Give Politicians a Use-by Date
The following article is a guest post from Stephen Quinton…
Any response to the question of “what can we do about the current state of politics in Australia” will never be perfect. However, it is timely to consider how voters might prepare for their final decisions at the next election.
This essay is a message to all politicians on some of the issues that will be of concern to Australians in the coming election.
The Wealth of the Nation:
Ultimately, the labour of everyday people and their productive capacities creates the wealth of a nation. Australia has been lucky in many ways and for a very long time. The sustained efforts of its people have resulted in enormous wealth. The obvious question to ask however is: “How long will our luck last?”
When a country exploits its natural resources to garner easy wealth rather than investing in the future to establish alternatives such as advanced industry, high technology, and related research, its long-term viability diminishes along with the inevitable reduction in the supply of its resources.
Where a country relies on commodities and products that are replaceable by cheaper alternatives and new technologies, economic disaster waits just around the corner. When a country spends frivolously during boom times and does not plan for downturns, economic incompetence is at play.
Whenever these fundamental principles are ignored, governments usually resort to imposing excessive taxation to compensate for reduced revenue and introduce overburdening laws and restrictions that erode the economy and the incentive to create and produce.
Whereas the use of budget deficits may buffer periods of economic downturn and high unemployment, the inflationary effects of excessive deficits can also act to erode the long-term value of everything that Australians possess. All of which adversely affects the productive capacity of the country for many years.
The Economy:
It is estimated that the top 20 per cent of households in Australia receive 60 per cent of the superannuation tax concessions, costed at $17.8 billion. When compared to the bottom 50 per cent of households, the proportion is 11 per cent of the tax concessions or $3.35 billion.
The Treasury’s tax expenditure statement, released in January 2016 shows that the largest cost to the federal budget was the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discount. By 2018-19 the revenue shortfall of the 50 per cent discount on capital gains will be $121 billion. The cost of CGT discounts for individuals and trusts will reach $29.2 billion by 2018-19.
In light of these figures, there is every reason to question why the government talked about raising the GST. Whereas CGT and superannuation concessions result in greater benefits for the well off, the GST affects everyone, including children and people on low incomes.
Education:
While politicians continue to respond to an army of self-serving educationalists, education unions, and self-proclaimed experts and lobbyists, there has not been a genuine education revolution, nor is there likely to be.
The reality is that within primary and secondary schools, management and students continuously subject teachers to a barrage of disrespect, subjugation, dis-empowerment, alienation, confusion, and abuse.
This unwarranted harassment is so pervasive that it is a wonder that any teachers have retained even a vestige of enthusiasm and motivation to excel at their chosen profession. See: http://www.badapplebullies.com/wateachersstories.htm
The slightest hint of change in the education system at all levels is invariably met with aggressive union action organised by an entrenched minority many of whom have rarely set foot in a classroom for decades.
How often have we witnessed the familiar chant for the need to increase resources (particularly funds – think Gonski) so that the quality of education can be sustained or even improved, only to see such demands discarded once an agreement is reached on a pay rise? Meanwhile, corporatism has taken over leaving teachers to manage the best they can under the most difficult of circumstances.
It is disturbing enough to observe the gradual deterioration of Australian educational standards (as evidenced by OECD reports) even though the general population believes the standard of education ranks high on the world’s ratings. All the while, Australians learn to accept diminishing opportunities for future economic advancement.
The Health System:
The confusion and uncertainty experienced in obtaining basic health care is now a major concern for all Australians. The Federal and State Governments claim they cannot keep up with rising costs.
Private health funds increase their premiums well beyond inflation rates and justify such increases by asserting that the cost of providing health care is an exponential problem.
Already, many Australians are paying huge monthly premiums for private health insurance, PLUS the medicare levy on their tax returns, PLUS the federal government is subsidising private health premiums by up to 28.5%, PLUS patients are paying increasing out of pocket charges.
Still, Australians are told that all of this combined is not sufficient and their tax contributions and insurance premiums must go up (the latter consistently at more than the rate of inflation), the tax levy must go up, and the private insurance subsidies must go down, and the out of pocket expenses must go up.
If the current system cannot cope and costs are continually rising, and health funds cannot meet these costs, then maybe, just maybe the system is broken. Perhaps it is time to replace the health insurance funds with a single fund for all health care needs.
Who is really in control?
There was a time when it was possible to tell the difference between political parties based on their leanings to the left, middle, or right. Subsequent to that era, it became increasingly difficult to discern the differences between political outcomes.
Regardless of which party was in power, Australians knew there was little or no difference between their policies and the inconsequential results they produced.
Today, the Liberals, Labor, and the greens espouse left-wing sentiments. The distinctions are simply a question of degree. Regardless of what party is in power, it appears that the left have gained control.
This leaves voters with no viable choices should they attempt to bring about change for the better. How can this state of affairs still be referred to as a democracy?
The Next Election:
Politicians cannot continue to ignore the genuine and demonstrated needs of the majority. In response, Australians must make a concerted effort to give politicians a use by date beyond which they lose control of a power they do not deserve.
The next use by date is the forthcoming election.
Read the complete essay here.
theguttertrash.com 
Today, the Liberals, Labor, and the greens espouse left-wing sentiments. The distinctions are simply a question of degree. Regardless of what party is in power, it appears that the left have gained control.
Apart from the paragraph above I just read what some of us have been espousing for some time now …
I would see a lean to the right rather than a lean to the left …
“…Today, the Liberals, Labor, and the greens espouse left-wing sentiments. The distinctions are simply a question of degree…”
I was agreeing with him until that para!
He must be very extreme right wing if he thinks labor the Nats and greens are all left wing. Or is it progress in general that’s the problem?
Nope, not a lefty in sight!
