Australian Federal Election
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="578633" data-time="1462879084"><p>Watching an episode of Q&A from a week ago, talking about the system we have and whether it's broken.<br><br>
Of the 226 politicians in Canberra, if you tick them as having one or more out of the following:<br><br>- More than 5 years experience in a non-paying political job<br>
- Student politician<br>
- Experience as a political advisor<br><br>
It's a number around 200 - not a bad thing, just shows that the system tends toward people who have been in the system, understanding the networks and undercurrents.<br><br>
The guy who presented that info was part of a group thinking generally about democracy, and whether it is all it can be, while understanding politics isn't easy. Some interesting ideas like citizen committees.</p></blockquote>
<br>
High number of union officials and lawyers amongst our current politicians as well.
-
Not a fan of this party (LDP) who I suspect won their senate seat because people mistook them for the Liberal party. But this is pretty funny:<br><br>
'> </a>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href=' -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="578640" data-time="1462885108">
<div>
<p>High number of union officials and lawyers amongst our current politicians as well.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Wasn't it Wooldridge (Howard govt) who was made Health Minister, and was the first GP to occupy the position for decades? :think:</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="578684" data-time="1462926745">
'> </a></p>
<div>
<p>Not a fan of this party (LDP) who I suspect won their senate seat because people mistook them for the Liberal party. But this is pretty funny:<br><br><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> :lol:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Leyonhelm is an interesting one - a lot of people on the left write him off when they see his stance on removing gun control, along with opposition to climate change and associated measures e.g. carbon tax, direct action.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, they get confused when he supports gay marriage. The enter a state of silent introspection and try to figure out where the fuck he stands. :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't actually have a problem with the guy, because unlike a lot of the party hardliners he seems inclined to vote with his conscience more often than not, and doesn't have a party line to toe.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I guess we're not used to seeing a "Liberal" who is also a libertarian?</p> -
He's a pretty hardcore libertarian. Hence his views on guns, gay marriage and immigration.<br><br>
Doubt he'll get back in. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="578721" data-time="1462935615">
<div>
<p>He's a pretty hardcore libertarian. Hence his views on guns, gay marriage and immigration.<br><br>
Doubt he'll get back in.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>You are right RS, he is very liberal (small L) libertarian in the true meaning of the word, very pro personal determination, autonomy and responsibility. He favours market forces over government intervention and control, small government, etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And he is a very hard one to peg down on things as his views and positions swing wildly between conventional Left, middle and right.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p>" I'm the candidate, I wasn't involved in those discussions at all. We have a large team. I don't know what they are all doing is the honest answer," she said.<br><br>
"People send me documents and I don't have the time to read them."</p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/election-2016-richard-di-natale-said-the-greens-dont-do-polling-these-leaked-emails-prove-otherwise-20160510-gos40s.html'>Greens being called out on their bullshit</a></p> -
There is a fair amount of pragmatism with Leyonhelm as well. But libertarian views don't necessarily sit at a single point on the political spectrum.
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="578089" data-time="1462701399"><p>
I even emailed my incumbent MP (ALP) to advise here where I'm at, after her office cold-called a bunch of houses in my area. No response, but its the most political thing I've ever done.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Well, blow me down with a feather - she called me! Had a nice chat for about 15 minutes, and was good to humanise someone I've not even seen at a distance. Discussed the main points I put in the email - Leadership, Accountability, Environment, Same Sex Marriage, Refugee Status*<br><br>
She thanked me for some detailed correspondence, and we had a laugh that it was probably a bit different from the yes men or antagonists most pollies are probably used to.<br><br>
It won't necessarily make me vote for her, but at least I've got a better perspective on her putting in the effort.<br><br><span style="font-size:12px;">* Mostly: some kind of policy that doesn't look like a dog's breakfast and gets people processed one way or the other</span><br><br><br>
In other news, I noticed Bill has loosened up a bit on camera, despite the shit thrown his way with a candidate in WA being removed for not disclosing criminal charges - which will be interesting as the guy is looking at legal options.<br><br>
Mal got bailed up by some lady about school funding. <br><br>
Each side picking at scabs, nothing much winding up yet as they lay the base work. -
"Leadership, Accountability, Environment, Same Sex Marriage, Refugee Status"<br><br>
Those are the most important things for you when voting? More important than the economy, taxes, infrastructure, education, super,etc etc? How can you not vote for the Greens? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="579149" data-time="1463057640"><p>
"Leadership, Accountability, Environment, Same Sex Marriage, Refugee Status"<br><br>
Those are the most important things for you when voting? More important than the economy, taxes, infrastructure, education, super,etc etc? How can you not vote for the Greens?</p></blockquote>Firstly: did I say "most important" relating to those points? Nope. They're the ones I talked about with her, that I'd put as points in the email with detail I haven't shared here. Because fluffybunnys are fluffybunnys.<br><br>
