abbott will kick Rudd’s ass and I can’t wait.

Evan Findlay says:

11:10am | 18/05/10

Saskia, you should read Michal Duffy’s book “Latham and Abbott”. It would appear from Tony’s educational endeavours you don’t have to be that bright to be a Rhode scholar. And secondly, the book is littered with examples of Abbott being caught out lying, this is not Kerry’s first time in outing Tony as a compulsive liar. I think your comment says more about your morals and level of education than anything else. Do you even understand the principles of socialism?

Hamish says:

11:19am | 18/05/10

Like most Australian voters I didn’t watch the interview. I, like many others, can only stomach so much of Red Kerry. And look, I do understand why the fellow-travellers are creaming their pants about this. After all, they haven’t had much to celebrate lately. But outside the blogosphere I just wonder whether anyone will really care about this. I mean, everyone understands that policians exaggerate (e.g. greatest moral challenge of our time) and change their views based on the prevailing winds of public opinion (e.g. ETS).

Sure Tony screwed up. He has to (and probably does) understand that Liberal politicians are held to higher standards of truthfulness than Labor by both the media and the electorate. However, I don’t think anyone in voter land would really think what he said is untrue of any politician. Ironically he is being lambasted for telling the truth about occasionally exaggerating and chaging his mind.

Did anyone see Tanner on Q & A last night re the mining tax? That’s a classic example of a politician having to sell something he doesn’t believe in…this sort of stuff happens all the time.

Ras Putin says:

12:42pm | 18/05/10

Saskia,all i can say is that the entry level for a Rhodes scholarship must be extremely low!! As far as an interviewer is concerned, O’Brien is so far ahead of anybody else in this country,that it is no race..

Wayne Fehlhaber says:

12:56pm | 18/05/10

Evan Findlay :  Socialism has no principles.

John Neve : Any Coalition leader is better than a Labor leader

Nicole : Well said , Rudd’s verbal diarrhoea definately fertilizes mushrooms on his chin. Abbott will kick his ass up around his back teeth.

Saskia : Rudd’s fiscal consevative facade melted like whitewash in the rain of debt he ran up.

John A Neve says:

04:07pm | 18/05/10

Wayne,

Based on your last post, you really have a way with words!!
But at least you have answered one question “Any coalition leader is better than a Labor leader”.
Just as I thought, you’d follow a dog, along with the rest of the party faithfull as long as the head office told you to. Do you lick hands as well?

Christian Real says:

06:21am | 19/05/10

Nicole.
Supporters of other political party’s are , at least not ‘Blind Sheep”, like you ,Wayne and the other Liberals that condone Abbott’s lying on National Television.
And Nicole, it is not the first time that Abbott has been caught out on an ABC programe for ‘Being loose With the truth’
On Four Corners in 2003, abbott was caught out lying as well.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/27/1061663854618.html

Christian Real says:

06:34am | 19/05/10

Saskia,
The only dishonest nerd public servant is Tony Abbott, caught out for telling lies on the 7.30 report and caught out on Four Corners in 2003 for telling…...........Lies
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/27/1061663854618.html

Sherekahn says:

08:45am | 19/05/10

When is a lie not a lie?  When it is coupled with another.
Archaic. to have sexual intercourse with.

Saskia,  to accuse Rudd or his version of the ALP of “Socialism” is as bad as believing Catholics care about “God’s” creatures.

Ryan says:

10:13am | 18/05/10

Wanna see Rudd and Joolia lie, just turn on the telly and watch ANYTHING they say.

Just me says:

08:51am | 18/05/10

“Abbott was being smashed all over Twitter tonight - not that surprising, given it has a lot of commie users -”
The article was good in the main until the last comment re Commies and Twitter use, just how do you define ‘Commie’ these days?
As for Abbott, he is as flakey as a $3.00 coin

beck says:

09:34am | 18/05/10

totally agree Just me, Penbo is just another murdoc-hack! He loves to see a fight and earn his pay in angry clickers.
He would traditionally be gently supportive of the fiberals but here he writes in a very down to earth where he must lash out at twitterers as a diversion as Abbott said the bare truth about himself-LOL

Clem says:

10:02am | 18/05/10

I think you’ll find it was said tongue in cheek.

