Dr Kev Bonham’s polling average for the Federal election is now 50.2 – 49.8 in the Coalition’s favour. This is slightly closer than a week ago but, given the uncertainties, it’s basically a tie.
The Mercury Newspaper
8m ·
A review was once a condition by key independents to support the minority government but it has now been scrapped. One MP has described the move as a ‘load of crock’
The Mercury Newspaper
8m ·
A review was once a condition by key independents to support the minority government but it has now been scrapped. One MP has described the move as a ‘load of crock’
Govt drops Integrity Commission review
David Killick
Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Rob Inglis
The state government has abandoned plans to hold an independent review to “beef-up” the powers of the Integrity Commission as demanded by key independents as a condition of their support in parliament.
The inquiry was one of the conditions of a deal struck between the Liberals and the Jacqui Lambie Networks then newly-elected three MPs after last year’s state election.
In return for support in votes of no-confidence and supply and other matters, the government agreed to a range of measures including that “the Tasmanian Integrity Commission will be reviewed with an eye to giving it greater capability to conduct its work”.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the review would not go ahead on Friday.
The former Jacqui Lambie Network kingmakers of Miriam Beswick, Andrew Jenner, and Rebekah Pentland demanded an independent review. Now only Mr Jenner is a member of the network. Picture: Linda Higginson
“The Integrity Commission Act 2009 provides that it is the function of the Joint Standing Committee on Integrity, to monitor and review the performance and functions of an integrity entity (including the Integrity Commission),” he said.
“It is a further function of the Committee to report to both Houses of Parliament on matters relevant to the performance of an integrity entity’s functions or the exercise of their powers as the Joint Committee considers appropriate.
“It is the government’s view that the appointment of an independent reviewer to conduct a review of the Integrity Commission may be in conflict with that function.
“Furthermore, should an independent reviewer be appointed, there are issues with furnishing any reviewer with access to information for the purposes of undertaking a review.”
Member for Braddon Miriam Beswick said she was disappointed but understood.
“We accept the advice and understand the state government’s decision,” Mrs Beswick said.
“Strengthening Tasmania’s Integrity Commission remains a key objective, and I hope the Joint Standing Committee on Integrity continues to pursue reform.
“Our state needs a robust integrity watchdog that the public can have confidence in.”
Former Supreme Court Justice William Cox conducted an independent review of the Integrity Commission Act in 2016.
Nine years on the government has failed to act on more than 40 of his recommendations for reform.
The Commission is also struggling without its own in-house legal counsel and is locked in a battle with the parliament to be able to access to MP’s emails, which are protected under parliamentary privilege.
Greens MLC Cassy O’Connor described the government’s decision as “a load of crock”.
“What Jeremy Rockliff is really saying is that his government doesn’t want the Commission to have the powers or the resources to do its job effectively.
“They know the legislation underpinning the Commission needs fixing, and yet they continue to fail to act.
“Captured as they are by pokies barons, big salmon, developers and other vested interests, this Liberal government is dodgy, and it suits it to hobble the vital work of the Integrity Commission.”
Labor leader Dean Winter said the independents needed to hold their ground.
“These independents don’t hold this premier to account at any time, these independents just continue to allow him to get away with anything,” he said.
“This is their own commitment that they sought, they gained, and now they appear just happy for the Premier to just roll over and not do.”
david.killick@news.com.au
hell we don’t know, maybe they’re just busy trying to run a country or something, maybe they have families to look after or study to do, maybe they have other external issues like war in eastern europe to address, maybe even like ChrispenEvan says it’s sunday and they just want to have a bit of quiet downtime or spiritual self discovery
deity damn like hey supply grew more than demand recently and prices went down, oh magic someone better take the credit or blame or something what is this team sports
hell we don’t know, maybe they’re just busy trying to run a country or something, maybe they have families to look after or study to do, maybe they have other external issues like war in eastern europe to address, maybe even like ChrispenEvan says it’s sunday and they just want to have a bit of quiet downtime or spiritual self discovery
deity damn like hey supply grew more than demand recently and prices went down, oh magic someone better take the credit or blame or something what is this team sports
oh wait yeah
LOL
Because inflation is about to go out of control in the US once Trump’s nonsensical economic “policies” go into effect. There is bound to be a spillover into the rest of the world economy. Don’t pay too much attention to inflation right now, it is going to get ugly.
hell we don’t know, maybe they’re just busy trying to run a country or something, maybe they have families to look after or study to do, maybe they have other external issues like war in eastern europe to address, maybe even like ChrispenEvan says it’s sunday and they just want to have a bit of quiet downtime or spiritual self discovery
deity damn like hey supply grew more than demand recently and prices went down, oh magic someone better take the credit or blame or something what is this team sports
oh wait yeah
LOL
Because inflation is about to go out of control in the US once Trump’s nonsensical economic “policies” go into effect. There is bound to be a spillover into the rest of the world economy. Don’t pay too much attention to inflation right now, it is going to get ugly.
hell we don’t know, maybe they’re just busy trying to run a country or something, maybe they have families to look after or study to do, maybe they have other external issues like war in eastern europe to address, maybe even like ChrispenEvan says it’s sunday and they just want to have a bit of quiet downtime or spiritual self discovery
deity damn like hey supply grew more than demand recently and prices went down, oh magic someone better take the credit or blame or something what is this team sports
oh wait yeah
LOL
Because inflation is about to go out of control in the US once Trump’s nonsensical economic “policies” go into effect. There is bound to be a spillover into the rest of the world economy. Don’t pay too much attention to inflation right now, it is going to get ugly.
Prices will rise and politicians will philander.
surely the tariffs mean the fascists buy less of the overseas products so they mean inflation is about to spiral out of control downwards
Because inflation is about to go out of control in the US once Trump’s nonsensical economic “policies” go into effect. There is bound to be a spillover into the rest of the world economy. Don’t pay too much attention to inflation right now, it is going to get ugly.
Prices will rise and politicians will philander.
surely the tariffs mean the fascists buy less of the overseas products so they mean inflation is about to spiral out of control downwards
No. The tariffs are untargeted and across the board. Meaning that those imports which form raw materials and inputs for US value added production are taxed, meaning higher prices on inputs, so these get passed on in higher prices on finished goods. The producers still still these imports, there is not the industrial capacity within the US system to supply them, and in some cases the US doesn’t have enough.
If they were targeting finished consumer goods only for sale in the US market it might be different. But Trumpism is incapable of nuance.
surely the tariffs mean the fascists buy less of the overseas products so they mean inflation is about to spiral out of control downwards
No. The tariffs are untargeted and across the board. Meaning that those imports which form raw materials and inputs for US value added production are taxed, meaning higher prices on inputs, so these get passed on in higher prices on finished goods. The producers still still these imports, there is not the industrial capacity within the US system to supply them, and in some cases the US doesn’t have enough.
If they were targeting finished consumer goods only for sale in the US market it might be different. But Trumpism is incapable of nuance.
well we don’t buy any of that dirty dangerous low quality copycat made in America shit so we’ll be enjoying the lower inflation
surely the tariffs mean the fascists buy less of the overseas products so they mean inflation is about to spiral out of control downwards
No. The tariffs are untargeted and across the board. Meaning that those imports which form raw materials and inputs for US value added production are taxed, meaning higher prices on inputs, so these get passed on in higher prices on finished goods. The producers still still these imports, there is not the industrial capacity within the US system to supply them, and in some cases the US doesn’t have enough.
If they were targeting finished consumer goods only for sale in the US market it might be different. But Trumpism is incapable of nuance.
well we don’t buy any of that dirty dangerous low quality copycat made in America shit so we’ll be enjoying the lower inflation
Everything is connected to everything else in the global economy. We are very much a part of it.
02 March 2025
‘A complete farce’: Spirit IV to be brought home after failed negotiations
The state government has blamed a failure to lease the new Spirit of Tasmania vessel on “relentless negativity” from the Labor opposition.
Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie brushed this off, and said Mr Abetz and his colleagues should “get better at their jobs” as they had “completely stuffed it up” when it came to the new ferries.
After it was teased by Treasurer Guy Barnett, Transport Minister Eric Abetz said operator TT-Line had been instructed to relocate the Spirit of Tasmania IV to Tasmania.
The vessel has been docked at Leith in Scotland since December 2024 as berth facilities at Devonport are still under construction.
Its future has been up in the air since, and operator TT-Line has been in negotiations over potentially leasing the vessel.
The government set a February 28 deadline for an announcement regarding the lease.
In a statement Mr Abetz said TT-Line had been negotiating in good faith, but an agreement was not forthcoming.
“We had an opportunity to secure an agreement worth tens of millions of dollars for the Tasmanian taxpayer, and it would have been economically irresponsible not to explore this,” he said.
He cited similar agreements which returned 50 million euros ($83.59 million Australian) to vessel owners.
Mr Abetz’s statement was preempted by the Treasurer, who was asked a question about TT-Line’s debt position on Sunday, March 2.
“The state government has instructed the TT line to cease further negotiations regarding the leasing option and commence the relocation of Spirit IV to Tasmania,” Mr Barnett said in response.
Mr Barnett declined to answer further questions, including about where the vessel would be docked – the new berth to be finished by late 2026 at the earliest.
The statement from Mr Abetz said a further update about a timeline for bringing the vessel to Tasmania would be released “in due course”, and did not mention the berthing facilities.
Mr Abetz also took a shot at the Labor opposition, blaming them for failed negotiations.
“Sadly, Labor’s negativity surrounding the matter has not helped and disparaging commentary has harmed the state’s economic interests,” he said.
The Shadow Treasurer said the March 2 announcement was a move to save face, after the government had ignored advice from TT-Line that leasing the new vessel was unlikely.
Mr Willie branded the matter a “complete farce”, with the government lurching from “one stuff up to the next”.
“Premier Rockliff and the Liberal government had to spend millions of dollars of taxpayers money to try and save face,” he said.
“They’re finally coming home, which is the right decision. It’s the decision they should have made from the start.”
02 March 2025
‘A complete farce’: Spirit IV to be brought home after failed negotiations
The state government has blamed a failure to lease the new Spirit of Tasmania vessel on “relentless negativity” from the Labor opposition.
Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie brushed this off, and said Mr Abetz and his colleagues should “get better at their jobs” as they had “completely stuffed it up” when it came to the new ferries.
After it was teased by Treasurer Guy Barnett, Transport Minister Eric Abetz said operator TT-Line had been instructed to relocate the Spirit of Tasmania IV to Tasmania.
The vessel has been docked at Leith in Scotland since December 2024 as berth facilities at Devonport are still under construction.
Its future has been up in the air since, and operator TT-Line has been in negotiations over potentially leasing the vessel.
The government set a February 28 deadline for an announcement regarding the lease.
In a statement Mr Abetz said TT-Line had been negotiating in good faith, but an agreement was not forthcoming.
“We had an opportunity to secure an agreement worth tens of millions of dollars for the Tasmanian taxpayer, and it would have been economically irresponsible not to explore this,” he said.
He cited similar agreements which returned 50 million euros ($83.59 million Australian) to vessel owners.
Mr Abetz’s statement was preempted by the Treasurer, who was asked a question about TT-Line’s debt position on Sunday, March 2.
“The state government has instructed the TT line to cease further negotiations regarding the leasing option and commence the relocation of Spirit IV to Tasmania,” Mr Barnett said in response.
Mr Barnett declined to answer further questions, including about where the vessel would be docked – the new berth to be finished by late 2026 at the earliest.
The statement from Mr Abetz said a further update about a timeline for bringing the vessel to Tasmania would be released “in due course”, and did not mention the berthing facilities.
Mr Abetz also took a shot at the Labor opposition, blaming them for failed negotiations.
“Sadly, Labor’s negativity surrounding the matter has not helped and disparaging commentary has harmed the state’s economic interests,” he said.
The Shadow Treasurer said the March 2 announcement was a move to save face, after the government had ignored advice from TT-Line that leasing the new vessel was unlikely.
Mr Willie branded the matter a “complete farce”, with the government lurching from “one stuff up to the next”.
“Premier Rockliff and the Liberal government had to spend millions of dollars of taxpayers money to try and save face,” he said.
“They’re finally coming home, which is the right decision. It’s the decision they should have made from the start.”
6 Feb 2025 — Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Donald Trump is a “big thinker and a deal maker” with a “genuine desire to see peace and stability”
yeah but he’s much smarter than Anthony Albanese because people who are wrong then make it right are better little than people who sit pretty on being right all along
That’s one for the ALP campaign ads if there ever was one.
Nods.
Good idea.
I doubt it would be used as it shows trump in a bad light and i don’t think that would bode well for australia. mores the pity.
I suppose it all depends on how much damage Trump does to the US economy in the next month. He’s already burned all his diplomatic bridges and the commentary on his economic plans could very quickly turn bad if he spooks the stock and bond markets like Liz Truss did in her short tenure as UK PM.
I doubt it would be used as it shows trump in a bad light and i don’t think that would bode well for australia. mores the pity.
I suppose it all depends on how much damage Trump does to the US economy in the next month. He’s already burned all his diplomatic bridges and the commentary on his economic plans could very quickly turn bad if he spooks the stock and bond markets like Liz Truss did in her short tenure as UK PM.
He’s already planning/in the stages of privatising the SEC. It might be a good thing for Mr Mutant’s company if a privatised SEC drops the lawsuits.
Media release – Friends of the Earth Australia, 3 March 2025
Do USA fire service cuts threaten Australia?
It has been a long fire season in Victoria. After major fires in The Grampians/ Gariwerd and the Little Desert, which saw significant demands on career and volunteer firefighters, state government crews are currently battling significant blazes in the Victorian high country. There are 40 vehicles responding to a fire north of the Baw Baw Plateau in one of Melbourne’s main drinking water catchments, and crews are trying to control a fire north east of Licola which is burning within the Alpine national park and threatening significant areas like the famous Lake Tali Karng. Meanwhile, large numbers of volunteer firefighters are trying to contain major fires in the Strathbogie Ranges. And the AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Autumn 2025 identifies a sustained period of heightened risk of fire for parts of WA, SA and Victoria.
This summer’s fires highlights the dilemma of how vulnerable we are in bad seasons.
As climate change makes our fire seasons longer and more intense, local agencies increasingly rely on interstate and overseas help to fight fire. For instance, during Australia’s Black Summer of 2019/20, around 1,000 personal arrived from North America to assist in our firefighting efforts.
“With fires becoming more frequent and widespread in both hemispheres due to climate change, we have to expect that this will make it harder to share resources with other jurisdictions” said Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator. “We currently rely on sharing resources with the northern hemisphere – ground crews, specialists and aircraft. And now more countries in the Northern hemisphere are starting to experience worsening fire conditions where previously they had no regular fire season. This includes the United Kingdom and Japan, where crews have recently been battling the worst wild fire in that country for several decades. The recent catastrophic fires in and around Los Angeles – which happened in the northern winter when firefighters are usually available to assist in the southern hemisphere – demonstrates the reality of fire in the time of the Pyrocene”.
Now the situation could become radically worse. The government of Donald Trump is slashing federal staff including those in firefighting roles.
The cuts implemented so far represent about 10% percent of the U.S. Forest Service workforce of 35,000 and about 5% of the 20,000 National Park Service employees. The White House is targeting positions that perform functions “not mandated by statute or other law,” with specific emphasis on dismantling “diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”
While government has tried to assure the public that the Forest Service’s firefighting capabilities will not be impacted, insisting that the downsizing largely spared operational firefighters, the fact is that firefighters require significant logistical support to be able to sustain large ‘campaign’ fires. Overall it is expected that wildland firefighting capacity in the USA will suffer.
Many have speculated that, with fewer federal workers, some of the responsibility for fighting fire in the USA will fall on local state resources, including volunteers. It also raises the question of whether the USA can continue to provide international assistance to places like Australia, as it has done for many years.
Additionally, with the current US president withdrawing from global agreements and taking a more isolationist stance it is not yet clear what the change in policy will mean for sharing resources. This arrangement has been reciprocal for several decades, with Australian teams regularly assisting with firefighting efforts in the northern hemisphere. “Trump’s isolationist approach could be bad news for Australia in difficult fire seasons,” said Mr Walker.
Interstate crews have been important this summer – with NSW crews coming to Victoria and others assisting with Tasmania’s fires, and sharing of aerial resources.
“Australia must continue to play a role in assisting other nations when needed. But the isolationist approach of Donald Trump does raise a potential danger for Australia if he continues to cut federal firefighting resources and decides to scale back USA support for overseas fire fighting efforts” said Mr Walker. “Given Trump’s propensity to isolate his country there is a real risk he will scale back or refuse involvement of federal staff and equipment when Australia calls for help.”
Practical things Australia must do to prepare for the possibility that the USA will be a less reliable partner under the leadership of Donald Trump:
Continue to invest in expanding volunteer firefighting capacity – including innovative ideas that will allow urban based people to get involved in firefighting (details here)
Continue to invest in state funded firefighting capacity
Finally establish a national remote area fire fighting team, as was recommended after the destructive 2016 fires in Tasmania (details here)
Continue to invest in Large Air Tankers (LATs), which are currently largely leased in from North America. At present we need 6 or 7 LATs each summer yet most of these are leased. Leasing will become more difficult as the USA requires more aircraft for longer periods. The Royal Commission inquiry that happened after Black Summer recommended that Australia invest in a ‘modest, Australian-based sovereign’ fleet of LATs and Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs). Details here.
Continue to invest in early detection and rapid response systems to allow fire services to identify and respond to new start fires quickly.
Media release – Friends of the Earth Australia, 3 March 2025
Do USA fire service cuts threaten Australia?
It has been a long fire season in Victoria. After major fires in The Grampians/ Gariwerd and the Little Desert, which saw significant demands on career and volunteer firefighters, state government crews are currently battling significant blazes in the Victorian high country. There are 40 vehicles responding to a fire north of the Baw Baw Plateau in one of Melbourne’s main drinking water catchments, and crews are trying to control a fire north east of Licola which is burning within the Alpine national park and threatening significant areas like the famous Lake Tali Karng. Meanwhile, large numbers of volunteer firefighters are trying to contain major fires in the Strathbogie Ranges. And the AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Autumn 2025 identifies a sustained period of heightened risk of fire for parts of WA, SA and Victoria.
This summer’s fires highlights the dilemma of how vulnerable we are in bad seasons.
As climate change makes our fire seasons longer and more intense, local agencies increasingly rely on interstate and overseas help to fight fire. For instance, during Australia’s Black Summer of 2019/20, around 1,000 personal arrived from North America to assist in our firefighting efforts.
“With fires becoming more frequent and widespread in both hemispheres due to climate change, we have to expect that this will make it harder to share resources with other jurisdictions” said Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator. “We currently rely on sharing resources with the northern hemisphere – ground crews, specialists and aircraft. And now more countries in the Northern hemisphere are starting to experience worsening fire conditions where previously they had no regular fire season. This includes the United Kingdom and Japan, where crews have recently been battling the worst wild fire in that country for several decades. The recent catastrophic fires in and around Los Angeles – which happened in the northern winter when firefighters are usually available to assist in the southern hemisphere – demonstrates the reality of fire in the time of the Pyrocene”.
Now the situation could become radically worse. The government of Donald Trump is slashing federal staff including those in firefighting roles.
The cuts implemented so far represent about 10% percent of the U.S. Forest Service workforce of 35,000 and about 5% of the 20,000 National Park Service employees. The White House is targeting positions that perform functions “not mandated by statute or other law,” with specific emphasis on dismantling “diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”
While government has tried to assure the public that the Forest Service’s firefighting capabilities will not be impacted, insisting that the downsizing largely spared operational firefighters, the fact is that firefighters require significant logistical support to be able to sustain large ‘campaign’ fires. Overall it is expected that wildland firefighting capacity in the USA will suffer.
Many have speculated that, with fewer federal workers, some of the responsibility for fighting fire in the USA will fall on local state resources, including volunteers. It also raises the question of whether the USA can continue to provide international assistance to places like Australia, as it has done for many years.
Additionally, with the current US president withdrawing from global agreements and taking a more isolationist stance it is not yet clear what the change in policy will mean for sharing resources. This arrangement has been reciprocal for several decades, with Australian teams regularly assisting with firefighting efforts in the northern hemisphere. “Trump’s isolationist approach could be bad news for Australia in difficult fire seasons,” said Mr Walker.
Interstate crews have been important this summer – with NSW crews coming to Victoria and others assisting with Tasmania’s fires, and sharing of aerial resources.
“Australia must continue to play a role in assisting other nations when needed. But the isolationist approach of Donald Trump does raise a potential danger for Australia if he continues to cut federal firefighting resources and decides to scale back USA support for overseas fire fighting efforts” said Mr Walker. “Given Trump’s propensity to isolate his country there is a real risk he will scale back or refuse involvement of federal staff and equipment when Australia calls for help.”
Practical things Australia must do to prepare for the possibility that the USA will be a less reliable partner under the leadership of Donald Trump:
Continue to invest in expanding volunteer firefighting capacity – including innovative ideas that will allow urban based people to get involved in firefighting (details here)
Continue to invest in state funded firefighting capacity
Finally establish a national remote area fire fighting team, as was recommended after the destructive 2016 fires in Tasmania (details here)
Continue to invest in Large Air Tankers (LATs), which are currently largely leased in from North America. At present we need 6 or 7 LATs each summer yet most of these are leased. Leasing will become more difficult as the USA requires more aircraft for longer periods. The Royal Commission inquiry that happened after Black Summer recommended that Australia invest in a ‘modest, Australian-based sovereign’ fleet of LATs and Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs). Details here.
Continue to invest in early detection and rapid response systems to allow fire services to identify and respond to new start fires quickly.
Media release – Friends of the Earth Australia, 3 March 2025
Do USA fire service cuts threaten Australia?
It has been a long fire season in Victoria. After major fires in The Grampians/ Gariwerd and the Little Desert, which saw significant demands on career and volunteer firefighters, state government crews are currently battling significant blazes in the Victorian high country. There are 40 vehicles responding to a fire north of the Baw Baw Plateau in one of Melbourne’s main drinking water catchments, and crews are trying to control a fire north east of Licola which is burning within the Alpine national park and threatening significant areas like the famous Lake Tali Karng. Meanwhile, large numbers of volunteer firefighters are trying to contain major fires in the Strathbogie Ranges. And the AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Autumn 2025 identifies a sustained period of heightened risk of fire for parts of WA, SA and Victoria.
This summer’s fires highlights the dilemma of how vulnerable we are in bad seasons.
As climate change makes our fire seasons longer and more intense, local agencies increasingly rely on interstate and overseas help to fight fire. For instance, during Australia’s Black Summer of 2019/20, around 1,000 personal arrived from North America to assist in our firefighting efforts.
“With fires becoming more frequent and widespread in both hemispheres due to climate change, we have to expect that this will make it harder to share resources with other jurisdictions” said Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator. “We currently rely on sharing resources with the northern hemisphere – ground crews, specialists and aircraft. And now more countries in the Northern hemisphere are starting to experience worsening fire conditions where previously they had no regular fire season. This includes the United Kingdom and Japan, where crews have recently been battling the worst wild fire in that country for several decades. The recent catastrophic fires in and around Los Angeles – which happened in the northern winter when firefighters are usually available to assist in the southern hemisphere – demonstrates the reality of fire in the time of the Pyrocene”.
Now the situation could become radically worse. The government of Donald Trump is slashing federal staff including those in firefighting roles.
The cuts implemented so far represent about 10% percent of the U.S. Forest Service workforce of 35,000 and about 5% of the 20,000 National Park Service employees. The White House is targeting positions that perform functions “not mandated by statute or other law,” with specific emphasis on dismantling “diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”
While government has tried to assure the public that the Forest Service’s firefighting capabilities will not be impacted, insisting that the downsizing largely spared operational firefighters, the fact is that firefighters require significant logistical support to be able to sustain large ‘campaign’ fires. Overall it is expected that wildland firefighting capacity in the USA will suffer.
Many have speculated that, with fewer federal workers, some of the responsibility for fighting fire in the USA will fall on local state resources, including volunteers. It also raises the question of whether the USA can continue to provide international assistance to places like Australia, as it has done for many years.
Additionally, with the current US president withdrawing from global agreements and taking a more isolationist stance it is not yet clear what the change in policy will mean for sharing resources. This arrangement has been reciprocal for several decades, with Australian teams regularly assisting with firefighting efforts in the northern hemisphere. “Trump’s isolationist approach could be bad news for Australia in difficult fire seasons,” said Mr Walker.
Interstate crews have been important this summer – with NSW crews coming to Victoria and others assisting with Tasmania’s fires, and sharing of aerial resources.
“Australia must continue to play a role in assisting other nations when needed. But the isolationist approach of Donald Trump does raise a potential danger for Australia if he continues to cut federal firefighting resources and decides to scale back USA support for overseas fire fighting efforts” said Mr Walker. “Given Trump’s propensity to isolate his country there is a real risk he will scale back or refuse involvement of federal staff and equipment when Australia calls for help.”
Practical things Australia must do to prepare for the possibility that the USA will be a less reliable partner under the leadership of Donald Trump:
Continue to invest in expanding volunteer firefighting capacity – including innovative ideas that will allow urban based people to get involved in firefighting (details here)
Continue to invest in state funded firefighting capacity
Finally establish a national remote area fire fighting team, as was recommended after the destructive 2016 fires in Tasmania (details here)
Continue to invest in Large Air Tankers (LATs), which are currently largely leased in from North America. At present we need 6 or 7 LATs each summer yet most of these are leased. Leasing will become more difficult as the USA requires more aircraft for longer periods. The Royal Commission inquiry that happened after Black Summer recommended that Australia invest in a ‘modest, Australian-based sovereign’ fleet of LATs and Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs). Details here.
Continue to invest in early detection and rapid response systems to allow fire services to identify and respond to new start fires quickly.
“It has been criticised for carrying out non-violent direct action by a range of conservative commentators (for instance, Andrew Bolt, columnist with the Herald Sun newspaper in Melbourne). Andrew Bolt has also accused them of being ‘alarmist’ on the question of climate change.”
“It has been criticised for carrying out non-violent direct action by a range of conservative commentators (for instance, Andrew Bolt, columnist with the Herald Sun newspaper in Melbourne). Andrew Bolt has also accused them of being ‘alarmist’ on the question of climate change.”
“It has been criticised for carrying out non-violent direct action by a range of conservative commentators (for instance, Andrew Bolt, columnist with the Herald Sun newspaper in Melbourne). Andrew Bolt has also accused them of being ‘alarmist’ on the question of climate change.”
so they must be doing something right.
:)
The fact that we need to have a group who ‘come out’ and announce their secret, that they are friends of the earth. Says it all.
Because in this country we make it relatively easy for people to actually vote.
Just to be different, I’ll say 3 May.
I was leaning toward 12th April… but wouldn’t be surprised if the Labs try and push it out to capitalise on anti-conservative sentiment driven by the behavior of the Conservatives in the US.
Because in this country we make it relatively easy for people to actually vote.
In fairness to the US here, at least they know exactly when the election will be every cycle.
Oh, and I know their Tuesday was the market day, so the farmers could vote when they went to market. But that became less relevent a very long time ago. The Tuesday conveniently stops many workers from voting, in a place where labour rights are not as they are here. It has been considerably more complex to absentee vote/early vote etc in America and even now it’s not as straightforward as it is for us.
Because in this country we make it relatively easy for people to actually vote.
Just to be different, I’ll say 3 May.
I was leaning toward 12th April… but wouldn’t be surprised if the Labs try and push it out to capitalise on anti-conservative sentiment driven by the behavior of the Conservatives in the US.
In favour of your idea is that there may be negative economic signs by May (partly because of those conservatives).
Because in this country we make it relatively easy for people to actually vote.
In fairness to the US here, at least they know exactly when the election will be every cycle.
Oh, and I know their Tuesday was the market day, so the farmers could vote when they went to market. But that became less relevent a very long time ago. The Tuesday conveniently stops many workers from voting, in a place where labour rights are not as they are here. It has been considerably more complex to absentee vote/early vote etc in America and even now it’s not as straightforward as it is for us.
I guess we should also factor in that we have compulsory voting. So a more convenient day seems more of an issue for us.
(Although now we have postal voting and early voting too, so quite frankly they could hold the election any day
In fairness to the US here, at least they know exactly when the election will be every cycle.
Oh, and I know their Tuesday was the market day, so the farmers could vote when they went to market. But that became less relevent a very long time ago. The Tuesday conveniently stops many workers from voting, in a place where labour rights are not as they are here. It has been considerably more complex to absentee vote/early vote etc in America and even now it’s not as straightforward as it is for us.
I guess we should also factor in that we have compulsory voting. So a more convenient day seems more of an issue for us.
(Although now we have postal voting and early voting too, so quite frankly they could hold the election any day
They have those in America too, but from what my sister told me, she found it a bit difficult to navigate. And she is a tertiary educated person. She said it would be much more difficult if you were less educated.
We had a similar discussion at work a couple of days ago.
The next federal election will be held on or before 17th of May. As most campaigns usually run for a period of four to six weeks, this is what we’re looking at as possible dates from today:
Not likely to be 22nd of March, as Ramadan is still being observed.
5th of April is a possibly.
Suggestions I’ve seen around the traps are that it won’t be 12th of April as that, despite the provsion of postal voting, is Passover Eve and many in the Jewish community will be involved in preparations for the holiday.
It won’t be the 19th of April, as that is Easter Saturday aka Holy Saturday.
It won’t be the 26th of April, as ANZAC Day falls on the day before, and many Australians will be taking advantage of the long weekend.
The 3rd of May is a remote possibility, although it will be Labour Day in Queensland on the following Tuesday, 5th of May, making it quite likely to be a long weekend for Queenslanders.
We had a similar discussion at work a couple of days ago.
The next federal election will be held on or before 17th of May. As most campaigns usually run for a period of four to six weeks, this is what we’re looking at as possible dates from today:
Not likely to be 22nd of March, as Ramadan is still being observed.
5th of April is a possibly.
Suggestions I’ve seen around the traps are that it won’t be 12th of April as that, despite the provsion of postal voting, is Passover Eve and many in the Jewish community will be involved in preparations for the holiday.
It won’t be the 19th of April, as that is Easter Saturday aka Holy Saturday.
It won’t be the 26th of April, as ANZAC Day falls on the day before, and many Australians will be taking advantage of the long weekend.
The 3rd of May is a remote possibility, although it will be Labour Day in Queensland on the following Tuesday, 5th of May, making it quite likely to be a long weekend for Queenslanders.
10th of May? Mother’s Day falls on Sunday 11th.
17th of May would be the latest date.
ah this is starting to sound like one of our favourites
A judge tells a condemned prisoner that he will be hanged at noon on one weekday in the following week but that the execution will be a surprise to the prisoner. He will not know the day of the hanging until the executioner knocks on his cell door at noon that day.
Having reflected on his sentence, the prisoner draws the conclusion that he will escape from the hanging. His reasoning is in several parts. He begins by concluding that the “surprise hanging” can’t be on Friday, as if he hasn’t been hanged by Thursday, there is only one day left – and so it won’t be a surprise if he’s hanged on Friday. Since the judge’s sentence stipulated that the hanging would be a surprise to him, he concludes it cannot occur on Friday.
He then reasons that the surprise hanging cannot be on Thursday either, because Friday has already been eliminated and if he hasn’t been hanged by Wednesday noon, the hanging must occur on Thursday, making a Thursday hanging not a surprise either. By similar reasoning, he concludes that the hanging can also not occur on Wednesday, Tuesday or Monday. Joyfully he retires to his cell confident that the hanging will not occur at all.
The next week, the executioner knocks on the prisoner’s door at noon on Wednesday – which, despite all the above, was an utter surprise to him. Everything the judge said came true.
We had a similar discussion at work a couple of days ago.
The next federal election will be held on or before 17th of May. As most campaigns usually run for a period of four to six weeks, this is what we’re looking at as possible dates from today:
Not likely to be 22nd of March, as Ramadan is still being observed.
5th of April is a possibly.
Suggestions I’ve seen around the traps are that it won’t be 12th of April as that, despite the provsion of postal voting, is Passover Eve and many in the Jewish community will be involved in preparations for the holiday.
It won’t be the 19th of April, as that is Easter Saturday aka Holy Saturday.
It won’t be the 26th of April, as ANZAC Day falls on the day before, and many Australians will be taking advantage of the long weekend.
The 3rd of May is a remote possibility, although it will be Labour Day in Queensland on the following Tuesday, 5th of May, making it quite likely to be a long weekend for Queenslanders.
10th of May? Mother’s Day falls on Sunday 11th.
17th of May would be the latest date.
ah this is starting to sound like one of our favourites
A judge tells a condemned prisoner that he will be hanged at noon on one weekday in the following week but that the execution will be a surprise to the prisoner. He will not know the day of the hanging until the executioner knocks on his cell door at noon that day.
Having reflected on his sentence, the prisoner draws the conclusion that he will escape from the hanging. His reasoning is in several parts. He begins by concluding that the “surprise hanging” can’t be on Friday, as if he hasn’t been hanged by Thursday, there is only one day left – and so it won’t be a surprise if he’s hanged on Friday. Since the judge’s sentence stipulated that the hanging would be a surprise to him, he concludes it cannot occur on Friday.
He then reasons that the surprise hanging cannot be on Thursday either, because Friday has already been eliminated and if he hasn’t been hanged by Wednesday noon, the hanging must occur on Thursday, making a Thursday hanging not a surprise either. By similar reasoning, he concludes that the hanging can also not occur on Wednesday, Tuesday or Monday. Joyfully he retires to his cell confident that the hanging will not occur at all.
The next week, the executioner knocks on the prisoner’s door at noon on Wednesday – which, despite all the above, was an utter surprise to him. Everything the judge said came true.
Because in this country we make it relatively easy for people to actually vote.
In fairness to the US here, at least they know exactly when the election will be every cycle.
Oh, and I know their Tuesday was the market day, so the farmers could vote when they went to market. But that became less relevent a very long time ago. The Tuesday conveniently stops many workers from voting, in a place where labour rights are not as they are here. It has been considerably more complex to absentee vote/early vote etc in America and even now it’s not as straightforward as it is for us.
That’s not actually true.. every state offers a postal voting option; in some states a whole election can be carried out by mail with no need at all for in person voting, in other states (the majority of states) “no-excuse” postal voting is allowed and in the remainder of states (mostly in the South) postal voting requires that you provide a reason for not voting in person.
The issue is that virtually every state have different voting and registration rules as well as different rules that govern the counting of postal votes.
In short:
Sources say the prime minister Anthony Albanese has all but settled on an April 12 election, but the campaign may be delayed over concerns about fallout from Cyclone Alfred.
Government sources told the ABC a key concern is that the storm is too disruptive for the prime minister to justify taking the country to the polls.
A Tasmanian logging worker who cut a rope attached to a protester’s platform suspended 20 metres above the ground has been given a suspended jail sentence.
Patrick John Mellor, 43, of Geeveston, was found guilty of one count of assault over the incident in a native forest coupe near Dover, in Tasmania’s far south, in the early hours of December 9, 2023.
The court heard Mellor and other workers arrived at the site about 6.30am to find protesters intentionally preventing logging.
Among them was Helena Griffiths, who was suspended from a 20-metre-high cable logger using an aluminium platform, which was attached to four other forestry machines by rope.
Pro-logging protesters claimed discrimination against Bob Brown Foundation — and lost
Photo shows A woman in orange hi-vis workwear and hardhat aggressively points her finger at a middle-aged woman in a black t-shirt.A woman in orange hi-vis workwear and hardhat aggressively points her finger at a middle-aged woman in a black t-shirt.
A complaint made by two supporters of native forest logging who alleged they were discriminated against based on their political beliefs after being denied entry to a Bob Brown documentary sixteen months ago have had their case dismissed.
Magistrate Jackie Hartnett said Mellor climbed onto one of the machines and, “despite warnings of the danger to Ms Griffiths”, cut one of the ropes using a multi tool.
“You then got down after cutting it, and walked away casually sipping from your cup,” Ms Hartnett told the court.
“You showed a callous disregard for Ms Griffiths, and she screamed due to the platform that she was on dropping.”
Ms Griffiths was caught by her harness and avoided serious injury, while ropes hit her in the neck.
The incident was captured on video, with Ms Griffiths heard screaming loudly.
Ms Hartnett said Mellor would not have known the stability of the other anchor points, and it could have resulted in serious injury.
“I do not believe you seriously intended for her to fall to the ground, but for her to drop and disrupt protesting actions,” she said.
“Your actions were not planned, (they were) a spontaneous act out of anger and frustration on that day.”
No remorse shown, magistrate says
Mellor’s employer — Tammy Price and Gerard Bennett from TP Bennett and Sons — provided a character reference to the court, describing him as “trustworthy, genuine, passionate and reliable”.
Patrick Mellor sentenced for Assault at the Magistrates Court
Mellor (centre) with his employers, Gerard Bennett and Tammy Price, of TP Bennett and Sons. (ABC News: Jordy Gregg)
The court heard Mellor has worked as a logging contractor since 2005, and suffered a serious head injury in 2010 when he was struck by a tree.
Are Tasmania’s forests wars set to return?
Photo shows Truck with large felled tree on back travelling on Tasmanian rural road.Truck with large felled tree on back travelling on Tasmanian rural road.
It’s been more than a decade since a peace deal was signed to put an end to Tasmania’s “forest wars”. But Victoria’s decision this week to end native forest logging has reignited debate.
His defence counsel, Bonney Webb, said Mellor had been experiencing personal difficulties at the time of the offence.
Ms Hartnett said he had not shown remorse.
“Dealing with frustration in this way is unacceptable,” she said.
Mellor was convicted and sentenced to three months’ jail, suspended for two years.
First it was a promise to axe about 36,000 bureaucrats if elected, and now those remaining staff would be required to work from the office five days a week, the Coalition says.
The plan was revealed by opposition finance spokeswoman, senator Jane Hume, in a speech to the Liberal-aligned Menzies Research Centre in Sydney last night, where she said public servants had been given a “blank cheque” to work from home.
“We know some departments and agencies are telling stakeholders not to schedule meetings on Mondays or Fridays as there will likely be no one in the office,” she said.
“In one instance, a stakeholder travelled to Canberra only to be shown into a meeting room where they were greeted by all departmental participants dialling in from home.”
Commonwealth workers have ‘unlimited’ work from home days (by negotiation with their manager), under a pay deal negotiated with the Commonwealth Public Sector Union (CPSU) in 2023.
Hume said the most recent census of public service workers shows 61 per cent work from home some of the time. In 2022 (during the pandemic) it was 55 per cent.
That pay deal lasts until 2027, but Hume said in her speech she thinks a Dutton government could get around it and force APS workers back to the office five days a week.
“Exceptions can and will be made, of course; but they will be made where they work for everyone rather than be enforced on teams by an individual.”
The Coalition’s rhetoric about cutting “waste” and “inefficiencies” in the public service has tinges of Donald Trump, and his mission to cut “waste” through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Western Australian election looms and here is a rundown of some of the minor parties, some of which have appealing but misleading names.
Sustainable Australia Party – Anticorruption
Their main platform is opposition to immigration and house-building. They combine this with some socialist ideas such as universal basic income.
A new party was formed last year called the Democratic Labour Party but they have no connection to any previous DLP. They were forced to rename to avoid confusion so they are now the Stop Pedophiles! Protect Kiddies! Party.
Benjamin Letts Dawkins is a current member of the upper house (Legislative Council). He was in the Labor Party, but was suspended after a convictions for violating domestic violence prevention orders. He then joined One Nation but was also forced to leave that party, and now sits as an independent. He legally changed his name to Aussie Trump and that’s how he appears on this year’s ballot.
I haven’t managed to find a copy of the Legislative Council ballot online but it’s going to be a bit of a tablecloth.
First it was a promise to axe about 36,000 bureaucrats if elected, and now those remaining staff would be required to work from the office five days a week, the Coalition says.
The plan was revealed by opposition finance spokeswoman, senator Jane Hume, in a speech to the Liberal-aligned Menzies Research Centre in Sydney last night, where she said public servants had been given a “blank cheque” to work from home.
