Politics
The Opposition is likely to continue hammering Kevin Rudd over the SIEV 36 explosion, demanding he revoke the visas of three men accused of deliberately setting fire to the boat. Join us here from 2pm for House of Representatives Question Time.
Religious epithets like the “mad monk” and “captain Catholic” are routinely applied - usually as negatives - to Tony Abbott in coverage of the alternative Prime Minister. So we wanted to find out if they resonated with voters.
A Punch poll of 100 voters across Sydney found that Labor and Green voters despise the way Abbott injects religion into his political campaign and policy. On the other hand, Liberal voters respect Abbott as a ‘conviction politician’ who is firm on his beliefs.
But critically for the electoral arithmetic the poll also found undecided voters don’t care about religion and politics. You can see some of the responses in the video below, but here’s what else we found.
Continue reading "What voters really think of Tony Abbott’s religion" »
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Hayley says:
Peter, I can’t even begin to fathom how little you know about the theory of evolution but if you think about how dogs are breed to look a certain way, that is an artificial form of sped up evolution. It is also a theory - in science this means it… Read more »
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Jeff says:
I feel very comfortable that K Rudd and T Abbott base their values on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfullness and self control. Not perfectly, but a great place to start. Read more »
While some argue Tony Abbott has “opened up the culture wars” by declaring the practice of respecting traditional Aboriginal land owners at official gatherings as “out of place tokenism”, you can’t deny that though controversial, the Ab-Blaster has a point. These repeatedly enforced preambles for the Whatever Tribe Of Wherever grow ever more meaningless each ensuing shindig, and are at best, descending into farce.
It isn’t culture, it’s clutter. PCYC CEO Chris Gardiner has also picked up the dustpan and brush, declaring kicking off parliament with the Lord’s Prayer is not only intolerable, but “anachronistic at best… superstitious at worst”. The message is clear – it’s time for a clean out Australia!
This is a big, brown and far too dusty land, and there’s plenty more mouldy, moth-eared, curry-stained tokenistic traditions still loitering about the flat, in desperate need of either chucking in the wash, or just a good old chucking out.
Anzac Day marches:
This bizarre annual tradition of old blokes marching up and down city streets, blocking shopping access to discount fashion outlets and electrical goods warehouses, has surely done its dash.
Continue reading "Why stop at binning welcome to country and prayers" »
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Kim says:
I think that most men already have rid themselves of having to say hello. Have you ever noticed that when they see another male that they know, they either just say “hey” or nod at each other. The nod seems to signify that: “I’m a bad ass dude and I… Read more »
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Mik says:
Then there’d be no fun! I love having to take time out of my day off to vote for *Fudo*. BTW, on a more serious note, someone told me that any *dud* votes actually go to the current in place polly, is that correct? Or are they just having a… Read more »
Hidden away in most capital cities around Australia there are troubled suburbs which suffer the afflictions of social and economic breakdown.
These communities are often populated by a majority of good hearted battlers living alongside a minority of ratbags. These hidden communities are often absent from our national debate partly because the communities lack advocacy skills and partly because the problems seem so intractable.
Often the only time these troubled suburbs are noticed is when the harsh glare of the media descends upon them in response to some criminal incident or to catalogue their social dysfunction.
Continue reading "Twin revolutions to help troubled suburbs" »
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Kate says:
Australians seem to prefer to have career public servants and Union hacks to run the country. You wouldn’t let them near a company in a fit but you want them to be in charge of the biggest company of all - Australia. Never said better. KRudd - career bureaucrat. WSwan… Read more »
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acker says:
@James says…I dont agree, in larger rural centers with less farmer voters you tend to see more balanced labor/liberal voting patterns at the polling booth level. Not fantastic for labor but in seats such as even city/country Wakefield where Nick Champion the author is from, very handy labor votes. Also… Read more »
Tony Abbott’s copping it from, of all places, Peter Costello - who took him and his parental leave policy apart with great gusto in the Sydney Morning Herald this morning. The former Treasurer also gave it to Kevin Rudd too, but expect the piece to feature quite heavily in Question Time today - live here from 2pm.
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Eno says:
Peter, we need a benign dictatorship - I’m feeling pretty benign today - I’ll do it! Read more »
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jamie says:
Yep, it was pretty funny stuff. A FIGJAM question with no relevance to anything, Jenkins weak as piss letting it go, Pyne acting like a spoilt prefect. : ) Read more »
Governments of either persuasion don’t like it when they don’t get their own way in the Senate.
However, in recent days the Rudd government has taken the levels of whingeing, moaning and sulking about so called ‘Senate obstruction’ to new levels. No doubt this is all part of a deliberate pre-election strategy, seeking to justify the government’s failings and perhaps even the need for a double dissolution election.
No less than five senior Ministers fronted a press conference last week accusing the Senate of the worst obstruction in 30 years, while the Prime Minister shouted ‘get out of our way’.
Continue reading "The Senate protects us from bad government" »
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Astrosodi says:
Hi Senator (and my sincere apologies for misspelling your name in my previous post) I genuinely appreciate what you’re saying. I very much appreciate the Senate system, and agree that it is a very valuable thing and there are many dangers in a system without it. I don;t wish to… Read more »
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Straight talk says:
Ah, the eye roll from the Senator from WA. Thanks for the put down, Senator. Very mature. Very even-handed. Patronise me on your $200,000 a year, would you? That’ll be your best effort at representing my interests, will it? Thanks, Senator. Made my case for me. I’ll vote how I… Read more »
There must be a handbook given out to women who have had, or claim to have had, an affair with a high-profile politician. I imagine it’s called something like The truth will set you free! Seriously, you’re fabulous and, like, totally emotionally evolved!!
It’s full of sage advice such as “stop being so utterly selfless and think of yourself for once you amazing selfless woman,” and “you could have saved him if only he knew what was good for him,” and “don’t forget your clothes flew off all by themselves.”
And I imagine at least two women interviewed this week have a well-worn copy on their bedside tables - Michelle Chantelois and Rielle Hunter.
Continue reading "The confession manual for a politician’s mistress" »
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Lorraine says:
Tom, There was no wife at the time! Rann was a single man. Read more »
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cats says:
Actually i reckon the men and women get pretty equal negative media coverage. Look at Lara Bingle and Brendan Fevola. Both got very negative press. Tiger Woods and his mistresses.. Tiger got pretty bad coverage in the US where as here the girls got a lot more bad press than… Read more »
There is nothing more certain to generate cynicism than having to suffer political correctness in full force. When the experience is compounded by the paternalistic condescension of those who don’t really believe what is being said or done but in their generosity are reaching down to those they really see as simpler than them, it’s intolerable.
The idea that you must open your gathering and deliberations by paying lip-service through a ceremony or incantation demanded by vocal spokespersons for what amounts to sectional interests, should offend most citizens.
For many, when the ceremony invokes a cosmology or belief system that they consider anachronistic at best, or superstitious at worst, it is particularly galling.
Continue reading "Token ceremony openings must be brought to an end" »
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James1 says:
All that does is show you have no understanding of Mr Darwin’s theory. Read more »
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Fred says:
Eric you really are a serial pest. I’m not saying you’re wrong about the changing environment and mammals going extinct, but I’m not saying Kit is wrong either. The fact is you’re both right. Yes, the environment did change. And yes, most tribes did follow rules that meant no hunting… Read more »
Bruce Hawker is the director of Hawker Britton and is advising the Rann Labor Government on its campaign.
We are now at the business end of the South Australian election campaign and the contest is going down to the wire.
After years of internal division the Liberal Party had - until this week - managed to develop an appearance of unity on the back of Mike Rann’s problems following the Michelle Chantelois allegations.
With four leaders in four years and little more than a veneer of unity following an acrimonious leadership spill involving former deputy leader Vickie Chapman and current leader Isobel Redmond, the Liberal campaign settled on a “small target” strategy.
Continue reading "SA election: A party that can’t run itself…" »
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Jonathan Appleyard says:
I’d like to see the Punch do an article on the ethics of Hawker Brittain essentially running election campaigns for the Labor Party and what paybacks that service entails for Hawker Brittain clients after a Labor election win. Read more »
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Manik says:
Bruce you trying to apportion blame on the election outcome before it occurs to protect your ass….No doubt you have been well paid for your advice and you will also be questioned add nausea um about your strategy and political advice during this campaign, especially if Rann loses. Why is… Read more »
Jamie Briggs is the federal Liberal member for the South Australian seat of Mayo.
In his book, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, the exiled Czech novelist Milan Kundera, explains how to rewrite a states history:
“The first step in liquidating a people is to erase its memory. Destroy its books, its culture, its history. Then have somebody write new books, manufacture a new culture, invent a new history. Before long the nation will begin to forget what it is and what it was.”
Mike Rann must own a dog eared version of this book if his Punch interview is anything to go by.
Continue reading "SA election: Why Mike Rann’s time is up" »
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All front says:
KSKS - Spot on. Unless the men in charge of certain well known households can threaten to belt the piss out of them them unless they deliver for the brothers. Read more »
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KSKS says:
One thing missing here folks. Rann doesn’t have the majority of the female vote. Read more »
Some years ago the BBC produced a brilliant documentary series about the House of Lords which chronicled the strange existence of those hereditary peers who by dint of their birth had wound up being underemployed for life in this absurd parliamentary chamber.
There was one chap aged only in his 30s who was not only completely loaded, he was also completely smashed, living in the rundown country estate his late father had left to him where the only functioning room appeared to be the cellar. Every morning he would wake up, put on his tweed trousers and a silly cravat, and start working his way through bottle after bottle of 1950s French burgundy. His face was dotted with burst capillaries and he sat in his comfy chair like that Uncle Monty from Withnail and I, rabbitting about how one felt a sense of duty in maintaining one’s family traditions by serving as a Lord.
It now seems that even the Brits have realised their Upper House is an elitist anachronism and a waste of money.
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Matt Stewart says:
Gavin, The reforms I suggest are based on the assumption that you are right. The goal is to direct that factionalism along state lines, with senators thinking about what is best for that state. Ruling out political party membership is not foolproof, but it will help. When you are a… Read more »
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Gavin says:
Aboloshing the right to join a party in any official capacity will not stop “factions” from forming and power bases establishing themselves. At least with party politics, everyone knows it is happening and who sits where on issues… Read more »
Paul Keating, who’s been pretty vocal of late, has called Tony Abbott a nutter. It’s a bit of a shame he’s not still in parliament. Join us here from 2pm to see if any of Question Time’s current participants can come close to Keating’s sledges.
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Peter says:
Australia would be the luckiest country in the world if Paul Keating was still running it. Bring him back i say, look at this rabble we’ve got now.. Im starting a petition, I want PK BACK!!! Read more »
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Peter says:
It’s amazing how even “right” thinking people can be dragged along by their political party. Every fibre of their being, their “right wing extremist nut being’, knows that this paid parental leave is BS, but looking at them, there are just barracking for a politcal party. We need to start… Read more »
It’s little wonder the Australian people, not to mention his own Coalition colleagues, are utterly confused about Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s sham paid parental leave scheme funded by his great big new tax on business.
As soon as his International Women’s Day thought bubble hit the airwaves, there was instant disbelief.
After all, this was the man who, as Workplace Relations Minister, declared that a paid parental leave scheme would only happen over his government’s “dead body.” And who then proceeded to kill off the paid maternity leave proposal put forward by the then Sex Discrimination Commissioner.
