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Malcolm Turncoat's imploding act

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      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    Queensland MP George Christensen is threatening to leave the Coalition over a dispute in his electorate over a foreign-owned sugar mill ripping off cane farmers (News.com.au); Christopher Pyne emphatically denies that Christensen is threatening to leave to become a cross-bencher. It raises some interesting questions though; if he does actually leave then the Turnbull government loses its one-seat majority?
    Posted: 17 Feb 2017 12:39

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      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    Former QLD Labor Premier Anna Bligh employed as the head of the Banking Industry Association (ABC), no doubt to try and scuttle the calls for a royal commission into the banking industry:

    "Our banks are critical to the strength and stability of our national economy and the prosperity and wellbeing of every Australian," she said.

    Ms Bligh said she did not want a banking royal commission, which is at odds with federal Labor leader Bill Shorten.

    "Personally I've always believed you get more done inside the tent," she said.

    What she's really saying is that she will work hard to make sure that any attempt to examine the unfair and unethical practices of the banking industry are sunk before they get off the ground - that's the only reason that these industry lobby groups employ ex-politicians (gambling, mining, energy). She joins other Labor people like Steven Conroy going straight to work for the gambling lobby and Martin Ferguson, Greg Combet joining mining outfits.

    These political appointments are great value for money for the industries that employ them; they nearly always put a stop to any meaning reforms of their lucrative tax concessions or special treatments. Just like BHP employing ex-Labor politician Geoff Walsh to lead the destabilisation campaign against Kevin Rudd's proposed mining tax - it's pretty obvious that the big end of town own our politicians - not the people who actually pay them (us).
    Posted: 18 Feb 2017 14:13

    Last edited by don_dunstan on 18 Feb 2017 14:14; edited 1 time in total
      1771D Junior Train Controller

    It's hardly surprising given her grubby dealings with Lance Hockridge in breaking up and selling off QR's freight business.  I wouldn't trust her as far as I could kick her.
    Posted: 18 Feb 2017 14:24
      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    It's hardly surprising given her grubby dealings with Lance Hockridge in breaking up and selling off QR's freight business.  I wouldn't trust her as far as I could kick her.
    1771D
    I think she's also delivered a thinly-veiled warning to Shorten too: Stay "inside the tent".
    Posted: 19 Feb 2017 13:15
      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    Do-nothing Malcolm opts to do-nothing... about everything (SBS):

    "Before a budget everything is on the table and we float and model a lot of different ideas, but that does not mean we will be actively committing to anything that might help housing affordability, the rising cost of living, or the lowering of my favourability rating.

    We’re not going out here chasing votes. We’ll not be dragged into that kind of populist contest. Instead, we’re going to actively avoid doing what people want us to do. That’s the kind of hardcore rebels we’ve become.

    Anyway, these changes would be against the heart of this Government. I’m not speaking from an ideological standpoint, I’m merely saying that we have survived this long by not really doing much of anything. To suddenly do something could really upset the apple cart. I’m not willing to take that change."

    I know that its a parody but it's so close to the truth that its sad. Why take a chance on doing something when doing nothing is the easiest option?
    Posted: 19 Feb 2017 14:06
      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    Malcolm Turnbull says he will not be funding the WA Oppositions' Metronet Perth metropolitan railway plan (ABC). He also says that (surprise!) he won't be doing anything about adjusting the GST distribution so that WA gets a larger share; this is despite an earlier promise to Colin Barnett that he would be doing something about it as a matter of urgency... sorry, Colin, they don't call me do-nothing for no reason.

    Also interesting to see that despite all the bluster about not spending money on needless things, Malcolm held a "back to parliament" party last year after they won the election - which in reality was an excuse to hold a mass birthday party for Julie Bishop, Josh Frydenburg and Sen. David Bushby - who all happen to share the same birthday. The cake was billed to the taxpayer (of course!), as was all the catering (Sydney Telegraph):

    The politicians sipped Georg Jensen NV Sparkling wine, Coldstream Hills Chardonnay 2014, Pierro LTC 2015 Semillon sauvignon blanc, Voyager Estate Girt by Sea cabernet Merlot and Nick O’Leary 2015 Shiraz.

    James Squire 150 Lashes Pale Ale and James Boag Light were also served.

    The total cost of food, beverages and staff was $5104 including GST.

