McMillan extends through West Gippsland from Pakenham in Melbourne’s eastern outskirts to the western reaches of the Latrobe Valley, and along the coast from Wonthaggi through Wilsons Promontory to Welshpool. It covered broadly similar territory on its creation in 1949, the area having previously been covered by Gippsland and to a smaller extent by Flinders. The redistribution following the expansion of parliament in 1984 caused it to lose its coastal territory while extending further eastwards along the Princes Highway to Traralgon, which was eventually reversed by the redistribution of 2004. The transfer of Traralgon and neighbouring Latrobe Valley towns to Gippsland on the latter occasion substantially weakened Labor, and the seat has been held by the Liberals ever since.
Conservative strength in the rural areas kept McMillan in Liberal hands from 1949 until 1980, barring a National/Country Party interruption from 1972 to 1975 when it was won and then lost by Arthur Hewson. However, post-war growth in the Latrobe Valley strengthened Labor over time, leading to a close result in 1974, a relatively mild anti-Labor swing in 1975, and finally a win for Labor candidate Barry Cunningham in 1980. Cunningham was swept out a decade later with the statewide backlash that cost Labor nine Victorian seats at the 1990 election, but he recovered the seat by a 0.4% margin in 1993. This was not enough to save him from even the relatively modest swing Labor suffered in Victoria at the 1996 election, when Russell Broadbent gained the seat for the Liberals with a swing of 2.5%.
Broadbent first came to parliament in 1990 as member for Corinella, a seat to the immediate west of McMillan which existed from 1990 to 1996. He was defeated at the 1993 election by Labor’s Alan Griffin, who moved to his present home of Bruce with the abolition of Corinella. Broadbent returned as member for McMillan three years later, before again experiencing the sharp end of life in a marginal seat with his defeat 25-year-old Labor candidate Christian Zahra in 1998. Zahra added 2.3% to his margin against the trend of the 2001 election, before emerging a big loser when his electorate traded Morwell and Traralgon for conservative farming and coastal areas around Leongatha and Wonthaggi. Zahra was left needing a 2.9% to retain his seat in 2004, but a 2.1% swing the other way saw it change hands for the fifth time in six elections.
Thus began a remarkable third stint in parliament for Broadbent, who went on to perform very strongly in limiting the swings against him to 0.2% in 2007 and 0.4% in 2010, before securing his hold with a swing of 7.6% in 2013. He has been assisted by a trend against Labor in the Latrobe Valley and surrounding areas, which has been equally evident at state level. Broadbent has failed to win promotion, but has generated headlines on a number of occasions with his liberal positions on asylum seekers.
http://www.ellistabletalk.com/
Ellis on film”Philomena” with Judi Dench
a clever film on a scandal that has gripped Ireland in recent times
[Labor can legitimately question the scope of the change, whether it will achieve the prescribed Budget reductions, whether the proposed changes are simply cost shifts and the inefficiencies of the proposed means of collection.
They should also demonstrate how they could make the appropriate savings to achieve the Budget savings.]
I agree completely and they should focus on those who really can’t afford to pay $5 a visit, and champion exceptions for them.
WWP
The whole basis of Universal Care is the community pays for it through taxes.
WWP
Labor as Bill Shorten has tweeted is defending Universal Care. That includes its strategic thinkers.
They like me think you are wrong.
[WWP
Labor as Bill Shorten has tweeted is defending Universal Care. That includes its strategic thinkers.
They like me think you are wrong.]
Yeah and the labor strategic thinkers have done so well over the last six years.
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem indeed !
____________
In London this Christmas St James Anglican Church in Picadilly has a special Bethlehem display,…but not about the carol…but the real Pelestinian town now walled in by what they calls”the zionist wall of ugliness”
Bethlehem now a days is ringed on three sides by the Apartheid Wall which the zionists have built for hundreds of miles across the West Bank
Now a part of this has been reconstructed in central London by the Anglican Church to show the reality of life under apartheid in Pelestine…it has draw a large crowd of people who are shocked by’s size and is on display for the next few months
http://www.redressonline.com/2013/12/walled-in-by-zionist-ugliness/
[Yeah and the labor strategic thinkers have done so well over the last six years.]
They’ve done very well after the election though.
WWP
History of ex personnel does not help you. Since election Labor Strategy has been good.
deblonay@156
Ah, now we can sit back and wait for Psephos’s furious denunciation. 👿
[Yeah and the labor strategic thinkers have done so well over the last six years.
They’ve done very well after the election though.]
They have done ok, mostly by letting Tony be Tony.
WWP,
For example, the requirement for Doctors Crtificates to take Sick days. Why should the Health system be cluttered with consultations that are actually an IR requirement?
Perhaps businesses should be required to pay a surcharge for these services since it is at their insistence that the requirement exists.
WWP
Yeah yeah whatever. The important point is Labor will defend Universal Care whether you agree with it or not.