“We know some departments and agencies are telling stakeholders not to schedule meetings on Mondays or Fridays as there will likely be no one in the office,” she said.
“In one instance, a stakeholder travelled to Canberra only to be shown into a meeting room where they were greeted by all departmental participants dialling in from home.”
Commonwealth workers have ‘unlimited’ work from home days (by negotiation with their manager), under a pay deal negotiated with the Commonwealth Public Sector Union (CPSU) in 2023.
Hume said the most recent census of public service workers shows 61 per cent work from home some of the time. In 2022 (during the pandemic) it was 55 per cent.
That pay deal lasts until 2027, but Hume said in her speech she thinks a Dutton government could get around it and force APS workers back to the office five days a week.
“Exceptions can and will be made, of course; but they will be made where they work for everyone rather than be enforced on teams by an individual.”
The Coalition’s rhetoric about cutting “waste” and “inefficiencies” in the public service has tinges of Donald Trump, and his mission to cut “waste” through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
fuck off
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
First it was a promise to axe about 36,000 bureaucrats if elected, and now those remaining staff would be required to work from the office five days a week, the Coalition says.
The plan was revealed by opposition finance spokeswoman, senator Jane Hume, in a speech to the Liberal-aligned Menzies Research Centre in Sydney last night, where she said public servants had been given a “blank cheque” to work from home.
“We know some departments and agencies are telling stakeholders not to schedule meetings on Mondays or Fridays as there will likely be no one in the office,” she said.
“In one instance, a stakeholder travelled to Canberra only to be shown into a meeting room where they were greeted by all departmental participants dialling in from home.”
Commonwealth workers have ‘unlimited’ work from home days (by negotiation with their manager), under a pay deal negotiated with the Commonwealth Public Sector Union (CPSU) in 2023.
Hume said the most recent census of public service workers shows 61 per cent work from home some of the time. In 2022 (during the pandemic) it was 55 per cent.
That pay deal lasts until 2027, but Hume said in her speech she thinks a Dutton government could get around it and force APS workers back to the office five days a week.
“Exceptions can and will be made, of course; but they will be made where they work for everyone rather than be enforced on teams by an individual.”
The Coalition’s rhetoric about cutting “waste” and “inefficiencies” in the public service has tinges of Donald Trump, and his mission to cut “waste” through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
fuck off
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
First it was a promise to axe about 36,000 bureaucrats if elected, and now those remaining staff would be required to work from the office five days a week, the Coalition says.
The plan was revealed by opposition finance spokeswoman, senator Jane Hume, in a speech to the Liberal-aligned Menzies Research Centre in Sydney last night, where she said public servants had been given a “blank cheque” to work from home.
“We know some departments and agencies are telling stakeholders not to schedule meetings on Mondays or Fridays as there will likely be no one in the office,” she said.
“In one instance, a stakeholder travelled to Canberra only to be shown into a meeting room where they were greeted by all departmental participants dialling in from home.”
Commonwealth workers have ‘unlimited’ work from home days (by negotiation with their manager), under a pay deal negotiated with the Commonwealth Public Sector Union (CPSU) in 2023.
Hume said the most recent census of public service workers shows 61 per cent work from home some of the time. In 2022 (during the pandemic) it was 55 per cent.
That pay deal lasts until 2027, but Hume said in her speech she thinks a Dutton government could get around it and force APS workers back to the office five days a week.
“Exceptions can and will be made, of course; but they will be made where they work for everyone rather than be enforced on teams by an individual.”
The Coalition’s rhetoric about cutting “waste” and “inefficiencies” in the public service has tinges of Donald Trump, and his mission to cut “waste” through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
fuck off
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
First it was a promise to axe about 36,000 bureaucrats if elected, and now those remaining staff would be required to work from the office five days a week, the Coalition says.
The plan was revealed by opposition finance spokeswoman, senator Jane Hume, in a speech to the Liberal-aligned Menzies Research Centre in Sydney last night, where she said public servants had been given a “blank cheque” to work from home.
“We know some departments and agencies are telling stakeholders not to schedule meetings on Mondays or Fridays as there will likely be no one in the office,” she said.
“In one instance, a stakeholder travelled to Canberra only to be shown into a meeting room where they were greeted by all departmental participants dialling in from home.”
Commonwealth workers have ‘unlimited’ work from home days (by negotiation with their manager), under a pay deal negotiated with the Commonwealth Public Sector Union (CPSU) in 2023.
Hume said the most recent census of public service workers shows 61 per cent work from home some of the time. In 2022 (during the pandemic) it was 55 per cent.
That pay deal lasts until 2027, but Hume said in her speech she thinks a Dutton government could get around it and force APS workers back to the office five days a week.
“Exceptions can and will be made, of course; but they will be made where they work for everyone rather than be enforced on teams by an individual.”
The Coalition’s rhetoric about cutting “waste” and “inefficiencies” in the public service has tinges of Donald Trump, and his mission to cut “waste” through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
fuck off
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
Working collectively in an office helps build moral, it fosters development of junior staff, it means that you have the necessary support networks and resources close at hand and helps foster cleared work-life boundaries.
I think there is still a place for WFH arrangements, but it should probably be the exception, not the rule.
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
First it was a promise to axe about 36,000 bureaucrats if elected, and now those remaining staff would be required to work from the office five days a week, the Coalition says.
The plan was revealed by opposition finance spokeswoman, senator Jane Hume, in a speech to the Liberal-aligned Menzies Research Centre in Sydney last night, where she said public servants had been given a “blank cheque” to work from home.
“We know some departments and agencies are telling stakeholders not to schedule meetings on Mondays or Fridays as there will likely be no one in the office,” she said.
“In one instance, a stakeholder travelled to Canberra only to be shown into a meeting room where they were greeted by all departmental participants dialling in from home.”
Commonwealth workers have ‘unlimited’ work from home days (by negotiation with their manager), under a pay deal negotiated with the Commonwealth Public Sector Union (CPSU) in 2023.
Hume said the most recent census of public service workers shows 61 per cent work from home some of the time. In 2022 (during the pandemic) it was 55 per cent.
That pay deal lasts until 2027, but Hume said in her speech she thinks a Dutton government could get around it and force APS workers back to the office five days a week.
“Exceptions can and will be made, of course; but they will be made where they work for everyone rather than be enforced on teams by an individual.”
The Coalition’s rhetoric about cutting “waste” and “inefficiencies” in the public service has tinges of Donald Trump, and his mission to cut “waste” through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
fuck off
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
Working collectively in an office helps build moral, it fosters development of junior staff, it means that you have the necessary support networks and resources close at hand and helps foster cleared work-life boundaries.
I think there is still a place for WFH arrangements, but it should probably be the exception, not the rule.
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
Working collectively in an office helps build moral, it fosters development of junior staff, it means that you have the necessary support networks and resources close at hand and helps foster cleared work-life boundaries.
I think there is still a place for WFH arrangements, but it should probably be the exception, not the rule.
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
Working collectively in an office helps build moral, it fosters development of junior staff, it means that you have the necessary support networks and resources close at hand and helps foster cleared work-life boundaries.
I think there is still a place for WFH arrangements, but it should probably be the exception, not the rule.
Maybe the answer is a bit of both.
Work at home and work at work.
yeah fuck these millennials and their online social media friendships Real Connection requires 9 days a week at the office dealing with bullies in your face
First it was a promise to axe about 36,000 bureaucrats if elected, and now those remaining staff would be required to work from the office five days a week, the Coalition says.
The plan was revealed by opposition finance spokeswoman, senator Jane Hume, in a speech to the Liberal-aligned Menzies Research Centre in Sydney last night, where she said public servants had been given a “blank cheque” to work from home.
“We know some departments and agencies are telling stakeholders not to schedule meetings on Mondays or Fridays as there will likely be no one in the office,” she said.
“In one instance, a stakeholder travelled to Canberra only to be shown into a meeting room where they were greeted by all departmental participants dialling in from home.”
Commonwealth workers have ‘unlimited’ work from home days (by negotiation with their manager), under a pay deal negotiated with the Commonwealth Public Sector Union (CPSU) in 2023.
Hume said the most recent census of public service workers shows 61 per cent work from home some of the time. In 2022 (during the pandemic) it was 55 per cent.
That pay deal lasts until 2027, but Hume said in her speech she thinks a Dutton government could get around it and force APS workers back to the office five days a week.
“Exceptions can and will be made, of course; but they will be made where they work for everyone rather than be enforced on teams by an individual.”
The Coalition’s rhetoric about cutting “waste” and “inefficiencies” in the public service has tinges of Donald Trump, and his mission to cut “waste” through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
fuck off
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
and it saves 3 hours of commutation a day
Well, that’s not a Government saving, so Dutton doesn’t pay lip service to care about that.
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
First it was a promise to axe about 36,000 bureaucrats if elected, and now those remaining staff would be required to work from the office five days a week, the Coalition says.
The plan was revealed by opposition finance spokeswoman, senator Jane Hume, in a speech to the Liberal-aligned Menzies Research Centre in Sydney last night, where she said public servants had been given a “blank cheque” to work from home.
“We know some departments and agencies are telling stakeholders not to schedule meetings on Mondays or Fridays as there will likely be no one in the office,” she said.
“In one instance, a stakeholder travelled to Canberra only to be shown into a meeting room where they were greeted by all departmental participants dialling in from home.”
Commonwealth workers have ‘unlimited’ work from home days (by negotiation with their manager), under a pay deal negotiated with the Commonwealth Public Sector Union (CPSU) in 2023.
Hume said the most recent census of public service workers shows 61 per cent work from home some of the time. In 2022 (during the pandemic) it was 55 per cent.
That pay deal lasts until 2027, but Hume said in her speech she thinks a Dutton government could get around it and force APS workers back to the office five days a week.
“Exceptions can and will be made, of course; but they will be made where they work for everyone rather than be enforced on teams by an individual.”
The Coalition’s rhetoric about cutting “waste” and “inefficiencies” in the public service has tinges of Donald Trump, and his mission to cut “waste” through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
fuck off
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
Working collectively in an office helps build moral, it fosters development of junior staff, it means that you have the necessary support networks and resources close at hand and helps foster cleared work-life boundaries.
I think there is still a place for WFH arrangements, but it should probably be the exception, not the rule.
I am no good at working from home – I get distracted by domestic jobs that need doing. Others don’t. Others get distracted by the goings on at work, so working from home is more efficient.
I fail to see how forcing people to work in an office makes the overall service more efficient. I mean Gov’t Departments will need less office space (saving), and the usual checks on work done apply (at least the same amount of work with good management).
Working collectively in an office helps build moral, it fosters development of junior staff, it means that you have the necessary support networks and resources close at hand and helps foster cleared work-life boundaries.
I think there is still a place for WFH arrangements, but it should probably be the exception, not the rule.
I am no good at working from home – I get distracted by domestic jobs that need doing. Others don’t. Others get distracted by the goings on at work, so working from home is more efficient.
but working isn’t just about being “efficient”… passing on skills and experience is far more difficult to do remotely and I think younger workers deserve the same level of mentoring that older generations were able to take advantage of.
Working collectively in an office helps build moral, it fosters development of junior staff, it means that you have the necessary support networks and resources close at hand and helps foster cleared work-life boundaries.
I think there is still a place for WFH arrangements, but it should probably be the exception, not the rule.
I am no good at working from home – I get distracted by domestic jobs that need doing. Others don’t. Others get distracted by the goings on at work, so working from home is more efficient.
but working isn’t just about being “efficient”… passing on skills and experience is far more difficult to do remotely and I think younger workers deserve the same level of mentoring that older generations were able to take advantage of.
I am no good at working from home – I get distracted by domestic jobs that need doing. Others don’t. Others get distracted by the goings on at work, so working from home is more efficient.
but working isn’t just about being “efficient”… passing on skills and experience is far more difficult to do remotely and I think younger workers deserve the same level of mentoring that older generations were able to take advantage of.
That’s a fair point.
we mean it’s true, getting everyone together in a gathering of minds is far more difficult to do in person and we think new workers deserve better exposure to a wide and varied range of skilled and experienced people to learn from than was previously possible
Working collectively in an office helps build moral, it fosters development of junior staff, it means that you have the necessary support networks and resources close at hand and helps foster cleared work-life boundaries.
I think there is still a place for WFH arrangements, but it should probably be the exception, not the rule.
Maybe the answer is a bit of both.
Work at home and work at work.
Change the ratio according to needs.
Ok, answer is not a good word.
Part of the solution
A ratio of working at home and at work.
When employees show that they can work from home then that should be rewarded.
There will be employees who cannot work at home.
I think it’s a skill. Perhaps look at why people are good at it and look at those that are not.
Perhaps training to work at home could be taught at schools.
And introduce the idea of both choices
Younger employees will be different to older employees.
When employees show that they can work from home then that should be rewarded.
There will be employees who cannot work at home.
I think it’s a skill. Perhaps look at why people are good at it and look at those that are not.
Perhaps training to work at home could be taught at schools.
And introduce the idea of both choices
Younger employees will be different to older employees.
Everyone is different so take it from there.
working from home shouldn’t be a prize that people “win” or are “rewarded with”… it’s just part of the modern day work environment and how people work at home or why they from from home is typically specific to both the employee, as well as the type of work they are doing.
My point is that many people work as a part of a team and being a member of a team is more than just your specific role within the group. If all that matters is your work output and how you interact with the team is of no importance at all, then working from home makes no difference; but teams are often more than that sum of their parts because of the fact that humans are social and emotional creatures and much of that social and emotional interaction helps teams grow faster, to be more adaptable and also to be more resilient – and that’s a good thing.
The people of Australia interview Peter Dutton for the job of Prime Minister:
People of Australia: G’day Pete! Quick question for ya — why does it feel like every time we’ve got real issues to solve, you come flying in with another culture war distraction? What’s the go with that?
Peter Dutton: Now, hang on, hang on. I reject the premise of your question. I don’t “invent” distractions. I merely bring attention to deeply concerning issues that hardworking Australians care about. Like, uh… statues! Yes, statues! What are we doing about those pesky statues, eh?
People of Australia: Mate, no one’s losing sleep over statues. What about climate change? Or housing affordability? Or, you know, literally having policy ideas beyond wedge politics?
Peter Dutton: Well, look, we’ve got… *pause*… strong thoughts on those things. But let’s not get bogged down in the details when there’s a more pressing issue at hand — the fabric of Australian society is under threat! Have you heard of that thing… er… that cultural controversy I haven’t made up yet but will next week?
People of Australia: facepalm C’mon Pete. We’re tired of the excuses. You jump between outrage stories like a kangaroo on caffeine and meanwhile rents are skyrocketing, wages aren’t moving, and the planet’s cooking like a Bunnings sausage sizzle.
Peter Dutton: Look, I understand your concerns, I really do. But wouldn’t you agree it’s far more important to stand firm against hypothetical woke boogeymen? If we don’t take these “stands,” what kind of precedent are we setting for the cartoonishly exaggerated problems of tomorrow?
People of Australia: sighs collectively We just want you to focus on actual policies, Pete. You know, healthcare, education, ladders for people stuck on the housing snake. Maybe even address the cost of living? Is any of this ringing a bell?
Peter Dutton: Oh, I’ve thought about all that. Truly. But honest question: what if instead… we spent our energy fearing something vaguely menacing, like… I don’t know… people singing Kumbaya at Parliament House. How will we protect Australia from that?
People of Australia: Pete! Focus! Why are you so obsessed with division and fear? We’re out here asking for unity, progress, and forward-thinking leadership. You sound like a bloke caught in a time loop where 1999 never ended.
Peter Dutton: getting defensive Look, that’s unfair. I resent the implication that I just peddle fear and conflict. I’m about bringing people together… but only the people who agree with me. Everyone else? They’re the problem! Wait — are you part of the problem?
People of Australia: collective groan Alright, mate. Thanks for stopping by. Call us when you’ve got an actual plan that goes beyond bickering about imaginary enemies in the name of “values.” Or when you remember what leadership actually means. Cheers.
Peter Dutton: Fine! But if those statues start disappearing, don’t come crying to me. Good day.
The people of Australia interview Peter Dutton for the job of Prime Minister:
People of Australia: G’day Pete! Quick question for ya — why does it feel like every time we’ve got real issues to solve, you come flying in with another culture war distraction? What’s the go with that?
Peter Dutton: Now, hang on, hang on. I reject the premise of your question. I don’t “invent” distractions. I merely bring attention to deeply concerning issues that hardworking Australians care about. Like, uh… statues! Yes, statues! What are we doing about those pesky statues, eh?
People of Australia: Mate, no one’s losing sleep over statues. What about climate change? Or housing affordability? Or, you know, literally having policy ideas beyond wedge politics?
Peter Dutton: Well, look, we’ve got… *pause*… strong thoughts on those things. But let’s not get bogged down in the details when there’s a more pressing issue at hand — the fabric of Australian society is under threat! Have you heard of that thing… er… that cultural controversy I haven’t made up yet but will next week?
People of Australia: facepalm C’mon Pete. We’re tired of the excuses. You jump between outrage stories like a kangaroo on caffeine and meanwhile rents are skyrocketing, wages aren’t moving, and the planet’s cooking like a Bunnings sausage sizzle.
Peter Dutton: Look, I understand your concerns, I really do. But wouldn’t you agree it’s far more important to stand firm against hypothetical woke boogeymen? If we don’t take these “stands,” what kind of precedent are we setting for the cartoonishly exaggerated problems of tomorrow?
People of Australia: sighs collectively We just want you to focus on actual policies, Pete. You know, healthcare, education, ladders for people stuck on the housing snake. Maybe even address the cost of living? Is any of this ringing a bell?
Peter Dutton: Oh, I’ve thought about all that. Truly. But honest question: what if instead… we spent our energy fearing something vaguely menacing, like… I don’t know… people singing Kumbaya at Parliament House. How will we protect Australia from that?
People of Australia: Pete! Focus! Why are you so obsessed with division and fear? We’re out here asking for unity, progress, and forward-thinking leadership. You sound like a bloke caught in a time loop where 1999 never ended.
Peter Dutton: getting defensive Look, that’s unfair. I resent the implication that I just peddle fear and conflict. I’m about bringing people together… but only the people who agree with me. Everyone else? They’re the problem! Wait — are you part of the problem?
People of Australia: collective groan Alright, mate. Thanks for stopping by. Call us when you’ve got an actual plan that goes beyond bickering about imaginary enemies in the name of “values.” Or when you remember what leadership actually means. Cheers.
Peter Dutton: Fine! But if those statues start disappearing, don’t come crying to me. Good day.
Western Australian election looms and here is a rundown of some of the minor parties, some of which have appealing but misleading names.
Sustainable Australia Party – Anticorruption
Their main platform is opposition to immigration and house-building. They combine this with some socialist ideas such as universal basic income.
A new party was formed last year called the Democratic Labour Party but they have no connection to any previous DLP. They were forced to rename to avoid confusion so they are now the Stop Pedophiles! Protect Kiddies! Party.
Benjamin Letts Dawkins is a current member of the upper house (Legislative Council). He was in the Labor Party, but was suspended after a convictions for violating domestic violence prevention orders. He then joined One Nation but was also forced to leave that party, and now sits as an independent. He legally changed his name to Aussie Trump and that’s how he appears on this year’s ballot.
I haven’t managed to find a copy of the Legislative Council ballot online but it’s going to be a bit of a tablecloth.
Policies – Sustainable Australia Party
Sustainable Australia Party is an independent community movement with a science and evidence-based approach to policy – not a left or right wing ideology. We fight for a fair and sustainable Australia that puts our community and environment first – therefore our health, economy and quality of life.
We have developed a broad policy platform with sustainable solutions to address Australia’s growing economic, environmental and social problems.
Our #EnvironmentFirst plan:
🔴 Stop corruption (including in politics, planning and development)
🟠 Stop overdevelopment (including housing sprawl and high-rise)
🟢 Slow population growth (mainly by returning annual permanent immigration to normal)
And much more!
In summary, a sustainable Australia that is democratically governed for the people, not vested interests. Our policies are detailed below:
For more detail:
https://www.sustainableaustralia.org.au/policies
04 March 2025
Premier flags possible privatisation of Metro, MAIB to pay down mountain state debt
The state government is considering selling off some of its businesses — including the state’s Motor Accidents Insurance Board and public transport operator Metro to pay down debt.
David Killick
The Bridgewater Express Metro bus at Elizabeth Street in Hobart on Tuesday 19th November 2024. Picture: Linda Higginson
The state government is considering selling off some of its businesses — including the state’s Motor Accidents Insurance Board and public transport operator Metro to pay down debt.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff revealed the privatisation push in his State of the State address on Tuesday.
The government is struggling with mounting debt caused by repeated deficit budgets.
Mr Rockliff has already flagged cutting the public service and says the government is considering selling off some of its business enterprises.
“Hydro will always remain in public ownership. But what about the others?” he said in state parliament.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff. First sitting day for the House of Assembly in the Tasmanian parliament for 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones
“Is government ownership really in the interests of the Tasmanian community? It’s a good question that deserves consideration.
“That’s why we will be carrying out a detailed assessment of the benefits of moving several entities out of government ownership.
“We will consider whether the Motor Accidents Insurance Board would do a better job freed from the shackles of government
ownership. It’s happened in nearly every other state.
“Likewise, Metro. Is it most efficient as a state-owned company?
“We will also consider a 99-year lease of TasNetworks to retain ownership but bring in the expertise and the corporate culture to drive the organisation forward.”
Mr Rockliff said other businesses could be up for sale.
“We will consider whether the Tasmanian taxpayer really needs part ownership of Momentum Energy, a largely mainland electricity retailer.
“And whether the land titles office really needs to be owned by the government.
“It’s worth taking a good look at whether there’s a better way to deliver those services to Tasmanians.
“I know some will say all these organisations return dividends to the Tasmanian government – and that’s a fair point.
“But it stands to reason if they can provide a better outcome for Tasmanians, why keep them under government ownership?”
Mr Rockliff also flagged creating a future fund for the state.
04 March 2025
Premier flags possible privatisation of Metro, MAIB to pay down mountain state debt
The state government is considering selling off some of its businesses — including the state’s Motor Accidents Insurance Board and public transport operator Metro to pay down debt.
David Killick
The Bridgewater Express Metro bus at Elizabeth Street in Hobart on Tuesday 19th November 2024. Picture: Linda Higginson
The state government is considering selling off some of its businesses — including the state’s Motor Accidents Insurance Board and public transport operator Metro to pay down debt.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff revealed the privatisation push in his State of the State address on Tuesday.
The government is struggling with mounting debt caused by repeated deficit budgets.
Mr Rockliff has already flagged cutting the public service and says the government is considering selling off some of its business enterprises.
“Hydro will always remain in public ownership. But what about the others?” he said in state parliament.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff. First sitting day for the House of Assembly in the Tasmanian parliament for 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones
“Is government ownership really in the interests of the Tasmanian community? It’s a good question that deserves consideration.
“That’s why we will be carrying out a detailed assessment of the benefits of moving several entities out of government ownership.
“We will consider whether the Motor Accidents Insurance Board would do a better job freed from the shackles of government
ownership. It’s happened in nearly every other state.
“Likewise, Metro. Is it most efficient as a state-owned company?
“We will also consider a 99-year lease of TasNetworks to retain ownership but bring in the expertise and the corporate culture to drive the organisation forward.”
Mr Rockliff said other businesses could be up for sale.
“We will consider whether the Tasmanian taxpayer really needs part ownership of Momentum Energy, a largely mainland electricity retailer.
“And whether the land titles office really needs to be owned by the government.
“It’s worth taking a good look at whether there’s a better way to deliver those services to Tasmanians.
“I know some will say all these organisations return dividends to the Tasmanian government – and that’s a fair point.
“But it stands to reason if they can provide a better outcome for Tasmanians, why keep them under government ownership?”
Mr Rockliff also flagged creating a future fund for the state.
david.killick@news.com.au
——
did someone say stadium?
Sneaky use of “government ownership” instead of “public ownership”.
He knows most Tasmanian would agree with him that his government is not fit to own or manage anything.
04 March 2025
Premier flags possible privatisation of Metro, MAIB to pay down mountain state debt
The state government is considering selling off some of its businesses — including the state’s Motor Accidents Insurance Board and public transport operator Metro to pay down debt.
David Killick
The Bridgewater Express Metro bus at Elizabeth Street in Hobart on Tuesday 19th November 2024. Picture: Linda Higginson
The state government is considering selling off some of its businesses — including the state’s Motor Accidents Insurance Board and public transport operator Metro to pay down debt.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff revealed the privatisation push in his State of the State address on Tuesday.
The government is struggling with mounting debt caused by repeated deficit budgets.
Mr Rockliff has already flagged cutting the public service and says the government is considering selling off some of its business enterprises.
“Hydro will always remain in public ownership. But what about the others?” he said in state parliament.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff. First sitting day for the House of Assembly in the Tasmanian parliament for 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones
“Is government ownership really in the interests of the Tasmanian community? It’s a good question that deserves consideration.
“That’s why we will be carrying out a detailed assessment of the benefits of moving several entities out of government ownership.
“We will consider whether the Motor Accidents Insurance Board would do a better job freed from the shackles of government
ownership. It’s happened in nearly every other state.
“Likewise, Metro. Is it most efficient as a state-owned company?
“We will also consider a 99-year lease of TasNetworks to retain ownership but bring in the expertise and the corporate culture to drive the organisation forward.”
Mr Rockliff said other businesses could be up for sale.
“We will consider whether the Tasmanian taxpayer really needs part ownership of Momentum Energy, a largely mainland electricity retailer.
“And whether the land titles office really needs to be owned by the government.
“It’s worth taking a good look at whether there’s a better way to deliver those services to Tasmanians.
“I know some will say all these organisations return dividends to the Tasmanian government – and that’s a fair point.
“But it stands to reason if they can provide a better outcome for Tasmanians, why keep them under government ownership?”
Mr Rockliff also flagged creating a future fund for the state.
david.killick@news.com.au
——
did someone say stadium?
Sneaky use of “government ownership” instead of “public ownership”.
He knows most Tasmanian would agree with him that his government is not fit to own or manage anything.
04 March 2025
Jacqui Lambie says salmon industry should get out of Macquarie Harbour
Photo shows floating fish farm cages in Macquarie Harbour with mountains in the background and an inset picture of Senators Jacquie Lambie.
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie has called on Tasmania’s salmon industry to quit farming in Macquarie Harbour on the state’s remote west coast, marking a dramatic intervention into a polarised debate with implications for the looming federal election.
“Macquarie Harbour has been a very hot, hot spud when it comes to the salmon industry for many, many years,” Senator Lambie told Tasmanian Inquirer in an exclusive interview, “and it’s getting worse.”
Lambie said the solution was to remove the fish farms entirely. “Get them out of the Macquarie Harbour,” she said. “You’ve got waterways everywhere. Go and put them somewhere else…put them out further in the sea. They just don’t want it, because it costs those salmon companies more money.”
Lambie’s call comes after roughly 10 per cent of salmon in Macquarie Harbour died over a seven month period, and as mass mortality events in disease-struck salmon farms on Tasmania’s south-east coast have resulted in oily globs of dead salmon washing ashore in recent weeks and thousands of dead fish being sent to landfill. Tasmania’s Environment Protection Authority said on Monday it did not know how many fish had died in the south-east or whether diseased fish were processed for human consumption.
Macquarie Harbour and the neighbouring town of Strahan are in the federal electorate of Braddon, held on a margin of 8 per cent by the retiring Liberal MP Gavin Pearce. Labor hopes to win back the volatile seat, with Senator Anne Urquhart hoping to move to the lower house.
Macquarie Harbor is the only home of the endangered Maugean skate, an ancient endemic ray-like species threatened by salmon farming, which lowers oxygen levels in the water and pollutes the sea floor. In 2023 it was estimated there may be only between 40 and 120 adults remaining, but a more recent study suggested the population had recovered to about 2014 levels. The federal environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, is considering whether to upgrade the skate to critically endangered, amid conflicting advice. A decision was initially due last October.
“Go and put them on land. Go and put your fish somewhere else. I’ve had a gutful. You’ve made more than enough money off the arse of Tasmania. Move it on.”
Senator Jacqui Lambie
Last October a group of 30 scientists called for the industry in the Harbor to be shut down. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has pledged to protect the industry with salmon-specific legislation, and has announced $37 million federal funding to improve oxygenation levels in the harbour and support a skate captive breeding program.
Lambie said she was “pro-salmon” farming, but described the federal funding as a waste of taxpayers money that should not be spent to clean up a “fucking mess” left by the three foreign-owned companies that dominate salmon production: Tassal, Huon Aquaculture and Petuna Seafoods.
“They make more than enough profits, paid no tax the last three years, and they can retrain their people,” she said, referring to an analysis of tax office data by progressive organisation the Australia Institute that claimed no company tax had been paid by Tasmanian salmon farmers since 2019.
“The bottom line is they should be paying anyway … I don’t know what Albanese thought he was on, but that’s bullshit. It’s such a waste of taxpayers money.”
Lambie said the industry employed few people in Macquarie Harbour, which accounts for roughly 13 per cent of the state’s salmon production and, according to the Australia Institute, 7 per cent of industry jobs.
“There is no jobs down there, mate,” Lambie said. “Have you ever been out in the harbour? It’s all robotics. It’s just feed. They carry on. They overestimate.”
Salmon Tasmania says the industry directly employs about 120 people in Macquarie Harbour. It says about half live in Strahan and half live elsewhere.
Lambie suggested federal funding would be better spent supporting the deployment of affected workers. “Go and put them on land. Go and put your fish somewhere else. I’ve had a gutful. You’ve made more than enough money off the arse of Tasmania. Move it on.”
Tasmanian Inquirer asked Salmon Tasmania for its response to Lambie’s comments, but did not receive a reply before publication.
Former Senator Rex Patrick, who is running for the Jacqui Lambie Network in South Australia, said the party “absolutely support sustainable fishing that’s not what’s happening here.
“Port Lincoln provides a model example of sustainable fishing. You know, it can be done. But that’s not what was done in Macquarie Harbour.”
Lambie agreed: “That’s not sustainable. God only knows what’s fucking in that fish. I wouldn’t eat it. I don’t eat it!”
04 March 2025
Jacqui Lambie says salmon industry should get out of Macquarie Harbour
Photo shows floating fish farm cages in Macquarie Harbour with mountains in the background and an inset picture of Senators Jacquie Lambie.
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie has called on Tasmania’s salmon industry to quit farming in Macquarie Harbour on the state’s remote west coast, marking a dramatic intervention into a polarised debate with implications for the looming federal election.
“Macquarie Harbour has been a very hot, hot spud when it comes to the salmon industry for many, many years,” Senator Lambie told Tasmanian Inquirer in an exclusive interview, “and it’s getting worse.”
Lambie said the solution was to remove the fish farms entirely. “Get them out of the Macquarie Harbour,” she said. “You’ve got waterways everywhere. Go and put them somewhere else…put them out further in the sea. They just don’t want it, because it costs those salmon companies more money.”
Lambie’s call comes after roughly 10 per cent of salmon in Macquarie Harbour died over a seven month period, and as mass mortality events in disease-struck salmon farms on Tasmania’s south-east coast have resulted in oily globs of dead salmon washing ashore in recent weeks and thousands of dead fish being sent to landfill. Tasmania’s Environment Protection Authority said on Monday it did not know how many fish had died in the south-east or whether diseased fish were processed for human consumption.
Macquarie Harbour and the neighbouring town of Strahan are in the federal electorate of Braddon, held on a margin of 8 per cent by the retiring Liberal MP Gavin Pearce. Labor hopes to win back the volatile seat, with Senator Anne Urquhart hoping to move to the lower house.
Macquarie Harbor is the only home of the endangered Maugean skate, an ancient endemic ray-like species threatened by salmon farming, which lowers oxygen levels in the water and pollutes the sea floor. In 2023 it was estimated there may be only between 40 and 120 adults remaining, but a more recent study suggested the population had recovered to about 2014 levels. The federal environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, is considering whether to upgrade the skate to critically endangered, amid conflicting advice. A decision was initially due last October.
“Go and put them on land. Go and put your fish somewhere else. I’ve had a gutful. You’ve made more than enough money off the arse of Tasmania. Move it on.”
Senator Jacqui Lambie
Last October a group of 30 scientists called for the industry in the Harbor to be shut down. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has pledged to protect the industry with salmon-specific legislation, and has announced $37 million federal funding to improve oxygenation levels in the harbour and support a skate captive breeding program.
Lambie said she was “pro-salmon” farming, but described the federal funding as a waste of taxpayers money that should not be spent to clean up a “fucking mess” left by the three foreign-owned companies that dominate salmon production: Tassal, Huon Aquaculture and Petuna Seafoods.
“They make more than enough profits, paid no tax the last three years, and they can retrain their people,” she said, referring to an analysis of tax office data by progressive organisation the Australia Institute that claimed no company tax had been paid by Tasmanian salmon farmers since 2019.
“The bottom line is they should be paying anyway … I don’t know what Albanese thought he was on, but that’s bullshit. It’s such a waste of taxpayers money.”
Lambie said the industry employed few people in Macquarie Harbour, which accounts for roughly 13 per cent of the state’s salmon production and, according to the Australia Institute, 7 per cent of industry jobs.
“There is no jobs down there, mate,” Lambie said. “Have you ever been out in the harbour? It’s all robotics. It’s just feed. They carry on. They overestimate.”
Salmon Tasmania says the industry directly employs about 120 people in Macquarie Harbour. It says about half live in Strahan and half live elsewhere.
Lambie suggested federal funding would be better spent supporting the deployment of affected workers. “Go and put them on land. Go and put your fish somewhere else. I’ve had a gutful. You’ve made more than enough money off the arse of Tasmania. Move it on.”
Tasmanian Inquirer asked Salmon Tasmania for its response to Lambie’s comments, but did not receive a reply before publication.
Former Senator Rex Patrick, who is running for the Jacqui Lambie Network in South Australia, said the party “absolutely support sustainable fishing that’s not what’s happening here.
“Port Lincoln provides a model example of sustainable fishing. You know, it can be done. But that’s not what was done in Macquarie Harbour.”
Lambie agreed: “That’s not sustainable. God only knows what’s fucking in that fish. I wouldn’t eat it. I don’t eat it!”
I fail to see how she has had a gut full.
She is not eating them.
Besides that the fish are in the sea and she lives on land.
The Mercury Newspaper
7h ·
Government authorities are providing mixed messaging related to the mass deaths of salmon in southern Tasmania, weeks after salmon carcasses and fish oil washed up on some sandy shores. 👉 https://bit.ly/4hcZadH
The Coalition says work-from-home arrangements are hurting productivity, vowing to make public servants return to the office if they win the federal election. Prosecuting her case, shadow finance minister Jane Hume cited research that actually endorses partial work from home.
meaningless, it has to be all or nothing, so obviously it has to be all
Australia’s economy ends 21-month per capita recession as GDP grows faster than population
Australia’s economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the December quarter, and 1.3 per cent through the year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Lies this is terrible news of course it would have been nearly infinitely better under Corruption that would have been just 2 months of per capita recession (Labor’s fault) and we would have bounded back with GDP growth 10 times higher than population growth, that would be 15% through the year not your pissy 1.3% what a bunch of terrible economic managers the current lot are.
Jane Howlett. Minister for Primary Industries and Water today in Parliament responding (or not) to questions put from Craig Garland about the recent outbreak of salmon pollution …
“I am advised that testing undertaken by the EPA has demonstrated the fatty substances are derived from fish and or fish oil. The bacteria infection causing the mortalities does not cause human disease. The advice remains not to handle or consume dead fish or such substances.
“If you do touch them, wash your hands if you do, importantly, beaches remain open for use, and no advice has been issued contrary to this, members of the public can call the Public Health Line, 1800 6701738, if they have questions or concerns.”
The New South Wales police watchdog has recommended that the state’s officers “must” activate their body-worn cameras at any incident where they are likely to use their powers.
wait what was that again
… recommended that the state’s officers “must” activate …
ah just a semantic objection here
(yes yes we get that the actual claim would make more sense as “recommended that instructions use the word must” but that’s not written)
The Rockliff Government’s litany of untruths surrounding the Macquarie Point stadium can now be revealed with indisputable clarity.
Working as an architect in Sydney (now retired in Hobart) I have seen many large private and government projects awarded to firms who have used blatantly false or misleading conceptual renderings in order to secure major contracts.
Yet I am not sure I’ve witnessed anything more deceitful than the computer graphic imagery conjured over recent months by compliant architects to support the self-aggrandisement of one unqualified town planner who – prompted by an AFL salesman – considers himself qualified to subjugate an entire state to a Big City sporting and gaming empire in exchange for a license to play just one of the many nationwide games it already plays.
Until this week, the Macquarie Point stadium ‘artist’s impressions’ have deliberately excluded all existing parameters or familiar edifices by which to scale the siting or height of the proposed stadium.
But now the hoodwinking, the fudging, and the downright lies can be revealed. All we needed was the inclusion an existing survey monument lying on an exact parallel of latitude with the architect’s cross-sectional centreline.
And finally, here it is: the 1901 Gasworks brick chimney stack at 38.1 metres high (Australian Height Datum).
The Rockliff Government’s litany of untruths surrounding the Macquarie Point stadium can now be revealed with indisputable clarity.
Working as an architect in Sydney (now retired in Hobart) I have seen many large private and government projects awarded to firms who have used blatantly false or misleading conceptual renderings in order to secure major contracts.
Yet I am not sure I’ve witnessed anything more deceitful than the computer graphic imagery conjured over recent months by compliant architects to support the self-aggrandisement of one unqualified town planner who – prompted by an AFL salesman – considers himself qualified to subjugate an entire state to a Big City sporting and gaming empire in exchange for a license to play just one of the many nationwide games it already plays.
Until this week, the Macquarie Point stadium ‘artist’s impressions’ have deliberately excluded all existing parameters or familiar edifices by which to scale the siting or height of the proposed stadium.
But now the hoodwinking, the fudging, and the downright lies can be revealed. All we needed was the inclusion an existing survey monument lying on an exact parallel of latitude with the architect’s cross-sectional centreline.
And finally, here it is: the 1901 Gasworks brick chimney stack at 38.1 metres high (Australian Height Datum).
The Rockliff Government’s litany of untruths surrounding the Macquarie Point stadium can now be revealed with indisputable clarity.
Working as an architect in Sydney (now retired in Hobart) I have seen many large private and government projects awarded to firms who have used blatantly false or misleading conceptual renderings in order to secure major contracts.
Yet I am not sure I’ve witnessed anything more deceitful than the computer graphic imagery conjured over recent months by compliant architects to support the self-aggrandisement of one unqualified town planner who – prompted by an AFL salesman – considers himself qualified to subjugate an entire state to a Big City sporting and gaming empire in exchange for a license to play just one of the many nationwide games it already plays.
Until this week, the Macquarie Point stadium ‘artist’s impressions’ have deliberately excluded all existing parameters or familiar edifices by which to scale the siting or height of the proposed stadium.
But now the hoodwinking, the fudging, and the downright lies can be revealed. All we needed was the inclusion an existing survey monument lying on an exact parallel of latitude with the architect’s cross-sectional centreline.
And finally, here it is: the 1901 Gasworks brick chimney stack at 38.1 metres high (Australian Height Datum).
The Rockliff Government’s litany of untruths surrounding the Macquarie Point stadium can now be revealed with indisputable clarity.
Working as an architect in Sydney (now retired in Hobart) I have seen many large private and government projects awarded to firms who have used blatantly false or misleading conceptual renderings in order to secure major contracts.
Yet I am not sure I’ve witnessed anything more deceitful than the computer graphic imagery conjured over recent months by compliant architects to support the self-aggrandisement of one unqualified town planner who – prompted by an AFL salesman – considers himself qualified to subjugate an entire state to a Big City sporting and gaming empire in exchange for a license to play just one of the many nationwide games it already plays.
Until this week, the Macquarie Point stadium ‘artist’s impressions’ have deliberately excluded all existing parameters or familiar edifices by which to scale the siting or height of the proposed stadium.
