Welcome back. While we were away:
• Newspoll published state results for every mainland state except Western Australia, where an election will be held on March 9, the result for which can presumably be expected shortly. There was also Newspoll’s quarterly geographical and demographic aggregate for federal voting intention. Essential Research provided state voting intention results for the three largest states, exclusive to the Poll Bludger. Posts on each of these releases can be found below this one.
• Newspoll also published results from its mid-December poll finding improving confidence for standard of living, with 13% expecting an improvement over the next six months (up one), 58% expecting it to stay the same (up eight) and 27% expecting it to worsen (down nine). GhostWhoVotes also provided Newspoll findings from a mid-year survey into appreciation of the ABC, which was found to be immensely and deservedly greater than anything the organisation’s critics at News Limited could ever dream of.
• A generally commendable discussion paper on electoral reform by the Queensland government caught the attention of the media and the federal government by floating, among many other things, the possibility that compulsory voting might be abolished. In this it was no different from the green paper composed for the Rudd government in 2009 by then Special Minister of State John Faulkner, but such has been the Newman government’s penchant for radicalism that its thought bubbles are being treated with greater than usual seriousness.
Rossmore@100
Thanks Rossmore.
I am not sure what my status was after 27th December but decided I would not post on that blog of infamy, as to do so would only lend it credibility it did not deserve.
It was interesting to see how a little power brought out the inner bully in some.
I noted you did not join in. 🙂
http://www.salon.com/2013/01/04/imf_economists_apologize_for_austerity_forecasts/
More evidence the ALP got the response to the GFC exactly right.
Rossmore @ 102
Indeed, and the Govt should get far more aggressive in publicising the facts on that.
Of course to some there is a major impediment to doing so.
Happy New Year, all.
Seems everyone wants to have a go at determining what will decide the next election. Today’s Mumble:
http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/mumble/index.php/theaustralian/comments/two_questions/
Happy New Year Bludgers. Almost a year to work on getting the good guys re-elected so go to it with gusto and may you all have a very healthy and relatively peaceful 2013.
Gaffhook – I loved Murdoch’s earlier tweet which OH read out to me with the comment that the message is out to the boyos today.
[Rupert Murdoch @rupertmurdoch
Why not switch from useless renewable energy investments to real job creating infrastructure projects. Many great possibilities waiting.]
A belated happy,safe and prosperous New Year to all the Bludgers.
Mumble’s piece today is uncomfortably close to the truth if things remain as they are.
But of course they won’t we don’t know what will happen between now and the election that could be a game changer – either way.
bomberrose
[Didn’t get a reply though.]
What a surprise!
The Australian MSM demand transparency from all. Except themselves it seems…
Rossmore, would you like me to comment on MYKI and the Melbourne rail system? 😀
bemused @ 98
[I am left wondering what George Pell is thinking about all the reports of the stances Abbott supposedly adopts on birth control, abortion and IVF]
Indeed, I was struck by this too, in particular, from the March 2004 report, from which Abbott is quoted as ‘abortion was the “easy way out”‘, comes this direct quote, an absolute clanger:
[“Aborting a foetus is not morally identical to deliberately killing a living human being…”]
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/16/1079199224910.html
This is just about fundamentally contradictory in every aspect to the Church’s teaching on the matter
[Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.
From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life…]
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7Z.HTM#-2C6
Laocoon @ 111
Abbott’s purported stance puts him so far out of line with Catholic teachings that there must be incredible tensions building up, bot within him and externally with the likes of George Pell.
I don’t see how things can stand as they are with Abbott walking both sides of the street.
bemused
Posted Monday, January 7, 2013 at 9:50 am | Permalink
Mumble’s piece today is uncomfortably close to the truth if things remain as they are.
———————————-
Yes Gillard will still be pm in 2014
mumble predictions like the rest from news ltd to richardson
you can be sure it wont happen
mumble has to follow the news ltd agenda, and continue to support their man abbott
bemused
[I don’t see how things can stand as they are with Abbott walking both sides of the street.]
I wouldn’t worry about that particularly.
The Age is quoting Abbott at Adelaide Uni – he was probably
BS-ing the audiencetailoring his message to the audience, not like it was his “true” position….much like AGW, Carbon Tax, paid parental leave, Workchoices, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera……OR GST reform – WA version or Tasmania version
Doesn’t take long to come up with a sumptuous list of Abbott
liespolicy inconsistenciesLaocoon @ 115
It does not worry me in the least. Quite the contrary. I think it will create enormous difficulties for Abbott. For example, how long can Pell remain silent? Or if not Pell, then someone else in the Catholic hierarchy.