Continue reading "Tony Abbott is driving would-be parents crazy" »
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Bon says:
Ray, I understand a lot better now where you are coming from. although I don’t agree that society necessarily has a love affair with women, or that we women believe we are superior to men (although no doubt there are some women who do have that attitude, just as there… Read more »
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Ray says:
Bon, thanks for your comment above. What I am saying abour education is that we arrived at the present situation with culpable intent. Your son is doing well and congratulations to him, but across the board boys are underperforming at a greater rate. Of course those with memory fade will… Read more »
Tony Abbott’s foray into progressive social policy has backfired, with his conservative base rejecting has plan to tax big business to pay for improved parental leave.
In the first serious signs that the Mad Monk’s honeymoon as leader is over, this week’s Essential Report finds the Liberal leader has cashed in his credentials as an economic conservative for no real gain, with little support for this family plan.
After watching the polls narrow to within striking distance over the summer, the Coalition heartland must now be wondering whether Mark Latham has returned to politics in a different set of Speedos.
Continue reading "Parental leave: the moment Abbott jumped the shark" »
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Steve Turner says:
Andrew, Bit scary that you believe it’s ok that a polling company that the likes of Sky News relies on, is as you say, a front for the left. It may not have occurred, but much of your premise as to TPP relies on, as you say sus polling. 4… Read more »
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Andrew Goff says:
Steve, Essential is just another Left-wing front - who cares. But your read on the newspoll is fundamentally wrong. Tony Abbott has crystalised the right wing base… so the preference flow is far more likely to favour Labor more than the Coalition when compared against the last election… as evidenced… Read more »
Governments keep secrets sometimes. We all accept that. But you might be surprised to discover just how ingrained – ridiculously so, in some cases – the concept of secrecy is in Australia’s federal laws.
Disclosing classified security information to a foreign spy is an imprisonable offence.
But so is the unauthorised disclosure of subsidies paid to Australian dairy producers. Or details of the operation of the dental benefits scheme.
Continue reading "A chance to tackle the culture of secrecy in government" »
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thomas vesely says:
“It is not uncommon and in fact it’s sensible, responsible and appropriate for Government to take some time to consider reports they receive before decisions are made about [their] release and next steps.“conroy answer vis a vis 43 Billion of our money…...... Read more »
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Davido says:
Totally agree. Secrecy and more recently privacy provisions have completely been abused by governments. Not to mention the commercial in confidence abuses to protect corrupt tendering processes. Read more »
Kevin Rudd’s much-criticised failure to look NSW Premier Kristina Keneally in the eye ahead of health reform talks last week was a supremely weird moment. Keneally is in the equally bizarre position of leading a party voters say they are going to crush in the polls but also decisively support her as preferred premier ahead of Liberal leader Barry O’Farrell.
Rudd’s gaze-averting and fist-banging had all the hallmarks of a snub but taken with the Premier’s attempts to brand herself as Kristina Keneally and nothing to do with Labor, you have to wonder whether the incident may in fact have suited her strategy of putting distance between herself and the party.
With polls on the two-party preferred measure indicating voters are waiting with baseball bats for the NSW Labor Party in next year’s state election it’s perhaps understandable that they would want the focus to be on personalities rather than the party machines.
Continue reading "It’s her party and she’ll ignore it if she wants to" »
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Old Bert says:
Keanelly, I wish to say, is an enigma, within the Labor Party. Put your fears aside, she WILL survive the hatred within the NSW parliamentary system, as you will all see over time. She has the attributes and personal presence similar to President Obama, in an Australian version, which is… Read more »
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JR says:
Reminds me a little bit of the ‘New Leadership’ posters with a picture of Rudd on them at the 2007 federal election, and the labor posters which had the candidate with Mike Rann at the last SA state election. Noticed they’re not like that this time around, due to Rann… Read more »
The PM has had a busy weekend, flitting around between the Premiers, spruiking his health plan. But insulation is still in the air and the Opposition isn’t about to let it drop. Join us here from 2pm for live coverage of the House of Representatives Question Time.
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Fog Badger says:
You are winning-me-over, John A Neve. It should not come down to voting for the least-worst. Read more »
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John A Neve says:
Eno, What are you on about, “paragons of virtue with regard to politics” !!! Amerca would have to be one of the most corrupt systems going. Money really buys power in the good old US of A, what money won’t get you sex will. Just look at Bush and the… Read more »
FORMAL acknowledgement of the first Australians as the original owners of the land is now de rigueur for Rudd Government ministers and MPs. It usually goes something like this: ``I would like to recognise the original owners of the land upon which we meet and acknowledge them as the oldest continuing cultures in human history.’‘
It is intended as a heart-felt gesture of respect and has been received well by all concerned. But it is now being uttered so often and in such a pro-forma way, whether it be at the start of a National Press Club address, or an opening of one event or other, it has begun to ring hollow.
Even among strong supporters of the Aboriginal cause, there is a sense that the acknowledgment, sometimes trotted out with all the emotion of an instruction to stow your tray table and put your seat-back in an upright position, is devaluing the poignancy of Mr Rudd’s historic apology to the Stolen Generations.
Continue reading "Abbott slams Rudd team’s robotic lipservice" »
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DG says:
That means that the head of the Qld government is responsible, in that capacity (as opposed to personal responsibility), for anything done by that State in the past yes. And so they should be, lest the concept of Statehood be meaningless. Any other interpretation means that Queensland of today is… Read more »
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TC says:
I acknowledge the First owners of the car I drive on whose driveway we met. Read more »
Thanks to the way Tony Abbott announced his maternity leave plan, thought bubbles seem to be in vogue this week so here’s one for a breezy Friday brainstorm.
Mandatory clown suits for social welfare recipients. What do you think?
The key benefit, as argued by the person who thought of it first, is that people on welfare will be making the country happier as everyone likes looking at clowns. (Stay with me.)
Continue reading "Clown suits for dole bludgers – could it work here?" »
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Adam says:
@Julie Coker-Godson says: Wrong, every subject must be the subject of satire else we run the risk of thought police taking over. This is not a comment on political correctness but in a pluralistic society there can be no sacred cows Read more »
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xiaoecho says:
OMG you’re a genius. That idea is much funnier than a clown suit. Can you imagine all the sirens going off in the middle of the night when people get up to go to the loo and flush the toilet? Read more »
Where are the women warriors on Paid Maternity Leave? The most extensive, economically significant policy proposal to support working women in decades is put forward by a major political party… so where are the feminists and women’s groups?
Why is there such a conspicuous silence from those who “whooped” and figuratively threw streamers when the Rudd Government finally announced its Paid Parental Leave plan (which turned out to be little more than a re-badging of the baby bonus with an administrative nightmare for small business thrown in)?
Where are Eva Cox and Sharan Burrows?
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Joe says:
Keep up the good work Sophie. Please try to balance all the childcare hand outs with those poor mothers who choose to care for their own children full time. Read more »
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Othello Cat says:
Moira says a lot a strawmen and needs to work on reading comprehension. Before the other strawmen are trotted out, I will say I am not asking that children be made to starve in the streets nor am I suggesting that parents ought to raise children with no support at… Read more »
Today’s battle is over who’s responsible for the gridlock in the Senate. Join us here from 2pm for live coverage of the House of Representatives Question Time.
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Dr John says:
Doubtful if The Watcher could even tell the time! Read more »
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The Watcher says:
Rudd and his hacks r trying to serve us pooh covered in honey and telling us that its a dessert. Well, idiots will obviously lap it up. They can spend the time left propping up their socialist lifeline Jools coz the heat is turning up quick on Dudd. And by… Read more »
From the country that gave us cigars in the White House pantry and the governor who went for a walk only to wind up in Buenos Aires doing the horizontal tango comes the latest proof that nobody does a jaw-dropping political scandal like Americans.
What began as a rumble about naked lobbying in the gym showers by Barack Obama’s chief of staff has turned into the cringe-inducing political wilting of US congressman Eric Massa, amid allegations of grown men in tickle fights, allegations of same-sex harassment and the spectre – raised by Massa himself – that there might be some unfortunate text messages on congressional staff phones.
After claiming just days ago he was pressured into resigning from Congress by Democrats, Massa, who is married with children, went on a highly-anticipated TV interview only to backtrack on his key allegations and then admit to all-in, all-guy tickle fights with staff.
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Peter says:
I saw Glen Beck last night. He did give a very insperation story about his daughter, may god bless her. However, his analogy about the poor taking one for the team was hilarious. In Glen Beck’s eyes, the team should let the weakest die even though they can prevent them… Read more »
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BJ says:
Hmmm Old guys in a tickle fight…now there’s a horrible image burned into my mind. Yuk! Read more »
There is no point in complaining to my parents about what the Rudd Government has done to people in higher income brackets. My parents paid 60 cents in the dollar, worked a six-day week, raised two kids, five cats (not at the same time) and a dog and still saved for their own retirement.
In fact, there is no point discussing any sort of paid maternity leave system with my parents or anyone else who had children more than 10 years ago. Many didn’t have access to one, they don’t see the need for one and they don’t think mothers today deserve one.
And don’t get them started on the Baby Bonus.
Continue reading "A super idea for supporting new parents financially" »
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SarahJaneJones says:
This is a fantastic idea! Everyone, men and women, should have it as soon as they start working, just like Superannuation. Once they reach the age of 50 anything leftover can be put into their superannuation account I think. Read more »
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Hayley says:
All I can say is that the game of having kids these days is ridiculous. You get a baby bonus, family assistance, family tax benefit A, family tax benefit B, maternity leave…. why? I understand that we all pay tax at certain stages in our lives and that this provides… Read more »
On 10 March 1876, Alexander Bell called Thomas Watson. By today’s standards, unremarkable. But in 1876, he had made the world’s first telephone call.
Some 130 years later, today’s World Telephone Day celebrates that call, in an environment very different from Alexander Bell’s. Telephones of various types, shapes, colours and sizes are enmeshed in our everyday lives.
Today’s phones are personal and business necessities. They can be fashion accessories. They’re more compact, more mobile, and we rely upon them more than ever before.
Continue reading "A step backwards for the phone on its birthday" »
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Daryl says:
Senator you have done nothing here but embarress yourself! If you have a business relationship with someone, they are allowed to call you, whether you are on the Do Not Call Register or not. Someone with your responsibilities should know this! You are doing yourself and the Liberal Party a… Read more »
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Justin says:
If as a collective society we had some smarts, telemarketing would be dead. People either are interested, or hang up very quickly. That makes telemarketing convenient. How about you start seeing how long you can keep a telemarketer engaged before they disconnect the call. Fake long periods of holding, with… Read more »
Update 12.35pm: Stephen Fielding has just told The Punch that he was mistaken when he claimed on Q&A that Kevin Rudd did not believe in evolution. A number of commenters have attacked the PM below off the back of Fielding’s claims but the Senator says: “I made a mistake. I thought I had read it somewhere but obviously I didn’t, I apologise to the Prime Minister for the mistake.”
We now know courtesy of Monday’s excellent episode of Q&A that when Stephen Fielding and Kevin Rudd first met the PM pulled a Bible out of his top pocket and gave an impromptu sermon. It’s not clear which passage Rudd read although we can presume it wasn’t Ezekiel 25:17 - “I will strike you down with great vengeance and furious anger and you will know then that I am the Lord” - tempting as it may have been for the PM to pass the ETS by popping a cap in the Christian Senator’s ass.
I am not a violent person either but there was something about the creeping Jesus quality of Monday night’s show that had me wanting to kick a hole in the plasma, wondering angrily whether anyone can remember the French Revolution and the quaint conviction that the Church is over there, the State is over here, and never the twain shall meet.