Dethroning The oligarchs: How we can reclaim our democracy.
https://newmatilda.com/2016/02/23/dethroning-the-oligarchs-how-we-can-reclaim-our-democracy/
“”I was agreeing with him until that para!””
Me too.
The Liberals have never espoused left-wing sentiments, not for as long as I’ve been alive. Labor is more and more just like a “Liberal lite” party with its “me tooism” approach to asylum seekers and marriage equality.
Even the Greens are now lurching to the right with their shady backroom deals with the Libs.
“”Regardless of what party is in power, it appears that the left have gained control.””
I don’t see any evidence of that at all, in fact quite the opposite…
Regardless of which party was in power, Australians knew there was little or no difference between their policies and the inconsequential results they produced.
No difference? Are you insane?
Which party locked up 8,000 kids?
Which party trashed the budget?
Which party trashed the unemployment rate?
Which party let 50,000 boat people into Australia and then locked them up?
Which party denied schooling to the 8,000 kids they locked up?
Which party sent young kids offshore as a deterrent?
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/07/31/young-looking-refugees-sent-offshore
Young-looking children were chosen to be transferred to the harsh Manus Island refugee detention centre to discourage other refugees from coming to Australia, an inquiry has heard…….Gregory Lake, the former director of offshore processing and transfers at the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, told the inquiry he was directed by a ministerial staff member to choose the youngest-looking children from among those eligible for the first transfer of detained people from Australia to Manus Island in 2012, when Labor was in government.
Kneel, just for the record I railed against the ALP about the Manus Island camp … primarily because I lived in PNG for over 12 months … and have an understanding of the third world culture … based in Port Moresby I travelled all over the country … later as a consultant I travelled to the highlands on a regular basis … (three or four times a year) …
The real question is …
What sort of people would send mainly muslim refugees to a country steeped in Christianity?
… as it turned out BOTH Liberal/Nationals and the ALP!!!!
Just for the record …
not ALL pollies have a use by date 😉
This post is a bait`n switch post folks. The author lists lots of problems reasonably correctly, and either doesn`t know the difference between `left` and `right`, which l think is highly unlikely. Much more likely a bait`n switch, blaming reasonably correct descriptions on `teh-left`, and making me think the author is a teabag.
Like the trashers above, l have a problem with this too,
,,,,,Liberals, Labor, and the greens espouse left-wing sentiments.,,,,,,
#ie people friendly noises, okay true
,,,,,The distinctions are simply a question of degree. Regardless of what party is in power,,,,,,
,,,,,it appears that the left have gained control,,,,,
# ,, TOTAL BULLSHIT, THEY`RE TEABAG ALL THE WAY, TRAMPLING PEOPLE
,,,Liberals have never espoused left-wing sentiments, not for as long as I`ve been alive,,,
# ,, l seem to recall multiple appearances on qandaland of a dapper teabag in leather jacket making the feminista swoon over `more women having power`, and others swooning over `rainbow matrimony` or `carbon tax and renews`, oh yes, how they all swooned, dreaming what a wonderful copper-class innovation-leader he would be:-)
donothingbill continues on his donothing path
At the tail end of the Shorten press conference, the Liberal senator Cory Bernardi swung by just as the Labor leader was being asked about Dennis Jensen’s remarks about noble savages and lifestyle choices.
Shorten slapped Jensen down, and also referenced yesterday’s debate about safe schools – the program that aims to support LGBTI kids.
We see this ridiculous obsession by the right wing of the Labor party ..
Bernardi broke in from the sidelines:
At least I’m honest, Bill.
Shorten shot back.
I’m least I’m not a homophobe either mate.
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2016/feb/24/liberal-mp-revives-tony-abbotts-indigenous-lifestyle-choices-debate-politics-live?CMP=share_btn_tw
We see this ridiculous obsession by the right wing of the Labor party ..
Someone else “confused” with Labor left … Liberal right I see …
From the Guardian …
The Liberal Party folk certainly don’t understand the housing industry and/or the market do they?
That’s brilliant AO… 🙂
GUFFAW! @ KL
You put your right foot in, your put right foot out, you put your right foot in and ya chew it in the dark! LOL!
Where’s Kneel when you need him … chuckle …
When researching my topics, I am careful to avoid statements that cannot be supported by the views of others. At times, and as it is not possible to be directly involved in everything that occurs, I summarise the views and insights that have been published. If my conclusions are incorrect, then I welcome reference to published work that shows where my statements are not well supported, or that the summarised views of others is in error.
My belief is that it is a difficult task to be absolute about a politician being left, middle, or right. We do not experience absolute (classical) left or right in Australia. For the most part, political affiliations sit more or less in the middle. Is there much difference between a left-wing conservative and a right-wing socialist?
The real test (in my view) is what lies underneath. What is not obvious, or what is driving policy decisions. The hidden motives or drivers are the real key.
There are many links available on the web that point to Turnbull’s leanings to the left. Also, remember that 54 Liberal members of parliament supported Turnbull’s take over of the Prime Ministership. I was not suggesting that the Liberals are left-wing, merely that there are leanings to the left.
A few of the links I ask readers to consider include:
Click to access turnbull-lansbury.pdf
http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/malcolm_turnbull_to_launch_left_wing_newspaper_attacking_abbott_and_morriso
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/turnbull-why-the-left-is-so-in-love-with-him-20150210-13bd9t.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-16/matthewson-turnbull:-too-left-to-be-right-for-the-liberals/6114396
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-bolt/malcolm-turnbull-stirs-concern-among-conservative-liberal-mps/news-story/8fb2a601b54ec5969fb71e80f1e3309d
http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=45756#.VsxSpX1941I
http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/piersakerman/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/barnaby_has_to_keep_malcolm_in_the_right/
With regard to the merits of Labor’s record versus the Liberal’s and using asylum seeker policy as an example, I ask readers to consider that the task of determining the actual truth is almost impossible to resolve. Two articles may be of interest and hopefully confirm (in part) the notion that the achievements of both parties reveal very little difference.