[In London this Christmas St James Anglican Church in Picadilly has a special Bethlehem display,…but not about the carol…but the real Pelestinian town now walled in by what they calls”the zionist wall of ugliness”
Bethlehem now a days is ringed on three sides by the Apartheid Wall which the zionists have built for hundreds of miles across the West Bank
Now a part of this has been reconstructed in central London by the Anglican Church to show the reality of life under apartheid in Pelestine…it has draw a large crowd of people who are shocked by’s size and is on display for the next few months
http://www.redressonline.com/2013/12/walled-in-by-zionist-ugliness/%5D
Someone should bring it to Australia.
[Damien Quinnell @Damo_Q 10m
Dark blue means record cold & dark red means record heat. http://1.usa.gov/1bSDWxy pic.twitter.com/cxq2hfHOxS @Mark_Butler_MP @billshortenmp ]
Greensborough Growler@161
Any business that wants staff with flu or even a heavy cold at work and infecting their fellow workers is just insane.
Forcing such people into a waiting room at a doctors surgery so they can infect others there is also not a good idea.
GG
[Perhaps businesses should be required to pay a surcharge for these services since it is at their insistence that the requirement exists.]
And the visit should attract GST as the purpose is for a ‘medical report’ rather than treatment.
[WWP
Yeah yeah whatever. The important point is Labor will defend Universal Care whether you agree with it or not.]
Again you need to misrepresent me. I agree with universal healthcare, I suspect I have a less subjective definition of it than you. But the politics of it we disagree on. You are quite the fundy with your beliefs my friend.
Each day I follow WWII Tweets from 1941 and I have been horrified by the appalling, unforgivable, brutality and murder visited on innocent Jewish people. The individual details bring it out more than a general knowledge of the Holocaust.
And in the world of today, some Jewish people are inflicting all sorts of cruel and dehumanising treatment on Palestinians, and even killing them.
Did they not learn the lessons of the past? 🙁
guy – I hope your Xmas went off OK despite the obvious.
WeWantPaul@167
He always denies it, but he is a Green.
Either that or he is indistinguishable from a Green. 😉
WWp,
So it comes down to what is the definition of Universal Health care, what should be included/excluded and should it be free.
Medicare was conceived in the sixties, first introduced in the 70s and re vamped in the 80s. I reckon a review after 30 odd years might be in order. I don’t know many businesses that are operating on the same business model as existed 30 years ago. Why should a Health delivery service be any different?
[Each day I follow WWII Tweets from 1941 and I have been horrified by the appalling, unforgivable, brutality and murder visited on innocent Jewish people. The individual details bring it out more than a general knowledge of the Holocaust.
And in the world of today, some Jewish people are inflicting all sorts of cruel and dehumanising treatment on Palestinians, and even killing them.
Did they not learn the lessons of the past? :(]
Agree with you 110% but as you suggested earlier, queue Adam and his 1 billion reasons Palestinians are really human. Or they deserve whatever they get. Or both.
The double standard is breathtaking.
[WWp,
So it comes down to what is the definition of Universal Health care, what should be included/excluded and should it be free.
Medicare was conceived in the sixties, first introduced in the 70s and re vamped in the 80s. I reckon a review after 30 odd years might be in order. I don’t know many businesses that are operating on the same business model as existed 30 years ago. Why should a Health delivery service be any different?]
I agree.
WWP
No you keep saying what I believe. I have not said what you believe. I have just pointed out to you the meaning of universal. I have stated why what you propose does not fit that definition.
As I said look up universal in the dictionary. It does not say all, except.
You are saying except. Thus not universal by definition. Thats fact. Not “fundie”
http://kevinbonham.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/2013-site-review.html
End of year site review: my 10 most popular articles of the year, and other pointless statsy stuff.
WW Paul post 163 and post 156
_______________
A good suggestion re an Australian exhibit like that in London
but one would need to brace for fierce opposition from the usual suspects who simply don’t want the truth know
To it’s credit the Anglican Church there was very brave and resolute and ignored the usual critics…who are now struck dumb by it’s success…as thousands have visited it over Christmas…and spken tosome Palestinian Christians who are on the site to talk to visitors
Here are 10 economic predictions that are unlikely to occur in 2014.
http://www.brokernews.com.au/news/breaking-news/10-outrageous-economic-predictions-for-2014-182694.aspx
[No you keep saying what I believe. I have not said what you believe. I have just pointed out to you the meaning of universal. I have stated why what you propose does not fit that definition.
As I said look up universal in the dictionary. It does not say all, except.]
You are making this up. You have never stated why paying $5 excludes it from ‘universal’. I have looked it up there is nothing about $5 in the definition (I was surprised they way you are carrying on). What you probably missed in all this fantasy you have going on is that I was saying labor should fight hard to ensure those who can’t afford it don’t have to pay. If they achieved this then everyone who goes to a doctor can afford the healthcare. Which if everyone can access kinda makes it universal by definition. Perhaps you need to buy a new dictionary yours is giving you weird ideas.
