Australian Politics (2 Viewers)

[moll.]

Because government need to be held accountable to their citizens. Not just the rich, not just suburbia but the entirety of our population.

Furthermore to you socialist haters, you can label me as a socialist, or a labor party spokesman... but I find it hard to distinguish between labor and liberals... the communism/socialism implemented so far (or that which has stuck the strongest in our memories) resembles to me more like fascist dictatorship.
I know monetary oppression is better than military oppression but should we really rest of our laurels?
(this ties into the justification of the gap, we enforce certain conditions on them because they don't conform to our way of life).

The free market you hold so dear is fundamentally flawed because their is no proper transparency. Media mainly rewrite press releases, repackaging the corporate message... even my so-called beloved Wayne Swan refused to admit the plight of the Australian economy in blind faith.
Our unemployment statistics were only so low because the definitions we rewritten, "historic levels" my arse...
The sub prime fiasco was created from a disparity between market value and real value, allowing american business to wrought the system and post big numbers.
Furthermore we are almost dependent on growing populations to support our baby-boomers and aging populations, which goes against what our country can sustain...

Which ever way you look at it, that price mechanism you put your faith so blindly in is fundamentally flawed; and all that follow its gospel will inevitably suffer.

As opposed to the far greater system of socialism?
Markets are the best thing we have, and until there's an alternative they'll be sticking around.

 

[withoutaface]

Taken from Business Spectator

So now we have inflation as well.

Don't go giving me that income dependence crap, you are trying to get rid of a symptom without realising the underlying problem.

Edit: When did I claim to be an intellectual?

I said you were an intellectual fraud, not a fraudulent intellectual.

Secondly why are we "oh noes"ing about inflation going up while still being within the target band? This was to be expected because interest rates were slashed.

 

[Lex152]

It's reaching the high band of the target... and with further interest rates cuts and further government stimulus (local and international) inflation has the potential to become a problem on top of a problem.

On top of that I think it shows that the stimulus has gone straight to consumers without stimulating any of the cogs that will help economic growth.

@ Socialism is crap, Capitalism is Good:
Yeah I agree that most forms of socialism have been crap, but our current standards of living are based on cheap labour in other countries and as we help lift them out of poverty (hopefully) this source will dry up.
All-in-all we have to hold our government to greater accountability, not let them get away with saying nothing to the media, and make them realise that by telling the public in open honesty our real circumstances that we won't panic, but may look at our current circumstances knowledgable and willing.

Capitalism may be the best system we have, but our version of capitalism is far from that ideal.

 

[Rafy]

WHAT THE HELL?!
That's like a third of their revenue!
We are collectively fucked.

The figures are over the forward estimates. Still a lot though.

 

[Silver Persian]

The figures are over the forward estimates. Still a lot though.

Ah.

 

[Silver Persian]

I would like to formally register my happiness re: the fact that NCAP is no longer solely concerned with topics about Israel.

 

[Lentern]

I'm more convinced then ever that Costello still plans to take the leadership. A while ago I was impressed how he managed to stay in the spotlight whilst apparently just twiddling his thumbs on the backbench, not turning up to question time, going on Qanda, writing books, writing articles in the herald, goading poor old Swanny in question time. I thought he kind of went off the radar for a while but this week he is definitely trying to remain in the spotlight, he gave his ten minute eulogy in question time the other day at 2:30 when he knew it would be broadcasted nationally on the ABC, the same night he appears on lateline and this morning I find he's written an article in the herald.

Meanwhile Dr Nelson lurks on the backbench, what for? He surely doesn't think the coalition are going to give him another run in the next five years and if he did wouldn't he be bettering his chances by standing on the frontbench? He plans to be Costello's deputy when the grand ol gal makes his move. Costello is courting the dry liberals on the backbench, I reckon he probably has the numers allready. Budget deficit, Rudd starting to get a bit old, Costello gets the late leadership change, contests an election in the honeymoon people, commands his caucus with more authority than Turnbull or Nelson could.

The Costello strategy I think goes like this, he and Dr Nelson make a joint bid for the leadership in maybe a years time, Dr Nelson with his experience in Defence is the natural shadow foreign minister, Turnbull by far the most talented member of the libs locks horns with labors fuddy duddy treasurer. Andrew Robb has gravitas and can take finance minister, Bishop can take something harmless she's done her dash. Tony Abbott seems destined to occupy a frontbench position, it's inevitable, he'll be a liability wherever he is but he has too many friends in the party, I reckon Costello would whack him in Health, let him be the experienced hand taking on the bumbling young minister. He won't win but it'd give the libs a decent chance, interesting to see what will become of Joe, for my money he's been the second strongest performer for the coalition after their present leader and must surely think himself entitled to one of the top three jobs by the end of Rudd's first term.

