Scullin covers suburbs at the northern edge of Melbourne including Thomastown, Epping and Mill Park, from which it extends eastwards beyond the Plenty River to semi-rural outskirts and further suburban territory around Diamond Creek, a somewhat stronger area for the Liberals. The electorate traces its origins back to the seat of Darebin, which was created in 1949 to accommodate the area from Reservoir south to Preston. A seat bearing the name of Scullin existed in Melbourne’s inner north from 1955 until 1969, at which point it was abolished and the name reassigned. The newly renamed electorate of Scullin continued to cover the area immediately south of its present location, which was accommodated by Burke in the west and Diamond Valley in the east. Epping and Thomastown were absorbed by Scullin when Diamond Valley was abolished with the expansion of parliament in 1984, at which time Scullin continued to cover suburban territory around Hadfield further to the west, while the Diamond Valley area remained in McEwen. The electorate assumed its present character when the former area was exchanged for the latter with the redistribution that took effect at the 1996 election. Scullin as it has existed since 1969 has been held at all times by Labor, by margins ranging from 7.0% in 1977 to 27.6% in 1984. The current margin is 14.3%, following a 6.2% swing against Labor at the election in September.
Despite the dramatic changes in the territory it has covered, Scullin maintained continuity of representation in being held firstly by Harry Jenkins Senior from 1969 to 1986, and then by his son Harry Jenkins Junior up until the recent election. The elder Jenkins had been the state member for Reservoir from 1961 to 1969, and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from the election of the Hawke government in 1983 until his appointment as ambassador to Spain in December 1985. His son then emerged as a compromise preselection winner after a tussle within the locally dominant Socialist Left faction, which took place against the backdrop of the events which led to its controversial figurehead Bill Hartley being expelled from the party. Jenkins faced a preselection challenge ahead of the 2007 election after the Right and hard Left reached a deal in which the latter was to back Bill Shorten’s move against factional independent Bob Sercombe in Maribyrnong, with the former to support youthful party operative Nathan Murphy in Scullin. This fell through after Sercombe agreed to go quietly, relieving pressure on Right members to fall in behind the contentious deal in support of Murphy, who has since entered state politics as a member for the upper house region of Northern Metropolitan.
Jenkins followed his father’s footsteps still further when he took on the position of Speaker after the election of the Rudd government in 2007. The Labor leadership hoped to improve their precarious position on the floor of parliament after the 2010 election by having Jenkins make way for an independent or Coalition defector, but this could not be effected until Liberal member Peter Slipper agreed to take on the position in November 2011, which proved to be a poisoned chalice for all concerned. Jenkins insisted he had abandoned the position of his own accord as he wished to resume participating in policy debate. He announced his intention to bow out of politics after serving out his term the following July. With the seat remaining a prize of the Socialist Left, there was no reported opposition to the preselection of the state faction’s secretary Andrew Giles, a Slater & Gordon lawyer and former adviser to state MPs Gavin Jennings and Lily D’Ambrosio.
@Mod Lib/1297
You mean zero tax, because they have gone all overseas.
silmaj
And make process changes that will reduce unit carbon emissions.
ST
Why is it illegal?
Did Peta and Brian tell you?
[(1) policy shambles and internal Coalition divisions in the car industry
(2) policy shambles and internal Coalition divisions in the sale of GrainCorp.
(3) Coalition promotion of cruelty to Australian livestock.
(4) Boat shambles.
(5) The damage to our relationship with Indonesia.
(6) Raising the debt limit to half a trillion dollars.]
Rorts of taxpayer dollars as well.
ML
‘Unless the poor women in Woolies and Coles own some of the biggest companies in Australia (the ones paying the 1%ish company tax), then no…..’
No. No. No.
I know it is difficult for Abbott fans to admit this but Woolies and Coles will pass along their new tax costs to their consumers. Those consumers will mostly be people who are not being paid $150,000 to breastfeed.
@1292
[Since they began in 1992, the UN talks have been bogged down by disputes between rich and poor countries over who should do what.]
Well, they can take it as read that the Abbott Government couldn’t give a stuff.
Mod Lib
That’s the point.
Like I have said to you, Howard has played a huge role in setting the current environment for asylum seekers.
If Howard decided who comes to this country, you obviously believe the Indonesians do not have a right to do likewise.
That makes you a hypocrite!
confessions
Ah yes. Must not forget the way in which Abbott has so far failed to identify the ‘community meetings’ he used as the basis for justifying the $6,000 he rorted off the Australian taxpayers for his lurk at Port Macquarie.
I reckon there is a good chance he will get a question on that.
Maybe the Brandis should simply refer Abbott to the AFP for fraud?
[Unless the poor women in Woolies and Coles own some of the biggest companies in Australia (the ones paying the 1%ish company tax), then no…..]