Chris L says:

06:18pm | 18/05/10

Don’t bother Clem, the idea of humour escapes them. Note that when one sense doesn’t function the other senses become hightened, in this case the sense of outrage.

Adam Diver says:

11:23am | 18/05/10

Spot on. Political interviews are so painful to watch as you see the pltician move thier mouth but say nothing at all. As much as I prefer Tony to be more considered in his responses and patient in releasing policy I wouldn’t be overly concerned by his poor interviewing skills.

Your name:Bill Posters says:

01:16pm | 18/05/10

No, he doesn’t interview well. What is it again that he does do well? Er… ummm… he,he,he…

Super D says:

07:51am | 18/05/10

As opposed to everything the Rudd government touches turning to gold?

Rob r Charteris says:

08:19am | 18/05/10

Could not of said it better myself

Aikon says:

10:01am | 18/05/10

@Untrustworthy.  And I take it you are using the Rudd Governments gross incompentency as your measuring stick? It’s leftards that are a danger to this country….you know, those who expect someone else to be responsible for them.  I think the long list of failed programs the Rudd Government has turned to SHIT.

Christian Real says:

07:48am | 18/05/10

Acotrel,
That might be the reason Turnbull decided to stay in Parliament instead of resigning.
Turnbull probably only knew it was a matter of time before Abbott crashed and burned, and he (Turnbull) would be on the spot to re-challenge for Leadership.

Evan Findlay says:

11:33am | 18/05/10

Someone had to have leaked Tony’s flaky economic policy of giving $10,000 to stay at home mothers to Neil Mitchell. I believe it was Malcolm. But even Malcolm probably didn’t realise how much of an idiot Tony really is until he appeared on Neil’s morning program. Firstly he was caught out lying and then went on to describe himself as a “disappointment” and a “whimp”. Obviously the last two statements were scripted as they are the truth.

But it’s interesting that the media wants to speculate over leadership in the Labor Party where there seems to be no evidence of a coup or remote possibility but I think there’s more likelihood of the knives being out for the leader of the opposition. His continual stuff up’s, compulsive lying, flaky and irresponsible economic policies and his continual change of direction on policy from believer to non believer to I’m not quite sure! It will appear that Malcolm may just yet have the last laugh. How long will the Liberal Party allow this phoney Tony train wreck to continue? I hope they don’t dump him too soon. I’m loving every minute.

And to all those who state “Yeah but Tony is real”. Yes he is…...A real incompetent buffoon.

John A Neve says:

07:55am | 18/05/10

The only thing that will send a “message to all political parties” is for the electorate to either withhold their votes or vote for Independents.

The country needs new blood Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum have had a good run and both have let us down.

iansand says:

08:31am | 18/05/10

Abbott, as opposition leader, has not (yet) had the chance to break promises.  On current form it’s odds on that he will should he become PM.

Xela says:

09:46am | 18/05/10

Based on his comments last night Tony will break promises he hasn’t even made yet!

Evan Findlay says:

11:54am | 18/05/10

Problem is Tony has no policy or promises to break. He has no substance, unless you count continually getting caught out lying as substance.

Glenn says:

02:27pm | 18/05/10

As a political scientist it is mind blowing to see that the vast public are still going to vote in rudd. Guess that is what happens when you don’t see the big picture.

John A Neve says:

05:38pm | 18/05/10

Glen,

I am not a “political scientist”, Also I do not claim to be very bright. However, I think I see the “big picture” very clearly.  Twelve years of a coalition government did what?
Tax cuts to buy votes, our young men sent to “war” based on lies. An ongoing fight betweem the PM and Treasurer. Added to which we have had three coalition leaders in less than three years!!!