Continue reading "For God’s sake, can our MPs just stick to their day jobs" »
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the apologist says:
@iansand: Well, I did accurately predict you’d think me ignorant. Regrettably. I didn’t claim that the Bible was a scientific source (I’d argue it’s consistent with science truly understood, but that is another matter). But you have rejected something without understanding it – the epitome of ignorance as you say.… Read more »
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iansand says:
The Bible is not a legitimate scientific source. Unless your level of scientific knowledge is that of a bronze age nomad. Perhaps that is your problem. As for development of various structures I commend to you a book called Climbing Mount Improbable by Richard “The Antichrist” Dawkins. Fascinating stuff. Read more »
It’s the battle of the baby bonus today as Tony Abbott’s wildly ambitious plan to pay parents bucket loads of money gets put through the wringer. Join us here from 2pm for live coverage of Question Time.
Meanwhile the BBC’s Australia correspondent has written a piece about Kevin Rudd BC and AC - Before Copenhagen and After Copenhagen. Interesting outsider perspective.
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AJ says:
Keith, To make a tongue-in-cheek suggestion, and to highlight the inadequacies of the scheme, you could very well put your wife on the payroll for $150,000 a year for the next month, and get a free $75k from the Government (if the Coalition’s scheme was implemented) Read more »
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preciouspress says:
Clear today that it’s the Opposition Tactics Committee needs ‘pink batts’. Without them their incompetence and lack of consequential thought was again there for all to see. As described by the PM, Abbott’s ‘thought bubble’ on maternity leave, denied his previous conviction on this issue, wasn’t discussed with or costed… Read more »
In an election year many politicians including the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader will travel the nation hoping to impress the electorate and attract votes.
They will discover that Australia is divided into two groups - those in the bush who wear elastic sided boots as standard acceptable attire and those who assume they are missing out on something typically Australian and promptly buy a pair.
The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd wears boots all the time no matter whether the occasion is formal or informal. The Opposition Leader Tony Abbott wears them when dressed in jeans and casual shirt but he did not wear them when temporarily lost at Fossil Creek. Bill Clinton has two pairs and both George Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger each received a pair as a present from John Howard during visits.
Continue reading "Beware the politican in a brand new hat and boots" »
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William Crane says:
From memory the style of Akubra that he wore was for the women, I think it’s still on their website. No joke, the running story is that Akubra contacted him and offered to replace it, but he declined… Or so the story from a forward Howard staffer goes… Read more »
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Freetime says:
1. Rudd spent his early years (11) on a farm 2. He rides horses (occasionally) All of which is completely irrelevant to whether or not anyone chooses to wear riding boots, but it does highlight how facile this article is. And if Coxy is a real farmer, I’m the prime… Read more »
Bring on the battle for the most generous publicly funded paid maternity leave scheme, in fact, let’s have all all out electoral bidding war on the issue with both sides throwing lots of money.
Tony Abbott has marked International Women’s Day by announcing a proposal to introduce a scheme that would see working women paid 26 weeks of leave at their salary level at the time of the birth.
The Opposition Leader stopped short of calling his plan a policy, saying it needed work and consultation with interest groups. Lots of women will be cheering at even the mention of it so I’m loathe to talk Mr Abbott’s plan down, but there’s one thing about it that really bothers me.
Continue reading "Abbott’s parent plan could pit women against each other" »
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Tim says:
1. I’m a Labor supporter 2. I was referring to Government funded maternity leave, not Family Assistance. 3. I have not issues with Family Assistance. I just don’t agree to paying for somebody’s maternity leave. I think it should be between the person and their employer and that they should… Read more »
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Ben says:
Do you seriously believe that the government will be taking your word on her income? “Hmm, another person claiming to earn $150,000, let’s just have a quick look at last year’s return. Hmm, nothing there. Hmm, nothing from the year before either. That’s strange. Maybe we’ll contact the business owner… Read more »
It is Tony Abbott’s 93rd day as Leader of the Liberal Party and he’s being cheered as a hero. He’s just arrived at the Mosman RSL, one of the few affordable venues in the richest suburb on Sydney’s ultra-conservative North Shore, and the member for Warringah is not among friends but fanatics.
If Abbott is trying to argue that it’s a marathon not a sprint, and that the party has a lot of work to do ahead of polling day, tonight is not the night for such dispassionate political cliché. It feels like a dress rehearsal for a victory party.
Every single person that I speak to on the night not only believes that the Libs can win, many are saying they will win.
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Steve says:
@Ryan. Now you are being silly or you must have graduated with honours from the Dumbing Down Of The Nation Programme. Every picture tells a thousand word and come in many forms Ryan, not unlike the main one at the heading of the article. Read more »
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Wayne Fehlhaber says:
JOHN NEVE : Well at least we agree on something John. Yes , of course Australia could do better than what both sides have put up as good government. However , i would prefer to be a part of the conservative side of politics , hoping that my small contribution… Read more »
Back in October last year, I promised a group of Aboriginal stockmen that I would soon return to observe progress in the re-establishment of an Aboriginal cattle industry in the Northern Territory.
It was not a promise that I considered I could break just because I now had a different job. The problems of indigenous Australia need to be taken seriously by Australia’s leaders and not just by the ministers and shadow ministers with special responsibility for them.
That’s how I came to be on a quad bike, low on fuel, following tyre tracks in the gathering dark earlier this week. That’s how I sampled a witchety grub and honey ants dug up by the women of an outstation called Ukaka.
Continue reading "Abbott: Why I journeyed into the dead heart" »
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Carie says:
Listening to THEM? Working with THEM? Kim do you realise how insensitive those comments are? You are referring to Aboriginal people not them! Read more »
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Tobby says:
Kim that is the typical response I would expect from a white-bureaucrat. Spend as little time as possible with clients, appear to be understanding their needs and then run back to your cafe latte life to make more idiotic government decisions with the “best intentions”. If Abbott really wanted to… Read more »
Nothing of substance has occurred in health reform this week. The PM has announced a position he will take in future negotiations with the states. That’s all.
Those negotiations may or may not be productive. A referendum may or may not be held, may or may not pass.
But no health reform was undertaken this week. No sick or debilitated person is better off as a result of Government action this week.
Continue reading "Diagnosis: PM has a disease called modern politics" »
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Randal says:
I suggest that you check your facts “Public Record” I did not state that Private Hospitals did not treat Public patients, I said that the public patients paid for this privelege. Persephone incorrectly stated that private hospitals “pick up the slack” and the factsis they do not. In fact if… Read more »
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Bluey says:
Ah, Jeeze! Got me names mixed, Ryan, bugger. Bit tired. Sorry for that. Randal, where are ya? Hey? Speak up, pal! The Batts? Jeeze, mate, you know as well as me it was the shonks in the game. Yep, that’s small business, mate. All their own work, amet dead set. Read more »
As elections in two states loom it is becoming absolutely clear that voters are in the process of switching off the Labor Party.
What this means is that Australia will have a changed political landscape post March 20 - no matter what the outcome of the polls.
And the aftershocks from these elections could have profound implications for federal Labor, which will seek re-election with two crippled state divisions providing distractions and baggage.
Continue reading "The state elections could be an albatross for Rudd’s neck" »
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Wayne Fehlhaber says:
DWest , ” So much for not being firm and not self confident on your own election campaign and policy hey! “ Ah yes ! you mean like the Greens in the last Queensland election. ? Denied their own principles , preferenced the party (Labor) committed to flooding the Mary… Read more »
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DWest says:
I actually enjoy watching how just the mention of the greens froths people like Gazzards cappacino… The conservatives have so much green baggage it’s hilarious. So much for not being firm and not self-confident on your own election campaign and policy hey! Funny how obsessive compulsive green fearers like the… Read more »
Maybe he’s telling the truth but given his experience in the Queensland bureaucracy, it’s simply impossible to believe Kevin Rudd when he says he “didn’t properly estimate the complexity” of health reform.
A few minutes talking to anyone involved in healthcare delivery is enough to know the sector is hopelessly complex, a spaghetti-bowl of accountability. Everybody’s hands are tied, it’s a black hole for money, it is impossible to please the stakeholders from state governments through doctors’ and nurses’ associations to the voting public, and the line of managers required to sign off on simple things stretches almost as far as the line of patients waiting for treatment at a hospital door.
What Rudd outlined yesterday is in some ways about changing which bank account gets debited for healthcare services. But most people don’t really care about structural reform – they just want to know Aunt Ethel doesn’t have to shuffle around on the bad hip for too long. And when she does, they want someone to blame. Now Rudd is saying you can blame him.
Continue reading "Rudd asks for the 3am phone call about a hospital problem" »
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Principessa says:
adsproella, you are so naive. Read more »
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KD says:
One quick point for the idiots who continue to complain about the delay in announcing the health plan….GFC !!! It took more than 5 minutes to solve and delayed a lot of plans, you know the ones that weren’t already being blocked by the LIbs in the senate so that… Read more »
China’s ‘“little emperors”, the adored children born under the country’s one-child policy with a reputation of being pampered and spoiled, are entering parenthood and have been accused of raising a generation of brats.
Chinese media this week ran reports in which men and women born in one-child families after 1980, known as “first generation only child”, were accused of producing selfish children with personality problems.
“Now that they have entered their 30s, many of them have already married and most have chosen to have one child. These children are called “second generation only child”,” the People’s Daily reported.
Continue reading "China’s second generation of spoilt brats" »
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JL says:
Hey Rohan…you don’t need to prove yourself to me. True confidence should come from inside. Good luck with that. Read more »
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rohan says:
@Keith, perhaps it is time to grow up and learn a bit more about the world. Why is it that there are so many of these old notions that are prevalent about every other Asian country Read more »
Kevin Rudd’s festival of contrition and humility has now entered its fourth day with the PM’s address to the National Press Club on his health reform blueprint becoming a showcase for his new laid-back, softer style.
You can see the latest news coverage of the health plan here. More interesting politically was to observe the continuing shift in Mr Rudd’s demeanour. He’s officially buried crotchety Kevin and is now conciliatory Kevin, self-flagellator always at the ready, as he admits his faults and flaws.
He even expressed his relief at the happy news that his nemesis, the surging Tony Abbott, had not vanished overnight in the dead heart of the Australian desert.
Continue reading "Rudd: I don’t pretend to be some sort of perfect leader" »
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Carl Palmer says:
Can’t help feeling that this is policy on the run…. Seriously kick this bloke out and get someone who will make the buck stop with him or maybe her? This is embarrassing. Read more »
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The Wolf says:
I’m always amused by people who are not understood and claim it is because they are too subtle for their audience. You’re not subtle, you’re a bad communicator. I hopes that’s not too subtle for you. PS Appeals to authority are defective induction. Go and be defective somewhere else. Read more »
Is this a pattern? Here are a series of similiar photos of Tony Abbott and Vladimir Putin. They like going bare-chested…
... they both enjoy the outdoors ...
Continue reading "Spot the difference: Mad monk or Russian oligarch" »
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eye4aneye says:
Putin to far to the right? - please tell me your being sarcastic Read more »
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Marvin H says:
Gee Willy you need to look across the room to the Liberal side Bronwyn Bishop and and Wilson Tuckey in my opinion take the ugly Pollie awards of the year and Bill Heffernan is sure no oil painting either. The mad monk would sure get The Golden Banana for the… Read more »
With an election to be held sometime this year, it’s time to start pondering that important but not necessarily easy question: who to vote for.
This is simple for those born into a political party or otherwise partisan, a non-issue for the apathetic but problematic for those who care but dislike Labor and Liberal in equal measure.