The costs imposed on business will be passed down to all their customers.
@BW/1305
And as a result more woolworths and Coles brands in their own stores.
Bk 1302
Shutting of the emission straight away or as close to will always be the quickest and most effective.
[Ahem….not sure how to put this to you Centre but your own words above state “Australia by rescuing AS become primarily responsible for those people”
So, if “Australia by rescuing AS become primarily responsible for those people” then it stands to reason that Norway by rescuing AS became primarily responsible for the Tampa people”.
Tampa was a Norwegian boat.]
I thought Tony Abbott was going to “stop the boats” and “turn back” boats.
Why is he letting them go to Christmas Island?
Is it possible he is incompetent and a liar?
[If Howard decided who comes to this country, you obviously believe the Indonesians do not have a right to do likewise.]
Good point.
RT@1231
What a lot of jingoistic rubbish. Most Australians do not seek war with anyone – though you seem to think we could flatten the Indons.
At the moment, contrary to what you think, the only thing many members of the ADF seem capable of is abusing other members of the ADF.
I doubt whether Indonesia would bother with us, but if they did we could, perhaps, hold them off for a little while then bleat for US assistance under ANZAS I suppose.
This red neck chest thumping here from the looney Tory fringe only confirms my view that fascism is alive and well on the right of LNP politics.
[And as a result more woolworths and Coles brands in their own stores]
Woolworths and Coles branded boobs?
[Centre
Posted Monday, November 11, 2013 at 10:13 pm | PERMALINK
Mod Lib
That’s the point.
Like I have said to you, Howard has played a huge role in setting the current environment for asylum seekers.
If Howard decided who comes to this country, you obviously believe the Indonesians do not have a right to do likewise.
That makes you a hypocrite!]
Well, no, it doesn’t.
I have said all along that the nearest country should accept people rescued at sea.
You, on the other hand, have said that the rescuing vessel should take rescued people back to the rescuing vessels home country.
Then, when I ask whether that means Norway should have taken the people rescued by the Tampa you start to get narky.
…..up to you, I guess…..
[Like I have said to you, Howard has played a huge role in setting the current environment for asylum seekers.
If Howard decided who comes to this country, you obviously believe the Indonesians do not have a right to do likewise.
That makes you a hypocrite!]
Mod Lib’s policy is simple. Don’t turn the boats around, just let the people drown.
[The costs imposed on business will be passed down to all their customers.]
Unlike the carbon tax, eh? :devil:
@CTar1/1315
Wouldn’t put it past them.
[Well, no, it doesn’t.
I have said all along that the nearest country should accept people rescued at sea.]
Wrong. You have said you think they should drown.
@Mod Lib/1318
Most people were covered by Clean Energy Supplement.
Now stop passing the buck.
[Unlike the carbon tax, eh?]
LOL! You’re such a wanker.
Who is getting income tax cuts to offset the paid parental leave tax?
Answer: NO ONE!
[Most people were covered by Clean Energy Supplement.
Now stop passing the buck.]
It’s her only strategy.
Tricot 1314 …re red-knecked tub-thumping
___________________
Red Knecks around ..alert alert!!
For some great examples of this stupid war mongering one should look at the mad stuff on Bernardi’s “Menzies House”
Full of wild eyed anger at the Indonesians for not kow-towing to Abbott and Co
Much talk of teaching them a lesson….a nation of 200 million ????? thousands of islands and lying in the path of our major trade routes and air line routes to Asia and Europe real madness by the red knecks whose racist views are pretty easily seen too
[Unlike the carbon tax, eh?]
Stop doing unicorns, Mod Lib. One is not the same as the other.
The PPL is a Turkey. Not even the Nats are going to vote for it.
[ShowsOn
Posted Monday, November 11, 2013 at 10:20 pm | PERMALINK
Well, no, it doesn’t.
I have said all along that the nearest country should accept people rescued at sea.
Wrong. You have said you think they should drown.]
Oh dear, we are getting back to the slur, are we ShowsOn?
Its going to be a long two terms I can see…….very, very long! :devil:
Businss panel for abolishing negative gearing.
Mod Lib
Well you can ahem all you like.
It does make you a hypocrite unless you acknowledge that Howard was WRONG not to accept the people on the Tampa to land on our shores.
You see, unfortunately Australia drew first blood. If you have a problem with accepting Indonesia now has a right to decide who goes to their country – BLAME Howard and the Party you vote for!
debonay
You look at Menzies House?
