Merged: Australian Politics - The Morrison Period

[quadraginta]

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Also, this:

Leaked emails reveal Peter Dutton overruled advice and granted au pair visa



Au pair? Au myyy.

Nannygate?

[lionking]

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Also, this:

Leaked emails reveal Peter Dutton overruled advice and granted au pair visa



Au pair? Au myyy.

Given the moral superiority the LNP cloakes itself in, these misdemeanours will count at election time.

[quadraginta]

Originally Posted by lionking

Given the moral superiority the LNP cloakes itself in, these misdemeanours will count at election time.

I wouldn't depend on that.

Our GOP has painted itself as the party of high morals, untarnished ethics, and
stalwart virtue for well over three quarters of a century, and when they quite blatantly and transparently abandoned all pretense to such claims in the course of a mere year or two their supporters have hardly blinked.

If anything they have become even more fervent in their support.

Maybe you can avoid that Down Under in Oz, but if I were you I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Wildy]

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Also, this:

Leaked emails reveal Peter Dutton overruled advice and granted au pair visa



Au pair? Au myyy.

I wonder if he'll intervene with the most recent boatload of au pairs?

[quadraginta]

Originally Posted by Wildy

I wonder if he'll intervene with the most recent boatload of au pairs?

You guys ship in your French au pairs by the boatload?

Cool. That's got to manage a hell of a discount.

Although I'd think that a French au pair named Abdul is gonna start out with something of a price break. It helps that he loves kids, I guess.

Quote:

“J’aime les enfants,” Al-Fadhi said, reading from a piece of paper.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by quadraginta

I wouldn't depend on that.

I would, and it's not very often I stick up for our worst and most implacable enemy.

Aussie, despite its many, many faults, is not USA, and the people don't like dirty politicians. Although the LNP is knee-deep in christian weiners, the religiosity index of Aussie is light-years from USA's, with under 10% attending a church regularly.

And Aussies, while strictly limited in the brains department, have had the benefit of several generations of Kiwis to lift the average IQ and the average Aussie is nowhere near as stupid as the average American.

There is as much chance of a Trumpian figure taking over the PM seat in Aussie as there was of Joh Bjelke-Petersen taking it over in the 1970s, and he was more Trumpian than Trump, long before little Donnie ever thought about politics. (And he was a Kiwi. Thank god we lost that prick!)

Trump would be fine in QLD, but nowhere else. Queensland is a little like Texas, but with more crocodiles and snakes. Swap oil for coal and you're halfway there.

Given 95% of Aussies living in Sydney and Melbourne, you'd be more likely to have an asexual transvestite with green hair and facial tattoos than a Trump running Aussie. Crikey, they kicked out the closest thing alive, which started all this crap: Tony Abbott.

[arthwollipot]

The Atheist is right. And you have no idea how much it pains me to say that.

[arthwollipot]

Meanwhile. Peter Dutton seems to have a thing for au pairs, especially those who are going to work for his mates.

Revealed: Peter Dutton intervened in Italian au pair visa case for former police colleague

Quote:

One of the foreign au pairs Peter Dutton saved from deportation came to Australia to work for the family of a former police force colleague, Guardian Australia understands.

Dutton used his ministerial powers under the Migration Act in June 2015 to grant a visa to an Italian au pair who was intending to work for a Brisbane family.

The couple have worked for the Queensland police service and have two young children. The Guardian has decided not to name them.

The matter is one of at least two au pair visa cases which are now the subject of a Senate inquiry.

This is starting to look more and more like straightforward nepotism. Imagine if this guy had won the spill!

[Thor 2]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

I would, and it's not very often I stick up for our worst and most implacable enemy.

Aussie, despite its many, many faults, is not USA, and the people don't like dirty politicians. Although the LNP is knee-deep in christian weiners, the religiosity index of Aussie is light-years from USA's, with under 10% attending a church regularly.

And Aussies, while strictly limited in the brains department, have had the benefit of several generations of Kiwis to lift the average IQ and the average Aussie is nowhere near as stupid as the average American.

