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| Blue and red numbers respectively indicate booths with two-party majorities for the Liberal and Labor parties. Click for larger image. Map boundaries courtesy of Ben Raue at The Tally Room. |
Julie Bishop’s seat of Curtin covers Perth’s most affluent and Liberal-friendly areas, from Mosman Park and Cottesloe north along the coast to the southern part of Scarborough, and along the northern shore of the Swan River through the prestige suburbs of Peppermint Grove and Dalkeith. An area of relative Labor strength is provided by the area immediately west of the city. The electorate was created with the expansion of parliament in 1949, prior to which the Perth metropolitan area had been divided in highly variable fashion between Perth and Fremantle, with each consistently accounting for some of the area of modern Curtin. Curtin was originally limited to Perth’s inner west, with Fremantle continuing to extend up the coast as far as City Beach, before acquiring its coastal orientation with the redistribution of 1955. Fremantle was thereafter concentrated more to the south of the river, although its present northern limit at the suburban boundary of North Fremantle and Mosman Park was not established until 1984.
Despite bearing the name of a Labor Party legend, Curtin has been a blue-ribbon Liberal seat since its creation, being held first by prime ministerial contender and future Governor-General Paul Hasluck, and then by Victor Garland, a minister in the McMahon and Fraser governments. Garland’s resignation in early 1981 led to a preselection brawl in which the then Premier, Sir Charles Court, marshaled forces behind Allan Rocher to thwart Fred Chaney’s ambition to move from the Senate to the House, which he would eventually realise when he became member for Pearce in 1990. Rocher was defeated for preselection ahead of the 1996 election by Ken Court, son of the aforementioned Charles and brother of Richard, who was then Premier. This greatly displeased the newly reinstalled federal Liberal leader, John Howard, who did little to assist Court’s election campaign or to dispel the conception that he owed his preselection to controversial party powerbroker Noel Crichton-Browne. Rocher was thus easily able to retain his seat as an independent on Labor preferences, while a similar story played out in the northern suburbs seat of Moore.
Curtin returned to the Liberal fold in 1998 when Rocher was defeated by a new Liberal candidate, Julie Bishop, who had previously been a managing partner at law firm Clayton Utz. Bishop’s early career progress within the Howard government was reckoned to have been constrained by her ties to Peter Costello, and in the wake of the Coalition’s 2001 state election defeat she signed on to an abortive scheme to move into state politics to succeed Richard Court as Liberal leader. She eventually won promotion to Ageing Minister in 2003, and attained cabinet rank as Education, Science and Training Minister in January 2006. Reflecting the continuing strong performance of the party’s Western Australian branch, she was elevated to the deputy leadership in the wake of the 2007 election defeat. Her success in maintaining that position under three leaders reportedly led internal critics to dub her “the cockroach”, although dissatisfaction with her performance as Shadow Treasurer caused her to be reassigned to foreign affairs in January 2009. She retained the portfolio throughout the remaining years in opposition, further serving in the shadow portfolio of trade after the 2010 election, and was confirmed as Foreign Minister with the election of the Abbott government in September 2013.
UPDATE: Channel Seven has reported the ReachTEL poll conducted on Thursday night found only 28% believe the government’s new policies to stop boat arrivals were working versus 49% who don’t, while 56% say the government should announce boat arrivals when they happen. Last night it was reported that 53% think the Prime Minister should deliver the explanation for spying activities demanded by Indonesia, while 34% say he shouldn’t; and that 38% support Australia’s bugging activities with 39% opposed. It appears Channel Seven are sitting on voting intention numbers.
The problem with the liberals is that they say this nonsense, and then don’t fix the jobs and job security.
Obama hails ” a new path to peace” after agreement with Iran
____________________________
In a direct rebuff to Israel the US has made a deal with Iran…a new path says Obama
It marks the biggest defeat ever in the US for the powerful zionist Lobby in Congress
Obama had better watch his back however
Netanyahu and friends would like to see Obama and Kerry dead !
http://mondoweiss.net/2013/11/united-states-forward.html
__________________
[In a direct rebuff to Israel ]
Adam will be very grumpy
[1324
Resurgent Turkeys
LABOR is calling for direct discussion and negotiation to resolve the diplomatic row with Indonesia
If my reading of this is correct, then Labor hasn’t said that Tony Abbott should admit to the spying and apologise for it. Is that correct? I wonder what the bludgers thnk of that?]