But now the hoodwinking, the fudging, and the downright lies can be revealed. All we needed was the inclusion an existing survey monument lying on an exact parallel of latitude with the architect’s cross-sectional centreline.
And finally, here it is: the 1901 Gasworks brick chimney stack at 38.1 metres high (Australian Height Datum).
The Rockliff Government’s litany of untruths surrounding the Macquarie Point stadium can now be revealed with indisputable clarity.
Working as an architect in Sydney (now retired in Hobart) I have seen many large private and government projects awarded to firms who have used blatantly false or misleading conceptual renderings in order to secure major contracts.
Yet I am not sure I’ve witnessed anything more deceitful than the computer graphic imagery conjured over recent months by compliant architects to support the self-aggrandisement of one unqualified town planner who – prompted by an AFL salesman – considers himself qualified to subjugate an entire state to a Big City sporting and gaming empire in exchange for a license to play just one of the many nationwide games it already plays.
Until this week, the Macquarie Point stadium ‘artist’s impressions’ have deliberately excluded all existing parameters or familiar edifices by which to scale the siting or height of the proposed stadium.
But now the hoodwinking, the fudging, and the downright lies can be revealed. All we needed was the inclusion an existing survey monument lying on an exact parallel of latitude with the architect’s cross-sectional centreline.
And finally, here it is: the 1901 Gasworks brick chimney stack at 38.1 metres high (Australian Height Datum).
there is talk this week of chucking a DOGE. all new employment has been halted…even though hospitaals are critically understaffed.
that’s the way to do it suck the profits out first then slash and burn before leaving it to the next victims who will of course be poor economic managers since they couldn’t break even
The Rockliff Government’s litany of untruths surrounding the Macquarie Point stadium can now be revealed with indisputable clarity.
Working as an architect in Sydney (now retired in Hobart) I have seen many large private and government projects awarded to firms who have used blatantly false or misleading conceptual renderings in order to secure major contracts.
Yet I am not sure I’ve witnessed anything more deceitful than the computer graphic imagery conjured over recent months by compliant architects to support the self-aggrandisement of one unqualified town planner who – prompted by an AFL salesman – considers himself qualified to subjugate an entire state to a Big City sporting and gaming empire in exchange for a license to play just one of the many nationwide games it already plays.
Until this week, the Macquarie Point stadium ‘artist’s impressions’ have deliberately excluded all existing parameters or familiar edifices by which to scale the siting or height of the proposed stadium.
But now the hoodwinking, the fudging, and the downright lies can be revealed. All we needed was the inclusion an existing survey monument lying on an exact parallel of latitude with the architect’s cross-sectional centreline.
And finally, here it is: the 1901 Gasworks brick chimney stack at 38.1 metres high (Australian Height Datum).
The Rockliff Government’s litany of untruths surrounding the Macquarie Point stadium can now be revealed with indisputable clarity.
Working as an architect in Sydney (now retired in Hobart) I have seen many large private and government projects awarded to firms who have used blatantly false or misleading conceptual renderings in order to secure major contracts.
Yet I am not sure I’ve witnessed anything more deceitful than the computer graphic imagery conjured over recent months by compliant architects to support the self-aggrandisement of one unqualified town planner who – prompted by an AFL salesman – considers himself qualified to subjugate an entire state to a Big City sporting and gaming empire in exchange for a license to play just one of the many nationwide games it already plays.
Until this week, the Macquarie Point stadium ‘artist’s impressions’ have deliberately excluded all existing parameters or familiar edifices by which to scale the siting or height of the proposed stadium.
But now the hoodwinking, the fudging, and the downright lies can be revealed. All we needed was the inclusion an existing survey monument lying on an exact parallel of latitude with the architect’s cross-sectional centreline.
And finally, here it is: the 1901 Gasworks brick chimney stack at 38.1 metres high (Australian Height Datum).
In short:
The Tasmanian government has announced it will create an Efficiency and Productivity Unit to audit all government programs and cut down on public sector waste.
It comes after the government also announced a hiring freeze on “non-essential” public sector jobs, and a potential sale of publicly owned assets.
What’s next?
A union secretary says productivity and efficiency “have been buzzwords for cuts, job freeze, outsourcing and privatisation for decades, everyone knows that”.
In short:
The Tasmanian government has announced it will create an Efficiency and Productivity Unit to audit all government programs and cut down on public sector waste.
It comes after the government also announced a hiring freeze on “non-essential” public sector jobs, and a potential sale of publicly owned assets.
What’s next?
A union secretary says productivity and efficiency “have been buzzwords for cuts, job freeze, outsourcing and privatisation for decades, everyone knows that”.
In short:
The Tasmanian government has announced it will create an Efficiency and Productivity Unit to audit all government programs and cut down on public sector waste.
It comes after the government also announced a hiring freeze on “non-essential” public sector jobs, and a potential sale of publicly owned assets.
What’s next?
A union secretary says productivity and efficiency “have been buzzwords for cuts, job freeze, outsourcing and privatisation for decades, everyone knows that”.
07 March 2025
If re-elected my next term will be my last, Jacqui Lambie says
Photo of Senator Jacqui Lambie. with outstreateched arms, speaking at a No Stadium public meeting at Hobart Town Hall in February 2025.
Jacqui Lambie, at the wheel of a Toyota Prado with her name and face plastered across it, picks me up in Hobart at 7.30am sharp. On the drive out of town, the Tasmanian senator says she is “running on empty” after a 10-year political stint in which she hasn’t taken a holiday for longer than two weeks.
Another long day looms, but Lambie will spend much of it doing what she loves: meeting with people, face-to-face and unhurried. It’s rewarding, though exhausting, work. But she sees change ahead. Lambie says if she is re-elected for another six years at the upcoming election the next parliamentary term will be her last.
“Six years is a long time, you know?,” she says. “I’m going to be 60 by the time I come around next time. It’s very wearing.”
This will be the fourth federal election she has contested since was an upset winner representing the Palmer United Party in 2013. “I do it because I want to make change. For me, psychologically, could I do another six? I probably could, but I just don’t think it’s probably wise. It’s my body as well… It doesn’t get any better as I get older.”
With her political end now in sight, Lambie is thinking about her legacy and who will follow her. After high-profile defections by Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) representatives at federal and state level, she says she is focused on expanding her team, particularly by getting Rex Patrick – a former South Australian senator, now JLN candidate in the state – to join her “so there are more people like me who will put the Australian people first”.
Lambie manages chronic back pain from an injury sustained in the army with saunas, swims and massage. She has stopped using pharmaceutical painkillers that make her brain foggy. “I can’t think on them,” she says.
She says when she retires she will probably move to Queensland, her second-favourite state, where she has family and can escape southern winters. “It’s not that I want to leave Tasmania but each year I get worse down here because of the cold… it does affect me,” she says,
Over the past six weeks, Tasmanian Inquirer has spent a couple of half-days with the senator. She also has a documentary film crew in tow as she presses the flesh ahead of an election in April or May when most observers assume she will retain her seat.
Veteran affairs the priority for the next term
Lambie sometimes finds her parliamentary work triggering, particularly when it brings back her own lost decade battling the Department of Veterans Affairs for compensation for physical and mental health injuries. I meet her in Canberra shortly after a group of veterans who told her they have faced a similar battle for compensation after suffering through “interrogation resistance training” in the army.
Their story takes Lambie back to her own darkest hour when she attempted suicide by walking in front of a passing car in Launceston. She is visibly upset by the meeting and WALKS down to the Senate courtyard to settle herself. She says getting the suicide rate of veterans down will be a top priority in her final term. That means fighting to implement all 123 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide.
“There’s no bullshit there. And she shows some emotion, almost like she’s getting riled up on people’s behalf.”
Jim Reed.
After more than a decade in parliament, Lambie has clear views about the men who will be competing to be prime minister at the election. As a single parent who brought up two sons while dependent on welfare, she says she has much in common with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, who was famously raised by his mother in Sydney public housing. While polls suggest the PM has suffered a decline in support, Lambie says he is doing a good job, especially given it’s his first term, and is “by far” the best at the job in her time in Canberra.
“I think he’s a very good person. I think he is a good prime minister,” she says. “They’ve had three years, and I think people are being extremely judgmental… They had to try and turn everything around after the mess that was left by the Liberal Party, which people seem to have forgotten about – the nine years under their shit.
“It will take that first three years to unwind that, put new bills in, which is exactly what they’ve done. Now we’re about to see the next three years putting that into practice.”
Lambie says she also has a good working relationship with the opposition leader, Peter Dutton. She says she recently met with him to express her frustration at what she sees as his lack of engagement with the crossbench. “It’s not about me, because I can just ring him… It’s about the rest of teal ,” she says.. “ ‘mate, you may have to work with them. Do you want to go and have a relationship with them?’”
Going national
A case can be made that Lambie is now the best retail politician in Australia – the mantle former prime minister Tony Abbott once gave to Barnaby Joyce. One poll suggested she was at least the country’s most popular elected representative. According to polling company Resolve Strategic, she is recognised by more than 80 per cent of Australians and liked by 14 per cent. While it doesn’t sound high, she was the only politician who polled in double figures.
“Many people can identify with her,” says Resolve’s director, Jim Reed. “A big cohort of the electorate don’t see themselves in the political class, but she is very obviously down to Earth. She speaks how they speak, and thinks how they think, on a lot of issues… There’s no bullshit there. And she shows some emotion, almost like she’s getting riled up on people’s behalf.”
She is eager to talk about the prospects of her party, which she hopes can be a serious fourth political party. The JLN has not received funding from Climate 200 although they have shared some polling. She sees the party as sitting squarely in the centre. It s running candidates in Queensland (a former Army comrade, Ange Harper) and, New South Wales (a strongly pro-Israel international lawyer, Glenn Kolomeitz), but she believes Patrick – a former adviser to South Australian political maverick Nick Xenophon -– is her party’s best chance. Lambie sees continuity between her values and Xenophon’s as they both saw themselves “fighting for the most in need”.
Xenophon was helpful to Lambie in her early years in the Senate, and Patrick has known and worked with her for many years. “I wasn’t going to run,” he says, “but Jacqui kept pestering me so much that I was very close to putting an AVO out on her.” Lambie lets out a generous, gravelly belly laugh. The two have spent a lot of time together lately, including a week-long road trip through South Australia, where they had plenty of time to talk about the future.
Patrick, a navy veteran, says he and Lambie share common values, having both served their country and believing strongly in the importance of having independents in Canberra. He says they received polling showing they could be successful, and then spent a month talking about how they could work together and deal with differences. “We’re very mature, experienced politicians,” he says. “This is not going to be a situation where I end up leaving the party. That’s just not going to happen.”
Lambie’s track record with the JLN so far is not great. Tammy Tyrell, quit to become an independent a year after being elected to the senate on Jacqui Lambie’s ticket, and two of three state JLN MPs elected last year were quickly expelled from her party after they showed their questions to the government before question time. Lambie refuses to comment about Tyrell – it’s still a bit close to the bone –- but admits she felt “hurt and used” by the state MPs, Rebekah Pentland and Miriam Beswick.
Reed says the history of parties that, like Lambie’s, are based around a strong personality – think Nick Xenophon, Clive Palmer or Pauline Hanson – is not promising. “The problem for those parties that, while the person may endure, how do you extend a singular personality to a broader party?’,” he says. “The difficulty for Lambie is the balance between being a forthright voice and becoming just another angry voice. That line is beginning to blur for her, I feel.”
A ‘gutful’ on the road in Tasmania
On the day she picks me UP Lambie’s focus is firmly on a local Tasmanian issue. At lunchtime, after hastily applying her makeup in the car park next to Hobart Town Hall, the vet once known as ‘GI Jac’ delivers a typically combative speech at an all-star rally against a proposal to build a $1 billion AFL stadium at Hobart’s Macquarie Point.
Lambie is the final speaker of a long lineup. The MC, independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie jokes about what lies ahead: “I suspect Jacqui has had a gutful of this stadium!”
Lambie doesn’t let down the packed auditorium crowd, telling them she has been meeting with AFL heavies including the chief executive, Andrew Dillon, and broadcaster Eddie McGuire in Melbourne and is now on the warpath. “I’m beyond a gutful, mate,” she shot back at Wilkie, with a growl full of menace. “I’m absolutely beyond it.”
She says the AFL “walked all over” the Tasmanian Liberal government, demanding a one-sided deal that leaves the state’s taxpayers on the hook for any blowouts while “we are nearly on our knees” due to a housing and cost of living crisis. And she says she has a message for Albanese – he needs to quarantine $240 million in funding for the development of the stadium site “until the AFL and the state government go back to the table and renegotiate that deal”.
It’s the kind of direct, relatable language that has worked for Lambie for more than a decade.
She has an equally blunt message for Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who is running a minority government with just 14 seats out of 35 in the state’s lower house.
Lambie says she is ropeable that his government has shelved a promised independent review of the state’s integrity commission, which is widely viewed as the weakest agency of its kind in the country. She argues he is losing a hold on the government and predicts he will need to call an early state election.
“I’m so disappointed personally in Jeremy Rockliff…Basically, the Liberals have just reduced him to nothing, and they should be ashamed of themselves. He is a good person, and he doesn’t deserve this.”
“That’s why you need micros and independents,” Lambie says. “These bastards just don’t learn.”
An interview on ABC Kylie Baxter 9am today with Jane from Surveyors Bay. ABC Kylie Baxter
Jane is a surveyors Bay resident and has contacted the mornings program. Jane, good morning. What are you seeing?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Good morning. Cindy, yes, very interesting interview with lots of no comments, which is very frustrating for me, I must say, because I’ve just driven down to my family shack last night, preparing for the long weekend and preparing to go around to my big, roaring salt shaker swim at big roaring beach around the point here on Sunday morning. And I woke up this morning at 7:30am and saw about six men patrolling survey of bay with rakes and bags and little trolleys, and seemed to be gathering things. And made a comment to my son, and he said, oh, that would be the council picking up some rubbish. And I said, well, that’d be unusual, haven’t seen that in 27 years of being here. So I took a little morning walk with my dog, as I always would, and had a chat, and was told that they were picking up some fatty deposits that had come in overnight. ABC Kylie Baxter
Hang on. So Jane, your surveyors bay the western side of the huon river mouth across from Verona sands. Is that the location you’re in?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Yeah, yes, directly opposite Verona sands on the other side of the river. Yes, that’s right. ABC Kylie Baxter
And so the workers said to you that they were picking up salmon remains or the fat. What did they say? Exactly?
Jane Surveyors Bay
They said fatty deposits. They were microscopic. And I questioned them a little bit further, and they said, It’ll look less than the size of your fingernail. And I said, wow, that’s concerning. And they sort of chuckled and laughed at me, and I just made the comment to them … look, this is no laughing matter. I was diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago, and I come here often to swim the waters every day, swim every day. And I’ve come here this weekend, actually, in preparation for double mastectomy next Friday, and wanted to have my last harahh swim. Was going to meet with my swim group and have a little commentary swim this Sunday. But of course, now I’m wondering if that’s a good idea or not. ABC Kylie Baxter
I’m so sorry to hear that that’s a very stressful thing to be going through. Jane and yeah, 25 degrees you know, over parts of the weekend. You’ve had that place, I believe, at Surveyors Bay, for 30 years now. One of my producers mentioned, have you ever seen anything like this before?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Never Kylie, never no.
I will say, though, that in 19 I think it was about 1997 we secured the shack, and my mother and father purchased it for, you know, the young and for future generations to come. And I remember my dad actually at the time. My dad since passed away with cancer at the age of 58 but he was having a conversation with the owner, then of the local fish farm, and we were asked to sign a petition. And my dad was very reluctant at the time, and I remember him being given the assurance, look, Kevin, you’ll never see a fish farm. You’ll never see a fish farm in front of surveyors Bay. And whilst they do pass frequently, I’m sitting now at the top of the hill here, and I can see 19 pens in front of big, roaring beach. And we have boats that constantly go up and down the river. And you know, whilst they understand and support local industry, there comes a point where there must be a lot more public information being made and revealed. And as we’ve just heard from your previous conversation, it’s not forthcoming. And that’s very, very concerning. As a resident and a person who lives here and loves being here, and I have grandchildren coming from America in three weeks, and you know, they’re all under the age of six, and I wonder in 20 years time from now what the waterways will be like for them, and whether they’ll be able to enjoy them as much as I have. ABC Kylie Baxter
Well, look thank you for joining the conversation and sharing what you’ve seen on surveyors Bay the this morning. Thank you, Jane for coming on. That’s Jane, a surveyors Bay resident who was going on her morning walk and were about eight men picking up fatty deposits on the beach there. So that’s across the river from Verona sands.
An interview on ABC Kylie Baxter 9am today with Jane from Surveyors Bay. ABC Kylie Baxter
Jane is a surveyors Bay resident and has contacted the mornings program. Jane, good morning. What are you seeing?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Good morning. Cindy, yes, very interesting interview with lots of no comments, which is very frustrating for me, I must say, because I’ve just driven down to my family shack last night, preparing for the long weekend and preparing to go around to my big, roaring salt shaker swim at big roaring beach around the point here on Sunday morning. And I woke up this morning at 7:30am and saw about six men patrolling survey of bay with rakes and bags and little trolleys, and seemed to be gathering things. And made a comment to my son, and he said, oh, that would be the council picking up some rubbish. And I said, well, that’d be unusual, haven’t seen that in 27 years of being here. So I took a little morning walk with my dog, as I always would, and had a chat, and was told that they were picking up some fatty deposits that had come in overnight. ABC Kylie Baxter
Hang on. So Jane, your surveyors bay the western side of the huon river mouth across from Verona sands. Is that the location you’re in?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Yeah, yes, directly opposite Verona sands on the other side of the river. Yes, that’s right. ABC Kylie Baxter
And so the workers said to you that they were picking up salmon remains or the fat. What did they say? Exactly?
Jane Surveyors Bay
They said fatty deposits. They were microscopic. And I questioned them a little bit further, and they said, It’ll look less than the size of your fingernail. And I said, wow, that’s concerning. And they sort of chuckled and laughed at me, and I just made the comment to them … look, this is no laughing matter. I was diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago, and I come here often to swim the waters every day, swim every day. And I’ve come here this weekend, actually, in preparation for double mastectomy next Friday, and wanted to have my last harahh swim. Was going to meet with my swim group and have a little commentary swim this Sunday. But of course, now I’m wondering if that’s a good idea or not. ABC Kylie Baxter
I’m so sorry to hear that that’s a very stressful thing to be going through. Jane and yeah, 25 degrees you know, over parts of the weekend. You’ve had that place, I believe, at Surveyors Bay, for 30 years now. One of my producers mentioned, have you ever seen anything like this before?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Never Kylie, never no.
I will say, though, that in 19 I think it was about 1997 we secured the shack, and my mother and father purchased it for, you know, the young and for future generations to come. And I remember my dad actually at the time. My dad since passed away with cancer at the age of 58 but he was having a conversation with the owner, then of the local fish farm, and we were asked to sign a petition. And my dad was very reluctant at the time, and I remember him being given the assurance, look, Kevin, you’ll never see a fish farm. You’ll never see a fish farm in front of surveyors Bay. And whilst they do pass frequently, I’m sitting now at the top of the hill here, and I can see 19 pens in front of big, roaring beach. And we have boats that constantly go up and down the river. And you know, whilst they understand and support local industry, there comes a point where there must be a lot more public information being made and revealed. And as we’ve just heard from your previous conversation, it’s not forthcoming. And that’s very, very concerning. As a resident and a person who lives here and loves being here, and I have grandchildren coming from America in three weeks, and you know, they’re all under the age of six, and I wonder in 20 years time from now what the waterways will be like for them, and whether they’ll be able to enjoy them as much as I have. ABC Kylie Baxter
Well, look thank you for joining the conversation and sharing what you’ve seen on surveyors Bay the this morning. Thank you, Jane for coming on. That’s Jane, a surveyors Bay resident who was going on her morning walk and were about eight men picking up fatty deposits on the beach there. So that’s across the river from Verona sands.
So you think these fish-nasty bacteria have taken hold elsewhere now?
An interview on ABC Kylie Baxter 9am today with Jane from Surveyors Bay. ABC Kylie Baxter
Jane is a surveyors Bay resident and has contacted the mornings program. Jane, good morning. What are you seeing?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Good morning. Cindy, yes, very interesting interview with lots of no comments, which is very frustrating for me, I must say, because I’ve just driven down to my family shack last night, preparing for the long weekend and preparing to go around to my big, roaring salt shaker swim at big roaring beach around the point here on Sunday morning. And I woke up this morning at 7:30am and saw about six men patrolling survey of bay with rakes and bags and little trolleys, and seemed to be gathering things. And made a comment to my son, and he said, oh, that would be the council picking up some rubbish. And I said, well, that’d be unusual, haven’t seen that in 27 years of being here. So I took a little morning walk with my dog, as I always would, and had a chat, and was told that they were picking up some fatty deposits that had come in overnight. ABC Kylie Baxter
Hang on. So Jane, your surveyors bay the western side of the huon river mouth across from Verona sands. Is that the location you’re in?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Yeah, yes, directly opposite Verona sands on the other side of the river. Yes, that’s right. ABC Kylie Baxter
And so the workers said to you that they were picking up salmon remains or the fat. What did they say? Exactly?
Jane Surveyors Bay
They said fatty deposits. They were microscopic. And I questioned them a little bit further, and they said, It’ll look less than the size of your fingernail. And I said, wow, that’s concerning. And they sort of chuckled and laughed at me, and I just made the comment to them … look, this is no laughing matter. I was diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago, and I come here often to swim the waters every day, swim every day. And I’ve come here this weekend, actually, in preparation for double mastectomy next Friday, and wanted to have my last harahh swim. Was going to meet with my swim group and have a little commentary swim this Sunday. But of course, now I’m wondering if that’s a good idea or not. ABC Kylie Baxter
I’m so sorry to hear that that’s a very stressful thing to be going through. Jane and yeah, 25 degrees you know, over parts of the weekend. You’ve had that place, I believe, at Surveyors Bay, for 30 years now. One of my producers mentioned, have you ever seen anything like this before?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Never Kylie, never no.
I will say, though, that in 19 I think it was about 1997 we secured the shack, and my mother and father purchased it for, you know, the young and for future generations to come. And I remember my dad actually at the time. My dad since passed away with cancer at the age of 58 but he was having a conversation with the owner, then of the local fish farm, and we were asked to sign a petition. And my dad was very reluctant at the time, and I remember him being given the assurance, look, Kevin, you’ll never see a fish farm. You’ll never see a fish farm in front of surveyors Bay. And whilst they do pass frequently, I’m sitting now at the top of the hill here, and I can see 19 pens in front of big, roaring beach. And we have boats that constantly go up and down the river. And you know, whilst they understand and support local industry, there comes a point where there must be a lot more public information being made and revealed. And as we’ve just heard from your previous conversation, it’s not forthcoming. And that’s very, very concerning. As a resident and a person who lives here and loves being here, and I have grandchildren coming from America in three weeks, and you know, they’re all under the age of six, and I wonder in 20 years time from now what the waterways will be like for them, and whether they’ll be able to enjoy them as much as I have. ABC Kylie Baxter
Well, look thank you for joining the conversation and sharing what you’ve seen on surveyors Bay the this morning. Thank you, Jane for coming on. That’s Jane, a surveyors Bay resident who was going on her morning walk and were about eight men picking up fatty deposits on the beach there. So that’s across the river from Verona sands.
So you think these fish-nasty bacteria have taken hold elsewhere now?
not an expert.
but it seems this lurgy is well known in the northern hemisphere but new to tassie. it also seems to be worse due to the warm current and with climate change that is only going to get worse.
seems to me like they should move them out of the channel and out of the rivers and off the east coast (where the warm water comes down all the way from Qld.) the west coast is rougher but at least the water is cold.
An interview on ABC Kylie Baxter 9am today with Jane from Surveyors Bay. ABC Kylie Baxter
Jane is a surveyors Bay resident and has contacted the mornings program. Jane, good morning. What are you seeing?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Good morning. Cindy, yes, very interesting interview with lots of no comments, which is very frustrating for me, I must say, because I’ve just driven down to my family shack last night, preparing for the long weekend and preparing to go around to my big, roaring salt shaker swim at big roaring beach around the point here on Sunday morning. And I woke up this morning at 7:30am and saw about six men patrolling survey of bay with rakes and bags and little trolleys, and seemed to be gathering things. And made a comment to my son, and he said, oh, that would be the council picking up some rubbish. And I said, well, that’d be unusual, haven’t seen that in 27 years of being here. So I took a little morning walk with my dog, as I always would, and had a chat, and was told that they were picking up some fatty deposits that had come in overnight. ABC Kylie Baxter
Hang on. So Jane, your surveyors bay the western side of the huon river mouth across from Verona sands. Is that the location you’re in?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Yeah, yes, directly opposite Verona sands on the other side of the river. Yes, that’s right. ABC Kylie Baxter
And so the workers said to you that they were picking up salmon remains or the fat. What did they say? Exactly?
Jane Surveyors Bay
They said fatty deposits. They were microscopic. And I questioned them a little bit further, and they said, It’ll look less than the size of your fingernail. And I said, wow, that’s concerning. And they sort of chuckled and laughed at me, and I just made the comment to them … look, this is no laughing matter. I was diagnosed with cancer three weeks ago, and I come here often to swim the waters every day, swim every day. And I’ve come here this weekend, actually, in preparation for double mastectomy next Friday, and wanted to have my last harahh swim. Was going to meet with my swim group and have a little commentary swim this Sunday. But of course, now I’m wondering if that’s a good idea or not. ABC Kylie Baxter
I’m so sorry to hear that that’s a very stressful thing to be going through. Jane and yeah, 25 degrees you know, over parts of the weekend. You’ve had that place, I believe, at Surveyors Bay, for 30 years now. One of my producers mentioned, have you ever seen anything like this before?
Jane Surveyors Bay
Never Kylie, never no.
I will say, though, that in 19 I think it was about 1997 we secured the shack, and my mother and father purchased it for, you know, the young and for future generations to come. And I remember my dad actually at the time. My dad since passed away with cancer at the age of 58 but he was having a conversation with the owner, then of the local fish farm, and we were asked to sign a petition. And my dad was very reluctant at the time, and I remember him being given the assurance, look, Kevin, you’ll never see a fish farm. You’ll never see a fish farm in front of surveyors Bay. And whilst they do pass frequently, I’m sitting now at the top of the hill here, and I can see 19 pens in front of big, roaring beach. And we have boats that constantly go up and down the river. And you know, whilst they understand and support local industry, there comes a point where there must be a lot more public information being made and revealed. And as we’ve just heard from your previous conversation, it’s not forthcoming. And that’s very, very concerning. As a resident and a person who lives here and loves being here, and I have grandchildren coming from America in three weeks, and you know, they’re all under the age of six, and I wonder in 20 years time from now what the waterways will be like for them, and whether they’ll be able to enjoy them as much as I have. ABC Kylie Baxter
Well, look thank you for joining the conversation and sharing what you’ve seen on surveyors Bay the this morning. Thank you, Jane for coming on. That’s Jane, a surveyors Bay resident who was going on her morning walk and were about eight men picking up fatty deposits on the beach there. So that’s across the river from Verona sands.
So you think these fish-nasty bacteria have taken hold elsewhere now?
not an expert.
but it seems this lurgy is well known in the northern hemisphere but new to tassie. it also seems to be worse due to the warm current and with climate change that is only going to get worse.
seems to me like they should move them out of the channel and out of the rivers and off the east coast (where the warm water comes down all the way from Qld.) the west coast is rougher but at least the water is cold.
I’m sorry, but the question I asked was wrong. Let me re-phrase:
Assuming this is the same fish-nasty bacteria:
Is this the same (or roughly the same) location as the previous infection?
So you think these fish-nasty bacteria have taken hold elsewhere now?
not an expert.
but it seems this lurgy is well known in the northern hemisphere but new to tassie. it also seems to be worse due to the warm current and with climate change that is only going to get worse.
seems to me like they should move them out of the channel and out of the rivers and off the east coast (where the warm water comes down all the way from Qld.) the west coast is rougher but at least the water is cold.
I’m sorry, but the question I asked was wrong. Let me re-phrase:
Assuming this is the same fish-nasty bacteria:
Is this the same (or roughly the same) location as the previous infection?
Is it a nearby location? or
Is it a location in another region entirely?
No. It’s a new break out. and i think we now have reports from three areas.
The federal government is expected to hand down a budget as scheduled on March 25, after Cyclone Alfred derailed the prime minister’s plans to call an election on Sunday for April 12.
There is still a small chance Mr Albanese may yet call the election before close of business on Monday, if the cyclone is less damaging than feared.
but it seems this lurgy is well known in the northern hemisphere but new to tassie. it also seems to be worse due to the warm current and with climate change that is only going to get worse.
seems to me like they should move them out of the channel and out of the rivers and off the east coast (where the warm water comes down all the way from Qld.) the west coast is rougher but at least the water is cold.
I’m sorry, but the question I asked was wrong. Let me re-phrase:
Assuming this is the same fish-nasty bacteria:
Is this the same (or roughly the same) location as the previous infection?
Is it a nearby location? or
Is it a location in another region entirely?
No. It’s a new break out. and i think we now have reports from three areas.
The federal government is expected to hand down a budget as scheduled on March 25, after Cyclone Alfred derailed the prime minister’s plans to call an election on Sunday for April 12.
There is still a small chance Mr Albanese may yet call the election before close of business on Monday, if the cyclone is less damaging than feared.
I have no idea of the geography of Tasmania. Where were all the outbreaks again?
macquarie harbour on the west coast. huon and channel area. port arthur way. and somewhere up the east coast.
Oh. So pretty much all over then. Bugger.
I wonder whether it has been carted around by the aquaculture people, or whether it’s got into the the endemic population and is propagating that way.
no reports from up north. but the govt has been shutting down the news like they do with forestry. Don’t want to lose that clean green reputation. tourism and all that.
07 March 2025
Tasmania is broken, run by liars and clowns, MP says
Tasmania is broken, the state government are clowns, the Labor opposition are useless and voters are being lied to and treated like mugs, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie says.
David Killick
Tasmania is broken, the state government are clowns, the Labor opposition are useless and voters are being lied to and treated like mugs, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie says.
The veteran MP also described governance in the state as “a protection racket for vested interests”.
During a press conference in Hobart on Friday morning, Mr Wilkie said he had some matters he wanted to get off his chest — before launching a broadside against state politicians.
Morning traffic snarls appear to have focused his mind on a number of ongoing chronic government failures.
“At the moment, just about everything in this state is broken,” he said.
“It took me three-quarters of an hour to get into my office this morning from a nearby suburb. “The health system is broken. The public education system is broken. Regulation of the aquaculture industry is broken. Everything is broken.
“We’re on a pathway to $9.5bn of state debt over the next three and a half years, and $16bn of state debt over the next decade.”
Mr Wilkie took aim at the ministers and their advisers in the nearby Executive Building — and did not miss.
“I don’t know what the clowns are doing up there in that building — they sure aren’t running this state effectively, they sure aren’t managing the finances,” he said.
“All they’re doing is running protection rackets for their vested interests.
“And all the time, it’s the long-suffering Tasmanians who are stuck in traffic, stuck in the emergency department at the Royal, stuck at public schools and pay enormous levies because the schools are underfunded.
“They lie to us constantly and treat us like mugs and they get away with it, because in this state, we have no effective opposition except for some crossbenchers who do their best, their very best, to hold the state to account.
“And it upsets me, and upsets a lot of Tasmanians to see the jewel in this nation’s crown Tasmania being so appallingly governed.”
Mr Wilkie said the government’s approach to the current mass die-off in local fish farms was emblematic.
“I’m appalled at the state government’s hands-off approach to this,” he said.
“We have this terrible secrecy around the industry where we can’t find out what’s going on, where we have an EPA that is under-resourced and has limited legislative powers, and a state government — and a state opposition — I would add that are running a protection racket for these for these aquaculture industries.
“These industries if they’re not careful they’ll go the way of other Tasmanian industries, they will founder and they will be much, much diminished, and it will be their fault.”
Mr Wilkie is standing for re-eleciton in the seat of Clark at the upcoming federal election.
07 March 2025
Tasmania is broken, run by liars and clowns, MP says
Tasmania is broken, the state government are clowns, the Labor opposition are useless and voters are being lied to and treated like mugs, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie says.
David Killick
That’s what those Chinese warships were doing down there. A drive-by inspection of a potential property purchase. Canberra put Tas up on Domain, but there was few responses.
07 March 2025
Tasmania is broken, run by liars and clowns, MP says
Tasmania is broken, the state government are clowns, the Labor opposition are useless and voters are being lied to and treated like mugs, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie says.
David Killick
That’s what those Chinese warships were doing down there. A drive-by inspection of a potential property purchase. Canberra put Tas up on Domain, but there was few responses.
We have an election going on in WA tomorrow. Compared to the rest of the country things don’t seem to be going so bad over here. We already have a stadium, we don’t have salmon farms, and we don’t have a cyclone bearing down on us. The whole place is a construction site, but once it gets finished it will be marvelous.
my father and uncle were founding members of Western suburbs leagues. it wasn’t like this when it all started. It was just a bunch of people with 50 pound debentures and 500 members.
Fair enough. How many hundred of mills is the AFL putting into it? So where cricket’s Big Bash League’s contribution. Dare I say they’d play just as many games there as the AFL would.
If Tasmanians don’t want it in Hobart, then don’t build it. Simples. AFL or no AFL.
Why it seems to be all the AFL’s fault, I’m not sure.
Fair enough. How many hundred of mills is the AFL putting into it? So where cricket’s Big Bash League’s contribution. Dare I say they’d play just as many games there as the AFL would.
If Tasmanians don’t want it in Hobart, then don’t build it. Simples. AFL or no AFL.
Why it seems to be all the AFL’s fault, I’m not sure.
Financial contributions:
$15m from the AFL.
$460m from the Tasmanian government.
$240m from the Federal government.
Ongoing funding of $12m annually over 12 years by the Tasmanian government.
—-
leaving a significant shortfall.
And you were reading the blame into this.
there has been a push to renegotiate the contract locally as the costings are blowing out and the timeline is looking iffy..
Fair enough. How many hundred of mills is the AFL putting into it? So where cricket’s Big Bash League’s contribution. Dare I say they’d play just as many games there as the AFL would.
If Tasmanians don’t want it in Hobart, then don’t build it. Simples. AFL or no AFL.
Why it seems to be all the AFL’s fault, I’m not sure.
Financial contributions:
$15m from the AFL.
$460m from the Tasmanian government.
$240m from the Federal government.
Ongoing funding of $12m annually over 12 years by the Tasmanian government.
—-
leaving a significant shortfall.
And you were reading the blame into this.
there has been a push to renegotiate the contract locally as the costings are blowing out and the timeline is looking iffy..
I can’t see it happening.
I’m a big AFL fans as you already know, but i don’t think the economic case is there for a team in Tassie. No matter how much some Tasmanians want a local team to participate in the wider Australian sporting culture. The finances of it are still marginal.
Fair enough. How many hundred of mills is the AFL putting into it? So where cricket’s Big Bash League’s contribution. Dare I say they’d play just as many games there as the AFL would.
If Tasmanians don’t want it in Hobart, then don’t build it. Simples. AFL or no AFL.
Why it seems to be all the AFL’s fault, I’m not sure.
Financial contributions:
$15m from the AFL.
$460m from the Tasmanian government.
$240m from the Federal government.
Ongoing funding of $12m annually over 12 years by the Tasmanian government.
—-
leaving a significant shortfall.
And you were reading the blame into this.
there has been a push to renegotiate the contract locally as the costings are blowing out and the timeline is looking iffy..
Then don’t build it. Simples. I think there are too many team in the AFL anyway, and I’m not ever likely to go there. So really, I CGAF.
But I’m still not too sure why it’s all about the AFL. They’ve made an offer (not blackmail, or anything else). Either the offer is taken up or it isn’t.
Pulse Tasmania
6h ·
The RSPCA has suspended Huon Aquaculture’s ‘RSPCA Approved’ certification after footage emerged showing the “inhumane handling” of salmon.
The video, released by activists this week, shows live salmon being pumped into a sealed bin containing dead and diseased fish, where they were reportedly left to suffocate.
In a statement this morning, RSPCA Australia said the suspension has been put in place for “an initial period of 14 days” while “further enquiries” are undertaken.
“The inhumane handling of live, sick or injured fish as shown in the video being circulated is completely unacceptable,” the RSPCA said.
Full details: https://bit.ly/3F7Pkgb
Pulse Tasmania
6h ·
The RSPCA has suspended Huon Aquaculture’s ‘RSPCA Approved’ certification after footage emerged showing the “inhumane handling” of salmon.
The video, released by activists this week, shows live salmon being pumped into a sealed bin containing dead and diseased fish, where they were reportedly left to suffocate.
In a statement this morning, RSPCA Australia said the suspension has been put in place for “an initial period of 14 days” while “further enquiries” are undertaken.
“The inhumane handling of live, sick or injured fish as shown in the video being circulated is completely unacceptable,” the RSPCA said.
Full details: https://bit.ly/3F7Pkgb
Anna was telling me about this.
Years ago, Huon were regarded as the supposedly “better” fish farmers, compared with Tassal. But they eventually sold to some overseas company and it’s all gone to shit.
Pulse Tasmania
6h ·
The RSPCA has suspended Huon Aquaculture’s ‘RSPCA Approved’ certification after footage emerged showing the “inhumane handling” of salmon.
The video, released by activists this week, shows live salmon being pumped into a sealed bin containing dead and diseased fish, where they were reportedly left to suffocate.
In a statement this morning, RSPCA Australia said the suspension has been put in place for “an initial period of 14 days” while “further enquiries” are undertaken.
“The inhumane handling of live, sick or injured fish as shown in the video being circulated is completely unacceptable,” the RSPCA said.
Full details: https://bit.ly/3F7Pkgb
Anna was telling me about this.
Years ago, Huon were regarded as the supposedly “better” fish farmers, compared with Tassal. But they eventually sold to some overseas company and it’s all gone to shit.
it seems there has been a lot of overstocking. That seems to be a problem that we have had before. With o/seas cos. thinking about VDL and starving cows..
There are 36 upper house seats, elected as a single electorate.
Labor rather boldly had 36 candidates. Libs only ran 17.
This is why I voted above the line. Could only get up to 20 below it, so what’s the point
In my admittedly rather brief news watching and listening I have heard exactly nothing about WA elections.
All about some rather windy weather to the north.
There has been nothing special about the campaign. None of the culture wars stuff or crazy hysterics about law and order and drugs etc. It has been quite unremarkable and boring, just the basics like health and education and public transport and infrastructure etc. Nothing really personal aspsart from a little bit aimed at Basil Zemplis (Lord Mayor of Perth trying to move to a former blue-ribbon Liberal seat)
This is why I voted above the line. Could only get up to 20 below it, so what’s the point
In my admittedly rather brief news watching and listening I have heard exactly nothing about WA elections.
All about some rather windy weather to the north.
There has been nothing special about the campaign. None of the culture wars stuff or crazy hysterics about law and order and drugs etc. It has been quite unremarkable and boring, just the basics like health and education and public transport and infrastructure etc. Nothing really personal aspsart from a little bit aimed at Basil Zemplis (Lord Mayor of Perth trying to move to a former blue-ribbon Liberal seat)
In my admittedly rather brief news watching and listening I have heard exactly nothing about WA elections.
All about some rather windy weather to the north.
There has been nothing special about the campaign. None of the culture wars stuff or crazy hysterics about law and order and drugs etc. It has been quite unremarkable and boring, just the basics like health and education and public transport and infrastructure etc. Nothing really personal aspsart from a little bit aimed at Basil Zemplis (Lord Mayor of Perth trying to move to a former blue-ribbon Liberal seat)
Anything about GHG emission reduction?
Not much. Mostly covered under infrastructure spending. Some minor stuff about building battery storage and that, but this is just a continuation of what is already in the works. There was some talk about setting up manufacturing for HV transmission lines in WA,
Seems like this will be the second biggest win for the ALP in WA history, as they will do better than the very good result of 2017.
