The Meaning of Treason



In the closing days of the Second World War, the name ‘Lord Haw Haw’ was synonymous with the cry: ‘traitor!’ In those days a traitor was seen as a clear-cut thing. In The Meaning of Treason (Penguin, 1965), Rebecca West identifies him as a traitor:

... by broadcasting between '... the eighteenth day of September 1939 and on other divers days thereafter, and between that day and the second day of July 1940, being then to wit, on the said several days, a person owing allegiance to our Lord the King...' It was in fact the case for the prosecution that a person obtaining a passport placed himself thereby under the protection of the crown and owed it allegiance until the passport expired.

A clear case of loyalty to the crown, His Majesty, The King.

These days, loyal allegiance is somewhat more ‘beige’. Today's democracies lean more toward public perception and cultural authority for a definition of loyalty. But to work hand in hand in a brazen manner to both bring down the democratically elected government of the day and, by obfuscation, stealth and deliberate slander to work to have elected a ‘favourite’ of the vested interests that had the intent of demolishing national infrastructure and working against the social equality of the peoples of the nation, has to equate with a definition of treason.

To my mind, there is no doubt that we, as a nation, have been betrayed. Those many ‘national interest’ policies: the NBN, Gonski, NDIS, ETS, Environmental Protection, and National Parks, that are in the national interest, and coupled with a now recognized ‘non-emergency with the budget’, are at risk, and indeed in some cases will be dismantled for no other reason than to satisfy vested or financial interests, not solely out of a twisted ideology, but out of insatiable greed.

It would be an act of treason to betray the nation’s interest by destroying national infrastructure and public policy that benefits the majority of citizens, while giving financial reward to a tiny minority of capital-invested players. That would be treason, in every sense of the word and meaning. Judas would get his thirty pieces of silver. The fact that these modern major players are set to gain billions of dollars through such acts of vandalism against the nation is their treason, in every sense of the word.

But we are told that the government was voted in by over half the population. That is correct, but we are also aware that much of the voting public is neither politically perceptive nor very interested in political outcomes, other than to effect a strange ‘payback’ for the illusion of injury that has been trumped-up by the Mainstream Media. Whatever swayed the voters it certainly was assisted by some outright lies and slanderous accusations in the MSM against the sitting government.

The political players, in collusion with big media and big business, have done the most damage, particularly the Mainstream Media. We know their names, we have railed against them here and elsewhere for their perfidious behaviour, and they continue to obfuscate and manipulate out of self-interest, financial gain, or a perceived political future too obscure for mere mortals to comprehend. Only now are we reading of the vast number and scope of the rorts perpetrated by the then Opposition, now the Government. Why was this information hidden when members of parliament, and even the Speaker of the House, were being goaded to resign and were being vilified over lesser amounts? There can be only one reason.

This Government was voted in after a campaign based on fraud and deception, one perpetrated by the Mainstream Media and its employees. Who can deny the fact that many of the Government’s so-called policies were unexamined, uncontested and unopposed by that very estate that sanctimoniously holds itself up as the Fourth Estate of democracy? Indeed, it continues to this day to support the Government’s policy agenda. Even the recent trips to Indonesia and Asia by the PM were deemed a roaring success, not because of what was achieved (there was more given away!), but because it was deemed so by the Fourth Estate! The lies were maintained; the circle is complete!

In The Meaning of Treason, Rebecca West makes some very interesting observations on how the modern media has played its part in the dissemination of propaganda:

Never before have people known the voice of one they had never seen as well as if he had been a husband or brother or a close friend; and had they foreseen such a miracle they could not have imagined that this familiar unknown would speak to them only to prophesy their death and ruin.

She speaks of William Joyce (Lord Haw Haw). She continues:

He was not only alarming; he was ugly. He opened a vista into a mean life. He always spoke as if he were better fed, and better clothed than we were …

The above portrayal is an example of the malicious persuasion that manipulates a people, a people hungry for simplicity of policy, for entertainment, contentment and insulation from the harsh realities of the world on their doorstep. It is the style of propaganda of those who have in many cases helped cause those very disasters that bring trouble to our doorstep, propaganda that is trying to stop programs that could alleviate and soften such events in the future. Such people portray a meanness of spirit and ugliness of heart that opens the door to cruel intent. That is a betrayal of the trust given to the Mainstream Media, a trust that was bestowed upon those called to shine a light on duplicitous behaviour that can ruin a society, not to collude with reckless abandon in that very behaviour.

I give the last words on such a tawdry subject to Ariel Gonzales on Rebecca West's book:

The Meaning of Treason reminds us that sometimes the worst betrayal is the trading of values for the illusion of safety.

That is the meaning of treason!


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TPS Team

1/12/2013This week Swordsters get a treat: two discussion starters - both by regular contributors to [i]The Political Sword[/i]. The first is, however, by someone who hasn't written for [i]TPS[/i] before: jaycee. jaycee describes himself this way: [quote]I am an aged 'ratbag', who has seen more than I should, done more than I ought and escaped what I should have caught! ... just like a lot of the 'ratbags' that post on [b]TPS[/b]! I am a carpenter / tradesman who has studied Roman History and a tad of Latin. The carpentry has served me well in building houses, the Roman History in demolishing myths: a life lived in one, lessons learnt in the other! - good combination. The Latin would be really useful if I could only remember the bl**dy verb conjugations! I also work in the environment sector for a Local Action Planning (LAP) group. [/quote] Having been an incisive and passionate commenter on TPS for a very long time, jaycee now leaps to the pen on 'the meaning of treason' in Australia's current political situation. He argues that the Coalition and a sycophantic media have perpetrated an offence, that the Australian people have been conned and malignantly so, and that the lying disingenuousness of the Coalition with the acquiescence of much of the media is, indeed, treason. What do you think?

Ad astra

1/12/2013jaycee Thank you for your thoughtful and provocative piece. While some may bristle at the use of ‘treason’, they ought to ask themselves the following: What is it if it is not treason for the Coalition to risk the future of our children and future generations by refusing to take effective action to reduce emissions, slow the rise of global temperatures, and thereby reduce the disastrous consequences of uncontrolled global warming? What is it if it is not treason to repeal the only effective measure this nation has to reduce emissions, one that is already working, and substitute for it a Direct Action Plan that no one understands, that has never been properly explained, and that has not been endorsed by climate scientists or economists? What is it if not treason to renege on carbon reduction targets previously agreed to, and to limit expenditure on its own DAP? What is it if not treason to ignore the climate data accumulated over many years by thousands of climate scientists, and instead go along with the utterances of non-climate scientists, skeptics, deniers and nutters? What is it if not treason to prefer coal-mining to action to combat global warming? What is it if not treason to sack the one government body that was appointed to inform citizens and government about global warming, the Climate Commission? What is it if not treason for our national broadsheet to publish countless articles by poorly qualified climate skeptics and deniers, spuriously claiming this is in pursuit of balance, that outnumber those written by recognized and reputable climate scientists? Call it what you like, but the actions of the Coalition and elements of the Fourth Estate that threaten the safety of our nation, its people, its agriculture, indeed its capacity to exist on this dry continent, now subject to more and more extreme weather events: more frequent bushfires and floods, more prolonged droughts, more extreme cyclones that wreak more and more devastation, seems to me as treasonous as the actions of those who join the enemy in warfare. Global warming IS the enemy, yet by denying it, by refusing to take effective action to combat it, by destroying the few measures in place that might do so, these elements of our society are JOINING THE ENEMY and threatening the future, the safety, and the wellbeing of us all. That looks like treason to me.

Casablanca

1/12/2013 Too true! rachel polanskis ‏@virag064 4h They tried to redact ALL of Christopher Pyne's speeches on Education and couldn't find any at all #insiders #auspol

TalkTurkey

1/12/2013jaycee You must know that I openly admire you for your feisty writing and passionately-pursued points of view. I share much of your anger at what I too see as betrayal of my homeland by the lickspittles in the Murdoch-monstered MSM, and shonky deals between the rich and privileged of the Right, with Police complicity a given. And you would know that I too call their behaviour Treachery. Pyne and his conspirator mates Brough and all the rest are Traitors as far as I am concerned, and on the strength of what I know already of their dealings, (thanks to Peter Wicks' and others' investigations), I would sentence them to 12 years gaol given the say-so. Howard and Reith I would give 15 years. I yearn for Labor politicians to use the sort of language you do, (Shorten did actually get a bit fired up yesterday, speaking to a Labor crowd, he said at last that the Aborrrttians are lying, about bloody time too. Labor needs to strike while the iron's hot, and it [i]will[/i] be hot from now until the breakup for Crispmess we may be sure! It would be great to go into the long recess with Labor Up on TPP polls, there would be a lot of breathless antici- [i]PAtion![/i] by the stupid weak despicable lickspittle 4th Estate, good for Us. Meanwhile We of the Fighting 5th must focus on persuading the new Senators to our points of view, as I have said before, and not be afraid of using words like Treachery where it is so richly deserved. Well done jaycee. Thank you.