The Universal Health Scheme Medibank/Medicare whatever…stands as one of Whitlam’s towering acheivements\…perhaps the grfeatest of many such
Labor must defent it…as it did in the ealry Fraser days …with actually a partial general strike in 1976 if my memiory serves me right
WWP,
It’s probably one of those Old Testament Dictionaries.
[WWP,
It’s probably one of those Old Testament Dictionaries.]
My mistake then.
WWP
In your reply you have the except. Thus you argue against Universal Health Care.
Dictionary definitions cover the use of language. Not an Abbott attempt to undernine that concept.
[WWP
In your reply you have the except. Thus you argue against Universal Health Care.
Dictionary definitions cover the use of language. Not an Abbott attempt to undernine that concept.]
I honestly don’t know what point you are trying to make. Sorry. The insult I get, nice work.
Re Ireland
___________
An Irish friend recently told me that if all the scandals about child abuse et al..(see”Philomena”) had any good outcome ..is is that the once dominant role of the Church in Iriah politics is now reduced to Zilch..and the Bishops are so descredited and disgraced by it all.. that Ireland is on the path to a more secular non-religious society…a remarkable change in a once devoutly catholic society
WRT to the $5 GP fee, I’m wondering how it will actually work. I mean, the mechanics.
An unemployed single Mum (my niece) fronts at the local GP BB surgery, with a plainly sick child (who will require several more visits).. She’s asked by the receptionist if she would like to pay by credit card or cash. She has no cash, so either she puts herself further into debt (which she can’t service) or she is turned away.
I see a problem for the GPs with their Hypocratic oath, at least, and a moral dilemma for them and the reception staff that goes beyond just the payment issue.
This has opened a huge can of worms. Fine to announce ‘policy’, but again, the Fibs are light on detail. Trouble looms.
@GG/150
So how much would it cost to administrate it?
[WRT to the $5 GP fee, I’m wondering how it will actually work. I mean, the mechanics.
An unemployed single Mum (my niece) fronts at the local GP BB surgery, with a plainly sick child (who will require several more visits).. She’s asked by the receptionist if she would like to pay by credit card or cash. She has no cash, so either she puts herself further into debt (which she can’t service) or she is turned away.
I see a problem for the GPs with their Hypocratic oath, at least, and a moral dilemma for them and the reception staff that goes beyond just the payment issue.
This has opened a huge can of worms. Fine to announce ‘policy’, but again, the Fibs are light on detail. Trouble looms.]
I agree, this is exactly where Labor should focus. The fight for policy purity is a fools errand
Steve clements
Your niece would likely be the holder of a health care card. Therefore exempt from co contribution
I should add that this is on the proviso that the reports re exemption of health care card holders are accurate
WWP
Sounds to me like you don’t understand a dictionary definition.
Maybe it would help if I refer you to the use of universal by the Catholics.
Universal is a word that has a definition. Universal Health Care is just that.
zoid,
I think that is my point. No one knows. There’s also the issues of imposing another layer of tax collecting bureaucracy on small practices. How nuch of the alleged savings will simply disappear?
deblonay@184
And of course that will take away one of the main reasons Protestants in the North so vehemently opposed a united Ireland.
I can now see it happening sometime, perhaps not too far away.
@GG/191
Then they have either the plan to back off from it, or increase the $5 dollars to a higher amount.
Me, I think they will increase it, since Coalition Party have no intention of backing off cuts to Welfare, and increasing Income Management program that was started under Gillard (despite the cost to administer that).
Puff # 125: Thanks for blind cricket link. You might know this: Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes once played for Australia
Deblonay,
I look forward to “Dame” Judi Dench, Steve Coogan and Stephen Frears following up “Philomena” with another movie depicting conditions in English orphanages of that era, followed up by starring in another movie on the theme of child migration to Australia and other places.
Or maybe they are only interested in exposing (rightly) the sins committed by the Bog Catholic Irish.
I’d like to point out that the proposal to introduce a co-payment was first tried by Labor in 1991. So notions that Labor is anchored with the ideological purity of never charging for Medicare services is a myth.
But, I suppose that was another Universal Medicare then.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/medicare-copayments-have-a-lesson-in-their-history-20131229-301nx.html
Another mini earth-quake hit’s japan:
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Japan Tuesday, rocking buildings in Tokyo but there were no reports of any damage, seismologists said.
[Labor should point out that middle and high income earners already pay a fortune for medicare through their wages.]
As mentioned previously, middle classes such as myself pay to see a doctor and avoid bulk billing clinics like the plague already.
GG
Labor should not have done that. AMA is big lobby though so can understand why Labor did.
This up front fee is a tool to destroy medicare and any universal left.
@Sean/198
This is coming from someone who don’t want to employ someone ?