Great blog post by John Lord at AIMM…
An Abbott in the Lodge – Never
A guest post by John Lord 19/1/2013.
David Marr’s quarterly essay “Political Animal” gives an engrossing, even gripping insight into the persona of the leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott. I made many observations as I read it and I cannot of course comment on everything. I must say though (given Tony Abbot’s statement that he finds gays intimidating) that I was a little bemused at how Marr even got to interview him. They apparently spent some time together which must have been excruciatingly uncomfortable for the Opposition leader. And given that Mr Abbott only allowed him to use one quote I should think he probably wasted his time. Another thing that took my attention was the influence of Catholicism in his private and political decision making. He apparently finds it difficult to make decisions without referral to his faith.
What did catch…
View original post 2,994 more words
theguttertrash.com 
Thanks reb. BTW, who’s that handsome bloke with the Ashton Cabinet No. 6 at Casa Fuente in Caesars Palace?
I’m not sure Migs, I’m not sure, but if I had to hazard a guess I’d say it was Cary Grant…
Cary Grant!!!!!!! I think it’s George Clooney. The resemblance is uncanny.
Except George would have combed his hair first. 😳
“The resemblance is uncanny.”
Now that you mention it…
My hair style is similar to yours.
I’d been sitting on a plane for 24 hours. 😦
Tabit is indiscreet, there is no denying it, but he should make a better PM than the incumbent.
I call bullshit on that el gordo.
Ha ha
Hopefully this year the Opposition leader will improve his standing by avoiding foot in mouth.
Does he have a minder besides Peta?
el gordo’s full of it Migs.
While there’s only the three of us here, have all bans been lifted?
yes.
Good.
Bad. Who needs el gordo. 🙄
I’m just a simple troll, a pain in the arse, but I would likeToM to join me at the cafe… with his dot points.
“_I’m just a simple troll, a pain in the arse,_”
After 99,945,654,876,254 comments, one factual.
You`re slipping!
(Dot points are baffling. )
Dot points provide clarity.
Always a pleasure Meta.
I don’t wish to be seen as-
• Impolite, or
• snooty
el gordo, but there isn’t much there to interest me these days…and I’d imagine the feeling is mutual.
However, it is pleasing to see relationships recover.
Its better than hanging around at TPS.
Rubbing burning hot coals into your eye sockets is better than hanging around at TPS….
TPS is entertaining because it is just teeming with people who can’t stand the notion that Our Julia isn’t just about the finest human to walk the planet.
I think it’s called cognitive dissonance.
Yes, well, it’s going to be a very interesting election year.
We have two leaders who are both universally hated by the Australian voting public.
On one hand we have a liar and a cheat who can’t be trusted and on the other hand we have a liar and a cheat who can’t be trusted.
We don’t even have any loonies left to vote for like Pauline Hanson…
Although there is Christine Milne.
Which reminds me, has anyone told her that Movember is already over…?
As I’ve pointed out in the past, compare the Gillard Ministry- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Gillard_Ministry
To that Hawke had- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Hawke_Ministry
This blog post
http://andrewelder.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/what-we-cover-when-we-cover-politics.html
and the news it refers to
http://www.smh.com.au/action/printArticle?id=3946758
is about the embedded media and the Lobbyists and Advisers (Credlin) in our political system.
What it all boils down to is, once all the non-core promises have been made and the votes counted. The average voter can go fcuk themself, both sides will keep pandering to special interest. Even when really big chunks of the population want-something/don`t-oppose-it, the politicians still won`t do the correct thing.
EG Gay Marriage
Voluntary Euthanasia
If tabit was PM he wouldn’t stop Wilders from visiting Oz.
‘Wilders believes Islam is a political ideology, not just a religion, and should be compared with totalitarian belief systems. He has compared the Koran to Fascism and Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf. He advocates ending immigration by Muslims because the Netherlands was losing its demographic and social stability. For this he was taken to court for hate speech. He won, but the case occupied three years.
‘Wilders is opposed to what he calls the Islamification of Europe by a combination of demography, immigration and accommodations by multiculturalism that are not reciprocated by Muslims. Two other Dutch political activists who were similarly critical of Islam were subject to numerous assassination attempts. One was murdered, the other fled to America.’