I used to be a traditional Labor voter by default as I would rather have bicycled from Perth to Sydney for no reason than voted Liberal. But it’s just as hard to vote for Labor these days.
Continue reading "All ready to go to the election with no-one to vote for" »
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Gavin says:
Eric, is obstructionism (deliberately obstructing a Bill, not for national interest, but to halt Government business for the sake of politicism) really democracy? Read more »
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Justin says:
No you’re wrong about this Persephone. People are apathetic about politics in the first instance for two main reasons: (1) our education system and (2) the structure of our media. On the second point, we have two few owners of the main media networks, and our entertainment media is supporting… Read more »
The political class is on a collision course with the punters they are elected to represent over the issue of population growth, because they are failing to engage the public in a meaningful, mature debate.
While the major political parties have signed up to the official long-term projections of 36 million by 2050, the public overwhelmingly thinks that’s way too many. In response, the politicians bat on with the reflexive response “There is No Alternative”.
This dissonance highlights much that is wrong with our political system. It also opens up big opportunities for both the extreme Right and the environmental Left over the coming years.
Continue reading "Tell us again why we need population growth" »
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Davido says:
I really just like living somewhere not crowded. Read more »
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Theo says:
We need mor population because we want more Centerlink help, more criminality more poverty, less affordable housing, crowded streets, crowded transport services, worsening schools and hospitals because of the higher demand.Not enough reasons? Read more »
With all this public confessing, rending of garments and epiphanies going on you’d be forgiven for thinking Kevin Rudd had run screaming back into the arms of Catholicism.
The Prime Minister’s reversion was completed fittingly on the Sabbath yesterday on the high alter of Sunday morning politics, Insiders.
It’s a shrine he hasn’t visited for quite some time. Forgive me Barry for I have sinned, it’s been 21 months since my last appearance.
(Does anyone else think it’s a coincidence Rudd’s new-found martyrdom started simmering about the time the Pope confirmed the canonisation of Mary McKillop? Divine inspiration maybe?)
Continue reading "All this self-flagellation is making me queasy" »
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persephone says:
Ah yes, but every six months I come back to the world above, bringing light out of the darkness and life back to the dead land. Not bad work if you can get it. (I really dig being a goddess, beats being Julia Gillard any day). Read more »
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persephone says:
Buc I knew noone could use actual facts to disprove my statements, thanks for proving that. Read more »
Anthropologist Peter Sutton has a long association with indigenous people.
In his new book The Politics of Suffering, he makes an observation that deserves quoting at length:
The first consideration must be to focus on those conditions that are conducive to the emotional and physical wellbeing of the unborn, infants, children, adolescents, the elderly, and adult women and men. It is remarkable how many people living in the comfort, affluence and healthy surroundings of Australia’s suburbia have, in the debates over indigenous policy and especially the Intervention, covertly promoted the view that respect of cultural differences and racially defined political autonomy takes precedence over a child’s basic human right to have love, wellbeing and safety. It is as if political feelings and political values are more important than one’s emotional feelings and moral values as fellows of those other human beings in the ghettos.
Continue reading "Putting do-gooder politics ahead of helping people" »
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Robert Smissen says:
Evie it would be a piece of cake! ! ! My wife & I are both on pensions not to mention that I have full time of my disabled son. We eat well(salmon at least once a week)both of us drive late model cars & I bank $150 every month.… Read more »
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Toady says:
It’s not the type of house, and it’s not a desire to live on the land without a roof over their heads. Don’t fantasise about the mystical image of Kooris drawn to a nomadic life, yearning to spend their days living off the land. The issue is the provision of… Read more »
Kevin Rudd has enlisted his MPs as an insulation scheme army, ordering them to help out by visiting insulation companies to help distribute the Government’s $41 million rescue package. The heat appears to be off Peter Garrett. Join us here from 2pm as we cover Question Time live.
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Kim says:
Have you seen the latest news? Peter Garrett’s just been demoted. He is now the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts. How is that a demotion? Pffffftttt Read more »
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JR says:
That article, and specifically the 85 per year figure before 2009, does not state how the fires were linked to the batts. As I understand it the 93 fires from the scheme were linked specifically to poor installation. How many were linked to the product quality of the batts? Poor… Read more »
Is it only in obnoxious cities like Sydney where people bang on about interest rates and property prices?
And is it just people I’ve met or is it all of you? Don’t lie – I watch a lot of TV and judging by the nightly news and those current affairs programmes on commercial stations, everyone is obsessed with this stuff.
There are endless stories on the big banks ripping us off with higher rates, tips on how to invest in property, what the next hot areas to buy into will be etc etc.
Continue reading "Home ownership is a trick being played on you" »
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Carrie Miller says:
And I’d love you too Kat but I’m guessing you’re a girl and that State wouldn’t approve. Read more »
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Catharine Lumby says:
Carrie, Marx was right about many things. Despite having read him in German (I’ll sue Syd Uni one day for making me do that) let me observe that when you have a ton of money you don’t give a sparrow’s fart about mortgages anymore. What you care about is being… Read more »
Few would dispute that Australia is in urgent need of a radioactive waste management facility. Over 50 years, some 4000 cubic metres of accumulated radioactive waste from hospitals and medical research facilities has stored up in hundreds lock-up sheds around the country. It is clearly an inadequate situation.
To make matters more pressing, Australia has an obligation to take back nuclear fuel from Sydney’s Lucas Heights research reactor, which was sent to Scotland and France for reprocessing and is due to return to Australia in 2015-16.
It makes sense to secure radioactive waste in one central, safe location. But because no one wants the thing in their backyard, the Northern Territory – which lacks the powers states have to fight off the federal government – is going to get it.
Continue reading "Labor close to fission over nuclear waste dump" »
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acker says:
@eye4aneye..re dumping waste and fish from the following article http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-you-are-being-lied-to-about-pirates-1225817.html Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the UN envoy to Somalia, tells me: “Somebody is dumping nuclear material here. There is also lead, and heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury – you name it.” Much of it can be traced back to European… Read more »
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Carl Palmer says:
@AustraliaVotes says:03:09am | 26/02/10 The new generation of reactors don’t use water to cool the core. The new generation use gas i.e. Helium to cool the core or molten salt or liquid metal-cooled reactors.They are far more efficient and can generate more power from the same amount of uranium than… Read more »
I have a challenge for Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott – when my Marriage Equality Bill comes before Parliament today, I dare you to resist the urge to control … sorry, kill debate by insisting Senators toe the party line.
Show some leadership instead, and let the members of your parties have the courage of their convictions by giving them a conscience vote.
Until the Australian people can see their representatives talk freely and vote honestly on the issue, they have no idea how far away they are from living in a nation where equality is truly valued.
Continue reading "Man up, Kev and Tony, have a free vote on equal marriage" »
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Jodi says:
Martin I agree with everything you said - marriage is defined as the union between a man and a woman - therefore marriage as such does not apply to same sex couples. I believe they should have a similar institution to celebrate their love but it should be known by… Read more »
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Simon Ingram says:
“Aramane” - Incorrect. Completely incorrect. Marriage did not “exist long before it was a supposed ‘blessed sacrement’ from God.” When do you think marriage started? What do you think was the first marriage? Records from history that I have read tell me that God created marriage. Read more »
During the 2007 election campaign, voters were led to believe via a massive scare campaign that Labor would provide wage protection.
The cruel irony is that whilst the Howard Government achieved real wage increases of over 19%, Labor’s new laws are actually leading to wage decreases.
Continue reading "No reward from the new Government’s new Award" »
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Dons Ghost says:
Well Stuart Robert isn’t talking about new employees - he is deceptively pretending existing employees will be worse off when that shouldn’t be the case. In any event new employees aren’t “worse off” because they never had the conditions to lose. Not to hard to follow is it? Read more »
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Kate says:
Spotless could make a business decision to keep the employees at their current rate of pay. The award is just the minimum they have to be paid. Spotless are being greedy corporates, trying to save a buck. Read more »
Tony Abbott has accused Kevin Rudd of sexing up the language in the counter-terrorism white paper. Very Wag the Dog. Join us here from 2pm for our live coverage of Question Time.
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John A Neve says:
Sherlock, As I have explained before on this site, a Financial Debits Tax, would reduce tax for the majority, possibly all taxpayers. But would catch every one, as a result the government would have a greater tax income. Think outside the box Sherlock, you are all too busy proving that… Read more »
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Sherlock says:
John you said that the “the pool of payers would be larger” I’m just interested where these extra taxpayers are going to come from. Your question? You mean are the rich getting richer? Certainly are as they have been since the beginning of time and will continue to do so.… Read more »
I used to work in this pub in Wollongong where come Census time some of the regulars would scarper for the hills. I also remember a bus stop near where I grew up bearing the graffiti: “NO AUSTRALIA CARD” for most of the mid 80s, so I get there are people who are a little skeptical (read paranoid) about the Government knowing their business.
But I just heard the Punch’s Mark Kenny at the Press Club ask Julia Gillard about the “Orwellian” nature of the proposed new ID number for Australian school students Phil Coorey flagged in the Herald this morning.
The Opposition quickly jumped on the plan, with Tony Abbott today saying: I think that people have names and I think that it ought to be possible to identify people’s performance based on their names, based on who they are.”
Continue reading "Why do people get so worked up over ID numbers?" »
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Davido says:
Wow DG never heard someone say they want to be treated like a number. Anyway…. Your last paragraph hits the point exactly. We the people should be in control of the country through the instrument of Government. People who blindly trust the democratic process are I would say - naive.… Read more »
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acker says:
Student ID will help the education department macro manage and perhaps remove the lower performing teachers, which is why the teachers union is screaming like stuck pigs. Read more »
I’ll be honest, I was looking for an excuse to dig up John Howard’s caricature one last time and give it a good flogging.
There’s something about the reach-for-the-sky eyebrows, go-forth-into-the-night bottom lip and mouthful-of-dental-cotton vocal lilt that as a satirist, I find irresistible.
All I needed was a reasonable context, and Tony Abbott’s ascension to the Liberal leadership provided the perfect opportunity.
Continue reading "Inside cartooning: Making the most of the Liberals" »
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Lucien says:
@Robert - keeping a plug in Tony’s cakehole worked well enough for the premise of this sketch, but it was also a convenient way of hiding the fact that I haven’t nailed his vocal caricature yet. That’s going to take a lot of listening to his voice. Possibly more than… Read more »
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Robert King says:
@acker; Ouch! On re-reading the third paragraph of Lucien’s post, I realise I’ve gone off on a completely ‘unfounded’ tangent. Thanks for helping me steer the ‘HMAS Mateship’ on a course more acceptable to you. Please go on more about what you think the thread is about… you’re really quite… Read more »
It was so simple for the Opposition. Keep hammering Peter Garrett on the details of when exactly he saw Minter Ellison warnings about the risks associated with the Government’s home insulation scheme.
If they didn’t get his scalp, they would at least have a strong message about Ministerial incompetence in the Rudd Government for the Federal Election campaign.
Then this morning Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham jumped the shark.
Continue reading "Coalition’s own goal in the insulation shoot-out" »
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John A Neve says:
Asproella, Rudd has no control over the oppositions members, so he cannot send them anywhere. Perhaps you should direct your concern to Mr Abbott. While this project could and should have been handled better, many of those companies that have lost out should never have been involved in the first… Read more »
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asproella says:
Shame on Kevin Rudd for making this insulation debarcle where people have died and people are losing their busineses into a political point scorer for his election,sending out all his mps into their electorates to help people who have had insulation fitted .What about none Labor electorates???? do they have… Read more »
The Opposition is now saying Peter Garrett’s canned insulation scheme is a bigger threat to Australian families than terrorism and Kevin Rudd’s now very upset. There will probably be a lot of shouting this Question Time. Join us here from 2pm as we cover it live.