Abbott has until now been their uber-Catholic political champion and now he is publicly spurning their cherished beliefs.
What will be going on in the shadow ministry between Abbott and the likes of Kevin Andrews?
bemused @98
Tones comments leave him plenty of wriggle room ,I’m sure he remains a faithful Pellite.
bemused 117
Pell may have his hands rather full with the Royal Commission shortly!
Having said that, I came across this comment recently by Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the congregation of bishops (a papabile), that might encourage a more out-spoken approach as you suggest:
[“Today, especially in the context of our secularized societies, we need bishops who are the first evangelizers, and not mere administrators of dioceses, who are capable of proclaiming the Gospel, who are not only theologically faithful to the magisterium and the pope but are also capable of expounding and, if need be, of defending the faith publicly.”]
http://www.catholic-sf.org/news_select.php?newsid=2&id=59407
poroti @ 118
I must have missed the wriggle room.
Perhaps he is just telling bare faced lies with an understanding with George that he can ‘fess up in private and all will be forgiven. 👿
briefly – Just as I enjoy your posts here I thoroughly enjoyed your writings on your blog.
confessions – will give Mumbles a miss if he’s on with his predictions about the PM again. He used to a never miss for me but not since he went to the OO.
[Monsanto’s money-making myth exposed as a failure.
The US Department of Agriculture’s review of Monsanto’s own data shows that years of investment into so-called “drought-tolerant” biotech crops have been nothing more than a risky and very expensive failure. Monsanto’s new “drought-tolerant” genetically-modified corn variety MON 87460 does not perform any better than non-GMO varieties.
Ignoring the data, on December 21, 2011, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would allow unlimited planting of MON 87460. The company and the USDA have both admitted the crop will fare only modestly better than current conventional varieties under low- and moderate-level drought conditions. This means that this corn will be useful only for a fraction of corn acres – just 15 percent by USDA estimates.]
http://14andout.blogspot.ca/2012/08/drought-tolerant-gmo-corn-failing.html
Abbott’s main goal is the PMship. Everything, including public statements of faith, is secondary to that goal or is a means too it.
To understand Abbott this needs to be understood.
William Bowe,
[… hot-weather hibernation.]
The technical term is estivation.
Happy New Year to you, and to all Bludgers and lurkers.
hi lizzie.
Yes Puff, as Windsor said, Abbott would do anything but sell his arse for the prize, and even that may be in play
I am hoping that Windsor releases those voice mail messages during the next campaign
[Or is it all a put up job with a wink and a nod from George?]
Bemused
If his own hide is to be protected Pell will say or do anything.
http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/article/Todays-Business-Headlines-933
Skim the business (and other) newspaper headlines
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/12/crazy-military-jobs/
[The 8 Craziest Job Openings in the Military-Industrial Complex
BY NOAH SHACHTMAN AND ROBERT BECKHUSEN12.28.126:30 AM]
Andrew discusses Credlin & Ashby
http://andrewelder.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/all-your-eggs-in-one-fridge.html
[07 January 2013
Exit strategy
The Coalition had hoped to win the 2013 election with a series of stunts that boxed Labor into a range of narrow, unpopular positions while enabling the Coalition to basically cruise into office promising anything and nothing. Everyone in the Coalition has been devoted to that strategy and it worked, for a while.
Now the strategy starting to fall apart. The government is occupying more positions that are less unpopular and looking more like a government. It is in a position to challenge the Coalition to prove itself rather than being able to maintain the position that all politicians dream of: to have their words taken at face value. ]
So, did anyone pick up some juicy gossip over the holiday break and if so, can you share it with us? 👿
Wow, Amanda Vanstone telling people to quit moaning and to look around to see how good things are in Australia.Who knows, perhaps antiroonism and BISON spotting will become fashionable in 2013 ? She does also go yah boo sucks to pollies in a pox on both their houses kind of way though. Current vote after 5,000 votes, 82% Aussies = whingers.
[Stop whingeing and get up early to beat the January blues
Australians used to joke about whingeing Poms but I fear we have adopted that rather unattractive trait as our own…..
It is just interesting that so many people who are happy to put the boot into parliamentarians do not appear to have tried to excel in their own work. We have a new class of people who appear quite happy to just be critical of others for not meeting the excellence bar……….
I will use these normal Australians as my inspiration to get on with it. Look around, you’ll see great Australians everywhere, that’ll get you going]
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/stop-whingeing-and-get-up-early-to-beat-the-january-blues-20130106-2cb3k.html#ixzz2HF61pdGa
[Tones comments leave him plenty of wriggle room ,I’m sure he remains a faithful Pellite.]
