Three new polls this week have collectively taken the shine off the Coalition’s recent recovery in the BludgerTrack poll aggregate, and returned Labor to absolute majority territory on the seat projection. Labor is recorded as gaining six seats, including two in New South Wales and one each in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. Its primary vote is little changed, but there’s an intriguing uptick for the Greens something Essential Research contributed to, as well as the widely noted three-point lift in Newspoll which quite possibly has something to do with major party bipartisanship on Iraq. Meanwhile, Palmer United is recorded as heading the other way, falling to a five-month low. Newspoll and Essential Research both provided leadership ratings this week, which have brought Bill Shorten nearer to parity on net approval, levelled off the positive trend to Tony Abbott, and left preferred prime minister much as it was, with Abbott narrowly in front.
BludgerTrack: 52.0-48.0 to Labor
Three new results give Labor and the Greens a lift in this week’s reading of the BludgerTrack poll aggregate.
Abbott is hoping to turn it into Amen Land … 😉
hire car companies and a private school, albeit catholic but none the less….
the town, its not an aboriginal community, looks like Karratha before the mining boom
The picture of Abbott photobombing that indigenous child was very revealing:,
http://twitter.com/chrismurphys/status/511240197564944384/photo/1
“@latikambourke: ! RT @Kieran_Gilbert: A-G Brandis says we’re not at war: “it’s a humanitarian mission with military elements” @SkyNewsAust”
@Kieran_Gilbert “A-G Brandis says we’re not at war: “it’s a humanitarian mission with military elements” @SkyNewsAust”
lizzie
Not surprised we got a snap on that one.
Morning
Apologies if already linked, Mark Kenny’s offering today
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/slowly-does-it-but-battleready-australia-will-be-at-war-20140914-10gtoq.html
As per article linked above
[Tony Abbott says a final decision is yet to be taken on whether our forces deploy in Iraq itself. Right now, they are being “prepositioned” to our base at Al Minhad, in the United Arab Emirates.
Don’t believe it.
Within days it will become clear that Australia is to play a “proportionate” yet key role in a lethal multi-national campaign involving an air war of staggering ferocity, and support for ground forces operating in Iraq, and potentially even, into Syria.]
120,000 dead in Iraq in 12 years, whereas in Rwanda that many died in some weeks, and 800,000 died in three months.
And yet Abbott/Obama did nothing…selective humanitarians
A question of temperament? Tony the soldier wannabe.
http://www.news.com.au/national/pms-comments-on-possible-military-intervention-raise-questions-about-his-temperament/story-fncynjr2-1227023821523
I know I’ve said it previously but the only way IS will be defeated is for the west to be as brutual
What in dog’s name is Paul Sheehan on?? It just spews out a totally incoherent argument, bizarre to say the bloody least. Why is fairfax allowing this crap
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/labor-shows-a-weakness-for-ratbaggery-20140914-10gsnx.html
[@Kieran_Gilbert “A-G Brandis says we’re not at war: “it’s a humanitarian mission with military elements” @SkyNewsAust”]
LOL like my last diet was a weight loss mission with fast food elements.
AA
[I know I’ve said it previously but the only way IS will be defeated is for the west to be as brutal]
LOL … the west has been as brutal, arguably more so, and on a much larger scale. ISIS is a result of that.
What’s that aphorism about continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result?
victoria:
Sheehan’s last few columns have been somewhat deranged from what I’ve read of comments here in relation to them.
confessions
Actually Deranged is the perfect description!
[AA
I know I’ve said it previously but the only way IS will be defeated is for the west to be as brutal
LOL … the west has been as brutal, arguably more so, and on a much larger scale. ISIS is a result of that.
What’s that aphorism about continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result?]
I am pretty sure for anyone awake our record of ‘success’ in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria would lead to very serious questions about the mental health of leaders still trying exactly the same tactic (but with less conviction) that got us to this point.
Talkback caller on ABC summed it up perfectly. This is not a moral war, but geopolitical to protect investments
Is this really the front page of the Herald Sun today?
https://twitter.com/GrogsGamut/status/511279558503325696/photo/1
Bombing IS will be as effective as trying to bomb Collingwood supporters.
fess …
That front page put me in mind of that track by Devo:
Crack that whip
Give the past a slip
Step on a crack
Break your momma’s back
When a problem comes along
You must whip it
Before the cream sets out too long
You must whip it
When something’s goin’ wrong
You must whip it
@BernardKeane: BREAKING: specific threat that lead to raising of terror threat level revealed http://t.co/Z3im8L5lgW
@mumbletwits: Howard on the pink batts royal commission. Suspect majority of voters see it as unnecessary and a stunt as well. http://t.co/86gEiwTKSD
[Mr Howard spoke about his leadership, the handover and his character. ]
Handover? They make it sound like Howard’s departure from parliament was so orderly and commonplace.
