[Merged] Australian Politics - The Morrison Period - Page 3

arthwollipot · 9th September 2018, 06:53 PM

The interesting thing (to me) about the Wagga Wagga byelection is that the vox pop on the ABC over the weekend had people saying that because of the leadership spill, they were disaffected with both Liberal and Labor. As far as I was concerned, this was all about the Liberals. Labour have remained pretty much blameless during the whole process.

I'm predicting a big swing towards the Greens and Independents in the coming election, which I still think will be called before the end of the year.

ps. You don't call Wagga Wagga Wagga.

psionl0 · 9th September 2018, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

I'm predicting a big swing towards the Greens and Independents in the coming election, which I still think will be called before the end of the year.

The Greens were also big losers in the by-election with their primary vote almost halved. We are more likely to see votes leaking from LNP to right wing minorities (like One Nation).

If Scott Morrison has any brains then he will avoid an early election like the plague. The more time that elapses since the leadership spill the better for the Libs (especially if Morrison can maintain some stability during the year).

Of course, if the government loses their majority then a no confidence motion is always possible. I suspect that such opportunism would not help the Labor party - especially if a double dissolution is the result.

lionking · 9th September 2018, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

ps. You don't call Wagga Wagga Wagga.

I do. It gets up the noses of the locals, and as I said earlier, I don’t have much regard for the place.

Norman Alexander · 9th September 2018, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by lionking

I do. It gets up the noses of the locals, and as I said earlier, I don’t have much regard for the place.

You can call Walla Walla Walla though.

Thor 2 · 10th September 2018, 01:55 PM

Getting back to Morrison and his Pentecostal faith, I can imagine him getting all lathered up and treating us to an exhibition of "speaking in tongues", on the floor of parliament. That would be a hoot.

arthwollipot · 10th September 2018, 06:21 PM

Norman Alexander · 10th September 2018, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

https://i.imgur.com/TEpo0hq.png

Who is this old goat??

arthwollipot · 10th September 2018, 07:05 PM

Senator Wacka? John Williams, Senator for NSW.

Norman Alexander · 10th September 2018, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Senator Wacka? John Williams, Senator for NSW.

Linky no work. Sorry.

arthwollipot · 10th September 2018, 07:47 PM

He's a National Party senator in NSW. I got the link from his Twitter page, which does appear to be borked. He's saying that... wait, the Guardian explains it better.

Quote:

Just further on what Wacka told Sky, the problem for the NSW Liberals is this.

There are two winnable spots on the NSW Senate ticket - which are guaranteed wins. Jim Molan is the only Liberal NSW senator who is up for election at the next poll. Under the agreement between the two parties, the Nationals are supposed to have spot number two.

But.

With Andrew Bragg withdrawing from the Wentworth race to ‘focus on Senate opportunities’ - which is what he told the Daily Telegraph yesterday, that means Jim Molan has to be punted, in order for Bragg to get a winnable Liberal spot on the ticket.

The only way Molan’s Senate career lives on, is if the Liberals take the top two spots - relegating the Nationals to three and below.

The Nats, already worried about representation in NSW, are not overly happy with that. Hence Wacka’s call to arms on Sky a few minutes ago.

source

rjh01 · 11th September 2018, 12:28 AM

It would be great if the Nationals had a separate line for themselves for the Senate. That way they need to get enough people to vote for them for their members to get elected.

Damien Evans · 11th September 2018, 12:38 AM

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

And now he's accusing him of grooming underage girls. Is there no depth to which Dutton will not sink?
https://www.theguardian.com/australi...grooming-woman

Norman Alexander · 11th September 2018, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by Damien Evans

And now he's accusing him of grooming underage girls. Is there no depth to which Dutton will not sink?

Nope. He's a Qld copper. Expect him to lower the bar then crawl under it.

wombatwal · 11th September 2018, 04:47 AM

Dutton is fighting for his political life. Expect more abuse and accusations. He has already described Quaedvlieg as Labor's Godwin Grech.

lionking · 11th September 2018, 04:52 AM

Originally Posted by wombatwal

Dutton is fighting for his political life. Expect more abuse and accusations. He has already described Quaedvlieg as Labor's Godwin Grech.

Dutton doesn’t matter anymore. Morrison would be happy if he self-immolated.

All Morrison craves is the support of News Ltd and Sydney shock jocks. This has been enough to ensure the election of Tory idiots in past years.

