Freedom of speech

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Sheepdog started the topic in Thursday, 16 Jun 2016 at 4:00pm

What is freedom of speech?

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Westofthelake Wednesday, 8 May 2019 at 10:03pm

Sypkan said "The real story, is that a corrupt, oil rich, middle east government funded media organisation meddled in OZ politics."

Is this that much different from the recent past elections where the foreign owned Murdoch Empire told us Daily (amongst other things) "Australia needs Tony" and "Boot this mob out"?

Different but same. Foreign government vs Foreign private Corporation.

Whether ON was the target or a by product of a larger investigation matters not to me. But how about that NRA octopus though? Much better to cut those tentacles off sooner rather than later.

The outcome is what it iz.

All in the name of freedom of speech some would argue.

As for for journos and the media, dunno.
You are what you read, question everything?

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sypkan Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 8:01am

Well I agree westof...to a point...

Whilst the murdoch press is a grubby little fact void mission, they are somewhat australian, not state run by an oil rich dictatorship, and operating as a media business in australia

How would you feel if qatari aljazeera thought the greens were gaining too much influence and were going to ban oil imports within two years so spent three years setting them up, lubing them with alcohol, collected 100s of hours of tape of them at their most vulnerable to edit it down to a two hour hit piece?

Because thats pretty much the opposite to what happened. We're all bias, despite my recent loathing for the greens that'd piss me off, much more than this little set up. And that's the door that was just opened by this exercise.

The NRA are fucked, but they're way smarter than ON. As shown when they asked questions about actually donating money, the ON goons didn't even know the rules they'd help to introduce meaning the scope for donating was liimited. So whle its all very dramatic and makes a good story the reality is the ON clowns are so dumb they were deluding themselves as much as anything else.

As stunet rather patronisingly pointed out, the problem is lobby groups in general. For both sides of politics! hence why labor and moreso the democrats in the US are in such a shambles...

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stunet Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 8:03am

"...rather patronisingly..."

This statement has been authorised by our Patron Saint of Virtuous Condescension.

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sypkan Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 9:15am

Haha...

But I really didn't need to 'google lobby groups'

Trump taught me all about those...

I don't think I'm patronising at all. I just like to look at both sides of an issue, but its all about perspective I guess...

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stunet Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 9:45am

@Andy,

A Thursday morning Chatauqua...

In political conversations we often get reminded how the Greens "killed" Labor's ETS. This was back in 2010 when Gillard put a negotiated framework for emissions trading on the table and Sir Bob voted it down. 

He did so, not because he was against it, but because he thought Gillard's ETS was "fundamentally flawed".

Subsequent media commentary about the Greens played on a concept described in Voltaire's poem La Beguele: "Perfect is the enemy of good".

The Greens killed the ETS because it wasn't perfect. And now, nearly ten years later, we still have no economic mechanism to curb emissions. Nothing that's good, let alone anything perfect. Just nothing.

Do you not think that this is a parable for Labor voters shifting their support to minor parties?

That Labor's policies aren't perfect so they'll vote elsewhere, which will only split the base of like-minded voters and hand the power to the LNP?

This is politics, it involves compromise and negotiation, and people who want "perfect" often end up with nothing.

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freeride76 Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 9:58am

That was 2008 Stu, with Rudd's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

Gillard got her legislation through.

But, I agree with the point you are making.

Very much so.

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factotum Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 10:30am

Jeez, how's the 'research'?

Anyway, as for lobbyists, remember page one of the What's What? thread. Erm...hahaha

'The Power Index' may need an update as that was 4 years ago.

Seen this?

https://lobbyists.pmc.gov.au/index.cfm

There's even a list for further investigation and research.

Where's me old mate Ian Smith these days (Natasha Stott-Despoja's hubbie and former Liberal apparatchik)?

Still offering his 'bespoke approach'?

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factotum Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 10:34am

'Course he is. Nice little earner.

