New results from Newspoll and Essential Research have made very little difference to the BludgerTrack poll aggregate this week, which records only minor shifts on every measure of voting intention and no net change in the seat projection, with the Coalition up a seat in New South Wales and down one in Western Australia. Both pollsters also provided leadership ratings, which also produce very little change to the aggregates, suggesting Malcolm Turnbull’s surging popularity in his two months in the job is finally levelling off.
Other news:
• Kelvin Thomson announced on Tuesday that he will be bowing out at the next election, which means an open Labor preselection for the inner northern Melbourne seat of Wills. The seat was held by Bob Hawke throughout his parliamentary career from 1980 to 1992, then won at a by-election by independent Phil Cleary, whom Thomson unseated in 1996. Factional arrangements reserve the seat for the party’s Right faction, which is divided in Victoria between the Bill Shorten/Stephen Conroy axis and rival elements excluded from its “stability pact” with the Socialist Left. A potential candidate for the former is Mehmet Tillem, a former staffer to Conroy who briefly held a position in the Senate before failing to win election from number three on the Labor ticket at the 2013 election. The rival Right forces include David Feeney, member for the neighbouring seat of Batman, who appears to be interested in exerting his influence. The Age reports he made an unsuccessful approach to Helen Kapalos, a former Seven Network journalist and chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and others named as possible candidates include one of his staffers, Ben Maxfield. Also “believed to be interested” are Jamila Rizvi, Mamamia editor and a former staffer to Kevin Rudd; Peter Khalil, formerly director of corporate affairs at SBS and now a colleague of Helen Kapalos on the Victorian Multicultural Commission; Moreland councillors Meghan Hopper and Lambros Tapinos; and Labor staffers Anthony Cianflone and Anna-Maria Arabia. Maribyrnong councillor Sarah Carter was also mentioned in a report by Annika Smethurst of the Herald-Sun. The only confirmed starter appears to be Joshua Funder, a funds manager and former Yarra councillor. The Age report said former SBS newsreader Mary Kostakidis was “being discussed”, although it didn’t say by whom, and Kostakidis herself was quoted saying she isn’t interested. Labor could potentially face a threat in the seat from the Greens, and Phil Cleary has indicated that he might run again, although his recent entries have state elections have not met with great success.
• Denice Barnes of the Central Coast Express Advocate reports that Belinda Neal will again seek preselection for her old Gosford-based seat of Robertson. Neal had a controversial tenure in the seat after gaining it for Labor in 2007, resulting in a preselection defeat at the hands of Deb O’Neill, who retained the seat in 2010, lost it to Liberal candidate Lucy Wicks in 2013, and has since taken a seat in the Senate. O’Neill’s chief-of-staff, Anne Charlton, will also contest the preselection vote, which is to be held on December 12.
• Labor’s preselection difficulties in Western Australia have been resolved by the withdrawal of two Left-backed candidates who were threatening to upset the national organisation’s applecart: Adam Woodage, a 28-year-old electrician who was threatening Gary Gray in his seat of Brand, and Pierre Yang, a Gosnells councillor who was seeking preselection in the new seat of Burt, which Bill Shorten wanted to go to Canning by-election candidate Matt Keogh. Woodage cited “family reasons” for his decision to withdraw, although it also emerged he had not been a financial member of the party without interruption for the previous 12 months, meaning he would have required a special exemption from the state party’s administrative committee in order to stand. I wrote about these matters at length in an article for Crikey on Friday.
• The Western Australian federal redistribution process has been finalised, with the commissioners making two changes of consequence to the original draft in response to public submissions. One was to reverse a plan to transfer North Fremantle from Fremantle to Curtin, which would have disturbed an arrangement that had been in place in 1980. The commission has also gone back on a plan to transfer the Shire of Wandering from O’Connor to Canning. Left undisturbed is the much-criticised transfer of Collie from Forrest to O’Connor.