Casablanca

2/12/2013 [b]CASABLANCA'S CACHE Monday, 2 December, 2013; 50 items[/b] GONSKI [u]PETITION[/u] in support of the Gonski Education reforms: http://igiveagonski.com.au/ 36,507 signatures at midnight 1 December,2013. [u]Ready Reckoner[/u]. Gonski For Your School: Use this simple search tool to find how much extra funding your local school is set to gain over the next six years with Gonski. (Figures released by Labor Government) http://igiveagonski.com.au/whats-gonski/your-school/ 1. ☵ Z☰N Digital ® ☲ ‏@z3n_digital 4h RT @z3n_digital: Well done Father - Gosford Anglican Church gets it right again… #auspol https://twitter.com/DeborahAnnG/status/407047080377466881/photo/1 [Church Billboard says 'Our Children are pyneing for Gonski] 2. janine symons ‏@janinesymons 9h @TonyAbbottMHR or this? which part did you not promise? https://twitter.com/janinesymons/status/407013194268307456/photo/1 3. chris murphy ‏@chrismurphys 7h Abbott says we misheard!! "I said Edgecliff Station not 'Education'" #auspol http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/01/abbott-defends-gonski-reversal-misunderstood-promise … 4. Natalie Hudson ‏@natalie_mae1 2h #gonski #auspol #gonskimandate RT @bradthegunn: So I'm assuming the Aussie people voted for Gonski .. Isn't that a public mandate.. 5. Abbott digs himself into deeper Gonski hole Michelle Grattan Abbott ..then went on: “We are going to keep the promise that we actually made, not the promise that some people thought that we made or the promise that some people might have liked us to make.” This really is claiming black is white. There are not only Pyne pre-election quotes but pledges from Abbott too, reassuring voters that individual schools would receive the same deal under both Liberal and Labor. http://theconversation.com/abbott-digs-himself-into-deeper-gonski-hole-20993 6. PM's Interview with Andrew Bolt, The Bolt Report, Ten Network Transcript: http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2013-12-01/interview-andrew-bolt-bolt-report-ten-network Video: (11 mins) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsF3KS9ZItY&list=UUa85DcHz93ug5jLfWWHN5Yw 7. Tony Abbott: as fine a prime minister as ever broke a promise Katharine Murphy He never stopped pillorying opponents for failing to stick to their pledges. In the Gonski row, it's all coming home to roost. It is hard to imagine how he thinks – having made such a point of the importance of keeping election promises, right down to the footnotes – that he will not be judged by precisely the same authenticity standard he used so implacably against his political opponents. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/01/tony-abbott-broke-a-promise 8. Tony Abbott's government is bending the truth. And that’s a fact Political debate is cheapened when politicians' idea of truth is whatever the public can be convinced to believe http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/29/tony-abbott-governments-is-bending-the-truth-and-thats-a-fact 9. Inequality at the heart of rejection of Gonski program Peter Martin I get that Christopher Pyne likes private schools. But what I don't get (or didn't get until this week) is that he could possibly want to take money away from poor schools to give to richer ones. I couldn't understand how anyone would want to do that. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/inequality-at-the-heart-of-rejection-of-gonski-program-20131130-2yi54.html 10. Gonski row: independent schools don’t want a ‘war’ with the public system Daniel Hurst Funding windfall for private schools at the expense of public system would reignite hostilities, peak body the Association of Independent Schools of NSW warns. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/30/gonski-row-independent-schools-dont-want-war?CMP=ema_632 11. Tony Abbott defends Gonski reversal, saying election pledge was misheard Daniel Hurst, Prime minister argues he made only a broad promise on school funding but critics dismiss 'clever words to hide broken promise.' Tony Abbott has denied breaking an election promise over education funding and the Gonski reforms, insisting he never vowed to maintain the same money for each school. His argument that the promise was "plural" – matching total funding for all schools – comes despite the education minister, Christopher Pyne, declaring before the election: "You can vote Liberal or Labor and you'll get exactly the same amount of funding for your school." http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/01/abbott-defends-gonski-reversal-misunderstood-promise 12. Gonski: Christopher Pyne should know that Australia isn't England Tom Bentley The education minister is committed to a brand of Thatcherite liberalism combining free market economics and conservative morality. Sabotaging Gonski guarantees his tenure's failure http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/30/gonski-christopher-pyne-should-know-that-australia-isnt-england 13. Education union warns of massive Gonski losses Bianca Hall State governments are only guaranteed less than 20 per cent of the funding they stood to gain under a schools deal that has been ripped up by the Abbott government, the Australian Education Union says. The federal government said this week it would honour only one year of the school funding model, and allocate $230million in 2014 to states that did not sign up to the scheme. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/education-union-warns-of-massive-gonski-losses-20131130-2yihr.html 14. Gonski report co-author labels Christopher Pyne 'a Minister on L-plates'.. Rachel Brown The former head of the NSW Education Department and co-author of the Gonski report, Dr Ken Boston, says the situation could bring public education to its knees. "Gonski was a done deal. This had been signed up. Mr Abbott had talked of a unity ticket," he said. "Now we've not only backed away, apparently, from the unity ticket, we’ve potentially backed away from Commonwealth support for public education. "It’s extraordinary. It's almost unbelievable that a Commonwealth minister would be silly enough to take such a position." Dr Boston says public schools would struggle to survive if the current funding formula continued. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-30/gonski-author-labels-pyne-minister-on-l-plates-over-education/5126762?WT.mc_id=newsmail 15. States say Christopher Pyne has dropped public schools bombshell in heated education meeting ABC Public schools may be the big losers under the Government's plans to scrap Labor's Gonski education package, state and territory ministers say they have been told. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-29/pyne-drops-education-overhaul-bombshell-on-states-during-heated/5124968 16. Public schools 'left with a fifth of funds' Bianca Hall State governments are guaranteed less than 20 per cent of the funding promised under the schools deal ripped up by the Abbott government, the Australian Education Union says. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/education/public-schools-left-with-a-fifth-of-funds-warns-union-20131130-2yii8.html 17. AEU’s dishonest campaign on school funding Christopher Pyne - Press Release Posted on August 21, 2013 'The AEU’s dishonest ‘message’ claims that the Coalition would deliver only one third of total funding agreed to in the South Australian school funding agreement. This is false. Tony Abbott and the Coalition have confirmed that they will commit the same amount of federal school funding as the Government over the forward estimates. Every single school in Australia will receive, dollar for dollar, the same federal funding over the next four years whether there is a Liberal or Labor Government after September 7.' http://www.pyneonline.com.au/media/media-releases/aeus-dishonest-campaign-on-school-funding 18. Emma Alberici ‏@albericie 3h Perhaps Mr Pyne has been channeling Boris Johnson:"some measure of inequality is essential for the spirit of envy" http://bit.ly/1cJoFO6 19. Boris Johnson: some people are too stupid to get on in life Natural differences between human beings will always mean that some will succeed and others will fail, the Mayor of London says in a speech. Economic equality will never be possible because some people are too stupid to get ahead, Boris Johnson said on Wednesday night.... Addressing the Centre for Policy Studies in London, Mr Johnson suggested that economic inequality was useful because it encouraged people to work harder. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10479466/Boris-Johnson-some-people-are-too-stupid-to-get-on-in-life.html 20. Guess what, kids - there's still no such thing as a free lunch Jacqueline Maley As smackdowns go, this one was elegant, kind and firm. The dean of the Sydney University law school, Joellen Riley, faced with students disgruntled over a corporations law exam interrupted by a fire alarm, told her mostly 20-something charges to deal with it and move on. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/guess-what-kids--theres-still-no-such-thing-as-a-free-lunch-20131129-2ygtj.html#ixzz2mBZlAtER GOVERNMENT REPORT CARDS 21. His country, our grim future Anne Summers It's rare, maybe unheard of, for an elected political leader to set out to put his country into even worse shape than he found it. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/his-country-our-grim-future-20131129-2yh5p.html 22. The electorate doesn't have buyer's remorse. Yet. Barrie Cassidy The backflip on education funding makes one wonder if the Abbott government believes it has some good will to spend. It hasn't. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-29/cassidy-the-electorate-doesnt-have-buyers-remorse-yet/5122458 23. No wonder voters are feeling jumpy Annabel Crabb Pyne did not go to school at all; he was delivered by midwives straight into the hands of the Global Institute for Shamelessness, whence he graduated summa cum laude as a young man, holding degrees in Advanced Audacity and Flagrant Disregard, and immediately became the member for Sturt). http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/no-wonder-voters-are-feeling-jumpy-20131130-2yi5m.html#ixzz2mBY7gCuP 24. Tony Abbott's more controversial speeches disappear Bianca Hall Some of Tony Abbott's most controversial speeches have been airbrushed from Coalition history since the election, including a 2009 speech in which he backed a carbon tax, and a 2004 speech in which he described abortion as ''a question of the mother's convenience''....at least two recent transcripts have also been expunged from the public record. They include an interview on Sky with Chris Kenny in March, in which Mr Abbott vowed to lift foreign aid - a position he later reversed - and a speech to conservative think tank the Institute of Public Affairs this year. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbotts-more-controversial-speeches-disappear-20131130-2yimm.html 25. Jeremy Travers ‏@JeremyTravers 11h Just in case this press release gets taken off Pyne's website, here it is. http://www.scribd.com/doc/188252389/Pyne-promising-each-school-would-receive-the-same-dollar-for-dollar-funding-irrespective-of-who-won-the-election … 26. Gratton Wilson ‏@GrattonWilson 2h @smh @j4gypsy Please do not be misled, Air brushed from Liberal web site but safely in National Library & many data bases for all to access 27. Paul Barratt ‏@phbarratt 21h Tony Abbott's more controversial speeches disappear. Bit like supporters ripping pages out of Honi Soit. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbotts-more-controversial-speeches-disappear-20131130-2yimm.html 28. The Madness of Christopher Pyne Bob Ellis The sanity of Christopher Pyne must be urgently investigated by a Senate Inquiry. He speaks of ‘envelopes’ and ‘a Shorten shambles’ and how ‘Unity Ticket’ meant disunity everywhere, and how the abhorrent system Gonski’s deliberations were intended to cure was a roaring success that needed no tinkering — none whatsoever. That his own academically challenged sons are doing very well, thank you, and need no additional help. http://www.independentaustralia.net/article-display/the-madness-of-christopher-pyne,5939 29. Against the grain: Hockey's big government horror Annabel Crabb For someone who believes in small government, Joe Hockey has found his job as Treasurer in an ideologically divided Government all too often involves interfering with the markets http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-29/crabb-against-the-grain-hockeys-big-government-horror/5124816 FOREIGN AFFAIRS & TRADE 30. Senior Indonesian politician calls for Mark Textor to be put on immigration blacklist DPR Minta Mark Textor Masuk Daftar Hitam Imigrasi RI http://www.republika.co.id/berita/nasional/politik/13/11/28/mwy9d3-dpr-minta-mark-textor-masuk-daftar-hitam-imigrasi-ri POLICY & PROGRAMS 31. Malcolm Fraser has criticised a federal government push to introduce 99-year leaseholds over some Northern Territory communities. Luke Waters Advocate and former journalist Jeff McMullin said the government’s motives were sinister. "This is a drive by the new government for economic control of Aboriginal lands," he said. "The land-grab is to facilitate the easy entry of miners for exploration and development." But the government said the possibility of 99-year leases is a catalyst to building stronger communities capable of attracting business development and providing opportunities for locals....in the meantime Malcolm Fraser is urging the Abbott government to review its position. http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/11/27/malcolm-fraser-criticises-govts-leasehold-plan 32. Extending income management in Cape York Luke Buckmaster Legislation introduced into Parliament last week proposes to extend operation of income management in Cape York for a further two years until the end of 2015. This will be the third time income management has been extended in Cape York since it began in 2008. The Government argues that income management is a key element of welfare reform efforts in Cape York, which it says have 'seen improved school attendance, care and protection of children and community safety'. http://parliamentflagpost.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/extending-income-management-in-cape-york.html ECONOMY + BUSINESS 33. Growth to get sluggish, but few care Ross Gittins Of late the econocrats have been warning that, unless we undertake major reform, national income will grow a lot more slowly in the coming decade than it did in the past one. According to Dr David Gruen, of Treasury, gross national income per person grew at an annual rate of 2.3 per cent over the past 13 years, but may grow by only about 0.9 per cent over the coming 10 years.... With the global ecosystem already malfunctioning under the weight of so much economic activity, it's time the age of hyper-materialism came to an end and we switched attention from quantity to quality. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/business/growth-to-get-sluggish-but-few-care-20131201-2yjm1.html 34. Clouds on the horizon for our living standards Ross Gittins It's a funny thing about the awful truth: people are much more inclined to talk about it after elections than before. And it seems as though, of late, our top economists have done little but tell us our economic future is a lot more ''challenging'' than was contemplated during the election campaign. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/business/clouds-on-the-horizon-for-our-living-standards-20131129-2yhez.html 35. Australia’s on-again, off-again budget emergency is on again. Craig Emerson Australia’s on-again, off-again budget emergency is on again. But this time it’s real, it’s lurking just around the corner of the four-year budget period and it’s worsened by the unaffordable promises of the new government. http://craigemersoneconomics.com/blog/2013/11/29/column-in-the-weekend-australian 36. Australia assumes G20 presidency, invites Singapore, NZ ABC Australia has assumed the presidency of the G20 and invited Singapore and New Zealand to attend the leaders' summit in Brisbane next year. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-01/australia-assumes-g20-presidency-invites-singapore-nz/5127520?WT.mc_id=newsmail 37. Grain of doubt over 'national interest' Malcolm Maiden Australia's ambassador to the United States, Kim Beazley, had to scramble in the 48 hours before the Abbott government's announcement that it had blocked Archer Daniels Midland's $3.4 billion takeover of GrainCorp. He had to deliver on a commitment in the Howard Government's free trade agreement with America that the US government be given the opportunity to directly discuss potential takeover bans. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/business/grain-of-doubt-over-national-interest-case-20131129-2yh6n.html ASYLUM SEEKERS 38. As a refugee lawyer, the last few weeks have been heart-wrenching Sharara Attai The reintroduction of temporary protection visas is costly and unnecessarily cruel. The Australian Greens are right to challenge their existence http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/29/as-a-refugee-lawyer-the-last-few-weeks-have-been-heart-wrenching 39. Sick Boy On Christmas Island Without Father, Medication Nick Olle An immigration department keen to show theirs is “the toughest border protection regime Australia has ever put in place” says “all efforts are made” to reunite families. A 14-year-old Iraqi boy being held in Australian immigration detention, who requires daily injections, had his medication confiscated by officials – and since then has been separated from his father, his primary carer, who suffered a heart attack. http://www.theglobalmail.org/reporters/nick-olle/15/ LABOR 40. Not quite gospel from St Paul Paul Malone THE COLLECTED insults of Paul Keating are presented glowingly at an ABC News website used to promote Kerry O'Brien's four-part interview series with the former prime minister. ''Whatever your opinion of Paul Keating's politics,'' the promo says, ''it is hard to find his equal as a parliamentary performer.'' As one who has spent years listening to and watching the Parliament, I can't agree. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/not-quite-gospel-from-st-paul-20131130-2yi9z.html#ixzz2mBahjcnR 41. They don't make them like Paul Keating anymore Evan Williams What a cruel coincidence: the ABC's interview with Keating aired on the same day new mediocre politicians enter parliament. The former PM had the best speeches, insults and style. Think of Keating’s language - he delivered insults to his opponents like every politician – engaging in “the vaudeville”, as he termed it – but he did so with creativity and class http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/12/they-dont-make-them-like-paul-keating-anymore 42. Keating: The Interviews, part one –TV review Monica Attard Paul Keating's long ABC interview with Kerry O'Brien sees the politician divide opinion now as he did then. He served in the Whitlam and Hawke governments, won one election and was spectacularly defeated in another. To devotees, his word was and remains gospel – and Paul John Keating looks like a man who loves the adoration. http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/nov/13/keating-the-interviews-part-one-tv-review 43. Keating: the Interviews, part two – TV review Jane Caro Keating was illuminating about his complex relationship with Bob Hawke, and what politics can learn from the great composers, in this riveting second instalment. There is much that is electrifying about this interview – the second of a four-part series – not least because it covers the period of the greatest structural economic reform in Australia’s history. Kerry O’Brien skilfully guides the world’s greatest Treasurer through winning the 1983 election, the Accord, the floating of the dollar, the deregulation of the banking system and the complete rewrite of the Australian tax system which was done – as Keating relates in vivid detail – in an astonishingly intense five months. POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT + IDEAS 44. Australia's Boom-Bust History Craig Emerson in conversation with Ross Garnaut (46 mins) Renowned economist Professor Ross Garnaut visits Emmo Forum to discuss his new book, 'Dog Days'. The conversation follows the general structure of his book, starting with Australia's boom-bust economic history (part 1), continuing with policies for averting a recession (part 2), and ending with concerns about morality in politics (part 3). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjQudfpqxtk&list=PLTo-MPmtfATkYbd2YBIj0_9iKmyHhEo3H 45. What politicians won't admit: most of us are coasting Crispin Hull ..both sides of politics have put their very similar stories to the public which, together, are a recipe for financial catastrophe. Those storylines are: ■ You are doing it tough. ■ Elect us - we will make it better. ■ We will give you even more in the form of extra spending on education, the disabled and maternity leave. ■ And we will not increase taxes. (In fact, the Coalition wants to remove two taxes). The worst of these four storylines is the first... In the face of this ''doing it tough'' storyline, no government can tackle the revenue side of the budget. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/what-politicians-wont-admit-most-of-us-are-coasting-20131128-2yctg.html 46. We simply can't have our cake and eat it too Tim Colebatch They say a country gets the leaders it deserves. If so, what does this lot say about us? Frankly, it's no compliment. It suggests that we prefer politicians who tell us what we want to hear, and pander to our prejudices, rather than those who try to get us to confront reality when it doesn't fit with what we would like to believe. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/we-simply-cant-have-our-cake-and-eat-it-too-20131125-2y5wg.html#ixzz2mBdN7qUn 47. British society is bursting with creativity. Except at Westminster Henry Porter Politicians bemoan voter apathy, but many of us feel that the political process is both rotten and unrepresentative. Political parties are in staggering decline. Politicians are almost universally reviled and government invariably mistrusted. Fewer and fewer of us show any great enthusiasm for voting or any interest in learning about and making distinctions on policy. The most common view of voters is that the major parties are all the same and that they do not represent our aspirations or bother to find out how we live our lives. So, what's the bleeding point in getting involved or voting? Russell Brand has become the leading thinker of a mass ideological sulk. http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/30/voter-apathy-political-engagement 48. Parliament v2.0? It'll take more than 'e-dialogue' to gain young people's trust Emma Howard If you haven't yet heard, the next big thing in technology is on its way. It's called Parliament version 2.0. Its impending arrival was announced ..by the unlikely figure of the UK Commons Speaker, John Bercow. He suggests that the solution to political apathy is the world wide web. He is either fooling himself or believes he can fool us. Lack of flashy digital tools is not the issue here. The problem is as simple as a single word: trust. Political participation is declining. http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/29/parliament-v20-e-dialogue-young-people-john-bercow?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 THE PERNICIOUS PRESS 49. The Sun on Sunday lied about me last week. Have they learned nothing? Russell Brand Not a big deal in the scheme of things, but it's still the same fecund bone-yard of gossip, poison and lies. Murdoch's Sun on Sunday, which is of course the News of the World with a different hat on, lied about me last week. http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/nov/29/russell-brand-rages-sun-rupert-murdoch?CMP=ema_632 50. Journalism in the dock: first month of phone hacking trial John Jewell When Justice John Saunders opened what has been called the “trial of the century” he told the jury: “In a way, not only are the defendants on trial, but British justice is on trial.” To say the defendants in the case are prominent in the world of journalism would be an understatement of gigantic proportions. http://theconversation.com/journalism-in-the-dock-first-month-of-phone-hacking-trial-20737 SOME ADDITIONAL SOURCES Refugee Boat Arrivals The updates that the Morrison Military Machine want to hide. http://archiearchive.wordpress.com/2013/11/23/refugee-boat-timeline-updated-to-november-23rd/ ABC Fact Check determines the accuracy of claims by politicians, public figures, advocacy groups and institutions engaged in the public debate. http://www.abc.net.au/news/factcheck/ Politifact Australia http://www.politifact.com.au/truth-o-meter/ Ashbygate on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/585444634841472/ The Finnigans' Home of the BISONs The Beautiful Inspiring Set of Numbers http://www.thefinnigans.blogspot.com.au/ • ROULE REPORT — Issues of Today http://paper.li/RouleReport/1334728962 • AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER FRONT PAGES www.thepaperboy.com/australia/front-pages.cfm • NEWS HEADLINES 02 December, 2013 http://www.hotheadlines.com.au/ ####################################################

Casablanca

2/12/2013 CASABLANCA'S CACHE 2 December 2013. [b]Abbott says we misheard!! He really said 'disunity ticket'!![/b] http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/CASABLANCAS-CACHE-2013-12-02.aspx …

2353

2/12/2013Jaycee - well said. I wonder why at times Shorten isn't using language like yours, only to reflect that he is trying to turn against the politics of hate (as practiced by Abbott). It's not entirely unexpected that Abbott & crew don't seem to be learning that they actually have to deliver on promises. I wonder what will happen first - Abbott gets rolled before the next election or Abbott gets rolled at the next election.

Ad astra

2/12/2013Casablanca Thank you for another set of informative links, and particularly a rich set about the LIES perpetuated by Abbott and Pyne about Gonski. Is there one Fourth Estate article that supports their words and actions? Peter Martin spells out the facts clearly. Tom Bentley, who advised Julia Gillard through the Gonski process, in an article in [i]The Guardian[/i] puts his finger on the central issue for Pyne – [b]ideology[/b]: [i]“Pyne is fiercely committed to a brand of liberalism that seeks to combine free market economics with an aggressive, conservative social morality. In this view, the bastions of left-wing culture and propaganda – including public schooling systems, education bureaucracies, teacher unions and woolly liberal thinkers – have held in place an educational orthodoxy which is a closet form of socialism, stifling true choice by families and obscuring the educational potential of millions of children. “It is perfectly consistent, therefore, to use funding and economics aggressively to attack public sector institutions, while using the power and authority of the state to promote and prescribe forms of social morality – "values" – that are prescriptive and traditional.”[/i] I shall expand on the crucial issue of morality and values in politics in my December 8 piece’ [i]The myth of political sameness[/i]

this is jaycee

2/12/2013Thank you TT. and 2353. As most of us will be aware, treason in the old kingdoms was usually an open and shut case of the taking up of arms against the king...the king in those times being little more than another baron with a fiefdom amongst many and it was a bone of contention as to who had the most armed men as to who would be king. With the modern society, as I quoted from Rebecca West...there was some difficulty as to how to prosecute Lord Haw Haw (William Joyce), him being an Irishman...the solution was approached by three routes..the one they finally went with being an interpretation of holding a passport and residing under the protection of "the crown"..ie. ; The King. The MSM. employees of Murdoch enjoy the same privelidges under their Aust' passport, yet there was open hostility by both the shock-jocks and the MSM. press who served a foreign citizen and obeyed the orders of that foreign citizen who declared his blatant intention to "remove" the govt'...and he did..by fair means or foul is for each of us to consider. I have considered MY opinion and I present it here.

this is jaycee

2/12/2013The blog engine will not let me post under my usual name of "jaycee".