There is as much chance of a Trumpian figure taking over the PM seat in Aussie as there was of Joh Bjelke-Petersen taking it over in the 1970s, and he was more Trumpian than Trump, long before little Donnie ever thought about politics. (And he was a Kiwi. Thank god we lost that prick!)

Trump would be fine in QLD, but nowhere else. Queensland is a little like Texas, but with more crocodiles and snakes. Swap oil for coal and you're halfway there.

Given 95% of Aussies living in Sydney and Melbourne, you'd be more likely to have an asexual transvestite with green hair and facial tattoos than a Trump running Aussie. Crikey, they kicked out the closest thing alive, which started all this crap: Tony Abbott.

Boy you are below the belt on that one.

This reminds me of that Kiwi statement, (can't remember who by), that the dumbest Kiwis go to Australia, which lifts the average IQ of both countries.

Careful however. Just remember that Ray Comfort, (of Banana Man fame), comes from NZ.

[rjh01]

Originally Posted by Thor 2

Boy you are below the belt on that one.

This reminds me of that Kiwi statement, (can't remember who by), that the dumbest Kiwis go to Australia, which lifts the average IQ of both countries.

Careful however. Just remember that Ray Comfort, (of Banana Man fame), comes from NZ.

Actually the average IQ of both nations decreases when Kiwis come over to Australia.

[Thor 2]

Originally Posted by rjh01

Actually the average IQ of both nations decreases when Kiwis come over to Australia.

That's when the smarter ones do - come over that is.

[arthwollipot]

To those readers who are neither Australian nor Kiwi (I know you're out there), I'd like to point out that the above is a national sport in both countries, and we take it all very seriously.

[Norman Alexander]

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Meanwhile. Peter Dutton seems to have a thing for au pairs, especially those who are going to work for his mates.

This is starting to look more and more like straightforward nepotism. Imagine if this guy had won the spill!

Looks like?? Dutton is one of the last Qld coppers of the Joh Bjelke era, like Russ Hinze. Those guys were so on-the-take that they had little time left for actual policing in between cash pickups and drop-offs, prostitution management and basic shake-downs. Rumours were that the brown bags of cash left on the desks of various Qld pollies were put there by visiting coppers. The new youngsters like Dutton were allegedly told it was all part of the job and were used as mules. Dutton would have been perfect for that sort of thing - thick as a brick.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by Thor 2

This reminds me of that Kiwi statement, (can't remember who by), that the dumbest Kiwis go to Australia, which lifts the average IQ of both countries.

That was old Piggy, Robert Muldoon - another proto-Trump, if ever there was one.

Originally Posted by Norman Alexander

Those guys were so on-the-take that they had little time left for actual policing in between cash pickups and drop-offs, prostitution management and basic shake-downs.

Ah, those were the days. Brilliant description of it all.

[psionl0]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

There is as much chance of a Trumpian figure taking over the PM seat in Aussie as there was of Joh Bjelke-Petersen taking it over in the 1970s, and he was more Trumpian than Trump, long before little Donnie ever thought about politics. (And he was a Kiwi. Thank god we lost that prick!)

Heh when Americans complain about gerrymandering in the US I remember Joh and have a little chuckle.

Queensland didn't just have a gerrymander, it had an outright malapprortionment. Rural seats had half as many voters as their metropolitan counterparts. It was this rigging that allowed the National Party to have the most seats in the Queensland parliament even though it received the fewest votes in the elections.

WA had a similar malapportionment but it also had an upper house where the malapportionment was even worse (a 3 to 1 ratio). Even if Labor was able to buck the odds and win an election, they have never had a majority in the Legislative Council.

[wombatwal]

On 4 Corners tomorrow night there is a piece on Steve Bannon. Here is a run down.

As the Liberal Party tries to piece itself back together after the chaos of last week, Four Corners brings you an interview with the man hoping to overthrow the entire political class.

Steve Bannon put Donald Trump in the White House and rewrote the rules of modern politics along the way.