• A federal redistribution process for the Northern Territory’s two electorates has also begun, but with a resolution date set for February 7, 2017, it will not be in effect by the time of the next election. Solomon currently has 67,699 enrolled voters compared with 61,872 for Lingiari, suggesting territory will be transferred from the former electorate, which accommodates Darwin, to the latter.
Good morning.
The Greens, supported by Labor, led the push to reverse the exemption
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/senate-repeals-tax-secrecy-law-after-astroturf-revelations-20151111-gkwm10.html
Factions will destroy Labor from the inside
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/andrews-must-reach-past-factions-to-rescue-labors-fortunes-20151110-gkvvhd.html
Kevin Rudd has put his authority and his money behind an effort to monitor the effectiveness of policies aimed at closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage and hold politicians accountable.
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/kevin-rudd-warns-indigenous-recognition-could-degenerate-into-a-political-bun-fight-20151111-gkw9ai.html
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is standing by his decision to revoke the visa of a Maori infantryman who has no criminal record in Australia or New Zealand.
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/kiwi-mp-slams-decision-to-revoke-visa-of-decorated-soldier-20151110-gkvpdw.html
Images that resulted from riots at the Christmas Island detention centre have been released by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s office.
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/christmas-island-riots-images-reveal-extent-of-damage-to-detention-centre-20151111-gkwi3n.html
Persistent questions have circulated on whether the bill to strip citizenship is constitutional.
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/citizenship-terror-law-will-face-test-in-high-court-malcolm-turnbull-says-20151111-gkw86z.html
There is an old saying that trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.
http://www.theage.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/samarco-mine-disaster-bhp-must-compensate-victims-in-brazil-20151111-gkwkv9.html
Hate commercials? Good news: If this trends swaps over from the US, you may see fewer of them. The new strategy is an attempt to appeal to younger viewers
http://www.theage.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/sick-of-ad-breaks-tv-giants-cut-back-on-commercials-20151110-gkvv3u.html
Mr O’Brien’s retirement package is inappropriate, given the decline in shareholder returns over the last few years.
http://www.theage.com.au/business/retail/woolworths-under-new-pressure-over-ceos–payforfailure-exit-package-20151111-gkw4q8.html
There is an old saying that trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.
http://www.theage.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/samarco-mine-disaster-bhp-must-compensate-victims-in-brazil-20151111-gkwkv9.html
Hate commercials? Good news: If this trends swaps over from the US, you may see fewer of them. The new strategy is an attempt to appeal to younger viewers
http://www.theage.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/sick-of-ad-breaks-tv-giants-cut-back-on-commercials-20151110-gkvv3u.html
Mr O’Brien’s retirement package is inappropriate, given the decline in shareholder returns over the last few years.
http://www.theage.com.au/business/retail/woolworths-under-new-pressure-over-ceos–payforfailure-exit-package-20151111-gkw4q8.html
Direct Action would probably perform even worse than The Climate Institute predicts. Almost three-quarters of the first auction went to existing projects, some as much as 10 years old
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/turnbull-climate-plan-to-deliver-only-oneseventh-carbon-cuts-climate-institute-20151110-gkvwx6.html
“The approach has been made by Nova,” a senior Labor source said. No official approach has been made to the dual Brownlow medallist, but opposition leader Bill Shorten is keen to talk to him.
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/adam-goodes-approached-to-run-as-labor-candidate-20151111-gkwrb1.html
Myanmar’s president has promised a “peaceful transfer of power” to pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi
http://www.theage.com.au/world/suu-kyi-issues-talks-deadline-to-myanmars-military-chief-20151111-gkwjx1.html
Prime Minister Miro Cerar said on Tuesday the border would remain open, but the fence would help control the flow of people.
http://www.theage.com.au/world/migrant-crisis-slovenia-prepares-to-erect-border-fence-20151111-gkwqd5.html
Friends and relations reported seeing the changes in sense of humour for both forms of dementia an average of at least nine years before the start of more typical dementia symptoms
http://www.theage.com.au/world/a-sudden-liking-for-slapstick-could-signal-dementia-20151110-gkvrzh.html
Australian Education City has promised a 1.5 million-square-metre city on the site, including soaring towers and Australian and overseas universities.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/werribee-development-bidder-given-90-days-to-perfect-its-vision-or-theyre-out-20151111-gkwhtt.html
Canberra has been named the most dog-friendly place in Australia by a new survey which found the ACT was not as wild about cats.