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2014/opinion/left-and-right-both-wrong-on-refugees
https://theconversation.com/factcheck-have-more-than-1000-asylum-seekers-died-at-sea-under-labor-16221
Hi Stephen
I think you’ve already lost the debate when you start referencing andrew bolt 😉
Two articles may be of interest and hopefully confirm (in part) the notion that the achievements of both parties reveal very little difference.
How does that make them ‘left wing’ though?
I see them as right wing labor & right wing liberal policies. There are no left wing political parties in australia as much as the murdoch media and his mouthpieces like to pretend there is a ‘left vs right’ dichotomy here. It is media driven to benefit the conservative cause and rupert murdoch in particular.
If only there was a left and a right on offer, I wouldn’t have such a problem with my vote. Where’s our Jeremy Corbyn and our Bernie Sanders?
I apologise for the tweets in here, I don’t mean to hijack this thread!
There are many links available on the web that point to Turnbull’s leanings to the left
fucken bolt! 😯
I’m not saying turnbull hasn’t “pretended” to have lefty tendencies, but nothing he has done or pursued with any meaning leans that way, no matter how you describe it.
He’s a rightard in leftard clothing. His actions NOW prove that beyond reasonable doubt.
fucken bolt ROFL
..and piersfknakerman!
I apologise for the tweets in here
Don’t apologise ao, keep ’em coming 🙂
Up until reb gets sick of them that is, then post them even quicker 😉
like this 🙂
Where’s Kneel when you need him … chuckle …
I am around. It is what happens when the 54 traitors elected Turnbull. They put their own interests above the country.
Looks like we will have a ALP govt at the next election which means we are doomed.
Stop grovelling malcolm, you will never be able to please them, they’ll still knife you!
next we’ll have
Tony Abbott ally Andrew Nikolic to head powerful parliamentary security committee
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-ally-andrew-nikolic-to-head-powerful-parliamentary-security-committee-20160224-gn23d1.html#ixzz4134APv3A
[It’s a long cut & paste because I know it’s behind a $wall]
Bernard Keane:The rise and rise of Malcolm Abbott and the sex-obsessed right
http://www.crikey.com.au/?p=536280
…While Malcolm Turnbull panders to the right, he looks more and more like the man he replaced…
…There’s no such contextual justification for the Safe Schools “review”. This is simple cultural warfare by the extreme right within the Liberals, and it’s no surprise to see the likes of Andrew Nikolic and Andrew Hastie involved. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews nailed it when he said “I don’t think these extreme Liberals are actually offended by the structure of the program, or the teachers who lead it. I just think they’re offended by the kids who need it.”
These are politicians who are obsessed with sex — specifically, people who might be sexually different to their own white middle-aged heterosexual male selves. Obsessed enough that it’s all they want to talk about in their partyroom meeting, bandying about terms like “cultural Marxism” because they read it in the paper the other day. Not merely does the idea of alternative forms of sexuality offend them, it terrifies them, because it’s yet another symbol of a world that no longer grants automatic ascendancy to men like them. Safe Schools is one more reminder that the planet no longer revolves around them. That its purpose is to protect kids, to prevent them from being bullied, is of no moment; these men were never the ones bullied at school for being different. They’ve always enjoyed privilege, entitlement, status…
…Except, the review also legitimises this kind of cultural war, a war in which LGBTI kids are collateral damage, just like domestic violence victims are collateral damage in the culture war waged by the likes of Mark Latham and Miranda Devine against their mythical “middle class feminist” enemy. And reviews are never enough for the far right — their concerns validated, they will push into more areas. For middle-aged white reactionary males, there’s always something about the 21st century to be outraged by. In fact, they’ve barely finished getting upset about the late 20th century.
AO – That’s an entertaining series of tweets you have linked at 1.57
There is large scale people movement around the world.
http://freebeacon.com/national-security/flow-of-illegal-immigrant-children-into-u-s-expected-to-rise-in-2016/
The flow of illegal immigrant children into the United States is expected to rise to record-breaking numbers in 2016……At least 20,455 unaccompanied minors have been caught during fiscal year 2016 along the U.S.-Mexico border as of last month, according to committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa), who warned that if this trend continues, the number of illegal minors could eclipse a massive 2014 surge that strained the resources of the Department of Homeland Security
It is the same thing in Science. English is now the language of Science and it is the first profession with no borders. Lefties do not believe in borders.
“”It is the same thing in Science. English is now the language of Science and it is the first profession with no borders. Lefties do not believe in borders.””
What the fuck are you on about now?
The Russians are coming!
I’m still not convinced re your version of left and right politics Mr Quinton’s …
… strangely enough my profession too, is in adult learning and assessment …
http://pickeringpost.com/story/cultural-suppression-in-australia/5549
… maybe its the “foundation” and personal experiences that colour one’s political kaleidoscope?
“…Lefties do not believe in borders…”
I thought it was big business who wanted a world without Borders? Globalisation demands it.
But not ok for people who are displaced because of global corporate action?
To TB Queensland: I think the distinctions are very relative – lots of grey shades and contexts to consider and hence there are many differing viewpoints. Hard to be absolute about left versus right. Did you see my comment posted at 12:37?
Quinton would do better researching whether private off-shore gulag operators and/or their `industry-association` are paying kick-backs (donating) to both major political teams instead of prowling the shades of grey.
The odwyer critter, fill the teabags with her ilk, and jetset jooLies and bronny-copters. What a national improvement it will be ,, #yaaaaay.quotas
I thought it was big business who wanted a world without Borders? Globalisation demands it.