Described as the most dangerous political operative in America, the strategist, renegade Republican and professional provocateur channelled the anger and disappointment of those who felt left behind by globalism to install Donald Trump as president.

Now, he's taking his cause to the world in a crusade to "save" western civilisation, as the leader of a global populist-nationalist movement. He calls it a revolution.

He may get some traction in Queensland.

[lionking]

What is absolutely fascinating is that Turnbull’s son is campaigning against the Libs in Wentworth.

[wombatwal]

Yes, he is an intelligent man and understands the problems of man made climate change.
I in fact think that he is supporting Labor in Wentworth.

[lionking]

Originally Posted by wombatwal

Yes, he is an intelligent man and understands the problems of man made climate change.
I in fact think that he is supporting Labor in Wentworth.

I think the protest vote against the Libs lilyliverd response to carbon emissions will see the Greens poll,strongly and, hopefully, a Labor victory.

[Norman Alexander]

Originally Posted by wombatwal

On 4 Corners tomorrow night there is a piece on Steve Bannon. Here is a run down.

As the Liberal Party tries to piece itself back together after the chaos of last week, Four Corners brings you an interview with the man hoping to overthrow the entire political class.

Steve Bannon put Donald Trump in the White House and rewrote the rules of modern politics along the way.

Described as the most dangerous political operative in America, the strategist, renegade Republican and professional provocateur channelled the anger and disappointment of those who felt left behind by globalism to install Donald Trump as president.

Now, he's taking his cause to the world in a crusade to "save" western civilisation, as the leader of a global populist-nationalist movement. He calls it a revolution.

He may get some traction in Queensland.

The traction elsewhere would be being dragged behind a paddock ute between the homestead and the letterbox.

[Thor 2]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

That was old Piggy, Robert Muldoon - another proto-Trump, if ever there was one.



Ah, those were the days. Brilliant description of it all.

Those were the days alright. Rusty Hinze, minister for just about everything, and Vince Lester, minister for dunny doors.

[lionking]

Originally Posted by Thor 2

Those were the days alright. Rusty Hinze, minister for just about everything, and Vince Lester, minister for dunny doors.

I’m in Brisbane at the moment. The stench still hangs around.

[rjh01]

Why Scott Morrison sends his daughters to private school
"I don't want the values of others being imposed on my children in my school and I don't think that should be happening in a public school or a private school.

https://www.theage.com.au/education/...03-p501gl.html

[lionking]

Originally Posted by rjh01

Why Scott Morrison sends his daughters to private school
"I don't want the values of others being imposed on my children in my school and I don't think that should be happening in a public school or a private school.

https://www.theage.com.au/education/...03-p501gl.html

His religious beliefs will surely cause problems. I’m betting it will be only days before he caves in to the Catholic education system and increases funding to them.

Also, how is teaching respect for others and anti-bullying imposing values on children? Morrison is the ideologue here, and he’s not good at it.

[arthwollipot]

Originally Posted by rjh01

Why Scott Morrison sends his daughters to private school
"I don't want the values of others being imposed on my children in my school and I don't think that should be happening in a public school or a private school.

https://www.theage.com.au/education/...03-p501gl.html

He really is completely oblivious to the irony, isn't he?

[arthwollipot]

And the culture of sexism and bullying in the Liberal Party is being called out by more and more people.

Liberal MP Julia Banks to quit parliament, citing 'bullying and intimidation'

Kelly O'Dwyer says MPs were bullied during spill, as senator vows to name names

Julie Bishop calls out 'appalling behaviour' in politics, saying 'enough is enough'

[wombatwal]

Dutton and Quaedvlieg the former Border Force boss are at loggerheads. Dutton claiming his evidence in the senate inquiry is fabricated and is doubting Quaedvlieg's mental health.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/fede...06-p5028a.html

[lionking]

Apropos of not much, on my plane from Brisbane yesterday was Bill Shorten and hero and MND sufferer Neale Daniher (probably won’t survive another year). Needless to say passengers were thrilled to see Neale and were queuing to get photos with him, including Bill, who did get a selfie. There is no doubt he knows where he really stands and is not up himself, unlike some of his opponents.