Dabop · 11th September 2018, 06:19 AM

And this is the guy that wanted to be PM....

(as if there weren't enough scumbags in charge of countries already)

rjh01 · 11th September 2018, 02:13 PM

You would expect the % of the voters who will vote for the Government in the by-election to be far lower than in the previous election. After all I am sure many people would have voted for the PM, rather than the Liberals. Now the Liberals have lost that vote. But will it be enough for someone else to take the seat?

Quote:

Liberal vote in crucial Wentworth seat plummets, poll shows
According to the private polling, the Liberal’s primary vote has plummeted to 39 per cent, from 62 per cent when Mr Turnbull was the member.

https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/stat...plummets-poll/

Norman Alexander · 11th September 2018, 04:32 PM

With the Libs barely hanging on by a fingernail and scrambling desperately for actual policies, that makes each and every backbencher "important" to keep on board. So what does Abbott do? Stirs the pot. I do hope, if the Libs get trounced next time, and it looks like they will be, Abbott never gets preselection again.

https://www.theguardian.com/australi...newable-energy

Quote:

Tony Abbott has reignited his push to scrap subsidies for renewable energy, taking on the new energy minister, Angus Taylor, at his first meeting of the government’s backbench energy and environment committee on Tuesday.

arthwollipot · 11th September 2018, 04:44 PM

Jason Ball, a name that should be known to us Australian skeptics, is running for the Greens in the previously-safe Liberal seat of Higgins. And it actually looks like he might have a shot.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...al-is-politics

arthwollipot · 11th September 2018, 10:34 PM

Knock Knock

Who's there?

Peter

Peter who?

Scott Morrison.

fromdownunder · 11th September 2018, 10:47 PM

The Wentworth by-election will be on October 20. Not long to wait, and I suspect a less than optimum strategy.

Norm

lionking · 11th September 2018, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by fromdownunder

The Wentworth by-election will be on October 20. Not long to wait, and I suspect a less than optimum strategy.

Norm

My betting is that preference deals will see an independent elected. Given the electorate it will no doubt be a right leaning independent, meaning no change to the balance of power.

Thor 2 · 12th September 2018, 01:50 PM

It would seem Morrison has caught foot in mouth disease.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/201...-evil/10238488

Quote:

Labor has demanded an explanation from the Prime Minister, after he authorised and tweeted a feedlot operator's suggestion that drought could be considered a "necessary evil" that helps "cut out the bottom 10 per cent" of farmers.

arthwollipot · 12th September 2018, 04:51 PM

I do love the Guardian's liveblog, and I've linked to it extensively over the last few weeks. Here's a gem from this morning:

Quote:

Katharine Murphy

Folks who follow the goings on in Canberra will know that last night was the midwinter (in early spring) ball that the press gallery puts on every year to raise big bucks for charity. Many readers will also know there is controversy about whether this event is on or off the record.

The organisers have decreed the ball is an off-the-record event. But I’ve long argued that an event where politicians give speeches in front of hundreds of people, most of whom are not bound by an off-the-record convention, cannot be off the record.

I’ve raised this with the organisers of the event, who, for now at least, want the event to remain off the record. I told the organisers this year I would not accept this ruling, because it is practically unenforceable and professionally indefensible. Off the record is a convention that requires consent between journalist and source. To cut a long story short, I don’t consent. I indicated to them I would be reporting anything that was newsworthy.

So was anything newsworthy?

Not massively. Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten both delivered speeches that were lighthearted and, in Shorten’s case, almost entirely self-deprecating. Morrison obviously had the tougher job. Shorten has done this event every year he’s been opposition leader and is now well practised. Obviously, it was Morrison’s first outing, and the weight of recent events was very much in the room.

The new prime minister got through about 70% of the speech before being heckled. A woman shouted “Bring back Malcolm”.

The intervention literally stopped Morrison at the podium, and the room as a whole. I think it’s fair to say there was a collective intake of breath, because it wasn’t clear who had provided the free feedback, and it goes without saying that the government has endured a torrid month. Morrison was obviously taken aback, but he gathered himself quickly and kept going.

Fortunately for the prime minister, it turns out the heckler was the Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, rather than a disgruntled colleague who had downed one wine too many. I gather the interjection was intended to be lighthearted, and she apologised.

The ball, in times of political drama, has seen worse. But it was certainly a moment.

sauce

arthwollipot · 12th September 2018, 08:07 PM

How do you pronounce "Quaedvlieg" anyway?

arthwollipot · 13th September 2018, 06:45 PM

Surprise surprise, the Liberal Party has preselected a rich white man to run for the seat of Wentworth.

