Australian Election

[GT93]

Federal Labor is accusing the government of the "worst failure of Australian foreign policy in the Pacific" in almost 80 years, after the governments of Solomon Islands and China signed a new security pact.

Mr Morrison said his government was "very aware of where the agreement was up to".

He said it was important to communicate with the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, what Australia's position was, and to not "go and stamp around".

He says the aim was to deal with the issue "constructively and respectfully".

I expect the Chinese to make further moves into the Pacific. Labor might need to roll out this rhetoric again and again over the coming decades.

I see the meat eaters virus has just kicked into the campaign. I assume we won't be seeing any parties at Albanese's home.

[pepesgrill]

baruli ulcer - necrotizes tissue scientists speculate infected possum poop spread by mossies . as if , not enough crazy stuff out there

[pepesgrill]

could always deport some more new zealanders
that always boosts approval ratings a few points

[Earnest]

I get the impression Australians and New Zealanders are hugger mugger, Cali, Kiwis would have to do something pretty awful to warrant getting deported.

[stattointhailand]

Like breathing Aussie Air?

[Earnest]

Me?

No, I've never visited Australia or New Zealand, I've only visited the southern hemisphere a couple of times. But I saw a programme on the television about Kiwi bikers being deported from Australia and the shock the Kiwis felt as they had heavily invested in their adopted country. Apparently, there's a rather large Kiwi biker gang involved in drug running over there. Rather like the misfit County Liners who infiltrate market towns in Blighty.

[noosard]

Former prime Minister little Johnny has taken a swipe at the so-called “teal” independents, saying they are really just “anti-Liberal groupies”.

[Whistler]

Former prime Minister little Johnny has taken a swipe at the so-called “teal” independents, saying they are really just “anti-Liberal groupies”.

Little Johnny had a charmed run, no effetcive opposition to bring to brook a 'do nothing' PM. He served for a long time as he inhertied a nation where Hawke and Keating did the heavy lifting, they overhailed the banking system, brought the Unions into the 20/21st century, built a thriving economy and little johnny waltzed in, claiming credit.

He did two great things after a long time in office.

- Revised the godawful sales tax system and brought in the GST (so I voted for him, a much needed reform)
- Implemented an effective, but not represive gun control regime.

Give him his due for these reforms, but apart from that he was a lying rat.

[noosard]

Bob Hawke most famous saying "Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum."
Paul Keating most famous saying “this is a recession that Australia had to have”
Also known as the lizard of Oz

[jackspratt]

He did two great things after a long time in office.

- Revised the godawful sales tax system and brought in the GST (so I voted for him, a much needed reform)
- Implemented an effective, but not represive gun control regime.

I'll add in big reforms to the superannuation system in 2007 - which allowed me to retire early.

In the debit ledger, and which far outweighs the credits, are such gems as:

- Iraq invasion
- children overboard
- Work Choices.

He received his comeuppance at the 2007 election, and the nickname "Lying Rodent" will live on forever.

[tamada]

Fair shakes but who was little Johnny?

C'mon blue. Don't make me Google it.

[Whistler]

Fair shakes but who was little Johnny?

C'mon blue. Don't make me Google it.

John Winston Howard, one of the worst PM's Australia has ever had, when he lost his last election, he managed to lose his own seat too.

[Whistler]

He did two great things after a long time in office.

- Revised the godawful sales tax system and brought in the GST (so I voted for him, a much needed reform)
- Implemented an effective, but not represive gun control regime.

I'll add in big reforms to the superannuation system in 2007 - which allowed me to retire early.

In the debit ledger, and which far outweighs the credits, are such gems as:

- Iraq invasion
- children overboard
- Work Choices.

He received his comeuppance at the 2007 election, and the nickname "Lying Rodent" will live on forever.

Jack you forgot to add one of the most devious little schemes he ever implemented. For those not in the know, the majority of Australian wanted the country to be an independent republic and no longer have the British Queen as head of state.

Howard promised a referendum for the people to decide. Then he distorted the referendum so the only choice was to have a republic where the president would have no independence, would be appointed by the Prime Minister and would be a puppet. The choice was so abhorent that the referendum failed, incredibly cynical.

[Barney]

Fair shakes but who was little Johnny?

C'mon blue. Don't make me Google it.

2nd longest serving Australian PM.
Voted in for 4 terms.
I’ll just assume he must have had some supporters over the 11 years.
After him came the Labor Rudd Gillard circus era.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Whistler]

Fair shakes but who was little Johnny?