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/free-speech-dogged-by-politics-of-difference-20130120-2d13b.html#ixzz2IY2XNCpv
TOTAL debt for Australian students has now reached $26.3 billion, according to a report by a policy think tank.
The Grattan Institute report shows that $6.2 billion of the total might never be repaid. It said the government lent students $4.3 billion through loan programs in 2012.
This is simply a disgrace. Loading young people up with HECS is just a handbrake on their lives, their careers.
If there is a single issue that makes me puke*, it’s this one. We have the beneficiaries of Whitlam’s education reforms all figuring out how to screw their own children. There are better options than forcing the youth into debt in order to get an education.
It’s a disgrace.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/student-debt-reaches-263b-report-20130120-2d1b0.html#ixzz2IZACmEOC
*maybe there are several issues that make me puke, but this is in the top 5.
Wot yomm, you are against Corporate University exploiting the peasants for profits?
Who fell off the Tea_Wagon?
If there is a single issue that makes me puke*, it’s this one. We have the beneficiaries of Whitlam’s education reforms all figuring out how to screw their own children. There are better options than forcing the youth into debt in order to get an education.
It’s a disgrace.
I agree
If we took the taxpayer funded $ out of private school system there would be plenty to fund public education. We are the only country in the world that funds private education choice.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/leaders-in-epic-fail-on-education-20120821-24kjv.html
Gordo knows it is better to defend Biz over dubious so-called free-speech and
provided a list of rejections: the Hilton Hotel, North Sydney Leagues Club, Sydney Masonic Centre, Wesley Convention Centre, Luna Park Function Centre, the Concourse at Chatswood and the Sir John Clancy Auditorium at the University of NSW. Burswood Casino, Westpac
Good job Gordo.
Put the training wheels back on yomm, learn from gordo.
…is about the embedded media and the Lobbyists and Advisers (Credlin) in our political system…
Something I’ve been banging on about for years. These staffers/advisers are given enormous power within our political system. They are taxpayer funded, yet not held accountable to the public in any way. Political leaders refuse to allow them to appear before parliamentary inquiries where they would have to inform us of their actions and directives. Politicians hide behind them when the shit hits… “it wasn’t me… I didn’t know…wasn’t informed”.
Talk about unions being the route to political careers, well the staffer has equally become the way into politics.Yet another example of a bastardised democracy – staffers foisted upon the electorate – political reward for loyalty. That’s how tony abbott got into the system. The staffer/adviser is exactly the same as the unionised route – but only the union route has been demonised by the neoliberal hypocrites.
[Jennifer Westacott, Chief Executive, Business Council of Australia]
Restoring a High-Performing Public Service, 20/9/2012
http://www.bca.com.au/Content/102030.aspx
…My core concerns are these:
− That many modern politicians have lost sight of the fundamental role of the public service.
− That your authority has been undermined by political gatekeepers, often with little expertise and no accountability. Australia now has more personal staff per minister than many other comparable countries.
− That your custodianship of the long-term policy agenda has been eroded by short-term thinking, and
− That the necessary investment in capacity building, succession planning, technology and new ways of providing services just isn’t there…
There simply has to be a better way than HECS debt.
Gillard, Swan, Abbott… all of them received their free education through the Whitlam reforms. What exactly is the problem with providing 15 years of education?
Perhaps there’s an argument re HECS for post graduate, honours, post-secondary courses over 3 years, but I cannot see why young people can’t get an education without going into a high level of debt
Gough gave me a free university education and I’m grateful.
thanks armchair, I took the pdf
http://www.bca.com.au/DisplayFile.aspx?FileID=862
=====
while Wesctacott/bca are correct, l doubt they have any `true` interest in the personal and social topics us`lot have been banging on about on the blogs.
*gay-marriage, voluntary-euthanasia, womens-health, embedded-media
====
Westacott`s topic of “short-termism” is bang on tho. We are all stuck with the short-term circle-jerk that self-feeds and loops back.
Biz and their Lobbyists are only interested in next quarters profit, nothing else matters.