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blindboy Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 11:52am

The old cliche that politics is the art of the possible is particularly relevant in this election. Labor can only promise what is possible. Of course possibility is a moveable feast and will shift once they are in power. Once people realize that the adjustments to lower our emissions are relatively painless, it will be possible to move more quickly than most currently imagine. Sadly the Greens are not in a position to deliver anything this time around. Their time is a bit further down the road.

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AndyM Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 4:14pm

Chatauqua - "an adult education movement .... (which) brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians, showmen, preachers, and specialists of the day."

Nicely found.

I don't think those that are moving from Labor are necessarily looking for perfect, I think they're looking for something sincere. Labor have attempted to straddle the fence for a long time now, and I think people have realised that they've largely failed.

For mine, recent Labor campaigning has, for the first time in maybe 25 years, shown a genuine awareness of public opinion. But, my patience has run out.

I'm not looking for perfect, I'm just looking not to be insulted.

If they're for real, we'll see how we go next time.

But you have a very valid point - will any further movement to the Greens (doubtful) and other minors and independents (highly probable) dilute the Labor vote and allow the LNP to stay in power?

It was a similar thing to when I was working for the Sustainable Australia Party - the Greens were horrified - "but, but, you're going to dilute the centre-left vote".
Quite possibly, but I'd still be voting Green if they weren't so cowed by the immigration issue.

If the Greens would address what I see as one of the elephants in the room, I'd be there with bells on.

But, will this water down the Labor vote?
This is beyond my reading and explorations at the moment.

I think part of this question is, are LNP voter more "rusted on" than Labor voters? My gut says yes though I'm really not sure.

I still feel that a minority Labor government would be the best, most realistically achievable outcome.

@Blindboy - "Of course possibility is a moveable feast and will shift once they are in power."

I'm assuming that you're saying things can go either way?

"Once people realize that the adjustments to lower our emissions are relatively painless, it will be possible to move more quickly than most currently imagine."

Mate I hope so, it's certainly one of my beliefs and expectations.

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stunet Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 4:33pm

"What is in mind is a sort of Chautauqua...that's the only name I can think of for it...like the traveling tent-show Chautauquas that used to move across America, this America, the one that we are now in, an old-time series of popular talks intended to edify and entertain, improve the mind and bring culture and enlightenment to the ears and thoughts of the hearer. The Chautauquas were pushed aside by faster-paced radio, movies and TV, and it seems to me the change was not entirely an improvement. Perhaps because of these changes the stream of national consciousness moves faster now, and is broader, but it seems to run less deep."

-Robert M. Pirsig, 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'

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AndyM Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 4:40pm

"Perhaps because of these changes the stream of national consciousness moves faster now, and is broader, but it seems to run less deep."

Who gives a fuck, I'm off to watch MAFS.

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indo-dreaming Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 5:01pm

"Once people realize that the adjustments to lower our emissions are relatively painless, it will be possible to move more quickly than most currently imagine"

Can you explain further?

I cant see how it can be painless, if you really want to reduce emissions huge change is going to have to be had, its going to cost billions, and take decades.

Someone is going to have to pay for the change somewhere along the line.

let's just look at transport.

Cars/motorbikes=Most peoples cars these days are not that old, who wants to buy a new battery powered car when your old car running on petrol becomes basically worthless with no resale value? (because people will only want to buy a petrol driven car if its cheap)

Expect the government will have to have some sort of subsidy scheme to encourage people to transition or a buy back type scheme to help people make a transition? which will come at a big cost to the government.

The running and maintenance cost of electric cars are encouraging though, I'm looking forward to that, hopefully electricity prices dont sky rocket and ruin that factor to much.

Buses= To electric doable, but still cost big money, especially if you still have a whole fleet that other than running on petroleum products have nothing wrong with them, so what do you do with a fleet of buses that are perfectly fine?...sell them to a developing country?...kinda defies the whole point.