I get your point. But my experience is that Labor supporters do not believe in borders. They want a global world.
It’s great to see Qantas and Alan Joyce do so well!
(told you so)
Did you see my comment posted at 12:37?
Yep, Stephen, I did …
Have you seen my list concerning Robber Barons and Vacuum Economics (popularly referred to by right wing folk as Trickle Down Economics)?
Nothing left wing about these …
► Multi-national Tax
► Negative Gearing
► Trust Funds
► Super Tax for Rich
► Pollie’s Perqs
► Ex-Pollies Perqs
Was the 2014 Budget balanced left wing or right wing …?
And for you info … Hard to be absolute about left versus right.
No its not … the right LNP screw the bottom 50% and support the top 50% screwing the economy … and the bottom 50%
The left Labor – Greens make a an effort to at least understand the problems confronting the bottom 50% …
You’re the one with the confusion … academia does that to you …
Tell me how do you feel about $100,000 degrees … I know how I feel my third g/son is about to embark on a double …
Decisions are being made based upon how much “profit” can be made … not how much service can be provided …
If you’re a researcher then explain to me how wages have effectively dropped and corporate profits effectively have risen (despite the current volatility) …
An educated, healthy and happy society will produce a better economy than the rich and powerful greedy, climbing over anyone in their way to make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
Oddly my profession is similar to yours – HRD – adult learning and assessment, instructional design, including video and pioneering Asymetrix Toolbook in the 1990’s …
If the country should be run like a household then successful households generally invest to improve their lifestyle … the right wing Liberals don’t want to invest in the population … they want to invest in themselves … and their mates …
Maybe my catch-cry will help … because it distinguishes today’s politics …
I prefer to live in a society … not survive in an economy!
It’s great to see Qantas and Alan Joyce do so well!
(told you so)
You still don’t get it … the shareholders will reap big time … the workers won’t … and I spoke to one at Uncle Dan’s yesterday … strangely enough he agreed …
Another funny thing … Alan Joyce now seems to be a soothsayer … even HE said the bumper profit was due to falling OIL PRICES!
Fool some of the people …
So team-cheerer, why does it take cory and friends picking on the rainbow-kids for blib to finally manage to put a blib-zinger on them, blib should have been doing that for the last 2+ years ,, #yaaay.blib
Really TB? What do you think is a fair income for (say) a baggage handler?
Or someone that works on the counter at checkin?
Whatever happened to industrial manslaughter … $1! 3! 0!, 000 fkn fine!
teabag,,,,,Alan Joyce do so well!,,,,,
# ,, with the added bonus that some workers never will again ,, #yaaaay.boardroom
Or someone that works on the counter at checkin?
So speaketh the 1%
And, should they get penalty rates, or just be glad yomm provides them with the opportunity for work as he jetsets about the surfs?
Hey, has heydon fucked up again today? Poured shit on some poor schmuck whose crime according to the 1% is putting lives ahead of profit.
teabag,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Really TB? What do you think is a fair income for (say) a baggage handler? ,, Or someone that works on the counter at checkin?,,,,,,,,,,,,,
# ,, boo-of-teabag should have the nads to state what he `believes` others deserve to earn, especially as he claims he earns `about` a decades wages/p.a ,, but he lacks the nads to do that and thinks others who wouldn`t normally be arrogant enough to say what some other poor shit-kicker earns is `too-much` ,, have some nads boo-of-melb ,, answer ya`own question ,, #yaaay.downward.envy
Really TB? What do you think is a fair income for (say) a baggage handler?
Or someone that works on the counter at checkin?
Irrelevant question, ToM …
If the shareholders are entitled to a bonus … are the workers?
I guess (for Mr Quinton’s benefit) that’s an example of Left and Right political thinking …
So much for an egalitarian society … Ok for the rich to get richer … but no other poor sod …
Downton Abbey was fiction based on fact … Tories ache for its return …
fined,,,,,,,$130,000 in a Perth court over the death of a worker,,,,,,,,
# ,, for quite a while the `going-rate` has seemed to be around 80K-per-head for willfully negligent boardroom murder of workers
# ,, west-coast ahead of east, yet again
Irrelevant question, ToM …
If the shareholders are entitled to a bonus … are the workers?
I think Qantas has an employee share plan.
But TB, if you think the workers should get more, why is it irrelevant for me to ask how much they should get?
I think it is good news that Qantas has posted a big profit.
For some reason lefties do not like this.
RUN TEABAG RUN
arrogant enough to say what some other poor shit-kicker earns is `too-much` ,, have some nads boo-of-melb ,, answer ya`own question ,, #yaaay.downward.envy
TB,,,,,If the shareholders are entitled to a bonus .. are the workers?,,,,,
# ,, You`re chasing boo-of-melb down the rabbit hole teebz, baggage, check-in (and probably armchairs friskers) are bottom of barrel jobs, just like `qantas-kitchen` they are out-sauced to contractors/labor-hire and pay`n conditions is crap for most. These folks are mostly NOT part of `airline`, thus don`t get bonus, share-plan or `worker-free/discount-flights`
# ,, l just don`t know whether the `baggage` labor-hire carve-up is on airline by airline basis, or airport by airport basis ,, boo-of-melb full of shit ,, yet again:-)
The Russians are coming!
Yes, maybe they are.
… if you think the workers should get more
the word is bonus … because the shareholders will get a bonus … it is a partnership of labour and capital …
As you would know … being an expert on IR and economics …
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I think it is good news that Qantas has posted a big profit.
For some reason lefties do not like this.
Silly boy …
I think it is great that the nations airline flagship makes a profit as long as ALL participants get a share … of the bumper profit …
why is it irrelevant for me to ask how much they should get?
How little should they get, according to you?
… of the bumper profit …
Which was driven by …. ?