    Being a caterer in Canberra must be a pretty sure-fire gig provided you're really good at those posh finger-food canapes and top-notch booze?
    Posted: 22 Feb 2017 10:22
      Valvegear Oliver Bullied, CME

    Location: Norda Fittazroy
    Being a caterer in Canberra must be a pretty sure-fire gig provided you're really good at those posh finger-food canapes and top-notch booze?
    "don_dunstan"
    I wouldn't call any of those wines top notch.Most are too young - what wine lover would drink a 2015 Australian Shiraz in 2016? Not this one, that's for certain.
    Posted: 22 Feb 2017 10:39
      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    Being a caterer in Canberra must be a pretty sure-fire gig provided you're really good at those posh finger-food canapes and top-notch booze?
    I wouldn't call any of those wines top notch.Most are too young - what wine lover would drink a 2015 Australian Shiraz in 2016? Not this one, that's for certain.
    Valvegear
    Agreed, they're young wines but on the other hand they're hardly $3 Dan Murphy's scrumpies.
    Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:04
      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    Look like the Property Council lobbying the Turnbull government has paid off - superannuation will likely be accessible by first home buyers to buy their first property and pensioners will be allowed to "down-size" without affecting their income and assets test for the pension (News.com.au). No doubt the real-estate industry will be rubbing their hands together with glee but I really think it's a slippery slope in allowing this kind of thing to happen - super was supposed to be for retirement only and I know for a fact that it caused no end of problems in Canada when they allowed the same thing to happen a few years ago.
    Posted: 22 Feb 2017 19:19
      lsrailfan Chief Commissioner

    Location: Somewhere you're not
    Bill Shorten has really put his foot in it today, when claiming that the Turnbull Govt has delivered a "kick in the guts" to all Australians, despite the fair work commission being an independent body, er, please explain Bill?!
    Kind Regards
    Posted: 23 Feb 2017 20:01
      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    ONE of those moments when you have to question why Shorten is even there... didn't he negotiate a wage cut for his own union members when he was in charge of the AWU? And then made the employer sign a confidentiality agreement so they couldn't talk about the wonderful deal he had just given them? Hardly inspires confidence that this is someone who can stick up for the lowest paid.
    Posted: 23 Feb 2017 20:33
      Radioman Chief Train Controller

    Hello All,

    Just to be clear about a few things , the rough and tumble of Australian politics is not new, the NSW Parliament has been known as the Bear Pit since at least the 1920s. Paul Keating's vitriol was no worse than either Eddie Ward or JT Lang, both from NSW. Currently we seem to lack a orator like either Paul Keating or Jim Killen or RJ Menzies who could quickly respond to a political attack and get some recognition for either / or a telling response or memorable put down . I listened to question time on the radio when Paul Keating asked of Andrew Peacock if a soufflé could rise twice . Andrew soon became an x Opposition leader as a result.

    The other major problem is that politicians are expected to expound a policy in a 15 second sound bite. We no longer have long detailed debates about policy, we have the Megaphone experts like Alan Jones and Hadleigh who dish out some terrible stuff, frequently a half truth or totally inaccurate and they cut the interviewee of and proceed to bag them.

    The comments attributed to Alan Jones re both Julia Gillard and her late father ( who had died the previous week ) were seriously appalling and I do not recall that Alan Jones apologised for saying what he did. The privately owned media pushes a right wing line ( they own it so they can say what they like ) and some indulge in an ABC left wing bias bash. The ABC tries
    to keep some balance ( no two people will agree as to what a balance actually is ) and it fascinates me that so called left wing ABC journos end up working for LNP MPs or become LNP MPs themselves.

    Years ago I listened into "the voice of the Malayan Revolution" which I initially thought was a send up Communist Party Propaganda and a good laugh , however after a little while I realised these blokes were for real , now that was far left wing (
    actually so far left that it had circled around to join the lunatic right ! )

    Let's keep the politics nice please, regards, Radioman
    Posted: 23 Feb 2017 22:51
      Showtime Chief Train Controller
    Posted: 24 Feb 2017 09:43

    Last edited by Showtime on 24 Feb 2017 09:44; edited 1 time in total
      lsrailfan Chief Commissioner

    Location: Somewhere you're not
    Shorten's mob cocks it up again
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-23/man-with-bill-shorten-decrying-penalty-rate-cuts-alp-member/8298334
    Showtime
    Is it any wonder Pauline Hanson is on the rise, and the other minor parties, when you have 2 Douchebags to choose from? Rolling Eyes
    Kind Regards
    Posted: 24 Feb 2017 12:04
      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    There have been a few opinion-pieces in the last week firmly labelling Tony Abbott as a wreaker who is determined to bring down Malcolm Turnbull at all costs. This Chris Uhlmann article sums up the situation nicely:

    The speech he gave at the "Making Australia Right" book launch reeked of a man itching to pull the trigger on a Prime Minister he sees as spineless and lacking a moral core.

    His hatred is profound, his anger is deepening and his impatience is growing. His disdain for Mr Turnbull leached through every word. It was a dress rehearsal for a showdown where he will define victory as both men walking away losers.

    How has Tony Abbott fared after promising "no wrecking, no undermining, and no sniping" when he was unseated by Malcolm Turnbull?
    Mr Abbott briefly hid behind the cover of the essayists' complaints, as he took aim at the Liberal Party which under Mr Turnbull had become "Labor-lite".

    But he broke into the open when he said "the authors are not the only ones who are disappointed and disillusioned". No-one is more disillusioned than Tony...