“Pellite” will never do. George will never endorse a new light brand offshoot. *joke*
Mumble is no less a partisan hack than other news ltd stable mates. How can he be so confident that the Labor comeback will not continue? If he is supposedly a poll observer/ commentator, how about actually looking at the numbers through an objective lens?
How does he justify his comment that, “On current settings, the answer in 2013 will be a fist-raising, celebratory ‘yes!’ to question one” ie. the question of do voters want a change of government, with the two 50-50 Newspolls?
All the happies, Puff.
BTW whenever a plea for a lost dog comes into my twitterstream, I always think of you and retweet it. Probably doesn’t help anyone, especially if it’s NT or Qld, but I just think a miracle might happen.
Poroti:
Wow indeed from van stone! Shocked.
Andrew Elder, is without doubt one of the best commentators going around, be it OM, NM, MSM or just M, if you see what I mean.
I wouldn’t mind if someone from the OM could employ someone with his command of the English language, never mind their political orientation. Unfortunately the vast majority of Australian political writers, are dull, predicable and pedestrian writers. And that’s before you get started on what they say!
Andrew:
I agree re elder. If labor do win the election he will be entitled to serious bragging rights.!
http://theconversation.edu.au/printed-journalism-may-be-dying-but-books-still-have-a-future-10840
[2 January 2013, 7.37am AEST
Printed journalism may be dying, but books still have a future
John Potts
Professor of Media at Macquarie University]
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2013/s3665031.htm
[GP’s the front line in reporting domestic violence
Alison Caldwell reported this story on Monday, January 7, 2013 08:18:00
ASHLEY HALL: There are calls today for all new GP’s to be trained to recognise the signs of domestic violence.
They’ve been prompted by a recent survey in Victoria that found family violence is the leading cause of death and ill health in women of child bearing age.
Currently, maternity and child health workers receive training, as well as police. But a leading academic says it’s now time to make sure all doctors recognise the signs too.]
Lance Boyle
Good point. How about Pellian ?
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/01/07/3665161.htm
[7 January, 2013 9:38AM ACST
Former CLP campaigner slams Government
By Clare Rawlinson
A former CLP campaign manager has resigned from the party, joining protests against the Mills Government budget changes and predicting a leadership challenge.
Professor Don Fuller managed Francis Xavier’s election campaign last year, leading him to a 16 per cent swing and narrow win in the seat of Arafura.
He told 105.7 Breakfast he has since left the party after unexpected price hikes in Power and Water tariffs and a failed bid to continue working with Mr Xavier after the election.]
From Elders piece:
[When people like Peta Credlin start heading for the exit only a fool would stick around on the expectation of victory.]
LoL!
lizzie – I wonder how the wheat and canola crops would stand comparison (GM) v non GMO)
http://14andout.blogspot.ca/2012/08/drought-tolerant-gmo-corn-failing.html
lizzie
that is good of you to rt lost pets. one never knows whovwill see it. plus people will be more willing to report found and roaming animals. social media has transformed lost and found for pets and brought people out of tbe woodwork who sre stillblooking for tbeir pets after years. so this feeds into more awareness of what to do. i regarly give advice on posters etc for ppl who have los5 pets. the volunteer facebook page Lost Dogs of Adelaide (which actuallybis for all animals) now has over 12000 followers.
before social media getting your pets photo out to 12000 people for free was impossible.
It is worth somesort of social research study I reckon.
Is Peta Credlin still married?
Seems rather strange, spilling your guts about a deeply personal issue totally ignoring the partner in your life.
Instead she chose to use this issue as an attempt to soften Rabbott’s image.
Speaks volumes about their relationship! 😉
imacca – I also wondered if the Credlin piece was to highlight that a good Liberal Party woman was not ‘deliberately barren’ as Bill Heffernan would say.
confessions
Do you think this bit is directed at journalists ?
“It is just interesting that so many people who are happy to put the boot into parliamentarians do not appear to have tried to excel in their own work.”
http://t.co/r9sXgIgJ (click google link, its in the Oz)
[Glencore chief Simon Murray launches private navy to combat Somali pirate threat
BY: NICHOLAS HELLEN From: The Times
January 06, 2013 11:55AM
BRITAIN’S first private navy in almost two centuries is being created by a group of businessmen to take on the Somali pirates who are terrorising an expanse of the Indian Ocean.
Its armed vessels – including a 10,000-ton mother ship and high-speed armoured patrol boats – will be led by a former Royal Navy commodore. He is recruiting 240 former marines and other sailors for the force.]
posting from phone.
typos
Poroti:
Yes I thought the same thing. Very telling.
Poroti:
Yes I thought the same thing. Very telling.