Rail fleet metropolitan(including trams)...tick all electric no issues.

Rail fleet-regional, huge cost, you need to electrify the whole system or have battery operated trains?

Planes= electric planes?

Boats= Electric boats?....i guess possible..but again huge replacement cost.

I forget about trucks and then recreational boats, jet skis etc

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factotum Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 5:10pm

Pirsig should've went with Zen and the Art of the Farrier?

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Optimist Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 5:32pm

I think our supply of LNG is being overlooked by govts on all sides. We can be running our cars and all our road transport on it with very little pollution but we seem to have the "hole in the ground" mentality and just sell it overseas. If govt would buy up all the LNG companies and trade it here, they would make money , all our transport and fuel security problems would be over. We wouldn't need to drill as much for oil and if the Arabs stopped selling us oil we would be OK. ( Ive lived through an arab oil crisis lined up for a kilometre for a few litres of petrol with dad) We can also use it for base load power back up when our renewables fall short as its generators can come on line fast. We must be self sufficient and not be relying on sketchy powers to supply us.
I've noticed the Labor party way too cosy with China lately and if they get into power they are instantly lifting the foreign land ownership threshold to 50 million each transaction immediately and Paul Keating spilled the beans at their labor conference saying we should get rid of our security dept and embrace China. Shorten is one sus dude with too much power for his limited ability at anything except reading his lines. Shortens friend Sam Dastyari has already been kicked out of the senate for sharing secrets with the Chinese Govt agents. Too dodgy this time around so give Labor and the Greens a miss this time. See what eventuates in the future and in the meantime lets clean up our own personal acts regarding global environmental tidiness.

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spuddyjack Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 5:47pm

@ optimist,
Agree with you on the gas issue. Oz government should cease flogging it off to foreign concerns so cheaply. Met an electrical engineer working in the sector about a decade ago who said there was 250-300 years worth of gas that would allow us to live comfortably and quite cleanly if properly managed for the incumbent population. It seems so called "democratic" governments have little time for self-sufficiency and are preoccupied with fast buck ask no question, wink wink transactions on our land and resources. Most of us are truly fed up with it!!!

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sypkan Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 6:50pm

Good post andym. You're right, people are not looking for anything near perfect...just something that is not this far from perfect. You're also right that they appear to have heard the people, but they haven't really moved at all, if any, hence my nickname 'still bill' he hasn't moved an inch in two election cycles. A hell of a lot has happened globally and locally in that six years, and we have not only bill still, but a very still bill, immovable it would seem...

It feels like flatout contempt from where I'm sitting. People have lost faith, definitely lost trust, and worse, after 20 odd years of a very average labor party, have built resentment. Resentment and resented isn't a good place to be, for either of the players, it'll take more than lip service to overcome that.

"....I think part of this question is, are LNP voter more "rusted on" than Labor voters? My gut says yes though I'm really not sure.

I still feel that a minority Labor government would be the best, most realistically achievable outcome."

But to those that are freaking out about another possible term of LNP in the bigger context of the world shifting a little rightwards (not just on here, clearly panic abounds) ...I'd say... calm your farm, as desperation is not a good look, and a minority labor government is very likely. Something which I also think would be the best possible outcome.

I say this as the LNP is obviously in a state of being a shambles at best. And if you're really freaking out, watch 'the drum' from last night. Geraldine dougue did a great little rundown on the perth electorate, which apparently is quite key to an LNP victory. A traditional LNP strong area, where the public are now quite pissed with the LNP, and quite happy with a newish state labor. It appears many LNP voters aren't so 'rusted on' after all...well now anyway, as even donors turn their backs on the party. Dougue showed that many LNP voters are quite pissed with how julie bishop was treated, along vith a heap of other moderates - without doubt some of their most talented people. They're quite pissed that the party has become the domain of the 'religious right' at the expense of being a 'meritocracy'.