C'mon blue. Don't make me Google it.

2nd longest serving Australian PM.
Voted in for 4 terms.
I’ll just assume he must have had some supporters over the 11 years.
After him came the Labor Rudd Gillard circus era.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All true Barney. However, I would suggest he was incredibly fortunate in many respects, and not from his own efforts.

The economy had undergone under Hawke and Keating, one of the most transformative period in history. Unions were tamed under the Accord, the dollar was floated and banks freed from many regulations under Keating, these were reforms that one would expect under a conservative government, but were actually labor initiatives. The mining boom kicked in, Australia's agriculture sector kicked in as well. Howard inhertied a booming economy.

He also benefited by a dysfunctional Labor party that couldn't win a raffle prize even if they had the only ticket.

Howard however, squandered the fruits of the booming economy to give excessive tax cuts to commerce and higher income earners, instead of saving, he gave it away to sectors that were already wealthy. Economist largly agree that he should have been more modest in cutting government revenue, and really boosted the surplus.

Yes he was a successful PM in political terms, but what a dream run he had from circumstances that he simply inherited. As for him losing his seat, it was partly him being on the nose, but primarily the redistribution of his division, to include a large Chinese/Korean community. His track record at denigrating Asians alienated those new Bennalong voters.

Frankly, I regard him as a war criminal alongside Bush Jr and Tony Blair, their efforts in ignoring facts and only listening to arguments about WMD's in Iraq was disgraceful. What a mess they created, and that is apart from the hundreds of thousands that died.

[jackspratt]

Howard however, squandered the fruits of the booming economy to give excessive tax cuts to commerce and higher income earners, instead of saving, he gave it away to sectors that were already wealthy. Economist largly agree that he should have been more modest in cutting government revenue, and really boosted the surplus.

This article sets out succinctly the enduring economic (and other) damage Howard and his team inflicted on Australia.

https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/australi ... v08hi.html

[tamada]

Superb memory jog there from messrs, Whistler, Barney and jackspratt. Merci buckets cobbers.

The only independence referendum the Scots won was also buggered up by the small print inserted by a sitting Westminster government that wanted it to fail. Someone, somewhere feels your pain.

Now, back to the future. Any new gaffes by the incumbent and the other bloke?

[trekkertony]

It depends on one’s leanings as to level of disgust, but to have the Possible Defence Minister in waiting, (Richard Marley ) have a prepared speech to China vetted by the Chinese Embassy prior to releasing it to the media gives a very strong lead as to what to expect should labour/greens prevail in the election. Whilst Australia has a significant seasonal citrus industry, we will have to prepare for eating mandarin on a daily basis.

[tamada]

It depends on one’s leanings as to level of disgust, but to have the Possible Defence Minister in waiting, (Richard Marley ) have a prepared speech to China vetted by the Chinese Embassy prior to releasing it to the media gives a very strong lead as to what to expect should labour/greens prevail in the election. Whilst Australia has a significant seasonal citrus industry, we will have to prepare for eating mandarin on a daily basis.

He claims his speech, delivered in China in 2019 was critical of both Hong Kong and the treatment of Uyghurs. Pretty hard to believe that as factual. Any foreign politician kicking those hornets nests from the inside would have made world news at the time. It was already hard enough Googling this speech-related election news item since his surname is Marles and not Marley.

Anyone seen the text of this "pre-approved" speech? I would think international protocols allows for all sorts of pre-screening and auditing of speeches, be it by the Chinese, the Brits or Americans. That's why nobody of significance shakes up the world order in any meaningful way. Mealy-mouthed politicos isn't a uniquely Australian trait. You saw when Biden recently went "off-script" over Putin, calling him how most people see it. Thereupon a flurry of Whitehouse policy denials followed.

[Whistler]

It depends on one’s leanings as to level of disgust, but to have the Possible Defence Minister in waiting, (Richard Marley ) have a prepared speech to China vetted by the Chinese Embassy prior to releasing it to the media gives a very strong lead as to what to expect should labour/greens prevail in the election. Whilst Australia has a significant seasonal citrus industry, we will have to prepare for eating mandarin on a daily basis.

Vetted by the Chinese, utter BS. Disclosing is not vetting.

To quote Marles “I made a speech in China where I criticised China and I wanted to make sure that the Chinese government were not at all surprised with what I was going to say,” Marles said.

“The assertion made by the government is another desperate attempt to divert from their failings in the Pacific.”