Yeah, this is a much smaller swing than the Libs/Nats were expecting I’m sure. Pattern I am seeing is that the Holmes ‘a Court funded Indies in the former Liberal blue ribbon seats are grabbing a big chunk of the vote. They are going to send all of those seats to preferences on a three-way count. I can’t see any of them winning, but they might stop a few easy wins the Libs were expecting.
Poor form. Roger starts his speech before Libby has finished her concession speech. Should have been been better coordinated than that.
concur. No reason at all not to be magnanimous. He was very kind to her in his speech, calling her a good human being who had the right motivations etc, so I assume it was a miscommunication or something.
Poor form. Roger starts his speech before Libby has finished her concession speech. Should have been been better coordinated than that.
concur. No reason at all not to be magnanimous. He was very kind to her in his speech, calling her a good human being who had the right motivations etc, so I assume it was a miscommunication or something.
It would be good to get back to having a credible opposition…
Poor form. Roger starts his speech before Libby has finished her concession speech. Should have been been better coordinated than that.
concur. No reason at all not to be magnanimous. He was very kind to her in his speech, calling her a good human being who had the right motivations etc, so I assume it was a miscommunication or something.
It would be good to get back to having a credible opposition…
The ABC is giving the ALP 41 out of 59 seats so far. Not much room for an effective opposition.
concur. No reason at all not to be magnanimous. He was very kind to her in his speech, calling her a good human being who had the right motivations etc, so I assume it was a miscommunication or something.
It would be good to get back to having a credible opposition…
The ABC is giving the ALP 41 out of 59 seats so far. Not much room for an effective opposition.
I think they will probably end the high 40s to be honest.
If it is any consolation at least ALP won’t have an abs maj in the upper house.
It would be good to get back to having a credible opposition…
The ABC is giving the ALP 41 out of 59 seats so far. Not much room for an effective opposition.
I think they will probably end the high 40s to be honest.
If it is any consolation at least ALP won’t have an abs maj in the upper house.
Being now a single electorate with such a small quota to grab a seat, I doubt any party will ever control the upper house. But there’s a wider range of options with minor parties for the ALP to do deals with compared to the last few decades.
Well, there was none of the expected swing in the outer metro seats held by the ALP to LIBs based on cost of living issues. All the gains so far are just the traditional blue ribbon safe LIB seats coming back to them. So far only 4 or 5 won with maybe 8 seats in doubt.
Well, there was none of the expected swing in the outer metro seats held by the ALP to LIBs based on cost of living issues. All the gains so far are just the traditional blue ribbon safe LIB seats coming back to them. So far only 4 or 5 won with maybe 8 seats in doubt.
concur. No reason at all not to be magnanimous. He was very kind to her in his speech, calling her a good human being who had the right motivations etc, so I assume it was a miscommunication or something.
It would be good to get back to having a credible opposition…
The ABC is giving the ALP 41 out of 59 seats so far. Not much room for an effective opposition.
With some preferences in, ALP look like retaining Churchlands.
This going right down to the last vote… but tomorrow.
(Fuck I hope Basil loses)
Don’t tell me Baz “The Schnoz” couldn’t even turn over the most marginal seat????
Sadly it looks like he has won. 73.5% of the vote counted, he got 45.1% of the primary vote but only 52.2% after preferences. It looks like most of the green and teal preferences went against him and to the ALP.
Well, there was none of the expected swing in the outer metro seats held by the ALP to LIBs based on cost of living issues. All the gains so far are just the traditional blue ribbon safe LIB seats coming back to them. So far only 4 or 5 won with maybe 8 seats in doubt.
Seems like the election staff have taken Sunday off. There have been no updates on the counting from last night.
Might as well. We have the result, so there’s no big rush. Why spend the extra money?
Because I’m a scoreboard addict. I like to have progress checks and updates over the day. Like following a cricket score.
Same.
Upper house is looking something like: ALP 15
Libs 10
Greens 4
Nats 2
One Nation 1
Legalise Cannabis 1
Australian Christians 1
That leaves 3 and they could go to an Independent, Animal Justice, SAP or maybe an 11th Liberal seat.
Looks as though the following will get a seat in the upper house: One Nation, Australian Christians, Legalise Cannabis. There are three others still up in the air: could be another seat for Libs or maybe Animal Justice,
Might as well. We have the result, so there’s no big rush. Why spend the extra money?
Because I’m a scoreboard addict. I like to have progress checks and updates over the day. Like following a cricket score.
What are the Libs and Nats saying about the result? “Could have been worse”?
They are not saying much. The swing against ALP was around 17%, but the LIBs only got +5% and the NATS +1%. Rest rest went Green or Teal.
I expect that there is going to be some speculation over the leadership, but i don’t think that is their main problem. The current leader won her seat quite comfortably with 53% primary. The most likely challenger, Basil Z is looking at just falling over the line in what was a marginal seat at just -1.6% to around +2.5% , hardly a ringing endorsement or expression of public confidence.
Their big problem is their message. They are seen as the party of the boomer generation and not the party of the younger generation like the Gen Y. They are trailing behind the demographic shift with their policy appeal, and not resonating with the aspirational young families in the middle and outer suburbs who are doing it tough on cost of living. They obviously see nothing in the LIB policies that would improve their lot.
The Liberal pollie they had on the ABC last night pretty much said as much.
Might as well. We have the result, so there’s no big rush. Why spend the extra money?
Because I’m a scoreboard addict. I like to have progress checks and updates over the day. Like following a cricket score.
What are the Libs and Nats saying about the result? “Could have been worse”?
In fairness they are acknowledging the results are a disappointment. I don’t think any of them were expecting a win but they were hopeful of at least getting into double digits.
Because I’m a scoreboard addict. I like to have progress checks and updates over the day. Like following a cricket score.
What are the Libs and Nats saying about the result? “Could have been worse”?
They are not saying much. The swing against ALP was around 17%, but the LIBs only got +5% and the NATS +1%. Rest rest went Green or Teal.
I expect that there is going to be some speculation over the leadership, but i don’t think that is their main problem. The current leader won her seat quite comfortably with 53% primary. The most likely challenger, Basil Z is looking at just falling over the line in what was a marginal seat at just -1.6% to around +2.5% , hardly a ringing endorsement or expression of public confidence.
Their big problem is their message. They are seen as the party of the boomer generation and not the party of the younger generation like the Gen Y. They are trailing behind the demographic shift with their policy appeal, and not resonating with the aspirational young families in the middle and outer suburbs who are doing it tough on cost of living. They obviously see nothing in the LIB policies that would improve their lot.
The Liberal pollie they had on the ABC last night pretty much said as much.
Goodo.
But it seems the national population are more willing to believe the Libs are now somehow on the side of the battlers, what with Dutton’s pretend finger-wagging at his Colesworth mates etc.
Because I’m a scoreboard addict. I like to have progress checks and updates over the day. Like following a cricket score.
What are the Libs and Nats saying about the result? “Could have been worse”?
They are not saying much. The swing against ALP was around 17%, but the LIBs only got +5% and the NATS +1%. Rest rest went Green or Teal.
I expect that there is going to be some speculation over the leadership, but i don’t think that is their main problem. The current leader won her seat quite comfortably with 53% primary. The most likely challenger, Basil Z is looking at just falling over the line in what was a marginal seat at just -1.6% to around +2.5% , hardly a ringing endorsement or expression of public confidence.
Their big problem is their message. They are seen as the party of the boomer generation and not the party of the younger generation like the Gen Y. They are trailing behind the demographic shift with their policy appeal, and not resonating with the aspirational young families in the middle and outer suburbs who are doing it tough on cost of living. They obviously see nothing in the LIB policies that would improve their lot.
The Liberal pollie they had on the ABC last night pretty much said as much.
I know they talked a lot about their “messaging” but really, what do they have to sell? I think anyone would have to say that the ALP has done a decent job in government, and in the areas where they have lacked (housing, hospital waitlists), no one in their right minds would think that the Liberals have policies that are going to fix those things.
What are the Libs and Nats saying about the result? “Could have been worse”?
They are not saying much. The swing against ALP was around 17%, but the LIBs only got +5% and the NATS +1%. Rest rest went Green or Teal.
I expect that there is going to be some speculation over the leadership, but i don’t think that is their main problem. The current leader won her seat quite comfortably with 53% primary. The most likely challenger, Basil Z is looking at just falling over the line in what was a marginal seat at just -1.6% to around +2.5% , hardly a ringing endorsement or expression of public confidence.
Their big problem is their message. They are seen as the party of the boomer generation and not the party of the younger generation like the Gen Y. They are trailing behind the demographic shift with their policy appeal, and not resonating with the aspirational young families in the middle and outer suburbs who are doing it tough on cost of living. They obviously see nothing in the LIB policies that would improve their lot.
The Liberal pollie they had on the ABC last night pretty much said as much.
Goodo.
But it seems the national population are more willing to believe the Libs are now somehow on the side of the battlers, what with Dutton’s pretend finger-wagging at his Colesworth mates etc.
Yeah. The strange thing about WA is the separation of state and federal issues. The WA electorate will probably approach the Feral election quite differently. I don’t think there will necessarily be any big carryover of this result in the Federal scene in one or two months time.
What are the Libs and Nats saying about the result? “Could have been worse”?
They are not saying much. The swing against ALP was around 17%, but the LIBs only got +5% and the NATS +1%. Rest rest went Green or Teal.
I expect that there is going to be some speculation over the leadership, but i don’t think that is their main problem. The current leader won her seat quite comfortably with 53% primary. The most likely challenger, Basil Z is looking at just falling over the line in what was a marginal seat at just -1.6% to around +2.5% , hardly a ringing endorsement or expression of public confidence.
Their big problem is their message. They are seen as the party of the boomer generation and not the party of the younger generation like the Gen Y. They are trailing behind the demographic shift with their policy appeal, and not resonating with the aspirational young families in the middle and outer suburbs who are doing it tough on cost of living. They obviously see nothing in the LIB policies that would improve their lot.
The Liberal pollie they had on the ABC last night pretty much said as much.
I know they talked a lot about their “messaging” but really, what do they have to sell? I think anyone would have to say that the ALP has done a decent job in government, and in the areas where they have lacked (housing, hospital waitlists), no one in their right minds would think that the Liberals have policies that are going to fix those things.
Aye. They need to change their policy position, which probably means changing their ideology. I don’t know if they are capable of it without splitting the party. Sort of like a Blair-ite relaunch of the party and some of its core values.
Should point out that the Nats did pretty well by historical standards. They will probably get 6 seats which is close to their high water mark. It’s the Libs who had a bad day at the office.
Unless in the other states, and at the federal level, there’s no Coalition in WA. The Nats and Libs run against each other, they actively criticise each other.
We’ve often talked about how Australia should have a sovereign wealth fund like Norway, but should bear in mind that Australia does have some limited-use SWFs, the largest being established during the Howard/Costello aeon.
Future Fund (2006): $220 billion
This has the specific purpose of covering unfunded super liabilities for Commonwealth public servants. The weird practice of not fully funding super for some of these employees ended a decade ago and it is now seeming that the size of the fund is surplus to requirements.
Early in the Rudd government, three additional funds were created: the Educational Investment Fund, the Health and Hospital Fund and the Building Australia Fund. The Abbott govt abolished these and rolled these resources into the Asset Recycling Fund and the Medical Research Future Fund, which has about $23 billion.
ATSI Land and Sea Future Fund was set up in the Turnbull era to cover future payments to the Indigenous Land Corporation. Currently has around $2 billion in assets.
Future Drought Fund was established in 2019 to fund drought resilience measures, planned under Turnbull and enacted under Morrison. Current assets are about $5 billion.
DisabilityCare Australia Fund, set in motion late in the Gillard govt, has the main purpose of funding the NDIS. Currently has $19 billion in assets.
Housing Australia Future Fund was established in 2023 to make grants for social housing and affordable housing. It has about $10 billion in assets.
Disaster Ready Fund was established in 2023 to support natural disaster resilience and risk reduction. It has around $5 billion in assets.
Steve Gadd
33m ·
Best Economic Managers in Australia over 55 Years
Surpluses and Deficits under 55 Years of Australian Governments
1. ALP, Whitlam Government (1972–1975): Led by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, this government achieved budget surpluses in 1972-73 and 1973-74 but ran a modest deficit in 1975-76.
2. Liberal–National Coalition, Fraser Government (1975–1983): Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser’s government grappled with economic challenges and recorded budget deficits for most of its tenure.
3. ALP, Hawke Government (1983–1991): Under Prime Minister Bob Hawke, the government started with deficits but managed budget surpluses in the late 1980s.
4. ALP, Keating Government (1991–1996): Prime Minister Paul Keating’s government continued surpluses in the early 1990s but faced deficits towards the end of its term.
5. Liberal–National Coalition, Howard Government (1996–2007): Led by Prime Minister John Howard and Treasurer Peter Costello, this government delivered budget surpluses from 1997-98 onward, except for a deficit in 2001-02. Economic growth and resource booms were key factors.
6. ALP, Rudd Government (2007–2010): Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s government achieved a surplus in 2007-08 but experienced deficits during the global financial crisis.
7. ALP, Gillard Government (2010–2013): Led by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the government dealt with persistent budget deficits stemming from the effects of the global financial crisis.
8. Liberal–National Coalition, Abbott Government (2013–2015): Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s government focused on deficit reduction but did not deliver a budget surplus.
9. Liberal–National Coalition, Turnbull Government (2015–2018): Malcolm Turnbull’s government faced ongoing fiscal challenges and did not achieve a budget surplus.
10. Liberal–National Coalition, Morrison Government (2018–2022): Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government aimed for surpluses, but the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant deficits.
11. ALP. Albanese Government (2022–present): Under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the government delivered Australia’s first budget surplus in 15 years, amounting to $22.1 billion in 2022-23.
“I stuck to my diary, which was going to Sydney that morning,” Dutton told 4BC today.
“I had meetings down there, a lunch with one of the Archbishops in Sydney, I had meetings in the afternoon, I had a fundraising event – not a party – a fundraising event that night and I caught the first flight home on Wednesday.”
He accused the government of leveraging the event to criticise him.
“I’m very happy to put it all into context because I think, to be honest, Jim Chalmers and Murray Watt and Anthony Albanese look for political opportunity, which I think is actually pretty poor form in the time of the natural disaster to try and use that for political leverage to push out some sort of negative campaign,” Dutton said.
“But that reflects more on them than it does me, I think.”
At the same time, the opposition leader has criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over suggestions he could call the federal election on Sunday during the recovery effort.
***
Note: every time Albo was asked about calling the election during his visit to Brisbane during the cyclone, Albo reiterated this wasn’t the time to be political.
“Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said on Sunday the Albanese government has “spent the past three years strengthening our social security system, so that it helps Australians at whatever age or stage they’re at in life”.
“Indexation is a critical part of our social security safety net,” she said in a statement.
“For pensioners and other payment recipients receiving this financial boost, this will help ease some pressure.”
Pensioners will receive the biggest increase to their payments, with those on the maximum single rate Aged Pension getting an extra $4.60 a fortnight and couples getting an extra $7.”
$4.60 A FORTNIGHT!! I’m going to be rich, richer than a busted arse broken down old weather girl.
“Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said on Sunday the Albanese government has “spent the past three years strengthening our social security system, so that it helps Australians at whatever age or stage they’re at in life”.
“Indexation is a critical part of our social security safety net,” she said in a statement.
“For pensioners and other payment recipients receiving this financial boost, this will help ease some pressure.”
Pensioners will receive the biggest increase to their payments, with those on the maximum single rate Aged Pension getting an extra $4.60 a fortnight and couples getting an extra $7.”
$4.60 A FORTNIGHT!! I’m going to be rich, richer than a busted arse broken down old weather girl.
“Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said on Sunday the Albanese government has “spent the past three years strengthening our social security system, so that it helps Australians at whatever age or stage they’re at in life”.
“Indexation is a critical part of our social security safety net,” she said in a statement.
“For pensioners and other payment recipients receiving this financial boost, this will help ease some pressure.”
Pensioners will receive the biggest increase to their payments, with those on the maximum single rate Aged Pension getting an extra $4.60 a fortnight and couples getting an extra $7.”
$4.60 A FORTNIGHT!! I’m going to be rich, richer than a busted arse broken down old weather girl.
Note that this is the maximum Age Pension amount, individuals subject to means testing would receive an amount that reflected their personal financial circumstances.
If this estimate is correct, it would represent a $3.70 rise for single pensioners and a $7 per fortnight increase for couples combined. This is considerably lower than the corresponding September 2024 increases of $28.10 and $42.40. It reflects the significant reduction in inflation over this time, as the price of everyday goods and services is increasing at a much slower pace.
“Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said on Sunday the Albanese government has “spent the past three years strengthening our social security system, so that it helps Australians at whatever age or stage they’re at in life”.
“Indexation is a critical part of our social security safety net,” she said in a statement.
“For pensioners and other payment recipients receiving this financial boost, this will help ease some pressure.”
Pensioners will receive the biggest increase to their payments, with those on the maximum single rate Aged Pension getting an extra $4.60 a fortnight and couples getting an extra $7.”
$4.60 A FORTNIGHT!! I’m going to be rich, richer than a busted arse broken down old weather girl.
The pension was $22,375.60 in Sep 2020
$27,224.60 in Sep 2024
The new rate from Mar 2025 will be $29,874.
These seem like very significant increases.
That’s over $100/fortnight increase.
So what is this $4.30 increase mentioned by some?
I’m guessing it is a small election fillup in addition to the normal indexation that hasn’t changed which is entirely determined by the legislation and the rate of inflation.
The pension was $22,375.60 in Sep 2020
$27,224.60 in Sep 2024
The new rate from Mar 2025 will be $29,874.
These seem like very significant increases.
That’s over $100/fortnight increase.
So what is this $4.30 increase mentioned by some?
I’m guessing it is a small election fillup in addition to the normal indexation that hasn’t changed which is entirely determined by the legislation and the rate of inflation.
indexation increases are every march and september. other increases happen whenever.
“I stuck to my diary, which was going to Sydney that morning,” Dutton told 4BC today.
“I had meetings down there, a lunch with one of the Archbishops in Sydney, I had meetings in the afternoon, I had a fundraising event – not a party – a fundraising event that night and I caught the first flight home on Wednesday.”
He accused the government of leveraging the event to criticise him.
“I’m very happy to put it all into context because I think, to be honest, Jim Chalmers and Murray Watt and Anthony Albanese look for political opportunity, which I think is actually pretty poor form in the time of the natural disaster to try and use that for political leverage to push out some sort of negative campaign,” Dutton said.
“But that reflects more on them than it does me, I think.”
At the same time, the opposition leader has criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over suggestions he could call the federal election on Sunday during the recovery effort.
***
Note: every time Albo was asked about calling the election during his visit to Brisbane during the cyclone, Albo reiterated this wasn’t the time to be political.
“Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said on Sunday the Albanese government has “spent the past three years strengthening our social security system, so that it helps Australians at whatever age or stage they’re at in life”.
“Indexation is a critical part of our social security safety net,” she said in a statement.
“For pensioners and other payment recipients receiving this financial boost, this will help ease some pressure.”
Pensioners will receive the biggest increase to their payments, with those on the maximum single rate Aged Pension getting an extra $4.60 a fortnight and couples getting an extra $7.”
$4.60 A FORTNIGHT!! I’m going to be rich, richer than a busted arse broken down old weather girl.
Tasmania’s largest salmon company, Tassal, has revealed wild fish at one of its salmon farms contained antibiotic residues at almost five times the allowed level.
In another case, there were low-level antibiotic traces in wild fish caught more than seven kilometres from another Tassal salmon farm.
Two monitoring reports published by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in January show Tassal used 368.5 kilograms of a controversial antibiotic to control disease outbreaks at the two salmon farms last year. There was no public notification when the antibiotics were used or when the monitoring reports were released.
Sheenagh Neill, a spokesperson for Marine Protection Tasmania, said she was concerned about the continuing secrecy surrounding antibiotics use in public waterways. “The community is still not being informed promptly despite the 2022 Legislative Council inquiry into the fish farming industry recommending the ‘timely’ release of information on the use of antibiotics,” she said.
Tassal used 32.5kg of oxytetracycline (OTC) in late February 2023 and early March 2023 at its Butlers lease near Bruny Island National Park. The antibiotic was used to treat an outbreak of tenacibaculosis, a disease that can damage the skin, mouth and gills and kill affected fish.
The company used 336kg of the same antibiotic to treat salmon at its Okehampton lease near Triabunna in May 2023. The EPA reported that it followed Tassal detecting a Tasmanian Rickettsia-like organism, a bacterial infection that can result in significant production loss and cause the death of some affected fish.
The World Health Organization classed OTC as “highly important” for human health, and warned its overuse in the food industry could lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs”. It described this as “one of the biggest threats to global health”, and has recommended the vaccination of farmed animals as a strategy to reduce the overuse of antibiotics.
After the use of antibiotics, the EPA requires salmon companies to test for residues in sediments near the treated cages and a short distance from the lease boundary. It also requires tests on wild fish caught in and beyond the lease area. All samples with OTC equal to or greater than 100 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) must be reported. The maximum residue standard in food for human consumption is 200 µg/kg.
“Wild fish that thousands of Tasmanians catch and eat should contain no antibiotics at all.”
Dr Christian Narkowicz, organic chemist.
The report on the Butlers lease revealed a sample of three blue mackerel caught near the salmon pens had OTC residues of 960 µg/kg, almost five times the permitted level under the Australia New Zealand Food Standard Code. All the fish had feed pellets in their gut contents.
The report by Aquenal, an environmental consultancy, noted that Tassal requested that the sample be retested to check for “possible erroneous data”. Aquenal reported the second test was consistent with the initial result.
A sample of three Australian salmon caught on the same day as the mackerel found OTC residues of 180 µg/kg, just under the 200 µg/kg threshold. A sample of three flathead caught at a site about 2.5 kilometres from the salmon cages 64 days after the last use of medicated feed revealed OTC residue of 20 µg/kg, one-tenth the maximum residue limit.
Tasmanian Inquirer sought comment from Tassal, but the company did not respond.
It is not the first time wild fish with OTC residue have been detected well beyond a salmon farm. In late 2022, it was revealed that flathead caught off Coningham Beach, two kilometres from Tassal’s Sheppards lease, contained OTC in their flesh above the reportable threshold.
Dr Christian Narkowicz, an organic chemist, said Australia’s maximum residue standard for OTC was high compared to other countries. “Europe has a maximum residue limit of 100 μg/kg. Our regulators should be striving for the world’s best practice, not pandering to industry,” he said.
The EPA said that, despite the initial high result in blue mackerel, there was no need to undertake additional testing before the second round of testing after 64 days had elapsed.
Narkowicz said blue mackerel with 960 µg/kg of OTC residue in their flesh were “not fit for human consumption” and described the 64-day delay in further testing as “not good enough”.
“Wild fish that thousands of Tasmanians catch and eat should contain no antibiotics at all. Australian salmon travel long distances. There is no guarantee that they will be antibiotic-free even if they are caught nowhere near a salmon farm,” he said.
The monitoring report for the Okehampton lease revealed that three flathead caught at a site near Maria Island, more than seven kilometres away from the treated pens, contained OTC at 20 µg/kg.
The EPA told Tasmanian Inquirer that given OTC was not detected in samples from that salmon farm it was possible another source of OTC may have “impacted this fish sample”.
Neill said Food Standards Australia should review the use of OTC in fish for human consumption, and the amount of allowable OTC in salmon should be changed to match European standards.
Tasmania’s largest salmon company, Tassal, has revealed wild fish at one of its salmon farms contained antibiotic residues at almost five times the allowed level.
In another case, there were low-level antibiotic traces in wild fish caught more than seven kilometres from another Tassal salmon farm.
Two monitoring reports published by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in January show Tassal used 368.5 kilograms of a controversial antibiotic to control disease outbreaks at the two salmon farms last year. There was no public notification when the antibiotics were used or when the monitoring reports were released.
Sheenagh Neill, a spokesperson for Marine Protection Tasmania, said she was concerned about the continuing secrecy surrounding antibiotics use in public waterways. “The community is still not being informed promptly despite the 2022 Legislative Council inquiry into the fish farming industry recommending the ‘timely’ release of information on the use of antibiotics,” she said.
Tassal used 32.5kg of oxytetracycline (OTC) in late February 2023 and early March 2023 at its Butlers lease near Bruny Island National Park. The antibiotic was used to treat an outbreak of tenacibaculosis, a disease that can damage the skin, mouth and gills and kill affected fish.
The company used 336kg of the same antibiotic to treat salmon at its Okehampton lease near Triabunna in May 2023. The EPA reported that it followed Tassal detecting a Tasmanian Rickettsia-like organism, a bacterial infection that can result in significant production loss and cause the death of some affected fish.
The World Health Organization classed OTC as “highly important” for human health, and warned its overuse in the food industry could lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs”. It described this as “one of the biggest threats to global health”, and has recommended the vaccination of farmed animals as a strategy to reduce the overuse of antibiotics.
After the use of antibiotics, the EPA requires salmon companies to test for residues in sediments near the treated cages and a short distance from the lease boundary. It also requires tests on wild fish caught in and beyond the lease area. All samples with OTC equal to or greater than 100 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) must be reported. The maximum residue standard in food for human consumption is 200 µg/kg.
“Wild fish that thousands of Tasmanians catch and eat should contain no antibiotics at all.”
Dr Christian Narkowicz, organic chemist.
The report on the Butlers lease revealed a sample of three blue mackerel caught near the salmon pens had OTC residues of 960 µg/kg, almost five times the permitted level under the Australia New Zealand Food Standard Code. All the fish had feed pellets in their gut contents.
The report by Aquenal, an environmental consultancy, noted that Tassal requested that the sample be retested to check for “possible erroneous data”. Aquenal reported the second test was consistent with the initial result.
A sample of three Australian salmon caught on the same day as the mackerel found OTC residues of 180 µg/kg, just under the 200 µg/kg threshold. A sample of three flathead caught at a site about 2.5 kilometres from the salmon cages 64 days after the last use of medicated feed revealed OTC residue of 20 µg/kg, one-tenth the maximum residue limit.
Tasmanian Inquirer sought comment from Tassal, but the company did not respond.
It is not the first time wild fish with OTC residue have been detected well beyond a salmon farm. In late 2022, it was revealed that flathead caught off Coningham Beach, two kilometres from Tassal’s Sheppards lease, contained OTC in their flesh above the reportable threshold.
Dr Christian Narkowicz, an organic chemist, said Australia’s maximum residue standard for OTC was high compared to other countries. “Europe has a maximum residue limit of 100 μg/kg. Our regulators should be striving for the world’s best practice, not pandering to industry,” he said.
The EPA said that, despite the initial high result in blue mackerel, there was no need to undertake additional testing before the second round of testing after 64 days had elapsed.
Narkowicz said blue mackerel with 960 µg/kg of OTC residue in their flesh were “not fit for human consumption” and described the 64-day delay in further testing as “not good enough”.
“Wild fish that thousands of Tasmanians catch and eat should contain no antibiotics at all. Australian salmon travel long distances. There is no guarantee that they will be antibiotic-free even if they are caught nowhere near a salmon farm,” he said.
The monitoring report for the Okehampton lease revealed that three flathead caught at a site near Maria Island, more than seven kilometres away from the treated pens, contained OTC at 20 µg/kg.
The EPA told Tasmanian Inquirer that given OTC was not detected in samples from that salmon farm it was possible another source of OTC may have “impacted this fish sample”.
Neill said Food Standards Australia should review the use of OTC in fish for human consumption, and the amount of allowable OTC in salmon should be changed to match European standards.
Tasmania’s largest salmon company, Tassal, has revealed wild fish at one of its salmon farms contained antibiotic residues at almost five times the allowed level.
In another case, there were low-level antibiotic traces in wild fish caught more than seven kilometres from another Tassal salmon farm.
Two monitoring reports published by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in January show Tassal used 368.5 kilograms of a controversial antibiotic to control disease outbreaks at the two salmon farms last year. There was no public notification when the antibiotics were used or when the monitoring reports were released.
Sheenagh Neill, a spokesperson for Marine Protection Tasmania, said she was concerned about the continuing secrecy surrounding antibiotics use in public waterways. “The community is still not being informed promptly despite the 2022 Legislative Council inquiry into the fish farming industry recommending the ‘timely’ release of information on the use of antibiotics,” she said.
Tassal used 32.5kg of oxytetracycline (OTC) in late February 2023 and early March 2023 at its Butlers lease near Bruny Island National Park. The antibiotic was used to treat an outbreak of tenacibaculosis, a disease that can damage the skin, mouth and gills and kill affected fish.
The company used 336kg of the same antibiotic to treat salmon at its Okehampton lease near Triabunna in May 2023. The EPA reported that it followed Tassal detecting a Tasmanian Rickettsia-like organism, a bacterial infection that can result in significant production loss and cause the death of some affected fish.
The World Health Organization classed OTC as “highly important” for human health, and warned its overuse in the food industry could lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs”. It described this as “one of the biggest threats to global health”, and has recommended the vaccination of farmed animals as a strategy to reduce the overuse of antibiotics.
After the use of antibiotics, the EPA requires salmon companies to test for residues in sediments near the treated cages and a short distance from the lease boundary. It also requires tests on wild fish caught in and beyond the lease area. All samples with OTC equal to or greater than 100 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) must be reported. The maximum residue standard in food for human consumption is 200 µg/kg.
“Wild fish that thousands of Tasmanians catch and eat should contain no antibiotics at all.”
Dr Christian Narkowicz, organic chemist.
The report on the Butlers lease revealed a sample of three blue mackerel caught near the salmon pens had OTC residues of 960 µg/kg, almost five times the permitted level under the Australia New Zealand Food Standard Code. All the fish had feed pellets in their gut contents.
The report by Aquenal, an environmental consultancy, noted that Tassal requested that the sample be retested to check for “possible erroneous data”. Aquenal reported the second test was consistent with the initial result.
A sample of three Australian salmon caught on the same day as the mackerel found OTC residues of 180 µg/kg, just under the 200 µg/kg threshold. A sample of three flathead caught at a site about 2.5 kilometres from the salmon cages 64 days after the last use of medicated feed revealed OTC residue of 20 µg/kg, one-tenth the maximum residue limit.
Tasmanian Inquirer sought comment from Tassal, but the company did not respond.
It is not the first time wild fish with OTC residue have been detected well beyond a salmon farm. In late 2022, it was revealed that flathead caught off Coningham Beach, two kilometres from Tassal’s Sheppards lease, contained OTC in their flesh above the reportable threshold.
Dr Christian Narkowicz, an organic chemist, said Australia’s maximum residue standard for OTC was high compared to other countries. “Europe has a maximum residue limit of 100 μg/kg. Our regulators should be striving for the world’s best practice, not pandering to industry,” he said.
The EPA said that, despite the initial high result in blue mackerel, there was no need to undertake additional testing before the second round of testing after 64 days had elapsed.
Narkowicz said blue mackerel with 960 µg/kg of OTC residue in their flesh were “not fit for human consumption” and described the 64-day delay in further testing as “not good enough”.
“Wild fish that thousands of Tasmanians catch and eat should contain no antibiotics at all. Australian salmon travel long distances. There is no guarantee that they will be antibiotic-free even if they are caught nowhere near a salmon farm,” he said.
The monitoring report for the Okehampton lease revealed that three flathead caught at a site near Maria Island, more than seven kilometres away from the treated pens, contained OTC at 20 µg/kg.
The EPA told Tasmanian Inquirer that given OTC was not detected in samples from that salmon farm it was possible another source of OTC may have “impacted this fish sample”.
Neill said Food Standards Australia should review the use of OTC in fish for human consumption, and the amount of allowable OTC in salmon should be changed to match European standards.
I’m really not sure Albo should have given his blessing to the Macquarie harbour salmon farms. i get that the lab and lib pollies support it but that doesn’t make it right.
Well, if you weren’t awake before, you will be after listening to Radio National Breakfast host Sally Sara’s interview with Malcom Turnbull this morning.
The pair clashed as the former prime minister was questioned about the appropriateness of calling the US president “chaotic, rude, abusive, and erratic” amid a looming tariff threat over Australia.
Turnbull attacked the line of questioning, noting he’d been asked a similar question on 7.30 with Sarah Ferguson last night.
“Are you suggesting that we should engage in self censorship in Australia for fear of offending the huge ego of Donald Trump? Is that really the state that we’ve got to? Surely we should be free to speak the truth. Or are we going to muzzle ourselves for fear of offending Mr Trump?” he said.
“I mean, really, Sally, is this where we’ve got that we’ve become, you know, is the ABC become so pusillanimous that you’re seriously suggesting that we shouldn’t be free to speak the truth in Australia, for fear of Donald Trump. Is that? Is that the depths you’ve sunk to?
“I believe in Australia and I believe in standing up for Australia and I think, I’m sorry, apparently you don’t.”
Sara responded: “Don’t put words in my mouth, with respect. It’s my job to ask questions about your comments.”
Turnbull continued:
“I secured an exemption in 2018. The arguments I successfully used then are being used again, and they’re good arguments. You know, they remain the same validity. However, I’ve always said that I think the chances of getting an exemption are very, very low.
“I think, you know, Albanese and Kevin Rudd in particular in Washington, have done a great job in, you know, as a good a job as they can in making the case. But I think on this occasion, they’re very, very unlikely to be successful.”
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says the Opposition Leader Peter Dutton deliberately avoided AFP briefings on the Dural caravan terror hoax in order to be able to continue “outrageous” claims that were proved untrue. The Coalition disputes that.
isn’t that why he had to be in Sydney for the cyclone
¿
wait
oh right that was for another corruption collection
at this rate the next thing you’ll be told is that Corruption are colluding* and cashing in on that organised crime
(ABC News: Ian Cutmore)
A caravan laden with explosives found in Sydney’s north west in January was part of a “fake terrorism plot” by organised crime figures, police confirmed yesterday.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke accused Peter Dutton of being “conned” by the plot. ABC’s Radio National Breakfast asked the minister if by that definition the PM had also been conned, given Anthony Albanese classified it as a terrorist attack at the time.
Burke argued the situation was different because Dutton declined to be briefed.
“Well, what we had was we had the police working through … after a reasonably short time they had started to review it and realized that what they were dealing with was something quite different,” he said.
“At that point, we continued to say publicly that Peter Dutton should be briefed. We continued to remind him that he was able to be briefed by the Australian Federal Police, he deliberately chose to not find out.”
Was the government briefed that it may not have been a genuine terrorist attack?
“So as the police view developed, certainly our briefings and our understanding of the situation developed as well.”
Asked again if the government was aware of police concerns about the plot while Dutton was calling it potentially “the most catastrophic terrorist attack in our country’s history”, Burke responded: “that’s completely correct”.
Burke accused Dutton of running the script that “organised crime wanted the narrative to be”.
“He’s been willing to disregard ASIO advice, maybe he would have been willing to disregard the advice of the Australian Federal Police as well.
“But certainly what he was saying was not where the investigation was going, and a briefing would have borne that out.”
*: we’re not saying they actually are colluding** but that it’s the next thing you’ll be told
Well, if you weren’t awake before, you will be after listening to Radio National Breakfast host Sally Sara’s interview with Malcom Turnbull this morning.
The pair clashed as the former prime minister was questioned about the appropriateness of calling the US president “chaotic, rude, abusive, and erratic” amid a looming tariff threat over Australia.
Turnbull attacked the line of questioning, noting he’d been asked a similar question on 7.30 with Sarah Ferguson last night.
“Are you suggesting that we should engage in self censorship in Australia for fear of offending the huge ego of Donald Trump? Is that really the state that we’ve got to? Surely we should be free to speak the truth. Or are we going to muzzle ourselves for fear of offending Mr Trump?” he said.
“I mean, really, Sally, is this where we’ve got that we’ve become, you know, is the ABC become so pusillanimous that you’re seriously suggesting that we shouldn’t be free to speak the truth in Australia, for fear of Donald Trump. Is that? Is that the depths you’ve sunk to?
“I believe in Australia and I believe in standing up for Australia and I think, I’m sorry, apparently you don’t.”
Sara responded: “Don’t put words in my mouth, with respect. It’s my job to ask questions about your comments.”
Turnbull continued:
“I secured an exemption in 2018. The arguments I successfully used then are being used again, and they’re good arguments. You know, they remain the same validity. However, I’ve always said that I think the chances of getting an exemption are very, very low.
“I think, you know, Albanese and Kevin Rudd in particular in Washington, have done a great job in, you know, as a good a job as they can in making the case. But I think on this occasion, they’re very, very unlikely to be successful.”
Staff at the Age protest over Trumpet of Patriots gender ad as Newcastle Herald apologises for running it
Australian Community Media, publisher of the Newcastle Herald, removes ad promoting Clive Palmer’s party from digital edition, saying it does not meet the company’s values
Peter Dutton repeatedly charged taxpayers for flights coinciding with fundraisers
Exclusive: The travel, which was within parliamentary rules, coincided with fundraisers including those at a men-only club in Melbourne and a private home on Sydney’s north shore
Peter Dutton repeatedly charged taxpayers for flights coinciding with fundraisers
Exclusive: The travel, which was within parliamentary rules, coincided with fundraisers including those at a men-only club in Melbourne and a private home on Sydney’s north shore
well thank deity that he decided to stay in Sydney to make an honest buck instead of jet setting around all those cyclone threatened destinations then hey
Peter Dutton repeatedly charged taxpayers for flights coinciding with fundraisers
Exclusive: The travel, which was within parliamentary rules, coincided with fundraisers including those at a men-only club in Melbourne and a private home on Sydney’s north shore
well thank deity that he decided to stay in Sydney to make an honest buck instead of jet setting around all those cyclone threatened destinations then hey
Only because he couldn’t work out how the divisive comments he’d make about the Cyclone etc would make him look good.
Bill Harvey Cr City of Hobart
31m ·
After a long debate at the planning meeting 13 March 2025, the committee rejected the proposal for a zipline tourist development on Kunanyi 6 votes to 4. An alternative motion for refusal was then put and and carried 6 votes to 4. Clearly, the development was a tourist operation which is prohibited. the vote was Posselt, Kitsos, Lobrrger, Harvey, Sherlock and Dutta. ITEM 7.1.1 – ALTERNATEMOTION
That: Pursuant to the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme 2015, the Council refuse the application tourist operation including aerial ropeway (zipline), launch tower, landing platform, storage and amenities, car parking, and associated works at 100 Pinnacle Road, Wellington Park; 220 Waterworks Road, Ridgeway; and Strickland Avenue, South Hobart for the following reasons:
1. The proposed Tourist Operation use is prohibited in the Recreation Zone (landing platform) and a permit must not be granted, pursuant to Table 3 of the Wellington Park Management Plan 2013 (as amended October 2015) and clause 8.7.1 of the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme 2015.
2. The proposed use is not consistent with the values of the Wellington Park identified in section 8.2 and section 2.3 of the Wellington Park Management Plan 2013 in that it is primarily focused on the recreational and tourism values and diminishes the Wellington Park’s values relating to natural values, wildness and remoteness, and cultural and historical significance.
3. The proposal does not meet the acceptable solution or performance criteria with respect to section 8.5.7, Issue 2, P2.1 of the Wellington Park Management Plan 2013 as the proposal, due to the clearing associated with the landing platform and tracks, does not avoid or sufficiently remedy the loss of native vegetation.
4. The proposal does not meet the acceptable solution or performance criteria with respect to section 8.5.7, Issue 2, P2.2 of the Wellington Park Management Plan 2013 as the proposal, due to the potential impact on endangered species, including the Swift Parrot, from the impacts from the operation of the zipline such as noise and collision risk, and does not avoid or sufficiently remedy those potential impacts.