Would any clear thinking person want three more years of that?

Adam Diver says:

11:28am | 18/05/10

If you admit to lying you are telling the truth. If you say you don’t lie, well then I am afraid you are a liar. Go figure.

acotrel says:

08:44am | 19/05/10

I don’t think it was a brilliant move by tony but I can’t see the harm either.

There are none so blind as those who will not see?  Some of you guys are really into wishful thinking. Abbott is finished!

Freeman says:

09:59am | 18/05/10

Tell you what’s funny. All the labor lovers who swallow everything Ruddy, swanny, joolya, pete & penny tell them.
Labor and it’s followers will jump on this admission and make a bigger deal of it than it is, they’ll only make themselves look hypocritical. Kevin rudd has big issue’s with trust right now which is shown clearly in the polls. I don’t think it was a brilliant move by tony but I can’t see the harm either.

me my mo says:

11:21am | 18/05/10

It was amusing when Rudd sycophants were doing similarly a week ago, too.

Freeman says:

10:25am | 18/05/10

“It appears that Rudd hasn’t been able to make good with some of his promises simply because the Liberals have control of the Senate”
Libs have control of the senate? why don’t the libs just start bringing in their own policies then? It aint just the libs blocking Labor policy. Labor could get their policies through with support from the greens and independants. Stop making excuses for your Labor darlings failures and broken promises which amount to lies.

haha says:

12:38pm | 18/05/10

Amazing! One has to ask - shouldn’t The Punch Libbers hate Tony Abbott? Short memories indeed or just ignorance, maybe both because they’re such bogans.

Tom says:

09:55am | 18/05/10

There is a different between a chat in the pub and a national press conference

Evan Findlay says:

11:46am | 18/05/10

Diamantina Dick, Tony is a compulsive liar. This is not the first time Kerry has caught him out lying. Neil Mitchell caught him out lying last week. Face facts Diamantina Dick, the man is creepy and not very bright. Have you notice that he struggles to structure a sentence. You can see it in his expressions, his grasp on the Queens English is limited and he’s not coherent in expressing his thoughts, what ever the hell they may be. I can never understand him, too many umm’s and ahh’s for me.

Maybe Tony should be interviewed by the presenters of Play School. Would that make you happy? After all they make a living out of talking to the infantile mind.

Mark says:

10:14pm | 18/05/10

Oh god. Seriously Evan?

The hate is so cool in this thread

Adam Diver says:

11:33am | 18/05/10

Its a funny thing, Abbott basically shows himself as a bad politicion (in the negative connotation) which we are all on here writing about how much we hate the politics of it all. And then he gets pummelled for it anyway.

I hope he gets into power than a couple slips of the tongue reveal some of the very murky underbelly of australian politics.

Adam Diver says:

11:36am | 18/05/10

“I don’t know, perhaps hyperbole was the general format of conversation in the time of Jesus, to which Abbott seems to have a direct line of communication. “

Oh the irony!

Plus I doubt an opposition would have international repercussions.

Adam Diver says:

11:42am | 18/05/10

I think the news is the fact Abbott admitted to lying which is telling the truth.

law student says:

12:53pm | 18/05/10

Errr no. It’s the way he justified his lyng, that was the pearl. I got some handy phrases to use on my clients. He shouldn’t have made the stupid claim about taxes in the first place. Which radio station was it on that he made the claim? If it was 2GB then I might find it acceptable, they lie about alot of things;)

Martin G says:

09:26am | 18/05/10

Twitter is full of watermelons and traffic lights.

Maria says:

10:08am | 18/05/10

Why is it only the other side who are not allowed to make silly, prejudiced comments? Fruit and road traffic instruments are inanimate, communists don’t run much outside of North Korea. Your arguments would be more intelligent and taken into consideration if they avoided the (fruit) loopy…

Evan Findlay says:

12:08pm | 18/05/10

Andrew you have hit the nail on the head, ” to destroy credibility and make Abbott appear like a bumbling fool”. But it was not designed, Kerry asked the question and Abbott made a complete and utter fool of himself. It was all his own doing.