 

[Gerald10]

Im not sure what his plan is but I am sure he has a plan Lentern.

Turnbull is taking a HUGE risk which will either make or break him with this stimulus package thing. Poor timing with the December retail figures showing unequivocally that the first stimulus package did have the desired effect.

 

[Lentern]

Im not sure what his plan is but I am sure he has a plan Lentern.

Turnbull is taking a HUGE risk which will either make or break him with this stimulus package thing. Poor timing with the December retail figures showing unequivocally that the first stimulus package did have the desired effect.

I reckon Turnbull will pull through it okay one way or the other, but still won't come close to taking the lead. As comforting as it is to think that policy and philosophy is what decides elections and opinion polls I tend to think that for the large part it is timing and personality. Turnbull's got good political personality, but his timing is probably the worst his party has seen after Nelson. Costello doesn't have quite Turnbull's personality but it's better than most and he will time his move better I suspect.

 

[blue_chameleon]

I'm more convinced then ever that Costello still plans to take the leadership. A while ago I was impressed how he managed to stay in the spotlight whilst apparently just twiddling his thumbs on the backbench, not turning up to question time, going on Qanda, writing books, writing articles in the herald, goading poor old Swanny in question time. I thought he kind of went off the radar for a while but this week he is definitely trying to remain in the spotlight, he gave his ten minute eulogy in question time the other day at 2:30 when he knew it would be broadcasted nationally on the ABC, the same night he appears on lateline and this morning I find he's written an article in the herald.

Meanwhile Dr Nelson lurks on the backbench, what for? He surely doesn't think the coalition are going to give him another run in the next five years and if he did wouldn't he be bettering his chances by standing on the frontbench? He plans to be Costello's deputy when the grand ol gal makes his move. Costello is courting the dry liberals on the backbench, I reckon he probably has the numers allready. Budget deficit, Rudd starting to get a bit old, Costello gets the late leadership change, contests an election in the honeymoon people, commands his caucus with more authority than Turnbull or Nelson could.

The Costello strategy I think goes like this, he and Dr Nelson make a joint bid for the leadership in maybe a years time, Dr Nelson with his experience in Defence is the natural shadow foreign minister, Turnbull by far the most talented member of the libs locks horns with labors fuddy duddy treasurer. Andrew Robb has gravitas and can take finance minister, Bishop can take something harmless she's done her dash. Tony Abbott seems destined to occupy a frontbench position, it's inevitable, he'll be a liability wherever he is but he has too many friends in the party, I reckon Costello would whack him in Health, let him be the experienced hand taking on the bumbling young minister. He won't win but it'd give the libs a decent chance, interesting to see what will become of Joe, for my money he's been the second strongest performer for the coalition after their present leader and must surely think himself entitled to one of the top three jobs by the end of Rudd's first term.

Pass me some of the good stuff, plz.

 

[Lentern]

Pass me some of the good stuff, plz.

Nobody in their right minds would expect Turnbull to last till November 2010, and what is Costello hanging around for?

 

[jb_nc]

Kevin Rudd backs day for West Gate Bridge tragedy girl Darcey Freeman | National News | News.com.au

lol, what a populist move

 

[withoutaface]

Kevin Rudd backs day for West Gate Bridge tragedy girl Darcey Freeman | National News | News.com.au

lol, what a populist move

If we dedicate a public holiday, then no more children will die.

 

[blue_chameleon]

Kevin Rudd backs day for West Gate Bridge tragedy girl Darcey Freeman | National News | News.com.au

lol, what a populist move

Bahahahaha.

Could he make it any more obvious about the politics he plays?

 

[spiny norman]

In his defence, it was asked of him during the COAG press conference "This girl's family thinks this should be a national day. Do you?" to which he could hardly say "No, that's retarded".

I think a better question is could the media ever actually just ask questions at press conferences about important shit?

 

[Rafy]

Rhiannon resigns to stand for federal politics - National - smh.com.au

THE parliamentary leader of the NSW Greens, Lee Rhiannon, appears to be positioning herself to replace the party's federal leader, Bob Brown, having decided to quit her seat in the Legislative Council and stand for Federal Parliament.

 

[whatashotbyseve]

The Greens are shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic.

 

[withoutaface]

Anyone else think she looks a lot like Malcolm Turnbull?

 

[katie tully]

Fuck you man, Turnbull is a fox.

She is a feral bush pig. She looks like that dude, what's his name, fucking Midnight Oil - only with hair.

 

[whatashotbyseve]

At least Turnbull has proper elocution; indeed, most of the Liberals do.

Compared to the Labor side - Kevin 'annoying school captain' Rudd, Julia 'Kath and Kim' Gillard and Tony 'I'm not gay - honest' Burke. The mute button gets a workout with these three. I would throw Senator CONroy into the mix but he never actually speaks to defend his internet censorship program.