5. The proposal does not meet the acceptable solution or performance criteria with respect to section 8.5.7, Issue 6, P6.1 and S1.6, Issue 1, P11.1 of the Wellington Park Management Plan 2013 as the proposal will generate noise emissions that will have an adverse effect on the quiet enjoyment of the natural and cultural values of kunanyi/Mount Wellington and which are insufficiently remedied. ITEM 7.1.1 – ALTERNATEMOTION
That: Pursuant to the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme 2015, the Council refuse the application tourist operation including aerial ropeway (zipline), launch tower, landing platform, storage and amenities, car parking, and associated works at 100 Pinnacle Road, Wellington Park; 220 Waterworks Road, Ridgeway; and Strickland Avenue, South Hobart for the following reasons:
1. The proposed Tourist Operation use is prohibited in the Recreation Zone (landing platform) and a permit must not be granted, pursuant to Table 3 of the Wellington Park Management Plan 2013 (as amended October 2015) and clause 8.7.1 of the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme 2015.
2. The proposed use is not consistent with the values of the Wellington Park identified in section 8.2 and section 2.3 of the Wellington Park Management Plan 2013 in that it is primarily focused on the recreational and tourism values and diminishes the Wellington Park’s values relating to natural values, wildness and remoteness, and cultural and historical significance.
3. The proposal does not meet the acceptable solution or performance criteria with respect to section 8.5.7, Issue 2, P2.1 of the Wellington Park Management Plan 2013 as the proposal, due to the clearing associated with the landing platform and tracks, does not avoid or sufficiently remedy the loss of native vegetation.
4. The proposal does not meet the acceptable solution or performance criteria with respect to section 8.5.7, Issue 2, P2.2 of the Wellington Park Management Plan 2013 as the proposal, due to the potential impact on endangered species, including the Swift Parrot, from the impacts from the operation of the zipline such as noise and collision risk, and does not avoid or sufficiently remedy those potential impacts.
5. The proposal does not meet the acceptable solution or performance criteria with respect to section 8.5.7, Issue 6, P6.1 and S1.6, Issue 1, P11.1 of the Wellington Park Management Plan 2013 as the proposal will generate noise emissions that will have an adverse effect on the quiet enjoyment of the natural and cultural values of kunanyi/Mount Wellington and which are insufficiently remedied.
——
hence abetz trying to change laws in state parliament.
Prominent Darwin barrister Jon Tippett has been fined $1,500 and lost his driver’s licence for six months after drunkenly driving his Jeep into a parked police car. Judge Stephen Geary did not impose a conviction, noting Mr Tippett’s good character, public apology and remorse.
There are mounting calls for an inquiry into whether the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, and his police minister misled MPs and the public before controversial hate speech and religious worship bills were rushed through state parliament.
In February, NSW Labor passed a suite of reforms aimed at curbing antisemitism amid a spate of arson and graffiti attacks which culminated with an explosives-laden caravan being found on Sydney’s outskirts. The government did not directly point to the caravan plot as the reason for the bill.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will join a phone hook-up with other world leaders tomorrow night to discuss potentially sending peacekeepers to Ukraine as part of the so-called “coalition of the willing”.
The call, being arranged by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is also set to include the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Canada.
It follows an initial meeting of leaders in London this month, followed by a meeting of defence officials in Paris earlier this week.
More than 30 countries have been involved in discussions on how to help Ukraine, including the potential for a multi-nation peacekeeping force to be sent to the country in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
Sources have told the ABC the prime minister will take part in the call on Saturday night Australian time, and remains open to considering a request to send Australian troops as part of a peacekeeping force.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says Australia should not be involved.
It remains unclear whether the United States would offer any security guarantee to Ukraine as part of a ceasefire deal.
Some of these single issue candidates turn out to be carrying a bunch of other issues…
Moermond was in Legalise Marijuana but left to run as an indie. Right now in the count she might still get an upper house seat. She’s quite outspoken about her opposition to vaccines and offshore windfarms.
France is looking like the smart one now, with their own independent manufacturer of fighters, rockets, nukes…
We should have bought SAAB Gripens.
this is bullshit, only dirty countries like CHINA sneak remote control back doors into their cheap and nasty products that they’re too shit to make of high quality so they couldn’t possibly be skilled enough to hide anything in the product wait oh yeah did we mention other states established in the late 1940s who persécuté and genocide Muslims in their west and secret explosives in telecommunications systems oh shit
Will Trump thwart Australia’s submarine deal with the US?
This is an English language video by France 24, a French public broadcaster, and may reflect French priorities and sensibilities.
don’t worry we’re sure that these submarines that will totally be built will totally be built on schedule and within cost and they will totally not be withheld if the DPRNA finds it more convenient to keep them and they will totally not have any embedded malwares or kill switches or bait and switches oh no of course not
this is bullshit, only dirty countries like CHINA sneak remote control back doors into their cheap and nasty products that they’re too shit to make of high quality so they couldn’t possibly be skilled enough to hide anything in the product wait oh yeah did we mention other states established in the late 1940s who persécuté and genocide Muslims in their west and secret explosives in telecommunications systems oh shit
Will Trump thwart Australia’s submarine deal with the US?
This is an English language video by France 24, a French public broadcaster, and may reflect French priorities and sensibilities.
don’t worry we’re sure that these submarines that will totally be built will totally be built on schedule and within cost and they will totally not be withheld if the DPRNA finds it more convenient to keep them and they will totally not have any embedded malwares or kill switches or bait and switches oh no of course not
I thought the UK was going to build our nuclear subs, we are getting second had subs from the us in the meantime
Have I got that rong..
Will Trump thwart Australia’s submarine deal with the US?
This is an English language video by France 24, a French public broadcaster, and may reflect French priorities and sensibilities.
don’t worry we’re sure that these submarines that will totally be built will totally be built on schedule and within cost and they will totally not be withheld if the DPRNA finds it more convenient to keep them and they will totally not have any embedded malwares or kill switches or bait and switches oh no of course not
I thought the UK was going to build our nuclear subs, we are getting second had subs from the us in the meantime
Have I got that rong..
the Trident platform will be the stopgap between the Collins and any the new AUKUS platform (which is a joint program)
Antibiotic found in ‘low levels’ in salmon material washing up on Tasmanian beaches
In short:
Fatty globules have been washing up on beaches in south-east Tasmania following a mass die-off of farmed salmon in the lower D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
The Environment Protection Authority says it has detected low levels of an antibiotic in the material, which it says gives rise to “further questions” about the antibiotic’s presence in the broader environment.
Today I am thinking that Dutton could possibly go full racist. with Gina’s backing of course.
could ¿ possibly
anyway
But yet the opposition has continued to use what is becoming positively tiresome as its only response to any issue that comes up — that it is the prime minister’s fault, while mounting the unsubstantiated claim that it could do better.
becoming ¿ positively ? tiresome
this was shit back in 2004 and it’s still shit now
Today I am thinking that Dutton could possibly go full racist. with Gina’s backing of course.
Against whom?
Canada, Ukraine and the EU have a lot more public support in Aus compared to Russia and the USA. Immigration from Europe has been a big part of this country’s history. The pro-Russian bullshit just won’t get any traction here, nor will sucking up to the USA under Trump. Quickest way for Dutton to lose the election is to be too pro-US.
Today I am thinking that Dutton could possibly go full racist. with Gina’s backing of course.
Against whom?
Canada, Ukraine and the EU have a lot more public support in Aus compared to Russia and the USA. Immigration from Europe has been a big part of this country’s history. The pro-Russian bullshit just won’t get any traction here, nor will sucking up to the USA under Trump. Quickest way for Dutton to lose the election is to be too pro-US.
aborigines.
And i agree with your second statement. but the bridge club don’t like welcome to country.
Today I am thinking that Dutton could possibly go full racist. with Gina’s backing of course.
Against whom?
Canada, Ukraine and the EU have a lot more public support in Aus compared to Russia and the USA. Immigration from Europe has been a big part of this country’s history. The pro-Russian bullshit just won’t get any traction here, nor will sucking up to the USA under Trump. Quickest way for Dutton to lose the election is to be too pro-US.
aborigines.
And i agree with your second statement. but the bridge club don’t like welcome to country.
Communism is dead man, Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Regan killed it, killed it dead.
It’s dead in Russia, dead in China.
It only exists in busted arse countries that have a truck tyre and an AK47 on their flag and full of sound and fury signifying nothing.
Queensland will introduce tougher child protection measures by the end of the year, taking action on the state government’s election promise to Daniel Morcombe’s parents.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli paid tribute to the 13-year-old Sunshine Coast murder victim on Sunday, announcing the LNP’s “groundbreaking” three-pronged crackdown on child safety.
“I made a commitment to Bruce and Denise that there would be changes and there would be the creation of a child sex offender register, in honour of their brave little boy,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“We have to put the rights of victims children ahead of the rights of sex offenders.”
The premier said $10 million would go into setting up a public website listing offenders who breach bail, flagging dangerous sex offenders with residents in local areas, and giving families a chance to check the history of newcomers in their lives.
“If someone breaches their conditions, they lose the right to anonymity, and there should be a website that shows that,” he said.
“If there is a serious, hardcore paedophile living in an area, parents deserve to know that.”
I’m ever the pragmatist but I think Australian politicians need to spend a bit of talking about how we will manage without the US alliance.
I mean, I’ve not read The Art of the Deal, but if I were negotiating foundational elements of the AUKUS agreement I’d not be saying what cards I would, or wouldn’t, be prepared to trade in the print media.
It’s still early days for Trump 2.0 so most countries would be wise to not be burning their bridges with their US bilateral relationship given Trump and the MAGA movement might be dead and buried by the time of the congressional elections in 2026. The UK seems to be pursuing its own agenda, remarkably at odds with Trump’s, with nary a squeek of any official opposition on Starmer’s part. So promise Trump the Earth I say considering there will be no real repercussions for it: It’s not as though the US Democratic party is going to blacklist Australia out of a fit of pique.
Of those identifying as Liberal/National voters, 48 per cent approve of the job Trump is doing.
It puts the dilemma for Peter Dutton in perspective: almost half his supporters think Trump is a net positive. The rest of the nation, including voters who he needs to capture, are less convinced.
Dutton must distance himself from Trump and the Trump agenda if he intends to speak to a wider section of the electorate.
Yet he remains under pressure from his own rusted-on voters who are sympathetic with Trump.
Of those identifying as Liberal/National voters, 48 per cent approve of the job Trump is doing.
It puts the dilemma for Peter Dutton in perspective: almost half his supporters think Trump is a net positive. The rest of the nation, including voters who he needs to capture, are less convinced.
Dutton must distance himself from Trump and the Trump agenda if he intends to speak to a wider section of the electorate.
Yet he remains under pressure from his own rusted-on voters who are sympathetic with Trump.
Friends with benefits: Gina Rinehart and Peter Dutton’s ideological love-in
Since Dutton became opposition leader, the billionaire mining magnate has cultivated their bond. We look back at their increasingly close relationship
The theme for the new $5 bank note, selected from more than 2,100 public nominations, will honour First Nations people’s connection to country.
In February 2023, the RBA announced King Charles would not feature on the banknote following the queen’s death.
The decision prompted outrage from some, including Opposition Leader Peter Dutton who called it an “another attack on our systems, our society and institutions”.
We might need a Royal Commission into the CFMEU. Will take some of the pressure of Labor and will probably find that lawlessness is pervasive across the construction industry among unions and building companies. Labor should never have scrapped the Australian Building and Construction Commission given the likelihood of corruption when there’s literally millions of dollars involved on even the smallest building jobs.
We might need a Royal Commission into the CFMEU. Will take some of the pressure of Labor and will probably find that lawlessness is pervasive across the construction industry among unions and building companies. Labor should never have scrapped the Australian Building and Construction Commission given the likelihood of corruption when there’s literally millions of dollars involved on even the smallest building jobs.
They couldn’t release the results of the Royal Commission into the building industry “Because of the media firestorm it would create.”
We might need a Royal Commission into the CFMEU. Will take some of the pressure of Labor and will probably find that lawlessness is pervasive across the construction industry among unions and building companies. Labor should never have scrapped the Australian Building and Construction Commission given the likelihood of corruption when there’s literally millions of dollars involved on even the smallest building jobs.
Because the only corruption in the building industry involves unions?
We might need a Royal Commission into the CFMEU. Will take some of the pressure of Labor and will probably find that lawlessness is pervasive across the construction industry among unions and building companies. Labor should never have scrapped the Australian Building and Construction Commission given the likelihood of corruption when there’s literally millions of dollars involved on even the smallest building jobs.
Because the only corruption in the building industry involves unions?
(Election coming up. none of the liberal flung mud is sticking. let’s try throwing mud at the unions again.)
We might need a Royal Commission into the CFMEU. Will take some of the pressure of Labor and will probably find that lawlessness is pervasive across the construction industry among unions and building companies. Labor should never have scrapped the Australian Building and Construction Commission given the likelihood of corruption when there’s literally millions of dollars involved on even the smallest building jobs.
Because the only corruption in the building industry involves unions?
Sorry I must not have been very clear. What I am suggesting is the exact opposite of that.
We might need a Royal Commission into the CFMEU. Will take some of the pressure of Labor and will probably find that lawlessness is pervasive across the construction industry among unions and building companies. Labor should never have scrapped the Australian Building and Construction Commission given the likelihood of corruption when there’s literally millions of dollars involved on even the smallest building jobs.
Because the only corruption in the building industry involves unions?
Sorry I must not have been very clear. What I am suggesting is the exact opposite of that.
Essentially what I’m suggesting is that Labor should get ahead of this by establishing a royal commission to unearth all the problems of the construction industry which will definitely show that it’s not just the CFMEU that is shonky.
It will also insulate the wider union movement from any blow back from this corruption and hopefully ease the pressure on the ALP which will be seen to be impartial and principled.
Because the only corruption in the building industry involves unions?
Sorry I must not have been very clear. What I am suggesting is the exact opposite of that.
Essentially what I’m suggesting is that Labor should get ahead of this by establishing a royal commission to unearth all the problems of the construction industry which will definitely show that it’s not just the CFMEU that is shonky.
It will also insulate the wider union movement from any blow back from this corruption and hopefully ease the pressure on the ALP which will be seen to be impartial and principled.
I don’t think there is enough time to set it up before the election now.
Sorry I must not have been very clear. What I am suggesting is the exact opposite of that.
Essentially what I’m suggesting is that Labor should get ahead of this by establishing a royal commission to unearth all the problems of the construction industry which will definitely show that it’s not just the CFMEU that is shonky.
It will also insulate the wider union movement from any blow back from this corruption and hopefully ease the pressure on the ALP which will be seen to be impartial and principled.
I don’t think there is enough time to set it up before the election now.
Essentially what I’m suggesting is that Labor should get ahead of this by establishing a royal commission to unearth all the problems of the construction industry which will definitely show that it’s not just the CFMEU that is shonky.
It will also insulate the wider union movement from any blow back from this corruption and hopefully ease the pressure on the ALP which will be seen to be impartial and principled.
I don’t think there is enough time to set it up before the election now.
Even better. Big announcement, zero consequence.
Didn’t the onion eater set up a Royal Commission into unions as soon as the Liberal Party were elected last time? He was hoping to undermine the Labor Party’s voting base, but it finished up revealing more corruption in the Liberal Party instead, IIRC.
I don’t think there is enough time to set it up before the election now.
Even better. Big announcement, zero consequence.
Didn’t the onion eater set up a Royal Commission into unions as soon as the Liberal Party were elected last time? He was hoping to undermine the Labor Party’s voting base, but it finished up revealing more corruption in the Liberal Party instead, IIRC.
Essentially what I’m suggesting is that Labor should get ahead of this by establishing a royal commission to unearth all the problems of the construction industry which will definitely show that it’s not just the CFMEU that is shonky.
It will also insulate the wider union movement from any blow back from this corruption and hopefully ease the pressure on the ALP which will be seen to be impartial and principled.
I don’t think there is enough time to set it up before the election now.
Even better. Big announcement, zero consequence.
yep.. “in our next term of office we will….” also gives some of the other unions time to get their house in order given the likely higher levels of public scrutiny they will face.
Coalition at odds over Peter Dutton’s idea to hold a referendum on deporting criminals
Opposition leader says ‘we want to keep ourselves safe’ but senior shadow minister Michaelia Cash plays down prospect of referendum stating ‘we have no plans … at this stage’
Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
See all our Australian election 2025 coverage
Josh Butler
Tue 18 Mar 2025 10.51 AEDT
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Peter Dutton has floated the idea of a referendum on giving the federal government more powers to deport criminals with dual citizenship, despite declaring 18 months ago that the Indigenous voice vote was a waste of money and Australians were “over the referendum process”.
Hours after the deportation proposal surfaced, the shadow attorney general, Michaelia Cash, played down the prospect of a referendum on the issue, stating the Coalition had “no plans” for such a vote but was keeping “all options on the table”.
The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, on Tuesday called Dutton’s latest policy offering “bizarre”, alleging the opposition leader was seeking a distraction from his plan to slash spending and the public service.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the proposal was another “thought bubble from Peter Dutton that hasn’t made it to lunchtime”.
more…
Coalition at odds over Peter Dutton’s idea to hold a referendum on deporting criminals
Opposition leader says ‘we want to keep ourselves safe’ but senior shadow minister Michaelia Cash plays down prospect of referendum stating ‘we have no plans … at this stage’
Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
See all our Australian election 2025 coverage
Josh Butler
Tue 18 Mar 2025 10.51 AEDT
Share
Peter Dutton has floated the idea of a referendum on giving the federal government more powers to deport criminals with dual citizenship, despite declaring 18 months ago that the Indigenous voice vote was a waste of money and Australians were “over the referendum process”.
Hours after the deportation proposal surfaced, the shadow attorney general, Michaelia Cash, played down the prospect of a referendum on the issue, stating the Coalition had “no plans” for such a vote but was keeping “all options on the table”.
The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, on Tuesday called Dutton’s latest policy offering “bizarre”, alleging the opposition leader was seeking a distraction from his plan to slash spending and the public service.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the proposal was another “thought bubble from Peter Dutton that hasn’t made it to lunchtime”.
more…
IIRC we require a referendum to change the Constitution. Which part of the Constitution refers to criminals with dual citizenship?
“Nine reported the Coalition believed a referendum was needed because of a 2022 high court ruling that found it was unconstitutional for a government minister to strip citizenship – as opposed to a judge.”
I’m not familiar enough with the case to tell you which part of the Constitution deals with this.
Coalition at odds over Peter Dutton’s idea to hold a referendum on deporting criminals
Opposition leader says ‘we want to keep ourselves safe’ but senior shadow minister Michaelia Cash plays down prospect of referendum stating ‘we have no plans … at this stage’
Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
See all our Australian election 2025 coverage
Josh Butler
Tue 18 Mar 2025 10.51 AEDT
Share
Peter Dutton has floated the idea of a referendum on giving the federal government more powers to deport criminals with dual citizenship, despite declaring 18 months ago that the Indigenous voice vote was a waste of money and Australians were “over the referendum process”.
Hours after the deportation proposal surfaced, the shadow attorney general, Michaelia Cash, played down the prospect of a referendum on the issue, stating the Coalition had “no plans” for such a vote but was keeping “all options on the table”.
The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, on Tuesday called Dutton’s latest policy offering “bizarre”, alleging the opposition leader was seeking a distraction from his plan to slash spending and the public service.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the proposal was another “thought bubble from Peter Dutton that hasn’t made it to lunchtime”.
more…
Coalition at odds over Peter Dutton’s idea to hold a referendum on deporting criminals
Opposition leader says ‘we want to keep ourselves safe’ but senior shadow minister Michaelia Cash plays down prospect of referendum stating ‘we have no plans … at this stage’
Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
See all our Australian election 2025 coverage
Josh Butler
Tue 18 Mar 2025 10.51 AEDT
Share
Peter Dutton has floated the idea of a referendum on giving the federal government more powers to deport criminals with dual citizenship, despite declaring 18 months ago that the Indigenous voice vote was a waste of money and Australians were “over the referendum process”.
Hours after the deportation proposal surfaced, the shadow attorney general, Michaelia Cash, played down the prospect of a referendum on the issue, stating the Coalition had “no plans” for such a vote but was keeping “all options on the table”.
The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, on Tuesday called Dutton’s latest policy offering “bizarre”, alleging the opposition leader was seeking a distraction from his plan to slash spending and the public service.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the proposal was another “thought bubble from Peter Dutton that hasn’t made it to lunchtime”.
more…
Coalition at odds over Peter Dutton’s idea to hold a referendum on deporting criminals
Opposition leader says ‘we want to keep ourselves safe’ but senior shadow minister Michaelia Cash plays down prospect of referendum stating ‘we have no plans … at this stage’
Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
See all our Australian election 2025 coverage
Josh Butler
Tue 18 Mar 2025 10.51 AEDT
Share
Peter Dutton has floated the idea of a referendum on giving the federal government more powers to deport criminals with dual citizenship, despite declaring 18 months ago that the Indigenous voice vote was a waste of money and Australians were “over the referendum process”.
Hours after the deportation proposal surfaced, the shadow attorney general, Michaelia Cash, played down the prospect of a referendum on the issue, stating the Coalition had “no plans” for such a vote but was keeping “all options on the table”.
The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, on Tuesday called Dutton’s latest policy offering “bizarre”, alleging the opposition leader was seeking a distraction from his plan to slash spending and the public service.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the proposal was another “thought bubble from Peter Dutton that hasn’t made it to lunchtime”.
more…
Coalition at odds over Peter Dutton’s idea to hold a referendum on deporting criminals
Opposition leader says ‘we want to keep ourselves safe’ but senior shadow minister Michaelia Cash plays down prospect of referendum stating ‘we have no plans … at this stage’
Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
See all our Australian election 2025 coverage
Josh Butler
Tue 18 Mar 2025 10.51 AEDT
Share
Peter Dutton has floated the idea of a referendum on giving the federal government more powers to deport criminals with dual citizenship, despite declaring 18 months ago that the Indigenous voice vote was a waste of money and Australians were “over the referendum process”.
Hours after the deportation proposal surfaced, the shadow attorney general, Michaelia Cash, played down the prospect of a referendum on the issue, stating the Coalition had “no plans” for such a vote but was keeping “all options on the table”.
The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, on Tuesday called Dutton’s latest policy offering “bizarre”, alleging the opposition leader was seeking a distraction from his plan to slash spending and the public service.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the proposal was another “thought bubble from Peter Dutton that hasn’t made it to lunchtime”.
more…
A group of Liberal supporters has launched an advertising campaign against the party’s plan to build taxpayer-funded nuclear power plants, arguing it “betrays Liberal values”, divides the party and “hands government back to Labor”.
The new advocacy group Liberals Against Nuclear says it rejects the Coalition’s policy as it would require the government to borrow tens of billions of dollars, swell the bureaucracy and impose “massive taxpayer-backed risk”.
Anthony Albanese and new Canadian PM Mark Carney formalised a $6.5 billion deal for Canada to purchase an Australian-made military missile detection system.
A group of Liberal supporters has launched an advertising campaign against the party’s plan to build taxpayer-funded nuclear power plants, arguing it “betrays Liberal values”, divides the party and “hands government back to Labor”.
The new advocacy group Liberals Against Nuclear says it rejects the Coalition’s policy as it would require the government to borrow tens of billions of dollars, swell the bureaucracy and impose “massive taxpayer-backed risk”.
Anthony Albanese and new Canadian PM Mark Carney formalised a $6.5 billion deal for Canada to purchase an Australian-made military missile detection system.
Former Queensland judge Walter Sofronoff engaged in “serious corrupt conduct”, the ACT Integrity Commission has found, after reviewing his inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann.
The commission released a report on Wednesday into Sofronoff’s conduct as a Board of Inquiry into the prosecution.
It found that “Sofronoff’s conduct fell within several elements of the definition of ‘corrupt conduct’”, through his disclosures to two journalists: Janet Albrechtsen at The Australian newspaper and Elizabeth Byrne at the ABC.
Australia defends Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme as US companies urge Trump to impose reciprocal tariffs
In short:
American medical giants have written to the Trump administration, urging it to consider Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme as an “unfair trade practice” and to impose “reciprocal” tariffs.
Labor says the Trump administration cannot exert any direct influence on the PBS, and there is “no way” it will change, but the government is alive to the possibility its own pharmaceutical exports to the US could come in line for tariffs.
What’s next?
Donald Trump has promised tariffs on countries in retribution for a range of pricing practices he deems “unfair”, a list that includes sale taxes such as the GST.
Australia defends Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme as US companies urge Trump to impose reciprocal tariffs
In short:
American medical giants have written to the Trump administration, urging it to consider Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme as an “unfair trade practice” and to impose “reciprocal” tariffs.
Labor says the Trump administration cannot exert any direct influence on the PBS, and there is “no way” it will change, but the government is alive to the possibility its own pharmaceutical exports to the US could come in line for tariffs.
What’s next?
Donald Trump has promised tariffs on countries in retribution for a range of pricing practices he deems “unfair”, a list that includes sale taxes such as the GST.
Anti-Greens protest happening in Brisbane this weekend, organised by the Reignite Democracy Australia group whose website I shall not visit and will not provide a link. You can google it if you want. It’s a group with the usual suspects: anti vaxxers, anti climate change etc.
Anti-Greens protest happening in Brisbane this weekend, organised by the Reignite Democracy Australia group whose website I shall not visit and will not provide a link. You can google it if you want. It’s a group with the usual suspects: anti vaxxers, anti climate change etc.
Anti-Greens protest happening in Brisbane this weekend, organised by the Reignite Democracy Australia group whose website I shall not visit and will not provide a link. You can google it if you want. It’s a group with the usual suspects: anti vaxxers, anti climate change etc.
Anti-Greens protest happening in Brisbane this weekend, organised by the Reignite Democracy Australia group whose website I shall not visit and will not provide a link. You can google it if you want. It’s a group with the usual suspects: anti vaxxers, anti climate change etc.
Anti-Greens protest happening in Brisbane this weekend, organised by the Reignite Democracy Australia group whose website I shall not visit and will not provide a link. You can google it if you want. It’s a group with the usual suspects: anti vaxxers, anti climate change etc.
Anti-Greens protest happening in Brisbane this weekend, organised by the Reignite Democracy Australia group whose website I shall not visit and will not provide a link. You can google it if you want. It’s a group with the usual suspects: anti vaxxers, anti climate change etc.
After she failed to find fame as a Survivor contestant in 2017, Monica Smit has found another high-profile career: as a firebrand of the anti-mask-wearing movement and a ferocious critic of the Victorian premier, Dan Andrews.
According to her website, Reignite Democracy Australia (RDA), the 31-year-old Smit was motivated by her personal outrage at restrictions imposed by Andrews in July as the Covid-19 infections surged in the state. But there is much more to Reignite Democracy and Smit than meets the eye – and certainly more than is disclosed on the site.
In 2017 Smit was selling project home designs. In late 2019 she restyled herself as a hobby journalist and by mid-2020 had become an activist and wannabe YouTube celebrity.
She is part of a cabal of mainly far-right activists who are leading the charge against mask wearing, mandatory testing for those in quarantine or isolation, and vaccination. Their claims vary from concerns about civil liberties and health fears to conspiracy theories involving Chinese influence.
What is not so apparent is RDA’s links with the conservative wing of the Liberal party and how it uses the mainstream media to amplify the message and gain notoriety. While many of these activists have relatively small followings, they play a key role in fanning the sparks on social media, which are then wittingly or unwittingly amplified by conservative politicians and by the mainstream media, notably Sky News and the Murdoch press.
Duttons speech to Lowry Institute, Thurs 20th March:
Peter Dutton will make a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House his first overseas trip if elected as prime minister, promising to stand up to the US president when necessary.
What we know:
In his most detailed speech on foreign policy, Dutton also vowed to quickly restore Australia’s pro-Israel voting record at the UN and repair ties with the Netanyahu government (ABC);
He stressed his disapproval of the “unjustified” decision by Trump to hit Australia and other allies with tariffs, but argued he was better suited to deal with the president than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese;
“Australia is paying the price for Labor’s ill-disciplined and disparaging remarks against President Trump … which undermined their standing right at the very start,” he said on Thursday;
“There is much we have in common to take forward – deregulation, civil nuclear power and most importantly defence – not just AUKUS Pillar One but Pillar Two as well.”
On US aid cuts to Pacific and South-East Asia, Dutton said a sensible discussion needed to be held about a decision “detrimental to the collective interests of the region” (AFR);
The opposition leader promised to defend the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme against pressure from the Trump administration and US companies;
Dutton claimed his strength and competency would see him better handle the relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but he wouldn’t be silent when Beijing behaved poorly (Lowy Institute);
He repeated the belief that sending a peacekeeping force to Ukraine would draw critical defence resources from our region;
After the speech Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Dutton always chose to pick a political fight rather than back Australia (ABC).
Duttons speech to Lowry Institute, Thurs 20th March:
Peter Dutton will make a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House his first overseas trip if elected as prime minister, promising to stand up to the US president when necessary.
What we know:
In his most detailed speech on foreign policy, Dutton also vowed to quickly restore Australia’s pro-Israel voting record at the UN and repair ties with the Netanyahu government (ABC);
He stressed his disapproval of the “unjustified” decision by Trump to hit Australia and other allies with tariffs, but argued he was better suited to deal with the president than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese;
“Australia is paying the price for Labor’s ill-disciplined and disparaging remarks against President Trump … which undermined their standing right at the very start,” he said on Thursday;
“There is much we have in common to take forward – deregulation, civil nuclear power and most importantly defence – not just AUKUS Pillar One but Pillar Two as well.”
On US aid cuts to Pacific and South-East Asia, Dutton said a sensible discussion needed to be held about a decision “detrimental to the collective interests of the region” (AFR);
The opposition leader promised to defend the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme against pressure from the Trump administration and US companies;
Dutton claimed his strength and competency would see him better handle the relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but he wouldn’t be silent when Beijing behaved poorly (Lowy Institute);
He repeated the belief that sending a peacekeeping force to Ukraine would draw critical defence resources from our region;
After the speech Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Dutton always chose to pick a political fight rather than back Australia (ABC).
Did he give any reasons for supporting war crimes?
Duttons speech to Lowry Institute, Thurs 20th March:
Peter Dutton will make a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House his first overseas trip if elected as prime minister, promising to stand up to the US president when necessary.
What we know:
In his most detailed speech on foreign policy, Dutton also vowed to quickly restore Australia’s pro-Israel voting record at the UN and repair ties with the Netanyahu government (ABC);
He stressed his disapproval of the “unjustified” decision by Trump to hit Australia and other allies with tariffs, but argued he was better suited to deal with the president than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese;
“Australia is paying the price for Labor’s ill-disciplined and disparaging remarks against President Trump … which undermined their standing right at the very start,” he said on Thursday;
“There is much we have in common to take forward – deregulation, civil nuclear power and most importantly defence – not just AUKUS Pillar One but Pillar Two as well.”
On US aid cuts to Pacific and South-East Asia, Dutton said a sensible discussion needed to be held about a decision “detrimental to the collective interests of the region” (AFR);
The opposition leader promised to defend the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme against pressure from the Trump administration and US companies;
Dutton claimed his strength and competency would see him better handle the relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but he wouldn’t be silent when Beijing behaved poorly (Lowy Institute);
He repeated the belief that sending a peacekeeping force to Ukraine would draw critical defence resources from our region;
After the speech Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Dutton always chose to pick a political fight rather than back Australia (ABC).
Did he give any reasons for supporting war crimes?
surely history is written by the winners is a good enough reason even if he didn’t give it
Duttons speech to Lowry Institute, Thurs 20th March:
Peter Dutton will make a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House his first overseas trip if elected as prime minister, promising to stand up to the US president when necessary.
What we know:
In his most detailed speech on foreign policy, Dutton also vowed to quickly restore Australia’s pro-Israel voting record at the UN and repair ties with the Netanyahu government (ABC);
He stressed his disapproval of the “unjustified” decision by Trump to hit Australia and other allies with tariffs, but argued he was better suited to deal with the president than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese;
“Australia is paying the price for Labor’s ill-disciplined and disparaging remarks against President Trump … which undermined their standing right at the very start,” he said on Thursday;
“There is much we have in common to take forward – deregulation, civil nuclear power and most importantly defence – not just AUKUS Pillar One but Pillar Two as well.”
On US aid cuts to Pacific and South-East Asia, Dutton said a sensible discussion needed to be held about a decision “detrimental to the collective interests of the region” (AFR);
The opposition leader promised to defend the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme against pressure from the Trump administration and US companies;
Dutton claimed his strength and competency would see him better handle the relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but he wouldn’t be silent when Beijing behaved poorly (Lowy Institute);
He repeated the belief that sending a peacekeeping force to Ukraine would draw critical defence resources from our region;
After the speech Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Dutton always chose to pick a political fight rather than back Australia (ABC).
Did he give any reasons for supporting war crimes?
Duttons speech to Lowry Institute, Thurs 20th March:
Peter Dutton will make a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House his first overseas trip if elected as prime minister, promising to stand up to the US president when necessary.
What we know:
In his most detailed speech on foreign policy, Dutton also vowed to quickly restore Australia’s pro-Israel voting record at the UN and repair ties with the Netanyahu government (ABC);
He stressed his disapproval of the “unjustified” decision by Trump to hit Australia and other allies with tariffs, but argued he was better suited to deal with the president than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese;
“Australia is paying the price for Labor’s ill-disciplined and disparaging remarks against President Trump … which undermined their standing right at the very start,” he said on Thursday;
“There is much we have in common to take forward – deregulation, civil nuclear power and most importantly defence – not just AUKUS Pillar One but Pillar Two as well.”
On US aid cuts to Pacific and South-East Asia, Dutton said a sensible discussion needed to be held about a decision “detrimental to the collective interests of the region” (AFR);
The opposition leader promised to defend the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme against pressure from the Trump administration and US companies;
Dutton claimed his strength and competency would see him better handle the relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but he wouldn’t be silent when Beijing behaved poorly (Lowy Institute);
He repeated the belief that sending a peacekeeping force to Ukraine would draw critical defence resources from our region;
After the speech Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Dutton always chose to pick a political fight rather than back Australia (ABC).
Did he give any reasons for supporting war crimes?
Duttons speech to Lowry Institute, Thurs 20th March:
Peter Dutton will make a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House his first overseas trip if elected as prime minister, promising to stand up to the US president when necessary.
What we know:
In his most detailed speech on foreign policy, Dutton also vowed to quickly restore Australia’s pro-Israel voting record at the UN and repair ties with the Netanyahu government (ABC);
He stressed his disapproval of the “unjustified” decision by Trump to hit Australia and other allies with tariffs, but argued he was better suited to deal with the president than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese;
“Australia is paying the price for Labor’s ill-disciplined and disparaging remarks against President Trump … which undermined their standing right at the very start,” he said on Thursday;
“There is much we have in common to take forward – deregulation, civil nuclear power and most importantly defence – not just AUKUS Pillar One but Pillar Two as well.”
On US aid cuts to Pacific and South-East Asia, Dutton said a sensible discussion needed to be held about a decision “detrimental to the collective interests of the region” (AFR);
The opposition leader promised to defend the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme against pressure from the Trump administration and US companies;
Dutton claimed his strength and competency would see him better handle the relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but he wouldn’t be silent when Beijing behaved poorly (Lowy Institute);
He repeated the belief that sending a peacekeeping force to Ukraine would draw critical defence resources from our region;
After the speech Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Dutton always chose to pick a political fight rather than back Australia (ABC).
Did he give any reasons for supporting war crimes?
‘Vandals in the White House’ no longer reliable allies of Australia, former defence force chief says
Chris Barrie says Donald Trump’s second term is ‘irrecoverable’, but stops short of calling for end to Aukus pact
A former Australian defence force chief has warned “the vandals in the White House” are no longer reliable allies and urged the Australian government to reassess its strategic partnership with the United States.
Retired admiral Chris Barrie spent four decades in the Royal Australian Navy and was made a Commander of the Legion of Merit by the US government in 2002. He is now an honorary professor at the Australian National University.
“What is happening with the vandals in the White House is similar to what happened to Australia in 1942 with the fall of Singapore,” Barrie said. “I don’t consider America to be a reliable ally, as I used to.
“Frankly, I think it is time we reconsidered our priorities and think carefully about our defence needs, now that we are having a more independent posture … Our future is now in a much more precarious state than it was on 19 January.
“Trump 1.0 was bad enough. But Trump 2.0 is irrecoverable.”
Barrie said it was “too soon” to say whether Australia should end its multibillion-dollar Aukus partnership, but raised concerns about a lack of guarantee that nuclear-powered submarines would actually be delivered. He also warned about an apparent lack of a back-up option.
Pillar One of the Aukus deal – which would see the US sell Australia nuclear-powered submarines before the Aukus-class submarines were built in Australia – is coming under increasing industry scrutiny and political criticism, with growing concerns the US will not be able, or will refuse, to sell boats to Australia, and continuing cost and time overruns in the development of the Aukus submarines.
The Dutton/Liberal National thing is probably just one of those ‘dead-cat-on-the-table’ things, which they can trot out whenever it looks like ‘the other party’, or the media, or some voter group might have got a whiff of something that would be genuinely damaging to their electoral chances. A distraction.
Paul Keating had ‘let’s change the flag’. Keating didn’t give a toss about the flag, but, when he felt a need to divert the discourse, he’d make a noise about changing the flag, and both press and population would quickly and reliably look away from whatever had been under examination before that.
Dutton and the L/NP have no intention of spending all that money on something that won’t give them an immediate return in terms of politics, influence, and money.
The Dutton/Liberal National thing is probably just one of those ‘dead-cat-on-the-table’ things, which they can trot out whenever it looks like ‘the other party’, or the media, or some voter group might have got a whiff of something that would be genuinely damaging to their electoral chances. A distraction.
Paul Keating had ‘let’s change the flag’. Keating didn’t give a toss about the flag, but, when he felt a need to divert the discourse, he’d make a noise about changing the flag, and both press and population would quickly and reliably look away from whatever had been under examination before that.
Dutton and the L/NP have no intention of spending all that money on something that won’t give them an immediate return in terms of politics, influence, and money.
Why focus on a nuclear future when black people are here right now?
The Dutton/Liberal National thing is probably just one of those ‘dead-cat-on-the-table’ things, which they can trot out whenever it looks like ‘the other party’, or the media, or some voter group might have got a whiff of something that would be genuinely damaging to their electoral chances. A distraction.
Paul Keating had ‘let’s change the flag’. Keating didn’t give a toss about the flag, but, when he felt a need to divert the discourse, he’d make a noise about changing the flag, and both press and population would quickly and reliably look away from whatever had been under examination before that.
Dutton and the L/NP have no intention of spending all that money on something that won’t give them an immediate return in terms of politics, influence, and money.
Why focus on a nuclear future when black people are here right now?
Because black people, whether we consider their plight or their ‘being difficult’, are a problem in the here-and-now. People might actually expect you to do something about it (for better or worse), if you talk about it.
You need an ‘issue’ that does not exist, and which never need exist.
The Dutton/Liberal National thing is probably just one of those ‘dead-cat-on-the-table’ things, which they can trot out whenever it looks like ‘the other party’, or the media, or some voter group might have got a whiff of something that would be genuinely damaging to their electoral chances. A distraction.
Paul Keating had ‘let’s change the flag’. Keating didn’t give a toss about the flag, but, when he felt a need to divert the discourse, he’d make a noise about changing the flag, and both press and population would quickly and reliably look away from whatever had been under examination before that.
Dutton and the L/NP have no intention of spending all that money on something that won’t give them an immediate return in terms of politics, influence, and money.
Dutton knows the Nuclear option won’t get up (NIMBYs et al), but it’ll take years to “try”. Meanwhile the coal mob fills the Lib-Nat’s coffers to thank them profusely.
The Dutton/Liberal National thing is probably just one of those ‘dead-cat-on-the-table’ things, which they can trot out whenever it looks like ‘the other party’, or the media, or some voter group might have got a whiff of something that would be genuinely damaging to their electoral chances. A distraction.
Paul Keating had ‘let’s change the flag’. Keating didn’t give a toss about the flag, but, when he felt a need to divert the discourse, he’d make a noise about changing the flag, and both press and population would quickly and reliably look away from whatever had been under examination before that.
Dutton and the L/NP have no intention of spending all that money on something that won’t give them an immediate return in terms of politics, influence, and money.