Norman Alexander · 13th September 2018, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

How do you pronounce "Quaedvlieg" anyway?

Quadbike. Randy Quadbike.

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...ndle-the-truth

Norman Alexander · 13th September 2018, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Surprise surprise, the Liberal Party has preselected a rich white man to run for the seat of Wentworth.

They did that last time. Look where it got them...and him!

lionking · 13th September 2018, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

Surprise surprise, the Liberal Party has preselected a rich white man to run for the seat of Wentworth.

Crafty choice though. The Jewish vote is strong in Wentworth. A lot of younger moderate Jews would likely have voted Labor or Independent. Sharma will now get the majority of their votes.

Sideroxylon · 18th September 2018, 01:29 PM

Murdoch and Stokes can just **** off.

Norman Alexander · 18th September 2018, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by Sideroxylon

Murdoch and Stokes can just **** off.

You seem...somewhat peeved at our fourth estate magnates. Pray tell why?

arthwollipot · 18th September 2018, 09:55 PM

A delegation from Saudi Arabia in Question Time today has 25% female representation. The Liberal National Coalition has 18%.

https://www.theguardian.com/australi...uper-aged-care
(post at 14:56 local time)

Sideroxylon · 18th September 2018, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Norman Alexander

You seem...somewhat peeved at our fourth estate magnates. Pray tell why?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-1...uence/10262552

lionking · 18th September 2018, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by Sideroxylon

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-1...uence/10262552

Okay, thanks. I was wondering about the rage.

lionking · 18th September 2018, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

A delegation from Saudi Arabia in Question Time today has 25% female representation. The Liberal National Coalition has 18%.

https://www.theguardian.com/australi...uper-aged-care
(post at 14:56 local time)

Oh, bloody fantastic. We are a world laughing stock when it comes to carbon emissions, now we are shamed by Saudi Arabia when it comes to female participation in the political process. ******* Liberal scum.

arthwollipot · 19th September 2018, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by lionking

Oh, bloody fantastic. We are a world laughing stock when it comes to carbon emissions, now we are shamed by Saudi Arabia when it comes to female participation in the political process. ******* Liberal scum.

It's not a good look, is it? To be fair, the Saudi delegation consisted of eight people.

arthwollipot · 19th September 2018, 12:44 AM

In breaking news, the Senate committee has resolved that Peter Dutton misled parliament about his relationship to the employer of an au pair.

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary...irs/Report/c02

Expect a No Confidence motion soon.

lionking · 19th September 2018, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

In breaking news, the Senate committee has resolved that Peter Dutton misled parliament about his relationship to the employer of an au pair.

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary...irs/Report/c02

Expect a No Confidence motion soon.

I don’t think this will go anywhere. His stake in a trust earning government funding via child care centres will do him in.

Whatever, Dutton is ******.

arthwollipot · 19th September 2018, 01:11 AM

The indication is that a No Confidence motion will be put to Parliament tomorrow morning. Predictably, Abetz and McDonald have denounced the whole thing as a "witch-hunt".

Gee, I wonder where I've heard that before.

Sideroxylon · 19th September 2018, 04:08 AM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

The indication is that a No Confidence motion will be put to Parliament tomorrow morning. Predictably, Abetz and McDonald have denounced the whole thing as a "witch-hunt".

Gee, I wonder where I've heard that before.

Complete disrepect for the intelligence of the Australian people. That and the behaviour shows an arrogant sense of entitlement.

9th September 2018, 08:01 PM	#82
psionl0 Skeptical about skeptics Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: 31°57'S 115°57'E Posts: 13,888	Originally Posted by arthwollipot I'm predicting a big swing towards the Greens and Independents in the coming election, which I still think will be called before the end of the year. The Greens were also big losers in the by-election with their primary vote almost halved. We are more likely to see votes leaking from LNP to right wing minorities (like One Nation). If Scott Morrison has any brains then he will avoid an early election like the plague. The more time that elapses since the leadership spill the better for the Libs (especially if Morrison can maintain some stability during the year). Of course, if the government loses their majority then a no confidence motion is always possible. I suspect that such opportunism would not help the Labor party - especially if a double dissolution is the result.
	__________________ "The process by which banks create money is so simple that the mind is repelled. Where something so important is involved, a deeper mystery seems only decent." - Galbraith, 1975 Last edited by psionl0; 9th September 2018 at 08:02 PM.