Pollies and their Advisors are only interested in next election win, nothing else matters.
Embedded media is only interested in next quarters profit/next-hyped-story, nothing else matters.
“_bastardised democracy – staffers foisted upon the electorate”
Funny you say that.
When I have said to people over the years that we should engineer our political system to make it very favorable and easy for Plasterers and Painters, and very difficult for all others, I have been told l am crazy and it would not be very democratic.
* l call it measuring the ignorance.
===
Then l tell them that is how the system is, just that it is engineered for people with `communication` and `Lawyer` degrees. This is Federal and most States(if-not-all) We can also rely on the embedded media not to tell us this.
l wonder how many folks there would be left if we removed the `communications` and `Lawyers.`
so-called democracy, so-called representative
so-called democracy, so-called representative
And when the so-called democracy throws up someone who actually does represent genuine community opinions [you may not agree with them, I’m thinking Pauline Hanson], the political class abuse the court system to get rid of a perceived threat to their power .
No way the australian people are allowed to decide the political representation of their choosing.
Which is also why the republic debate fell apart [note tony abbott figured prominently in both events].
The ashby saga has shown how a political coup can be staged against a sitting government and those involved are again allowed to get away with treason. Tony Abbott prominent again – he shows he has no respect for any democracy.
“_how a political coup can be staged_”
You get yourself a so-called democracy, preferably run by a duopoly.
Tell the peasants their vote is important, invite them to attend.
When the peasants aren`t interested, force them.
Acquire the support of a global criminal media organization.
Request it creates culture wars, preferably against minorities and smaller timid media outlets.
You now have your media embedded.
When peasants interest stray from the duopoly to a rogue candidate, have your embedded-media publish all over the nation nude photos of her.
Of course they can be fake.
Return roving peasants to duopoly ballot-box.
It really doesn`t matter who they choose.
Safely return to your special interests.
Non-core promises will soon be forgotten.
[you may not agree with them, I’m thinking Pauline Hanson]
Yes armchair, l reckon it`s a bad sign when the duopoly and the embedded-media unite against, well anything really. As they did to Hanson.
They also united for bullshit Iraq war to loot the oil.
I don`t know if you ever saw a show before ACA hosted by Mike Willisee. I remember the Greens also got `united` against too. The duopoly would call them unwashed hippy tree-huggers and more, and Willisee used to let it go on.
Never a good sign for us, if media and duopoly are `united`
Very interesting and astute observations there Armchair and 730…
I don`t know if you ever saw a show before ACA hosted by Mike Willisee. I remember the Greens also got `united` against too. The duopoly would call them unwashed hippy tree-huggers and more, and Willisee used to let it go on.
The duopoly are still united against the greens, still call them unwashed tree huggers despite many greens being well heeled corporate types and academics [who appear to be the winning faction vs the environmentalists]. Labor feels they need to ‘hate’ the greens more than they hate the coalition to win elections. The duopoly are both fighting over the red neck bigots, how nice for australia. After all, the coalition and labor are so close these days they may as well be one party, what do you call a coalition of coalitions?
Really, what is the point in voting?
so-called elections.
“_red neck bigots, how nice for australia._”
Absolutely true.
Both sides of duopoly keep trying to out TeaBag each other to appeal to the imagined redneck/bogan vote that is megaphoned at the public by the usual suspects in the embedded media, bolt,jones,etc
This makes for `dramatic` so-called reports, which is closer to panto than news. Previously we copped *boat-people-hate* and both sides of the duopoly compete in the media circus at,
who can be the tougher bunch of teabag clowns on the weak.
====
This week, Joolya needed to show our unhinged media, that she too could teabag as good as Mr-Rabbit on *gay-hate*, so she met with the fundy-froot-loop wallace of the acl flavor.
==
so-called kindness
“_Labor feels they need to ‘hate’ the greens more_”
==
Yes, armchair. Absolutely. .. I have noticed this is the theme coming out of Limited-News recently. Bullshit, dressed up as `advice` to Labor, from the most unhinged/erratic/bias chip-wrappers on the planet.