I also have to take you to task on the comment that he is not mad. Andrew he is certifiable. How could you say something like he did last night, and as some commentators are saying this morning, “It has cost him the election”, and not say he is mad. You would have to be mad to say that he is not!

And do you not think that it is a bit of a oxymoron to say ” At least he is honest in claiming that he is a liar”?

Chris L says:

06:33pm | 18/05/10

I love this conspiracy theory about the media manipulating the populace to vote left. Especially after studies have shown the Aussie media has a right wing bias. I guess the right need to find some reason for losing the last election without admitting that people were sick of them.

PS, I’m not voting for Rudd either (mostly because of the planned internet censorship). Maybe the Liberal Democrats will rise to the challenge.

Adam Diver says:

11:45am | 18/05/10

I don’t think the ETS was part of the election, that came after and so I would hardly call it a mandate

A Bob says:

03:10pm | 18/05/10

I thought action on AGW was a big part of the election. Wasn’t that why Howard had to cook up an ETS in the first place?

Public expectation was that something would be done. Hence the decline in popularity after Rudds back-flip. I’ve never been too sure about the term ‘mandate’, but something close to it was there.

persephone says:

07:22pm | 18/05/10

Nonsense, Adam - both parties went to the election on the platform of delivering an ETS.

Mark says:

10:18pm | 18/05/10

And one cowardly shelved it.

The other made a decision based on good sense, science and fact that went against the msm and general popularity.

One side are cowards.

The other have convictions.

Your point was what again pers?Iit must be excruciating for you to lie to yourself like this. Have a bex and a lie down dear.

Ras Putin says:

01:40pm | 18/05/10

Comedian,he reminds me more of me—the real mad monk!!!  Cheers!

stephen says:

03:09pm | 18/05/10

Abbott’s soft. But Putin ? Have another look bro’. He’s a bit of a goose in front of the cameras, but I reckon Putin is a hard nut…real hard.

Rover says:

11:51am | 18/05/10

BrownDog, he only admitted it because he didn’t want to answer WHY he broke his promise made a month earlier not to introduce a new tax.

Edward says:

01:57pm | 18/05/10

Rover - that was his answer (he wasn’t evading anything).

Chris L says:

06:40pm | 18/05/10

Not always spot on eh? That’s what you call it when he says there’ll be no new tax, and then introduces a new tax. On the other hand when Rudd delays policy that is not getting through the senate (possibly a good thing if the senate is against it, meaning it should be taken down for review) he’s called a liar. I don’t like either of the big 2 but I find the Liberal side just that little bit more hypocritical.

T.Chong says:

09:35am | 18/05/10

Thats right Benny, this Abbott reckoning is just far too good to miss.Can hardly wait till the election, when Abbott and his cheer squad will blame everyone and everything (other than themselves, of course) for their defeat.
The Libs should decide on his replacement now, the election is looming.

Martin G says:

10:30am | 18/05/10

“The Libs should decide on his replacement now, the election is looming.”

Might want to worry about the Labor leadership T.Chong. I see Julia is sharpening the knives!

T.Chong says:

11:41am | 18/05/10

Well marty, if Gillard is shapening the knives, so much the better.
I agree with some of you , Rudd is a sad wnna- be Howard, and that is reason enough to bring Julia in.

Ben81 says:

01:28pm | 18/05/10

They wanted a sideshow and they got one, unfortunately for them the timing isn’t too bad.

You kind of need a distraction when a government is polling worse than the opposition in their first term, heading towards an election with the economy in the red, and much of their major policies from the previous election have either been dropped, ended in an investigation (that deliberately avoids investigating rorting and admits that in the report), or barely implemented.  Oh apart from the mandatory internet filter of course, that’s still alive.