9th September 2018, 08:35 PM	#83
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 43,021	Originally Posted by arthwollipot ps. You don't call Wagga Wagga Wagga. I do. It gets up the noses of the locals, and as I said earlier, I don’t have much regard for the place.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

9th September 2018, 08:43 PM	#84
Norman Alexander Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 4,391	Originally Posted by lionking I do. It gets up the noses of the locals, and as I said earlier, I don’t have much regard for the place. You can call Walla Walla Walla though.
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

10th September 2018, 01:55 PM	#85
Thor 2 Illuminator Join Date: May 2016 Location: Brisbane, Aust. Posts: 4,569	Getting back to Morrison and his Pentecostal faith, I can imagine him getting all lathered up and treating us to an exhibition of "speaking in tongues", on the floor of parliament. That would be a hoot.
	__________________ Thinking is a faith hazard.

10th September 2018, 06:37 PM	#87
Norman Alexander Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 4,391	Originally Posted by arthwollipot https://i.imgur.com/TEpo0hq.png Who is this old goat??
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

9th September 2018, 06:53 PM	#81
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Location, Location Posts: 60,381	The interesting thing (to me) about the Wagga Wagga byelection is that the vox pop on the ABC over the weekend had people saying that because of the leadership spill, they were disaffected with both Liberal and Labor. As far as I was concerned, this was all about the Liberals. Labour have remained pretty much blameless during the whole process. I'm predicting a big swing towards the Greens and Independents in the coming election, which I still think will be called before the end of the year. ps. You don't call Wagga Wagga Wagga.

10th September 2018, 06:21 PM	#86
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Location, Location Posts: 60,381

10th September 2018, 07:05 PM	#88
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Location, Location Posts: 60,381	Senator Wacka? John Williams, Senator for NSW.
	Last edited by arthwollipot; 10th September 2018 at 07:44 PM.

10th September 2018, 07:07 PM	#89
Norman Alexander Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 4,391	Originally Posted by arthwollipot Senator Wacka? John Williams, Senator for NSW. Linky no work. Sorry.
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

10th September 2018, 07:47 PM	#90
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Location, Location Posts: 60,381	He's a National Party senator in NSW. I got the link from his Twitter page, which does appear to be borked. He's saying that... wait, the Guardian explains it better. Quote: Just further on what Wacka told Sky, the problem for the NSW Liberals is this. There are two winnable spots on the NSW Senate ticket - which are guaranteed wins. Jim Molan is the only Liberal NSW senator who is up for election at the next poll. Under the agreement between the two parties, the Nationals are supposed to have spot number two. But. With Andrew Bragg withdrawing from the Wentworth race to ‘focus on Senate opportunities’ - which is what he told the Daily Telegraph yesterday, that means Jim Molan has to be punted, in order for Bragg to get a winnable Liberal spot on the ticket. The only way Molan’s Senate career lives on, is if the Liberals take the top two spots - relegating the Nationals to three and below. The Nats, already worried about representation in NSW, are not overly happy with that. Hence Wacka’s call to arms on Sky a few minutes ago. source

11th September 2018, 12:28 AM	#91
rjh01 Gentleman of leisure Tagger Join Date: May 2005 Location: Flying around in the sky Posts: 24,320	It would be great if the Nationals had a separate line for themselves for the Senate. That way they need to get enough people to vote for them for their members to get elected.
	__________________ This signature is for rent.

11th September 2018, 12:38 AM	#92
Damien Evans Up The Irons Tagger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 34,377	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 And now he's accusing him of grooming underage girls. Is there no depth to which Dutton will not sink? https://www.theguardian.com/australi...grooming-woman
	__________________ i loves the little birdies they goes tweet tweet tweet hee hee i loves them they sings to each other tweet twet tweet hee hee i loves them they is so cute i love yje little birdies little birdies in the room when birfies sings ther is no gloom i lobes the little birdies they goess tweet tweet tweet hee hee hee i loves them they sings me to sleep sing me to slrrp now little birdies - The wisdom of Shemp.

11th September 2018, 12:43 AM	#93
Norman Alexander Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 4,391	Originally Posted by Damien Evans And now he's accusing him of grooming underage girls. Is there no depth to which Dutton will not sink? Nope. He's a Qld copper. Expect him to lower the bar then crawl under it.
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

11th September 2018, 04:47 AM	#94
wombatwal Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Van Squad Posts: 1,475	Dutton is fighting for his political life. Expect more abuse and accusations. He has already described Quaedvlieg as Labor's Godwin Grech.
	__________________ http://500px.com/Bruce_Wallace Put him in the van.

