Created with the expansion of parliament in 1984, Goldstein covers coastal southern Melbourne starting from Brighton, located about 10 kilometres from the city centre, and proceeding southwards through Hampton, Sandringham and Black Rock to Beamaris. The northern part of the electorate extends inland beyond the Nepean Highway to accommodate Caulfield South, Bentleigh and surrounding suburbs. The more inland areas are naturally marginal, but the affluence of the coastal suburbs has kept the seat in Liberal hands by stable margins ranging from 5.5% in 1993 to a new high of 11.0% in 2013.
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| Blue and red numbers respectively indicate size of two-party majorities for Liberal and Labor. Click for larger image. Map boundaries courtesy of Ben Raue at The Tally Room. |
The area now covered by Goldstein was accommodated by the electorate of Balaclava in the years immediately after federation, and then by the new seat of Henty when Balaclava was pushed northwards by a redistribution in 1913. Brighton was put back into Balaclava after 1937, and the new seat of Higinbotham covered the remainder after parliament was expanded in 1949. When Higinbotham was abolished in 1969, the area was divided between Balaclava, Henty and the new seats of Hotham and Isaacs. Beaumaris and Black Rock remained in Isaacs after Goldstein was created in 1984, at which time the new electorate extended northwards to St Kilda East. It assumed a more familiar form when it absorbed Beaumaris in the redistribution of 1996, which greatly reduced the Liberals’ competitiveness in Isaacs.
The various electorates which dominated the modern area of Goldstein were at all times in conservative hands, with the partial exception of Labor’s win in Isaacs at the 1974 election. Don Chipp held Higinbotham for the Liberals from 1960 to 1969, at which time he moved to the new seat of Hotham. Balaclava and then Goldstein were held from 1974 to 1990 by Ian Macphee, who emerged as the figurehead of the party’s moderates. Macphee was ultimately defeated for preselection ahead of the 1990 election by David Kemp, an intellectual leader of the party’s rising neo-liberal tendency, an event that provided a catalyst for Andrew Peacock’s successful challenge to John Howard’s leadership in May 1989. Kemp went on to serve in the Howard cabinet from October 1997 until his retirement at the 2004 election, as Education Minister until 2001 and Environment Minister thereafter.
Goldstein has since been held by Andrew Robb, a former Liberal Party federal director who had long been spoken of as a potential candidate for safe seats in New South Wales, where he had lived for two decades. However, Robb had originally hailed from Victoria, having been raised in a working-class Catholic family that supported the Democratic Labor Party. He came to the Liberal Party via student politics and a job at the newly established National Farmers Federation, which was an assertive voice for labour market deregulation during his period as executive director after 1985. As federal director of the Liberal Party, Robb oversaw the 1990, 1993 and 1996 election campaigns, after which he set up the marketing company Acxiom for Kerry Packer. His first term in parliament was the last of the Howard government, in which he was promoted to parliamentary secretary in January 2006 and thence to the outer ministry as Vocational and Further Education Minister in January 2007.
Robb nominated for the deputy leadership after the 2007 election, but was defeated by Julie Bishop. He instead became Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, and was briefly discussed as a leadership candidate when Malcolm Turnbull was embroiled in the “Utegate” affair in the middle of 2009. Shortly afterwards he made the surprise announcement that he was moving to the back bench owing to a depressive illness. He returned to the front bench in the finance portfolio in March 2010, from which he was resassigned to trade and investment after the 2013 election victory.
Has someone already posted this? Can’t remember if I got it that way or found it myself, but well worth a read.
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2014/7/24/technology/lessons-britains-nbn-journey?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=834877&utm_campaign=pm&modapt=
[Crumbling, outdated infrastructure means many British readers are likely to access this article through a decades-old copper wire. Given how much modern life — or economic activity, if you will — happens through the internet, fixing the problem ought to be a priority.
And yet the government has pledged less than £1.5 billion ($2.72bn) across various schemes; a small sum compared to the £50 billion allocated to roads, or the £42.6 billion for HS2. Something is wrong here.
The Federation of Small Businesses is the latest organisation to question Britain’s broadband strategy. It rather alarmingly points out that getting an adequate connection remains difficult for many businesses, which in turn is adversely affecting their profitability and potential for growth. This isn’t just a rural problem — the FSB report identifies several case studies where businesses in urban areas also suffer poor levels of service. Amazingly, 45,000 small businesses (1 per cent) still rely on a dial-up internet connection.]
This very sad story about the homeless couple and their dog in Ballarat gives me the opportunity to ask Labor people why it is that we can find housing for tens of thousands of asylum seekers – all the ones out of detention – but can’t house our homeless? Why on earth is this? It just doesn’t make sense to me.
btw – I’m not saying the A/S ought not to be housed. But clearly there is something very strange give homelessness was first raised as a major issue by Kevin Rudd in 2007 – and still nothing has been done about it.