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Matt says:
The real reason this attack has lost momentum is not because of any specific Liberal error but because of the modern attention span. Seriously, who is still interested (apart from those directly affected)? This is why Rudd so confidently stood by Garrett last week - he knew that it would… Read more »
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Tim says:
What do you mean once again question time was a farce? When has it not been a farce? I don’t think i’ve ever seen a question time (no matter whose in charge) that didn’t suffer from the things you’ve mentioned. Same Same. Read more »
Sunday morning television can be a riot of fun.
First we had Ross Garnaut on Meet the Press confirming that his modelling for climate change predictions was done on the balance of probabilities, surely when one is giving support to the ETS, the big tax on everything, it should be on the basis of beyond reasonable doubt. But with all the fudged modelling of the IPCC, I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised, just alarmed.
Next we had the spectacle of David Marr – who writes for Fairfax beating up on Piers Akerman who writes for News Limited because Marr did not like the way ‘the Australian’ reports the news.
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Dingo says:
Alice, you’re correct about scientific method being to make a hypothesis and then by experimentation attempt to “prove” the null hypothesis. This methodology has never being applied to the link between CO2 in the atmosphere and global temperature. The entire argument is based on modeling and extrapolating data that was… Read more »
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David C says:
Call me insane then Read more »
It’s Tuesday @ The Punch
Today in 1981 a rebel army who supported the late General Franco stormed the Spanish Parliament In Madrid and took 350 MP’s hostage.
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John A Neve says:
Spain had the right idea, dictatorship today, democracy tomorrow. However, the real power stayed in the same hands!! Read more »
How long can Peter Garrett last? He’s probably rather be at the dentist getting teeth removed with no anaesthetic than go to Question Time today. Join us here from 2pm as we cover it live.
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Jordan says:
Steve, it’s funny… I don’t remember one of the conditions being to cut as many corners as humanly possible and fob off any mistakes back on the government. I must have missed that memo. Read more »
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Steve of Cornubia says:
I know. It’s a shame really. All the gummint did was offer an under-regulated sector a few billion dollars, on the condition that the money was spent very quickly, and then ignored the advice of very expensive consultants who warned of the very same dangers that resulted in four deaths.… Read more »
WHEN Abraham Lincoln famously said that a house divided against itself cannot stand, he didn’t have the Liberal Party in mind. But had he been born 250 years later, he may well have.
Although, in the case of the Libs it’s more of a church than a house. Tony Abbott and Barry O’Farrell may be breathing a sigh of relief after the party’s NSW upper house preselection vote on Friday which saw David Clarke, the so called head of the party’s “religious right” fend off a challenge from the less religious right.
But what will concern them is that Clarke won by only 14 votes, which means in real terms that 7 more people voted for him than David Elliot, the former Australian Hotels Association executive being backed by Clarke’s former staffer Alex Hawke.
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M Klitzke says:
David - It is no good trying to have a discussion about this. You are where you are and are not able, pliant, humble enough to believe anything other than you own thoughts which of course have no more “evidence” empirically than my bekief in my beloved Jesus does. You… Read more »
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David says:
You still miss the point - how can you say your religion, your God is true and thus not man-made while every other is false and man-made? The followers of every other religion will say exactly what you have, simply altered to reflect their theology? I read the bible and… Read more »
Sorry Sarah Palin – in the war on the “r” word, you can’t have it both ways.
The foxy Fox News contributor and former 1.3-term Governor of Alaska kicked off a skirmish earlier this month when she called on the president to sack his Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, for using the word “retarded” during a strategy meeting.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Emanuel, a famously aggressive pit-bull among Obama’s inner circle, called some at the meeting last August “F-ing retarded” for saying they were going to air ads attacking conservative Democrats who weren’t supporting the president’s health care plan.
In a typically folksy post to her Facebook page, which has 1.4 million fans (frightening, but less than Obama’s 7.6 million), Palin responded to a “patriot” from Massachusetts who alerted her to the Journal article.
Continue reading "The R-word, Sarah Palin’s war on “retarded”" »
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Tom says:
Eric, yes I realise that was a Tina Fey quote, it doesn’t change the fact that her original quote was irrelevant, and that she is completely unfit for any public office, much less control of the world’s most powerful state. Here is the quote, by the way: “GIBSON: What insight… Read more »
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James says:
You can believe whatever you like Jay, but we all know that Palin’s “son” was actually her grandson and they covered up her daughter’s first pregnancy by saying it was Palin’s. Just like Obama is a Kenyan Muslim, and George Bush worked for Halliburton while he planned the 9/11 attacks… Read more »
The truism goes a politician should wear out a couple of pairs of shoes in the lead up to an election, but for the Labor Member for Robertson Belinda Neal, her best strategy for a last-ditch bid at career salvation would be to stay indoors and put her feet up.
You see Neal has a way of alienating people that’s unique for a back bencher in the Federal Parliament, especially one who took her seat by just 184 votes at the last election.
And now the ALP has a big decision to make. Turf out a sitting member married to one of the most powerful men in the NSW division, or stay with a candidate so deeply unpopular senior party figures think she’ll be annihilated come Federal Election time. It’s more complicated than it sounds.
Continue reading "Belinda Neal: a one-woman political phenomenon" »
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Norman Hanscombe says:
What a harsh word temerity is, Francesca. I’d never be so unkind as to use it, and I empathise with your position completely. I suspect, by the way, that if that particular story were true, you mightn’t be the only one regretting not being there to watch it. Read more »
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francesca says:
Dear Norman, I thought your problem was that someone had the temerity to repeat a story they had no evidence for. I say again that I read the story in the herald and as far as I know it was not challenged or retracted so I felt safe in repeating… Read more »
Local candidates are the political equivalent of sausages – we might accept they are part of the democratic process, but we don’t really want to know what goes into making them.
And like sausages, local candidates come in all shapes and forms, from the top-shelf gourmet that you would be happy to eat at a Hat restaurant to a sad sack of something that reeks of fat and sawdust.
But in an era of presidential politics, do local candidates really matter? To stretch the sausage metaphor to breaking point, it really depends on what they’re made of, how they’re cooked and what else they are served with.
Continue reading "With local candidates, there’s always a snag" »
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Abigail says:
This article is hilarious… but one you missed is the curried vegie sausage - waxy, chewy, invariably bland but self righteously cooked in foil to avoid mixing with the meat juices… The Green candidate Read more »
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Phil Loveridge says:
It is time for an Independent uprising in this country, the electorate deserves a say in Canberra on a whole range of issues. Every vote in the House of reps should be a conscience vote, not along agreed party lines Read more »
I have a confession to make. I have a soft spot for the Australian Workers Union.
Before anyone gets too excited, let me explain. My great, great aunt was Dame Mary Gilmore, the first female member of the AWU. Dame Mary was one of Australia’s greatest ever poets who now graces our ten dollar note.
Dame Mary edited the women’s page of the Australian Worker before heading off to South America in 1900 to be part of William Lane’s ‘New Australia’ commune in Paraguay.
Continue reading "The unions were complicit in Garrett’s insulation failure" »
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alan cotterell says:
What has the Liberal Party done to alienate the Australian Industry Group? Heather Ridout has clearly stated that workplace OHS is the province of the employer, NOT peter Garrett! Read more »
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Dingo says:
John, how our debt compares to other nations should be irrelevant. However if you really want to keep making that comparison, consider our comparative unemployment rate and net govt surplus when the GFC first arose. Then look at some of the very serious issues now facing several of the highly… Read more »
GONE are the days of burning the Midnight Oil and singing about the dangers of environmental degradation.
Peter Garrett is beginning to learn it’s not easy being green when you are in Government.
After originally singing the praises of his $2.5 billion insulation program, the Environment Minister is now at risk of finding himself in the political wilderness over the accident-prone rebate scheme which he unceremoniously dumped on Friday.
Continue reading "Pulling the scheme hasn’t insulated the Government" »
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Tim says:
The thing i find funny is that in coming years the same people who are complaining about the mismanagement of this scheme are going to be the same people complaining about too much government regulation in the future. Read more »
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Timmo says:
Thanks for that Fog badger, i’ll have a read. Read more »
That pesky cyber-gang of hackers, Anonymous, struck again on the weekend, bringing down Senator Stephen Conroy’s website for almost 30 hours.
I know because I was there. It didn’t take much to predict that nerdy “hacktivists” against the internet filter would attack Government websites to coincide with real-life protests scheduled for Saturday.
Sure enough, a few clicks from Google led to a forum that set a date and time for the assault and, after a bit more digging, a chat room from which to watch the fireworks.
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Anonnewfag says:
Mace Windu- There is a difference between expressing one’s opinion and being an idiot. Disagreeing with Anonymous’ ways would be a logical and thoughtful use of freedom of speech. Freedom of speech does not make everyone right, it just gives you the right to be heard. Nowhere did I say… Read more »
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Mace Windu says:
Annonnewfag - um aren’t you guys all about freedom of speech? like the freedom of speech Dickinson is exercising by calling you nerds? When u get all offended and threatening and “show us some respect”-y it proves for you it’s not actually about freedom of speech but about being a… Read more »
IT may have been more advertising genius than substance but Kevin 07 was a political juggernaut and it rolled right over John Howard’s competent, if tired administration. In so doing, it re-wrote the rules showing voters will bench governments when the economic indicators are favourable if they are bored enough. Back then, Kev-0-Sev had the magic and no matter what Mr Howard did, nothing worked, from backflipping on IR, to embracing the first Australians, to going green with a cap and trade scheme.
Voters had simply had enough. Kevin Rudd was future boy. A Mandarin speaking former mandarin. A square peg who had suddenly found a square hole. As the anti-Howard he was “same same but different’‘. What ever it was, it worked in spades - and they were used to bury the Howard decade.
Yet now, less than a term later, that magic has faded. A pallid looking Rudd is struggling to connect, his 07 mojo ebbing just when he needs it to flow. Is it the emergence of “Straight-talking Tony’’ or is it that having the Opposition back in the game has exposed structural weaknesses previously unnoticed?
Continue reading "10 things Rudd can do to get his mojo back" »
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Bella says:
No Australian died in Iraq. All 11 soldier casualties have been in Afghanistan. 3 during Howard’s reign and 8 during Rudd’s….... Howard sent them in, but Rudd has kept them there. Oh, and if Rudd and Garrett hadn’t been so desperate to throw money at everyone and everything, there wouldn’t… Read more »
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Bella says:
or… “can I just say”. Makes my blood run cold. Read more »
You know things are going seriously awry when the party of the workers starts blaming the workers.
But that’s exactly what’s happening within the ALP over the insulation rollout debacle.
Ignoring proceedings in the Labor State of NSW where bosses can be tried for industrial manslaughter, federal Labor is saying that the minister responsible for the rollout should be exonerated from blame in the deaths of four insulation installers.
Continue reading "Kevin Rudd stars in the final scene from Animal Farm" »
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Timmo says:
Fog Badger, Hey you are there ol foggy. Well I took your advice you know on the paragraph issue, so there we are, I did read what you suggested and applied. Yeah!!! What winners we are over that one. You see I can take advice, that’s good. And good luck… Read more »
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TC says:
You cant say it the stimulus hasnt created jobs though can you. We’re going to need a heap of new inspectors and 4 new and improved installers Read more »
There are young Australians who are already making a name (and money) for themselves in the latest market for creative content – and it didn’t exist a moment ago. YouTube is a huge repository of amateur content, but it is also rapidly evolving into a site that has legally contracted Hollywood movies and TV shows but is working out ways to share revenues from advertising with gifted and committed amateurs whose creativity attracts a big following.