11th September 2018, 04:52 AM	#95
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 43,021	Originally Posted by wombatwal Dutton is fighting for his political life. Expect more abuse and accusations. He has already described Quaedvlieg as Labor's Godwin Grech. Dutton doesn’t matter anymore. Morrison would be happy if he self-immolated. All Morrison craves is the support of News Ltd and Sydney shock jocks. This has been enough to ensure the election of Tory idiots in past years.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

11th September 2018, 06:19 AM	#96
Dabop Muse Join Date: May 2015 Location: Oz Posts: 807	And this is the guy that wanted to be PM.... (as if there weren't enough scumbags in charge of countries already)
Dabop Muse Join Date: May 2015 Location: Oz Posts: 807	__________________ It's a kind of a strawman thing in that it's exactly a strawman thing. Loss Leader 'When you're born into this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show. If you're born in America you get a front row seat.' George Carlin

11th September 2018, 02:13 PM	#97
rjh01 Gentleman of leisure Tagger Join Date: May 2005 Location: Flying around in the sky Posts: 24,320	You would expect the % of the voters who will vote for the Government in the by-election to be far lower than in the previous election. After all I am sure many people would have voted for the PM, rather than the Liberals. Now the Liberals have lost that vote. But will it be enough for someone else to take the seat? Quote: Liberal vote in crucial Wentworth seat plummets, poll shows According to the private polling, the Liberal’s primary vote has plummeted to 39 per cent, from 62 per cent when Mr Turnbull was the member. https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/stat...plummets-poll/
	__________________ This signature is for rent.

11th September 2018, 04:32 PM	#98
Norman Alexander Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 4,391	With the Libs barely hanging on by a fingernail and scrambling desperately for actual policies, that makes each and every backbencher "important" to keep on board. So what does Abbott do? Stirs the pot. I do hope, if the Libs get trounced next time, and it looks like they will be, Abbott never gets preselection again. https://www.theguardian.com/australi...newable-energy Quote: Tony Abbott has reignited his push to scrap subsidies for renewable energy, taking on the new energy minister, Angus Taylor, at his first meeting of the government’s backbench energy and environment committee on Tuesday.
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015} Last edited by Norman Alexander; 11th September 2018 at 04:34 PM.

11th September 2018, 04:44 PM	#99
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Location, Location Posts: 60,381	Jason Ball, a name that should be known to us Australian skeptics, is running for the Greens in the previously-safe Liberal seat of Higgins. And it actually looks like he might have a shot. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...al-is-politics

11th September 2018, 10:34 PM	#100
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Location, Location Posts: 60,381	Knock Knock Who's there? Peter Peter who? Scott Morrison.

11th September 2018, 10:47 PM	#101
fromdownunder Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 6,253	The Wentworth by-election will be on October 20. Not long to wait, and I suspect a less than optimum strategy. Norm
	__________________ Against stupidity, the Gods themselves contend in Vain

11th September 2018, 11:16 PM	#102
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 43,021	Originally Posted by fromdownunder The Wentworth by-election will be on October 20. Not long to wait, and I suspect a less than optimum strategy. Norm My betting is that preference deals will see an independent elected. Given the electorate it will no doubt be a right leaning independent, meaning no change to the balance of power.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

12th September 2018, 01:50 PM	#103
Thor 2 Illuminator Join Date: May 2016 Location: Brisbane, Aust. Posts: 4,569	It would seem Morrison has caught foot in mouth disease. http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/201...-evil/10238488 Quote: Labor has demanded an explanation from the Prime Minister, after he authorised and tweeted a feedlot operator's suggestion that drought could be considered a "necessary evil" that helps "cut out the bottom 10 per cent" of farmers.
	__________________ Thinking is a faith hazard. Last edited by Thor 2; 12th September 2018 at 01:51 PM.