I for one think an apology cannot be offered. Instead, I think Abbott should accept that he is the problem and should resign for the good of the country. Direct discussions would a good idea if only Abbott were up to conducting them in good faith. But since everyone in Djakarta knows he is a duplicitous fraud, there is no point in having Abbott offer to talk to SBY. That will only lead to rejection, more baiting and transnational humiliation. Far better that he goes now than have this drag on. In any case, the bungling Abbott has perpetrated in Djakarta will only be repeated in other areas. He is a national liability and should quit.
The Baby Boomer lump in population will disappear in 10-15 years. If I were a Gen XYZ er I would be wary of changes to legislation that will affect them, that will be pitched to solving a non-existant problem when they retire.
[1319
Resurgent Turkeys
The raising of the retirement age is inevitable at some point in the future. Labor is just as likely as the coalition to be in power when it is done.]
Labor is the party of fiscal restraint and long-term financial discipline, and were responsible for increasing the retirement age from 65 to 67. The LNP are incapable of such rigour, preferring instead to cut taxes for the rich and sack the public accounts to pay for their bribery.
[The Baby Boomer lump in population will disappear in 10-15 years. If I were a Gen XYZ er I would be wary of changes to legislation that will affect them, that will be pitched to solving a non-existant problem when they retire]
We could use a bump in younger population, a shame really that they aren’t showing up weekly on boats.
briefly
Abbott worked so hard to get his hands on the precious, cant see him giving it up anytime soon
lizzie
[Boerwar
It may be true that current pensionable ages cannot be sustained. But when men of 40+ are unable to get employment because they are “too old”, a huge shift in the culture will be needed if 60 yr olds can get jobs.]
IMHO there will need to be several huge shifts. They would, IMHO, require something in the nature of a community-wide social compact involving give and take –
something I cannot foresee while Abbott is Prime Minister.
victoria
Posted Sunday, November 24, 2013 at 6:37 pm | Permalink
In same article i linked above
This is only Australia’s most recent argument with Indonesia and former coalition foreign minister Alexander Downer says it’s nothing like the freeze following the 1999 East Timor crisis.
With careful diplomacy, he says, it could be resolved in a few weeks
——————————————–
With careful diplomacy and some 1970’s porn star style fishnet stockings, he says, it could be resolved in a few weeks
A New York Times article on SBY and Abbott makes a good point but doesn’t pursue the matter:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/world/asia/nsa-spying-scandal-tarnishes-relations-between-indonesia-and-australia.html?_r=0
[Yet Mr. Natalegawa curiously ignored the role of the United States, making no mention of the status of Indonesia’s ambassador to Washington. “It has not been a very good day for the Indonesia-Australia relationship,” Mr. Natalegawa said.]
The crucial issue is why Indonesia is pursuing Australia and not the US over the spying done by Australia on behalf of the US. The most plausible explanation is that we have Abbott and the US has Obama.
Was it the MT Tampa or MS Tampa as there is currently an MT Tampa off the Port Hedland coast.
[The crucial issue is why Indonesia is pursuing Australia and not the US over the spying done by Australia on behalf of the US. The most plausible explanation is that we have Abbott and the US has Obama.]
Yes Obama didn’t spend months insulting them, and perhaps he cleaned it up behind closed doors like Rudd or Gillard almost certainly would have.
Spelling Jakarta with a “D” in front of it looks like politics hipster work again. I simply cannot engage with people who conduct themselves like this.
[1280
Resurgent Turkeys
How did Abbott piss off Putin?
Knowing the bludgers’ over-active imaginations, probably by …. scratching his balls at the dinner table.]
If I were Putin and Abbott scratched my balls at dinner, I would be pissed off too. Who does Abbott think he is? Why can’t he just scratch is own balls? Is this scrotum thing an LNP ritual? I’ve heard of chimps and gorillas grooming each other – picking out each others nits and eating them and so on – but is this accepted behaviour in Government circles?
lizzie@1344
The first step is to legislate, in an effective manner, to eliminate age discrimination in employment.
Step 2 would be to force employers to stop ranting about false ‘skills shortages’ and to train their workforce, including their more mature workers.
Step 3 would be to stop employers from bringing in workers on 457 visas, or other sub-classes of visa, when there are Australians who would be able to do the work, often immediately and in other cases, with a minimal amount of training.
[1354
briefly
Direct discussions would a good idea if only Abbott were up to conducting them in good faith.]