Can government play a role in assisting Australian creative talent to catch some of dynamism of emerging markets for culture?
Peter Garrett’s call to develop a National Cultural Policy could be an important opportunity to take innovation to the next stage in this country. The deadline for formal submissions closed yesterday. Most submissions want more recognition, and funding, for the arts. We think this is a great time to close the gap between innovation and cultural policy.
Continue reading "Supporting culture when everyone’s on YouTube" »
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BTS says:
Shame on you slimjim for bringing it down to the level of a caveman. I went and watched and Natalie is actually a class act. Her videos are a quality production and she is hilarious and I bet that’s why she has such a huge following. Someone in the industry… Read more »
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David says:
Because your mum rates her? Read more »
It should be a great time to be a Green: a first term Labor Government governing from the centre; the defining local and international issue is an environmental one; our lives are being buffeted by one extreme weather event after another.
2010 is a crunch year for the third force in Australian politics and, for many, the great hope of progressive change, with a federal election beckoning, the dream of controlling the Senate is looming large
But something is not happening for the Greens right now: despite growing disillusionment in the Labor Government, their vote is flat-lining in major polls and it is twice as ‘soft’ as the two major parties. We asked voters how strong their voting intention was, and these were the results.
Continue reading "Greens struggling to grow in heated political climate" »
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johnno says:
The Greens can provide whatever hare-brained policies they want - they will never have to implement them, and thereby never be held responsible for them. All they ever do is push Labor Governments over the line, though of course they always claim not to be stooges for any party. Read more »
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johnno says:
E - I am shocked - isn’t Al Gore a renowned climate scientist??? Read more »
On the map below are some of your suggestions for an alternative new home for Pauline Hanson following her decision to emigrate, following a call to complete this sentence: Pauline Hanson should move to (location) because (of this reason).
Click on the Pauline markers to see the various suggestions or you can see a larger version of the map here.
View Pauline Hanson should move to ... in a larger map
Some of the highlights are reprinted below. Further suggestions welcome in the comments, and we’ll update the map with any highlights.
Continue reading "Antarctica, ‘cos it’s white: ideas for Pauline’s new home" »
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Jeff Mueller says:
No actually Brad, I have a standard Australian accent, and my comment was about the way in which Indian call-centres are instructing their workers to match their accents to their target groups. How you think youuknow what I look like I’ll never know, though of course, that’s not your real… Read more »
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Pete L. says:
I think it was quite a few more than that, James, at least in Queensland. I remember when she first became ‘big’, all sorts of random people from various walks of life would say things like ‘She’s just saying what we think’. And she did, in my opinion - right… Read more »
Watching Kevin Rudd struggling on morning television every Friday must be a particular form of torture for the Prime Minister’s advisers.
Over the past three weeks Rudd has been unable to answer questions asked live by viewers to Seven’s Sunrise program, and on two weeks has had to promise to come back seven days later with replies.
So much for the immediacy of television. The viewers would have been batter off sending him a letter.
Continue reading "The sun is setting on Rudd’s Sunrise strategy" »
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asproella says:
What kind of Prime Minister goes around begging the radio stations to have him on there, well Allan Jones said no Mr RUDD,EAT THAT ...Ray Haderly really ashamed of you,Rudd told you he wouldn’t have anything to do with you till you grew up and you had him on your… Read more »
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Alex Megas says:
So I suppose ironing a shirt on the Today show is more relevant in the scheme of things. I mean seriously, Tony Abbott accuses Garrett for industrial manslaughter - the same man who would not consider the plight of Bernie Banton and other victims and insults a dying man by… Read more »
Don’t let the door hit you on the arse on the way out, will be the sentiment from a lot people if Pauline Hanson keeps her promise and moves to the UK for good.
Ms Hanson has told Woman’s Day that Australia is no longer the land of opportunity and she’s looking for a peaceful, less notorious existence.
But we’d all do well not to forget about the former fish and chip shop owner-turned politician. For the past decade and a half Hanson has served as a powerful warning to politicians and the media of the dangers of forgetting to ask people what they think.
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Sophie says:
@ James and every comment you have made on here - I think I love you. Thank you for giving me faith in the world. Even if you are just one person, it’s nice to know that I don’t know you but I completely agree with your statements. Read more »
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Timmo says:
Omegaman, I was wrong again, goddammit, talk about dumb and dumber me, the Magna Carta our basis of common law was written on the 15th June, 1215. So wrong in history again, sob, sob. I’ll get it right one day i’m sure. Read more »
WHEN calls came in the lead-up to Australia Day to remove the British ensign from our flag, the idea was slapped down. Australians had fought and competed under this one, the Government said in an argument more often deployed by monarchists.
When the idea of putting the republic back on the agenda came up, this time from Attorney General Robert McClelland no less, it too got short shrift from the leadership when asked publicly. Perhaps this is unsurprising from the socially conservative Rudd Government. But the agent of both of these off the cuff rejections, was not Kevin Rudd, but rather, his deputy, the left-aligned, Julia Gillard.
There is a growing body of evidence that ``Red Julia’’ as some on the Right have derided her, has been busily repositioning herself to be in contention for the Labor leadership should Kevin Rudd’s star fade. I’ll come back to that shortly.
Continue reading "Red head to blue rinse, Gillard’s evolution" »
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Anjuli says:
I doubt if people in Perth would vote for Labor in the next election after what he has done with the GST pay back to the state he has redirected nearly half a million dollars of our 10% tax to NSW and Victoria yes we got some infrastructure money but… Read more »
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Chris says:
But look at what those higher tax paying nations get: better hospitals, better education(completely free university, as opposed to the “2 tier” system here of full fee paying and HECS) and high speed internet that the Australian government can only dream of (10Mbs? I have friends in The Netherlands who… Read more »
This morning’s Channel 10 news debate between Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner and his Opposition counterpart Barnaby Joyce was the first time the two have gone head to head since Joyce took up the job.
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The clash was a good example of how a political debate can appear one way in Canberra and unfold in another when it comes time for people to actually tune in.
To give a cricketing analogy, Tanner has won the test match of a parliamentary sitting fortnight but Joyce just won the higher rating Twenty 20.
Continue reading "Tanner wins the week, Joyce wins the day" »
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Jack Thomas says:
Nice one, you can’t seriously believe that? Sexual assault victims’ statements. Take a second and say those words again. Then think how you would glibly shred them and spend years denying it. Tell your story to any policeman, internal affairs investigator, etc., they may disagree. Read more »
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GIFT OF THE GAB says:
MAYBE WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE GOOD OLD TIMES. The times of the Keating Government. The times when, quote “IT IS THE RECESSION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE” PRAY TELL!!! OH GOD - SAVE US ALL!!! Keating had the gift of the gab. He must have had. I… Read more »
It’s fairly clear to anyone who watched Kevin Rudd on the ABC’s Q & A this week that a group of young Australians very succinctly exposed the shallowness and symbolism that underpins much of Labor’s “policy” argument.
These young people displayed a healthy scepticism and an ability to see through polly-speak that many of our national journalists could learn a thing or two from. Indeed, in the aftermath, some journalists seem almost shocked by Rudd’s inability to clearly answer a question which isn’t scripted and for which he has not been briefed.
(Despite the embarrassing prelude of the “Ask the PM” Sunrise questions, which saw Rudd floundering.)
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ssi says:
What on earth for? Malcolm ‘goldman sachs’ Turnbull is nothing but a puppet for the banksters. Crossing the floor just shows what egomaniac he is. Rudd is quite enough ego and narcissism. Read more »
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Over Rudd-Speak says:
So you’re saying Krudd IS crap? I agree. Can’t wait for an unscripted debate between Abbott and Krudd. KRudd will have to brush up on his ‘Not being such a sh!t PM’ skills. Read more »
A couple of weeks after Peter Garrett won the seat of Kingsford Smith in the 2004 Federal Election he was taking a dip a Maroubra Beach when all of a sudden he turned grey and collapsed on the sand.
The very healthy then 51-year-old could not stand up, and told lifeguards he felt dizzy and didn’t know what had happened. “He looked really confused and quite distressed,” said lifeguard Paul Julian.
Later at Prince of Wales Hospital Garrett was cleared of anything other than a fainting spell. It’s generally not the sort of thing that happens to people who are 100 per cent thrilled and confident about the major life change they’ve just made.
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gavin says:
Well Johnny boy, let’s hear your pearls of wisdom on how we can make a perfect system. Better still, why don’t you go about bringing on a political revolution - you obviously have the vision… Read more »
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fluffy says:
@ carl.. if the government changed the law to allow drivers to drive on any side of the road.. id probably take some safety precautions myself and not drive at traffic coming towards me. but your analogy is ridiculous.. did the government say to the installers, disregard all current relevant… Read more »
Can you believe today’s jobs figures? I don’t like the odds of the Government being able to resist another day of Barnaby bashing with that economic indicator under its belt.
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Brad Coward says:
Had a bit of a chuckle when the PM made some remark about the opposition asking questions to try and get the answer that it wants to hear. If only the opposition could get a question answered ! Started to feel a bit sorry for Peter Garrett, for a short… Read more »
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Russ says:
Sorry, Bob H, but there is no manipulation. The figures are collected the same way today as they were under Malcolm Fraser. They are not registered unemployed (which is capable of manipulation). There are many criticisms you can make of the unemployment statistics, but manipulation (at least directly) is not… Read more »
When Kevin Rudd delivered an apology to the indigenous people in 2008, he committed himself and his government to a series of practical measures, designed to lift many aborigines from appalling conditions of poverty and abuse.
He promised a new bipartisan approach under the leadership of himself and the Leader of the Opposition. Subsequently, he promised the report on this great moral challenge on the first sitting day of each Parliamentary year.
Today these solemn promises can be seen for what they were: hyperbole from a Prime Minister who regularly makes grand statements but fails to follow-up on many of them.
Continue reading "The apology that turned out to be just words" »
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Scot says:
What a joke, Jennie Macklin is an ex public servant and fomer career diplomat, just like he boss Rudd. They ahve dropped the ball. Rudd said he would review this every year and has failed to do on the first day. If it was inportnat to Macklin and Rudd they… Read more »
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Scot says:
Macklin is a career diplomat just like Rudd. She has never had a serious job in her life. She was put there by the Labor party, just like so many others. They have no reality on life. He last job was the High Commisioner for Hong Kong? Look at what… Read more »
Today’s insult of the day - Wayne Swan called Joe Hockey “Sloppy Joe” over his comments about interest rates and stimulus spending. The election campaign has started and it’s about economic credibility. Join us from 2pm for Question Time.
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The Drover says:
Jesus Christ ! can you say that again. Read more »
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Shane From Melbourne says:
Question Time- kindergarden for adults….... Read more »
This week heralds another parliamentary bout of Senate Estimates. Government ministers see estimates as a necessary evil that comes with ministerial territory. Some opposition members rub their hands in glee as estimates approach. Others probably reckon they should get a life. But tragic as it may seem, estimates can be about as good as life gets in opposition.
The quaint title comes from ‘estimates’ of government expenditure being referred to Senate committees in the annual budget cycle, for opposition parties to examine the operations of government. Some public servants relish the approaching prospect of being grilled by the Senate; some see it as grist for the mill; others barely tolerate it. And some just don’t show.