Michael

2/12/2013Can anyone in Australia now begin to doubt that Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott, through the period of 'who'll govern' negotiations after the 2010 election, saw what Tony Abbott, PM, would mean to Australia? Saw with absolute clarity what every day is now revealing to the rest of us? Oakeshott was pilloried for his seventeen minutes/pages of explaining his decision, but looking back, I reckon he was trying to explain in reasoned terms something his mind was struggling to come to terms with - that Abbott had showed himself to be a ratbag liar. I suspect he couldn't believe what he'd discovered during the negotiations period, was trying to rationalise what his gut was screaming at him about Abbott. The Abbott we see every day now is a grotesque parody of 'no surprises, no excuses'. The head of government is a monster.

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2/12/2013Julia Gillard was made out to be a liar by others using words out of qualification (context) There was a big argument about TAX or PRICE. going on at the time Julia is not a "real" liar. You have to give abbott credit for being the GENUINE article when it comes to being a squirming liar caught out by many utterances he and his poncy Pyne mate made.Tony makes things "CRYTAL CLEAR" When it comes to outright lying, Phoney is the REAL McCoy. The genuine article. Definitely one of the best. It's in his DNA.

Catching Up

2/12/2013Sadly, the word treason is the one that comes to mind, when describing this government. There foes not seem to be any rhyme or reason for what they are doing. I also believe that governments never do anything, with out a aim in mind. Yes, they are heading somewhere. Our problem is, no matter how hard we try to comprehend, we seem to have no idea where. They seem to speak a new language, one we do not comprehend. One could call it "Tony speak". Will someone remind Mr. Hunt, if he garners the numbers on the floor of the senate, over the next fortnight, he does indeed have a mandate, as he claims. If the bills fail, he has not. The government is not the parliament. The parliament is made up, of all the MPs voted in by their electorate, at the last election. All those MPs have one vote, of equal value. They owe a duty to those who voted for them. They owe Abbott nothing. Mr. Abbott just has to get enough on side.

TalkTurkey

2/12/2013IACM = International Association for Cannabis Medicines They mail me bulletins every month. Unfortunately I can't find a link to individual bulletins but here is the current one in its entirety. It is clear from the tremendous amount of research into Cannabis and its derivatives being done in many parts of the world that there are huge potential (and in some places actual) medical benefits from the use of Cannabinoids in - it seems - EVERY ailment to which the flesh is heir. And the older people get, the more comfort, and actual long-term health benefits may accrue. Each of these individual cannabinoids (there are SCORES of them), has its own individual medical properties; some may tend to counter or even reverse the effects of others, so the interplay of the varying proportions of each, as found in whole weed as used recreationally, is complex. But VERY interesting to experimenters. The funny thing is, that while the researchers are putting so much effort into finding the effects of Cannabis, they are always eager to reassure us that this or that preparation only contains Cannabinoids that [i]won't get you high![/i] :) - Which SO misses the point! (It just[i] mustn't be FUN to use [/i]eh!) Cannabis 'works' in completely different ways from other drugs, though [i]chocolate[/i] fires us in related though lesser ways; and there is an argument as to whether it should be classed as a drug at all. It's ... [i]different.[/i] But it does work anyway, without medical research at all, straight off the plant, that's [i]why[/i] and [i]how[/i] it is used down the ages, and in every land and clime now. To a degree those pharmaceutical companies trying to cash in on Cannabinoids are like a dog chasing its tail until it catches up with its own brain, only to find that everybody knows it's just a dumb self-interested dog. People [i]will[/i] use Cannabis, to self-medicate, [i]and[/i] to get high, responsibly and lovingly and peaceably, for that is the nature of the social effects of what is the most benign of plants. This is not to bag genuine research into the properties of Cannabinoids for scientificic-not-commercial purposes, au contraire of course, I think it is the most important area for medical research of all. Amongst its bewildering benign effects Cannabis has anticarcinogenic and even antibiotic properties, and anyone considering the sad saga of antibiotic abuse and its disastrous results has to be interested in that! Are huge pharmaceutical companies involved in keeping Cannabis illegal until they can find ways of profiting from it? Are tobacco companies, considering that there are those who will tell you they only managed to quit smoking that awful weed, by the hugely-less-damaging (at worst) use of Cannabis? Is the continued farcical cynically hypocritical ban on Cannabis in Australia a political matter? And what about purveyors of Alcohol? Is the continuing ban on Cannabis for any and all purposes a political population-thought-control measure? What do you think? Here's the IACM's Bulletin. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IACM-Bulletin 01.12.2013 Newsletter Studies Database ofClinical Studies Law and Politics Medical Possibilities Frequently asked Questions Top-News Czech Republic Most patients do not have the financial means to buy cannabis from the pharmacies The Czech Republic legalized the medical use of cannabis this year becoming effective on 1 April, but maintained strict restrictions on growing, selling and importing it. For most patients the solution is still growing the plant themselves. Some 20,000 patients who are estimated to be eligible for cannabis treatment have no chance to get it legally - although so far police have largely ignored ... more UK/USA More than 100 children with epilepsy receive a new cannabis extract rich in CBD The British company GW Pharmaceuticals announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed the conduction of clinical studies with Epidiolex, their cannabis extract that contains Cannabidiol (CBD) as its active ingredient, for use in treating children with Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of infantile-onset, genetic, drug-resistant epilepsy syndrome. The company hopes to ... more Science/Human Oral THC has similar psychoactive effects to smoked cannabis In pain patients oral THC (dronabinol) caused similar psychoactive effects to the intake of dronabinol by inhalation of cannabis. This is the result of a study at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA. Scientists performed a randomized controlled trial of single dose placebo, 10 or 20 mg oral THC in 30 chronic non-cancer pain patients taking opioids and not ... more News in brief Switzerland Sativex will be available soon GW Pharmaceuticals announced that the company received marketing authorization for their cannabis extract Sativex for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Sativex will be commercialized in Switzerland by GW’s European partner, Almirall. Press release by GW Pharmaceuticals of 27 November 2013. Australia Government of New South Wales rejects proposal for medical use of cannabis Last November the NSW government established a parliamentary inquiry into the use of cannabis for medical purposes. The committee recommended AIDS and terminally ill patients be allowed to possess and use up to 15 grams of dry cannabis. However the NSW government has rejected the proposal. Rheumatology Update of 22 November 2013. Science/Animal CBDV may be beneficial in epilepsy The natural cannabinoid CBDV (cannabidivarin) reduced the activity of epilepsy-related genes in a mouse model of epilepsy. Researchers wrote that their results “provide the first molecular confirmation of behaviourally observed effects of the non-psychoactive, anticonvulsant cannabinoid, CBDV, upon chemically-induced seizures and serve to underscore its suitability for clinical development.” School of Chemistry, The University of Reading, UK. Amada N, et al. PeerJ 2013;1:e214. Science/Animal CB2 receptors are involved in the perception of pain in arthritis The systemic administration of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH133, which binds to the CB2 receptor, reduced pain from osteoarthritis (OA) in mice. There was a negative correlation between the number of CB2 receptors in the spinal cord and severity of joint damage. Authors wrote that these findings “suggest that targeting CB2 receptors may have therapeutic potential for treating OA pain.” University of Nottingham, Uk. Burston JJ, et al. PLoS One 2013;8(11):e80440. Science/Animal New oestrogen receptor modulators bind to CB2 receptors Animal studies showed that the new selective oestrogen receptor modulators bazedoxifene and lasofoxifene block CB2 cannabinoid receptors. They are “inverse agonists” at the CB2 receptor. These medications are intended for use in osteoporosis. Authors wrote that these drugs “can potentially be repurposed for novel therapeutic indications for which CB2 is a target.” Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, USA. Kumar P, et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2013 Nov 22. [in press] Science/Human Compared with alcohol illegal drugs play a minor role in fatal traffic accidents In 21% of 895 drivers killed in road accidents in Sweden between 2008 and 2011 alcohol was present. In 2.5% only illegal drugs (mainly THC and amphetamines) were detected. In another 1.8% illegal drugs were present together with alcohol. Authors wrote that “compared with alcohol, the prevalence of illicit and psychoactive prescription drugs was fairly low despite a dramatic increase in the number of drug-impaired drivers arrested by the police after a zero-tolerance law was introduced in 1999.” Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden. Ahlner J, et al. Scand J Public Health. 2013 Nov 21. [in press] Science/Human Endocannabinoid levels are altered in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder Borderline personality was associated with altered serum levels of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Posttraumatic stress disorder was associated with alterations of the endocannabinoid oleoylethanolamide. Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany. Schaefer C, et al. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2013 Nov 20. [in press] Science/Animal Palmitoylethanolamine improved arthritis The administration of endocannabinoid palmitoylethanolamine improved arthritis, which was induced in mice. In addition, blood levels of pro-inflammatory substances were significantly reduced by a treatment with palmitoylethanolamine + luteolin. Luteolin is a flavonoid present in many plants such as celery, green pepper and olive oil. Authors wrote that the 2 substances together exert “an anti-inflammatory effect during chronic inflammation.” Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Italy. Impellizzeri D, et al. Arthritis Res Ther 2013;15(6):R192. Science/Cells CBD inhibits signs of inflammation in tissue of the human bowel The pro-inflammatory substance interleukin 17A is linked to inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease. Cannabidiol (CBD), anandamide and hydrocortisone reduced the damage of the bowel mucosa caused by interleukin 17A. Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Australia. Harvey BS, et al. Cytokine. 2013 Nov 13. [in press] Follow us on twitter @IACM_Bulletin where you can send us inquiries and receive updates on research studies and news articles © International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines Unsubscribe No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3629/6881 - Release Date: 11/30/13

Catching Up

2/12/2013Does one get the impression, that Pyne sees everything in black and white. There is no grey in his world. I also suspect, very little reality. Watching him stand behind those premiers, when voicing their concerns, with a smirk on his face, says it all. It says, as he has told us, on many occasions last week, I am education minister. Only my words count, you can all lump it.

Catching Up

2/12/2013Turnbull gets the first of his reports today. I fear that we, the public who are incapable of comprehending what this government says, will NOT be getting a peek. We can give our local MP some backbone, by emailing them, telling them what we think.

Catching Up

2/12/2013Michael, sadly most on left wing leaning sites, are not surprise by Abbott. One had to be blind not to see it. Even today, the MSM in the main, are having trouble with what they are witnessing with this government. What is a surprise, is how incompetent they are, and the damage they have already managed in 75 days of government. 86 since they were elected.

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2/12/2013I think they are saying. You can get stuffed WE are IN now and when you're in you can do what you want. It's a game for them. Abbott has always FED the audience by telling each one what they want to hear. He is the essence of a conman. the Indonesians know that, and we are learning it as will the rest of the world . Unreliable and devious and beholden to interest groups. Great leadership qualities.

Catching Up

2/12/2013Maybe we will find out today, how the Slipper matter ended up in court.

Catching Up

2/12/2013By the way, what Abbott wants to rescind, is not a toxic tax, but the whole clean energy package. Included with bills. Provides many Jobs, and assistance for industry, to move to more efficient technology, lowering there power bills far into the future. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-02/bill-shorten-speaks-with-radio-nationals-fran-kelly/5128078 This is what Shorten is saying.

Catching Up

2/12/2013Abbott now on. ABC 24 At a surf lifesaving event in Canberra. No sound, no loss.

Catching Up

2/12/2013Did Abbott just say, talking to a lifesaver, that he has no peripheral vision. Indeed, a never a truer word has come out of his mouth. In fact, he has no vision at all. He does have a stupid grin on his face today. Shown talking to all. think he is trying to portrayed what a great bloke he is. ABC 24

Catching Up

2/12/2013Is this a home movie frown Abbott. Definitely not MSM media. The camera work is shocking. Is this a home movie from Abbott. Internet seems to be letting him down. Did try this in the early days of his Stint as Opposition,. Tried to past off home made videos as PC. Those experts he hired, do not seem to be worth the money ABC 24. That effort can be marked as a complete flop.

thia is jaycee

2/12/2013catching up...was Abbott there at the sea shore playing King Canute.."STOP THE TIDE!"

Catching Up

2/12/2013No, somewhere in Canberra. Unable to say more, as I said, the whole attempt appear to be amateurish in the extreme. They said they were going back, when technical problems were overcome. Has not occurred.

Michael

2/12/2013It was on the News yesterday or the day before that Liberal strategists had decided Abbott had to get out there again, be seen 'being adored' by the public, as a counter to the government's bad polling. So that's why it's Pop-Up Tony right now. Like an inflatable doll, all hot air.

Catching Up

2/12/2013Yes, get out, but nowhere near any journalist, that might just make a mistake, and ask him some questions.

Catching Up

2/12/2013Abbott and Pyne are now on ABC 24 Announcing a simple system that is fair and national. Has agreement of states that did not sign? All in a few days????

Catching Up

2/12/2013He has agreement with the bodies that cover only 29% of kids. The other states that signed up to Gonski, covers 80% Third scheme within a week.

Catching Up

2/12/2013What happens to the other states. Do they have to go along with those who want Gonski?

Catching Up

2/12/2013Another con, I am afraid.

Catching Up

2/12/2013The money is going to be cut from education budget, that will not affect parents or students. Will tell us down the track Keeping commitments in spirit. Doing best to keep faith. Well Mr. Abbot, one has to go back to Gonski to do that.

Catching Up

2/12/2013A different Abbott,once again today. One that is not stuttering, and full of confidence, Maybe he comes across better when lying and conning.

Catching Up

2/12/2013It appears, we still have the Gonski model, with some of the safe guards removed. Another background. Took to the end of the MC to work out what they are saying. A lot of weasel words to get to the point, they are keeping Gillard's model

Catching Up

2/12/2013We have the honor of the younger Bishop today.

Catching Up

2/12/2013Hunt now claiming that the carbon tax, is closing down some mining projects. Funnym they only mention low prices and high dollars.

Catching Up

2/12/2013Movement of standing orders. By Shorten, after asking Abbott when he was going to stop lying. Bishop attempting to close him down. Has disallowed the motion. I expect another motion against the speaker.

Catching Up

2/12/2013It is shocking, it seems, that one asks Abbott when he is going to stop lying. God help us.

Catching Up

2/12/2013Censure motion now on, of the PM

Catching Up

2/12/2013http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/5329-federal-voting-intention-december-2-2013-201312020313

2353`

2/12/2013Jaycee - if your 'username' is the Author of the Conversation Starter, you cannot post in the comments for that article with the same name unless you are logged in. I comment from a number of different computers and have struck the same problem - that's why on the Conversation Starters I write, some of my comments are actually by 2353` as I am only logged on once.

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2/12/2013Re the motions to suspend standing orders. Allowing an amendment that removes most of the original motion and effectively negates the principal motion should be ruled out of order. the original motion should have to be voted on. I believe Bishop has allowed an abuse of process. Hardly an impartial speaker, but I'm not surprised.

khtagh

2/12/2013Jaycee I love your posts & this article, you have what is sadly missing in politics today, passion!!. If you don't get angry & in peoples faces they simply don't listen. Unfortunately then your called a loose cannon & ignored. Maybe its time to start running right wing people over in the car & claiming, they just walked out in front of me, they refused to look & see me coming, just like climate change.

thia is jaycee

2/12/2013nice runnning commentry Catching up!

Casablanca

2/12/2013 Clive Palmer delivering his first speech now.

this is jaycee

2/12/2013Was working today...missed a lot...but I see the LNP. has done another "about turn!" and is spinning like a top!...they're not a joke any more, they are walking sarcasm ; the lowest form of wit!.. Is there no one of dignity in the entire Liberal / National Party heirarchy who will put an end to these sick dogs?

this is jaycee

2/12/2013Thanks Khtagh...but if you consider my post...those MSM. journos that joined in the hunting down of Julia Gillard PM. and the relentless undermining of the democratically elected govt', were operating from exactly the same position as Lord Haw Haw...ie. they were enjoying the protection and priviledges under their Australian passport, all the while taking orders and payment from a foreign national to deliberately undermine our nation's democracy and to deliberately place in power a puppet govt' to destroy our national infrastructure. Exactly the position of Lord Haw Haw!...in the pay of the Nazis!...I wouldn't say that one could win a charge of treason against the MSM. players, but by christ, I'd like to see the bastards dragged before a magistrate to face the charge!