Dutton knows the Nuclear option won’t get up (NIMBYs et al), but it’ll take years to “try”. Meanwhile the coal mob fills the Lib-Nat’s coffers to thank them profusely.
Influence and money. Two out of three, just like that.
The Dutton/Liberal National thing is probably just one of those ‘dead-cat-on-the-table’ things, which they can trot out whenever it looks like ‘the other party’, or the media, or some voter group might have got a whiff of something that would be genuinely damaging to their electoral chances. A distraction.
Paul Keating had ‘let’s change the flag’. Keating didn’t give a toss about the flag, but, when he felt a need to divert the discourse, he’d make a noise about changing the flag, and both press and population would quickly and reliably look away from whatever had been under examination before that.
Dutton and the L/NP have no intention of spending all that money on something that won’t give them an immediate return in terms of politics, influence, and money.
Dutton knows the Nuclear option won’t get up (NIMBYs et al), but it’ll take years to “try”. Meanwhile the coal mob fills the Lib-Nat’s coffers to thank them profusely.
^
and the money can flow to whoever is claiming to build nuclear on their behalf for all those years
Loyalty programs could influence customers to spend more and make it harder for them to know whether they’re getting a good deal, according to a new report.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recommended supermarkets provide “simple, plain-English” disclosures to loyalty program members.
nice hedging with the weasel words there, “could” hey
perhaps ACCC should head hunt some strategic management consultants, the ones behind the companies that these companies use to decide what they should do
“programs that supermarkets have been using for years because they are achieving what they want, COULD be achieving what supermarkets want”
The Dutton/Liberal National thing is probably just one of those ‘dead-cat-on-the-table’ things, which they can trot out whenever it looks like ‘the other party’, or the media, or some voter group might have got a whiff of something that would be genuinely damaging to their electoral chances. A distraction.
Paul Keating had ‘let’s change the flag’. Keating didn’t give a toss about the flag, but, when he felt a need to divert the discourse, he’d make a noise about changing the flag, and both press and population would quickly and reliably look away from whatever had been under examination before that.
Dutton and the L/NP have no intention of spending all that money on something that won’t give them an immediate return in terms of politics, influence, and money.
Loyalty programs could influence customers to spend more and make it harder for them to know whether they’re getting a good deal, according to a new report.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recommended supermarkets provide “simple, plain-English” disclosures to loyalty program members.
nice hedging with the weasel words there, “could” hey
perhaps ACCC should head hunt some strategic management consultants, the ones behind the companies that these companies use to decide what they should do
“programs that supermarkets have been using for years because they are achieving what they want, COULD be achieving what supermarkets want”
nice
Luckily I don’t spend a lot on fuel shopping around. I always get the best bargains on display.
With out bipartisan support the nuclear energy proposal is a dead duck. The LNP will kick off then the ALP will can it.
Apart from Menzies we’ve never had long term government in Australia.
While t support it I can’t see it flying.
The Dutton/Liberal National thing is probably just one of those ‘dead-cat-on-the-table’ things, which they can trot out whenever it looks like ‘the other party’, or the media, or some voter group might have got a whiff of something that would be genuinely damaging to their electoral chances. A distraction.
Paul Keating had ‘let’s change the flag’. Keating didn’t give a toss about the flag, but, when he felt a need to divert the discourse, he’d make a noise about changing the flag, and both press and population would quickly and reliably look away from whatever had been under examination before that.
Dutton and the L/NP have no intention of spending all that money on something that won’t give them an immediate return in terms of politics, influence, and money.
The Dutton/Liberal National thing is probably just one of those ‘dead-cat-on-the-table’ things, which they can trot out whenever it looks like ‘the other party’, or the media, or some voter group might have got a whiff of something that would be genuinely damaging to their electoral chances. A distraction.
Paul Keating had ‘let’s change the flag’. Keating didn’t give a toss about the flag, but, when he felt a need to divert the discourse, he’d make a noise about changing the flag, and both press and population would quickly and reliably look away from whatever had been under examination before that.
Dutton and the L/NP have no intention of spending all that money on something that won’t give them an immediate return in terms of politics, influence, and money.
But Gina wants to dig uranium up.
All of Australia is her hole in the ground as far as she wants.
2 weeks since the state election and still 2 seats in doubt. ALP on 45, Nats 6, Libs 6. A fairly good outcome for the Nats, a disaster for the Libs, they were hoping to get back into double figures. They might still not end up as the official opposition.
Meanwhile the leadership game has started in the Liberal party. Libby Mettam has decided to step down as leader but wants to stay on as deputy. So far only Basil has put his hand up to be the new leader. Which I think is a mistake, his personal popularity is quite low. He only just won his own seat, getting a swing of about half what the party got overall, so it’s not a great indicator of any personal popularity. Just because he is a well-known figure doesn’t mean he is popular or appeals to voters.
2 weeks since the state election and still 2 seats in doubt. ALP on 45, Nats 6, Libs 6. A fairly good outcome for the Nats, a disaster for the Libs, they were hoping to get back into double figures. They might still not end up as the official opposition.
Meanwhile the leadership game has started in the Liberal party. Libby Mettam has decided to step down as leader but wants to stay on as deputy. So far only Basil has put his hand up to be the new leader. Which I think is a mistake, his personal popularity is quite low. He only just won his own seat, getting a swing of about half what the party got overall, so it’s not a great indicator of any personal popularity. Just because he is a well-known figure doesn’t mean he is popular or appeals to voters.
2 weeks since the state election and still 2 seats in doubt. ALP on 45, Nats 6, Libs 6. A fairly good outcome for the Nats, a disaster for the Libs, they were hoping to get back into double figures. They might still not end up as the official opposition.
Meanwhile the leadership game has started in the Liberal party. Libby Mettam has decided to step down as leader but wants to stay on as deputy. So far only Basil has put his hand up to be the new leader. Which I think is a mistake, his personal popularity is quite low. He only just won his own seat, getting a swing of about half what the party got overall, so it’s not a great indicator of any personal popularity. Just because he is a well-known figure doesn’t mean he is popular or appeals to voters.
He’s come a long way since he was a waiter.
At least that background means he has had to learn to deal with people’s whims.
The Dutton/Liberal National thing is probably just one of those ‘dead-cat-on-the-table’ things, which they can trot out whenever it looks like ‘the other party’, or the media, or some voter group might have got a whiff of something that would be genuinely damaging to their electoral chances. A distraction.
Paul Keating had ‘let’s change the flag’. Keating didn’t give a toss about the flag, but, when he felt a need to divert the discourse, he’d make a noise about changing the flag, and both press and population would quickly and reliably look away from whatever had been under examination before that.
Dutton and the L/NP have no intention of spending all that money on something that won’t give them an immediate return in terms of politics, influence, and money.
But Gina wants to dig uranium up.
All of Australia is her hole in the ground as far as she wants.
2 weeks since the state election and still 2 seats in doubt. ALP on 45, Nats 6, Libs 6. A fairly good outcome for the Nats, a disaster for the Libs, they were hoping to get back into double figures. They might still not end up as the official opposition.
Meanwhile the leadership game has started in the Liberal party. Libby Mettam has decided to step down as leader but wants to stay on as deputy. So far only Basil has put his hand up to be the new leader. Which I think is a mistake, his personal popularity is quite low. He only just won his own seat, getting a swing of about half what the party got overall, so it’s not a great indicator of any personal popularity. Just because he is a well-known figure doesn’t mean he is popular or appeals to voters.
He’s come a long way since he was a waiter.
At least that background means he has had to learn to deal with people’s whims.
All of Australia is her hole in the ground as far as she wants.
can’t they just breed thorium
“just”?
AFAIK there are no operational nuclear plants using thorium based fuels. Apart from a couple of small experimental ones. But nothing on a commercial scale.
So “just” breeding U 235 from thorium really involves inventing the whole technology and process.
All of Australia is her hole in the ground as far as she wants.
can’t they just breed thorium
“just”?
AFAIK there are no operational nuclear plants using thorium based fuels. Apart from a couple of small experimental ones. But nothing on a commercial scale.
So “just” breeding U 235 from thorium really involves inventing the whole technology and process.
AFAIK there are no operational nuclear plants using thorium based fuels. Apart from a couple of small experimental ones. But nothing on a commercial scale.
So “just” breeding U 235 from thorium really involves inventing the whole technology and process.
U 233 that should be
sure but how dare Australia be a world leader in anything, this could be our opportunity
AFAIK there are no operational nuclear plants using thorium based fuels. Apart from a couple of small experimental ones. But nothing on a commercial scale.
So “just” breeding U 235 from thorium really involves inventing the whole technology and process.
U 233 that should be
sure but how dare Australia be a world leader in anything, this could be our opportunity
We could also become a world leader in renewable energy, grid scale battery storage, geothermal, inland seaweed farming and so may other things.
I don’t think we need nuclear for our energy mix. only if we are going to make our own nuclear weapons.
AFAIK there are no operational nuclear plants using thorium based fuels. Apart from a couple of small experimental ones. But nothing on a commercial scale.
So “just” breeding U 235 from thorium really involves inventing the whole technology and process.
AFAIK there are no operational nuclear plants using thorium based fuels. Apart from a couple of small experimental ones. But nothing on a commercial scale.
So “just” breeding U 235 from thorium really involves inventing the whole technology and process.
U 233 that should be
I was wondering why you’d want to ‘breed’ U-235.
Sorry, got up late and hungover, Had not yet had sufficient coffee to get my brane going.
This week the opposition leader apparently thought Australians had decided they were champing at the bit for constitutional change, telling Channel Seven he wanted “a discussion about whether we’ve got adequate laws, whether the constitution is restrictive”.
Seeking to give ministers the explicit constitutional power to remove the Australian citizenship of dual nationals would be a confronting enough proposition in itself (certainly some Coalition MPs, plus the former Liberal attorney general George Brandis, were alarmed). But the fact Dutton himself was the main champion of the idea, as colleagues distanced themselves from it and Liberal talking points told MPs to hose down the concept, made it all the more surprising.
This week the opposition leader apparently thought Australians had decided they were champing at the bit for constitutional change, telling Channel Seven he wanted “a discussion about whether we’ve got adequate laws, whether the constitution is restrictive”.
Seeking to give ministers the explicit constitutional power to remove the Australian citizenship of dual nationals would be a confronting enough proposition in itself (certainly some Coalition MPs, plus the former Liberal attorney general George Brandis, were alarmed). But the fact Dutton himself was the main champion of the idea, as colleagues distanced themselves from it and Liberal talking points told MPs to hose down the concept, made it all the more surprising.
This week the opposition leader apparently thought Australians had decided they were champing at the bit for constitutional change, telling Channel Seven he wanted “a discussion about whether we’ve got adequate laws, whether the constitution is restrictive”.
Seeking to give ministers the explicit constitutional power to remove the Australian citizenship of dual nationals would be a confronting enough proposition in itself (certainly some Coalition MPs, plus the former Liberal attorney general George Brandis, were alarmed). But the fact Dutton himself was the main champion of the idea, as colleagues distanced themselves from it and Liberal talking points told MPs to hose down the concept, made it all the more surprising.
To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding lights.
– Timothy Snyder, On Tyranny (2017)
When Scott Morrison and the Coalition won the 2019 federal election, Donald Trump was president of the United States for the first time. Morrison’s campaign style was largely a mirror of Trump’s, expressing himself in memes instead of testable propositions and avoiding answers to direct questions.
The 2022 federal election was won narrowly by Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party. Trump had been defeated in 2020, largely, I think, due to his disastrous response to Covid-19, and voters had come to know Morrison too well.
Still, last year a Guardian poll found 29 per cent of Australians would have voted for Trump if they had been eligible. An ABC poll put the number at 27 per cent. Men were far more likely to support the American president than women.
In the forthcoming Australian election, the actions of the re-elected Donald Trump will be the dominant issue, especially the tariff war and the future of the AUKUS nuclear submarine project. Trump failed to recognise the AUKUS acronym. His policies on Ukraine, Gaza and climate change are all of great concern.
Politicians are often regarded as economical with the truth. In Trump’s case, he may be incapable of distinguishing between truth and falsehood. He exhibits some of the characteristics of glossolalia – speaking in tongues – with no gap between what is going on in his head and what comes out of his mouth.
Sometimes he surprises himself by what he has just said and often doesn’t remember. He never deviates from America First, nativism on immigration, protectionism on trade, isolationism from the world. He is passionately opposed to the concept of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). He has declared war on the globe and is indifferent to suffering. His quality control is the ruthlessness with which he imposes his policies. That’s what his voters want. They expect him to deliver and he is delivering.
Trump is repelled by modernity and complexity and obsessed with “making a deal”. He didn’t know much about Abraham Lincoln, puzzled by his image on Mount Rushmore and his ranking at the summit by historians. He insists Lincoln should have “made a deal” to avoid the Civil War by allowing the South to retain “a little slavery”.
Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, France and Israel all claimed a “special relationship” with the United States, but in 2025 this has proved to be delusional, except possibly in the case of Israel. Trump identifies strongly with authoritarian leaders, especially Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán.
Australia’s major problems are unlikely to be addressed in the election campaign. Instead, we will focus on personality and grievance and ignore the colossal policy challenges in front of us.
Australia ranks No. 1 per capita in the world for spending on gambling, our education system is one of the most unequal in the Western world and our federal parliament sits for fewer days than any other democracy. We are more secretive than Britain or the US, our great institutions suffer from a loss of trust and funding, our refugee policies are extremely cruel, our greenhouse gas emissions are rising and we are dishonest about race, class and history.
None of these are shaping up as major issues at the next election. All of them should be.
I should make some declarations of interest.
The major hegemonic parties have become authoritarian, secretive and faction-ridden. Under the current organisation of the Labor Party, for example, it is very unlikely that Gough Whitlam, Bill Hayden, Don Dunstan, John Cain, Michael Duffy, John Button or Neal Blewett could have won preselection. Me too.
I joined the Australian Labor Party in 1951, owe to it 26 years in parliament, seven as minister for science, nine as national president, and am a life member, which apparently means I cannot resign from the party, and only leave by dying. However, for most of the 74 years since 1951, I have had an edgy, critical role in the party, always pushing for reform, more openness and courage.
I am also, with former Liberal-National Coalition leader John Hewson, a patron of Climate 200, a member of its advisory council but essentially an external observer. I am a life member of the Accountability Round Table, on whose board Hewson also sits, campaigning for more openness in government and against toxic politics.
I have, or have had, very close relationships with Liberal or National politicians, including John Gorton, David Thomson, Tim Fischer, Ian Sinclair, Malcolm Fraser, Malcolm Turnbull, Jim Carlton, Peter Baume, Judi Moylan, Russell Broadbent, John Hewson, Dick Hamer, Fred Chaney, Ian Macphee, Ted Baillieu and Steven Marshall. John Howard and I are civil, even cordial.
That was, however, in a different political era, one where opposites sometimes attracted. Now they repel.
Three groups involved in the 2025 election have a Trumpian agenda, aimed, mostly, at white males who left school early. They are: Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, Clive Palmer’s lavishly funded Trumpet of Patriots, and the lobby group Advance, which somehow claims a membership of 308,000.
These groups can make outrageous statements to appeal to alienated segments of the population, which Peter Dutton could not possibly endorse. Nevertheless, the Coalition will benefit if their second preferences flow back.
Labor, despite its tense relationship and occasional rivalry with the Greens, will also be preference beneficiaries.
The teals and independents operate on a different base, dependent on strong community support, not a party, and preoccupied with issues and ideas, not the spoils of office. Their focus is the destination rather than the vehicle, the long term and global. They engage with voters.
In his classic text How Labour Governs (1923), V. Gordon Childe, later an eminent archaeologist, wrote of the ALP that it would never be entirely free until it broke the link with the hotel industry and gambling. That was 102 years ago and nothing much has changed. He also warned about factionalism.
Another great delusion, rarely challenged in the media, is that Coalition governments have always been superior to Labor as economic managers.
Labor can claim a high degree of success in this area. Under Ben Chifley, with the guidance of H. C. “Nugget” Coombs, it led the postwar reconstruction of the country. Under Gough Whitlam, it cut tariffs by 25 per cent. Bob Hawke and Paul Keating further cut tariffs, entered the global economy, maintained full employment and created compulsory national superannuation.
Credit must be given for Labor’s success in tackling the global financial crisis, the response by Kevin Rudd regarded as probably the world’s best. Rudd also introduced an emissions trading scheme. Carbon pricing, introduced by Julia Gillard, was repealed by Tony Abbott in 2014.
In 2023 and 2024, Australia had its first budget surpluses since 2007, under the guidance of Treasurer Jim Chalmers, with falling interest rates for the first time since 2020.
It has to be said in the Coalition’s favour that, until Covid-19, Australia had steady years of growth, higher incomes and low unemployment. However, there were some major failures. John Howard threw away the bonanza of the minerals boom by giving massive cuts in taxation instead of creating a sovereign wealth fund, as Norway did with its oil boom. Treasurer Peter Costello decided gold was no longer relevant in the global economy and in 1997 sold off 167 tonnes held by the Reserve Bank at US$330 an ounce. Gold is now sold at US$3000 an ounce.
As I have written repeatedly, the major hegemonic parties have become authoritarian, secretive and faction-ridden. Under the current organisation of the Labor Party, for example, it is very unlikely that Gough Whitlam, Bill Hayden, Don Dunstan, John Cain, Michael Duffy, John Button or Neal Blewett could have won preselection. Me too.
Back to Trump. His embrace of Putin and humiliation of Volodymyr Zelensky over Ukraine is appalling. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer took a decisive line in embracing Europe and challenging the US. French President Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney were also excellent. Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong were far stronger than Peter Dutton.
Trump’s affront to rules-based order is shocking. So is his approach to climate change. He is the single greatest threat to global action on this catastrophe. Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate was deplorable and expected. Now is the time for countries such as Australia to act courageously and decisively in response.
Most recently Trump accuses Australia of “dumping” steel and aluminium, and challenges our pharmaceutical benefits and university research funding.
I am ashamed of Labor’s failure to tackle the gambling scourge and its contribution to poverty and domestic violence. I am equally ashamed of the cynical Electoral Reform Act, which lavishly rewards major parties at taxpayer expense and puts a serious handicap on community-based candidates, teals and independents.
There are three other baffling areas: the logic and costing of the AUKUS submarine project, due for delivery decades hence; the failure to release the Office of National Intelligence report on the dangers of climate change, except in a briefing of teals who pledged not to discuss it; and the lethargy of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Nevertheless, the Albanese government has achieved some significant reforms.
The prime minster is an excellent manager and has a good story to tell, but narrative is not his strength.
The opposition has refused to release policy details or costings on any major subject and is shifty about its nuclear power proposals, which seem an obvious ploy to extend fossil fuel development. Dutton emphasises effects (high cost of living) and ignores causes (global disruption).
There are 18 million Australians enrolled to vote, but the number of living, breathing activists in the ALP and Liberal Party are probably about 30,000, not the 120,000 that they claim. The Nationals and Greens may have more than that number. Community-based candidates have an expanding support base.
If each of the 150 divisions in the House of Representatives had 1000 community activists dedicated to reform, stronger action on climate change and protecting the environment, this would constitute a mere 0.8 per cent of voters. This small figure would still change and protect Australia’s future.
Can much be done before the election, due in the next 56 days? Yes. The doomsday clock is ticking but this is no time for pessimism. We must act as if our lives depend on it. They do.
Barry Jones
What’s at stake this election
——————————————————CUT——————————————————
Can much be done before the election, due in the next 56 days? Yes. The doomsday clock is ticking but this is no time for pessimism. We must act as if our lives depend on it. They do.
Originally the post just covered changes in members elected at the election, but I’ve now added a long analysis comparing the result of the 2017 and 2025 elections. This compares Labor’s then best but now third best ever result at a WA election, with 2025 which is now the new second best result. It is hard to compare either with the mega-landslide result in 2021.
But comparing 2025 to 2021 state-wide, Labor’s primary vote in the metropolitan area was down 18.3%, but the Liberal primary vote was up only 6.8%, nearly two-thirds of the lost primary vote since 2021 went to third parties before translating into an 11.9% two-party preferred swing. That still left Labor with a better result in vote and seat terms than in 2017.
Originally the post just covered changes in members elected at the election, but I’ve now added a long analysis comparing the result of the 2017 and 2025 elections. This compares Labor’s then best but now third best ever result at a WA election, with 2025 which is now the new second best result. It is hard to compare either with the mega-landslide result in 2021.
But comparing 2025 to 2021 state-wide, Labor’s primary vote in the metropolitan area was down 18.3%, but the Liberal primary vote was up only 6.8%, nearly two-thirds of the lost primary vote since 2021 went to third parties before translating into an 11.9% two-party preferred swing. That still left Labor with a better result in vote and seat terms than in 2017.
Two weeks ago, as Cyclone Alfred drifted towards Queensland, Anthony Albanese scrapped plans to trigger the campaign for an April 12 election date. We’d be nearing the halfway mark had he stuck to his original plan. Liberal insiders admit the prime minister’s decision has disrupted the Coalition’s mojo.
who the fuck was it trying to bullshit us that calling an election during a cyclone would be playing dirty politics
Two weeks ago, as Cyclone Alfred drifted towards Queensland, Anthony Albanese scrapped plans to trigger the campaign for an April 12 election date. We’d be nearing the halfway mark had he stuck to his original plan. Liberal insiders admit the prime minister’s decision has disrupted the Coalition’s mojo.
who the fuck was it trying to bullshit us that calling an election during a cyclone would be playing dirty politics
Proposed nuclear power plants in Queensland could not access enough water to prevent a meltdown, research finds
About 1,000 times the combined capacity of Wivenhoe and Boondooma dams was required to cool Japan’s Fukushima nuclear reactors in 2011
Proposed nuclear power plants in Queensland could not access enough water to prevent a meltdown, research finds
About 1,000 times the combined capacity of Wivenhoe and Boondooma dams was required to cool Japan’s Fukushima nuclear reactors in 2011
Proposed nuclear power plants in Queensland could not access enough water to prevent a meltdown, research finds
About 1,000 times the combined capacity of Wivenhoe and Boondooma dams was required to cool Japan’s Fukushima nuclear reactors in 2011
Proposed nuclear power plants in Queensland could not access enough water to prevent a meltdown, research finds
About 1,000 times the combined capacity of Wivenhoe and Boondooma dams was required to cool Japan’s Fukushima nuclear reactors in 2011
Not really Aus politics but I can’t get Deev’s list to load today.
Australian assaulted by Israeli officials at Tel Aviv airport
Anastasia Michailov, an Australian mother of three, was detained, harassed and assaulted after being mistaken for an Eastern European by Israeli officials at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport
Proposed nuclear power plants in Queensland could not access enough water to prevent a meltdown, research finds
About 1,000 times the combined capacity of Wivenhoe and Boondooma dams was required to cool Japan’s Fukushima nuclear reactors in 2011
Not really Aus politics but I can’t get Deev’s list to load today.
Australian assaulted by Israeli officials at Tel Aviv airport
Anastasia Michailov, an Australian mother of three, was detained, harassed and assaulted after being mistaken for an Eastern European by Israeli officials at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport
Proposed nuclear power plants in Queensland could not access enough water to prevent a meltdown, research finds
About 1,000 times the combined capacity of Wivenhoe and Boondooma dams was required to cool Japan’s Fukushima nuclear reactors in 2011
To be fair. Fukushima used seawater for emergency cooling after the tsunami damage. If the nuclear reactors are built on the coast then seawater emergency cooling is going to be an option too, without draining all the drinking water dams.
The Mercury Newspaper
8h ·
Tasmania’s home of motorsport, Symmons Plains Raceway, would get an unprecedented upgrade under a Coalition Government. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton donned a racing suit in pit lane to reveal what he would do
—-
The Mercury Newspaper
8h ·
Tasmania’s home of motorsport, Symmons Plains Raceway, would get an unprecedented upgrade under a Coalition Government. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton donned a racing suit in pit lane to reveal what he would do
—-
tis the season for cosplay.
And he’s already proven that he can’t drive a motor car. He lost control and crashed a Police car.
I’m hoping (probably in vain) that at least some ALP election ads will feature Dutton’s admiration for Trump and Musk.
Drawing attention to how Trump is wrecking the US and the world, and showing the Musk Hitler salute etc.
“Don’t let him Trump on Australia – Keep Dutton Out!
During the interview, Mr Dutton said he was proud of Australia’s support of Ukraine, adding that Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was “unprovoked” and an “act of aggression”.
“The thought that President Zelensky or the Ukrainian people started this battle, or somehow they were responsible for the war, is just wrong,” he said.
“It’s a democracy, and this is a fight for civilisation. Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator, and we shouldn’t be giving him an inch.”
Mr Dutton also urged caution in Mr Trump’s future commentary on the war after the US leader initiated peace talks with high-level Russian and US officials in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
“I think President Trump has got it wrong in relation to some of the public commentary that I’ve seen him make in relation to President Zelensky and the situation in Ukraine,” he said.”
He’s not kowtowing to anybody.
Calling out Trump more than Albo is doing.
I’m hoping (probably in vain) that at least some ALP election ads will feature Dutton’s admiration for Trump and Musk.
Drawing attention to how Trump is wrecking the US and the world, and showing the Musk Hitler salute etc.
“Don’t let him Trump on Australia – Keep Dutton Out!
During the interview, Mr Dutton said he was proud of Australia’s support of Ukraine, adding that Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was “unprovoked” and an “act of aggression”.
“The thought that President Zelensky or the Ukrainian people started this battle, or somehow they were responsible for the war, is just wrong,” he said.
“It’s a democracy, and this is a fight for civilisation. Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator, and we shouldn’t be giving him an inch.”
Mr Dutton also urged caution in Mr Trump’s future commentary on the war after the US leader initiated peace talks with high-level Russian and US officials in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
“I think President Trump has got it wrong in relation to some of the public commentary that I’ve seen him make in relation to President Zelensky and the situation in Ukraine,” he said.”
He’s not kowtowing to anybody.
Calling out Trump more than Albo is doing.
“…but apart from that Ukraine stuff, Trump and Musk are just what Australia needs,” Dutton added.
I’m hoping (probably in vain) that at least some ALP election ads will feature Dutton’s admiration for Trump and Musk.
Drawing attention to how Trump is wrecking the US and the world, and showing the Musk Hitler salute etc.
“Don’t let him Trump on Australia – Keep Dutton Out!
During the interview, Mr Dutton said he was proud of Australia’s support of Ukraine, adding that Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was “unprovoked” and an “act of aggression”.
“The thought that President Zelensky or the Ukrainian people started this battle, or somehow they were responsible for the war, is just wrong,” he said.
“It’s a democracy, and this is a fight for civilisation. Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator, and we shouldn’t be giving him an inch.”
Mr Dutton also urged caution in Mr Trump’s future commentary on the war after the US leader initiated peace talks with high-level Russian and US officials in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
“I think President Trump has got it wrong in relation to some of the public commentary that I’ve seen him make in relation to President Zelensky and the situation in Ukraine,” he said.”
He’s not kowtowing to anybody.
Calling out Trump more than Albo is doing.
“…but apart from that Ukraine stuff, Trump and Musk are just what Australia needs,” Dutton added.
I’m hoping (probably in vain) that at least some ALP election ads will feature Dutton’s admiration for Trump and Musk.
Drawing attention to how Trump is wrecking the US and the world, and showing the Musk Hitler salute etc.
“Don’t let him Trump on Australia – Keep Dutton Out!
During the interview, Mr Dutton said he was proud of Australia’s support of Ukraine, adding that Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was “unprovoked” and an “act of aggression”.
“The thought that President Zelensky or the Ukrainian people started this battle, or somehow they were responsible for the war, is just wrong,” he said.
“It’s a democracy, and this is a fight for civilisation. Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator, and we shouldn’t be giving him an inch.”
Mr Dutton also urged caution in Mr Trump’s future commentary on the war after the US leader initiated peace talks with high-level Russian and US officials in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
“I think President Trump has got it wrong in relation to some of the public commentary that I’ve seen him make in relation to President Zelensky and the situation in Ukraine,” he said.”
He’s not kowtowing to anybody.
Calling out Trump more than Albo is doing.
Pay that.
But, as Bubblecar suggests, it’s not hard to believe somewhat enamoured of other aspects of the Trump/Musk modus operandi.
It’s a certainty that Gina is, so Spud would have to be at least paying it lip-service.
I’m hoping (probably in vain) that at least some ALP election ads will feature Dutton’s admiration for Trump and Musk.
Drawing attention to how Trump is wrecking the US and the world, and showing the Musk Hitler salute etc.
“Don’t let him Trump on Australia – Keep Dutton Out!
During the interview, Mr Dutton said he was proud of Australia’s support of Ukraine, adding that Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was “unprovoked” and an “act of aggression”.
“The thought that President Zelensky or the Ukrainian people started this battle, or somehow they were responsible for the war, is just wrong,” he said.
“It’s a democracy, and this is a fight for civilisation. Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator, and we shouldn’t be giving him an inch.”
Mr Dutton also urged caution in Mr Trump’s future commentary on the war after the US leader initiated peace talks with high-level Russian and US officials in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
“I think President Trump has got it wrong in relation to some of the public commentary that I’ve seen him make in relation to President Zelensky and the situation in Ukraine,” he said.”
He’s not kowtowing to anybody.
Calling out Trump more than Albo is doing.
Pay that.
But, as Bubblecar suggests, it’s not hard to believe somewhat enamoured of other aspects of the Trump/Musk modus operandi.
It’s a certainty that Gina is, so Spud would have to be at least paying it lip-service.
During the interview, Mr Dutton said he was proud of Australia’s support of Ukraine, adding that Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was “unprovoked” and an “act of aggression”.
“The thought that President Zelensky or the Ukrainian people started this battle, or somehow they were responsible for the war, is just wrong,” he said.
“It’s a democracy, and this is a fight for civilisation. Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator, and we shouldn’t be giving him an inch.”
Mr Dutton also urged caution in Mr Trump’s future commentary on the war after the US leader initiated peace talks with high-level Russian and US officials in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
“I think President Trump has got it wrong in relation to some of the public commentary that I’ve seen him make in relation to President Zelensky and the situation in Ukraine,” he said.”
He’s not kowtowing to anybody.
Calling out Trump more than Albo is doing.
Pay that.
But, as Bubblecar suggests, it’s not hard to believe somewhat enamoured of other aspects of the Trump/Musk modus operandi.
It’s a certainty that Gina is, so Spud would have to be at least paying it lip-service.
“…that he is somewhat…”
being in opposition gives you somewhat more latitude to comment on other leaders. When you are PM you need to think more diplomatically. It really is that simple.
But, as Bubblecar suggests, it’s not hard to believe somewhat enamoured of other aspects of the Trump/Musk modus operandi.
It’s a certainty that Gina is, so Spud would have to be at least paying it lip-service.
“…that he is somewhat…”
being in opposition gives you somewhat more latitude to comment on other leaders. When you are PM you need to think more diplomatically. It really is that simple.
And there are oodles of pro-Trump Dutton comments on the record:
Dutton praises ‘shrewd’ and ‘reasonable’ Trump after Gaza comments
But, as Bubblecar suggests, it’s not hard to believe somewhat enamoured of other aspects of the Trump/Musk modus operandi.
It’s a certainty that Gina is, so Spud would have to be at least paying it lip-service.
“…that he is somewhat…”
being in opposition gives you somewhat more latitude to comment on other leaders. When you are PM you need to think more diplomatically. It really is that simple.
True.
But, it must be remembered that he’s talking about Trump.
And, while Trump may be rather demented in other directions, he never either forgets or forgives anything that he perceives as a slight on himself.
being in opposition gives you somewhat more latitude to comment on other leaders. When you are PM you need to think more diplomatically. It really is that simple.
True.
But, it must be remembered that he’s talking about Trump.
And, while Trump may be rather demented in other directions, he never either forgets or forgives anything that he perceives as a slight on himself.
that is kinda my point. we have trade and defence agreements that if trump gets his nose put out of joint those could be adversely affected, more than what he is doing at present.
I think PD has to sail between Scylla and Charybdis. Trump is not well regarded in Australia except by genuine nutters but Dutton needs to present as someone who will be better able to deal with Trump than Albanese is.
being in opposition gives you somewhat more latitude to comment on other leaders. When you are PM you need to think more diplomatically. It really is that simple.
True.
But, it must be remembered that he’s talking about Trump.
And, while Trump may be rather demented in other directions, he never either forgets or forgives anything that he perceives as a slight on himself.
that is kinda my point. we have trade and defence agreements that if trump gets his nose put out of joint those could be adversely affected, more than what he is doing at present.
ah so what we’re saying is that the main strength of so called democracy is plausible deniability because there are those other guys got it
being in opposition gives you somewhat more latitude to comment on other leaders. When you are PM you need to think more diplomatically. It really is that simple.
True.
But, it must be remembered that he’s talking about Trump.
And, while Trump may be rather demented in other directions, he never either forgets or forgives anything that he perceives as a slight on himself.
that is kinda my point. we have trade and defence agreements that if trump gets his nose put out of joint those could be adversely affected, more than what he is doing at present.
Yes. Albo has to tread more carefully. Spud might count on some forgiveness. Trump knows what one must descend to, in order to win an election.
being in opposition gives you somewhat more latitude to comment on other leaders. When you are PM you need to think more diplomatically. It really is that simple.
True.
But, it must be remembered that he’s talking about Trump.
And, while Trump may be rather demented in other directions, he never either forgets or forgives anything that he perceives as a slight on himself.
that is kinda my point. we have trade and defence agreements that if trump gets his nose put out of joint those could be adversely affected, more than what he is doing at present.
Yes. Albo has to tread more carefully. Spud might count on some forgiveness. Trump knows what one must descend to, in order to win an election.
But, it must be remembered that he’s talking about Trump.
And, while Trump may be rather demented in other directions, he never either forgets or forgives anything that he perceives as a slight on himself.
that is kinda my point. we have trade and defence agreements that if trump gets his nose put out of joint those could be adversely affected, more than what he is doing at present.
Yes. Albo has to tread more carefully. Spud might count on some forgiveness. Trump knows what one must descend to, in order to win an election.
that is kinda my point. we have trade and defence agreements that if trump gets his nose put out of joint those could be adversely affected, more than what he is doing at present.
Yes. Albo has to tread more carefully. Spud might count on some forgiveness. Trump knows what one must descend to, in order to win an election.
that is kinda my point. we have trade and defence agreements that if trump gets his nose put out of joint those could be adversely affected, more than what he is doing at present.
Yes. Albo has to tread more carefully. Spud might count on some forgiveness. Trump knows what one must descend to, in order to win an election.
so the whole premise of pwm post is flawed?
I leave such pronouncements to those who feel qualified to issue them.
I think PD has to sail between Scylla and Charybdis. Trump is not well regarded in Australia except by genuine nutters but Dutton needs to present as someone who will be better able to deal with Trump than Albanese is.
that young men demographic that likes Trump likes Dutton. And the old dudes who play bridge and don’t like welcome to country like Dutton, but don’t like trump. Both don’t like immigration or aborigines. he’s trying to win both.
I think PD has to sail between Scylla and Charybdis. Trump is not well regarded in Australia except by genuine nutters but Dutton needs to present as someone who will be better able to deal with Trump than Albanese is.
that young men demographic that likes Trump likes Dutton. And the old dudes who play bridge and don’t like welcome to country like Dutton, but don’t like trump. Both don’t like immigration or aborigines. he’s trying to win both.
LOL
Labor is vowing to help Australians work from home so they can save thousands of dollars on annual transport costs in major cities, opening a new front in a budget fight with the Coalition over financial help for households. On Sunday morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese seized on the issue of working from home to accuse Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of wanting Australians to pay more each year for transport to get them to their workplace. But Dutton has not called for the private sector to halt working from home and has instead focused his criticism on the number of public servants who are allowed to work remotely for several days a week. “No one is banning work from home arrangements. That is a Labor lie,” said Coalition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume. Albanese said Dutton was “out of touch” with his criticism of working from home, positioning the government as a supporter of the approach because it helped women in particular.
well all right it precedes rather than follows but we thought their point was that tuber was resisting kkk and our point was that there’s a very small tiny minuscule possibility that tubers can lie about resisting kkks
I think PD has to sail between Scylla and Charybdis. Trump is not well regarded in Australia except by genuine nutters but Dutton needs to present as someone who will be better able to deal with Trump than Albanese is.
that young men demographic that likes Trump likes Dutton. And the old dudes who play bridge and don’t like welcome to country like Dutton, but don’t like trump. Both don’t like immigration or aborigines. he’s trying to win both.
Bit too generalist. I’m an old dude. I’ve played bridge.
I think PD has to sail between Scylla and Charybdis. Trump is not well regarded in Australia except by genuine nutters but Dutton needs to present as someone who will be better able to deal with Trump than Albanese is.
that young men demographic that likes Trump likes Dutton. And the old dudes who play bridge and don’t like welcome to country like Dutton, but don’t like trump. Both don’t like immigration or aborigines. he’s trying to win both.
Bit too generalist. I’m an old dude. I’ve played bridge.
He’s most unlikely to win me over.
my sister’s bridge group is a den of liberal supporters. she doesn’t speak out about her politics. it’s probably more a locality thing.
that young men demographic that likes Trump likes Dutton. And the old dudes who play bridge and don’t like welcome to country like Dutton, but don’t like trump. Both don’t like immigration or aborigines. he’s trying to win both.
Bit too generalist. I’m an old dude. I’ve played bridge.
He’s most unlikely to win me over.
my sister’s bridge group is a den of liberal supporters. she doesn’t speak out about her politics. it’s probably more a locality thing.
The closest voting location to where I grew up happens to also be the most liberal voting booth in Australia.
Haven’t played bridge though. Fine with welcome to Country. Trump can GAGF.
Bit too generalist. I’m an old dude. I’ve played bridge.
He’s most unlikely to win me over.
my sister’s bridge group is a den of liberal supporters. she doesn’t speak out about her politics. it’s probably more a locality thing.
The closest voting location to where I grew up happens to also be the most liberal voting booth in Australia.
Haven’t played bridge though. Fine with welcome to Country. Trump can GAGF.
Have never played bridge Have no problems with changing all the names back to those of the first people. Don’t like Dutton and less than I don’t like Trump.
Bill Harvey
4h ·
5000 people rally to end native forest logging in Tasmania, something other states have achieved and the Minister’s best effort is to call 5000 people “woke activists who were out of touch with the thinking of everyday Tasmanians.” It’s the minister who is out of touch with the climate and biodiversity crisis and the many Tasmanians who care deeply for the future of the environment, biodiversity and future generations.
Bill Harvey
4h ·
5000 people rally to end native forest logging in Tasmania, something other states have achieved and the Minister’s best effort is to call 5000 people “woke activists who were out of touch with the thinking of everyday Tasmanians.” It’s the minister who is out of touch with the climate and biodiversity crisis and the many Tasmanians who care deeply for the future of the environment, biodiversity and future generations.
Shouldn’t progress or change include unfortunately that some industries and jobs are no longer viable
Compensations given and you find something else to do.
We did it with whaling many years ago and the live animal trade (some states anyway or is it all ?)
“Teal MP Monique Ryan’s husband Peter Jordan has said it was “a mistake” to tear down a sign about Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer after video footage was shared online of him removing the material.
The footage showed Jordan walking down an inner Melbourne street with a sign promoting Amelia Hamer under his arm.
The man filming the incident can be heard asking Jordan repeatedly who he is and why he removed the sign.”
jordies bangs on how cheaper it is to keep the public servants, hired by this labor govt, that Dutton wants to sack in a DOGE like frenzy, than to replace them with consultants again. Apparently, this labor govt has cut consultant costs massively.
Is it commie to believe a nations resources belong to the population and should benefit them first ?
I mean … kind of
I suppose it is, yeah
You would think it would be the mindset of the people living in and governing a nation that the resources benefit everyone there first.
Is it commie to believe a nations resources belong to the population and should benefit them first ?