This bout of Senate estimates is no different from many before – but for one thing. For the first time ever, the boss of the nation’s workplace umpire Fair Work Australia will show.
(Geoffrey Giudice is due to face Senate Estimates from approximately 10.30am today)
Continue reading "It’s a big day for Senate Estimates - seriously" »
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Jessica says:
You can stream senate estimates hearings on your computer through aph.gov.au. I realise not everyone has access to the computer, but seeing as you must have been on a computer when you wrote this it might help you individually. Good article Mary Jo. Read more »
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dancan says:
Good article Mary. I work quite closely to senate estimates within my job in the APS. I’ve seen it from both sides now, when the liberals where in power and now labour, and the sometimes amusing role reversal between those asking questions and those answering. I completely agree with the… Read more »
Who does the ironing at your house, and other big questions of national significance could be on the agenda for today’s Question Time. Kevin Rudd will be glad to be back on familiar ground after his experience last night in another chamber, with another set of questioners altogether. Join us here from 2pm.
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Alan Cotterell says:
It’s well known throughout industry that non-union labour is involved in many more injuries and deaths in the workplace than unionised labour. Garrett should have legislated ‘No ticket, No start’ for insulation installers! Read more »
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Julie Coker-Godson says:
Absolutely Shane from Melbourne, I no longer have an iron or ironing board. All my clothes are wash and wear and when taking off the line each piece is carefully folded, then put away or hung up. Works every time (sorry to sound so smug but on a hot day… Read more »
Ahhh, now we get it. Lindsay Tanner is smarter than that “freak show” Barnaby Joyce.
In case we didn’t get the message in parliament last week (we can be a bit slow sometimes) Mr Tanner spelled it out again on Meet the Press on the weekend. Not only is Senator Joyce “off the planet”, his team mate Joe Hockey is a “lightweight”.
Yesterday in parliament he repeated the lesson again for those who’d wagged the last one or drifted off while doodling on our pencil cases. Mr Hockey is “out to lunch”, and again he filled us in on Barnaby. According to Mr Tanner, Senator Joyce is evidence of “a very big question mark over the leader of the opposition’s judgment for appointing him in the first place.”
For someone who’s so much smarter than his counterpart, Mr Tanner seems to have skipped the chapter in Politics for Dummies called “Australians don’t like smug politicians who reckon they’re smarter than everyone else.”
Continue reading "Political snobs risk turning Barnaby into a martyr" »
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Saskia says:
Sharp as a bowling ball more like it! Did you here his interview yesterday where he could not answer a basic question about the stimulus package? Tanner is a union official with no professional financial qualifications - like 99% of the ALP, Given that economics is the biggest imperative in… Read more »
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Brian says:
persephone - it is getting dull - tell us about rudd’s achievements please? when you get back from centrelink Read more »
Barnaby Joyce’s move to clarify he is not in a homoerotic relationship with Tony Abbott is the latest example of politicians taking us somewhere we just don’t want to go – into the bedroom.
Following hot on the heels of Tony Abbott’s foray into the ‘gift’ of virginity, Joyce’s gaffe unnervingly suggests that the Coalition has things other than the management of the national economy on their mind.
For Australians, politicians are a bit like our parents – we innately accept that while they probably have sex, we would rather not confront the fact.
Continue reading "I do not want sexual relations with these people" »
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Phil says:
Peter As a great mate of mine says, If the horse is dead dismount. You lot really are worried about losing the election. Perhaps all this is warm and fuzzy for you Labor/Union hacks, but really it is jurt showing how rattled you really are. You are hurting in the… Read more »
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Chase Stevens says:
Christ if virginity offends you how are you on the internet? Read more »
The Rudd Government claims to be superior in economic management. How so?
The real reason Australia did better than most developed countries in the recent financial crisis was that the Coalition had by 2006 repaid the $96 billion debt run up by Labor, left a $5 billion Education fund, a $60 billion Future Fund and a $22 billion surplus!
Add to this a virtually strike free environment, whereby employment grew, wages grew and exports grew.
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Timmo says:
Bronwyn Bishop, Well what can one say regarding your endless quotes and the usual display of the arrogance for poor in this country. ” Lindsay Tanner, the poor mans Costello”, well typical Liberal Party ideology. Stuff the poor. Now, Howard was very good at that as he got his big… Read more »
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Paul says:
Yeah, The Emergency departments of the country are clogged up with people who don’t pay the Medicaire levy. Read more »
We’re often keen to highlight the democratic benefits of social media, especially in bringing greater openness to a country such as Iran.
But this week, in Australia, we’ve seen a debate over online political censorship, with the banning of Facebook groups such as “KEVIN RUDD = EPIC FAIL”, that it makes you wonder if we’ve forgotten that the power of social media lies in its ability to embrace dissent and criticism.
In the online world, dissent is not just allowed. It is central to social media’s political power.
Continue reading "Bad week for free speech on social media" »
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COF says:
“It is not censorship to ask people to stand for behind their opinions, if you stop and think about it, it could actually benefit the standard of political debate on the internet.” Jasper (and JT for that matter), read between the lines. Atkinson didn’t do this so that he can… Read more »
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E says:
Requiring a name and address is contrary to the concept of free speech since anonymity can give people the courage to speak without fear of favor. Including about their employers or governments. Read more »
The showbiz maxim about never working with children or animals was on full display tonight as our Prime Minister arrived for a chummy yarn with a nice bunch of kids only to endure a torrid pummeling about broken promises, weak leadership and political expediency.
In a display which put us journalists to shame, a roomful of young adults gave Kevin Rudd one of the toughest grillings of his prime ministership as he agreed to an hour-long solo appearance on the ABC’s Q&A at Old Parliament House, Canberra.
You could see the clutch slipping from the start as the first series of questions directly accused Rudd of being more talk than action. His body language was awkward and what he had probably envisaged as a friendly bit of to-and-fro banter looked as uncomfortable as an all-in press conference - only more so, as the kids were so civilised in their pursuit of the PM that he couldn’t cry foul over unfair treatment.
Continue reading "At the end of the day, the kids caned Kevin on Q&A" »
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James D says:
Grace, I’m your age and I don’t drink simply because their is science that proves that alcohol can completely mess our young brains up big time. Plus, these friends of yours are obveously bogans. Some of my mates binge drink and their bogans. They come into school with hangovers and… Read more »
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Grace Gleeson says:
oops… i apologize. i thought this was for the drinking age. sorry! Read more »
Kevin Rudd’s preferred PM rating in this morning’s Nielsen poll (the first since Tony Abbott won the Liberal Leadership) was down 9 points to 58 per cent. Expect the Government to ramp up the attacks on the top three Coalition finance guys, Mr Abbott, Joe Hockey and Barnaby Joyce. Although it will be interesting to see how far Lindsay Tanner can dial up his rhetoric, having already called the shadow finance minister a “freak show”. Who knows fresh terms of abuse he’s got up his rather long sleeve.
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tunneleye says:
Tunneleye wrote. The ETS Debate. Has nobody got the GUTS to speak the truth? When I was 16 the World had 1/3 of its present population. (SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH.) By all means in the mean-time cut emissions and plant trees. However, there is only ONE true way to cut Pollution.… Read more »
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Eno says:
Your comment:What I don’t understand is why we get so many Liberal hacks that have not raised their heads above the parapet during QT until it appears they no longer have to shuffle though the files as there’s a motion on.. ‘cause the pre written argument for the day is… Read more »
Well what can I say about the first parliamentary week as shadow finance minister?
Tony wanted a speech and I delivered it at the Press Club. It would not have mattered if the speech had categorically disproved the theory of relativity, the issue would be the slip and when the question came where I had to, on my feet and in my head, quickly add up Labor party expenditure via MYEFO for the next four years, I said billion when I should have said trillion.
In that split second my head said trillion my heart said you have got to be joking that is enormous. My head was right but the result is for all to see on YouTube.
Continue reading "Freak show? At least Barnaby didn’t blow the budget" »
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Venise Alstergren says:
Stick at what you’re good at Barnaby sticking in the boondocks, making a clown of yourself, and holding Australia’s politicians up to the world as being the crass, religion sodden, hicksville and neanderthal lunatics they are. The people who elected you should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. But, they are… Read more »
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Mikko says:
Hey WA Aggie,(12.10 am, 8/2) thanks for the link to the Canberra Times article about the 150 public servants set up to administer Rudd’s phony CPRS months before it was twice rejected. Add the cost of that to the 144 delegates to the Nopenhagen fiasco and even Lindsay Tanner would… Read more »
Kevin Rudd says it would take only two or three out of every hundred voters to change their minds for Labor to hit the fence. He’s right.
The political atmosphere of 2010 is already noticeably different, more competitive than last year. Liberals are certainly more up-beat having ``regained their mojo’’ as frontbencher, Eric Abetz put it. Labor MPs are correspondingly edgy.
Self evidently, what the PM wants to guard against, particularly inside the Caucus, is the conclusion that a second term is assured. The two Newspolls conducted this year have told the story. That is that Tony Abbott’s ascension to the Liberal leadership, and the clarity it has brought, has consolidated the previously crumbling conservative base. It’s primary vote support has just eclipsed Labor by one point, 41 per cent to 40.
Continue reading "Three in 100 Aussies can destroy Kevin Rudd" »
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thomas vesely says:
never mind rock spider rants,what about this filter.? Read more »
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Timmo says:
Thomas, Yes I see your point regarding the Net Filter. I sometimes think that Big Brother is already doing this anyway. I have written to this Punch Blog Site on a few occasions and what I wrote has disappeared and I thought that the Punch was selective in what they… Read more »
Since my year 12 English teacher said I was not much of a writer, I have always wanted to publish an article, mainly out of spite.
Undeterred by a lack of talent and an underwhelming byline I set about getting published.
My family has a rich literary tradition.
Continue reading "To my English teacher who said I couldn’t write" »
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Tracey says:
Well done Brendan, i like the way you write. Funny, witty, you write honestly-thats what people want to read. And hey, bring on the article about prams -with a heading like ‘Make way for the pram’ with a sarcastic approach. And maybe give it a go with your next article… Read more »
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Steve says:
It seems that alot of people are quick to judge this article yet if given the chance to write one they wouldn’t know where to start or even to think of a topic and be passionate about it. Good on you Mr Brown for giving it a go and a… Read more »
For a politician who prides himself on his relationship with Australian voters, Barnaby Joyce’s comments this week on foreign aid are, frankly, un-Australian.
Senator Joyce used a speech at the National Press Club yesterday to suggest that $50 million in aid that will help people with little or no food in poor countries deal with rising food prices should instead be spent on lowering food prices in Australia.
This year Australia’s foreign aid spending will total just $3.8 billion – or only about 0.35 per cent of our gross national income. That’s 35 cents in every $100. In the context of the Australian Government’s overall budget, we’re talking about a very small amount. Our Government has enough money to fund this, while also spending on essential services here.
Continue reading "Barnaby’s on his own with comments on foreign aid" »
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eye4aneye says:
Not like our health system could use another $3.8 billion anyway Read more »
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eye4aneye says:
Mostly agree - I think Australian tax dollars should be devoted to Australian needs. If people want to give to charities (as a great many Australians do and quite generously) they do it from their pockets they should’t have their taxes go to charities or programs beyond their control. Read more »
Our coverage of proceedings - including nominations from Punch readers on which Star Wars characters various politicians would be - is over the jump.