B B
I agree.
I’d fully support a serious one-off wealth tax for all with $500 million or more to provide the homeless with some kind of basic housing.
In return, the homeless can make their contribution by earning or learning.
Sheez nobody needs more than $500 mil, it’s crap!
Bar Bar
I’m sorry, but – as I think I’ve indicated – homelessness isn’t just a problem that’s cropped up in the last few years.
One of the most common types of homelessness in our area is caused by teenagers leaving home (usually to escape domestic violence).
This is unpredictable in nature – there is no advance notice that X number of kids are going to need accommodation at any one time – and young people are difficult to house, given that they have no credit history or references (and the attitude to ‘youf’ in general).
And, of course, they themselves don’t understand that there are places to go which MIGHT be able to help them. Usually it’s a case of someone on the ground being notified of their existence and making contact with them – so even if there is accommodation, the child may not be aware that it exists.
Usually they end up in a caravan park, not necessarily because of a shortage of accommodation, but due to a shortage of accommodation which THEY find acceptable.
‘Virtual’ ALP Branch Meetings …coming to a State near you:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=518859438244705
…in the case of the Ballarat couple, for example, we have no idea whether anyone KNEW they were homeless.
Zoomster – thanks – but you still haven’t answered why tens of thousands of asylum seekers can be housed immediately – but the homeless can’t be? It does not make sense.
All the NGOS dealing with homeless would be able to provide a register of who is homeless.
There’s got to be a reason – but no-one seems to be able to provide one.
What if we rounded up the homeless and put them in detention! That would get some action from govt quick smart.
Murdoch could spend $10 million every day for the rest of his life and still have plenty to spare yet we have souls poor and homeless.
Hello, I think we have created a little bit of an imbalance in the system. Maybe we should cap wealth 😯
BarBar
well, I did – part of the problem (at least in the short term) is identifying the homeless, or having them identify themselves.
Asylum seekers rock up in a boat, are apprehended and put in custody.
People who are homeless aren’t always that easily identifiable – sometimes from choice, others out of ignorance.
Huh! I was trying to avoid insinuating that homelessness is a choice (it isn’t) and then I went and said it!
To clarify: homelessness is usually only a choice where the alternative (staying at home) is worse. However, teenagers – in particular – fleeing abusive homes can be reluctant to have anything to do with what might be seen as ‘authority’ because they think that adults operate in cahoots and that they may end up being returned home.
I did once come across a case of genuine ‘homelessness by choice’ – I picked up a hitchhiker who told me he was living in a tent on the river bank. I offered to help him, and he refused.
Apparently he had run up some big debts which he was determined to repay. Living in the tent not only helped him do this quicker but he regarded it as a form of penance, which would strengthen his resolve not to end up in the same situation again!
Zoomster
I drove through Parramatta on Church Street a few weeks back and noticed a homeless person camped right there opposite McDonalds.
As long as Gina Rinehart can grab a Big Mac anytime she likes – all good!
Thanks – I mean I was beginning to ask that question myself after re-reading your first answer and picking up on the ” accommodation THEY find acceptable” sentence.
Homelessness by choice seems to be the only logical answer.
This would mean that all state governments and local councils would be aware of the general numbers of homelessness in their midst firstly, and secondly that the number would stay pretty constant no matter how much was ploughed into accommodation.”
Which then explains the apparent apathy about doing anything about it.
A/S on the other hand accept the accommodation because they have no choice yet – getting protection visas and therefore not offending authority being their main priority.
Panthers v Sharks will there be another upset like last night?
I’m on Bulldogs in the later game. For those who hope I lose, you want the Cows 😛
*catch u later
Bar Bar
[This would mean that all state governments and local councils would be aware of the general numbers of homelessness in their midst firstly, and secondly that the number would stay pretty constant no matter how much was ploughed into accommodation]
Well, no, they don’t.
As I’ve indicated, people don’t necessarily register anywhere as being homeless.
If you see someone in a tent by the river, unless you actually ask, you don’t know if they’re homeless or camping.
Many homeless don’t sleep rough, either. They couch surf, going from friend’s to friend’s – I had one student who did that for the whole of his VCE year.
The really desperately homeless – the ones like the man Centre describes, who basically sleep wherever they drop – are often mentally ill and/or out of it because of drugs, and lack the competence to seek help.
I really don’t want to suggest that any significant number of homeless are homeless by choice. There’s a difference between making a choice to be homeless and failing to let people know that you are.
But but but I thought it was (Ras)Putin and the rebels who were the ones causing delays.