Productivity?
Shrewd management?
Collapse in fuel prices?
Are they still charging for the carbon price btw?
TB, I think you will find that in an industrialised workplace like Qantas, gain sharing isn’t acceptable.
…but they have an employee share plan, but you don’t accept that apparently.
I think most of the ill informed types that criticise Joyce ignore the fact that unions like AMWU, AWU, ETU were heartily sick of the ALAEA hogging all the highly skilled work, and associated training. Most of the Qantas unions were cheering for Joyce when he took on the ALAEA.
(but they didn’t make any public announcements about this)
What a major fail. Although, I reckon the 1% might see it as a win. Do they/you yomm?
I suppose if you have an end to the resources boom and people working as cleaners (or something) on $22/hour instead of being FIFO TA’s on $120k a year, there will be a change in average wages.
Yes, yes, ,,, of course that`s it ,,,,,,the ETU were heartily sick of the ALAEA hogging all the highly skilled work,,, in baggage and check-in ,, #run.teabag.run
I suppose if you have an end to the resources boom and people working as cleaners
You mean instead of providing replacement industries like renewables with the help of a Carbon Price or IT with a world leading NBN? Or even maintaining highly skilled workers in automotive and submarines. Cos hell, we can all be cleaners. (the <a href ="http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/05/08/405270046/episode-622-humans-vs-robots" Russians can’t do it)
I’ll take that as a “yes” then yomm 🙂
Interesting comment from the personal troll who thinks planes deserve to get shot down.
### it:s no:t t’he faul””t of thé guy”’s fir””ing the mi””’s###iles
**+++###avia##ion ex##”””….pert
There is soft demand for labour at the moment – reduction in construction, little mining development… highly paid jobs aren’t plentiful.
There is soft demand for labour at the moment
You don’t think that could have been helped along with any of the following?
• Killing the car industry
• Threatening/stalling/killing submarine construction
• Stalling renewable investment
• Retarding IT development
I note you haven’t posited a minimum wage yet for workers? Or will that be your number, the minimum wage?
highly paid jobs aren’t plentiful.
As I said, which the 1% (you) would call “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!”
That faint hissing you can hear? It’s probably the sound of disappointment, of hope leaking away
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/negative-smearing-why-politics-trumps-policy-20160224-gn2h3c.html#ixzz418CF3aaj
Sure about that fascism-of-melb?
• Killing the car industry
It is about time you stopped making that comment. Local car sales went from 25% of the market in 2006 to 10% of the market in 2013. It was dead long before the Coalition won govt
Your comments reinforce my beliefs on how deceitful Labor supporters are. Telling lies helps nobody.
Seems the libs and the Greens tried to rush through the voting changes without first working out just what they were doing.
Local car sales went from 25% of the market in 2006 to 10% of the market in 2013.
Simply a smaller share of a massively burgeoning market. And that’s with open borders and very high dollar.
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/australia/total-vehicle-sales
I have shown many times how hockey ran them out of the country. More fool him
I have shown many times how hockey ran them out of the country
No you have not. You have lied many times about how Hockey ran them out of the country. Ford left under Rudd/Gillard. Did Hockey run Ford out also?
It is people like you who destroyed our car industry.
• Threatening/stalling/killing submarine construction
Apparently Labor proposed building 12 submarines. But that is all it was- a proposition. Should the 12 subs be ungraded Collins class, a new class or what? Labor provided no details. Just a proposition.
Our manufacturing has left because people like you TomR tell lies.
id Hockey run Ford out also?
No, he ran the remaining two out, the two who said prior that they would stay under Labor as long as the level playing field was maintained
“”It is people like you who destroyed our car industry.””
I hope you’re taking note of that Tom, it’s YOU who’s personally responsible! 😉
I hope you’re taking note of that Tom, it’s YOU who’s personally responsible! 😉
Yep. Same goes for you to Reb. TB also and all the deadbeats who voted for Labor in 2007.
No, he ran the remaining two out, the two who said prior that they would stay under Labor as long as the level playing field was maintained
Keep believing your delusions. But you do not care about people. The main thing i have learned about people who vote Labor is that they do not care about people.
“I have shown many times how hockey ran them out of the country”
No you haven’t. The only thing you have ever “shown” is that you are an utterly irredeemable troll. One of the best in the business, mind you, but a troll nevertheless. Your stock in trade is clothing factoids (which may or may not be actually based on reality) in short witty ripostes. That you occasionally get close to the truth is an accidental aberration. Your goal is not to get at the truth but to explain how always and everywhere and at all times and without any exception whatsoever the ALP is the one true path to Nirvana. Every word that falls from the Leader’s lips is gospel and there is no better place for people to reside than with you, firmly embedded in Bill Shorten’s rectum.
No you haven’t.
For those who missed it
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/taunts-in-parliament-and-text-brought-about-general-motors-holdens-exit-from-australia-20131211-2z6i6.html
in short witty ripostes
AAWW, you’ll make me blush 🙂
Your goal is not to get at the truth
Obviously this is bullshit then 😉
From the “Where Have I heard That Before” files…………….
“…….The Minnesota plate that was scrapped this week is “symptomatic of the overall rise of Islamophobia” in the United States, said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations……………….”
“Everyone has a right to be a bigot if they want to, but not on a state-issued licence plate,” Hooper said.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/offensive-fmuslms-number-plate-issued-revoked-in-minnesota-20160225-gn35ks.html#ixzz418cUJ7RL
For those who missed it
No i did not miss it. Mark Hawthorne is a lying piece of shit. Hawthorne said this
Without government assistance, head office in Detroit had decided that making cars in Australia no longer added up – to the tune of $3750 a car per year
Govt assistance was promised until 2020. It was legislated, in the budget and it would take an act of parliament to change the subsidies.
http://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-assistance/manufacturing/ats/Pages/default.aspx
The Automotive Transformation Scheme (ATS) commenced on 1 January 2011 and will run until 31 December 2020.