Fundamental brain drain, and a bias to the religious right are pretty hard to reward...or so the story goes....

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sypkan Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 6:44pm

Also a good post optimist. You went a bit far...as usual...as we all do...perhaps...

But I have to wholeheartedly agree re. LNG and china influence in the labor party.

Pity we sell the LNG at a bargain basement price and buy it back at a premium. It would be a great stepping stone to address some of the issues indod raises.

But that's oz, the big dumb raw resources supplier, always was, and appears, always will be...

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blindboy Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 6:37pm

I agree sypkan, the LNP is a shambles. I support Labor because I believe they will deliver better governance across a range of areas; environmental, educational, health and indigenous issues. Their policies are out there and in every case they address real problems with potentially effective strategies. Just as importantly they represent a cultural shift away from personality driven politics to policy driven politics. This is why I have so much respect for Bill Shorten. He talks policy and doesn't bother with the image.

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factotum Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 7:01pm

A minority Labor government is the best outcome, hey?

With what make-up? HoR and Senate?

Doogue on The Drum talking about Perth and WA?! OK...

WA. Where Bishop, the worst treasurer they've had in recent times (she lasted 5 minutes...in opposition! How could anyone be worse then Eleventy Joe Hockey!? Yet there she was!) is, or rather was, seen as a 'moderate'. As is who? Cormann?

Where's Cash? Price?

Then you've got Hastie and Goodenough.

WA is the 'wild west' as Queensland is the 'deep north.'

Their 'moderates' are less 'moderate' than the other 'moderate' clowns interstate. And that's saying something. Let alone their rabid right loons.

Remember, as the media tells us, Morrison is a 'moderate'?!

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Westofthelake Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 7:23pm

I agree with the above regarding LNG but thinking that the government would want to own these resources to supply Australia first does seem logical, it is also a fantasy. If we had an actual industry that was owned by Australians it would have been sold long ago. The Libs especially love selling publicly owned assets...

But seriously how could anyone who cares about our enviroment and future vote for this guy? Apart from tax cuts for the wealthy do the COALition actually have any policies?

Latest and last installment of honest government ads below.

"We bleached the reef cause it's ok to be white"

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sypkan Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 7:34pm

With respect blindboy and factobum, labor don't deserve to rule outright, they've essentially offered nothing.

They don't deserve anyone's vote, they've heard the people and haven't budged a millimetre.

But the alternative is a bloody shambles of a liberal party. And yes I'd say some of their best 'talent' have left the party. Bishop, turdball and christopher pyyyne!

All pretty unpalateable for you factobum, but sesriously who isn't - for you - from the liberal party?

Anyone at all?

And yes I take your point on Qland WA etc. But again, is there anyone in your terribly biased world from the LNP you'd describe as moderate?

It's all relative...

And I'd go as far as saying that julie bishop is one of the most competent, appealing people from the LNP.

A bit of a nasty woman...but it's all relative...

If LNP had bishop at the helm shorten would be in real trouble

Like game over trouble...

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blindboy Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 7:40pm

sypkan, in every area of policy, Labor has stated what it will do. They have an established team who have been working in the same shadow ministries for the whole of the this parliamentary term. The COALition have lost their most experienced ministers and have not stated who will fill those positions. Nothing? Nah mate, maybe you don't like policies to respond to climate change, increase child care and refer the chaos of private health insurance to the Productivity Commission but they are not nothing.

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Westofthelake Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 8:16pm

In a Two part preferred system I reckon every 'mm' counts syppo. It's a lesser of two evils thing for me, although one side does seem more death starish me thinks, Labor have had 6 years in the shadows and have managed imho to get their 'shitfuckery' sorted out, to some degree. It's deffo a perspective thing.

As we all know Australia likes to change government, and hell knows we've been to the lowest of political scumness. For so many years both sides have been a shambles at different times. Labor have proved that they have at least become a stable group and developed policies. The LNP have proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are pretty fucking useless, all round....but hey they stopped the boats, apparently.