Catching Up

2/12/2013http://www.independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/craig-thomson-on-trial-day-one,5946 Latest on Thomson

Catching Up

2/12/2013What wans the promise that Abbott kept today. Was it the one he said he made, or the one the public thought he made. I do hope that Pyne now comprehends the Gonski policy, as he is now putting it in place. All that Pyne has done, is what Labor would be doing if elected. Pyne has got them to sign, by giving them everything they ask. We nowe have two schemes in place.

Casablanca

3/12/2013 [b]CASABLANCA'S CACHE Tuesday, 3 December, 2013; 52 items[/b] GONSKI + EDUCATION STANDARDS 1. Simon Banks ‏@SimonBanksHB 4h Has Pyne got rid of the requirement for schools to have "fully functional flagpoles"? Discuss #Gonski 2. angel milo ‏@angelmilo2 4h Poor Pyne exhausted 'cleaning up Labor's mess.' Inventing lies and then refuting them is a tiring business indeed #auspol #pyneocchio 3. Ged Kearney ‏@GedKACTU 10h 'Govt's attack on Gonski reforms is not only a broken promise, it's a direct attack on our values of equality & opportunity' RJ Hawke 4. We Just Got Schooled in Political Expediency Mike Seccombe So, the Abbott Government has beaten a tactical retreat in its class war. Mr Pyne’s four steps to educational success. (Spoiler: step four involves a bucket of money.) http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/we-just-got-schooled-in-political-expediency/763/ 5. Prime Minister Tony Abbott turns to 'quantum' theory to explain Gonski school funding retreat Heath Aston Appearing on Channel Ten's The Bolt Report, Mr Abbott was played a clip in which Education Minister Christopher Pyne said: ''You can vote Liberal or Labor and you will get exactly the same amount of funding for your school.'' Mr Abbott replied: ''I think Christopher said 'schools would get the same amount of money'. And schools, plural, will get the same amount of money. The quantum will be the same.'' http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/prime-minister-tony-abbott-turns-to-quantum-theory-to-explain-gonski-school-funding-retreat-20131201-2yjyy.html#ixzz2mJrGoGmj 6. Abbott to honour Gonski school funding deals Emma Griffiths In a surprise move, it now says it has reached an "in-principle" agreement with the states that did not sign up, and will honour Labor's funding agreements "to the letter". http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-02/abbott-gonski/5129118?WT.mc_id=newsmail 7. Pyne's Gonski shambles Dean Ashenden Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne is correct in saying that the Gonski scheme is a mess, but culpably wrong to use that fact to ditch the whole idea. The Gonski mess shows few of the actors concerned in a good light, and some, including Pyne himself, in a very poor one. It also reveals fundamental problems in the governance as well as the funding of Australian schooling. http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=38566#.UpwJireqpZY 8. Gonski: Will Pyne Get Away With It? Paula Matthewson Let’s set aside for one moment the audacious duplicity of Education Minister Christopher Pyne revoking his Gonski commitments while claiming to have never made them in the first place. http://thehoopla.com.au/gonski-just-beginning/ 9. States say Pyne's changes to target public schools as bitter old debates become new Peter West After a tense meeting in Canberra today, education state ministers raised concerns that the new federal government changes to school funding would see cuts only target public schools. The NSW education… http://theconversation.createsend1.com/t/r-l-nkjdyud-trhltityg-yh/ 10. The ironic and phonetic future of Australia’s declining educational standards Sean Biggs ‘Our descendants will be unable 2 join teh rest of teh world in teknologikal development, because they were not edyoukated enough, 2 even spell proparlee’ http://www.independentaustralia.net/article-display/the-ironic-and-phonetic-future-of-australias-declining-educational-standards,5947 SURVEILLANCE, REVELATIONS + ACCOUNTABILITY 11. Revealed: Australian spy agency offered to share data about ordinary citizens Ewen MacAskill, James Ball and Katharine Murphy Australia's surveillance agency offered to share information collected about ordinary Australian citizens with its major intelligence partners, according to a secret 2008 document leaked by the US whistleblower Edward Snowden. The document shows the partners discussing whether or not to share "medical, legal or religious information", and increases concern that the agency could be operating outside its legal mandate, according to the human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/02/revealed-australian-spy-agency-offered-to-share-data-about-ordinary-citizens 12. Indonesia was handed a free kick and used it Lance Collins Unlike other states named in the Snowden leaks, Indonesia chose to react noisily, and their reaction had some vulnerable skin to bruise because of past actions by Australian special interests. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-02/collins-australia-indonesia-espionage/5122436?WT.mc_id=newsmail ENTITLEMENTS & FIDDLES 13. Slipper says fraud case abuses process AAP Former parliamentary Speaker Peter Slipper says a fraud case against him is an abuse of process and could breach parliamentary privilege. When the trial opened in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, Mr Slipper's counsel Kylie Weston-Scheuber asked for a permanent stay of proceedings. Ms Weston-Scheuber said the case was inherently unfair against Mr Slipper, because the rules of parliamentary privilege would make it impossible for her to question key witnesses about discussions with Mr Slipper and his activities during the trips. http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/12/02/slipper-case-abuse-process-court-told 14. Craig Thomson on trial: Day one Umberto Ledfooti An interesting admission was made by the prosecution today in the Craig Thomson trial, but the media didn’t hang around long enough to hear it. Lesley Taylor, SC, appearing for the Crown, conceded that those movies Mr Thomson is alleged to have charged to his HSU credit card while staying in hotels “… may not have been pornographic.” She conceded that any of these videos “… could have been The Sound Of Music.” http://www.independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/craig-thomson-on-trial-day-one,5946 GOVERNMENT REPORT CARDS 15. Christopher Pyne’s “good day at the office” Michelle Grattan It was the messiest back down imaginable but Tony Abbott knew he had no choice. The row over school funding had turned into a hurricane blowing away his credibility on the key question of trust. So Abbott has dramatically walked away from positions that Education minister Christopher Pyne stated last week and he himself put as recently as Sunday. http://theconversation.com/christopher-pynes-good-day-at-the-office-21038 16. Humpty Dumpty was apparently right! rossleighbrisbane ‘When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’ ‘The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.‘ (From Through The Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll) http://theaimn.com/2013/12/01/humpty-dumpty-was-apparently-right/ 17. When is a Promise not a Promise? The Hoopla “We are going to keep the promise that we made, not the promise that some people thought that we made, or the promise that some people might have liked us to make.” Would you like to read that again so you can make some sense of it? http://thehoopla.com.au/promise-promise/ POLITICS + POLICIES + PROGRAMS 18. The job cuts pantomime and ongoing idiocy over public service staff levels Paddy Gourley Ministers need to be more closely involved in decisions about their departments' functions and staff. The Abbott government's plan to save billions of dollars by ''freezing'' recruitment to the Australian Public Service has collapsed under the weight of the dim-witted way in which it appears it was formulated. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/the-job-cuts-pantomime-and-ongoing-idiocy-over-public-service-staff-levels-20131128-2yee7.html#ixzz2mJsz3ZTR 19. Public service copped large staff losses under Labor, new report shows Noel Towell The latest State of the Service Report shows the job losses were fuelled by redundancy payouts, which reached a 13-year-high in 2012-13, while resignations collapsed to their lowest level since 2000, as public servants clung onto their jobs or held out for a golden handshake. The report, tabled in Parliament on Monday afternoon, shows the Australian Public Service shrank last financial year for the first time since 2004. It was biggest decline since 1999. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/public-service-copped-large-staff-losses-under-labor-new-report-shows-20131202-2yllk.html#ixzz2mJqOeRrg 20. Hiring freezes and other fiscal fantasies Stephen Bartos The government must resist across-the-board spending cuts based on fairytale assumptions... Honesty and plain talking would make a fine Christmas present for the Australian Public Service. There was too little of it during the election campaign. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/hiring-freezes-and-other-fiscal-fantasies-20131201-2yjbl.html#ixzz2mJtvw4ZI 21. Mark ‏@markjs1 39m Abbott is promising $550 this Christmas ...when he knows repeal wouldn't come into effect until Jul 2014... Another shameless LIE!! #auspol 22. Marian Dalton ‏@crazyjane13 3h So, if my power bills don't come down by $550 next year, can I sue Tony Abbott? 23. What could you do with $550? Tony Abbott Prime Minister Tony Abbott has moved to increase pressure on the Labor Party over axing the carbon pricing scheme, saying it would be the "best possible Christmas present" for Australians. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tiEUgKMSo4&feature=youtu.be 24. No so fast, Christmas shoppers, this promise is one giant turkey! The Hoopla For a start, the power companies have cast doubt on Tony Abbott’s promised price cuts after the abolition of the carbon tax. The calculated amount of $550 comes from a government estimate that power prices will fall by 9 percent and gas by 7 percent. http://theconversation.com/editors-note-the-view-from-the-newsroom-and-whats-coming-up-20950 25. Carbon tax repeal 'unworkable' if applied retrospectively – industry Lenore Taylor Businesses alarmed by risks of too much uncertainty unless legislation to overturn tax is passed by end of June. Big businesses are warning the Abbott government its plan to make the carbon tax repeal retrospective to 1 July 2014 – even if it has not passed the parliament – is a recipe for confusion and uncertainty and could be “unworkable” http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/02/carbon-tax-repeal-unworkable-if-applied-retrospectively-industry?CMP=ema_632 26. Silencing the babble or silencing democracy? Richard Mulgan The new Abbott government is trying to control the flow of information by limiting ministers' contact with journalists and refusing to feed the daily media cycle. What, then, of public accountability? Should the average citizen join the journalists in deploring the drought of ministerial information? Or should we meekly accept shortened rations? Critics of the government find Abbott's about-face on media access hard to take. In opposition, he made ruthlessly effective use of the media cycle, pandering to its daily needs with endless stunts and sound bites. For him of all people to preach the virtues of calm and deliberation when now in office appears the height of hypocrisy. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/silencing-the-babble-or-silencing-democracy-20131128-2yefi.html#ixzz2mJuXZyWY 27. Politicians Who Mislead The Public Julian Burnside It is time to take action against dishonest politicians, and it would not be difficult. There are many different ways of lying. Notoriously, telling only part of the truth is a way of misleading the unwary. It is the way generally favoured by politicians, because it is less easily exposed than a direct falsehood. In Parliament, politicians are not allowed to mislead the house. They should not be allowed to mislead the public – they are the servants of the public, paid from the public purse, and representing the public interest. http://www.julianburnside.com.au/pollies-s52.htm 28. Same-sex marriage and the High Court: previewing the arguments Anne Twomey This week, the High Court will begin hearing the Commonwealth’s challenge to the ACT’s Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013. But don’t expect lofty rhetoric about equality; the case is really about the inconsistency of laws, not human rights. In addition to the Commonwealth and the ACT, Australian Marriage Equality (AME) has also applied to be heard in the proceedings. Interestingly, no state has decided to intervene. http://theconversation.createsend1.com/t/r-l-nkjdyud-trhltityg-v/ LABOR 29. This isn’t good enough, Mr Shorten Michael Taylor The Government, and in particular Tony Abbott and the education minister Christopher Pyne have come in for a caning over their education reforms which, by all accounts, are a complete back flip (and a lie) from what they promised during… Thousands of people across social media are also asking; “Where is Bill Shorten?” Yes, where is he? This has been a monumental balls-up by the Government and he could, to quote a friend, turn this into a “turkey shoot”. http://theaimn.com/2013/12/02/this-isnt-good-enough-mr-shorten/ 30. 'Mortgage Bill' beats 'Electricity Bill' in cost-of-living war Stephen Koukoulas In its attacks on 'Electricity Bill' Shorten, the government is ignoring the massive boost to incomes and cash flow from lower interest rates, and also many other items whose prices have fallen over recent years http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-02/koukoulas-mortgage-bill-beats-electricity-bill/5128874?WT.mc_id=newsmail ECONOMY + BUSINESS 31. Crusade of dated ideology John Quiggan The audit commission's advice will contain a lot of 1980s thinking. A ... theatrical ritual is enacted if the election produces a new Coalition government. The treasurer solemnly announces the creation of an independent commission of audit, which is supposed to examine all areas of government spending. The idea that there are big savings still to be found after two decades of efficiency dividends, contracting out and corporatisation is an illusion. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/commission-of-audit-a-crusade-of-dated-ideology-and-dead-ideas-20131103-2wugf.html#ixzz2mJxR5uKg 32. Decades of Budget deficits without reform Leith van Onselen Private consulting firm, Macroeconomics, issued updated Budget forecasts yesterday, which warned that Australia faces a decade of deficits unless cuts are made to spending: The firm believes the short-term underlying budget position has improved since the September election, although this year’s deficit will be slightly worse than the official $30.1 billion [...] http://macrobusiness.createsend4.com/t/i-l-ahjkyl-dtyueir-ji/ 33. Greens, govt in debt ceiling talks AAP The Australian Greens want parliament to have more say over government borrowings in return for backing the scrapping of a legislated debt ceiling. With the parliament deadlocked on a government move to increase the ceiling from $300 billion to $500 billion, the Greens say they are prepared to consider getting rid of the cap altogether. Instead parliament would return to approving borrowings every year at budget time, provided there was more information about what was being funded. http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2013/12/2/politics/greens-govt-debt-ceiling-talks NBN 34. Senate hearing circus shows politics has no place in NBN Matthew Sorell As Stephen Conroy interrogated the incoming NBN Co chief Ziggy Switkowski in last week’s Senate hearing into the network’s rollout, it became increasingly clear that politics is getting in the way of good… http://theconversation.createsend1.com/t/r-l-nkjdyud-trhltityg-jd/ 35. Can Turnbull avoid a NBN timetable mishap? Supratim Adhikari The NBN strategic review, to be delivered this week, will be the first tangible point of reference from where the Coalition’s NBN aspirations will take shape. And the lead up to this point has been made particularly thorny, by a ferociously partisan Senate Select Committee and a leaked document that casts doubts on the financial viability of a Fibre to the Node (FTTN) heavy NBN and its delivery timetable. http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/12/2/technology/can-turnbull-avoid-nbn-timetable-mishap FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE 36. TPP draft reveals surgical strike on public health Alexandra Phelan and Matthew Rimmer On 13 November, WikiLeaks released a secret draft text of the Intellectual Property Chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The text reveals substantive proposals for expanded protection in respect of copyright, patent, trade mark and trade secrets law, and intellectual property enforcement. http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2013/12/02/tpp-draft-reveals-surgical-strike-on-public-health/ ENVIRONMENT + ENERGY 37. Carbon tax repeal: Labor and Greens split bills to save climate change bodies Lenore Taylor Penny Wong said the government was trying to debate the 11 bills together “to limit debate, scrutiny and consideration”. Labor and the Greens will split the Coalition’s package of legislation repealing the carbon tax to try to “save” the independent Climate Change Authority and the $10bn “green bank” which is making a profit while financing clean energy loans. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/02/carbon-tax-repeal-labor-and-greens-split-bills-to-save-climate-change-bodies 38. Christine Milne ‏@senatormilne 4h Decision to split the Climate Bills for separate debate on CEFC and CCA pays dividends. Madigan to oppose CEFC repeal. 39. Chinese province's emissions trading move leaves Australia behind Adam Morton As the Australian Senate prepares to vote on a repeal of the carbon price scheme, a Chinese province will introduce this month the world's second-largest emissions trading scheme. Guangdong province, the country's largest province with a population of more than 100 million, will cap greenhouse gas emissions and issue carbon permits to big polluters from December 10... The announcement on a government website follows the introduction of emissions trading in Beijing and Shanghai last week and Shenzhen in June. Guangdong's carbon market will trail only the European Union trading scheme in size. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/chinese-provinces-emissions-trading-move-leaves-australia-behind-20131201-2yjvb.html 40. Australia records its warmest spring Blair Trewin The spring of 2013 has been Australia’s warmest on record. Mean temperatures for the season were 1.57C above the 1961-1990 average, surpassing the previous record of 1.43C (set in 2006) by 0.14C. Daytime… http://theconversation.createsend1.com/t/r-l-nkjdyud-trhltityg-tj/ 41. Australia should help East Timor feed itself Juno Rouwenhorst and Andrew Campbell A nation that destroys its soils, destroys itself — Franklin Roosevelt It is a worthy objective to sell more food to Asia, but we should not conflate pursuing export income with improving regional food… http://theconversation.createsend1.com/t/r-l-nkjdyud-trhltityg-tt/ ASYLUM SEEKERS 42. David Manne ‏@david_manne 1h TPV laws were punitive, unconscionable & cruel & their rejection by Senate is a major advance for the dignity of #refugees in our community 43. Labor and the Greens have teamed up in the Senate to quash the reintroduction of temporary protection visas. AAP The Senate has scuttled the coalition government's reintroduction of temporary protection visas. Labor and the Greens teamed up on Monday night to pass a disallowance motion in the Senate, 36 votes to 26, to quash the controversial visas. The coalition government reintroduced temporary protection visas via regulation in October as a key plank of its hardline Operation Sovereign Borders policy aimed at discouraging asylum seeker boat journeys. It must now wait for six months to reintroduce regulation of the same substance. http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/12/02/support-tpv-motion-greens-tell-labor 44. Immigration's young talent drowning in a sea of finger-pointing Markus Mannheim ... immigration portfolio is known widely as the ''shit sandwich''...few reputations escape unscathed from the torrent of bad news the portfolio generates, especially since Australians went berserk over boat people in 2001. It's not that the Immigration Department's work always involves human misery; most of it doesn't...Yet these are not the tales with which the public associates the Immigration Department. Nor does good news of this type resonate with the insular, swinging voters who dominate the politics of marginal electorates. These insecure, downwards-envying Australians resent what the department does: it lets foreigners ''steal'' their jobs and it ''pampers'' refugees who they feel have no right to be here. Neither of our main political parties bother to tackle misconceptions about the portfolio; they simply compete to appeal to the mob. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/immigrations-young-talent-drowning-in-a-sea-of-fingerpointing-20130104-2c9bd.html MACHIAVELLI: 500TH-ANNIVERSARY 45. Machiavelli Was Right Michael Ignatieff The shocking lesson of The Prince isn’t that politics demands dirty hands, but that politicians shouldn’t care. We call these moments Machiavellian because it was Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince, written in 1513, that first laid bare the moral world of politics and the gulf between private conscience and the demands of public action. Machiavelli’s enduring provocation is to baldly maintain that in politics, evil deeds cease to be evil if urgent public interest makes them necessary. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/12/machiavelli-was-right/354672/ SOCIAL MEDIA + CITIZEN JOURNALISM 46. Stephen ‏@TheAviator1992 1 Dec PM Abbott doesn't want you to see his controversial abortion speech. So RT and let the whole world see it! #auspol http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/22487/20130507-1438/www.tonyabbott.com.au/LatestNews/Speeches/tabid/88/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3550/THE-ETHICAL-RESPONSIBILITIES-OF-A-CHRISTIAN-POLITICIAN.html … 47. RIP Fail Whale: Twitter’s iconic error image bites the dust Jon Russell There was a time when the sight of the Fail Whale was common on Twitter, back when the growing startup struggled to keep pace with its users and the sheer volume of tweets. Much has changed since then — including many more users and, of course, Twitter’s recent IPO — and now the company has admitted it killed off the cult whale this past summer. http://thenextweb.com/twitter/2013/11/25/rip-fail-whale/ 48. Van Badham battles the Brosphere: On women, trolls and the Australian media in 2013 Van Badham Social media is the new democracy of Australian opinion. Not so long ago – like, you know, the dark ages of the 1990s – participation in the contemporary political discourse was a privilege of, well, privilege. http://www.womensagenda.com.au/talking-about/opinions/van-badham-battles-the-brosphere-on-women-trolls-and-the-australian-media-in-2013/201312023287#.Upxwi5rEHdw.twitter 49. Reporting Indi: a reflection by Margo Kingston Margo Kingston, Cathy’s Twitter momentum began on June 30, more than a month before the election was called, when Tony Windsor said on Insiders: “Sophie Mirabella – she wins the nasty prize. I know there’s an excellent independent running down there… they’ve got a great group of people – so, people of Indi, just have a look at your representative and see how much better you could do. http://nofibs.com.au/2013/12/02/reporting-indi-reflection-margo-kingston-2/#sthash.3AGdJaGK.dpuf 50. Doing politics differently: @indigocathy maiden speech Cathy McGowan Today I am going to share a story – about myself, about my electorate of Indi, the power of community to reinvent itself, and I will tell you about Voice for Indi, the rural community movement that brought me to this place. - See more at: http://nofibs.com.au/2013/12/02/politics-differently-indigocathy-maiden-speech/#sthash.7CEklDDB.dpuf http://nofibs.com.au/2013/12/02/politics-differently-indigocathy-maiden-speech/#sthash.7CEklDDB.dpuf 51. A word in your ear: how audio storytelling got sexy Siobhan McHugh In a cultural milieu dominated by long-form television dramas such as Breaking Bad and Madmen, how has the apparently simple activity of audio storytelling gained such clout? In the US, documentary radio… http://theconversation.createsend1.com/t/r-l-nkjdyud-trhltityg-yk/ 52. New beats: where do redundant journalists go? Lawrie Zion You’ve probably heard the news: the Australian media is experiencing the most serious contraction in its history. The rise of online and mobile media has led to the collapse of the classified advertising… http://theconversation.createsend1.com/t/r-l-nkjdyud-trhltityg-yu/ SOME ADDITIONAL SOURCES Refugee Boat Arrivals The updates that the Morrison Military Machine want to hide. http://archiearchive.wordpress.com/2013/11/23/refugee-boat-timeline-updated-to-november-23rd/ ABC Fact Check determines the accuracy of claims by politicians, public figures, advocacy groups and institutions engaged in the public debate. http://www.abc.net.au/news/factcheck/ Politifact Australia http://www.politifact.com.au/truth-o-meter/ Ashbygate on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/585444634841472/ The Finnigans' Home of the BISONs The Beautiful Inspiring Set of Numbers http://www.thefinnigans.blogspot.com.au/ • ROULE REPORT — Issues of Today http://paper.li/RouleReport/1334728962 • AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER FRONT PAGES www.thepaperboy.com/australia/front-pages.cfm • NEWS HEADLINES 3 December 2013 http://www.hotheadlines.com.au/ #############################################################