I spoke to the great man (Neale) who was in a seat just behind me and shook his hand as he knew my son. I would have liked to shake Bill’s hand after the flight but his minders were surrounding him, understandingly.

[Thor 2]

Originally Posted by wombatwal

Dutton and Quaedvlieg the former Border Force boss are at loggerheads. Dutton claiming his evidence in the senate inquiry is fabricated and is doubting Quaedvlieg's mental health.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/fede...06-p5028a.html

I don't think this issue of Dutton's misuse of power will make much of an impact on rusted on right wing voters. I think they tend to regard privilege for the well to do as quite ok and not an issue.

Now if Dutton and Abbott were caught giving each other blow jobs in a car that would be a different story.

[wombatwal]

Originally Posted by Thor 2

Now if Dutton and Abbott were caught giving each other blow jobs in a car that would be a different story.

[wombatwal]

Darkness' coming if Scott Morrison not re-elected, Pentecostal leader claims.
https://www.theguardian.com/australi...-leader-claims

Religious nutters are spreading their delusions.

[Thor 2]

Originally Posted by wombatwal

Darkness' coming if Scott Morrison not re-elected, Pentecostal leader claims.
https://www.theguardian.com/australi...-leader-claims

Religious nutters are spreading their delusions.

Oh boy! God is getting involved in Australian politics.

Quote:

Pentecostal leaders have warned their congregation that “darkness” will spread across Australia and Christians will be persecuted if Scott Morrison does not win the next election.

Others have been told that Morrison’s rise to power was a “miracle of God” that answered three days of prayer and fasting. They have been told that Morrison has made a public stand for Christian freedoms, and has promised to keep doing so, so God intervened to ensure he beat the home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, in the Liberal leadership spill.

One would think God would just wiggle his nose and make it happen, (Morrison being elected that is), rather than scaring the bejesus out of everybody with these threats.

[Norman Alexander]

Originally Posted by wombatwal

Darkness' coming if Scott Morrison not re-elected, Pentecostal leader claims.
https://www.theguardian.com/australi...-leader-claims

Religious nutters are spreading their delusions.

Who is their audience? Other religious nutters. Certainly not the mainstream public, because the speakers know they would be laughed straight to hell. And hell is real, folks!

[fromdownunder]

While usually State elections are used to decide local issues, I doubt that the by-election swing in the formerly safe New South Wales seat of Wagga Wagga can be ignored Federally.


The primary Liberal vote fell 29% to a miserly 24.7%, and the two party preferred fell by 15.2% to 47.7%.


I think that Canberra really needs to sit up and take notice of this result.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections...-2018/results/



Norm

[novaphile]

Ouch.

[Norman Alexander]

KLANG! Gee, thanks, Abbott & co.

[lionking]

As much as I’d love to, you can’t generalise from a result in Wagga. We need to look at a metro result where the ALP is actually fielding a candidate. There are too many local issues and the power of good independents is strong.

How many voted against incumbents because they were pissed off with the drought or milk yields?

[fromdownunder]

dup

[fromdownunder]

Originally Posted by lionking

As much as I’d love to, you can’t generalise from a result in Wagga. We need to look at a metro result where the ALP is actually fielding a candidate. There are too many local issues and the power of good independents is strong.

How many voted against incumbents because they were pissed off with the drought or milk yields?

Well, mostly yes. I said as much in my post when I talked about local issues. But a 29% drop in the primary vote for the incumbent Government is a large number. And Wagga Wagga itself has a population of over 60,000, so it is not exactly a bush town.


Norm

[lionking]

Originally Posted by fromdownunder

Well, mostly yes. I said as much in my post when I talked about local issues. But a 29% drop in the primary vote for the incumbent Government is a large number. And Wagga Wagga itself has a population of over 60,000, so it is not exactly a bush town.


Norm

You are probably right. I’ve been in Wagga many times and find it a most unpleasant place. I admit to bias against Wagga.