The ATS will provide $2.5 billion in capped assistance and approximately $337 million in uncapped assistance.
I was going to say that in all my life i have never met a bigger liar than TomR. But TB of Queensland is also up there and anybody who voted for Rudd in 2007.
Some good news
“Some good news……….”
I dont have too much of a problem with a Federal ICAC but in NSW the model is clearly wrong allowing it to stray into areas that an ordinary person would not see as its scope. Plus the nature of the corruption is mainly over property development and the former members of the ALP government.
And that’s because property laws are governed by state and local government.
Federal issues are likely to revolve around corrupt awarding of massive contract I’d guess
I dont have too much of a problem with a Federal ICAC but in NSW the model is clearly wrong allowing it to stray into areas that an ordinary person would not see as its scope.
In other words, you are uncomfortable that they found other corruption apart from within the ALP?
• Retarding IT development
You dishonest person
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/395910/opel_would_serving_bush_broadband_today_turnbull/
Federal opposition communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull has used his National Press Club address to argue the decision to scrap the Howard government’s OPEL network for an NBN has denied the bush broadband services over the past three years.
Turnbull gave familiar arguments against the NBN saying the network is too costly, won’t result in more affordable broadband services and will stifle competition.
“For the 1.5 million or so Australians in remote or sparsely settled areas, the coalition and Labor technology approaches are very similar – fixed wireless and satellite,” he said.
The regional areas of Australia would have had wireless broadband 3 years ago if you and TB of Queensland did not vote for Rudd in 2007
###YEAH##
#Ju#{{St doN;:”T B#!:laM#e t;;g##e pe$£#o%=plE Th#!+At Sh$*&^oo@@&=?t MI@&(;”s^&€il#:=%LES
“In other words, you are uncomfortable that they found other corruption apart from within the ALP?”
Nah…………..we always knew the ALP was corrupt. I was just incredibly surprised when it was found that some of the big wigs in the Union movement were also corrupt.
Frankly I fell off my chair when I read that…….
yomms starting to make more sense here
on a comparative scale with his previous posts that is 😉
Frankly I fell off my chair when I read that…….
I think you meant “spun” out of your chair.
But, speaking of wigs, wasn’t all the OUTRAGE about a wig wearer getting on the wrong side of ICAC?
How dare a corruption watchdog expose …. corruption 😯
“How dare a corruption watchdog expose …. corruption”
Clearly you are quite ignorant of the role of ICAC in NSW let alone what has been going on in NSW.
It is not there to expose allegations of interference in matters outside those of the public good. That’s what the cops are for.
Further illegally confiscating a mobile then re-enacting the original act of confiscation and videoing it at a later date with proper search warrants to justify the wrongdoing is a strange way of conducting an investigation.
But by your standards its probably quite OK
Exposing corruption not under the ALP banner should be BANNED! ROFL
I recall the good old days when the ALP were being dragged through the mud and ICAC was the hero of the piece. Then, it found mud elsewhere, and, all of a sudden, ICAC = BAD!
😆
“Exposing corruption not under the ALP banner should be BANNED!”
Funny how I didn’t say that.
ICAC was set up for a specific reason (s) which does not include (as has been found) investigating the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident. An allegation of perverting the course of justice against a public official when no charges have been laid is not what its intent was. As various reports have found.
But in your fantasy world everything that contradicts your ignorant view cant be the case.
Very simple !
This is a great read:
https://newmatilda.com/2016/02/25/incensed-by-their-irrelevance-the-coalitions-far-right-is-running-riot/
Funny how I didn’t say that.
yea, just hyperbowl aint it 😉
Plus the nature of the corruption is mainly over property development and the former members of the ALP government.
Retarding IT development
Lefties, we are now being sued because Conroy broke signed contracts to build a wireless broadband network. These contracts were signed by the Howard govt but the corrupt Rudd govt broke the contracts.
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2014/5/20/technology/optus-seeks-28m-opel-damages-report
Optus is reportedly seeking millions of dollars in damages from the federal government in its long-running dispute over the demise of the OPEL broadband network.
According to The Australian Financial Review, Optus and liquidator Ferrier Hodgson are seeking close to $28 million in damages to cover costs, lost revenue and work put into a rollout plan that was never put to use.
OPEL Networks — a joint venture between Optus and Elders — was given the green light to build a network using a combination of WiMax and ADSL technologies in 2007.
we are now being sued
We got sued by tobacco companies too.
What’s your point?
howard achieved nothing for technology infrastructure. all he did was totally stuff up our telecommunications industry by his mishandling of telstra
What’s your point?
The regional areas of Australia would have had wireless broadband three years ago but for Labor.
We are now being sued because Conroy broke a signed contract
The regional areas of Australia would have had wireless broadband three years ago
if you believe that, you’re a bigger fool than I’d assumed
The regional areas of Australia would have had wireless broadband three years ago
Do you even know how Wi-Fi works?
Do have any idea how big Australia really is?
Did you know that Australia is being over-run right now by Russian scientists!
“”I was agreeing with him until that para!””
Me too.
Ah! So it was a test! Sneaky, sreb, sneaky!
I think we passed with flying colours …
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No you haven’t. The only thing you have ever “shown” is that you are an utterly irredeemable troll. sb
TR, I suspect, sb, may be in love with you … or at least heading that way … just be careful of stalking … oh, yeah … I get it … 😉
I quite like Senator Ludlum… 🙂
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
“”Ah! So it was a test! Sneaky, sreb, sneaky!””
But I didn’t write it… 😯
Do you even know how Wi-Fi works?
Do have any idea how big Australia really is?
Well this is what Turnbull says
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/395910/opel_would_serving_bush_broadband_today_turnbull/
“For the 1.5 million or so Australians in remote or sparsely settled areas, the coalition and Labor technology approaches are very similar – fixed wireless and satellite,” he said.
“It is no accident the technologies to be deployed by the NBN are the same as those which would have been used by OPEL. And, had that scheme not been cancelled by Labor in 2008 would today be providing fast broadband to Australians in those areas.”
OPEL Networks was given the go-ahead by the federal government in late 2007 when the then ICT minister Senator Helen Coonan announced the joint venture between Optus and Elders.
But I didn’t write it…
Oh, I know that , wee laddie!
But did you “edit” it?
Well this is what Turnbull says
Well this is what the people who understand the technology AND the politics say! (From sreb’s Delimiter link …
https://delimiter.com.au/2016/02/25/a-whole-mess-of-garbage-ludlam-blasts-turnbulls-nbn/?utm_content=buffer2ccc2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Milkum TurnAbbout knows NOTHING about “business” … investing money isn’t “business” its investing money …
History really will record that Milkum set this country back at least a decade in the one thing that really promotes innovation …
Quite frankly the man is as foolish as his predecessor … one ideologically driven and careless of the nation’s people … the other personally driven and careless of the nation’s people …
Hypocritical, inexperienced, RIGHT WING, selfish twots!
I was impressed with Jason Clare last night on Lateline too (Abetz wouldn’t take him on)! I see he took up the cudgel in the HoR for Ludlum’s cause … powerful meeting of minds! Well done …
“”But did you “edit” it?””
Nope, published as supplied by Mr Quentin…
Well this is what the people who understand the technology AND the politics say!
Fact is TB nobody on this blog has any idea what is best for Australia. But we do tend to take sides based on our voting preferences.
The ALP stuffs up everything it touches so i am certain that FTTP is too expensive to build.
I thought Superannuation was one of the few things Keating did that was any good. But it is not working. People are still going on the pension. And it is taking money away from workers who could be using it to pay off their home loans.
The NBN will be an expensive disaster. Anything built by the govt takes 3 times as much to build and 3 times longer to build compared to private enterprise
sreb, I think you meant Quinton … and thank you for introducing Stephen to our little fold … I look forward to your next “experiment” … 🙂
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kneel … after reading that silliness and knowing that 50% of the nation would vote as you, based on such ill informed, ideologically deformed opinions … all I can say is that my country will get what it fucking deserves!
Your ignorance (in the true sense of the word) is astounding … I used to think you were still at school … now I think you are in the twilight zone … swathed in dementia (apologies to families of suffers – been there) …
Fact is TB nobody on this blog has any idea what is best for Australia. But we do tend to take sides based on our voting preferences.
Never, never assume to speak for other people on this blog … ever!
You should feel privileged that we even reply to your … Ukrainian Liberal Party diatribes …
Unfknbeliveable!
The NBN will be an expensive disaster
Because of Milkum TurnAbbout!
Bullock was born in Sydney and was educated at Trinity Grammar, an Anglican school, and the University of Sydney. He was a friend of former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and suggested Abbott join the Liberal Party.[1]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Bullock
The group was led by Liberal Cory Bernardi but found a late surprise supporter in Labor senator Joe Bullock.
Bullock said Safe Schools was a “terrible program” that should be stopped immediately.
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/25/safe-schools-is-like-child-grooming-says-nationals-mp-george-christensen
So who runs the nation?
Organised religion … that’s who! With their bigoted posturing and childish beliefs!
Anyone would think it was 1616! Not 2016! FFS!
TB
Yada yada yada blah blag blah.
Most things the ALP does is bad for Australia. Almost everything the ALP does destroys the lives of people
Had TurnAbbout known anything and the NBN had been developed correctly I would have been the first to commend him … as it is he’s now fucking up the country, or at least allowing his puppet masters to fuck it up, just as he fucked up the NBN …
Your ideological ignorance will not let you see that … FIN
Had TurnAbbout known anything and the NBN had been developed correctly I would have been the first to commend him …
Get stuffed. What would you know about broadband? You are just like TomR. Vote for anything the ALP does
There is a case for stronger union membership …
http://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2016/feb/25/wages-have-stalled-and-the-coalition-is-worried-about-bracket-creep
…The group was led by Liberal Cory Bernardi but found a late surprise supporter in Labor senator Joe Bullock.
Bullock said Safe Schools was a “terrible program” that should be stopped immediately…
Bullock is one of the labor far right religious nutjobs from the shoppies [there are a few of them] who puts religion before politics and uses politics to advance his personal religious views. .He is labor’s cory bernardi. As far as I’m concerned he shouldn’t be on a voting ticket, especially since the WA fiasco.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/16/louise-pratt-attacks-factional-deal-that-dumped-her-from-alp-ticket-top-spot
Labor’s Louise Pratt has conceded defeat in the Western Australian Senate election rerun, and attacked the party process that delivered victory to her running mate Joe
…”It is a blow to progressive voters that I would be replaced in the Senate by someone who I have known for many years to be deeply homophobic, to be anti-choice and has recently emerged as disloyal to the very party he has been elected to represent,” Pratt told reporters in Perth on Wednesday…
Senate Reform – Why Bother Forcing Below-the-line Votes to be Full Preferential?
http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2016/02/senate-reform-why-bother-forcing-btl-votes-to-be-full-preferential.html
…Would more voters use the below the line option to re-arrange the candidates of their chosen parties if they were given an easier option to do so?
We may never know because the legislation does not provide an easier option for voters to change the order of the candidates in their party of choice.