Confessions @1304 – also
(7) Robbing the poor to give to the rich – gold-plated PPL, pay polluters to pollute less, tax concessions for leasing luxury imported cars, reduce the tax free threshold, restore tax free super for millionaires while removing support for super for low income earners…the list goes on and on
Mod Lib @1297 – isn’t PPL supported by a tax on large companies. Won’t those companies rather wreck the economy than reduce their profits, as apparently was the case with those who pay the carbon price. Won’t the PPL Tax, like the ‘Carbon Tax’ before it, become a wrecking ball destroying jobs and shutting down medium-sized regional centres? Or was all that all theatre too?
[confessions
Posted Monday, November 11, 2013 at 10:23 pm | PERMALINK
Unlike the carbon tax, eh?
Stop doing unicorns, Mod Lib. One is not the same as the other.]
Business passing on costs….sounds pretty similar to me!
@Mod Lib/1327
Perhaps you should stop steering others up with your smart ass comments?
Otherwise your not helping the situation.
(btw, original GST did not include any help for those effected).
[Centre
Posted Monday, November 11, 2013 at 10:25 pm | PERMALINK
Mod Lib
Well you can ahem all you like.]
Should those rescued at sea be taken to the nearest port or the home country of the rescuing vessel?
It aint that hard a question Centre, I am not sure why you are struggling so much with it.
@Mod Lib/1332
How is passing costs on and stopping unicorns – the same thing?
Victoria,
[Have the coalition passed the rubicon?]
I’m not sure if they’ve passed the rubicon, but they surely have a bad dose of neocon to work its way through their system yet.
[Oh dear, we are getting back to the slur, are we ShowsOn?]
It’s not a slur, just stating a fact.
Of course you can’t handle facts.
But anyway, please get back to explaining who will be compensated for the $2 – $3 billion a year paid parental leave tax that Abbott has promised to implement.
[zoidlord
Posted Monday, November 11, 2013 at 10:27 pm | PERMALINK
@Mod Lib/1327
Perhaps you should stop steering others up with your smart ass comments?
Otherwise your not helping the situation.]
Haha 🙂 let me get this straight…..in your eyes it is my fault that ShowsOn is accusing me of wanting people to drown?
This is a sidesplitting night tonight! 🙂
The prize idiots who have been yapping on here tonight about the ADF going to war with Indonesia might want to think about who would be our allies, and Indonesia’s allies, in such a conflict. One could imagine a phone call from the US President similar to the one Sir Anthony Eden received from Eisenhower during the Suez Crisis: “I’m sorry to have to say this, but have you gone out of your mind”.
Mod Lib
Go to you tube and type in “Abbott supports carbon tax”.
Abbott can obviously tell the difference between a carbon tax and an ETS!
Why can’t you?
[Business passing on costs….sounds pretty similar to me!]
What about the offsetting income tax cuts you moron?
Why have you forgotten about that? I wouldn’t be surprised, you have a habit of forgetting everything that doesn’t suit your argument.
Now please, for the third time, explain who is getting compensated for the paid parental leave tax and how that compensation will be provided.
mikehilliard 1211
The simpering one yes I agree, no female would go on like that
[Haha 🙂 let me get this straight…..in your eyes it is my fault that ShowsOn is accusing me of wanting people to drown?
This is a sidesplitting night tonight! :)]
of course you want people to drown, you have said this repeatedly! Are you saying you don’t even trust yourself?
[Should those rescued at sea be taken to the nearest port or the home country of the rescuing vessel?
It aint that hard a question Centre, I am not sure why you are struggling so much with it.]
Explain why Abbott hasn’t stopped the boats and is instead letting boats go to Christmas Island?
[Business passing on costs….sounds pretty similar to me!]
WA consumers were compensated for the pricing impact of the carbon ‘tax’.
WA consumers were not compensated for the pricing impact of Barnett’s 62% increase in electricity prices.
WA consumers will not be compensated for Abbott’s Great Big New Breastfeeding Tax on the largest Australian companies, which will be undoubtedly be passed down to consumers through price and interest rate rises.
Stop doing unicorns.
[ShowsOn
Posted Monday, November 11, 2013 at 10:29 pm | PERMALINK
Oh dear, we are getting back to the slur, are we ShowsOn?
It’s not a slur, just stating a fact.]
You think it is a fact that I want people to drown, do you?
This is quite a fascinating place…..can I ask a psychology student to write a paper on this stuff?
@Mod Lib/1338
umm, correct me if I am wrong, but you are stirring the pot, why put the blame on anyone else?
Take responsibility for your own actions.
Mod Lib
I can answer the question to your idiotic game!
First you stop being a hypocrite and an yawn.
Then I’ll answer your Q before Howard/after Howard!
Mike H 1330
________
Yes Menzies House is an interesting picture into conservative thought in OZ
at the moment they are beinging to show a degree of doubt re Abbott and Co./..strange… so early in the day…but there is anxiety too in their comments
worth knowing about
No pollies on QandA next week.
PM Peta still has her charges well and truly locked up.