What Tony said was stupid and i’m disappointed for sure, but at least he was referring to not being sincere about one comment on the radio, and not a rhetoric that was shouted from the rooftops at every opportunity as if the fate of the world was in our hands, and then sweeping all that under the rug when it wasn’t politically convenient any more.  I’m sure you all know what i’m referring to.

Rose says:

11:40pm | 18/05/10

I think you’l find that Abbott is most definitely not typically Catholic. In fact, as a Catholic, every time I hear him identify himself as Catholic it breaks my heart. The man has very few, if any, truly Christian values, he only trots out the stuff that he can twist to suit his purpose. True Catholics have a deep passion for issues of social justice and would be appalled at Abbott’s complete lack of heart.

shane says:

09:48am | 18/05/10

Hahaha, Great comment. Completely agree. Love the Noodly appendages line.

Another Shane says:

10:39am | 18/05/10

Good news for you then, damocles. Tony Abbot is probably satan.

Sherekahn says:

11:43am | 18/05/10

Oh boy, you should watch Media-Report on ABC TV.

patrick says:

12:08pm | 18/05/10

The Australian? Proper news? Oh sorry I get it now - you mean proper Liberal party news.
When the news is in line with Liberal party voters’ views, it is balanced. When the news is not - it is biased commie rubbish.

Love it -  Liberal voters have not changed a bit from the days of little Johnny. Yep we do need an election - wipe the libs/nats and family first off the map and get Julia in and lean wayyyy to the left - just to piss them off a little more. They hate social values - they think everybody should be individuals doing individual things and ignoring everybody else but blaming all social wrongs on ‘others’. Come on every body - on the next corner - lean waaayyy to the left it’s going to be a hoot.

Ben81 says:

01:40pm | 18/05/10

Yeah that’s right Partick, people are individuals.  If Australia moved further to the left (not happening, but just for the sake of the argument) they will rebel at having every facet of their life controlled by the government and everyone would be “pissed off”.

Perhaps it’s something that should happen if only to give arts students and bludgers who think the world owes them something a wake up call.

Martin G says:

10:19am | 18/05/10

Delicious??? There is nothing delicious about this, it only brings Australia closer to re-electing the most incompetent PM we have ever had.

Wouldn’t happen to be a union hack would you, EssJay? Still bleating about WorkChoices and that nasty John Howard. Why stop there? There’s some mining execs to be bashed as well…

For a so-called ‘progressive’ party, Labor and their union mates certainly do a lot of living in the past!

EssJay says:

11:00am | 18/05/10

Yes Martin G, it is delicious because Abbott has exposed himself to be the liar we thought he was. No-one had to do it for him!

And no, I don’t work for a union, I don’t belong to one and I don’t work for or belong to any political party. Anyone can see that when you take Abbott’s words last night (he’s a liar) with changing the industrial relations system by removing unfair dismissal, introducing contracts again, it smack of WorkChoices 2.0. He said it wasn’t, but he’s told us he’s a liar. So it MUST be WorkChoices 2.0.

And you’re right about that “nasty John Howard”. Even his own party labelled him a “lying rodent” and “mean, tricky and out-of-touch”.

No-one wants to “bash mining execs”. We just want a fair price for OUR minerals. They just don’t want to pay a fair price.

“For a so-called ‘progressive’ party, Labor and their union mates certainly do a lot of living in the past! ” - That’s a bit rich considering that John Howard’s Liberals sought to take us back to the 1950s, and Abbott and Co want to do the same oo take us back even further!

Frank Drebbin says:

10:20am | 18/05/10

Spot on. C’mon T.Chong, Persphoney and all you ALP luvvies…....gimme three things this government has done well? Apologies, ratifying meaningless environmental agreements and delivering flowers to an overrated, overopinionated actress doesnt count (remember that little embarassment?).

