The Australian reports no change in Labor’s Newspoll lead from last fortnight: 58-42. Kevin Rudd is steady on 67 per cent as preferred prime minister, while Malcolm Turnbull’s is up one to 19 per cent. More to follow. Otherwise:
• Essential Research has Labor’s lead down from 61-39 to 60-40. Bonus questions on financial stimulus payments and how they will be spent; who will benefit from the national broadband network (everybody, it seems); and some no-brainers on the banks.
• Antony Green offers a thorough overview of results from the Western Australian election courtesy of the WA Parliamentary Library, which has assembled a page compiling all manner of helpful electoral paraphernalia. Antony calculates the two-party result as 51.9-48.1 to the Liberals.
• Ben Raue at the Tally Room has posted the nominees for Greens Senate preselection in New South Wales, where state MP Lee Rhiannon is presumably the front-runner, and Victoria, where previous candidates Richard di Natale and David Risstrom stand out in a crowded field. A productive comments thread ensues.
• Also from Ben Raue, Christian Democratic Party MLC Gordon Moyes says he “may accept an invitation from Family First” after falling out with Fred Nile.
1,556 Comments
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Speaking of Turnbull on the economy and tackling recession, there are two fundamental questions he should be asked in the next sitting:
- given that he now says infrastructure is the solution (I agree), and that such project may take up to 18 months to get going, why did he say last time that we should “wait and see”?
- if he is so concerned about debt and jobs, which means we can neither cut spending nor borrow more, WHY did he oppose the revenue measures in the last budget? Couldn’t that revenue have funded the measures he now says we need, without driving up debt? Where does he think the money comes from? Its not like a merchant bank, where you can just fleece the customers more fees.
Its a simple equation:
Debt = Tax Revenue – Spending
So if Spending increases, and Tax Revenue doesn’t, debt must go up. Please explain, Malcolm.
So Pyne ADMITS his role in the campaign? LOL
“So there’s no doubt in my mind…that the suggestion that I am part of any kind of campaign against her is true.”
Adam,
Yes, many will stick with you through the thick!
Keating had it right when he said “You should always back the horse called self interest”. You know it’s running and you know it’s running hard.
Adam
Sorry I didn’t drop enough sarcasm hints in 1449; I realise it is a stunt. Seriously though, I could see this one backfiring. Aquila is in a beautiful but mountainous area a good hours drive from Rome. I’m not sure how it would go hosting 8 world leaders and all their entourages, security and press corps at the best of times, let alone while half the buildings are still damaged and the rest are full of homeless.
Maybe the Italian genius for organisation will shine through
Keating also said: “If you want a friend in politics, get a dog.” One of the saddest things I can recall a politician saying. It’s one reason among many why, although I’m happy to work for them, I’d never want to be one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5B3r7Py2h4
Time was, one wouldn’t have treated a German Chancellor like that. Not if one didn’t want the Totenkopf Division coming over the border the next morning.
1454
It sort of suggests a competition, though, along the lines of ‘inappropriate places to host world leaders in order to draw their attention to a crisis’.
Australia could hold one on Ashmore reef (I know it’s all a beat up, but…), the USA one in Afghanistan, etc.
They organised a pretty nifty empire in their day, plus the renaissance.
True Adam. Plus if you want a soccer match fixed, there are none better.
Adam,
The Holy Roman Empire was not Holy, not particularly Roman and not really an Empire.
I was thinking of the original Roman Empire. The HRE was largely a German affair.
Has the western world got a worse leader then Silvio? His rudeness, corruption, etc seem even to make the late Bush seem acceptable.
Oh Italy.., the funny thing is, he’s the best they’ve got. I mean, they’ve tried the alternative literally and wilfully came back to him….
The Italian left is in a sorry state. They’ve abandoned socialism but can’t think of anything to replace it with. What they need of course is Kevinism, but it may be difficult to translate into Italian.
A particularly revolting human being has finally got what was coming to her.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,25379259-36418,00.html
I’m pleased to find myself in full concurrence with Mr Justice Diogenes.
So now the press are seeking out people who say the change to immigration laws means it’s easier to get in here.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/rudd-policies-encourage-asylum-seekers-20090424-ahka.html
You’ve got to love this BS – “Kevin Rudd, he change everything about the future,” he’s told ABC Radio. “If I go to Australia now, different, different. Maybe accepted. But when John Howard (was the prime minister of) … Australia he said come back to Indonesia.”
Does that ring true to you?
Looks like I’m going to have to pay my accountant more to hide my income from Mr Rudd.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25379595-601,00.html
Well, if they said it, they said it, and that’s a problem Rudd will have to deal with. Are suggesting the ABC or the SMH fabricated the story?
Did Howard send them back to Indonesia?
What really has changed to make this man say this?