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/gillard-overrides-process-to-pick-peris-20130122-2d45y.html
Prime Minister Julia Gillard is seeking to use her “captain’s pick” to ditch a sitting Labor senator and back Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris as lead Senate candidate in the Northern Territory.”
A good choice, or selection of yet another celebrity candidate?
I think this has more to do with picking celebrities to bolster the vote than anything else.
A good choice, or selection of yet another celebrity candidate?
I think this has more to do with picking celebrities to bolster the vote than anything else.
celebrity?
ex-olympian, are they celebrities now
http://www.territorystories.nt.gov.au/handle/10070/218087
…Aboriginal Activist…
…Among her other achievements, Nova was named Young Australian of the Year in 1997 and then became a treaty ambassador for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). Through her charity “Peris Enterprises” she continues to advocate and promote an active lifestyle and health checks among Indigenous children and communities…
Sounds like a good choice to me. We need aboriginal activists in parliament, but I wonder how much she would be stifled by party rules. Would she end up voting against her own and Aboriginal interests?
Dunno much about Senator Crossin, she has been in there for a long time but what has she achieved in the senate and in her electorate?
I’d like to see more of the younger generation in parliament, tired of old, wealthy, christian, white guys running the show.
This week, Joolya needed to show our unhinged media, that she too could teabag as good as Mr-Rabbit on *gay-hate*, so she met with the fundy-froot-loop wallace of the acl flavor.
That reminds me, please sign the petition and pass it on.
What’s God got to do with it? Remove religions’ right to discriminate:
http://www.communityrun.org/petitions/what-s-god-got-to-do-with-it-remove-religions-right-to-discriminate
signed and shared AO…
Yes, I’m in 2 minds about her selection. She’s had a decent profile and spoken about indigenous issues with plenty of passion.
But there is no doubt that Olympian gold medallists qualify as celebrities.
Just as John Alexander was hardly preselected for Bennelong because he’s been a sports administrator.
Just as John Alexander was hardly preselected for Bennelong because he’s been a sports administrator.
john who? as the young ones would say.
Are old has-been tennis players, cricketers, footballers, ex-olympians etc always considered to be so-called celebrities?
“I’m in 2 minds about her selection”
Well apparently Julia Gillard has “intervened” ostensibly on the grounds that she wants an Aboriginal woman in Parliament…
‘It’s a clear case of racial discrimination.’ said Andrew Bolt
Joolya probably sees it as positive discrimination.
I wonder if Julia Gillard would come out swinging if she was a dyke…?
(I realise that the above statement may be interpreted any number of ways)…
No self-interest involved here Tom.? No thoughts that you may have to ‘pay up’ so that your children can (continue to) gain an advantage? Why is it the case that those who want the ‘best’ for their children are quite happy to pay for their children’s education in select private schools (albeit heavily subsidised) and then don’t want to pay for further advantage (again heavily subsidised) via a university education.
Of course there are many issues involved, but your narrow self interest (undisclosed) is a real disgrace. Perhaps an apology or an explanation is in order?
Coming from you who is so concerned with ‘debt’ that’s one hell of a joke. Yes, ALL education costs money. (While some may debate as to whether it’s a ‘cost’ or an ‘investment’. Surely you’re not intersted in such nuances. Well at least your efforts to date have never revealed same.)
Why should some groups of children receive subsidies (at taxpayer expense) while others who leave school earlier be saddled with paying for that luxury?
And if you’re arguing that such educational expenditure is an ‘investment’ then why do you then say:
And what would that argument be? Surely, those post grads are more likely to be more ‘productive’ (at so many levels) than an individual with a basic degree?
Some inconsistencies?
[andrew elder]
Clearing the dead wood
While some may debate as to whether it’s a ‘cost’ or an ‘investment’
I believe it’s an investment, but there must be equal opportunity for the children of the poor and disadvantaged to succeed in life just as there is for the wealthy and privileged.
I don’t think we should be funding the anarchy of elitist tossers though.
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/culture-of-anarchy-at-a-college-in-crisis-20121103-28qvh.html
I think you’ll find that HECS is far cheaper than the school fees many of us are used to paying. HECS appears to be less than half of the school fees.