"If LNP had bishop at the helm shorten would be in real trouble

Like game over trouble..."

Had to chuckle at that one.

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sypkan Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 8:20pm

I accept most of that blindboy, and that is why they are the best of two very bad choices.

But the last six years mate? They have been some very tumultuous six years, and they haven't moved a millimetre.

The TPP?
Over the top immigration?
The 'cash cow' of international students?
The undermining nature and selling out of young australian's futures of 457 visas?
Chinese investment - real estate?
The very unhealthy chinese influence? Uni's, farmland, water, cotton, airstrips, dastyari, intellectual property, 'free trade', south china sea?
Trump?
Brexit?
Oz manufacturing - solar, self sufficency?
Adani?
Free speech?

Its like none of this stuff even happened...

Lets not even debate about their climate change record, and now they offer the most watered down whimsical position ever...

I shudder to think what they'll do with NDIS, borders and a heap of other stuff

But yes...somehow...they are the best option at this point in time...

A lot of these things I don't overly care about, but they are the most divisive crucial issues of our time, and labor have held their cards very close to their chest. And when you say... "Of course possibility is a moveable feast and will shift once they are in power.... "

...while you no doubt mean that in a positive light, I take no comfort from that statement.

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indo-dreaming Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 8:24pm

BTW. about Adani

I only learned yesterday they are not just into coal, but also have one of the biggest solar arrays in the world in India, and are building one of the largest ones in Australia too.

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blindboy Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 8:36pm

Labor, over a long period, has been in a situation in which the most powerful media corporation in the world was waiting for any opportunity, real or imagined, to attack them across all its Australian outlets with an added chorus from shock jocks. This has made it extremely difficult to present any policy which was against the business interests of News Ltd or any of its owners reactionary social views.

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factotum Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 8:41pm

You keep bleating the same old rubbish, Sypkan. Labor hasn't proposed anything, Bill this, Bill that, they're all the same, neo-liberal!!!!

Think it's strange you're parroting what gets bandied around by the corpo media and then regurgitated by the wider non-engaged populace out there and on here? Or you gonna try to play the 'just reporting what the homies are saying & thinking' card? Surely not the 'devil's advocate' cop-out one?

Interrogate, don't regurgitate.

As for Bishop, with your fan-boy like comments, do you even know anything about her career? Pre/past/present politically? Because it sure reads like you know nothing but media-fed PR from the usual suspects.

The coalition especially post Turnbull Mark I is not moderate. In fact, those wheels really fell off during the Howard regime. A very brief quickie slapped-on 'moderate' makeover with Nelson & Mal (in relative context), then absolute right-off-the-grid conservative immoderate Abbottgeddon. Climate being the main catalyst for the slide down the slippery right slope. Hey, but they got in! Huzzah! Chalk one up for Rupe!

Anyway, again, a minority Labor government is the best outcome, hey?

With what make-up? HoR and Senate?

Have you thought about this at all? I mean really?

Again, doesn't read like you have. Just sayin'.

Andy, what you think?

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factotum Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 9:42pm

Gish bloody galloping. Again. Waste of time, Syppy.

One example, 457 visas. They don't exist anymore. Turnbull abolished them last year.

Another, Turnbull's TPP II. I put forward to Andy previously what Labor intends to do regarding this. Believe it or not. Maybe you missed it. I hope so. Otherwise you are a COMPLETE waste of time.

The wind-back of some of Howard's subsidy largesse re: negative gearing, CGT, and franking credits. Again discussed. Not enough for mine, but media is losing its mind. Carbon 'tax' BS revisited.

Restoring funding to the VET and Tertiary sector? Tightening up and re-regulation. 'Cash cow' abatement.

Restoration of penalty rates and an overhaul and recalibration of the 'fair' work commission.