I mean … kind of
I suppose it is, yeah
You would think it would be the mindset of the people living in and governing a nation that the resources benefit everyone there first.
not necessarily if the people living in and governing a nation were originally invaders plundering those resources from the people who were there before, it takes time for ways of thinking to shift
I suppose it is, yeah
You would think it would be the mindset of the people living in and governing a nation that the resources benefit everyone there first.
not necessarily if the people living in and governing a nation were originally invaders plundering those resources from the people who were there before, it takes time for ways of thinking to shift
You do have that, that is true.
I was including native populations as part of all.
One government poll says 77 per cent of Australians back the legislation, but it has also received unfavourable reviews from some researchers and mental health experts who argue social media can also be constructive for certain groups of young people, particularly those who are marginalised.
that would be right of course this makes sense guns can be useful for certain groups of young people, particularly those who need to help out on the farm, pretty sure this means everyone over 3 years of age should be free to access that.
The Queensland government has unveiled its plans for the 2032 Olympics, and a major development, exclusively revealed by 9News last week, has now been confirmed.
Victoria Park will be home to the main stadium, while the Centenary Pool is set to be transformed into a national aquatics centre, featuring more than 25,000 seats.
In another key move, rowing will be relocated to Rockhampton, and tennis will remain in Brisbane, with the Queensland Tennis Centre undergoing a transformation that includes a new 3,000-seat show court arena.
Additionally, the Toowoomba Showgrounds will be transformed into an equestrian centre of excellence.
The Queensland government has unveiled its plans for the 2032 Olympics, and a major development, exclusively revealed by 9News last week, has now been confirmed.
Victoria Park will be home to the main stadium, while the Centenary Pool is set to be transformed into a national aquatics centre, featuring more than 25,000 seats.
In another key move, rowing will be relocated to Rockhampton, and tennis will remain in Brisbane, with the Queensland Tennis Centre undergoing a transformation that includes a new 3,000-seat show court arena.
Additionally, the Toowoomba Showgrounds will be transformed into an equestrian centre of excellence.
The Queensland government has unveiled its plans for the 2032 Olympics, and a major development, exclusively revealed by 9News last week, has now been confirmed.
Victoria Park will be home to the main stadium, while the Centenary Pool is set to be transformed into a national aquatics centre, featuring more than 25,000 seats.
In another key move, rowing will be relocated to Rockhampton, and tennis will remain in Brisbane, with the Queensland Tennis Centre undergoing a transformation that includes a new 3,000-seat show court arena.
Additionally, the Toowoomba Showgrounds will be transformed into an equestrian centre of excellence.
Now to watch r/Brisbane go into meltdown 🍿
We bought an investment property in Kelvin Grove last year. You can see Victoria Park from the balcony.. NGL, pretty happy with this decision.
The Queensland government has unveiled its plans for the 2032 Olympics, and a major development, exclusively revealed by 9News last week, has now been confirmed.
Victoria Park will be home to the main stadium, while the Centenary Pool is set to be transformed into a national aquatics centre, featuring more than 25,000 seats.
In another key move, rowing will be relocated to Rockhampton, and tennis will remain in Brisbane, with the Queensland Tennis Centre undergoing a transformation that includes a new 3,000-seat show court arena.
Additionally, the Toowoomba Showgrounds will be transformed into an equestrian centre of excellence.
Will the 100 meters track be exactly 100 meters long Mr. Wilson.
“Additionally, the Toowoomba Showgrounds will be transformed into an equestrian centre of excellence.
Yeah, i thought that would happen.
There’s already a sizeable equestrian presence at the showground, with an undercover arena, and a good few acres of pony club grounds.
Just outside it are more acres of ‘open country’ equestrian grounds. Although they’re on the side of a hill, which is probably not ideal for what’s in mind.
So, it’s going to mean plenty big bucks getting splashed around, and lots of lovely graft and corruption, and much throwing around of weight and ‘let nothing stand in the way of the Olympics’ to transform it all into “an equestrian centre of excellence”.
Dunno what’ll happen to the ‘showgrounds’ side of things, or what’ll happen to the cycling criterium track/velodrome which adjoins the ‘outside’ horse grounds.
Rowing in Rockhampton seems an odd choice but I’m no limpixologist. Create a centre in, I dunno, Caboolture or somewhere, like the Sydney Limpix did out at Penrith.
If Caboolture is good enough for Chuck Norris to film a movie there, it’s good enough for Olympic rowers.
Rowing in Rockhampton seems an odd choice but I’m no limpixologist. Create a centre in, I dunno, Caboolture or somewhere, like the Sydney Limpix did out at Penrith.
If Caboolture is good enough for Chuck Norris to film a movie there, it’s good enough for Olympic rowers.
Chick Norris only used Caboolture because it’s the place that most resembles a North Vietnamese prison camp.
Rowing in Rockhampton seems an odd choice but I’m no limpixologist. Create a centre in, I dunno, Caboolture or somewhere, like the Sydney Limpix did out at Penrith.
If Caboolture is good enough for Chuck Norris to film a movie there, it’s good enough for Olympic rowers.
Chick Norris only used Caboolture because it’s the place that most resembles a North Vietnamese prison camp.
You just said it yourself, Wellcamp is sitting there idle and unused. Perfect for zombies and planes! (Movie is called Zombie Plane.)
Interestingly Crisafulli went to the election with the promise that no new Olympic stadium would be built in his tenure as Premier.
He promised that to the voters.
What he promised to the construction industry may have been something else.
in fairness, building a new stadium is a much better idea than trying to renovate the Gabba.. can you imaging the traffic implications of long term interruptions between Vulture and Stanley Street
I can dig that the sailing needs a better venue than Brisbane is likely to offer.
Using the London Olymoics comparison again, for a similar distance from the nominal city, they would have had to have the sailing held in the Shetland Islands. Or the Faroes. Or off the Cote d’Azur in France. Or in the western Baltic sea.
Dunno what’ll happen to the ‘showgrounds’ side of things, or what’ll happen to the cycling criterium track/velodrome which adjoins the ‘outside’ horse grounds.
I can dig that the sailing needs a better venue than Brisbane is likely to offer.
Using the London Olymoics comparison again, for a similar distance from the nominal city, they would have had to have the sailing held in the Shetland Islands. Or the Faroes. Or off the Cote d’Azur in France. Or in the western Baltic sea.
There are other options closer to home like Tin Can Bay or Hervey Bay, but the Whitsundays is a far superior destination
Interestingly Crisafulli went to the election with the promise that no new Olympic stadium would be built in his tenure as Premier.
He promised that to the voters.
What he promised to the construction industry may have been something else.
in fairness, building a new stadium is a much better idea than trying to renovate the Gabba.. can you imaging the traffic implications of long term interruptions between Vulture and Stanley Street
Yeah, have to go along with that. It’d be a bloody nightmare. The disruption caused by buildig the bus interchange there were bad enough.
Ideal solution: call it the ‘Brisbane’ Olympics if you want, but build everything in some place where there’s the space for it.
Dunno what’ll happen to the ‘showgrounds’ side of things, or what’ll happen to the cycling criterium track/velodrome which adjoins the ‘outside’ horse grounds.
What he promised to the construction industry may have been something else.
in fairness, building a new stadium is a much better idea than trying to renovate the Gabba.. can you imaging the traffic implications of long term interruptions between Vulture and Stanley Street
Yeah, have to go along with that. It’d be a bloody nightmare. The disruption caused by buildig the bus interchange there were bad enough.
Ideal solution: call it the ‘Brisbane’ Olympics if you want, but build everything in some place where there’s the space for it.
in fairness, building a new stadium is a much better idea than trying to renovate the Gabba.. can you imaging the traffic implications of long term interruptions between Vulture and Stanley Street
Yeah, have to go along with that. It’d be a bloody nightmare. The disruption caused by buildig the bus interchange there were bad enough.
Ideal solution: call it the ‘Brisbane’ Olympics if you want, but build everything in some place where there’s the space for it.
I can dig that the sailing needs a better venue than Brisbane is likely to offer.
Using the London Olymoics comparison again, for a similar distance from the nominal city, they would have had to have the sailing held in the Shetland Islands. Or the Faroes. Or off the Cote d’Azur in France. Or in the western Baltic sea.
There are other options closer to home like Tin Can Bay or Hervey Bay, but the Whitsundays is a far superior destination
in fairness, building a new stadium is a much better idea than trying to renovate the Gabba.. can you imaging the traffic implications of long term interruptions between Vulture and Stanley Street
Yeah, have to go along with that. It’d be a bloody nightmare. The disruption caused by buildig the bus interchange there were bad enough.
Ideal solution: call it the ‘Brisbane’ Olympics if you want, but build everything in some place where there’s the space for it.
Miles, maybe. Or Dirranbandi.
lots of land out Esk way
That’d be good for road cycling. Especially around the dams.
I can dig that the sailing needs a better venue than Brisbane is likely to offer.
Using the London Olymoics comparison again, for a similar distance from the nominal city, they would have had to have the sailing held in the Shetland Islands. Or the Faroes. Or off the Cote d’Azur in France. Or in the western Baltic sea.
There are other options closer to home like Tin Can Bay or Hervey Bay, but the Whitsundays is a far superior destination
:|P~
Yes & I can go to the sailing there.
We could use my brother’s 30 footer as a base.
Mmm are potholes (other than on 1) ever a Federal responsibility?
I’ll pay the other two: the Fed in conjunction with the States can play a role in reducing hospital waiting times and improving internet in rural areas.
It really pisses me off Dutton & Taylor want to sack public servants and replace them with outside consultants who are more expensive. Fuckin’ ideologues with no regard for prudent government spending when it means more jobs for the boys.
It really pisses me off Dutton & Taylor want to sack public servants and replace them with outside consultants who are more expensive. Fuckin’ ideologues with no regard for prudent government spending when it means more jobs for the boys.
It really pisses me off Dutton & Taylor want to sack public servants and replace them with outside consultants who are more expensive. Fuckin’ ideologues with no regard for prudent government spending when it means more jobs for the boys paper bags full of $50 and $100.
It really pisses me off Dutton & Taylor want to sack public servants and replace them with outside consultants who are more expensive. Fuckin’ ideologues with no regard for prudent government spending when it means more jobs for the boys paper bags full of $50 and $100.
Fixed it for you.
You think the folks at Deloitte are bribing Coalition members of Parliament?
It really pisses me off Dutton & Taylor want to sack public servants and replace them with outside consultants who are more expensive. Fuckin’ ideologues with no regard for prudent government spending when it means more jobs for the boys paper bags full of $50 and $100.
Fixed it for you.
You think the folks at Deloitte are bribing Coalition members of Parliament?
It really pisses me off Dutton & Taylor want to sack public servants and replace them with outside consultants who are more expensive. Fuckin’ ideologues with no regard for prudent government spending when it means more jobs for the boys paper bags full of $50 and $100.
Fixed it for you.
You think the folks at Deloitte are bribing Coalition members of Parliament?
You think the folks at Deloitte are bribing Coalition members of Parliament?
You think that they woudn’t, if it came to that?
There are more than enough legal mechanisms for political donations to make actual bribery superfluous. As I’ve mentioned before though my go to is that people always suspect of others what they know to be true of themselves so my question to you is did you prefer $50s or $100s?
You think the folks at Deloitte are bribing Coalition members of Parliament?
You think that they woudn’t, if it came to that?
There are more than enough legal mechanisms for political donations to make actual bribery superfluous. As I’ve mentioned before though my go to is that people always suspect of others what they know to be true of themselves so my question to you is did you prefer $50s or $100s?
$50, of course. Rather less noteworthy when shuffling the funds.
I do wish that i could live in the world that you recognise, where checks and balances keep everyone honest, and everyone plays by the rules.
But, i’ve seen too much to the contrary, and i can assure you that everyone, everyone, including me, and quite possibly you (think about it), can be bought.
It’s only the risk of getting caught that causes anyone to hesitate. And that’s where cash, lovely, untraceable cash, is king.
There are more than enough legal mechanisms for political donations to make actual bribery superfluous. As I’ve mentioned before though my go to is that people always suspect of others what they know to be true of themselves so my question to you is did you prefer $50s or $100s?
$50, of course. Rather less noteworthy when shuffling the funds.
I do wish that i could live in the world that you recognise, where checks and balances keep everyone honest, and everyone plays by the rules.
But, i’ve seen too much to the contrary, and i can assure you that everyone, everyone, including me, and quite possibly you (think about it), can be bought.
It’s only the risk of getting caught that causes anyone to hesitate. And that’s where cash, lovely, untraceable cash, is king.
You may now insult me at your leisure.
Did you report what you know to the relevant authorities? A culture of turning the other way is half the problem. And of course it’s fear of consequences that compels people to follow the law. I’m not saying people are saints, just that the mechanisms keeping them honest work. It would be a scandal of immense proportions if a pollie was caught receiving bags of cash under the table but you seem to think that they’re risking everything for very small amounts compared to their salaries and entitlements.
Now it could be that in your past employment this was more common than in politics which would be a bit of an eye-opener given your convictions about politicians and malfeasance but I can assure you that in my past employment I can report that nothing keeps people on million dollar salaries in line more than the fear of getting fired and losing their corporate gravy train for a few measly thousands of dollars cash in hand.
So it seems structural deficits are big winner in tonight’s budget
Well we did borrow from the future to get through the covid years.
Still pisses me off how many companies that didn’t suffer got paid about 34 billion.
So it seems structural deficits are big winner in tonight’s budget
Is the budget likely to be properly debated and passed, including Senate estimates etc, before the election is called and all the bills before the house are null?
So it seems structural deficits are big winner in tonight’s budget
Is the budget likely to be properly debated and passed, including Senate estimates etc, before the election is called and all the bills before the house are null?
Seems a pointless exercise to me.
It will be yeah, but once tax cuts are passed it would require new legislation to amend them so it kinda paints the LibNats into a corner.
So it seems structural deficits are big winner in tonight’s budget
Is the budget likely to be properly debated and passed, including Senate estimates etc, before the election is called and all the bills before the house are null?
Seems a pointless exercise to me.
It will be yeah, but once tax cuts are passed it would require new legislation to amend them so it kinda paints the LibNats into a corner.
Lucky the Labs are good economic managers
No party that follows either (now traditional) monetarism or neo-liberal economics are likely to be good economic managers in the turbulent times ahead. IMAO.
Is the budget likely to be properly debated and passed, including Senate estimates etc, before the election is called and all the bills before the house are null?
Seems a pointless exercise to me.
It will be yeah, but once tax cuts are passed it would require new legislation to amend them so it kinda paints the LibNats into a corner.
Lucky the Labs are good economic managers
No party that follows either (now traditional) monetarism or neo-liberal economics are likely to be good economic managers in the turbulent times ahead. IMAO.
Monetarism refers strictly to the control of the money supply. Controlling inflation by adjusting the cash rate is not described as such.
It will be yeah, but once tax cuts are passed it would require new legislation to amend them so it kinda paints the LibNats into a corner.
Lucky the Labs are good economic managers
No party that follows either (now traditional) monetarism or neo-liberal economics are likely to be good economic managers in the turbulent times ahead. IMAO.
Monetarism refers strictly to the control of the money supply. Controlling inflation by adjusting the cash rate is not described as such.
My economic philosophy is that the fundamental driver of the economy is consumption. The money supply and all that is secondary.
Poor people spend their income on needs, middle income spend their money on wants. higher income people who satisfy both their immediate needs and wants spend their money on accumulating assets. Wealth inequality matters, because it suppresses consumption. If you want a healthy economy, boost consumption at the lower end. Redirect asset accumulation into creating new assets, not accumulating existing or established assets through overbidding and driving out people who don’t have the same wealth. I’m looking at you: real estate negative gearing on established properties.
Not sure how they can justify further tax cuts in this environment.
A cynical observer might consider it a straight pre-election bribe.
It’s straight up and down, bad policy.
It is old fashioned election strategy.
A lot of swinging voters don’t understand politics too much, it comes down to what is in it for me.
the electoral politics is weird, because if you want to make a tax cut a pillar of your reelection then you make it a conditional on your win.. the only thing I can muddle out of this is that by reducing the individual tax burden it leans more heavily into immigration in order to increase overall revenue and this kinds wedges the LibNats with their proposal to cut immigration numbers.
No party that follows either (now traditional) monetarism or neo-liberal economics are likely to be good economic managers in the turbulent times ahead. IMAO.
Monetarism refers strictly to the control of the money supply. Controlling inflation by adjusting the cash rate is not described as such.
My economic philosophy is that the fundamental driver of the economy is consumption. The money supply and all that is secondary.
Poor people spend their income on needs, middle income spend their money on wants. higher income people who satisfy both their immediate needs and wants spend their money on accumulating assets. Wealth inequality matters, because it suppresses consumption. If you want a healthy economy, boost consumption at the lower end. Redirect asset accumulation into creating new assets, not accumulating existing or established assets through overbidding and driving out people who don’t have the same wealth. I’m looking at you: real estate negative gearing on established properties.
the problem with this is that you have very rich people competing with very poor people for the same assets and we can see what that has done to wealth inequality. We need to get out of this stupid fucking cycle of tinkering with taxing income and instead lean more into taxing wealth.
No party that follows either (now traditional) monetarism or neo-liberal economics are likely to be good economic managers in the turbulent times ahead. IMAO.
Monetarism refers strictly to the control of the money supply. Controlling inflation by adjusting the cash rate is not described as such.
My economic philosophy is that the fundamental driver of the economy is consumption. The money supply and all that is secondary.
Poor people spend their income on needs, middle income spend their money on wants. higher income people who satisfy both their immediate needs and wants spend their money on accumulating assets. Wealth inequality matters, because it suppresses consumption. If you want a healthy economy, boost consumption at the lower end. Redirect asset accumulation into creating new assets, not accumulating existing or established assets through overbidding and driving out people who don’t have the same wealth. I’m looking at you: real estate negative gearing on established properties.
My go-to policy change would be taxing super like any income. I seem to recall the taxes foregone are now as large as the entire spending on the aged pension.
Monetarism refers strictly to the control of the money supply. Controlling inflation by adjusting the cash rate is not described as such.
My economic philosophy is that the fundamental driver of the economy is consumption. The money supply and all that is secondary.
Poor people spend their income on needs, middle income spend their money on wants. higher income people who satisfy both their immediate needs and wants spend their money on accumulating assets. Wealth inequality matters, because it suppresses consumption. If you want a healthy economy, boost consumption at the lower end. Redirect asset accumulation into creating new assets, not accumulating existing or established assets through overbidding and driving out people who don’t have the same wealth. I’m looking at you: real estate negative gearing on established properties.
the problem with this is that you have very rich people competing with very poor people for the same assets and we can see what that has done to wealth inequality. We need to get out of this stupid fucking cycle of tinkering with taxing income and instead lean more into taxing wealth.
Well, yeah, eventually.
In the meantime we can eliminate negative gearing on established homes of older than (pick a number) years. It only applies to the creation of new housing stock, either through redevelopment or greenfield development, and only applies for the same (pick as number) years. After which they can sell it or hold onto the rental income.
I think the NG-driven established real estate market is the biggest driver of wealth inequality and cost of living stress in the economy today. Anything like modest tax cuts and rebates on electricity bills is faffing around the edges and not addressing the real issue.
Taxing wealth is an option, but driving wealth out of outcompeting new entrants to the housing market is a good first step.
Monetarism refers strictly to the control of the money supply. Controlling inflation by adjusting the cash rate is not described as such.
My economic philosophy is that the fundamental driver of the economy is consumption. The money supply and all that is secondary.
Poor people spend their income on needs, middle income spend their money on wants. higher income people who satisfy both their immediate needs and wants spend their money on accumulating assets. Wealth inequality matters, because it suppresses consumption. If you want a healthy economy, boost consumption at the lower end. Redirect asset accumulation into creating new assets, not accumulating existing or established assets through overbidding and driving out people who don’t have the same wealth. I’m looking at you: real estate negative gearing on established properties.
My go-to policy change would be taxing super like any income. I seem to recall the taxes foregone are now as large as the entire spending on the aged pension.
I would limit all deductions on personal income tax returns to some nominal number (say $15,000).
In the meantime we can eliminate negative gearing on established homes of older than (pick a number) years. It only applies to the creation of new housing stock, either through redevelopment or greenfield development, and only applies for the same (pick as number) years. After which they can sell it or hold onto the rental income.
In the meantime we can eliminate negative gearing on established homes of older than (pick a number) years. It only applies to the creation of new housing stock, either through redevelopment or greenfield development, and only applies for the same (pick as number) years. After which they can sell it or hold onto the rental income.
How did that work for Bill Shorten?
Well, you don’t announce it three weeks before an election. You have to do it for some time in the future and guarantee to grandfather any existing investments before that date.
My economic philosophy is that the fundamental driver of the economy is consumption. The money supply and all that is secondary.
Poor people spend their income on needs, middle income spend their money on wants. higher income people who satisfy both their immediate needs and wants spend their money on accumulating assets. Wealth inequality matters, because it suppresses consumption. If you want a healthy economy, boost consumption at the lower end. Redirect asset accumulation into creating new assets, not accumulating existing or established assets through overbidding and driving out people who don’t have the same wealth. I’m looking at you: real estate negative gearing on established properties.
the problem with this is that you have very rich people competing with very poor people for the same assets and we can see what that has done to wealth inequality. We need to get out of this stupid fucking cycle of tinkering with taxing income and instead lean more into taxing wealth.
Well, yeah, eventually.
In the meantime we can eliminate negative gearing on established homes of older than (pick a number) years. It only applies to the creation of new housing stock, either through redevelopment or greenfield development, and only applies for the same (pick as number) years. After which they can sell it or hold onto the rental income.
I think the NG-driven established real estate market is the biggest driver of wealth inequality and cost of living stress in the economy today. Anything like modest tax cuts and rebates on electricity bills is faffing around the edges and not addressing the real issue.
Taxing wealth is an option, but driving wealth out of outcompeting new entrants to the housing market is a good first step.
I don’t think we need to eliminate negative gearing per se, we just need to limit the amount of income losses that people can claim as deductions… that, and tax capital gains and I like Witty’s plan to tax income from super like any other kind income.
If the election is to be fought on cost of living the to give tax relief to those earning under 100k seems reasonable to me.
If i were to change the tax system I would put a flag fall on company tax and exclude say 2% from any deductions. So many large crops not paying tax year after year.
It really pisses me off Dutton & Taylor want to sack public servants and replace them with outside consultants who are more expensive. Fuckin’ ideologues with no regard for prudent government spending when it means more jobs for the boys.
If the election is to be fought on cost of living the to give tax relief to those earning under 100k seems reasonable to me.
If i were to change the tax system I would put a flag fall on company tax and exclude say 2% from any deductions. So many large crops not paying tax year after year.
the problem with this is that you have very rich people competing with very poor people for the same assets and we can see what that has done to wealth inequality. We need to get out of this stupid fucking cycle of tinkering with taxing income and instead lean more into taxing wealth.
Well, yeah, eventually.
In the meantime we can eliminate negative gearing on established homes of older than (pick a number) years. It only applies to the creation of new housing stock, either through redevelopment or greenfield development, and only applies for the same (pick as number) years. After which they can sell it or hold onto the rental income.
I think the NG-driven established real estate market is the biggest driver of wealth inequality and cost of living stress in the economy today. Anything like modest tax cuts and rebates on electricity bills is faffing around the edges and not addressing the real issue.
Taxing wealth is an option, but driving wealth out of outcompeting new entrants to the housing market is a good first step.
I don’t think we need to eliminate negative gearing per se, we just need to limit the amount of income losses that people can claim as deductions… that, and tax capital gains and I like Witty’s plan to tax income from super like any other kind income.
___
Super contributions is already taxed at 15%,.
This is to encourage more contributions to save on future pension claims.
If the election is to be fought on cost of living the to give tax relief to those earning under 100k seems reasonable to me.
If i were to change the tax system I would put a flag fall on company tax and exclude say 2% from any deductions. So many large crops not paying tax year after year.
anyone that earns more than $18,000 per year gets the tax cut
In the meantime we can eliminate negative gearing on established homes of older than (pick a number) years. It only applies to the creation of new housing stock, either through redevelopment or greenfield development, and only applies for the same (pick as number) years. After which they can sell it or hold onto the rental income.
I think the NG-driven established real estate market is the biggest driver of wealth inequality and cost of living stress in the economy today. Anything like modest tax cuts and rebates on electricity bills is faffing around the edges and not addressing the real issue.
Taxing wealth is an option, but driving wealth out of outcompeting new entrants to the housing market is a good first step.
I don’t think we need to eliminate negative gearing per se, we just need to limit the amount of income losses that people can claim as deductions… that, and tax capital gains and I like Witty’s plan to tax income from super like any other kind income.
___
Super contributions is already taxed at 15%,.
This is to encourage more contributions to save on future pension claims.
Sure but why should someone with $500k in super be taxed the same amount as those with $5m?
In the meantime we can eliminate negative gearing on established homes of older than (pick a number) years. It only applies to the creation of new housing stock, either through redevelopment or greenfield development, and only applies for the same (pick as number) years. After which they can sell it or hold onto the rental income.
I think the NG-driven established real estate market is the biggest driver of wealth inequality and cost of living stress in the economy today. Anything like modest tax cuts and rebates on electricity bills is faffing around the edges and not addressing the real issue.
Taxing wealth is an option, but driving wealth out of outcompeting new entrants to the housing market is a good first step.
I don’t think we need to eliminate negative gearing per se, we just need to limit the amount of income losses that people can claim as deductions… that, and tax capital gains and I like Witty’s plan to tax income from super like any other kind income.
___
Super contributions is already taxed at 15%,.
This is to encourage more contributions to save on future pension claims.
not contributions, I’m talking about retirees that earn income from super investments
If the election is to be fought on cost of living the to give tax relief to those earning under 100k seems reasonable to me.
If i were to change the tax system I would put a flag fall on company tax and exclude say 2% from any deductions. So many large crops not paying tax year after year.
anyone that earns more than $18,000 per year gets the tax cut
I don’t think we need to eliminate negative gearing per se, we just need to limit the amount of income losses that people can claim as deductions… that, and tax capital gains and I like Witty’s plan to tax income from super like any other kind income.
___
Super contributions is already taxed at 15%,.
This is to encourage more contributions to save on future pension claims.
Sure but why should someone with $500k in super be taxed the same amount as those with $5m?
If the election is to be fought on cost of living the to give tax relief to those earning under 100k seems reasonable to me.
If i were to change the tax system I would put a flag fall on company tax and exclude say 2% from any deductions. So many large crops not paying tax year after year.
anyone that earns more than $18,000 per year gets the tax cut
but it isn’t a tax cut just for the top level.
no, the proposed cut is to the tax bracket from $18,201 to $45,000. The proposal is to reduce the rate in two tranches; tranche 1 is set to come into effect in FY26 and changes the rate from 16% to 15% and then tranche 2 comes into effect in FY27 where it will be reduced to 14%.
The impact is that anyone that earns more then $18,200 will see their overall income tax reduce.
Not sure how they can justify further tax cuts in this environment.
A cynical observer might consider it a straight pre-election bribe.
Because they’re inflationary or because they’re contributing to the deficit? Or cue Old el Paso girl?
These are likely to be “interesting” times. The govt might have been better off hanging on to that money for ameliorating shocks due to trade interruptions or even military spending
Not sure how they can justify further tax cuts in this environment.
A cynical observer might consider it a straight pre-election bribe.
Because they’re inflationary or because they’re contributing to the deficit? Or cue Old el Paso girl?
These are likely to be “interesting” times. The govt might have been better off hanging on to that money for ameliorating shocks due to trade interruptions or even military spending
Not sure how they can justify further tax cuts in this environment.
A cynical observer might consider it a straight pre-election bribe.
Because they’re inflationary or because they’re contributing to the deficit? Or cue Old el Paso girl?
These are likely to be “interesting” times. The govt might have been better off hanging on to that money for ameliorating shocks due to trade interruptions or even military spending
I’m old enough to remember when the Coalition spend a 6 digit sum on consultants to rebrand the BOM as The Bureau which was then completely ignored.
and when some genius put AUD5M in the pockets of friends just so they could say “if people want the Aboriginal flag on the harbour bridge then just replace the NSW one” brilliant work
wow no secret as to what biases this author doesn’t have
What stings is that the last three years have been remarkable. Stunningly high post-pandemic commodity prices and a solid economy that was not dashed on the rocks of COVID-19, delivered a near-$400 billion revenue tailwind from 2022-23, according to an ABC estimate based on analysis by economist Steven Hamilton. Chalmers has used much of that upside to expand the size of government.
Much of that has been for major social policy expansions, on childcare, aged care, the NDIS and Medicare. Many of these things are needed but they come in addition to what are now an increasingly noisy set of alternative priorities.
There is no saving for the rainy day, even as the invoices from a more volatile world start arriving. In budget terms, we’re tinkering while Rome smoulders. The budget paper shows Chalmers took a series of decisions — more spending and tax cuts — that will consume just about every dollar of that windfall. If Peter Dutton does win the next election, Labor has not left much in the cupboard.
so uh the purpose of communist Labor government is to save for a the rainy day when Corruption gets elected
oh right also what counts as saving, does funding social programs that look after the public count
So if the LibNats are going to oppose the tax cuts on the basis that the Labs are being economically irresponsible, what do we think the likely pathway for these tax cuts will be in order for them to pass through the senate?
If we assume they get the Greens they’ll have 36 votes they’ll need at least 3 votes from the Teals or Lambie.. on face value it feels unlikely without having to trade away something pretty significant.
i wish they had not centrelinked. It was better being socially secure.
That was part of Howard’s ‘arm’s-length’ programme for his government.
He eliminated the CES, and farmed its role out to for-profit employment agencies, which effectively became government-subsidised. This allowed his government to shrug and say, yeah, well, if it’s not working, it’s all due to market forces and stuff.
Creating Centrelink was the same. The Dept of Social Security still existed, as a small sort of policy unit in Canberra, but Centrelink was to be considered as a ‘contractor’ for delivering ‘social security’ services, just like those employment agencies.
This meant ‘arm’s-length’ for when policy ran up against population, as the government could again shrug and say ‘well, how that policy is delivered is up to the contractor’.
The idea was that if Centrelink was deemed to be ‘failing’ in its delivery, they could lose the ‘contract’, and be replaced by some other network (this threat was a punishment for DSS having consorted so long with that awful Labor govt, and for producing employment and dependency figures which contradicted more rosy numbers from other sources).
At one stage, it was suggested that Australia Post would deliver all of the DSS/Centrelink services via its post offices. Then, branches of the Commonwealth Bank were touted as the new social security shopfronts. Even the insurance company AMP (at the time desperate to become a bank, or, indeed, anything at all relevant to the country) put its hand up.
None of those ideas survived even cursory scrutiny, but we’re lucky to still have the well-developed Centrelink that we do, with people who aren’t also tryingto sell you stamps and life insurance at the same time.
i wish they had not centrelinked. It was better being socially secure.
That was part of Howard’s ‘arm’s-length’ programme for his government.
He eliminated the CES, and farmed its role out to for-profit employment agencies, which effectively became government-subsidised. This allowed his government to shrug and say, yeah, well, if it’s not working, it’s all due to market forces and stuff.
Creating Centrelink was the same. The Dept of Social Security still existed, as a small sort of policy unit in Canberra, but Centrelink was to be considered as a ‘contractor’ for delivering ‘social security’ services, just like those employment agencies.
This meant ‘arm’s-length’ for when policy ran up against population, as the government could again shrug and say ‘well, how that policy is delivered is up to the contractor’.
The idea was that if Centrelink was deemed to be ‘failing’ in its delivery, they could lose the ‘contract’, and be replaced by some other network (this threat was a punishment for DSS having consorted so long with that awful Labor govt, and for producing employment and dependency figures which contradicted more rosy numbers from other sources).
At one stage, it was suggested that Australia Post would deliver all of the DSS/Centrelink services via its post offices. Then, branches of the Commonwealth Bank were touted as the new social security shopfronts. Even the insurance company AMP (at the time desperate to become a bank, or, indeed, anything at all relevant to the country) put its hand up.
None of those ideas survived even cursory scrutiny, but we’re lucky to still have the well-developed Centrelink that we do, with people who aren’t also tryingto sell you stamps and life insurance at the same time.
I used to work through the CES at one time. Their CEO was our CEO and our office was in the building next door.
i wish they had not centrelinked. It was better being socially secure.
That was part of Howard’s ‘arm’s-length’ programme for his government.
He eliminated the CES, and farmed its role out to for-profit employment agencies, which effectively became government-subsidised. This allowed his government to shrug and say, yeah, well, if it’s not working, it’s all due to market forces and stuff.
Creating Centrelink was the same. The Dept of Social Security still existed, as a small sort of policy unit in Canberra, but Centrelink was to be considered as a ‘contractor’ for delivering ‘social security’ services, just like those employment agencies.
This meant ‘arm’s-length’ for when policy ran up against population, as the government could again shrug and say ‘well, how that policy is delivered is up to the contractor’.
The idea was that if Centrelink was deemed to be ‘failing’ in its delivery, they could lose the ‘contract’, and be replaced by some other network (this threat was a punishment for DSS having consorted so long with that awful Labor govt, and for producing employment and dependency figures which contradicted more rosy numbers from other sources).
At one stage, it was suggested that Australia Post would deliver all of the DSS/Centrelink services via its post offices. Then, branches of the Commonwealth Bank were touted as the new social security shopfronts. Even the insurance company AMP (at the time desperate to become a bank, or, indeed, anything at all relevant to the country) put its hand up.
None of those ideas survived even cursory scrutiny, but we’re lucky to still have the well-developed Centrelink that we do, with people who aren’t also tryingto sell you stamps and life insurance at the same time.
I remember the boards in the DSS with available jobs posted. Even though I had a job sometimes I would go in and browse.
Labor to push tax cuts through parliament in apparent attempt to wedge Coalition
Government changes parliamentary schedule on Wednesday morning in surprise move to bring debate on tax cuts immediately
——
I kind of don’t like the partisanship in Australian politics. It can be counterproductive.
Labor to push tax cuts through parliament in apparent attempt to wedge Coalition
Government changes parliamentary schedule on Wednesday morning in surprise move to bring debate on tax cuts immediately
——
I kind of don’t like the partisanship in Australian politics. It can be counterproductive.
I struggle to see the coalition that they will build to get this through the senate
24 March 2025
Betraying the Royal Commission: How seniors dignity was sidelined for profit
I am a self-funded retiree, clutching a Commonwealth Health Care Card, my assets just over the cutoff for an aged care pension. I rely on a Level 4 Home Care Package to manage the late effects of childhood paralytic polio because I am unable to utilise NDIS assistance due to the fact that I was over the age of 65 when it rolled out in my area.
Like countless others, I’m caught in a system that punishes resilience and rewards wealth. Australia’s aged care crisis isn’t abstract to me – it’s my daily reality. And it’s a reality our governments, Labor and Liberal-National alike, have betrayed by abandoning the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (ACRC).
The ACRC, delivered on March 1, 2021, was a beacon of hope: 148 recommendations forged from 99 days of hearings, 641 witnesses, and over 10,000 public submissions. It promised a rights-based, entitlement-driven aged care system where no one would be left behind.
Yet, as the Aged Care Act 2024 prepares to take effect on July 1, 2025, that promise lies in tatters. Successive governments — Labor and Liberal-National alike — have traded compassion for profit, outsourcing our moral duty to global corporations and leaving the most vulnerable to fend for themselves. This is not just a policy failure; it’s a betrayal of our shared humanity. We must act now.
For over two decades, aged care has been hollowed out by privatisation. Since the Australian Labor Party took office in 2022, it has doubled down on the Liberal-National Coalition’s legacy of outsourcing, entrenching a system where consultants dictate policy and care is rationed by cost.
The budget tells the story: $17.7 billion in 2021-22 has ballooned to $36.2 billion in 2024-25, yet the number of recipients hasn’t tripled, nor have services expanded to match. Where has the money gone? To the pockets of privatised providers and their army of advisors—KPMG, PwC, Accenture, and a slew of niche firms—whose $1.5 billion in assessment tenders alone dwarf the care delivered to our elders. This isn’t efficiency; it’s exploitation.
The ACRC envisioned a different future: a new Act ensuring universal access to high-quality care, free of fees, rooted in the dignity of the individual. It called for a levy, perhaps a 1% income tax or Medicare increase, to fund this vision sustainably, a proposal so sensible that the ACRC recommended referral to the Productivity Commission for refinement. Instead, the Aged Care Task Force, chaired by Minister Anika Wells and stacked with industry insiders, rejected this in favour of “intergenerational equity”—a buzzword masking a cruel reality.
From July 1, pensioners like Bill, a renter with $10,000 in savings, will pay $2,467 yearly for home care. That’s $47 a week from a full pension of $572.20, nearly 10% of his income. For what? To choose between a shower or a meal, as services like home maintenance, transport, and social supports are slashed from the “Support at Home” program. This isn’t equity; it’s a tax on frailty.
The Act’s open-ended nature offers a glimmer of hope. The Department of Health and Aged Care and Minister Wells could still intervene and exempt low-income earners from co-payments, broaden service lists, and restore human oversight to assessments. But time is running out. Digitisation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Automated Decision Making (ADM) are already replacing case managers with algorithms, turning complex human needs into data points.
Imagine an 80-year-old, hands trembling from Parkinson’s, navigating a digital portal to plead for help – or worse, challenging an ADM ruling to the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner, only to find the system rigged against them. AI can crunch numbers, but it can’t feel desperation. We’re digitising dignity out of existence.
This isn’t speculation; it’s happening. The Single Assessment System, outsourced for $1.4 billion to firms like Advanced Personnel Management, prioritises efficiency over empathy. Tenders were awarded to the same players who designed and trialled it – conflict of interest be damned. Meanwhile, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, meant to protect our elders, has spent $600 million on outsourced “advice” since 2021, morphing into a brokerage rather than a regulator.
When serious incidents – abuse, neglect, or unexplained deaths – occur, penalties are laughably minimal. The Act sidesteps custodial sentences and waters down fines, ensuring systemic abuse festers unchecked. Just ask Sue, who fought tirelessly for her husband Gene’s care only to face trauma and neglect. Their story is not unique; it’s the norm.
The cost of this failure isn’t just moral; it’s economic. Aged care spending is spiralling, projected to grow 5.7% annually through 2034-35, yet outcomes worsen. In 2021, my pressure socks cost $50; today, they cost $100. A residential deposit was $450,000 in 2020; now, it’s $750,000. A walker? Up from $350 to $650-$750. Privatisation has more than doubled costs in four years, with co-contributions and exclusions piling on the burden.
Older Australians, especially those without wealth, will opt out of care until collapse forces them into hospitals or residential facilities – costing taxpayers more. The Task Force’s claim that Baby Boomers, painted as a “rich mob” by Minister Wells, should foot the bill ignores reality: most live on pensions or dwindling savings, not luxury estates.
We’ve been here before. The East India Company once held Asia’s purse strings; now, global financiers and investment funds dictate our aged care. When their profits plateau, they’ll walk away, leaving governments scrambling.
The ACRC warned against this division between haves and have-nots, yet the Task Force – convened for six months with 180 submissions, versus the ACRC’s 30-month, 10,000-submission odyssey – pushed a profit-first model. Its intergenerational rhetoric is a political ploy, not a solution. Superannuation can help the wealthy, but for pensioners, it’s “the dregs” being drained.
So, what can we do?
The Inspector General of Aged Care must act. Upload the Non-Compliance Decision Log from July 2024 to January 2025 – let the public see the failures. Read Sue and Gene’s story and demand accountability. Push the Minister and Department to use the Act’s flexibility: exempt pensioners from co-payments, mandate 20% of residential beds for fully supported residents and ensure assessments prioritise individual needs over algorithms.
Strengthen penalties – abuse should carry the same weight in aged care as anywhere else. Above all, reject the Task Force’s ideology and honour the ACRC’s call for a levy-funded, equitable system.
In 1970, Alvin Toffler’s Future Shock warned of technology outpacing humanity, leaving the vulnerable disconnected. We’re there now. If we don’t restore face-to-face support and government stewardship, our elders will become second-class citizens – hidden in profit-driven institutions, their suffering ignored. This isn’t just about aged care; it’s about who we are as a society.