[Bombing IS will be as effective as trying to bomb Collingwood supporters.]
Bombing collingwood supporters would have my full support collectively they are the most feral and stupidest supporters in the AFL.
confessions
Howard must be smiling. The fool that followed him as LNP PM is already doing the war thing to distract from the budget that cannot be sold.
roger miller
At least bombing Collingwood supporters would have the support of a majority of Australians, and be considered “humanitarian”.
(Joking).
[ Mr Howard spoke about his leadership, the handover and his character. ]
…taking the mickey out of Costello ?
[Mr Howard spoke about his leadership, the handover and his character.]
No doubt the ‘handover’ is Howard fully crediting Keating for the economic joy Howard inherited, did nothing for and nothing with except to nail on a GST. The discussion of character would be really really shot.
#Turc on 24
Well blink and you would have missed #turc on 24.
🙂
AA
[120,000 dead in Iraq in 12 years, whereas in Rwanda that many died in some weeks, and 800,000 died in three months.
And yet Abbott/Obama did nothing…selective humanitarians]
Bill Clinton and John Howard were in charge during the Rwandan genocide.
guytaur:
I’ve no doubt Abbott would be Howard’s preferred Liberal leader!
@AusHumanRights: President Gillian Triggs officially opens disability forum #AHRCDF . You can watch it live at https://t.co/ttkaDJAEce
confessions
Before the election yes I agree. Now maybe not so much.
What is the exit strategy, Labor or LNP. Who can say, what is a mission win? Bill needs to speak up and inform the country the labor vision of why we need to be involved
Does a higher terror alert mean that other countries will recommend that tourists do not come to Australia? I’ve already seen a hint that it might affect student numbers.
“@TheKouk: AUD below 0.9000”
In a #60Mins follow up, they revealed the email that proves Pyne DID provide Ashby with a lawyer! #AshbyGate #AusPol
9:56 PM – 14 Sep 2014
http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/default.aspx
AussieAchmed:
[And yet Abbott/Obama did nothing…selective humanitarians]
No matter what one might think of Abbott and Obama, at the time of the Rwandan genocide Abbott was a newly minted Opposition backbencher and Obama was still an associate in a law firm.
Diogenes:
PJK was actually in charge here still.
We now know the “objectives”. But who’s to judge?
[“If the Iraqi government, the Kurdish regional government are able to maintain reasonable control over their substantial towns, if they’re able to provide reasonable protection to their own people that will be success.”]
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/there-are-clear-and-achievable-objectives-in-iraq-says-tony-abbott-20140915-10gykz.html#ixzz3DL7bw9yu
Paul Sheehan is raving, as others have said.
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/labor-shows-a-weakness-for-ratbaggery-20140914-10gsnx.html
@wikileaks: #Italy purchased German surveillance malware used to infiltrate internet users https://t.co/yoPn6rNPJZ
“@ABCNews24: Federal Treasurer @JoeHockey & NSW Premier @mikebairdMP are speaking in Sydney. Watch live: http://t.co/FlRWJAIwAW #auspol #nswpol”
“@TheKouk: The income shock unfolding for Australia is huge. Lower AUD, flat stock market; faltering house prices make for glum times”
On twitter
. Michael Smith has moved in with Kathy Jackson. Michael Pell sounded out for the Today Show. Diary today m.theaustralian.com.au/media/media-di…
http://t.co/2Z6cGjFC7e
As per link above
[Michael Smith living in the Kathy Jackson bungalow
Sharri Markson
Darren Davidson
THE AUSTRALIAN
SEPTEMBER 15, 2014 12:00AM
KATHY Jackson is the partner of the nation’s industrial umpire, Fair Work Commission deputy president Michael Lawler, who has the quasi-status of judge. Living at their home in a coastal retreat is the sacked 2UE host Michael Smith — who happens to be a blogger and Jackson’s No 1 fan. Diary can reveal Smith has been living with Jackson for some time in a bungalow or self-contained granny flat on her and Lawler’s property in Sydney’s south. He also recently went on a holiday to Bali with Jackson.]
Latest Tweet from Andrew Casey re TURC
[Chiquita Mushroom paid $4k a month to AWU Vic at time Cesar Melhem ‘predecessor’ was at the helm #turc told. So can expect Shorten name soon]
@billmckibben: Wow! Fossil fuel divestment may be going stronger in Australia than anywhere on earth. Read this account! http://t.co/gR4nneuyLG