Beholden to the unions or not? Make up your mind. Because they are or are not on the same page depending on how you swallow the kool-aid.

Anyway, minority report...

https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/media-beat-up...

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sypkan Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 9:18pm

Murdoch murdoch murdoch blah blah blah

Yes Im aware of bishop's past, well a bit of it...hence 'nasty woman'...but a competent one...

Factobum your 'corpo media' don't talk about half the stuff I raised, there on side with bill! So you're full of shit. You see what you want to see.

Yeh yeh, moderate. once liberal, howard, conservative, far right, blah blah blah

As I said, it's all relative...and relative to the current electorate and it's zietghiest, you're living in the nineties mate.

Labor has followed a similar transition that you seem blissfully unaware of....

Who's the most moderate liberal then?

Senate. Or both. The more they need to negotiate with independents the better. Give me independents everywhere...left, right, up, down, upper, lower, the less of the two majors the better.

I'm hoping for a full blown dog's breakfast, as that is the only thing that'll make the majors sort their shit out...or empower the minors well into the future...hopefully...

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indo-dreaming Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 9:06pm

You guys seem to be in the know on all things labor.

Any idea when Shorten is going to release costing for climate change polices etc?

Just googled to try to find update, but seems still not out?

Getting pretty close to voting day.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-08/live-federal-election-bill-shorte...

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blindboy Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 9:21pm

Not sure Indo but he will have a spare $80billion from cancelling the COALitions tax cuts to people on over $150,000 a year....... and that is just the start of the rorts to be eliminated so I wouldn't be too worried. Of course, if you factor in the costs of NOT responding to climate change then they will be self-funding.

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factotum Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 9:36pm

Current electorate and its "zietghiest", Syppy.

Informed by what?

And we as a nation are still dealing with Howard's regime politically, economically, and culturally. Fuck, c-grade remnants of this regime are still lurking about.

Blah blah yada yada, maybe you need to do some homework, even the smallest bit from the (gasp) media! Believe it or not, ya gotta critically read and assess all of it (Well, not literally all of it. Critically read and assess, but. Even I look at the Oz & AFR daily. We still get old skool papers), before spraffing and going off half-cocked.

https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/finance-news/2019/05/01/the-death-of-li...

Where's Mal Washer when you need him?

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factotum Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 9:37pm

And Syppy, do you even know who the independents and 'minors' are? Even who is in the ON & UAP mix?

Have a look at that Independent Australia link above, maybe. Get half a clue at least.

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sypkan Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 10:42pm

You're can be such a fuckwit facto. As I said, desperation is not a good look, calm your farm.

If you'd followed the discussion I've written, rather than the one you'd like to read, you know I have talked about blocks forming to challenge the two party system. Yes there's minor parties and independents, and they're different, but they are likely to form coalitions...hopefully...as they have in the past...

Yes my terminology is lazy, but I'm a phone warrior, not a flash computer, gramnar nazi, pedantic wanker, media warrior....like yourself...

And yes 457 visas are gone, but nah they're not gone, nice name change....but business as usual...

"And we as a nation are still dealing with Howard's regime politically, economically, and culturally. Fuck, c-grade remnants of this regime are still lurking about."

Yep. Deal with it. You seem just as shattered bossom over this as you are about clinton's loss. It is what it is mate. The world ain't a wish list of how you'd like things to be...its reality we (you!) need to deal with. You've gotta work with what you've got...something you seem to struggle with, be it the issues of the times, or the left's 'deplorable' constituents...

"The wind-back of some of Howard's subsidy largesse re: negative gearing, CGT, and franking credits. Again discussed. Not enough for mine, but media is losing its mind. Carbon 'tax' BS revisited."

All good mate, I've even said so. But I also said too little too late. Which doesn't mean don't do it. It just means be realistic about the outcomes and savings...there's that word again...real. yes the media are irrationally losing their mind,...again, best you don't join in,..again.