12th September 2018, 04:51 PM	#104
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Location, Location Posts: 60,381	I do love the Guardian's liveblog, and I've linked to it extensively over the last few weeks. Here's a gem from this morning: Quote: Katharine Murphy Folks who follow the goings on in Canberra will know that last night was the midwinter (in early spring) ball that the press gallery puts on every year to raise big bucks for charity. Many readers will also know there is controversy about whether this event is on or off the record. The organisers have decreed the ball is an off-the-record event. But I’ve long argued that an event where politicians give speeches in front of hundreds of people, most of whom are not bound by an off-the-record convention, cannot be off the record. I’ve raised this with the organisers of the event, who, for now at least, want the event to remain off the record. I told the organisers this year I would not accept this ruling, because it is practically unenforceable and professionally indefensible. Off the record is a convention that requires consent between journalist and source. To cut a long story short, I don’t consent. I indicated to them I would be reporting anything that was newsworthy. So was anything newsworthy? Not massively. Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten both delivered speeches that were lighthearted and, in Shorten’s case, almost entirely self-deprecating. Morrison obviously had the tougher job. Shorten has done this event every year he’s been opposition leader and is now well practised. Obviously, it was Morrison’s first outing, and the weight of recent events was very much in the room. The new prime minister got through about 70% of the speech before being heckled. A woman shouted “Bring back Malcolm”. The intervention literally stopped Morrison at the podium, and the room as a whole. I think it’s fair to say there was a collective intake of breath, because it wasn’t clear who had provided the free feedback, and it goes without saying that the government has endured a torrid month. Morrison was obviously taken aback, but he gathered himself quickly and kept going. Fortunately for the prime minister, it turns out the heckler was the Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, rather than a disgruntled colleague who had downed one wine too many. I gather the interjection was intended to be lighthearted, and she apologised. The ball, in times of political drama, has seen worse. But it was certainly a moment. sauce

12th September 2018, 08:07 PM	#105
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Location, Location Posts: 60,381	How do you pronounce "Quaedvlieg" anyway?

13th September 2018, 06:45 PM	#106
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Location, Location Posts: 60,381	Surprise surprise, the Liberal Party has preselected a rich white man to run for the seat of Wentworth.

13th September 2018, 07:24 PM	#107
Norman Alexander Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 4,391	Originally Posted by arthwollipot How do you pronounce "Quaedvlieg" anyway? Quadbike. Randy Quadbike. https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...ndle-the-truth
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

13th September 2018, 07:25 PM	#108
Norman Alexander Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 4,391	Originally Posted by arthwollipot Surprise surprise, the Liberal Party has preselected a rich white man to run for the seat of Wentworth. They did that last time. Look where it got them...and him!
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

13th September 2018, 07:37 PM	#109
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 43,021	Originally Posted by arthwollipot Surprise surprise, the Liberal Party has preselected a rich white man to run for the seat of Wentworth. Crafty choice though. The Jewish vote is strong in Wentworth. A lot of younger moderate Jews would likely have voted Labor or Independent. Sharma will now get the majority of their votes.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

18th September 2018, 01:29 PM	#110
Sideroxylon Featherless biped Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aporia Posts: 20,046	Murdoch and Stokes can just **** off.
	__________________ 'The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool.' - Richard Feynman

18th September 2018, 06:15 PM	#111
Norman Alexander Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 4,391	Originally Posted by Sideroxylon Murdoch and Stokes can just **** off. You seem...somewhat peeved at our fourth estate magnates. Pray tell why?
	__________________ _{...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015}

18th September 2018, 09:55 PM	#112
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Location, Location Posts: 60,381	A delegation from Saudi Arabia in Question Time today has 25% female representation. The Liberal National Coalition has 18%. https://www.theguardian.com/australi...uper-aged-care (post at 14:56 local time)

18th September 2018, 10:38 PM	#113
Sideroxylon Featherless biped Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aporia Posts: 20,046	Originally Posted by Norman Alexander You seem...somewhat peeved at our fourth estate magnates. Pray tell why? http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-1...uence/10262552
	__________________ 'The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool.' - Richard Feynman

18th September 2018, 11:46 PM	#114
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 43,021	Originally Posted by Sideroxylon http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-1...uence/10262552 Okay, thanks. I was wondering about the rage.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill

18th September 2018, 11:51 PM	#115
lionking In the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 43,021	Originally Posted by arthwollipot A delegation from Saudi Arabia in Question Time today has 25% female representation. The Liberal National Coalition has 18%. https://www.theguardian.com/australi...uper-aged-care (post at 14:56 local time) Oh, bloody fantastic. We are a world laughing stock when it comes to carbon emissions, now we are shamed by Saudi Arabia when it comes to female participation in the political process. ******* Liberal scum.
	__________________ A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill