http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/scott-abbot/ Scott Abbot is a political comedian and writer.  He pokes fun at politicians through the mediums of print, stand-up comedy and interpretive dance and has recently completed his debut show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival entitled “Democracy - not angry, just disappointed”. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/tony-abbotts-direct-action-plan-frequently-asked-questions/ Punchers enjoyed a carbon-tax-free week last week, but with many people still angry about the policy, we’re getting back into the discussion with gusto. Its opponents say the carbon tax will ruin the economy, cost jobs, hurt families and make the Spice Girls get back together, so what’s the alternative? What is Tony Abbott’s Direct Action Plan for Climate Change? The Direct Action Plan is a Coalition policy designed to reduce carbon emissions through Government-funded incentives without the need for an economy-wide carbon price.  The policy allows industry to sell carbon abatement back to the Government and also includes funding for widespread soil-carbon, solar and tree-planting initiatives.  feedback@thepunch.com.au (Scott Abbot) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/tony-abbotts-direct-action-plan-frequently-asked-questions/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/tony-abbotts-direct-action-plan-frequently-asked-questions/#item6411 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:45:56 +0000 Scott Abbot | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/faqs-is-plain-packaging-bad-for-your-health/ What is the cigarette plain packaging legislation? From July 2012 the Australian Government plans to prohibit all brand logos, fonts, colours and promotional wording on cigarette packaging.  Cigarettes will come in olive green boxes displaying prominent safety warnings and the name of the brand and variant printed in standard size, font and position. Why is Labor taking on Big Tobacco? They are the only target left that is less popular than Julia Gillard.  Does plain packaging infringe on freedom of choice? Studies have shown most smokers cannot distinguish between brands in blind trials and the perceived differences are often an artefact of subtle cues in the colour, logos and design on the packaging.  Nevertheless, tobacco companies spend millions of dollars perfecting the positive associations evoked by cigarette packaging and consumers have a right to have their free choices subconsciously influenced by them. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Scott Abbot) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/faqs-is-plain-packaging-bad-for-your-health/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/faqs-is-plain-packaging-bad-for-your-health/#item6193 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:35:05 +0000 Scott Abbot | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/faqs-bob-katters-australian-party/ Q. What is the Australian Party? A. The Australian Party is a new Federal and Queensland State political party established by the Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter. Q. Is it a personality cult? A. No. A cult would require more than one member. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Scott Abbot) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/faqs-bob-katters-australian-party/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/faqs-bob-katters-australian-party/#item6044 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:35:44 +0000 Scott Abbot | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-busy-persons-guide-to-the-malaysian-solution/ What is the Malaysian Solution? The “Malaysian solution” refers to a policy recently announced by the Gillard Government whereby up to 800 asylum seekers trying to enter Australia will be sent to the back of the queue in Malaysia. In exchange, Malaysia will send 4000 genuine refugees to Australia over a four year period. Is there a queue? The notion of a queue has been criticised as an oversimplification. The number of displaced persons is vastly higher than the available resettlement places and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that operates the scheme does not have a presence in some of the most dangerous locations. Nevertheless, it is hoped that being sent to the back of a queue that doesn’t exist will act as an added deterrent. I’ve heard that the refugees we get from South East Asia aren’t genuine In fact they are on of the few things you can get in South East Asia that is. Curiously, thousands of Australians travel to South East Asia especially to get fake DVDs, fake designer jeans and fake sunglasses but when it comes to refugees we are sticklers for authenticity. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Scott Abbot) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-busy-persons-guide-to-the-malaysian-solution/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-busy-persons-guide-to-the-malaysian-solution/#item5937 Thu, 26 May 2011 04:20:24 +0000 Scott Abbot | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/faqs-god-in-the-classroom/ What is the National School Chaplaincy Program? The National School Chaplaincy Program was introduced by the Howard Government and expanded by $222 million under Julia Gillard in yesterday’s 2011 federal budget.  The program allows for schools to apply for a grant of up to $20,000 per year to employ a religiously affiliated “chaplain” to provide students with emotional and spiritual guidance. What is “spiritual guidance”? “Spiritual guidance” is a vague and largely invented “discipline” that only exists to ensure the employment of its teachers. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Scott Abbot) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/faqs-god-in-the-classroom/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/faqs-god-in-the-classroom/#item5776 Wed, 11 May 2011 02:30:35 +0000 Scott Abbot | Author bios | The Punch