The clock ticks toward July 1, 2025. Good people must stand together to arrest this preventable tragedy. Act now, or history will judge us harshly for abandoning those we should revere.
Labor to push tax cuts through parliament in apparent attempt to wedge Coalition
Government changes parliamentary schedule on Wednesday morning in surprise move to bring debate on tax cuts immediately
——
I kind of don’t like the partisanship in Australian politics. It can be counterproductive.
I struggle to see the coalition that they will build to get this through the senate
Maybe they don’t even want it to pass. Maybe they want it to fail so they can paint the Lishun as the bad guys blocking tax cuts.
Labor to push tax cuts through parliament in apparent attempt to wedge Coalition
Government changes parliamentary schedule on Wednesday morning in surprise move to bring debate on tax cuts immediately
——
I kind of don’t like the partisanship in Australian politics. It can be counterproductive.
I struggle to see the coalition that they will build to get this through the senate
Maybe they don’t even want it to pass. Maybe they want it to fail so they can paint the Lishun as the bad guys blocking tax cuts.
I mean, that is certainty a possibility… the election tag line is then “you want your tax cuts, then we need a majority in parliament”
Labor to push tax cuts through parliament in apparent attempt to wedge Coalition
Government changes parliamentary schedule on Wednesday morning in surprise move to bring debate on tax cuts immediately
——
I kind of don’t like the partisanship in Australian politics. It can be counterproductive.
I struggle to see the coalition that they will build to get this through the senate
Maybe they don’t even want it to pass. Maybe they want it to fail so they can paint the Lishun as the bad guys blocking tax cuts.
The Mercury Newspaper
14m ·
Driving home her point, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young produced a headless salmon amid debate over Tasmania’s maugean skate 👉
The Mercury Newspaper
14m ·
Driving home her point, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young produced a headless salmon amid debate over Tasmania’s maugean skate 👉
i read the comments section and then I reported the thread to Facebook for bullying and harassment.
A royal commission into the influence of the Murdoch media empire is almost certainly dead, according to the outgoing co-chair of the campaign for one.
Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission (AFMRC) announced this week that the organisation would be wound up and the campaign handed over to progressive think tank The Australia Institute.
A letter from its co-chairs, former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and trade unionist Sharan Burrow, was sent to the AFMRC email list, urging recipients to donate to the institute, while the think tank will also take carriage of the AFMRC’s contact list.
Turnbull, speaking to Crikey, confirmed the organisation’s original goal of a royal commission into the Murdoch media was dead.
News Corp introduces its own AI model — NewsGPT — to ‘enhance’ not ‘replace’ jobs
News Corp introduces its own AI model — NewsGPT — to ‘enhance’ not ‘replace’ jobs
Daanyal Saeed
18
“Unfortunately, it’s pretty clear that the original goal of getting a royal commission, which would be a very valuable exercise, is not going to be achieved because both of the big parties are resolutely opposed to it,” Turnbull said.
“So no sign of that changing.”
The transfer of the campaign, in Turnbull’s view, has “a number of advantages”.
“The Australia Institute … a deductible gift recipient, which the Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission was not, and it’s got an established infrastructure and, I think, better capacity to carry the cause forward.”
Turnbull said that making changes to Australia’s dominated media landscape was difficult while he was prime minister “because people are scared of Murdoch”.
“I mean you guys experienced it, you know exactly how they operate — they’re bullies, and they intimidate a lot of people.”
Turnbull said the “media landscape has changed dramatically” in Australia, and while he was optimistic the nexus of power for Murdoch publications would shift in the future, he believes its outlets have become “much more tribal”.
“If you add up the eyeballs or eyeball minutes or attention — I’m sure some genius has got a good measure of that — the share of Australian media represented by Murdoch tabloids, for example, is a lot less than it was 30 years ago,” he said.
“What has happened, however, is that the Murdoch media has become much more tribal. I think in many ways it’s gone from being ideological — it’s gone from being leaning in one direction in the case of, say, The Australian, from being ideological to being more tribal. And this matches the way Fox News is perceived. How could any organisation or publisher who claims to be a conservative support Donald Trump’s attack on the judiciary, for example?
What a modest political donation by Rupert Murdoch’s son-in-law tells us about the family divide
What a modest political donation by Rupert Murdoch’s son-in-law tells us about the family divide
Paddy Manning
10
“The hero of the right-wing angertainment ecosystem nowadays is, of course, Trump. There he is, assailing and bullying judges in a way that is just extraordinary … there was a time that you could say of, say The Australian, that it was broadly a conservative newspaper. But it is now … much more tribal.”
Asked about specific media reform he would like to see, Turnbull said it was a longer conversation for another time — noting that he called Crikey while stuck in a typical Sydney traffic jam.
The AFMRC was established in 2021 following the original chair, former prime minister Kevin Rudd (now Australia’s Ambassador to the United States) campaigning with a 2020 petition, which garnered 501,128 signatures. The federal petitions process, unlike petitions to state parliaments such as New South Wales, does not compel action from the Parliament, no matter how many signatures it may get. Rudd’s petition got a response from then minister for communications Paul Fletcher, who said the government would not be acting on demands for a royal commission.
Despite that, Australia Institute executive director Richard Denniss says petitions still have value, even if they have no formal power at a federal level.
“I do think that petitions are a way for citizens, voters to say ‘this is something I care about, and this is something that I’ll put my name to’,” Denniss told Crikey.
“These days, people are often led to believe that they’re alone with their concerns or they’re alone with the values and priorities they have. Getting half a million people to sign anything is a significant democratic achievement.
“Now whether politicians choose to ignore that issue or not, well that’s up to them. If elected members of Parliament won’t change their priorities, voters are free to change the way they vote.
“The reason we’re doing this is because we think that lots of Australians are interested in issues like media reform, whether it’s social media reform or truth in political advertising or regulating social media.”
Denniss said he didn’t agree with the proposition that Australian governments were gun-shy on media reform.
Prince Harry’s settlement with Murdoch’s UK tabloids isn’t the end of the story
Prince Harry’s settlement with Murdoch’s UK tabloids isn’t the end of the story
Andrew Dodd
“In terms of media reform generally, I don’t think . This government rushed some legislation through around social media access for people under 16. I mean, I think they were quite enthusiastic about that particular reform,” he said.
Asked why media concentration was neglected, Denniss said it was difficult to take on big business in an economy like Australia’s.
“The same reason bank concentration is neglected, the same reason that supermarket concentration is neglected.”
Similarly to Turnbull, Denniss was hesitant to point to specific reforms he would like to see, citing his own reticence to pre-empt The Australia Institute’s research, but said that regulation did not necessarily harm ideals of free speech, as successive governments have argued as an excuse for not addressing media concentration in Australia.
“I think that diversity is a good antidote to disinformation. And if there’s lots of media outlets putting lots of different opinions and with lots of different focuses, it makes it a lot easier for citizens to get access to a diverse range of views and make their mind up for themselves.”
Some of you may be interested in Dr Kev Bonham’s analysis of voting correlation in Tasmania’s Legislative Council. Labor supports the Liberal government almost always and the main force of opposition is the independents.
can someone please explain to me what the problem is with Tasmanian salmon?
I feel like I’m missing something.
warmer waters. disease. overstocking. overuse of antibiotics. harvesting of dead fish. bits of dead fish and salmon fat balls turning up on foreshores. expansion in macquarie harbour and fears for the maugean skate. this supported by laib and labour in tas. Fed labor throws money at breeding more skate and legislation protecting industry.
can someone please explain to me what the problem is with Tasmanian salmon?
I feel like I’m missing something.
warmer waters. disease. overstocking. overuse of antibiotics. harvesting of dead fish. bits of dead fish and salmon fat balls turning up on foreshores. expansion in macquarie harbour and fears for the maugean skate. this supported by laib and labour in tas. Fed labor throws money at breeding more skate and legislation protecting industry.
can someone please explain to me what the problem is with Tasmanian salmon?
I feel like I’m missing something.
warmer waters. disease. overstocking. overuse of antibiotics. harvesting of dead fish. bits of dead fish and salmon fat balls turning up on foreshores. expansion in macquarie harbour and fears for the maugean skate. this supported by laib and labour in tas. Fed labor throws money at breeding more skate and legislation protecting industry.
can someone please explain to me what the problem is with Tasmanian salmon?
I feel like I’m missing something.
warmer waters. disease. overstocking. overuse of antibiotics. harvesting of dead fish. bits of dead fish and salmon fat balls turning up on foreshores. expansion in macquarie harbour and fears for the maugean skate. this supported by laib and labour in tas. Fed labor throws money at breeding more skate and legislation protecting industry.
hmmmm ok thanks
there comes a time when you can’t keep on expanding.
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson
16h ·
Tonight, the major parties have joined forces to sell out Australia’s environment laws, Tasmania’s waterways, and the future of the endangered Maugean skate, to the filthy, toxic salmon industry.
I have been campaigning for the protection of the skate and its home, Macquarie Harbour, for over 10 years now and it is heartbreaking and frankly infuriating that this is what our Parliament has now delivered. It has never been clearer that Labor and the Liberals do not care about our environment or our wildlife.
But this is not the end of the fight. Far from it. This will be an election issue. This is proof and a reminder of how much we need more Greens in Parliament and make no mistake, the people are listening.
Jacinta Marr
Its not just about the Skate….all the water around farms is polluted, slimy gunge on the sea floor and completely dead. Rope and plastic rubbish from farms all over the beaches and foreshores.
Targeting of seals and relocating them. Southern Tasmania used to be supurb to fish, swim and dive…you cannot catch even catch a flathead anymore with the kids. It is a disgrace.
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson
16h ·
Tonight, the major parties have joined forces to sell out Australia’s environment laws, Tasmania’s waterways, and the future of the endangered Maugean skate, to the filthy, toxic salmon industry.
I have been campaigning for the protection of the skate and its home, Macquarie Harbour, for over 10 years now and it is heartbreaking and frankly infuriating that this is what our Parliament has now delivered. It has never been clearer that Labor and the Liberals do not care about our environment or our wildlife.
But this is not the end of the fight. Far from it. This will be an election issue. This is proof and a reminder of how much we need more Greens in Parliament and make no mistake, the people are listening.
Jacinta Marr
Its not just about the Skate….all the water around farms is polluted, slimy gunge on the sea floor and completely dead. Rope and plastic rubbish from farms all over the beaches and foreshores.
Targeting of seals and relocating them. Southern Tasmania used to be supurb to fish, swim and dive…you cannot catch even catch a flathead anymore with the kids. It is a disgrace.
the gunge on the sea floor s due to salmon poo and uneaten food dropping from the bottom of the cages. worse with over stocking and not shifting around the cages enough.
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson
16h ·
Tonight, the major parties have joined forces to sell out Australia’s environment laws, Tasmania’s waterways, and the future of the endangered Maugean skate, to the filthy, toxic salmon industry.
I have been campaigning for the protection of the skate and its home, Macquarie Harbour, for over 10 years now and it is heartbreaking and frankly infuriating that this is what our Parliament has now delivered. It has never been clearer that Labor and the Liberals do not care about our environment or our wildlife.
But this is not the end of the fight. Far from it. This will be an election issue. This is proof and a reminder of how much we need more Greens in Parliament and make no mistake, the people are listening.
Jacinta Marr
Its not just about the Skate….all the water around farms is polluted, slimy gunge on the sea floor and completely dead. Rope and plastic rubbish from farms all over the beaches and foreshores.
Targeting of seals and relocating them. Southern Tasmania used to be supurb to fish, swim and dive…you cannot catch even catch a flathead anymore with the kids. It is a disgrace.
What a great speech by Peter Dutton (may his tribe increase)
Well done Pete.
Not often that an opposition leader references a Gwyneth Paltrow movie, probably this is the first such instance since Alexander Downer threw in some quotes from Hook.
Peter Dutton has vowed to establish an east coast gas reservation scheme to lower power prices and sack all 41,000 federal public servants hired under Anthony Albanese if he wins an election billed as a “sliding doors moment” for the nation.
The ABC has confirmed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will call the election tomorrow morning for May 3.
It’ll be an orgasmic frenzy at the ABC for the next 5 weeks then, hey what but. Frothing at the mouth, they will be. All their zealous journalistic juices will be flowing ad nauseum and ad infinitum.
The ABC has confirmed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will call the election tomorrow morning for May 3.
It’ll be an orgasmic frenzy at the ABC for the next 5 weeks then, hey what but. Frothing at the mouth, they will be. All their zealous journalistic juices will be flowing ad nauseum and ad infinitum.
The ABC? Sky News will leave the ABC for dead in that regard, shifting into overdrive to try to convince , with their own brand of ‘journalism’, the Australian electorate that any notion of voting for the any outfit but the L/NP is akin to selling your soul and those of your children and your grandchildren, to the Devil.
The ABC has confirmed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will call the election tomorrow morning for May 3.
It’ll be an orgasmic frenzy at the ABC for the next 5 weeks then, hey what but. Frothing at the mouth, they will be. All their zealous journalistic juices will be flowing ad nauseum and ad infinitum.
The ABC? Sky News will leave the ABC for dead in that regard, shifting into overdrive to try to convince , with their own brand of ‘journalism’, the Australian electorate that any notion of voting for the any outfit but the L/NP is akin to selling your soul and those of your children and your grandchildren, to the Devil.
The Devil is probably not such a bad bloke. We’ve only heard one side of the argument from a fairly petty and vengeful god, it must be said.
The good folks at the Network Ten advertising department think I am interested in Liberal campaign ads for Kooyong. This is on Chromecast so they know I do not live in Kooyong. I suppose I should be happy to see Liberal party funds being so stupidly wasted.
The ABC has confirmed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will call the election tomorrow morning for May 3.
It’ll be an orgasmic frenzy at the ABC for the next 5 weeks then, hey what but. Frothing at the mouth, they will be. All their zealous journalistic juices will be flowing ad nauseum and ad infinitum.
The ABC? Sky News will leave the ABC for dead in that regard, shifting into overdrive to try to convince , with their own brand of ‘journalism’, the Australian electorate that any notion of voting for the any outfit but the L/NP is akin to selling your soul and those of your children and your grandchildren, to the Devil.
Wait they’re even against Pauline and Clive and Ralph and all those good kind our souls ¿
The good folks at the Network Ten advertising department think I am interested in Liberal campaign ads for Kooyong. This is on Chromecast so they know I do not live in Kooyong. I suppose I should be happy to see Liberal party funds being so stupidly wasted.
They are going crazy with the leafleting out here in Wannon. They seem to be truly fearful of Alex Dyson. The latest one is a double sided A4 page, folded in three. There seems to be two sizes of corflute. The Gigantic and the Big. I’ve seen more Dyson corflutes than Tehan ones though. And Alex Dyson has an orange kelpie cut out, with no writing on it, as well as corflutes with his picture and name. And the kelpies are showing up all over the electorate tied onto fences.
The good folks at the Network Ten advertising department think I am interested in Liberal campaign ads for Kooyong. This is on Chromecast so they know I do not live in Kooyong. I suppose I should be happy to see Liberal party funds being so stupidly wasted.
They are going crazy with the leafleting out here in Wannon. They seem to be truly fearful of Alex Dyson. The latest one is a double sided A4 page, folded in three. There seems to be two sizes of corflute. The Gigantic and the Big. I’ve seen more Dyson corflutes than Tehan ones though. And Alex Dyson has an orange kelpie cut out, with no writing on it, as well as corflutes with his picture and name. And the kelpies are showing up all over the electorate tied onto fences.
Good to hear. It will be one to watch come election night.
I’ve already got a sign on my letterbox: no religion, no political, and no real estate junk.
I could improve the grammar but I won’t.
I reckon people should still be given electoral info even if they have a no junk mail sign. At the very least it reminds people about an upcoming election.
The good folks at the Network Ten advertising department think I am interested in Liberal campaign ads for Kooyong. This is on Chromecast so they know I do not live in Kooyong. I suppose I should be happy to see Liberal party funds being so stupidly wasted.
They are going crazy with the leafleting out here in Wannon. They seem to be truly fearful of Alex Dyson. The latest one is a double sided A4 page, folded in three. There seems to be two sizes of corflute. The Gigantic and the Big. I’ve seen more Dyson corflutes than Tehan ones though. And Alex Dyson has an orange kelpie cut out, with no writing on it, as well as corflutes with his picture and name. And the kelpies are showing up all over the electorate tied onto fences.
Good to hear. It will be one to watch come election night.
We aren’t getting information about how good Tehan is, or what they plan to do, they are all attack notices. I think it says something when every Liberal pamphlet you get has the name Alex Dyson and his picture plastered all over it.
It really pissed me off that Sarah Ferguson didn’t push back on Dutton last night at his claim that Labor left the budget in a mess. FCOL these years of surpluses mean all the deterioration in the budget since Rudd 2.0 is the coalition. Labor has to hammer this home big time.
It really pissed me off that Sarah Ferguson didn’t push back on Dutton last night at his claim that Labor left the budget in a mess. FCOL these years of surpluses mean all the deterioration in the budget since Rudd 2.0 is the coalition. Labor has to hammer this home big time.
Kym Watling
Just now ·
Oh my goodness!! Thank you ABC iview ABC Friends ABC Australia, you fixed it! And so quickly too. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one that noticed, but I am so grateful to see this restored to balance.
Kym Watling
Just now ·
Oh my goodness!! Thank you ABC iview ABC Friends ABC Australia, you fixed it! And so quickly too. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one that noticed, but I am so grateful to see this restored to balance.
Kym Watling
Just now ·
Oh my goodness!! Thank you ABC iview ABC Friends ABC Australia, you fixed it! And so quickly too. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one that noticed, but I am so grateful to see this restored to balance.
Not that anyone expects luxury hotel guests to be taking the train to get there, but I do wonder about the impact of these new buildings on existing infrastructure without a rail line, and new buses.
The candidate for Greens has a suspiciously similar name to the candidate for One Nation from 2019, but upon further research I believe they are different people.
Economist Nicholas Gruen has rubbished the work of big four auditor KPMG for the Tasmanian government on the controversial proposal to build a new stadium in Hobart.
Bernard Keane
Mar 27, 2025
Big four audit firm KPMG tried to dictate how a government body should assess the case for a new stadium in Hobart, omitted obvious inclusions that would have undermined the case for the stadium, and made some bizarre assumptions, independent economist Nicholas Gruen has revealed in evidence to the Tasmanian Parliament.
Earlier this year, in the wash-up from the Tasmanian election and after a demand by Jacqui Lambie Network MPs, Gruen was commissioned by the minority Tasmanian government to prepare an independent report on the building of a new stadium in Hobart. His report found that the cost of the stadium had been significantly understated by the government.
Giving evidence to Tasmania’ Parliamentary Accounts Committee, Gruen took aim at the work of KPMG, which was commissioned by the government body building the stadium, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation, to provide economic analysis for the project.
wn into the election spotlight.
Gruen identified a number of howlers in KPMG’s work, as well as the fact that it refused to comply with a request from the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) to provide an alternative public project scenario to enable an understanding of the opportunity cost of the project.
The TPC’s guidelines are explicit that “the economic impact report should also consider the opportunity cost of domestic investment — for example, a ‘counter-factual’ estimate of the impact of an alternative investment of equivalent public funds.” Gruen’s own report provided a counter-factual case of an educational facility.
But KPMG point-blank refused to comply, and criticised the commission for its “false premise that the opportunity cost of the stadium is an alternative investment that the government may choose to do.” It’s a bizarre argument: trying to determine whether a major project involving both public land and extensive government spending should proceed must surely involve some consideration of what alternative uses such assets could be put to.
As Gruen put it to state MPs “it takes some nerve to argue that your requirement is based on a ‘false premise’. It is, rather, based on the textbook application of the most fundamental concept in economics — that of opportunity cost.”
Infrastructure Australia’s Guide To Economic Appraisal also states that “the capital costs should include the opportunity cost of the land used, even where this is currently owned by government”. But KPMG did not include the opportunity cost of the land on which the stadium will be built in its costings for the project, thus understating the costs by over $150 million.
KPMG’s work contains other serious problems. Gruen estimates that overall “there are an additional $322 million of costs on top of the cost estimate presented in the Project of State Significance project, bringing total capital costs to $1,096 million compared with the claimed $775 million.”
And KPMG wildly overstates how many interstate visitors would attend matches — thereby inflating the benefits from interstate tourism. KPMG based its figures on how many interstate visitors attended AFL matches in Launceston. Problem is, those matches featured two interstate teams, whereas the new stadium would host matches involving the local Tasmanian team and one interstate team. Then KPMG inflated that number based on the assumption that matches in the new stadium would attract bigger crowds than in Launceston.
Nor does KPMG anywhere respond to Gruen’s earlier report. In fact, in its late January addendum for the corporation, KPMG rather ostentatiously pretends that Gruen’s report, which raised a large number of concerns about KPMG’s assumptions, simply doesn’t exist. It suggests KPMG lacked the wherewithal to mount any sort of intellectual defence of its overly generous assumptions — and conjures memories of its outrageous and deeply conflicted role in the TAHE scandal in NSW.
Gruen told Crikey it’s symptomatic of a broader problem in public policy. “There is no-one in the system whose job it is to get to the truth. Rather we have a ‘for’ and ‘against’ position and they fight it out in front of an audience of partisans. As this system reaches its end point it’s no-one’s job to seek or speak the truth. Ultimately the Westminster system has been slowly drowned by the party system and media imperatives.
“The only way to rescue democratic accountability from this unaccountability machine is a crossbench with the balance of power — the thing that empowered me to seek and speak the truth about the stadium.”
28 March 2025
Felling in Kosciuszko National Park for Snowy 2.0 sparks anger
Christine Middap
Tree clearing in Kosciuszko National Park
From the air and from the ground it’s an unexpected sight: kilometres of native forest felled and bulldozed along pristine slopes and ridges in one of the country’s most beloved national parks.
And yet here it is, a cemetery of fallen trees leaving an ugly scar through a swath of Kosciuszko National Park in the northern reaches of the Australian Alps.
Snow gums, ribbon gums, red gums and native shrubs – habitat for myriad threatened creatures – have been flattened to make way for power lines to connect the beleaguered $12bn Snowy 2.0 pumped-hydro project to the national energy grid.
Soon, concrete footings will anchor a double row of 75m-high steel towers looped with wires that will traverse 8km of the park and about a kilometre of adjoining Bago State Forest where a substation is under construction. From there it will connect to Humelink, the controversial 360km high-voltage line planned for southern NSW.
Beyond the conspicuous defacement of a section of the national park, environmentalists are asking bigger questions: if governments can approve this level of destruction to a sacrosanct place such as Kosciuszko in the name of green energy, are any protected areas safe?
This is rugged country in one of the more remote corners of the park where densely forested peaks hide in low clouds and an orchestra of birdsong carries on the breeze. National parks crusader Ted Woodley describes it as a majestic place, which is why this jagged scar provides such a visual jolt, a “what-the-hell-happened-here” moment.
On a visit to the area east of Tumbarumba last week, fallen trees were piled along the edge of the cleared easement or left lying where they fell, with a few denuded trunks still standing. In the rubble, a wild mare and her foal were the only signs of life. No birdsong here. Mr Woodley, an executive member of the National Parks Association of NSW, also surveyed this scene recently and was disappointed but not surprised.
Forest cleared to make way for side-by-side steel towers, up to 75m high, through Kosciuszko National Park and adjoining state forest. Picture: Martin Ollman
Forest cleared to make way for side-by-side steel towers, up to 75m high, through Kosciuszko National Park and adjoining state forest. Picture: Martin Ollman
“It’s an environmental nightmare but we knew this would happen. The tragedy is that the destruction of this pristine alpine landscape is totally unnecessary,’’ he says.
Mr Woodley claims sections of the construction site already show signs of erosion and seeding of weeds. The NPA will call on the NSW government to investigate.
The transmission network operator, Transgrid, says extensive design work was undertaken to minimise clearing and the approved project is subject to regular independent audits and NSW government site inspections to ensure compliance.
Cleared slope in Kosciuszko National Park. Picture: Martin Ollman
Logs piled along the edge of the easement. Transgrid says measures have been taken to reduce environmental impact from the project. Picture: Martin Ollman
Whatever the case, this incursion into the northern reaches of the national park is exactly what the NPA and others spent years fighting to prevent. The 2006 statutory management plan for Kosciuszko banned new overhead transmission lines, directing that they must instead run underground. Where feasible, existing power lines should be moved underground too, the plan said.
The park has endured years of human impact from resorts and the original Snowy hydro scheme and the large footprint of the newer Snowy 2.0 construction site.
Supporters believed the plan of management at least protected it from further assault by prohibiting long spans of new wires and towers that would fragment habitat and spoil the character of pristine areas. “Overhead lines would cause environmental impacts that are totally incompatible with the national and international significance of Kosciuszko National Park,” the NPA told the previous NSW Coalition government in a 2021 letter backed by two dozen organisations and 50 engineers, scientists, environmentalists, academics and economists.
However, Transgrid insisted the overhead option was the most viable and cost-efficient model, and the previous NSW government, supported by its energy minister, Matt Kean, duly issued an exemption to the park plan.
In October 2022, five months into its first term, the Albanese government gave final environmental approvals and nothing, not even a court challenge mounted by the NPA against the NSW government, would stop it.
Snowy 2.0 transmission corridor under construction in Kosciuszko National Park. Picture: Martin Ollman
Snowy 2.0 transmission corridor under construction in Kosciuszko National Park. Picture: Martin Ollman
“And so for the first time in half a century we’ll have these environmentally destructive overhead lines built through a NSW national park when in other countries it’s the norm to put them underground. It sets an appalling precedent,’’ Mr Woodley says.
He recently visited the area with Cooma resident Peter Anderson, who, like Mr Woodley, has been monitoring the easement clearing with growing concern. “Why designate and set aside a national park and then do this?’’ he said. “You look at this and can see that it’s wrong.’’
In the grand scheme of things, does clearing a long ribbon of land amounting to about 125ha in a 690,000ha park really matter? In the race to reduce emissions and power the nation, is this scar through the park a necessary evil?
Jamie Pittock, a professor in the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University supports pumped-storage hydropower but said the overhead transmission lines were a step too far when there was a feasible, albeit more costly, underground alternative.
“You can say, well, yes, it’s a small part of the national park. It’s also one of the most remote parts of the park. This means roads have been developed and land has been cleared, which brings things like weed invasion and enables more effective hunting by predators like cats and foxes,” he said.
Fragmenting the habitat poses a major threat to some species, such as gliders, that won’t cross wide clearings. “So this very deleteriously impacts what was a remote area and it also sets a nasty precedent,” Professor Pittock says.
Satellite images showing cleared land in preparation for Snowy Hydro 2.0 transmission lines across National Park and State Forest from Tantangara to Maragle. Picture: Nearmap
Tracks and easements cleared through Kosciuszko National Park to connect Snowy 2.0 to a new substation located in Bago State Forest. Picture: Martin Ollman
Tracks and easements cleared through Kosciuszko National Park to connect Snowy 2.0 to a new substation located in Bago State Forest. Picture: Martin Ollman
Mr Woodley, a former senior energy executive, agrees. If overhead transmission lines are allowed through an iconic park like Kosciuszko what is the likelihood other proposals could be waved through in the future?
What hope is there for other wild areas that stand in the path of key infrastructure for the mammoth renewables transition? Ecologists and some environmental groups have already sounded the alarm about hundreds of wind turbines along the Great Dividing Range in Queensland that require widespread clearing of forests.
Former Queensland government principal botanist Jeanette Kemp last year warned of significant degradation of remote and ecologically important ranges to make way for wind farms.
In Kosciuszko, the high biodiversity values of the area cleared for the 42 towers and 120-200m-wide easements have never been in question. A visual impact assessment noted the wires would traverse undisturbed and mountainous terrain and forested valleys in what is the only true alpine environment in NSW.
Majestic: areas of the national park near the new transmission easement. Picture: Martin Ollman
Various environment reports have identified a list of threatened wildlife in the area, including yellow-bellied gliders, eastern pygmy possums, gang gang cockatoos and various owls and frogs. Transgrid’s contractors have to follow strict rules before clearing and take particular care around breeding habitats, mechanically nudging suspect trees “to encourage any remaining animals to either leave, or at least attempt to leave and therefore become visible …”
A Transgrid spokesman said ecologists monitored for native wildlife for 28 days before clearing started and had plans to manage or relocate wildlife during works.
The spokesman said comprehensive environmental, biodiversity and heritage management plans were implemented to minimise damage, and vegetation had been preserved on more than 23 per cent of the easement. The clearing for the transmission link is on top of the footprint of Snowy 2.0 that connects the existing hydro reservoirs through 27km of tunnels and a new underground power station, all being constructed in the national park.
Professor Pittock says Snowy 2.0 and the transmission connection should never have been assessed and approved separately; they should have been considered as one project which would have allowed examination of the cumulative environmental impact.
“It’s very disappointing that it’s ended up like this. As a scientist who favours pumped storage hydropower, I think the way the Snowy 2.0 environmental approvals have been managed gives the industry a bad name, and that’s a shame, because there can be much higher quality pumped storage developments, and the country needs them.”
Professor Pittock believes underground power lines were technically feasible. “It would have cost three times, four times more than going overhead. But on the scale of the Snowy 2.0 development as a whole, it’s a pretty modest cost and would have much less environmental impact. I think that it would have been worth paying that to keep that large wild corner of the national park intact,’’ he says.
A permanent scar through Kosciuszko National Park and adjoining Bago State Forest. Picture: Martin Ollman
Easement construction for power lines from Snowy 2.0 in Kosciuszko National Park to the new substation located in Bago State Forest. Picture: Martin Ollman
The Transgrid spokesman said the steep mountainous terrain and significant water bodies rendered underground approaches unfeasible. He said the overhead option had been subject to a comprehensive environmental impact statement process.
“While we make every effort to reduce vegetation clearing, we are balancing the need to deliver critical transmission infrastructure to ensure the security and reliability of the national electricity grid,” he said.
Mr Woodley said Transgrid might come to regret the overhead option. “This is a very, very steep mountainside and they’re going to have to maintain the access tracks and the easements and the weeds. This is going to be a management nightmare for Transgrid forever,’’ he said
Economist Nicholas Gruen has rubbished the work of big four auditor KPMG for the Tasmanian government on the controversial proposal to build a new stadium in Hobart.
Bernard Keane
Mar 27, 2025
Big four audit firm KPMG tried to dictate how a government body should assess the case for a new stadium in Hobart, omitted obvious inclusions that would have undermined the case for the stadium, and made some bizarre assumptions, independent economist Nicholas Gruen has revealed in evidence to the Tasmanian Parliament.
Earlier this year, in the wash-up from the Tasmanian election and after a demand by Jacqui Lambie Network MPs, Gruen was commissioned by the minority Tasmanian government to prepare an independent report on the building of a new stadium in Hobart. His report found that the cost of the stadium had been significantly understated by the government.
Giving evidence to Tasmania’ Parliamentary Accounts Committee, Gruen took aim at the work of KPMG, which was commissioned by the government body building the stadium, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation, to provide economic analysis for the project.
wn into the election spotlight.
Gruen identified a number of howlers in KPMG’s work, as well as the fact that it refused to comply with a request from the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) to provide an alternative public project scenario to enable an understanding of the opportunity cost of the project.
The TPC’s guidelines are explicit that “the economic impact report should also consider the opportunity cost of domestic investment — for example, a ‘counter-factual’ estimate of the impact of an alternative investment of equivalent public funds.” Gruen’s own report provided a counter-factual case of an educational facility.
But KPMG point-blank refused to comply, and criticised the commission for its “false premise that the opportunity cost of the stadium is an alternative investment that the government may choose to do.” It’s a bizarre argument: trying to determine whether a major project involving both public land and extensive government spending should proceed must surely involve some consideration of what alternative uses such assets could be put to.
As Gruen put it to state MPs “it takes some nerve to argue that your requirement is based on a ‘false premise’. It is, rather, based on the textbook application of the most fundamental concept in economics — that of opportunity cost.”
Infrastructure Australia’s Guide To Economic Appraisal also states that “the capital costs should include the opportunity cost of the land used, even where this is currently owned by government”. But KPMG did not include the opportunity cost of the land on which the stadium will be built in its costings for the project, thus understating the costs by over $150 million.
KPMG’s work contains other serious problems. Gruen estimates that overall “there are an additional $322 million of costs on top of the cost estimate presented in the Project of State Significance project, bringing total capital costs to $1,096 million compared with the claimed $775 million.”
And KPMG wildly overstates how many interstate visitors would attend matches — thereby inflating the benefits from interstate tourism. KPMG based its figures on how many interstate visitors attended AFL matches in Launceston. Problem is, those matches featured two interstate teams, whereas the new stadium would host matches involving the local Tasmanian team and one interstate team. Then KPMG inflated that number based on the assumption that matches in the new stadium would attract bigger crowds than in Launceston.
Nor does KPMG anywhere respond to Gruen’s earlier report. In fact, in its late January addendum for the corporation, KPMG rather ostentatiously pretends that Gruen’s report, which raised a large number of concerns about KPMG’s assumptions, simply doesn’t exist. It suggests KPMG lacked the wherewithal to mount any sort of intellectual defence of its overly generous assumptions — and conjures memories of its outrageous and deeply conflicted role in the TAHE scandal in NSW.
Gruen told Crikey it’s symptomatic of a broader problem in public policy. “There is no-one in the system whose job it is to get to the truth. Rather we have a ‘for’ and ‘against’ position and they fight it out in front of an audience of partisans. As this system reaches its end point it’s no-one’s job to seek or speak the truth. Ultimately the Westminster system has been slowly drowned by the party system and media imperatives.
“The only way to rescue democratic accountability from this unaccountability machine is a crossbench with the balance of power — the thing that empowered me to seek and speak the truth about the stadium.”
No Teals so far in my electorate. The two major parties, Greens, One Nation, Family First.
I don’t think the candidate for FF has heard of sunscreen.
What a strange comment about this woman’s appearance.
I have damage from the sun that started before modern day sunscreens were produced. I’m currently very aware of a large pigmented area on the side of my face that is darkening as I age.
Still a month out but the polls are continuing to drift ALPward so I’d be a bit surprised if the Lishun forms government from here.
ALP’s major weakness is Victoria. Elsewhere the swings against them are moderate to negligible. The polls indicate a 5% swing against ALP in Victoria. If that were to thwacken out to 7% or something there’d be a bag of seats for the Liberals. It’s probably too late to do much about it.
dirty communist Labor prefer to be anti SCIENCE and technology and research the bastards
monitoring a high-tech Chinese research ship which operates a deep sea submersible vessel, as it makes its way through southern Australian waters. Maritime tracking websites have recorded the Tan Suo Yi Hao passing the Victorian coastline in recent days, after it completed joint surveys with New Zealand. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Perth that he’d “prefer” the ship wasn’t in Australian waters
Peter Dutton’s plan to move to Sydney instead of Canberra if elected ‘arrogant’, Labor says
Opposition leader confirms he would move into Kirribilli House if elected PM – a statement Anthony Albanese says shows ‘a fair bit of hubris’
Labor frontbencher Katy Gallagher has accused Peter Dutton of “arrogantly measuring the curtains at Kirribilli House” and disrespecting the national capital.
Peter Dutton has confirmed he and his family would move into Sydney’s Kirribilli House – a harbourside mansion overlooking the Opera House – rather than the Lodge in Canberra if elected on 3 May.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the comments – made during week one of the federal election campaign – showed “a fair bit of hubris”.
“We would live in Kirribilli,” Dutton told Sydney radio hosts Kyle and Jackie O on Monday.
“We love Sydney, we love the harbour, it’s a great city, and so yes. You’ve got the choice between Kirribilli or living in Canberra. I think I’ll take Sydney any day over living in Canberra.”
Dutton’s comments have annoyed several ACT politicians who are already angered by the Coalition’s plan to shed about 41,000 federal public service jobs to save money. The majority of this workforce lives in and around Canberra.
Gallagher claimed Dutton’s comments showed he had “no respect” for the people of Canberra.
“It is no surprise to me that Peter Dutton is arrogantly measuring the curtains at Kirribilli House while he continues to kick Canberra,” Gallagher said.
“This arrogant attitude is in stark contrast to the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, who proudly lives in Canberra and respects the national capital”.
Working on the basis that there must be a reasonable number of Lib voters who don’t like Trump at all, maybe we should all encourage Gina to be even more vocal about her support of Trump and Dutton.
Working on the basis that there must be a reasonable number of Lib voters who don’t like Trump at all, maybe we should all encourage Gina to be even more vocal about her support of Trump and Dutton.
Apparently 50% of coalition voters are fine with Trump.
Working on the basis that there must be a reasonable number of Lib voters who don’t like Trump at all, maybe we should all encourage Gina to be even more vocal about her support of Trump and Dutton.
Apparently 50% of coalition voters are fine with Trump.
I’m assuming they are the rusted on ones who will vote Dutton whatever.
Working on the basis that there must be a reasonable number of Lib voters who don’t like Trump at all, maybe we should all encourage Gina to be even more vocal about her support of Trump and Dutton.
Apparently 50% of coalition voters are fine with Trump.
I’m assuming they are the rusted on ones who will vote Dutton whatever.
What is it with culling public servants.
I imagine because many work behind the scenes the public are unaware what they do.
Get rid of them and various services grind to a holt.
The point I assume is to weaken government so corporations can take over and rescind various protections.
The yanks equate governments regulations as commie even if they protect them from exploitations.
Better dead than red
What is it with culling public servants.
I imagine because many work behind the scenes the public are unaware what they do.
Get rid of them and various services grind to a holt.
The point I assume is to weaken government so corporations can take over and rescind various protections.
The yanks equate governments regulations as commie even if they protect them from exploitations.
Better dead than red
Albanese tells Trump that Australia is ‘not negotiating’ on biosecurity, medicines and news
Office of US trade representative releases report on ‘foreign trade barriers’ including Australia’s biosecurity regime for imported beef, pork and poultry
Albanese tells Trump that Australia is ‘not negotiating’ on biosecurity, medicines and news
Office of US trade representative releases report on ‘foreign trade barriers’ including Australia’s biosecurity regime for imported beef, pork and poultry
Albanese tells Trump that Australia is ‘not negotiating’ on biosecurity, medicines and news
Office of US trade representative releases report on ‘foreign trade barriers’ including Australia’s biosecurity regime for imported beef, pork and poultry
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, said on Tuesday he supported Albanese’s decision to stand up to Trump on tariffs, but claimed he would have more “strength of leadership and experience” than the current prime minister.
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I would have done that. But I would have done it betterer.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, said on Tuesday he supported Albanese’s decision to stand up to Trump on tariffs, but claimed he would have more “strength of leadership and experience” than the current prime minister.
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I would have done that. But I would have done it betterer.
Well, more baldly but also more sycophantically, giving Trump the impression “that bald potato guy is a pushover”.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, said on Tuesday he supported Albanese’s decision to stand up to Trump on tariffs, but claimed he would have more “strength of leadership and experience” than the current prime minister.
—-
I would have done that. But I would have done it betterer.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, said on Tuesday he supported Albanese’s decision to stand up to Trump on tariffs, but claimed he would have more “strength of leadership and experience” than the current prime minister.
—-
I would have done that. But I would have done it betterer.
Well, more baldly but also more sycophantically, giving Trump the impression “that bald potato guy is a pushover”.
Also Albo has been in the job for three years and that is experience that Dutton does not have.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, said on Tuesday he supported Albanese’s decision to stand up to Trump on tariffs, but claimed he would have more “strength of leadership and experience” than the current prime minister.
—-
I would have done that. But I would have done it betterer.
Well, more baldly but also more sycophantically, giving Trump the impression “that bald potato guy is a pushover”.
Also Albo has been in the job for three years and that is experience that Dutton does not have.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, said on Tuesday he supported Albanese’s decision to stand up to Trump on tariffs, but claimed he would have more “strength of leadership and experience” than the current prime minister.
—-
I would have done that. But I would have done it betterer.