Casablanca

3/12/2013 CASABLANCA'S CACHE. Tuesday, 3 December, 2013 [b]Abbott & Pyne - more positions than the Kama Sutra.[/b] http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/CASABLANCAS-CACHE-2013-12-02.aspx

Catching Up

3/12/2013All Mr. Pyne did yesterday, was to give those who did not sign, extra money with no conditions whatever. Nothing changed, Mr. Pyne, it does matter how onbe arrives. Mr. Pyne, what did you achieve. One could say you made a wasted trip. All it is about, is another con.

this is jaycee

3/12/2013When I reflect on the last couple of years of political reporting by the MSM. in this country...the biggest mistake made was us readers beleiving the Canberra press gallery and the dispensers of news were sophistocated and intelligent, where, in fact they were easy suckers for the LNP./Credlin rubbish propaganda style.

2353

3/12/2013Derryn Hinch on Sunrise this morning was discussing the Federal Government's double backflip with a pike on education funding and suggested that if a play on Gillard's name gained currency in sections of the media while she was the PM - surely the current Federal Education Minister should be known as [b]Porky Pyne[/b]. While I don't ordinarily condone insulting plays on words - this one is clever!

Catching Up

3/12/2013L still like Gillard's nick name for Pyne. "...poodle" Porky does not seem to fit. Anything to do with whining, is appropriate. Even Hockey is managing to get a whine into his voice. Sounds like little Joe, complaining to mum, with, they will not let me do it min. Make them.

this is jaycee

3/12/2013"Sounds like little Joe, complaining to mum, with, they will not let me do it min. Make them." Mabey like "little Joe" from that old western show ; "Ponderosa"...."Aww shucks, paw!"

Catching Up

3/12/2013jaycee, sadly their does not seem to be any paw. In fact no adults at all.

Catching Up

3/12/2013Yes, the only commitment made yesterday by Abbott was to spend more money. I have no idea what Pyne was committing to. I do not think it has sunk into his pinching poodle brain, that he has achieved nothing. [quote]And so to Question Time, where the objective of the Opposition was to try to extract a commitment from the government that no school would be worse off under the latest policy. Question after question, the Opposition hammered away, trying to get an straight answer out of the secret government. To no avail. Asked if he would guarantee that no school would not be worse off, Abbott said his guarantee was that they would “spend more money”.[/quote] http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/we-just-got-schooled-in-political-expediency/763/ It is about good governance, which Ms. Gillard was the master of, but which this government is sadly lacking.

42 long

3/12/2013It takes real guts to watch question time. It should be called NO ANSWERS time. It's a FARCE Bronwyn and you are as farcical as anyone. You were the one who called to Gillard when the rotten slanging was going on" IF you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. Now your lot are in it's all precious goody two shoes. Who CAN"T take the HEAT? Your fancy prancing poodle directed lot. HYPOCRACY!!! YOU invented the perfected form of it.

Ken

3/12/2013This $1.2 billion "extra" that Abbott has now promised is not extra at all. It was there for QLD, WA and the NT but hen they didn't sign up to Gonski was removed from the current budget. That also puts the lie to Abbott and Pyne's claim that Shorten cut the $1.2 billion from education funding. You don't show in your budget money that you're [u]not[/u] spending. I have little doubt, however, that that money has been included in the outyears so it is unlikely that Abbott has to find any extra money. So, as usual, it is all a matter of spin.

Catching Up

3/12/2013Not spin. Lying and conning. Much worse. We have Abbott lying about a lie. Not bad for anyone.

Catching Up

3/12/2013Those bodies did no get the money, because they refused to sign up to Gonski. Gonski model is funded 60% by Federal government, 40% by the states and territories. It appears that NT, Queensland and WA are putting nothing in. Therefor those states kids are being short changed. It is not a national scheme. That is a lie, that even the minching poodle cannot get around. It is indeed now the Conski policy. Based on the poodle's gut feeling. By the way, all the disappearing reports that government has spent money on, over the last decade or so, can still be found in the Trove, in the Parliamentary library.

Catching Up

3/12/2013Busy day in the courts today. We have Slipper and Thomson charges going ahead. We have the same sex marriage challenge . Also, Ms. Rinehart is back in court. I believe she is challenging her daughters mental health. A busy day, it is to be. I wonder where the one where the Slipper appeal against expenses is to bring down it's ruling. I wonder why Jackson, Bough and Ashby have not been investigated. I seem to recall, there is also a live one, ongoing, involving Abbott.

Catching Up

3/12/2013All charges have been dropped against Jeff Shaw in Victoria.

Bacchus

3/12/2013Ken, I saw what I thought was a good analogy on Twitter yesterday. The $1.2 billion is like me offering to give you a dollar, but you saying you don't want it, so I put it back in my wallet. The states didn't want the $1.2 billion (or were told not to want it by Credlin & Co.) so it went back into consolidated revenue, as it should...

this is jaycee

3/12/2013Catching up.." I wonder why Jackson, Bough and Ashby have not been investigated." The AFP. do not investigate "family"...bad look for the Party!

Michael Taylor

3/12/2013Well done, Jaycee. I'm fast becoming a big fan of all the new writers here. Ad Astra left some very big shoes to fill. I'm pleased to see that they are being filled.

Catching Up

3/12/2013Not much happened here. [quote]Prosecutors have outlined their reasons why criminal charges against the former parliamentary speaker Peter Slipper should not be dismissed. Mr Slipper has pleaded not guilty to dishonestly using Cab Charge vouchers to visit Canberra wineries in 2010. Yesterday his lawyers asked the ACT Magistrates Court to dismiss the case on the grounds it violated parliamentary privilege. Today the prosecution argued against the stay, saying Mr Slipper's trips to the winery were not covered by parliamentary privilege under the Act and that his trip was clearly not on parliamentary business. But Mr Slipper's lawyers rejected that, arguing that only Federal Parliament can deal with the case. Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker has adjourned the hearing until Wednesday morning.[/quote] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/peter-slipper-court-case-adjourned-in-act-magistrates-court/5131008

Ken

3/12/2013Bacchus Exactly right. The money never went anywhere. It is just sloshing around in the accounts, just not in the current budget. Catching up I do agree that this is lieing - a somewhat higher level of 'spin'!!! I do think that Abbott painted himself into this corner where he had to concede on Gonski funding. His original statements that the electorate did not understand what he and Pyne had promised was a mistake of the highest order. A politician shold know never, never, never denigrate the electorate. That is a major sin the electorate will not forgive, and will remember. Someone would have reminded him of this, which meant he had nowhere to go to recover his position than to accept Gonski. I believe that if he had not said that, he would have, and probably could have, gotten away with pushing through the new proposal after riding out a bit of a storm. But not after telling the electorate they were stupid!!!!

Catching Up

3/12/2013Abbott is threatening to keep Parliament sitting beyond this week. Is he going to lock them up, until he gets what they want. This announcement coming out of party meeting. No matter what he wants, the sky will not fall in, if he waits until July. What may happen is the lies, spin and conning he is in the process of, might just be revealed for what it is. Many by then, might realise the $500 dollars is illusory, will not happen. Many might also decide, that the toxic tax is doing what the want. Yes, addressing man made climate change. Time for Abbott, to stop bullying, and focus on good governance. I believe that Abbott believes, if he does not get everything signed now, it will all unravel quickly. Is unraveling, as we watch. Yes, they are splitting those many CEF bills in the senate.This means all have to be debated on their merit. No rushing through as one bi

Catching Up

3/12/2013NPC is on climate change ABC

Catching Up

3/12/2013New union and organization laws and setting up of a commission being debated Senate. Why are not the present laws enough. Seem to be plenty of court cases that say they are working.

Catching Up

3/12/2013By the way, they keep calling it the registered organization bill. The name is FWA organizational bill. Yes, changes to FWA.

Catching Up

3/12/2013Abbott. All parties should sit and do their job. Yes, their job is allowing through what the voters voted for. Yes, should rubber stamp his legislation. If not, no Christmas holidays. Burke was never giving those who came after the policy of no advantage was introduced. Bridging was all the got. After the PNG solution no one was entering the country. The senate has the right to vote anyway they want. That is how this Constitution and democracy. More threat coming. All empty, as far as I am concerned. He is unbelievable.

Catching Up

3/12/2013Pulling another stunt just before QT.

Catching Up

3/12/2013"...........Some of the 224 fraud and theft charges against former federal MP Craig Thomson could be dropped after a magistrate ruled a Victorian court did not have the jurisdiction to hear all the alleged offences. Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg ruled on Tuesday that Melbourne Magistrates Court did not have the legal authority to hear some of the charges because the alleged offences did not happen in Victoria. Mr Thomson is accused of misusing Health Services Union credit cards for personal use, including sexual services at brothels and escort agencies, while he was the union's national secretary from 2002 until his election to Federal Parliament as a Labor MP in 2007. Advertisement Mr Rozencwajg's decision means the prosecution might now drop some of the charges. It is understood about one-third of the charges could be withdrawn. However, prosecutor Deborah Mandie said the Office of Public Prosecutions required time to consider whether to appeal the magistrate's ruling. Ms Mandie said prosecutors wanted a day to consider their options and Mr Rozencwajg's ruling, but the magistrate said the case would resume at 2.30pm. ‘‘We are running out of days,’’ he said. Ms Mandie said if the OPP decided against an appeal and proceeded with a case, she would deliver the prosecution opening in the absence of lead prosecutor Lesley Taylor, SC, who was unwell on Tuesday and not in court. But Ms Mandie said Ms Taylor was keen to question the first witness in the summary trial, HSU official Chris Brown. Mr Thomson, 49, is accused of using HSU credit cards to pay for $28,000 worth of personal expenses when he was not authorised to do so. He was elected the Labor member for the NSW seat of Dobell in 2007 but became an independent MP last year after his suspension from the ALP over the credit card allegations. Mr Thomson stood as an independent in September's federal election but gained just 4 per cent of the primary vote, and the seat changed hands to Liberal Karen McNamara.........." Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/many-charges-against-craig-thomson-could-be-dropped-20131203-2ynnw.html#ixzz2mNUBgKJD

Catching Up

3/12/2013They are overturning poker machine reform.

this is jaycee

3/12/2013"...birds of a feather..." If Abbott is leader and has such hypocritical morals, you can bet those behind him in the house are of the same ilk!