[Kiev, Ukraine: The chaotic state of Ukraine’s politics has stalled the mission to send an international police taskforce to secure the MH17 crash site.
The mission may not get permission to land on Ukraine soil until after an extraordinary session of the Ukraine parliament, currently scheduled for next Thursday.]
http://www.watoday.com.au/world/mh17-ukraine-parliament-stalls-mission-for-international-police-taskforce-to-secure-crash-site-20140726-zx3lf.html
In fact, we don’t need new taxes. Just plug the loopholes, wind back concessions that distort the economy (like negative gearing and excessive super concession) and stop outright rorts like novated leases
…certainly, when I was on local council, we had no idea of how many homeless there were in our community, and no real way (that I can think of) of finding out.
Remember also that the homeless don’t (being homeless) have a set place you can find them. It would be impossible, for example, for even a well resourced local council to canvass every possible squat. And the unidentified couch surfers are even more difficult to find.
[poroti
Posted Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 2:53 pm | Permalink
But but but I thought it was (Ras)Putin and the rebels who were the ones causing delays.
Kiev, Ukraine: The chaotic state of Ukraine’s politics has stalled the mission to send an international police taskforce to secure the MH17 crash site.
The mission may not get permission to land on Ukraine soil until after an extraordinary session of the Ukraine parliament, currently scheduled for next Thursday.]
Hmmmm…. it is looking increasingly as Captain Biggles will have to invade the Ukraine as well as China and Russia, and maybe India if they don’t come to their senses on Australia’s Operation Border Command.
I used to work in Parramatta. I got there early to take advantage of the closest available free parking to my workplace and walked. As I passed Prince Alfred Park (on the Northern edge of the CBD) I would see lots of homeless getting ready to start their day. It appeared that 20 or more people called Prince Alfred Park their home. The banstand was a popular overnight shelter.
This was about 15 to 20 years ago when unemployment was higher, but I don’t expect that things have improved since then.
Boerwar
Biggles is already on to it. According to a Dutch paper.
[ Australia had sent an SAS regiment to Hereford in England, home of the British SAS, ready to fly to Ukraine as soon as it was possible.]
The things the Tories tell people when out of the country. What a bunch of lying toads .Bullshit that our papers happily sever up to Australians for breakfast lunch and dinner.
[Australian economy is not in trouble, Joe Hockey tells NZ
Joe Hockey has told New Zealand that there is no crisis in the Australian economy, nor is it in trouble.
The treasurer also made no mention of the “budget emergency” he and his government referred to when justifying their unpopular budget to Australians.
“There’s no crisis at all in the Australian economy,” the treasurer said.]
http://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/australian-economy-is-not-in-trouble-joe-hockey-tells-nz-20140726-zx6ie.html#ixzz38Y42oJDP
Poroti
I suggested a day or so ago the SAS wold be the only men for this task
But not for a minute do I think Australia should be involving itself at this level.
It is not all about us.
poroti
So, what is Abbott waiting for? Let’s get on to it. Let’s do it. The crime scene is still deteriorating, the AFP is living high off the hog in London Town doing SFA, the SAS is having a rest from Afghanistan, and Abbott is sitting on his arse.
Not only that, but the harvest season is about due in those parts and what combines will do airliner detritus does not bear thinking about.
Meanwhile, while we are talking about Afghanistan, the Taliban are on the rampage.
[poroti
Posted Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 3:14 pm | Permalink
The things the Tories tell people when out of the country. What a bunch of lying toads .Bullshit that our papers happily sever up to Australians for breakfast lunch and dinner.
Australian economy is not in trouble, Joe Hockey tells NZ
Joe Hockey has told New Zealand that there is no crisis in the Australian economy, nor is it in trouble.
The treasurer also made no mention of the “budget emergency” he and his government referred to when justifying their unpopular budget to Australians.
“There’s no crisis at all in the Australian economy,” the treasurer said.]
Shorter Hockey: ‘I am a fool.’
Don’t hold back on the hatred Potti…
I just got a whiff of mental and moral decay…
Shorter Hockey: “I am a liar”.
Hockey really is a dunce
Obviously hadn’t realised that what he says will be reported, no matter where he is at the time
More Tory stupidity. It’s in their DNA
Obviously hadn’t realised that what he says will be reported, no matter where he is at the time
It will be reported, but not in outlets where most of the voters Joe needs to vote against their interests get their news, i.e. commercial TV, the Murdoch tabloids and shoutback radio.
Z
I haven’t been following the dictaphone story but I was highly amused that The Age was pontificating about a recording they had made without Ballieu’s knowledge, which I thought was illegal.
Sure as hell Hockey saying “There’s no crisis at all in the Australian economy,” will be vigorously thrown in his face as he pleads for his budget measures to be let through.