Given that most Australians couldn’t tell you the changes that were made how come these people know what they are, if indeed they do know?
Perception.
Why would a person seeking to benefit from the “softening” of these laws “risk” having the “softening” changed by coming out with this? Kind of counterproductive don’t you think?
And remember, the Newspoll said that over 50% of people don’t think tougher laws will stop people from coming.
Bah. What would the people know.
Gary
I’m with you. There’s a very fishy smell about it. There could be a single stupid misinformed person who found a microphone in front of him but it looks like a setup to me.
Woo hoo …… now we’ve got rid of the conservatives in 07 and those who are able will finally start carrying their fair share of the weight. Too many years gone by where the rich get tax breaks and cozy deals at the expense of pensioners and/or families earning less than the FTB thresholds (so receiving FTB). GO Kevin, GO Swannie, Go Tanner; and if the Coalition blocks your budget you shoot them down in a DD
They are saying this stuff because this is what the people-smugglers are telling them so that they will be more willing to pay for passage on their boats, duh. This is the problem for you folks who don’t believe that people-smugglers exist – you have to make up silly media conspiracy stories to make the facts fit your ideas.
It’s also probably what they’re hearing from the relatives or friends already in Australia, who are relaying what “refugee advocates” tell them and what they see and hear in the Australian media. That doesn’t make it true, but it gives it enough credibility to influence the decisions they make.
1468,
Yeah, Dio, if you are in the group that Rudd was talking about, you pony up with the cash to either the Feds or your accountant, you chose. Mind you, if its the latter, you might be in a spot of bother if you are caught out months/years after the fact ….
What? Who said they didn’t exist? I was questioning this bloke’s account, nothing more nothing less.
I ask again – “Why would a person seeking to benefit from the “softening” of these laws “risk” having the “softening” changed by coming out with this? Kind of counterproductive don’t you think?”
juliem
I’m giving my cash to my accountant. She’s gorgeous! Don’t tell Mrs D.
Those positive headlines are appearing for Rudd again. “Robin Hood Rudd may slug rich”
And I really mean positive.
I’ve no idea – people don’t always make rational decisions. No doubt Iraqis and Afghanis aren’t as sophisticated as you in making these political judgements. And I ask again: are you saying the ABC or the SMH have fabricated this story?
Dio,
Mrs. D won’t appreciate it 5 years down the road when the Feds come looking for you in an audit
……
I heard an Iraqi bloke on RN saying that his rellies in Australia had told him the laws had been softened. The rellies probably got their info from Malcolm & Co.
Juliem – thanks for message from Judith. I was concerned after watching the DVD my SA friends sent of the ACA program a few weeks ago. One would need to be extremely strong to have to relive that stuff over and over again. I’m glad she is OK.
1484,
Robin Hood is a very very nice man
…..
(whether Rudd or someone else)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGoWtY_h4xo
I have told you what I’m questioning.
Juliem -
Especially if he’s Errol Flynn or Richard Green – boy that’s showing my age!!
I know you’re all going to call me nasty names but I just can’t help it.
“Hillary, on behalf of all Australians I wish to thank you for the courage and fortitude you showed under sniper fire in Bosnia”.
1491 – Nah Dio, I won’t give you that which you seek.
Juliem Glen and other footy fanatics
Are you wearing your footy jumpers today?
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=59.1130
Vera, I am, sort of ….. I’ve got a pull over style that has an open V-neck (it is more of an outer jacket style layer), I’ve a different long sleeve top on underneath it. It was bloody cold in Perth this morning and the first day of the year that I’ve started digging into the long artillery
…..
Not today – but when the Swannies match is on!! It is covered with words of love(!) from Tadhg Kenneally – lucky me.
A present from a neighbour I helped with some legal docs when he acted for himself. His best mate is close to Tadhg.
Of course the Swannies scarf hangs on the door all winter with a sign that says “This marriage is interrupted by the Footy Season”. This comes from having a grandfather take me to games from the age of 4 – inbreeding,we call it.
Diogs,
I trust there is no vertical fiscal imbalancing going on with your Accountant.
This is a good indication of how the Howard Government operated on the asylum issue and how it was trying to keep the issue and the public’s opinion of “illegal immigration” alive and potent.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25378116-5013404,00.html
I’ve noticed recently that News Ltd seems to have at least one story a day challenging the generally accepted theory of global warming and climate change. Today they have at least two.
Stepping up the attack for the Libs to be able to creditably vote down the Government’s cprs legislation and not lose voter support?
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25376116-7583,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25376454-7583,00.html
You do have to wonder where Murdoch finds these people. “Sun goes round earth after all: Galileo owes the Church an apology”
Rudd’s cash handouts have worked so well that we are having to build more shops
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/04/24/2551672.htm?section=justin
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