Catching Up

3/12/2013Hunt complaining about a filibuster. Yes, separating the CEF bills to be debate properly upsets this government,. Yes, many in the public would be surprised to know there are nearly a dozen bills involved, not just one toxic tax bill. Appears that debating what this parliament wants to do, is not appreciated by this government. The government is only a part of the parliament. They, at this time, in spite of Abbott's threats, cannot run the senate's agenda. Once again, Pyne is saying he is dismantling Better Schools. Also, Burke is happy for Abbott to continue with sittings, after next week. Very happy.

Catching Up

3/12/2013I suspect that there is another dissension motion in the speaker coming. No choice.

Catching Up

3/12/2013Turnbull is to release the review. Must have got all he wanted.

Catching Up

3/12/2013Pyne is doing, what he said does not work. Throwing more money at education. Just do that. does not work. One has to look at how that money is spent, is what counts. Pyne is handing out money, with no return expect whatever. It is disgraceful the way this government isd treating par;iment, and the public.

Catching Up

3/12/2013Mr. Pyne, is is natural for different things to be reached in each state. No state is at the same place, when it comes to schools.

Catching Up

3/12/2013Has anyone raise complaints about the ABC being an advertising and publicising arm of the IPA. Was Scott a Labor appointment? Pyne still raving on with his lies

Catching Up

3/12/2013I think that Pyne really believes he has achieved something, Has no idea what he has done. The party room seems to be leaking like a sieve. Pyne keep saying what he is going to do, while still saying he is for Labor's plan.

Catching Up

3/12/2013That nasty Labor will not allow him to do as he wants. Where is the national scheme? Pyne is the only oner that can see it, I believe. 2014 will amend the act, to show what we took to the election. What is it, do we have Labor's or scheme or not?

Catching Up

3/12/2013What did the Indian Chief say. Something about whites talking with forked tongue. Pyne isl the supremo expert Ta such skills.

this is jaycee

3/12/2013Big storms our way...watched QT. Saw Abbott commit another clumsy goof-ball moment regarding answering Q' on disability. wasted space!

this is jaycee

3/12/2013Good piece from Mr. Denmore.. http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/drama-in-pyjamas.html

Casablanca

3/12/2013 cathy wilcox ‏@cathywilcox1 …and Christopher Pyne introduces his New Maths. https://twitter.com/cathywilcox1/status/407678864974831616/photo/1

this is jaycee

3/12/2013Hunt...the missplaced consonant.. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/03/greg-hunt-defends-scrapping-carbon-pricing-saying-direct-action-will-work

this is jaycee

3/12/2013Good one cass'!

this is jaycee

3/12/2013I see Mark Scott is getting the traitor's reward from his "old Maaates"!...stiff shite Scott...you played it how they wanted it and now YOU are getting shafted....bend over and take it boy!..you've earned it.

Casablanca

3/12/2013 High Court reserves decision until 12 Dec in Brandis challenge to ACT same sex marriage. In the meantime marriages can go ahead. Gay marriages to go ahead this weekend Gay couples could be free to marry in the ACT this weekend after the High Court reserved its decision. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/chance-for-same-sex-marriages-after-high-court-reserves-decision-20131203-2yoaj.html

Ad astra

3/12/2013Folks QT has become ET (emesis time). Yesterday was awful; today was just as nauseating. It is not conducive to sound mental health. It is how I imagine Bedlam would have been. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedlam

Casablanca

3/12/2013Jaycee & AA, My sentiments exactly. There is now a petition to seek the resignation of Bronwyn Bishop: Bronwyn Bishop MP, Speaker, 44th Australian Federal Parliament : An open letter to Bronwyn Bishop, "Please resign as Speaker". http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/bronwyn-bishop-mp-speaker-44th-australian-federal-parliament-an-open-letter-to-bronwyn-bishop-please-resign-as-speaker

Catching Up

3/12/2013According to the leaks, Bronwyn Bishop was leading the charge within the party room. No standing aside from party matters for this speaker. How does Pyne manage to say to opposing things at once. He has been doing it for 24 hours. I suspect all are hearing what they want.

this is jaycee

3/12/2013My pleasure, Casablanca!!....WITH pleasure!

Catching Up

3/12/2013What is wrong with the Drum at this time. Actually making sense. Pyne is finished. Abbott pushing his luck to far.

Catching Up

3/12/2013New word to describe this government. "puerile" The word treason is becoming more appropriate each day.

this is jaycee

3/12/2013Quigley dispues NBN. "shambles" from Turdball. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/dec/03/labors-broadband-one-hurdle-from-success

this is jaycee

3/12/2013 Of course, all this double-crossing of the media that they had in their pockets for the last four years will perhaps see some nasty little scandles being leaked against the LNP....can't wait!

42 long

3/12/2013Hit the ground running. ( yeah in all directions) Tried and proven Howard ministers of great talent. please show me just ONE. If ever there was a government that makes the previous one look acceptable this is the one. Abbott. When did he look good? he kept his ineptitude hidden. Pyne. Years of experience in the Parliament. Funny I can't remember anything of note from this guy. Turnbull's the Man. Right except everyone in the Party loathes him and remember Godwin Grech.

this is jaycee

3/12/2013God almighty!..they stumble from pillar to post...from post to picket...from picket to sump...hopeless, gutless and useless! You have to wonder where they find these goofs..are they rejects from the sweepings off the stock-room floor?

Catching Up

3/12/2013Where will this government end? [quote]rime Minister Tony Abbott has raised the prospect of Australia leaving the United Nations refugee convention after a key plank of the government's border protection plan was scuttled in the Senate. The Labor opposition and Australian Greens voted in the Senate late on Monday night to overturn temporary protection visas (TPVs). Mr Abbott, who has been under significant pressure on federal schools funding, described Labor MPs as "wreckers and vandals" who were giving the Australian people a "two-fingered salute" by blocking government bills. He threatened to make the House of Representatives sit until Christmas to pass new yet-to-be-revealed laws to make up for the axing of TPVs, as well as to repeal the carbon and mining taxes and raise the debt ceiling to $500 billion. Advertisement "I don't think the Labor party should get a free pass at Christmas time if it's not prepared to accept that the people voted a certain way," Mr Abbott said. Th..........[/quote] http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/pm-puts-refugee-convention-in-spotlight-20131203-2yol1.html Trouble is, will not solve their problems. We still have the Decoration of Human Rights, to get around.

TalkTurkey

3/12/20132353 POO-POO the Poodle has been called Porky Pyne for a couple of days at least on the 5th Estate. Just don't want Hinch getting any kudos! Personally I'll stick with *J*U*L*I*A*s description of him: the Mincing Poodle: to whom I gave the name POO-POO because of all the POOs he did in Parliament. So, POO-POO the Mincing Poodle! Say, that sounds like the start of a Crispmess song! [i]POO-POO the Mincing Poodle Had a lubricated ... [/i] The rest is censored!

Casablanca

4/12/2013 David Donovan ‏@davrosz 21m @Madwixxy will be bringing you exclusive new information on the Thomson trial tomorrow, Wednesday morning. Do Not Miss That! http://www.independentaustralia.net/

Casablanca

4/12/2013 [b]March In March 2014 ‏@MarchInMarch_14 2h[/b] Vote NO CONFIDENCE in the Abbott regime 14.03.2014. @MarchInMarch_14 #marchinmarch Pls RT @vanbadham? https://twitter.com/MarchInMarch_14/status/407829832756510720/photo/1