The core problem with and for Abbott is the persistent lack of good faith in his dealings with just about everybody, and that just about everybody now knows about it.
[I simply cannot engage with people who conduct themselves like this.]
I think they’ll be ok with that.
[1364
Resurgent Turkeys
Spelling Jakarta with a “D” in front of it looks like politics hipster work again. I simply cannot engage with people who conduct themselves like this.]
Are you the spelling and grammar fairy?
[Instead, I think Abbott should accept that he is the problem and should resign for the good of the country. Direct discussions would a good idea if only Abbott were up to conducting them in good faith. But since everyone in Djakarta knows he is a duplicitous fraud, there is no point in having Abbott offer to talk to SBY. That will only lead to rejection, more baiting and transnational humiliation. Far better that he goes now than have this drag on. In any case, the bungling Abbott has perpetrated in Djakarta will only be repeated in other areas. He is a national liability and should quit.]
Yes! Totally agree. And he should take the hapless JBishop and Morrison with him.
[Spelling Jakarta with a “D” in front of it looks like politics hipster work again. I simply cannot engage with people who conduct themselves like this.]
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/82743#ixzz2lY9uFiIe%5D
[Indonesian was developed out of trading Malay in the 1920s as a future national language for the Dutch East Indies, should it have the opportunity to become independent. The think tank that nominated it, decided that western script should be used, but the spelling was based on Dutch eg oe=u, tj-ch etc. In the mid-70’s, the Indonesian and Malaysian governments were trying to create a standard language and spelling (both countries speak essentially the same language, but there are differences due to colonial heritage), so Indonesia anglicised its spelling to accommodate Malaysia. It was also a big adjustment for us, who had just begun to study the language in schools, but it’s much easier today than it was using the old spelling.
One of the basic changes was dj-j, j-y. So Djakarta became Jakarta and Jogjakarta became Yogyakarta.]
[1367
Just Me
1354
briefly
Direct discussions would a good idea if only Abbott were up to conducting them in good faith.
The core problem with and for Abbott is the persistent lack of good faith in his dealings with just about everybody, and that just about everybody now knows about it.]
Correct…Tony Abbott, lead singer and songwriter for the punksters, “Ill Faith”….
[I for one think an apology cannot be offered. Instead, I think Abbott should accept that he is the problem and should resign for the good of the country. ]
What! do what Labor doeslol..
LABOR CRISIS MANUAL; Plan 1 of 1 – at the first hint of rough water get the PM to offer a pink bat apology then knife the PM.
[1370…confessions]
I think the motion would pass by acclamation, confessions 🙂
Victorian ReachTEL poll:
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2013/11/24/reachtel-51-49-to-coalition-in-victoria-2/
BB@952
[Cassidy’s interview with Plibersek was an endless series of attempted gotchas, so transparent that it left Plibersek with little to say, except to deflect them.]
Exactly as I saw it.
bemused
[The first step is to legislate, in an effective manner, to eliminate age discrimination in employment.]
What does this mean? Physical labourers are often close to worn out from their mid-fifties on. Is it discriminatory not to employ a worn out person in favour of a not worn-out person for the same wage?
The older we get the more likely we are to have chronic conditions that limit productivity. Is it discriminatory to prefer to employ someone for the same wage who does not have debilitating chronic conditions that reduce productivity?
Is it age discriminatory to prefer for some jobs someone who has more relevant experience than a younger person for the same job?
Is it discriminatory not to employ two older workers on time-share when the same job could be done by a single younger person for the same job but with fewer overheads in terms of administration, work juggling etc?
[Step 2 would be to force employers to stop ranting about false ‘skills shortages’ and to train their workforce, including their more mature workers.]
Training would certainly be an element in any social compact. To add to the employer cost-base of our export products would make them less competitive against cost-bases in nations where the state does most of the training.
[Step 3 would be to stop employers from bringing in workers on 457 visas, or other sub-classes of visa, when there are Australians who would be able to do the work, often immediately and in other cases, with a minimal amount of training.]
The issue of what policies to adopt to address the ageing workforce issue would need to include the employment of foreign workers.
IMHO your package of three steps does not begin to address a social compact. The latter would have to address all sorts of issues, including export competitiveness, the profits of investors and the willingness of investors to take risks.