You see, it is HECS that will give my children the head start in life, because they won’t be burdened with a HUGE HECS debt.
…but why try to personalise the issue? Why not actual state a position, and defend it?
Do you think loading up young people with HUGE debt is the best way to send them into the workforce?
I think Doug Cameron’s comments about the dumping of Crossin and elevation of Peris are accurate. Peris isn’t even a member of the ALP!
The ALP needs to build commitment in the party, from all groups and cultures. Though I suppose this is impossible given the control so effectively exerted by the hacks and powerbrokers.
All Gillard can argue is that she is using the hacks and powerbrokers for good, rather than for evil!
Woohoo, I just might get my wish, oh, happy day!
Another hung parliament on the cards
…It is understood that Labor and Coalition opinion polling indicate that it is more likely that Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott will retain their seats as the impact of the carbon price is not as dire as Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said it would be, and benefits flow from programs such as the national broadband network and the health and education funding increase.
Greens member Adam Bandt and fellow crossbenchers Andrew Wilkie, Tony Crook and Bob Katter are likely to hold on to their seats…
The ALP needs to build commitment in the party, from all groups and cultures.
maybe commitment [to Gillard] is what it is about:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/therese-rudds-fires-kindled-but-julia-gillard-staying-put/story-fn59niix-1226144364189
Getting back to HECS
The studies have shown that uni graduates do well, they earn >$80,000 immediately after graduating, much more than any other generation.
Personally, I’m with the govt on recovering the HECS debt from uni grads who go overseas to work and never re-pay a debt that taxpayers funded.
I don’t think there are many graduates who earn $80K, maybe engineers in the mining sector. Doctors, lawyers, architects don’t.
I was ambivalent about HECS until I had an exchange with a senior educator, she explained the sense of burden youth feel with the HECS debt, and compared that with the great sense of choice and freedom that we felt when we’d graduated.
All the hypocrites like Abbott, Swan and Gillard who received the benefits of the free education now expect their successors to cough up.
It wouldn’t bother me if there was a specific tax surcharge applied to all existing and future graduates to fund the tertiary sector.
Get all the beneficiaries of higher education to fund their successors, and stop the 2 class system.
Contributors like our old friend “Gonski” should learn to think a little more creatively about policy options.
Doctors, lawyers, architects don’t…
Yes they do, a full-time nurse [new grad] earns approx $61,000 and with penalties that would take them to around 80,000. A resident Dr in first year does an enormous amount of o/time an w/end work. They would be well above $80,000. I don’t see why architects and lawyers don’t do as well. They are all better paid than nurses.
I was ambivalent about HECS until I had an exchange with a senior educator, she explained the sense of burden youth feel with the HECS debt,
Yes, the same with my kids.
They just got on with it and paid back as soon as they could. One daughter has done two degrees, one a useless HRM one that she never used and the other as an RN, she has certainly logged up a HECS debt, but still managed to work and holiday overseas. Remember that they have to be earning a certain amount before they have to re-pay.
My opinion is that all education and health should be free. It’s the least we can do for the next gen. But we have to stop subsidising wealthy industries, paying huge wages to some, and giving out middle class welfare.
“_Get all the beneficiaries of higher education to fund their successors, and stop the 2 class system._”
=
it`s interesting see you say `stop the 2 class system` after so much teabag supporting, which is about maintaining a 2 class system.
“_one a useless HRM one that she never used and the other as an RN_”
=
Yes, the HRM has been a bit of a pup sold to unwary students, when biz sends so many jobs to China, we don`t need managers, when no workforce. l take `RN` is Registered Nurse, and will always be needed.
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On mining engineers, 6 figures have been paid to `remote/on-mine` grads, but very few jobs. Mining only employs about 1.2% of workforce and will shrink. Robotic equipment/trucks are on way, no drivers needed.
” The PM faces a fight to get Ms Peris into the Senate, with current NT Senator Trish Crossin speaking out against the decision to replace her. ”
http://www.perthnow.com.au/former-olympian-nova-peris-to-seek-preselection-for-the-federal-senate/story-fnejq2rk-1226559521768
=
Joolya has probably over-reached on this and may blow up in her face.