Paul says:

10:33am | 18/05/10

Oh please, what is it with Libs and whinging about the Media being out to get you? Asides the academic study which showed that if anything the ABC favoured the centre right, what about talkback radio and News Ltd, particularly the Australian? These are not small players, and their partisan preferences are pretty obvious. Get over it, stop whinging, and work on policy.

Chewy says:

10:59am | 18/05/10

Paul, The ANU study that showed the ABC biased to the right was conducted by no other than Andrew Leigh 2010 ALP candidate for the federal seat of Fraser, how reassuring.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Leigh
Frends of the ALP saying the ABC is Liberal biased is nothing short of a joke.
To be fair Kerry O has shown alot more balance of late. He was getting out of hand last year though..

Mark says:

11:22am | 18/05/10

Kerry has always been ALP biased. I’m a bit sceptic that he is now showing a balanced view. What I think is that 1) The is p*** off by KRudd, and he intended to bring him down; 2) Now is is bringing Abbott down; 3) Let see if he brings Gillard on stage and I will like to see how he interviews Gillard. My opinion: Bring KRudd down; Abbott down; then Gillard up!

Christian Real says:

10:03pm | 18/05/10

It is not the first time that Tony Abbott has been caught out lying on the ABC
Abbott was caught lying on ABC’s Four Corners in 2003
“Abbott defends himself by confusing the issue”, written by Deborah Snow, August 28, 2003.
This story was found at :hhtp://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/27/1061663854618.html

Gary says:

10:34am | 18/05/10

Crudd, Mabel, doggy doo and Y’all? Shouldn’t you be doing the year 3 NAPLAN test somewhere?

Evan Findlay says:

12:19pm | 18/05/10

“All the Labor hardliners get out and flood the blogs” and all the Liberal Party hacks get out and make excuses for their bumbling fool of a leader. I don’t know what amuses me more, Abbott opening his mouth and confidently displaying what an idiot he is, or, his supporters who continually flood these blogs championing what a fool he is.

Lenny says:

11:01am | 18/05/10

Kerry is the best journalist in this country. As for bias, did you see him interview Rudd last week? He calls out all politicians on their garbage. Take off the partisan blinkers and have a critique of both sides.

Helen says:

12:41pm | 18/05/10

I agree, I think Kerry is an awesome interviewer; I love to see him make mincemeat of ALL politicians, get the slimy loathsome little reptiles squirming. I hate 99.9999% of politicians and enjoy seeing them suffer. And Abbott may be “intelligent”, but he certainly isn’t clever, and he is self-centred, right wing, unconsidered dolt. I resigned from the Liberal party the day they voted him as leader. And Rudd is no better, just more sneaky; a nasty anal, hyper secretive, spin doctoring, bureaucrat typical of the Kremlin, aka the Qld public service. As someone said, can’t we have the Democrats back, please?

Pete says:

10:59am | 18/05/10

Henry, I saw the show, but i think it must have been a different one to what you were watching.

Tanner was great - across detail, personable, on point with answers and no mumbo jumbo. Hockey is likeable enough, but he just can’t cut it in economics. He was outpointed by Tanner at every turn.

Kiko1 says:

11:04am | 18/05/10

Tanner is an intelligent man who had it all over the guffawing grimacing buffoon Hockey.

Penny H says:

11:14am | 18/05/10

Haha Pete - nice try.

Tanner is a finance illiterate like the rest of the ALP.  No professional qualifications nor business world experience.

I work in a large accounting/business services firm and all the morning talk has been how all at sea Tanner is. Almost as bad as Swan who just doesn’t understand basic accounting concepts.

Tax and spend and credit is all the ALP understand.

JJ says:

12:04pm | 18/05/10

Haha Henry. I watched the same show but came to a different conclusion. Tanner was articualte and impressive - he knew exactly what he was talking about and answered all the questions with aplomb. All Hockey could do was make snide remarks and noises and roll his eyes. Not a great debating tactic. Tanner won that battle easily. But the war will be harder to win given Labor’s polling results to date.