Casablanca

4/12/2013 [b]CASABLANCA'S CACHE Wednesday, 4 December, 2013; 56 items [/b] GONSKI + EDUCATION STANDARDS 1. Greg Jericho ‏@GrogsGamut 1h Who knew you could get the states to agree to take $1.2bn with no strings attached. He's a master negotiator that Chris Pyne. #qt 2. Ed Husic ‏@edhusicMP 43m @GrogsGamut @BiteTheDust like Alan Bond, you only ever come across one Tony Abbott in those negotiations 3. States put pressure on Coalition to honour original education funding model Naomi Woodley There is still state dissatisfaction over the Federal Government's schools funding model, because the extra money has only been guaranteed for four years. The states that have existing agreements still want all six years of funding pledged by the previous Labor government to be honoured, but the Coalition has only ever promised four years. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/states-want-abbott-to-honour-original-education-funding-model/5130408?WT.mc_id=newsmail 4. Community has lost faith with Tony Abbott on education, says Gonski panel member Kathryn Greiner Jonathan Swan The community has lost faith with the Abbott government on education, according to Gonski school funding panel member Kathryn Greiner, who has also revealed that Education Minister Christopher Pyne is still declining to meet the panel. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/community-has-lost-faith-with-tony-abbott-on-education-says-gonski-panel-member-kathryn-greiner-20131203-2ync4.html 5. From Gonski to gone to Gonski again: school funding future remains uncertain David Zyngier It seems we’re in Gonski groundhog day. The repeated backflips and policy position switches from the Abbott government – only three months into its term – have been astounding. After announcing last week… http://theconversation.com/from-gonski-to-gone-to-gonski-again-school-funding-future-remains-uncertain-21025 6. Christopher Pyne’s triple backflip over the Coalition's credibility gap David Donovan Christopher Pyne’s triple backflip, performed with a full sneer, signify an Education Minister who is not equal to his heavy responsibilities and a Government that’s floundering. http://www.independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/pynes-triple-backflip-over-coalitions-credibility-gap,5949 7. The Education Union Are Spreading Shocking Misinformation, Ask Christopher Pyne. rossleighbrisbane From Lateline November 25th, 2013 STEVE CANNANE: So what do you believe? Is there an equity problem or not? CHRISTOPHER PYNE: I don’t believe there is an equity problem in Australia. I think we are very generous to our students… http://theaimn.com/2013/12/02/the-education-union-are-spreading-shocking-misinformation-ask-christopher-pyne/ 8. Pyne finds extra Gonski money, but how should it be spent? Tony Richardson During the Cold War, both the Soviets and the Americans were trying to develop a way to write in space. American entrepreneurs spent an unknown sum developing a “space pen”, while the Soviets initially… http://theconversation.com/pyne-finds-extra-gonski-money-but-how-should-it-be-spent-20414 9. Now it’s an ALP somersault - on university cuts Michelle Grattan Labor has now done a backflip on education – declaring it will combine with the Greens to block the $2.3 billion savings… http://theconversation.com/now-its-an-alp-somersault-on-university-cuts-21085 10. New PISA results show education decline – it’s time to stop the slide Sue Thomson New international test results in reading, science and maths show that Australian education is going backwards – a declining trend that has been going on for the past decade. The 2012 Program for International… http://theconversation.com/new-pisa-results-show-education-decline-its-time-to-stop-the-slide-21054 11. Australia’s PISA slump is big news but what’s the real story? Stewart Riddle, Bob Lingard, and Sam Sellar The 2012 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) results out today will no doubt see shock headlines about Australia’s falling education standards and our failing school system. PISA – which… http://theconversation.com/australias-pisa-slump-is-big-news-but-whats-the-real-story-20964 12. Universities could be encouraging students to cheat, without even knowing it James Lang A few years ago a group of psychologists from two North American universities ran a fascinating experiment designed to see whether the quality of light in a room influenced people’s willingness to cheat… http://theconversation.createsend1.com/t/r-l-nkjdyud-trhltityg-yd/ SURVEILLANCE, REVELATIONS + ACCOUNTABILITY 13. Claims ASIO raided office of lawyer representing East Timor in spying case Peter Lloyd A lawyer representing East Timor in its spying case against Australia says his office has been raided by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). Bernard Collaery says a number of agents seized electronic and paper files on Tuesday afternoon from his law practice in Canberra. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/asio-raided-lawyer-representing-east-timor-in-spying-case/5132486 14. What can you learn about me from 24 hours of my metadata? Oliver Laughland Australia’s surveillance agency offered to share bulk metadata with other countries – here’s some of mine to start the ball rolling. The prime minister, Tony Abbott, described metadata, the information generated as you use technology, as just “billing data” but many technology experts argue that this data is more revealing than content data itself. For 24 hours, I kept a log of all my technology use in a metadata diary. Below are some of the highlights. All the information included is logged in metadata: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/03/what-can-you-learn-about-me-from-24-hours-of-my-metadata?CMP=soc_568 15. Australia's surveillance has 'achieved too much' to stop, says David Johnston Katharine Murphy 'Assume the worst,' defence minister tells industry forum, warning of more leaks to come about intelligence sharing. Australia's defence minister, David Johnston, says the “5-Eyes” intelligence partners have achieved far too much with their co-operative surveillance programs to take a backward step now. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/03/australias-surveillance-achieved-too-much-to-stop-david-johnston?CMP=ema_632 16. Malcolm Turnbull rounds on ABC boss Mark Scott over phone-tapping stories Jonathan Swan ABC boss Mark Scott made an ''error of judgment'', according to Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull, in a telephone call to the head of the national broadcaster over the Indonesian phone-tapping story. Echoing comments made on Sunday by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who said he thought it would ''fair enough if people questioned the judgment of the ABC'', Mr Turnbull said he thought the ABC would have been "wiser" to have declined The Guardian's offer. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-rounds-on-abc-boss-mark-scott-over-phonetapping-stories-20131203-2ymrw.html ENTITLEMENTS & FIDDLES 17. Australia rated alongside Syria as 'big decliner' in corruption perception Helen Davidson Securency and Eddie Obeid scandals bolstered the view Australian corruption worsening, says Transparency International Australia is labelled one of “the biggest decliners”, alongside nations including Syria, Libya, Mali, Spain, Iceland and Guatemala. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/03/australia-rated-alongside-syria-as-big-decliner-in-corruption-perception?CMP=soc_568 18. Political favours and the rights of TV sport audiences David Rowe As the dust settles after a decisive change of government, it is time for the main support players to call in their favours. Among the cheerleaders for a Coalition government, none was more vocal than… http://theconversation.com/political-favours-and-the-rights-of-tv-sport-audiences-20701 GOVERNMENT REPORT CARDS 19. Abbott's Gonski backflip shows honesty in short supply Mark Kenny Suddenly, talk in the corridors of power had turned to the unthinkable - that Abbott's could be a one-term affair after all despite a thumping majority and the odium of Rudd-Gillard Labor. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/abbotts-gonski-backflip-shows-honesty-in-short-supply-20131202-2ym4t.html 20. Christopher Pyne, the minister of muddles, is really the artful dodger Peter Hartcher Smiling and chortling as he fought off opposition attacks in Parliament on Monday, Christopher Pyne brought to mind the adage that politics is like sex - you don't have to be good at it to enjoy it. The latest Pyne pledge, as of Monday: ''What the Commonwealth is doing means that no school, state or territory can be worse off because of the Commonwealth's actions.'' In other words, this is about evading blame, not guaranteeing funding for schools. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/christopher-pyne-the-minister-of-muddles-is-really-the-artful-dodger-20131202-2ym3q.html 21. Abbott fractures Liberal grey beards David Llewellyn-Smith From the AFR this morning: One of the most senior figures of the Howard government and a leading figure of the Liberal Party’s conservative wing, Peter Reith, has accused Prime Minister Tony Abbott of orchestrating the veto of a $3.4 billion US bid for GrainCorp, which he described as the latest of several botched decisions… and raised concerns that the [...] http://macrobusiness.cmail2.com/t/i-l-ahtidl-dtyueir-ij/ 22. Prime Minister Tony Abbott: at crease but few runs After a week of bungles, Tony Abbott's biggest problem is his own ranks' doubts about his captaincy. Those who were watching would have little difficulty in detecting, and judging, Abbott's sophistry, prevarication, or tergiversation. They would occasion little surprise about Abbott, whether among his admirers or his enemies, nor of themselves add much to the number of each. By contrast, the shamelessness and lack of political art of the inept, but probably lucky, Christopher Pyne has increased the number of those who think him to add more decoration than ballast, more scandal-in-waiting than insight, experience or wisdom. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/prime-minister-tony-abbott-at-crease-but-few-runs-20131203-2yoxz.html#ixzz2mQIXZuxQ 23. Australian governance caught in a black hole David Llewellyn-Smith Coalition chaos is destroying its own agenda at astonishing speed, trying to be all things to all Australians at a time when common sacrifices are what is needed. The election was supposed to bring calm to our political turbulence and return adults to our capital. On the contrary, it has thrown open the door to plutocrats, further undermined appropriate divisions between government and business, marched the polity in precisely the wrong direction and set policy on a chaotic course in which a hot line to Canberra is the only guarantee of survival. Who is left to breach the event horizon of Australia's governance black hole? http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/llewellyn-australian-governance-caught-in-a-black-hole/5129602 24. It Goes to the Character of the Man johnlord2013 Has Australia ever elected a Prime Minister so devoid of character? So lacking in the qualities of leadership? So deficient in empathy of social conscience? So ignorant of technology and science? So oblivious of the needs of women and same… http://theaimn.com/2013/12/03/it-goes-to-the-character-of-the-man/ 25. Broken promise alters application of Centrelink income test Max Newnham It has not taken long for the wheels to start falling off the Abbott campaign promise wagon. One of the major promises made was the ironclad guarantee that no adverse changes would be made to superannuation in the first term of the new government. An adverse change in the way that superannuation pensions are treated by Centrelink is now being introduced by stealth. Buried in a bill introduced into the House of Representatives on November 20 was legislation that will, among other things, change the way superannuation pensions are counted by Centrelink. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/business/broken-promise-alters-application-of-centrelink-income-test-20131201-2yjlz.html POLITICS + POLICIES + PROGRAMS 26. Greens demand an explanation every time debt rises by another $50bn Lenore Taylor Treasurer Joe Hockey and Greens leader Christine Milne are locked in negotiations to end the debt ceiling impasse http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/03/greens-demand-debt-explanation?CMP=soc_568 27. Tony Abbott vows to circumvent Senate rejection of TPVs Lenore Taylor and Daniel Hurst Prime minister describes combined Labor-Greens veto as a ‘two finger salute to the voters of Australia' http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/03/tony-abbott-vows-to-circumvent-senate-rejection-of-tpvs?CMP=soc_568 28. Let’s ignore the polls for now. rossleighbrisbane Just in case you missed this, the latest Roy Morgan opinion poll puts Labor ahead 51.5% to 48.5% two party prefered. Now, I know it could be argued that a poll this far out from the possible election is hardly… http://theaimn.com/2013/12/03/lets-ignore-the-polls-for-now/ 29. Tony Abbott threatens to make MPs sit through Christmas to push laws through Latika Bourke Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Labor of giving voters the "two-fingered salute" and is threatening to extend Parliament into the Christmas break unless the Opposition agrees to pass his Government's legislative agenda. The Government wants to repeal the carbon tax, raise the debt ceiling to $500 billion and restore Temporary Protection Visas - all measures that Labor opposes. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/abbott-threatens-to-keep-parliament-sitting-through-december/5131406?WT.mc_id=newsmail ECONOMY + BUSINESS 30. March In March 2014 ‏@MarchInMarch_14 2h Vote NO CONFIDENCE in the Abbott regime 14.03.2014. @MarchInMarch_14 #marchinmarch Pls RT @vanbadham? pic.twitter.com/vpVv6l2oWn 31. Debt ceiling is a belt when we already have braces Rodney Maddock The Australian Parliament is deadlocked on a bid by the government to increase the debt ceiling from A$300 billion to A$500 billion. The Greens have flagged a willingness to drop the ceiling entirely… http://theconversation.com/debt-ceiling-is-a-belt-when-we-already-have-braces-21003 32. Labour mobility OK, but government not helping: Productivity Commission Kylar Loussikian Australians are more mobile than workforces in other countries, according to the latest Productivity Commission draft research… http://theconversation.com/labour-mobility-ok-but-government-not-helping-productivity-commission-21076 33. Christmas egg shortage expected after bird flu outbreak Jared Lynch Australia is facing an egg shortage ahead of the peak holiday season after an outbreak of bird flu shut down two poultry farms. About 450,000 chickens have been destroyed at a free range and caged egg farm in Young, NSW, creating a national shortfall, which will cause prices to rise and take six to 12 months to abate. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/business/christmas-egg-shortage-expected-after-bird-flu-outbreak-20131203-2yob4.html 34. Hockey’s GrainCorp decision opens competition can of worms Stephen King When Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey quashed the acquisition of GrainCorp by Archer Daniels Midland on national interest grounds, his stated reasons were based on competition. Despite it being five years… http://theconversation.com/hockeys-graincorp-decision-opens-competition-can-of-worms-21006 35. Why post-crisis consumption is under house arrest Petra Gerlach, Kristen Rossana Merola & Conor O'Toole In most countries, households’ consumption expenditure accounts for more than half of GDP. How much households spend reflects their living standards, and typically households try to smooth consumption over time. As a result, consumption usually does not display large variability and, therefore, has found comparatively little academic and policy attention. http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/12/3/global-news/why-post-crisis-consumption-under-house-arrest?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=534602&utm_campaign=pm&modapt= NBN 36. Labor's broadband plan was one hurdle from success, says former NBN chief Bridie Jabour 'It wasn’t a shambles. I don’t want people walking away from this to rewrite history and say it was in disarray. It wasn’t'. Labor’s version of the National Broadband Network was “one hurdle” away from being on track to be completed on budget and on time, according to the previous chief executive of the company rolling out the network. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/dec/03/labors-broadband-one-hurdle-from-success ENVIRONMENT + ENERGY 37. Why we hate power companies Tristan Edis Consumer representative group Choice has released a survey finding Australians' biggest fear are electricity bills. The results are illustrated below. Why on earth are we so worried about electricity? It’s actually a fair question to ask, when you consider how small a portion power bills are of our expenditure. http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/12/3/energy-markets/why-we-hate-power-companies 38. Greg Hunt defends scrapping carbon pricing, saying Direct Action will work Oliver Milman Environment minister says getting rid of Labor's 'brutal' system is consistent with other nations’ climate policies. Greg Hunt, the environment minister, has said the scrapping of the “brutal” carbon pricing system is consistent with other nations’ climate policies, predicting the Coalition’s Direct Action approach will be in place for decades. In a speech to the Carbon Expo in Melbourne on Tuesday morning, Hunt laid out some detail on Direct Action, insisting it will pass the Senate by July next year, even if an extended sitting is required. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/03/greg-hunt-defends-scrapping-carbon-pricing-saying-direct-action-will-work?CMP=soc_568 39. Slime and poo: making energy and treating waste Christopher Doyle Algae grown on sewage is being harvested to supply greenhouse neutral oil and gas. It's a win-win that solves multiple environmental problems. THINK OF THE WORD "raceway" and images of fast cars and chequered flags probably spring to mind. But for Associate Professor Tryg Lundquist, an environmental engineer at California State Polytechnic University, the term conjures up a very different image; one of a green algal slurry flowing through a complex maze of snaking ponds. http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2013/12/02/3896391.htm 40. Carbon tax repeal: Labor and Greens split bills to save climate change bodies Lenore Taylor Penny Wong said the government was trying to debate the 11 bills together “to limit debate, scrutiny and consideration”. Labor and the Greens will split the Coalition’s package of legislation repealing the carbon tax to try to “save” the independent Climate Change Authority and the $10bn “green bank” which is making a profit while financing clean energy loans. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/02/carbon-tax-repeal-labor-and-greens-split-bills-to-save-climate-change-bodies THE GOVERNOR- GENERAL 41. G-G Bryce breaks bold not bland John Warhurst Governor-General Quentin Bryce's brief interventions on same sex marriage and the republic, though careful and aspirational, may submerge her earlier thoughts. She may come to regret not delaying them until after she leaves office. But more attention has been focused on the monarchy-republic issue when really the more instructive issue for the office of governor-general is the same sex marriage question. http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=38568#.Up3XCreqpZY POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT + IDEAS 42. Flashers, femmes and other forgotten figures of the Eureka Stockade Clare Wright When I was at primary school in the late 1970s, engaging kids in history lessons meant a good dose of role-play. Each year, on today’s date, it was time to re-enact the Eureka Stockade. It was on this… http://theconversation.com/flashers-femmes-and-other-forgotten-figures-of-the-eureka-stockade-20939 43. The best Christmas present of all Christmas rolls around again like a tinselled-covered freight train. Shopping centres sway in unison to the tune of carols, while children test the patience of their parents as the queue slowly contracts towards Santa’s lap. To-do lists are being crossed off, cards are being scrawled in, and everywhere there is just the faintest hint of exhaustion. http://theconversation.com/the-best-christmas-present-of-all-21041 44. Emmo Forum 4m.26s Ross Garnaut: "There's a hole in the budget" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAFLCWkun1E&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLTo-MPmtfATkIrPUPT17uexqMf3EOl029 OLD MEDIA + NEW MEDIA 45. The Fifth Estate confronts the Fourth Estate and Julian Assange Alison Broinowski 1 The Fifth Estate ‒ a film about Wikileaks ‒ outraged Julian Assange, was panned by critics and declared by some as 2013’s biggest box office flop. NSW Wikileaks Party candidate Dr Alison Broinowski, however, says it wasn’t as bad as she expected — for a work of fiction. http://www.independentaustralia.net/art/art-display/the-fifth-estate-confronts-the-fourth-estate-and-julian-assange,5951 46. Drama in Pyjamas Mr Denmore The enemy are inside the gate and they're wearing PJs. At the ABC, they are shamelessly promoting a seditious left-wing agenda, spreading traitorous leaks and, worst of all, giving free publicity to Twitter. that decadent online lounge of the latte loving elites. It must be a huge story because The Australian, Rupert Murdoch's loss-making broadsheet, has devoted acres of space to it in recent weeks. All the big gun columnists have been rolled out to deliver a patent leather kick up the polyester-clad behinds of the public service broadcasters. http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/drama-in-pyjamas.html 47. The Conversation's Editor’s note: The view from the Newsroom, and what’s coming up Andrew Jaspan Before we’re all distracted by the end of year rush, I wanted to provide you with a brief overview of how we are travelling. The short answer is, not bad. In terms of readers we have almost tripled since this time last year to 1.4m unique visitors a month, of which around one million are from Australia… http://theconversation.com/editors-note-the-view-from-the-newsroom-and-whats-coming-up-20950 48. Three standout revelations from the first month of the UK phone hacking trial Peter Jukes 17 There are a number of admissions from both sides (‘agreed facts’ in the legal jargon) which point to the institutional dysfunction at the News of the World, when the famous scandal sheet became a scandal in itself in July 2011. http://www.independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/three-standout-revelations-from-the-first-month-of-the-uk-phone-hacking-trial,5948 49. Message Control Kaye Lee. “Who controls the message?” asks Kaye Lee. The answer can be summed up in a few words from her compelling article below: the Coalition, ably abetted by the Murdoch press. Message control. A guest post by Kaye Lee. I think… Read More › http://theaimn.com/2013/12/03/message-control/ 50. Abbott’s Brilliant Moves, as told to me by the media! rossleighbrisbane Yesterday, a reporter on Sky News was reporting that the Opposition was wrong-footed in Question Time and that they just kept trying to hammer the point about whether any school would be worse off. Just let that sink in for… http://theaimn.com/2013/12/02/the-education-union-are-spreading-shocking-misinformation-ask-christopher-pyne/ HEALTH + SCIENCE 51. ACCC rejects complaints over nano-free sunscreen Rachel Carbonell Nano-safety campaigners are criticising Australia's consumer watchdog over its decision to reject complaints against two sunscreen companies. Last year lobby group Friends of the Earth lodged the complaint, alleging that manufacturers Antaria and Ross Cosmetics falsely claimed their formulations were nano-free. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/accc-rejects-complaints-against-sunscreen-companies/5132098?WT.mc_id=newsmail 52. Patients stopping cholesterol medication because of ABC Catalyst program, survey finds David Mark The fallout from the controversial ABC Catalyst programs on heart disease continues, with a survey showing three out of four doctors have seen patients who have stopped, or are considering stopping, their cholesterol medication. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/survey-shows-patients-off-heart-drugs-after-abc-catalyst-program/5130670?WT.mc_id=newsmail 53. Trott a hero for quitting the Ashes Michael Mullins English batsman Jonathan Trott was pilloried in some media comments because he abandoned his team because he felt 'stressed'. We should be celebrating the fact that a high profile male sportsman finds that he can declare he has a stress-related illness and then seek help for it. http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=38562#.UpwLNreqpZY 54. Euan Ferguson: 'I think,' I stuttered... 'I think I've had a stroke' Euan Ferguson Ferguson lives on his own. One morning his body stopped working, but pride and his independent spirit meant he didn't call anyone for two days. Here, he tells a story of the importance of friends and family http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/dec/01/euan-ferguson-i-have-had-a-stroke?CMP=twt_gu 55. Abbott’s Silent War on Drugs Antoinette Lattouf I began my career at the age of 20, and as a young journalist I worked on countless stories about Aussie youth’s battle with booze and drugs. Over the past decade this has ranged from injecting room trials to the alcopop tax and most recently the court cases for drunken king-hit killers. http://thehoopla.com.au/abbotts-war-drugs/ 56. 'Ray of hope' for sufferers of asbestos disease mesothelioma Nonee Walsh A new treatment for the asbestos-related disease, mesothelioma, is offering a ray of hope to victims of the deadly cancer, researchers say. The Asbestos Diseases Research Institute in Sydney has published the results of laboratory testing of a novel genetic treatment in the international Journal Oncology. The treatment uses bacterial mini cells which have no genetic information to carry messenger cells, or micro RNA, into mesothelioma tumours. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-30/ray-of-hope-for-sufferers-of-asbestos-disease-mesothelioma/5126600?WT.mc_id=newsmail SOME ADDITIONAL SOURCES Refugee Boat Arrivals The updates that the Morrison Military Machine want to hide. http://archiearchive.wordpress.com/2013/11/23/refugee-boat-timeline-updated-to-november-23rd/ ABC Fact Check determines the accuracy of claims by politicians, public figures, advocacy groups and institutions engaged in the public debate. http://www.abc.net.au/news/factcheck/ Politifact Australia http://www.politifact.com.au/truth-o-meter/ Ashbygate on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/585444634841472/ The Finnigans' Home of the BISONs The Beautiful Inspiring Set of Numbers http://www.thefinnigans.blogspot.com.au/ • ROULE REPORT — Issues of Today http://paper.li/RouleReport/1334728962 • AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER FRONT PAGES www.thepaperboy.com/australia/front-pages.cfm • NEWS HEADLINES 4 December 2013 http://www.hotheadlines.com.au/ ###########################################################

Casablanca

4/12/2013 CASABLANCA'S CACHE Wed, 3/12/13. [b]Abbott: master of sophistry, prevarication, & tergiversation* [/b](#23) http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/CASABLANCAS-CACHE-2013-12-02.aspx * what a great word: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tergiversation

this is jaycee

4/12/2013So now we got "the shame of Italy" (Cory Bernardi)talking anti democratic rubbish on the ABC. He wants the national broadcaster to be hobbled...so what is the objective of the sacrosanct forth estate?

this is jaycee

4/12/2013With Brandis flexing his "legal" muscle..we have in front of us the fear that we all were dreading..: the coming together of "in situ" authorotive players in integral govt' dept's, only too willing to jump to their new master's commands. Why was Labor unable to investigate certain allegations raised against it while in office...where were the raids on Ashby's apartment, Brough's office and home...Pyne's documents examined?..... At the first exposure of News Limited phone hacking, the PM. ought to have sent in the heavies to , litteraly rip out..and I mean ; RIP OUT all the computers from Murdoch's Aust' operations and exec's homes and throw them into an open shipping container and send them by rough seas to the Levison Enquiry....in effect, put the bastard out of business here in Aust'.. But they sat on their hands saying "Oh no!.. we couldn't do that!"....well...the shits in the LNP. have shown THEY CAN and they will. Damn..we have to grow some teeth!