"Climate being the main catalyst for the slide down the slippery right slope. Hey, but they got in! Huzzah! Chalk one up for Rupe!"

Nah. Chalk one up for shit labor. So shit, they lost to abbott! People didn't suddenly lose belief in climate change.

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AndyM Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 10:49pm

"Anyway, again, a minority Labor government is the best outcome, hey?
With what make-up? HoR and Senate?"

Yep, for all the reasons I've given over the last few days, that's what I think.

As for the Senate, as long as neither of the two majors has control, I'll be ok with that.
Not that there's any chance of that anyway.
There'll be the usual 'unrepresentative swill' which is generally more representative than the HOR anyway.

You sound doubtful Facto.

Please explain.

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factotum Friday, 10 May 2019 at 12:37am

For anyone doubting Big John Winston Howard's 'legacies':

Politically. Howard's purge of the 'wets' in his own Liberal Party for one. What's around now? 'Damps'? Like who? Tim IPA Wilson? (See article above)

Economically. Structural deficits and largesse as discussed. Wealthfare.

Culturally. Take your pick. Black armband history bullshit to the sanctity of Australia Day and Anzackery to stealing Hanson's shtick re: refos to un-Australian dog-whistling to Islamophobic Iraq fall-out. Lowest common denominator culture wars.

Cancerous little tumour on the body politic. Still treating it.

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factotum Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 11:27pm

Syppy, Curly, Curls, what a confused morass. Gish galloping at a pace but off track and in all sorts of crazy directions.

And the references again, as always, to Clinton and the USA?!

Dude, you gotta stop reading Seppo shit off the interwebs.

And I mean shit. It's not serving you well.

In fact, it's painting you as a bit silly. Not stupid, but silly.

And complicit in the crap stuff going on. Where's the positive critique?

Light on the hill not grist for the run-of-the-mill.

Feeling 'patronised' enough?

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I focus Friday, 10 May 2019 at 12:06am

@Andym you have been challenging my core the union true believer and BB bromance with your considered posts (enjoyed immensely BTW).

Keating who broke my heart when he finally finished his political career there will never be another (not that I agreed with his every utterance my god they were all worth listening to, still are) made a big point in opposition of talking to pass power brokers on how to exercise power once in government Jack Lang being one.

Note, wealth tends to run political power regardless of democratic best intentions, note always.

Shorten and today's Labor have connections to those with wealth but their policy's are clearly aimed at the lower levels of our socioeconomic society with a social conscience not seen for a very long time.

This is a rare chance in Australian political history possibly not to be repeated in your life time.

They also promise action on climate change that is clearly at the higher level fringe of Australian expectations.

To my mind Labor have have set their expectations to the max that will win power so they can have a mandate to exercise the power required to move Australia to where it should be as a society that most will accept.

My own views, beliefs and social conscience are a long way left of the current Labor party but I do note that few these days share my views................maybe they are all too busy watching MAFS.

As the extreme right have fu(ked over the Liberals there are pockets of left still in Labor to hold them to account and they will not remain silent should Labor get a strong majority.

From small things grow big things.

I hold that a vote for Labor is a vote for the good and progress of Australia at this point remembering its all about exercising power..

factotum's picture
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factotum Friday, 10 May 2019 at 12:16am

From little things, big things grow. Great union song. Great indigenous history song. Great reconciling, moving-forward-together song.

The Libs preferencing and doing deals with fucking Palmer, whilst the Nationals do the same with One Notion, is not good for Australia in any way, shape or form. Sorry, doesn't fly whatever way you wanna try and paint it.

Prove me wrong.

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factotum Friday, 10 May 2019 at 12:39am

I got a feeling, an educated guess, going by pre-polling day voting and voter registration numbers, that the result will be very surprising for some in its one-sideness.

Have you heard ol' Turdstill chucked a lazy mill on Labor to romp home with the bookies? Trying to recoup his own cash he wasted buying in last election?