I was under the impression that the retirement age was going to automatically start increasing from about 2020 but one – two years every eighteen months or so
1373
rummel
The Abbott Episode is bound to end in a veil of tears. Best to end it now.
I must agree with Turky BattleLines this time
Spelling Jakarta with Dj- prefix is neo-colonialism. Like calling Mumbai Bombay, or Uluru Ayers Rock.
citizen
[The crucial issue is why Indonesia is pursuing Australia and not the US over the spying done by Australia on behalf of the US. The most plausible explanation is that we have Abbott and the US has Obama.]
Good point. Plus, the poor old Americans lack a Bishop and a Morrison.
I was always rather fond of New Holland, myself.
[Spelling Jakarta with a “D” in front of it looks like politics hipster work again. I simply cannot engage with people who conduct themselves like this.]
Fine by me.
[The Baby Boomer lump in population will disappear in 10-15 years. If I were a Gen XYZ er I would be wary of changes to legislation that will affect them, that will be pitched to solving a non-existant problem when they retire]
I need gens X,Y and Z to be extra productive over the next three decades max. After that they can please themselves.
The issue surrounding the Americans may well be what the Indonesians were wanting more info about, I’m pretty sure i recall SBY or a spokesperson wanting to know who else was involved.
[Spelling Jakarta with Dj- prefix is neo-colonialism. Like calling Mumbai Bombay, or Uluru Ayers Rock.]
Not just hipsterism but neo-colonial hate crimes too. The perils of trying to seem superior on the internet.
[ I simply cannot engage with people who conduct themselves like this.]
You have my complete support.
[The Baby Boomer lump in population will disappear in 10-15 years.]
Can I request an extension?
Will be interesting to see what this week’s Neilsen has to say about Abbott’s honeymoon.
NewsPoll is too tainted by its Murdoch cheer squad relationship (as is the push-polling Galaxy), whilst the ReachTel robo polling has as much credibility as Mark Textor.
RT 1364
Good- bye bye then DJakarta DJakarta DJakarta simple isn’t it
The deal with hipsters as I understand it is that they try to be first with everything. It’s not clear to me how spelling Jakarta with a D, such as Montgomery Burns might do, fits in with this.
The hard box for a seat on the footpath in the cold outside the cafe is one first that hipsters can have all to themselves, IMHO.
It is worse than spewcam.
[The deal with hipsters as I understand it is that they try to be first with everything. It’s not clear to me how spelling Jakarta with a D, such as Montgomery Burns might do, fits in with this.]
Being retro is hipsterism too. They’ve started re-issuing CDs on vinyl to accomodate the hipsters’ revival of record players.
Boerwar@1377
Well thank you for that but I was not seeking to write a comprehensive policy document.
Yes, some workers are physically worn out by hard physical work and could not keep it up. So they would choose to either drop out of work on some sort of benefits, or do something less physical, perhaps making the move before completely worn out. e.g. a supervisory or administrative role.
A lot of physically demanding work has been done away with by modern equipment so what is left is far less than in the past.
My paternal grandfather was a bricklayer and after ‘retirement’ continued to do small jobs such as brick fences right up until almost the day he died at 81! He worked on the Friday and died on the Sunday after walking about 2.4km to church. Such work is hard, but not as hard these days as it used to be.
Another thing that deserves attention would be transparency in recruitment and hiring, particularly by agencies. This would allow applicants to see who got the job they applied for and have some basis for lodging a discrimination complaint if it appeared to be discrimination.
Just looking at the Dr Who 50 year anniversary thing. I have never been into this sort of stuff but I was just wandering whether Abbott has had a DNA test to see whether he is a Zygon?
Netanyahu already calling the deal “a historic mistake”.
That guy is never happy with anything.
SO
I imagine Iran reduced to a smoking ruin would make his day.
From 1 July 2017, the qualifying age for Age Pension will increase from 65 years to 65 and a half years. The qualifying age will then rise by six months every two years, reaching 67 by 1 July 2023. See table below.
[1380
sprocket_
I must agree with Turky BattleLines this time]
must be the painkillers…not spelling right…but wot the hell, RT is only here to amuse her/himself at the expense of other simple folk and to poke its tongue out at honest bludjers…
[Netanyahu already calling the deal “a historic mistake”.
That guy is never happy with anything.]
He is the elected PM of a country which Iran’s leaders have repeatedly threaten to destroy, and which is busily acquiring the means to do so. It’s his job to be concerned about this deal, and he has every right to be.