JJ

Willy K says:

01:05pm | 18/05/10

Spot on Henry.

Tanner just look like he didn’t want to be there.  Eyes darting, nervous, sweaty, stuttering, disheveled, tired, and grumpy.

Was actually enjoyable watching this puffed up twit get butchered on the national stage.

No where to hide this time eh Lindsday?  Maybe next time Labor could send someone with financial qualifications or proven business acumen.

Hamish says:

01:25pm | 18/05/10

I’m a coalition supporter, but I thought Tanner made a good fist of defending stuff he didn’t agree with, especially the mining tax which he is far too intelligent to support.

He should be treasurer, but he’s probably in the wrong faction and Swan (who appears constantly out of his depth) is, like Rudd, from vote-early-vote-often Qld Labor. Gotta love the Labor Party.

Jane says:

11:24am | 18/05/10

“Alpha males” like TA become famous for treating people like that. They have the motto “I don’t suffer fools gladly” constantly ringing in their heads swelling it up with self-confidence but it almost always trips them over with their true arrogance/ignorance.

Hamish says:

01:34pm | 18/05/10

Are you saying what Tony Abbott said was wrong? Does being sick automatically make you pure of heart? Apparently Osama Bin Laden has chronic kidney disease - does that make what he says always right and fair? Are you just bagging someone for no reason?

Willy K says:

11:24am | 18/05/10

Hockey has qualifications and experience in finance and business, Tanner has zero.  And it shows.  As anyone one in business or accounting can see plainly - Tanner and the rest of the ALP are not qualified to run a small business let alone our economy.

Yes let Tanner and his ilk do some social work, or push paper in the bowels of the public service, but leave finance to professionals.

Tanner has been a left wing lawyer and Union hack.  In other words he has never ever generated his own funds.  He has simply been a parasite on others and now he is on the public purse.  The perfect pedigree for an ALP stooge.

Waah says:

12:58pm | 18/05/10

“I’m going to vote independant but I’d rather a smarmy person who admits they are a liar than just a smarmy liar.”
Congrats you’re going to get both!

Robert S McCormick says:

12:00pm | 18/05/10

Conspiracist you are wrong! If anything the two 7.30 Reports with Rudd and Abbott proved yet another of the lies the politicians have been putting about for years thet “The ABC is biased”. When in Government bot the ALP and Coalition have accused the ABC of being biased against them. These two programmes prove that theABC is doing exactly what they are required to do and that is treat all with impartiality. You say the story is still there but comments have been taken down. That, by some, could be interpreted as the ABC being biased against the Coalition simply because it shows Abbott up for being loose with the truth! and by others as being biased against the ALP for it portrays Abbott as being nonest! We can’t have all our own way.

Conspiracist says:

12:13pm | 18/05/10

I listen to both sides, but you cannot deny that Howard stacked the ABC Board with conservatives. We are seeing the effects now I suspect.
Lesson for anyone playing this “hide my policy close to my chest before the election is announced”-This is why one must have a policy to talk about and divert attention from the frail human truths;)

conspiracist says:

12:43pm | 18/05/10

No I don’t think I am Howard stacked the ABC board with conserfuktards. Also, MSM like the Murdoch press is obviously out to bring the govt down. Sarah Murdoch launched Tony Abbott’s book for godsake!

Mark says:

10:25pm | 18/05/10

It was a silly performance. Gawd you always stuff things up demeter.

It will not have an effect on the election. Makes the haters hate more. The lovers dig their heels in.

The undecided will shrug their shoulders and agree that politicians lie.

Actually I am glad you think this will cost him. You are so wrong all of the time this could turn put to be a good thing

Chris L says:

06:44pm | 18/05/10

Funny how people keep equating debt with Labor. I guess it’s not like the national debt tripled over the Howard years eh?

Vote for neither!

Pedro says:

12:14pm | 18/05/10

Bruce I agree. Would Kevin Rudd answer, or would he slip and spin away.