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4/12/2013Casablanca Your Cache contains many interesting stories today. Our newly minted PM has yet another uncomfortable convergence to deal with today. The just-published results of the 2012 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) show Australia well down the international ladder and slipping. Bill Shorten should ask Abbott to explain why this is happening under our existing school system, which he and Pyne imply is not broken. Shorten should ask Abbott why the widening disparity between the poorly performing students and the better shows up in those states where socio-economic disadvantage is greatest, the very places into which the Gonski program seeks to inject better resources to lift performance. Also, PM Abbott has another ‘spying’ scandal to manage, a home grown one from the Howard era which has Alexander Downer’s fingerprints all over it. Shorten should ask Abbott whether Downer’s involvement had anything to do with his association with Woodside Petroleum, a firm that was seeking to gain access to oil deposits in the waters between Australia and East Timor, a struggling nation that could benefit from a fair share of these deposits, a share that was resisted by Australia at the time. Shorten should expect obfuscatory answers, heavily laced with sarcasm, but he will at least have them ‘on the record’ for future reference.

Jason

4/12/2013I'm at a loss as to what you might call this! Bullshit is one. Comment should not be cheap REGARDLESS of what he is writing about - the Gallipoli centenary, Labor's existential turmoil or the policy pratfalls of a new government, as he is today - our editor-at-large, Paul Kelly, brings his penetrating insight and peerless authority. The Australian is blessed with writers such as Dennis Shanahan on politics, Greg Sheridan on foreign affairs, John Durie on business and Judith Sloan and David Uren on economics, and many others in the top rank, who have lived through the big moments in the nation's history and are able to provide readers with a sense of perspective, knowledge and balance on the issues of the day. Along with experienced editors, they allow us to cut through the noise and tumult of a frenetic news cycle to explain events.Yet that can't be said of all media outlets, especially when seasoned journalists are being traded for ones unable to see beyond the dazzle of the instantaneous fix of Twitter or web-first publishing. These callow reporters and trainee talking heads are setting the pace at Fairfax Media and the ABC, with their "breaking" views and zippy analysis five minutes after something has happened. We can see the crude results in the way the Abbott government is being portrayed as bad, mad and chaotic by the baby faces in the press gallery and beyond. To date, the low-point of juvenilia was struck by John van Tiggelen, editor of The Monthly, old enough to know better but clueless about Canberra, who wrote about the Abbott government's "onanistic reverence for John Howard" and described it as "this frat party of Young Liberals who refuse to grow up".This twaddle would be harmless if these ill-informed innocents were on the fringes of new media, learning their craft in the minor leagues. Alarmingly, these infantile musings reflect the priorities of their organisations: it's a reverse-publishing model, which sees the trivialities of Generation Y setting the agenda for once-venerable newspapers, which traditionally served older, educated, middle-income readers in Sydney and Melbourne.No wonder Fairfax Media editors have lost touch with loyal readers and the respect of the old-hands still in the newsroom. At the ABC, Triple-J alumni have wrested cultural and editorial control in the face of insipid leadership from managing director Mark Scott and his news director, Kate Torney. You wonder if anyone's really in charge at Pyrmont, Docklands and Ultimo and how long this idiocy can last. - See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/comment-should-not-be-cheap/story-e6frg71x-1226774601754#sthash.WHwZ8EPC.dpuf

Catching Up

4/12/2013Mr. Pyne, the reason for the Australian kids going backwards. especially those at the bottom, is the SES funding model, from the Howard government. This was identified by David Gonski and his panel. After much research, the found a funding model to meet this challenged. Mr. Pyne, it is not those at the top, private schools, which are funded at a higher rate, that need help. No Mr. Pyne the many millions spent power the last six years, that is amiss. It is the way it is spent. Mer. Pyne. all that money spent on upgrading schools, digitalizing teaching aid and equipment is not waste. It is what is needed to educate kidss in this day and age. Mr. Pyne, Better Schools does address all you say is necessary. It focus on raising the standards of teachers. It focused of giving school autonomy for day to day running of schools. Better Schools is also bout improving curriculum. It is also asked by Gonski, that the scheme be under constant revision. Mr. Pyne this needs information and date to be recorded. It needs overseeing of the model form an central point. It needs commitment from all states and education bodies to succeed. It needs Better Schools to proceed in full. The Gillard has to make cuts to s the scheme. owing to the economy inability to pay at this time. No more cuts can be made. Mr. Pyne, one cannot run a eduction system for the nation, based on the prejudices and gut feelings of the minister. Mr. Pyne it is the SES model, which the last government used for most of it's term that is at fault. Day 78 and Brandis has deliver another hit.

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4/12/2013Folks How many of you have followed the ‘Keating’ series with Kerry O’Brien as host? This must be among the most inspired political analyses ever seen on TV. I shall obtain the series on DVD. Week after week, I have marveled at the sheer brilliance of Keating’s mind, his wide-ranging grasp of the complexities of the global economy and this nation’s place in it, his perception of the dynamic geopolitics of the world and the region, his vision for Australia, his determination to pursue his vision despite resistance from the conservatives inside and outside his party, his confidence in his own judgement, his articulateness in answering O’Brien’s questions and challenges, his willingness to concede defeats and miscalculations, his frankness about his relations with Bob Hawke and his ministers, and his extraordinary memory for detail. As I listened spellbound to his words, I asked myself who among our prime ministers and treasurers could match him, or even come close. Fleetingly, I compared him with our current PM and treasurer, and asked myself if it would be possible to imagine them showing such insight, using such words. But that was just too painful. His concluding sentence was breathtaking, summing up so movingly Keating’s approach to politics, to treasurer-ship and to prime minister-ship: “Do you want to be in it?”

this is jaycee

4/12/2013Jason...so much for the "expert and experienced journalists at The Australian...this from Mr. Denmore(The Failed Estate). "You see, the ABC lives in a cossetted, taxpayer-funded vacuum, hoovering up billions in public money to plot the leftist overthrow of the capitalist state. It has no understanding of profit and loss, unlike The Australian which successfully delivers a loss every quarter."

Jason

4/12/2013Ye Gods, Tony Abbott has appointed Don Randall to a powerful parliamentary committee charged with overseeing federal politicians’ behaviour.House Speaker Bronwyn Bishop confirmed this morning that Mr Randall had been reappointed to the Committee of Privileges and Members Interests. The committee oversees the rules of Parliament and whether MPs are abiding by them. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/20144691/randall-to-sit-on-privileges-committee/

this is jaycee

4/12/2013Yes..AA. I have to agree...It has to be up with, and perhaps better than the best interviews ever on television. Kerry O'brien didn't let him get away with anything and while I did discern a tad of vanity...it was that incisive Keating Style of vanity..and who's to deny him such a small treasure? A degree of Keating's method of leadership could be identified with his education outside the mainstream...there is a lot of confusion in mixing "education" (as we've seen with the last couple of generations)with "training". Education is "learning", by emulation or indoctrination so that the individual themself "sees" what has to be achieved...as against Training, where the pupil is "instructed" on how to achieve a specific task and all periphial distractions are discouraged..Keating saw those nasty or intrusive "periphials" that, in politics, can quickly sidetrack one's objective. Keating was a one-off leader. I agree most bitterly that the Whitlam govt' and I would include the Gillard govt', went too cheaply! I am STILL waiting for an apology from Malcolm Fraser!

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4/12/2013Jason That editorial in [i]The Australian[/i] tells us that their sycophantic support for the Coalition, Abbott and Co is unchanged, that they are angry that it is doing so poorly, incensed that Fairfax and the ABC is pointing that out, and destitute of any better response, they have resorted to adulating their people, and denigrating journalists from other media. The words they use bespeak anxiety about how the Abbott government is performing; all they could devise to counter this is the tired old 'shoot the messenger' reaction.

42 long

4/12/2013The "Australian" has always been Murdoch's "BIG GUN". It has always been loss making. It is a totally politicised UN- Australian RAG. It is a useful guide to the wishes of the unelected foreign leader of this country, IF it is interpreted correctly. Views not news from the most right wing biased reporters doing murky's bidding.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Jaycee, your are right, when it comes to education. We have replaced education with training since the days of Howard. Howard was great on the notion that those from lower economic levels, should be happy with technological training to prepare them for the work force, That they reaching above their status, entering university. This in Howard's eyes was not necessary. They would love to do back to the days when kids, where stream from their first day at school. The have no love for education or learning. It also apparent when one looks at their attitude to research. All has to have a dollar outcome attached to it. This is not learning, not seeking knowledge. it is also short sighted, and lead to great waste. Education should be about, teaching one to think. To seek knowledge for knowledge sake. Mainly, it needs to teach one to think and question. Keating rejected the school system. He did not reject the need to seek knowledge.

this is jaycee

4/12/2013So..Labor sided with the govt' to block Sen' Brandis to give an explanation on the ASIO. raids...?...is there too much "cross-pollination" going on here?

Catching Up

4/12/2013Well Brandis does have long history of manipulation the judicial system for his own aims. The Coalition also has a long history of hands on when it comes to the judicial and security systems. Remember back to the Children overboard, Haneef and the Philippine mother All the result of government interference. tHERE AR MANY MORE EXAMPLES THAT DO NOT READILY COME TO MIND.

Catching Up

4/12/2013NSW. The Hon. (Chris) Christopher Peter HARTCHER, MP has stepped down after IACC action against him. The corruption in NSW seems to be sector blind. Milne doing well in the Senate, defending the CEFC.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Just has Hockey, now Morrison. ABC 24. Wonder why we are seeing the ministers out this week. We had Pyne earlier. They had trouble catching Abbott. Did get a couple of questions in, before he slunk into the car. ICAC, sorry I said it wrong above, in relation to Hartcher.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Does not matter whether those who come by boats, turn uo one, two or three years ago. I suspect those that also come legally, will also be in the same boat. No one asks Morrison this question. Are we no longer giving PV to anyone.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Those that come after Gillard bought in the no advantage test, have been only given bridging visas. None since that time have got PV.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Morrison is acknowledging that those on Bridging visa's will remain. If that is so, why, when none are allowed into this country, no matter what, why do we need TPV.

Catching Up

4/12/2013We have mutual obligation back. Yes back to Howard, with all erased in between, Withdrawing from the UN is not under ACTIVE considration. There is consideration being given. No idea what that means. By the way, Morrison is out, not being Friday.

this is jaycee

4/12/2013Catch'...Just the other day I went with our project manager to inspect a delayed civil const' contract...the new contractor and his men were hard at work...on talking to the men, I soon discovered they were on their third or so "career" as workers...coming from butcher and chef etc. I commented to them on this "new phase" of employment, reflecting that my generation, with exceptions of short stints for a (summer)break away from our trades, usually stayed in the one skill-set for most of our working lives...there-by accruing experience in the many variables demanded to be successful in that field of endeavour. Not that this is any fault of theirs, but rather, as you explained, the competative nature of the workforce introduced under "the filth Howard" to capitalise on cheap labour...this reflects on the worksite...there being no-one long-term experienced overseer to forsee inherent and upcoming problems with proceedure and to "nip it in the bud" so to speak. After all, it takes years to become expert in any one field of trade or profession.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Mr,. Morrison has just admitted, bridging visas are tougher, harsher. Then why does he say Labor was weak?

Catching Up

4/12/2013Morrison see any questioning of his position as undermining his schemes. Is not the Opposition and cross benches doing their job in the Senate. That of holding the government to account. The Opposition and cross benches are not there to rubber stamp all that Abbott puts forwarded, under what he calls a mandate. If Mr. Abbott's belief of what should occur, now he is PM, why doe we have an Opposition at all. Why not winner take all, any only the government takes their seats. All that are on the opposite bench should retire, and rerun in the next election. Not needed at this time, according to Abbot.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Maybe Labor is right on the Brandis matter. To do otherwise will bring the focus back on Labor. Labor has to do nothing in this matter. As for state politics, all three on the Central Coast have been raided by ICAC, Hartcher is the first to have action taken against him.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Will someone please tell Pyne, that Gonski agree 100% with him. That is what Gonski and Better Schools is about. If he read it, he might just come to the conclusion, there is no need to re-invent the wheel when it comes to education. I would be surprised, if Gonski or any other expert agree with him, that the money Gillard spent on upgrading school environment is waste. It was Pyne that confined the debate to a money envelope, not Labor or those that support Better Schools. They have been saying all along, the argument is not about money, but how it is spent. All agree,except Pyne, that the SES model is broken, and is the cause of the system failing.

this is jaycee

4/12/2013Yes, I heard the liar quoting the Better Schools funding figure...but a lot of that was more like the building industries school const' program....I wonder how many people get fooled by such insincerities?

Catching Up

4/12/2013Pyne just said that the SES model delivered ten more percent to education. Was that extra ten percent. that SES delivered wasted in Pyne’s eyes.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Does anyone really believes that improving infrastructure within schools. bringing therm into this century is not needed. or is waste. The money spent under Gillard’s education revolution should have taken pressure off upkeep of schools, and allowing them to focused on quality

2353`

4/12/2013Jason, [quote] Comment should not be cheap [/quote] - it's free at The Guardian. Hopefully the publicity is doing them wonders.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Gillard made her contribution, the states did not deliver.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Yes, the BER came out of stimulus funding. So did many of the up to date white boards and other infrastructure put into all schools, no matter their colour. Did not see any in the private sector knock back any grants. Yes, Gillard made an mistake. She should have bypassed independent schools, giving all to the public system. The strings that are tied to Better Schools, arises, because money given in the past, did not deliver because of states not doing their bit. Pyne is settin himself up fo failure, by cutting all those strings.

Catching Up

4/12/2013What that report really tells us, is that the matter is too serious for the politicians to continue as they are. It is time for Pyne to take the blinkers off, sit down with the experts, including Gonski, the states, the academics, Labor and especially his department and leave the politics behind. Mr. Pyne, you would grow in statue, if you went down this path. Naphine is now blaming Gillard. I wonder how he comes to that conclusion, as her runs the schools. Gillard bought the states,screaming and yelling, into this century. With Better Schools, she did convince most, even getting them to add to the funding pool themselves.

this is jaycee

4/12/2013Catch'...We all know the politics behind the Gillard slander about Gonski..:The states that needed it the most were the ones who came on board...the recalcitrant Liberal states wouldn't sign up because Abbott's crowd implored them to not sign on so they could use it as a political tool and the MSM. media hammered it for all it was worth.....incl' the ABC. calling it a "shambles" and whatever... Now , when the ABC. gets shafted, I hope the "good" employees go hunting for Uhlmann and Iggulden and co. and give them a good, solid working-class "education" for sucking so far up to their nemisis!

Catching Up

4/12/2013I would have fought tooth and nail for the Aunty once. Now I want to see it go. Not mucked about, by the likes of Bernadi, but gone. In no way, is it independent of government now. It is has become the tool of the right. So much for the likes of those now complaining about the ABC, where the ones that screamed the loudest about the right of free speech. So it appears, Abbott will negotiate with the Greens. Is he going to resign, as he said this was something he would never do. Will be interesting to find out the price they are paying the Greens. Milne appearing soon. Hockey in Parliament.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Yes, caving into the Greens comes at a price.

Catching Up

4/12/2013The good outcome is, that Abbott cannot add this debt ceiling to a DD bill. It is one that might cut sway in the community. Clever move. They now have to justify with any new debt, with debate within the parliament.

Catching Up

4/12/2013Just had a thought. We have seen hatred against Milne. The penny dropped, another woman, who is thwarting t them in doing as they like. Another woman who has outsmarted them.

this is jaycee

4/12/2013Aunty still is the best of the bunch...not withstanding the endless repeats of Qi !!...just joking. But we did many times call for the sacking of "the useless Scott"..a LNP. plant if ever there was one...and now HE is fighting for his management life...THAT'S a joke! It doesn't auger well for the ABC. I remember sending emails to Labor people to do some thing about Scott and co. or else they'll be lucky to get a future cameo spot on the ABC's. "Alan Jones Show"......why were they so SLOW?...were they that stupid not to be able to read the tea-leaves?

Jason

4/12/20132353, Long may it continue. I'm at a loss as to why the Oz is complaining though! They made a commercial decision and no amount of complaining takes away from the fact it was wrong. As you said "it's free at The Guardian" and elsewhere so if the Oz wants readers they should sack the hacks and write what's actually going on not what they think is going on
How many Rabbits do I have if I have 3 Oranges?