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Ren Vyse says:
Thats from too much white wine at luch….. Read more »
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fluffy says:
that should be @ brian .. grrrr Read more »
As the cut and thrust of a new Parliamentary year begins it is worth reflecting on the fact that more thn ever, 2010 will see politicians of all stripes and colours in the face of average voters.
2010 will undoubtedly become known as “the year of the election” with three state and one federal election all due between now and December 31. Who then are the politicians that will this year provide interesting watching for the rest of us?
Of course it would be easy to concentrate on the big hitters and those who will shape the meta-narrative, which pundits call ‘the debate about the debate’. Among them you would include; Rudd and Abbott, the State Premiers, Bob Brown and Wayne Swan, (in fact nearly all the ministry). But, everyone will watching them, so here instead, I present a guide to some of the less obvious players in our parliaments but who nevertheless will provide some of the most interesting political subplots of 2010.
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DB says:
When was the backbench from whcih Barnaby Joyce has come installed?? Read more »
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KeIThy says:
Mandy, pity you voted for slaves-have-no-choices! Read more »
Looked like Tony Abbott enjoyed himself yesterday. Join the team and Punch readers here from 2pm to follow and discuss proceedings as they happen.
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Perry White says:
‘unfortunately they are somewhat illogical in their arguments…’ Somewhat illogical? Arguments? But, but they’re the ‘Liberal’ party! They don’t need ‘logic’ or ‘arguements’ they are simply meant to govern us all! They don’t need to be ‘liberal’; they’re neoo-fascists… sorry, neo-conservatives! Despite the fact that the overwhelming mass of Australians… Read more »
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Eno says:
Giggling - i’ve been watching today’s MPI amd it’s amazing.. the Libs keep suggesting that the other lot are the “Shadow minister for” then correcting themselves.. Very much a but ve are born to rule thing.. unfortunately they are somewhat illogical in their arguments.. Read more »
This is a guest blog by journalist and former senior Howard Government press secretary Niki Savva, whose book So Greek, confessions of a conservative leftie, has just been published by Scribe. We thank her for this post and wish her well for the book, it’s a terrific read.
If anyone out there stumbles across the real Kevin Rudd, could they please call his wife and kids. They are very worried because they haven’t seen him for a while and have apparently lodged a missing persons report with the police.
There have been images of Rudd on television and in the newspapers, usually smiling and joking, often with toddlers, but there is no proof it is really him. Or anybody, really. He just looks and sounds like a clone of someone he wishes he was.
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thomas vesely says:
latelyi keep coming back to a persistant idea that our politicians are irrelevant because of who they are,and the priviledge that usually forms them.their debating mind set is not about problem solving but smart arse comeback.whilst in real life i know smart,practical people who usually fix the problem,economically as well.perhaps… Read more »
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D'elles says:
When I was young we worked for and on behalf of our employers, we did a good hard days work for a fair wage. The only bat(t)s we had were in the belfry and AC/DC was the type of electricity we used. As youngsters we walked, caught a bus or… Read more »
In the mid 1990s the teachers credit union Satisfac came up with a kindly and seemingly innocent idea to celebrate the excellent work of its teacher members.
The credit union, which historically had served teachers but like many other institutions now has a wide customer base, decided that to recognise the role of the teaching profession in its own development it would establish an annual awards event called The Best Teacher Awards.
But when the awards were initially proposed the reaction from the teachers union was one of outrage and dismay. Satisfac was told in no uncertain terms to shelve the idea, with the union arguing it was the height of impertinence for a credit union – or anyone else for that matter – to declare that some teachers were better than others.
Continue reading "My School brawl exposes unions’ culture of mediocrity" »
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angryteacher says:
Without the time to read every comment, the idea of performance based pay for teachers will not work for one simple reason: no two schools, no two classes, no two students are exactly alike. How could the performance of a Year 1 teacher in a leafy inner city suburban primary… Read more »
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Jolanda says:
Greg the keeping of my kids down was by the Selective Schools Unit (SSU) not by individual schools. The SSU tampered with their test marks and school applications in order to discredit them and me (as I was making public complaints to the media and the Minister) about the neglect… Read more »
This week’s release of the 2010 Intergenerational Report by Treasurer Wayne Swan brought the issue of mature-age workers rightly into the spotlight.
Few issues are as important to our nation’s future as responding to the long-term trend of an ageing population.
It was therefore disappointing to see the inflammatory response of Coalition Seniors spokesperson Bronwyn Bishop claiming that the Government was demonising older people and forcing them to work until they drop.
Continue reading "Work while you can, but not ‘til you drop" »
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Informed Giant says:
Mark, the country would be far better served if we didn’t have hacks such as yourself in Parliament. Noone beleives a word you say, esepcially since the whole ‘green jobs’ debacle. Can’t wait to see the back of you and KRUDD. Read more »
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Brian says:
Nice article Mark. However we do not all have access to cheap property developments in Sydney’s East like you and Eric Roozendaal to fall back on, plus the parliamentary pension. How is the investigation into those “friends of Labor” coming ? Read more »
It was the first Question Time of the new year and Tony Abbott’s first as Opposition Leader. Our coverage is over the jump.
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um.. says:
Soultrader.. you have something on your chin… Read more »
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Soultrader says:
So PUNCH. How do you eliminate the silly bloggers that are so obviously party faithfuls, just obeying their bosses and blogging rubbish under different names, to try and influence discussion or opinion. And of course you, PUNCH, are impartial and will treat all these anonymous party hacks equally. I DOUBT… Read more »
Well it won’t have the same political impact as the Hewson birthday cake answer in 1993 but it was almost as unintelligible.
It’s likely to go under the radar today with the Opposition releasing their own carbon reduction policy, but if anyone saw Kevin Rudd’s interview on the Today show this morning you’ll know what I’m talking about.
Asked by Karl Stefanovic how the ETS would affect the price of a loaf of bread, milk and petrol the Prime Minister managed to mangle all three answers.
Continue reading "Kevin Rudd cooks up a John Hewson birthday cake" »
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Phil says:
Glen If they were fair dinkum they would release all info. This issue is likely to either defeat him or have him elected again. If he thought it would help him he would release it, no doubt about it. But the future modelling will worry many when the price goes… Read more »
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Glen says:
I appreciate that Matt, but I don’t expect the PM to do that modelling himself or be across every line of detail Read more »
Political predictions usually come with a face-saving asterisk, or an alarming promise that you will drop your pants in Martin Place if they don’t come true.
We’ll try to avoid both here – especially the second you’ll be relieved to hear – and instead offer a dispassionate snapshot of the federal political scene as Parliament resumes today for this election year.
It’s not based on today’s Newspoll which shows that Tony Abbott - who unlike Malcolm Turnbull offers a much clearer alternative to Labor especially on climate change - has helped the Libs sneak ahead in the primary vote while still falling short of winning office. Nor is it some bid to spoil Rudd’s attempt to claim underdog status with his pep-talk to MPs yesterday where he warned that Labor could lose.
Continue reading "Why Kevin Rudd will still win the election" »
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Timmo says:
Well Ryan, re your love of budgie smuggling lifesavers, i thought i would put this forward. Something that actually happened. Some years ago people started playing their drums in the park next to the Burleigh Heads Lifesaving Club. The Drumming Group was attended by families, kids all ages and the… Read more »
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Timmo says:
Could one of you pass me a tissue so I can clean all the negative dribble off my screen, it’s getting hard to read here.? Read more »
Dear Mr Rudd, can I just say this that while there are no silver bullets to the problem could you take some decisive action, when it comes to your use of cliché; as working families would prefer you take whatever action is necessary to end your use of the phrase “course of action”?
Phew – the top seven Rudd clichés all in one sentence. I think I might just need a drink, in due season…
As parliament resumes today, The Punch decided it might be worthwhile to use the Parliamentary Hansard take a look at Prime Minister’s favourite parliamentary clichés of 2009.
Continue reading "Introducing the Kevin Rudd cliché drinking game" »
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Sandra says:
I noted the potential for a drinking game in the lead up to the Rudd Howard “Mass Debate” in 2007. The imbibe-word was “working families” and I noted this wryly on a forum. Responses along the theme of “liver damage” suggest that the electorate was already weary of “working families”… Read more »
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Grid says:
Can we please get rid of this twit the only thing he has got right is leaving the country, if only he’d stay gone. I agree Carmen but this is like passing a truck. I check in the bowl every day to see if hes there. (p.s. George Harrison wrote… Read more »
Spin doctors became infamous when, on September 11, 2001, during the horrific attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon, British Labour staffer Jo Moore send out an email encouraging her press office colleagues to release bad news stories, in the hope that they would not get any attention.
“It is now a very good day to get out anything we want to bury” Moore wrote.
While spin doctors are not always so craven, a government’s desire to avoid bad publicity is acute.
Continue reading "The bad news stories buried during the holidays" »
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James says:
Trouble is its true Clark! Do your homework. Read more »
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Clark Kent says:
“And in spite of Kevin Rudd’s election commitment to increased transparency, we found that Labor refused more Freedom of Information requests than the Howard Government.” So, since Novenmber 2007, the Labor federal government has refused more Freedom of information requests than during the entire 11 1/2 years of ‘Howard’s Australia’? … Read more »
If you are already sure who you are going to vote for at this year’s federal election then consider yourself a member of a minority group: the ‘rusted-on voter’.
As this week’s Essential Report illustrates, we have become a Nation of Softies, voters who can be wooed and repelled by our politicians all the way up to voting day.
It is a change in our political culture from previous generations who inherited a party from their parents and stuck with it through thick and thin.
Continue reading "Election 2010: It’s the year of the softie" »
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Anjuli says:
What happened at the last election ,the economy was going just fine then so why did the people change to Labor. It had nothing to do with how the economy was doing the newsprint wanted change so they were on Labor’s side and that was the end of the Liberals… Read more »
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persephone says:
Wayne it’s only thirty pages and there’s only about ten which are ‘policy’ - the rest is whinging about Labor and giving us a brief history lesson, so it’s not that much to get your head around. No mention whatsoever about how they’re going to fund over $3 billion of… Read more »
Today marks the return of Parliament in Canberra, in an election year. For some this will be of no interest, for others it is a captivating period in which the intrigue, dynamics and more subtle nuances are followed each sitting day.
I am firmly of the view that as Australians, we should be very proud of the vigorous nature of our democratic processes.
After all, millions of people throughout the world are prepared to risk their lives in pursuit of democratic principles being introduced to their nation.
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Richard says:
Some people sound more like American Republicans than Australian. Selfish, ignorant and greedy. Obsessed with tax. You get what you pay for - Americans get bugger all. Europeans, Scandinavians pay way more tax, and enjoy a much better standard of living. And less crime! Most important, they believe in science… Read more »
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mick hubble says:
Start looking for a job mate.your in for a rude shock Read more »
It’s reporting season for political parties in the 2008-09 financial year. Well in as much as political parties are forced to report in Australia.
The Government’s recent decision to stall its much publicised reform of the process means that parties still don’t have to report donations of less than $10,900.
Liberals Senator Michael Ronaldson has been jumping up and down this afternoon about union donations to the Labor Party, totalling a hefty $5.14 million Australia-wide.
Continue reading "Help us have a look at who’s funding our political parties" »
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Badger says:
I think there is a bit of skimming off the top by Officials to keep up their life styles they have put themselves in. Read more »
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AJ says:
I may be a bit of a nerd for looking up the AEC website, but could someone with, you know, journalistic resources tell me why the Citizens Electoral Council received 1.8 million in funding in 08/09? I mean, as entertaining as their diatribes against the British Empire controlling the world… Read more »
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