I agree with Steve. Hockey is not a fool, he’s a liar. Although you could argue he is a fool and a liar as he should have known he would get caught out lying.
rossmcg @ 172
[But not for a minute do I think Australia should be involving itself at this level.
It is not all about us.]
No, it’s all about Tony Abbott and the creation of a new image for him. The SAS are just the expendable fodder to help him do it.
How about we all reach a consensus on Hockey being a fool AND a liar?
Boerwar
Someone has the jump on you today, with this screaming headline…
Zoomster – I live very close to Sacred Heart mission in St Kilda and am very familiar with the Prahran mission …
So I cannot for the life of me accept that if NGOs wanted to find out who was homeless in order to organise accommodation they couldn’t do so?
Just does not make sense that Dept immigration and NGOs organise accommodation in pronto time for asylum seekers while nothing is available for homeless and everybody wringing their hands about it? Obviously there’s plenty of accommodation around otherwise A/S wouldn’t be catered for so efficiently.
[ How about we all reach a consensus on Hockey being a fool AND a liar? ]
I will support such a remarkably obvious position given the extensive evidence.
Diogenes
Unless he wanted it to be reported back ? Abbott as their public face would most likely cop any rotten fruit and eggs thrown by the public over it.
Sprocket
The story that goes with that headline is worth reading
[At the time he gave it, Joe Hockey’s “Age of Entitlement” speech resonated with many. But that was two-and-a-bit years ago. Since then he has delivered a budget unable to follow through on the message of moderation he gave at London’s Institute of Economic Affairs in 2012. He has been caught out by his own rhetoric.
The failures are many, but they are partly explained by the arm-wrestle that has existed within the Liberal Party for almost two decades. Hockey’s loss in that wrestle will follow him for a long time and may be the beginning of this government’s destruction. The failure hurts doubly for an electorate crying out for economic honesty.]
http://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2014/07/26/why-hockeys-budget-rhetoric-doesnt-stick/1406296800#.U9NA-ucaySN
Bar Bar
[So I cannot for the life of me accept that if NGOs wanted to find out who was homeless in order to organise accommodation they couldn’t do so?]
I don’t believe I’ve said they can’t. I’ve discussed the difficulties in being precise about numbers, particularly when becoming homeless can be the result of a quick impulse (e.g. walking out after a fight with parents), the homeless themselves sometimes don’t ‘report’ and the lack of a ‘fixed address’ can make contacting them difficult.
It’s not that ‘nothing’ is available for the homeless (necessarily) either.
[Obviously there’s plenty of accommodation around otherwise A/S wouldn’t be catered for so efficiently.]
Er, you haven’t been keeping pace with events on Nauru, have you? The provision of sccommodation isn’t that efficient, and the accommodation provided is (reportedly) substandard.
You can ‘home’ endless numbers of people if you chuck them in tents, don’t care about over crowding and don’t care whether or not they have adequate services. I doubt the accommodation provided in Nauru or Manus, for example, would meet the lowest standard applicable in Australia.
We can’t even house our prisoners adequately at the moment.
I’ve only a vague idea of Dictaphonegate. But as I understand it an industry largely dependent on the whistleblowers, dobbers, behind the scenes barrow pushers, spies, thieves & back seat drivers of the world is whinging because it stuffed up & someone found something out & used it. Is there more to it?
Dio
a lot of ‘The Age”s approach seems hypocritical, to say the least.
victoria
Tony Windsor also notes something several people here have .
[Added to this is Tony Abbott’s fanaticism regarding anything that Julia Gillard touched.]
poroti
Good point
BSA Bob
Too true. Not forgetting that three of the Age’s journalists pleaded guilty recently to hacking The Labor party’s data base.
In any event, they say that what Labor did with this dictaphone is political bastardry of the highest order. Hyberbole much!
I beat her to it yesterday. 🙂
[Former Queensland Government MP Chris Davis will not be Labor’s candidate in Premier Campbell Newman’s Brisbane seat of Ashgrove, Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says.]
So, is Hockey a weak, foolish liar or a weak, lying fool?
Regarding homelessness.
As zoomster has pointed out there is no choice because no one chooses homelessness.
The solution is fairly simple but no right wing government moderate or other will touch it.
That is increase funding for Housing departments making sure money goes in and is not taken out and put in consolidated revenue.
It also means making maintenance the practical preventative type as much as is possible with accountability a priority so money cannot be skimmed by contractors doing cheap and nasty repairs.
This includes group home situations for those who cannot be completely independent.
Oh dear.
@KenKlippenstein: #Israel’s claim that Hamas kidnapped 3 teens, which western media faithfully repeated, turns out to be false: http://t.co/AM0QxfuNkO #Gaza
Boer –
“Discuss, with references to his biography.”