And 'calm ya farm'! Fark, what a gumby term. And a pretty ordinary beer too, just quietly. Sorry fellas.

Optimist's picture
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Optimist Friday, 10 May 2019 at 5:36am

Technically I should be voting for Labor, because everything Shorten is promising will be great for me. I get free seniors stuff like a cure for cancer, free teeth, extra free money because he will hammer my kids with tax, Also my Chinese friends will fly back and be able to buy big farms again because they're always complaining, plus there's free climate change and a puppy, everyone gets a free puppy....Hang on a sec...I've heard this yarn before...Aw he's just kidding again that ol Bill is...Just like Kevin 07 and Julia whom he put in power and took away again to be the king....Is he just telling everyone what they want to hear to be the king of Australia?....I think he might be,,,,Think I'll vote for Mr Morrison, because he didn't really ask to be king but ended up king anyway and I've seen him add up. He's good with maths and numbers ya know...and likes that story where slow and steady wins the race and my kids will pay less tax. Mr Morrison wont be beholden to China neither..wont be borrowing their money with the strings tied to the end. Mum gave me a million dollars the other day but said "you cant have it for 3 years" you have to give it to Mr Morrison or Mr Shorten to invest for you...Hmmm who will I choose?
Sorry fellas, couldn't help myself...Ha.

factotum's picture
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factotum Friday, 10 May 2019 at 9:36am

"Think I'll vote for Mr Morrison, because he didn't really ask to be king but ended up king anyway and I've seen him add up. He's good with maths and numbers ya know..."

Hahaha. Believe in any other fairytales, Optimist?

Hang on...

Sorry, couldn't help myself...parp!

blindboy's picture
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blindboy Friday, 10 May 2019 at 10:02am

Given the toxic level of bullshit from the COALition and the incredible frequency of their lying attack ads about tax, it's not surprising that some people end up believing them. Of course a 30s search will tell you the truth.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-05/tax-plans-compared-as-federal-ele...

indo-dreaming's picture
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indo-dreaming Friday, 10 May 2019 at 10:05am

Did anyone see that video going round on social media the other month of the Labor finance minister in an interview where he kept avoiding the question of what the tax free threshold was?

Wish i could find the link it was absolute gold, the interviewer kept grilling him on it, and the LFM kept avoiding the question as obviously didnt know.

He really didn't have any idea what the tax free threshold was, and the interviewer had to tell him in the end.

Pretty scary, that someone who deals with finance for a whole party possibly the country, didnt know such a simple thing.

That was such an eye opener and a scary one at that.

blindboy's picture
blindboy's picture
blindboy Friday, 10 May 2019 at 10:17am

But not as scary as lying attack ads 4-5 times an hour on all local channels. Desperation I suppose, after all you can fool SOME of the people ALL of the time.

GuySmiley's picture
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GuySmiley Friday, 10 May 2019 at 10:25am

Here you go indo

indo-dreaming's picture
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indo-dreaming Friday, 10 May 2019 at 12:04pm

I haven't been watching TV so haven't seen them, but was surprised last night caught up on a few episodes of survivor and there was this full on anti liberal add every add break just assumed it was a Labor add didnt think much of it.

Then i noticed it was Get Up add???

WTF?

That shit sucks in the same way it sucked when Rudd was in and he wanted to do that mining tax and there was those propaganda mining adds and now also those Clive palmer adds are everywhere even on YouTube..

Fuck it would be great if we could somehow be free of all these political adds..but i guess in this day and age not realistic.

blindboy's picture
blindboy's picture
blindboy Friday, 10 May 2019 at 12:07pm

Indo, the major problem with political advertising is that it is legal to lie. We urgently need truth in political advertising laws. The deceptive ads on tax from the COALition are disgraceful examples of a deliberate attempt to deceive voters. And yes, other parties do it too, but never to the extent or with such cynicism as the present batch.