I especially love the pious shock expressed by Lindsay Tanner, who just happens to be labors king of spin and truth manipulation. True, Tony Abbott admitting he lied is bizarre because it is not clever politically, but the breadth of hypocrisy shown by this labor government in saying ‘Abbott is a liar’ and ‘phoney’ is astonishing.

We have never seen government break more promises in their first term in our history, or for that matter deliberately cover up the truth with such dismissive arrogance.

Kerry O’Brien, good job last night, your next mission is to expose the labor hypocrisy on this issue - if you dare.

Ben81 says:

02:03pm | 18/05/10

Let me give it a go.

Rudd - “Well let me just tell you, working families deserve a fair shake of the sauce bottle.  I make no apologies for making the tough decisions, and you know what?  Sometimes my detailed programmatic specificity errs to the side of speculation rather than sincerity, but the average bloke will always know what i’m about, mate”

Gee Jay says:

09:41pm | 18/05/10

Corrupt is a very strong,word Penny…,please supply some examples..

Penny H says:

01:31pm | 18/05/10

Might want to wait till the Auditor Generals Report on the BER debacle.

Rudd will be under serious pressure to sack her which he may do to eliminate a leadership threat.

The ALP is in tatters.

Brian Connor says:

02:05pm | 18/05/10

Tanner:

(From Wiki) - He graduated from the University of Melbourne with Honours in Law and Bachelor of Arts, and later a Master of Arts in 1981. While still at university, he co-wrote a book on environmental politics and worked as a casual layout and design artist.

Tanner began his career as an articled clerk and solicitor at Holding Redlich Lawyers in Melbourne. In 1985, he became an electorate assistant to Labor senator Barney Cooney. He was Assistant State Secretary of the Federated Clerks’ Union from 1987, then State Secretary from 1988 until 1993.

Perfect experience to be Finance Minister.

Henry says:

03:01pm | 18/05/10

Well Wayne Swan has a Bachelor of Arts so yeah I guess he is well qualified to drive us deep into debt.

The ALP…. OMG.

Obvious says:

04:16pm | 18/05/10

Funny isnt it. I watched QandA as well and I thought it was the other way round. Tanner was very articulate - he should be out there selling the mining tax - Hockey came off as a someone full of cliches and half truths and someone out of his depth - Oh well.

Luke says:

04:20pm | 18/05/10

Lindsay Tanner IS a good minister…
Trouble is… everyone else in his party…. isn’t…

Ben81 says:

01:50pm | 18/05/10

Rob, sorry mate but in general your spelling and grammar (and maturity) is terrible.  I wouldn’t normally point that out to someone, but it’s a bit rich now that you’ve started saying things like “go get and education” and bringing up the topic of spelling as if you’re some kind of expert.

Just yesterday for example you told me “your not very educated”, and then called me a ‘dickhead’ over something you were clearly wrong about.  Do you want to be taken seriously or not?

Sally says:

04:15pm | 18/05/10

thats gold haha .......Mark Arbib probably driving a BMW from a “Friend of Labor”

stephen says:

09:21pm | 18/05/10

Deja Vu is a record by CSNY.
It’s out of your class.

Scott Maxworthy says:

08:09am | 20/05/10

Great - LOVE IT

bruce says:

10:43pm | 18/05/10

How do you know he is having an honest moment? He’s already admitted you can’t believe what he says unless it is carefully scripted. If that interview was carefully scripted, he needs a new script writer! Mind you if someone is nutty enough to believe in a supernatural being, then he may well believe that what he said actually made sense.

Matt says:

10:29am | 19/05/10

And while we’re asking the PM questions, perhaps he could tell us about his role in shredding documents relating to the sexual abuse of an Aboriginal girl in Queensland State care.

John A Neve says:

03:37pm | 19/05/10

Matt,

If you are really interested in that case?  You should know the answer, it’s all on the record, if memory serves me well there were three inquiries and all were made public. That’s just on twenty years ago isn’t it?