In addition, that email said none of them were doing themselves any favors with the current brand of political attack dog bullshit that results in incremental (if any) change. There was a more general discussion about neither side earning their money in the eyes of the electorate etc.<br><br><br>
Secondly: who the fuck DO you actually support, Rancid? Because all you seem to do is bitch like a bitchy old bitch about everything. <br><br>
Your stance on "leftards" and the ABC points toward ownership of a blow-up Tony Abbott doll, but you're such a contrary bastard I can never be sure.<br><br>
Mostly you say what you see as wrong - like your post above - and that drowns out any suggestion you've got to put things right. Or maybe I just filter you out subconsciously because I expect the same old thing. Whatever.<br><br><br>
As to your list of reasons - which is way too fucking long to expect anything meaningful from this lot, BTW:<br><br>
Tax, economy, super etc - neither side makes a difference to me. Swings and roundabouts for anything finance. If you want to get ahead financially, don't sit around waiting for a government because, as Baron has pointed out, they're not going to do any of it efficiently anyway.<br><br>
Education - my kids are in the Catholic system which I consider mitigation enough. The ALP are talking the talk, while the Libs seem to want to cut funding. Can I believe either of them? Doesn't matter because I'm putting my own money in and university is a runaway freight train in a neoliberal environment.<br><br>
Infrastructure - NSW is doing me alright by me at the moment. The Federal governments lately have been so busy sabotaging each other and themselves that I'll be waiting a while before that happens to any meaningful degree.<br><br><br>
Different perspectives, really. Scrabble around for details on policies to froth over if that's your thing. Fill your boots. That is just point scoring between the majors. Fact is, the budget is a limited supply, someone is going to get screwed.<br><br>
I'm a white guy in a nuclear family earning above the average salary in a mortgage below the average Sydney mortgage. No investments, no negative gearing. The system doesn't really change that much for me.<br><br>
But I'm not a selfish, elitist fluffybunny. The whole point of our tax system is to give people a fair go, and make sure the basic safety nets are in place. I'm not against that. <br><br><br>
Less fucking bludgers would be nice, and I'd support any policy on that. But they have votes too, so it's about as likely that politicians would legislate against bludgers as it is politicians agreeing on a pay cut for themselves.<br><br>
If they start going back to Leadership and Accountability as philosophical points, they could rediscover some nobility in politics. Actually think about the nation first instead of their party.<br><br>
Looking at Question Time the way it has now, we're a fucking long way off that. -
I apologize. It was late, I was very tired, and that post screamed hippy.
-
<p>And from my summary I can see why you'd think that :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As usual, all these things are tied together in the election.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Decline in coal is bad for the economy in terms of jobs and growth, but the opportunities in renewable energy could help mitigate that or even provide a boost.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Not that we'll do it through manufacturing, but R&D and licensing out new technologies (<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/australian-gel-based-battery-technology-attracts-major-uk-finance-73407'>http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/australian-gel-based-battery-technology-attracts-major-uk-finance-73407</a>) could be a real money maker. </p> -
AFP raids at night all caught on camera, makes for good TV doesn't it [emoji3]<br><br>
So the "story" goes, Fairfax print story about costs, technologies, etc etc related to the NBN. An attempt to embarrass Turnbull to show blowouts and poor decisions when he was Communications Minister. NBN CEO reads article and sends message to staff saying that information was confidential and the release of it could be illegal. He refers the matter to Aust. Federal Police. AFP brief Minister for Justice and shortly after the Shadow Minister (as per caretaker conventions) about an operation to conduct raids on certain properties. <br><br>
Those properties involve the Melbourne office of Senator Stephen Conroy, former Minister for Communications and the house of a staffer for current shadow Minister for Communications Jason Clare. <br><br>
What a laugh. <br><br><br>
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk -
Stephan Conroy makes my skin crawl. What a repulsive human being.
-
This is gold:<br><br>
“You grow the economy by making sure that when people are sick they can get to a doctor without having to pay a big co-payment fee upfront,†Shorten said. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="582173" data-time="1464060821">
<div>
<p>This is gold:<br><br>
“You grow the economy by making sure that when people are sick they can get to a doctor without having to pay a big co-payment fee upfront,†Shorten said.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>That could have been worded better... I'd have said productivity and therefore economic growth would be higher if people can afford to go to the doctor as often as required, rather than ending up in hospital because they can't afford to go to the doctor. Also, since prevention is normally cheaper than cure, it also means lower taxes or lower tax increases to fund the health care of an aging population..</p> -
<p>Well put Godder, it is well known in Health (where I work) that money spent on prevention and by managing chronic illnesses better is far more cost effective and it allows the hospital system to focus on those who are really ill. However, walk into any emergency room of most any hospital in the country and you will find people there who would be better off at a Doctor's office.</p>