As I can think of no other reason why you would retain full preferential voting below the line, I can only presume that while the parties have been happy to put control of preferences between parties into the hands of voters, they are not at all happy about potentially delivering control of preferences between candidates into the hands of voters.
How embarrassing would it be if, for instance, the voters of Tasmania elected demoted and fourth placed Lisa Singh over the three candidates the Labor Party’s factions had placed above her on the party’s Senate ticket. Better to not give voters a feasible voting option to do so.
If abolishing preference harvesting between small parties is brought to an end and voters given control over preferences between parties, it is only logical to end preference harvesting within party tickets and give control over the election of candidates to voters as well.
If for factional reasons a major political party picks a dud to lead its ticket, it shouldn’t be able to protect that choice by hiding behind full BTL preferential voting…
There’s ventriloqy magic at work this morning, I’m hearing cory bernardi defending negative gearing but my mind’s eye is seeing tony abbott!
If there is ever an example of why people should vote below the line in the senate it’s cory!
Really nice to see the team on the better side of history for once team-cheerer, instead of me-too-ing with the teabags. Told`ya folks, the micros `are` needed.
AO,,,,,If there is ever an example of why people should vote below the line in the senate itâs cory,,,,,
# ,, hey armchair, l thought you were entrenched above-line, (probably taking the greenz deal)
Just had another read of this, (above)
,,,,rise of Malcolm Abbott and the sex obsessed right,,,,,via-AO
# ,, While l don`t have kids, nor know any rainbow-kids, l think it`s really sick and perverse and horrid that the so-called `adults` within the post whether they are teabags, lobbyists or media like devine writing horrid things against kids, or programs to help kids, or making excuses for pedos. lt is ALL really, really, really, SICK. They`re not much as people.
Tragedy occurred today, blackmores made a record profit, and `every` employee got a bonus of a months pay.
+
The silver-lining today is dick smith electronics went broke, with thousands of employees losing their jobs `and` entitlements.
#YAAAAAAAY.BOARDROOM
Someone might link a couple of union agreements that facilitate profit sharing as evidence of their comments.
You are just like TomR.
That’s a rare compliment from nil for you TB 😉
Sorry, I’m a little bit distracted at the moment, Ed Force One is in the skies again, BIGGER and better than before.
pollies might have a use by date, rockers don’t 🙂
(apparently this stopped the traffic on the major highway)
Someone might link a couple of union agreements that facilitate profit sharing as evidence of their comments.
Didn’t donothingbill get in trouble by heydon for facilitating an agreement that produced a bumper outcome for the business AND the workers? Seems what your proposing could get someone jailed lol
Perhaps someone could provide a link to the Blackmore’s industrial agreement that facilitated the profit sharing/bonus. Or a couple of others for that matter.
Perhaps someone could provide a link
lol 1%’s don’t do links, do they yomm, it’s too far below them ROFL
I suppose this explains why she is such a dopey lunatic. But at least she is honest about her politics:
nobody on my abc24 claimed ,,,,,industrial agreement,,,,, (or-other), for those not bright enough to click on googls `news` link at top of page
http://www.smh.com.au/action/printArticle?id=1006227364
Right, so it’s all crap, the industrial agreements that regulate the employment relationship don’t provide for gain sharing.
##I*gNorA((nc””e”,,,,,
for those not bright enough
or CBF
I don’t know what/who yomms arguing with, don’t really care. I do note he refuses to answer the questions he places on others though 😉
fer splat, who’s obviously such a fan 😉
“…# ,, hey armchair, l thought you were entrenched above-line, (probably taking the greenz deal)…”
Nope, I number each and every box BTL. I like to determine where my vote goes, I don’t like party preferences or choices.
t,,,,,I don`t know what/who yomms arguing with,,,,,,
# ,, me neither, it seems to be a secret between him, googl, fairfax, my abc, and possibly limited news
# ,, me neither,
My bets it with TB, and he’s taken something said in jest/throwaway and run with it like it fucken matters.
Meanwhile, happily lapping up heydons slops, which must be getting pretty tart on the tongue by now.
An iceberg that is rapidly turning into a pile of piss itself.
I get the impression that TurnAbbout’s happy party is being trashed by guests … and gatecrashers …
Everything they’ve talked about just turns to jelly … we Tip Custard as Treasurer with John Howard & The Private School Bullies … now we’ve got Hideaway Morrisscum as Treasurer with Milkum TurnAbbout & The Churchie School Bullies …
All gone to hell and high water …
Next Polls will be interesting …
Everything they’ve talked about just turns to jelly … we Tip Custard as Treasurer with John Howard & The Private School Bullies …
Tip Custard and the Private School bullies gave us the best economic numbers for a generation.
In 2007 unemployment was at 4.3% and falling. Anybody who wanted a job could get one,
That is until TB of Queensland who voted for Rudd who destroyed
1. our borders
2. the budget
3. our auto industry
4. our unemployment rate
5. locked up 8,000 kids
TB of Queensland a man with no ethics, morals or even a conscience.
TB does not give a stuff about the lives he has destroyed as long as the ALP is in power.
I don’t argue. I only discuss.
Mellow. That’s me.
“”Mellow. That’s me.””
Fucksakes
Tip Custard?
I only discuss.
I think you meant dis and cuss 😉
Yep, mellow.
Mellow. Thatâs me.,,,,,,,,,,, # ,, Good to hear the janitor confiscated your Junior-managers-handbook and restored `calm` to the cubicle
TREASON?
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/26/mal-brough-announces-he-will-quit-parliament-in-wake-of-afp-investigation
It is an exciting time to be an Australian … communication may be a bit slow … but exciting nevertheless … 🙂
Mellow….###th***%%oU###gh e””””XC,,,ep&&&&&&&&tions cA^^n B$$$e ma############De f*****,,,,,or F#############################wits
Isn’t their use-by-date the next election?