    I suppose this will continue to fester until there is either an election or a leadership spill. Even Tones must realise that he's not popular with his own party or the public though - he is not Kevin Rudd and he will not be appreciated by the public if put back into the top job.
    Posted: 25 Feb 2017 13:05

    Last edited by don_dunstan on 25 Feb 2017 13:05; edited 1 time in total
      lsrailfan Chief Commissioner

    Location: Somewhere you're not
    The only thing I would say about that, I have been listening to a lot of people on the radio recently, who say bringing back Tony Abbott will help stabilize things a bit more, I think he has well and truly learnt from his mistakes, and I think he will do a much better job than MT at the moment, in my opinion
    Kind Regards
    Posted: 25 Feb 2017 13:57
      Groundrelay Chief Commissioner

    Location: Surrounded by Trolls!
    ... I have been listening to a lot of people on the radio recently, who say bringing back Tony Abbott will help ...
    lsrailfan
    You mean the groupies of one commercial network’s demigods pushing their bias and agenda who viciously malign anyone with a dissenting opinion (those that slip through the vetting that is Surprised ).
    You’ll find they’ve been pro-Abbott all along.
    Posted: 26 Feb 2017 09:31
      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    ... I have been listening to a lot of people on the radio recently, who say bringing back Tony Abbott will help ...
    You mean the groupies of one commercial network’s demigods pushing their bias and agenda who viciously malign anyone with a dissenting opinion (those that slip through the vetting that is Surprised ).
    You’ll find they’ve been pro-Abbott all along.
    Groundrelay
    Andrew Bolt has been relentlessly pushing for the return of Tony Abbott as Prime Minister; it's been ceaseless since he first lost office. But you have to take into account that they're personal friends.

    I'm not sure that it would actually work anyway - there's probably only a dozen MP's left in the parliamentary party who would actually support him if he tried to lead a spill. And in the second place, what would it achieve? He lead the nation for almost two years and in that time he dithered, shifted blame, attacked people and failed to even try to negotiate with the hostile senate. Despite all his faults Malcolm has at least tried to get some savings bills through the senate by negotiating with people like Xenophon (although it ultimately hasn't worked).

    I think the most likely outcome is that we end up with someone like Dutton to lead the nation until the next crashing defeat to the Labor Party, who will completely undeservedly be taking office in the same way that Abbott got power because of the incompetence of the Labor Party last time. It's actually really bad news for our country that we've had these interminable struggles for the top job on both sides of politics and in the meantime neither side has managed to accomplish anything for us other than the complete de-industrialisation of our nation and a real estate bubble unprecedented in history.
    Posted: 26 Feb 2017 11:45
      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    Malcolm's poor standing with the public continues to be reflected in the polls with the latest Newspoll in this morning's Australian showing Labor pulling further ahead 55/45. How many polls did Tones have to lose before he got the boot?

    Meanwhile One Nation is holding steady at slightly more than 10% of the national vote, much stronger in QLD (of course); they look set to firmly surpass the Greens as the third political force in Australia. If this happens then the Greens have nobody to blame but themselves.
    Posted: 27 Feb 2017 11:06
      lsrailfan Chief Commissioner

    Location: Somewhere you're not
    Today there is another bad opinion poll for the Turnbull Govt- showing a 45-55% 2 party preferred to Labour, and you will never guess  who Malcom is blaming for the poor showing, the former PM.....Rolling EyesRolling Eyes
    Kind Regards
    Posted: 27 Feb 2017 11:06
      don_dunstan The Ghost of George Stephenson

    Location: Adelaide proud
    Interesting synchronicity happening there Israilfan!
    Posted: 27 Feb 2017 11:10
      apw5910 Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Location: Location.
    Time to resurrect the Tony Abbott imploding thread yet?
    Posted: 27 Feb 2017 12:49
      lsrailfan Chief Commissioner

    Location: Somewhere you're not
    I mean how can you blame your predecessor for bad poll numbers?? so was Tones around for the past seven polls was he?? , I think Paul Keating has summed it up nicely -

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ZmqByIhdU- I mean Malcom's going troppo MR Speaker
    Posted: 27 Feb 2017 13:14
      Showtime Chief Train Controller

    OK so Turnbull knows he is heading out the door based on the polls
    Why is he not doing anything about it?
    The whole Liberal party must be able to see that the public are unhappy with their current policies.
    Are they too stubborn to actually give Australians what they want, basically a better life through improved health, transport, education, reliable power supply, border security and pensions?
    Even if we don't have the money to fund any of them, at least start doing something towards a plan that would implement something.
    All get from our "leaders" is continual droning on but none of them appear to have a clue on how to do what needs to be done
    Posted: 27 Feb 2017 14:27
      1771D Junior Train Controller

    The thing is, Labor's policies (especially green left) are also unpopular with many voters, so maybe the Liberals are thinking that despite what the polls say, Labor won't win the next election.  Rolling Eyes
    Posted: 27 Feb 2017 14:36

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