http://www.theage.com.au/act-news/canberra-named-most-dogfriendly-city-in-australia-in–the-2015-pet-positives-score-20151106-gksn26.html
An inner west mega council could be established in the wake of contentious meetings called in response to the Premier’s push for voluntary amalgamations.
http://www.theage.com.au/nsw/inner-west-mega-council-proposed-as-bairds-deadline-nears-20151111-gkw78w.html
And the chances of another resources boom now rank alongside an original-lineup Beatles reunion. Your news of the day, reduced to a snarky rant.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/view-from-the-street/view-from-the-street-well-thatd-be-it-for-the-mining-industry-right-20151111-gkwhzu.html
Sorry for dupes above. Twitchy fingers.
Vehicle emissions scandal(s) , the story was always going to widen, though not in the eyes of News 24 morning presenters ..
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/nov/11/vw-emissions-investigation-widened-bmw-mercedes-ford
Conclusion from Kristina on Malcolm…
“We need to face the fact: he’s never going to leave his conservative partners for us. It’s time we brought this honeymoon to an end.”
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/11/progressive-australias-infatuation-with-malcolm-turnbull-will-only-end-in-heartbreak
Australian company boards continue to do what they do best… Appoint then get rid off dud CEOs with golden handshakes.. Rowe with the company leaky boat.
Back from Sydney, where my uncle is still baffling medical science, with a range of symptoms which might mean anything from weeks to live to just needing a course of antibiotics…
zoomster
I was just thinking of you and wondering how things were going.
Are the seat changes recently reflected by the redistribution?
The cartoons for today. Not a lot up yet.
David Rowe on Scott Morrison having bitten off more than he can chew?
http://www.afr.com/content//afr/photogallery/brand/david-rowes-cartoons-20141024-11beym.html
Knight on the royal visit:
http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/7f685593a60a0fe3a760221a205ea50f?width=1024&api_key=zw4msefggf9wdvqswdfuqnr5
David Pope with the same theme:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/david-pope-20141123-1t3j0.html
Those cartoonist are having a field day with Turnbull, if he achieves anything it will be the cartoons.
Good morning lizzie and thanks again for your great work.
I made a post yesterday @988 in response to one of yours and hope you have read it.
The latest bludgertrack is rather depressing. Truffles has managed to reverse and maintain the stats in the coalition favour. He has been PM for two months now. Wanting to see the trend reverse again real quick!
JBishop must be shaking in her boots
[Karen Barlow
Karen Barlow – Verified account @KJBar
Eric Abetz says Julie Bishop has questions to answer over where her COS was on “plotter’s eve”
12:44 PM – 11 Nov 2015]
The story in the Oz was posted on previous thread, but as reported in Huffington Post
[Murray Hansen, at the September 13 meeting of Liberal MPs and Malcolm Turnbull supporters where it was ultimately decided the group would challenge the leadership of Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
It’s the first time anyone from the deputy Liberal leaders’ inner-sanctum has been connected with the secret meeting on the eve of the challenge at the home of Eden-Monaro MP Peter Hendy, and contradicts Bishop’s version of events, The Australian has reported.
The claims have been made in a new book, Battleground, written by Wayne Errington and Peter van Onselen.]
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2015/11/12/julie-bishop-coup-meeting_n_8535628.html?utm_hp_ref=australia
[Karen Barlow
Karen Barlow – Verified account @KJBar
An “immediate problem” and a “health issue”.. Choice says the Gov’t may have to impose baby formula export limits. http://tinyurl.com/qg6xq87 ]
bemused
Yes, I read your post overnight.
Lizzie
Thanks for posting the Rudd article. (As well as the rest)
victoria
Opinion will likely have the turning circle of an oil tanker but remember Truffles has not done anything yet. When waffle has to become action then we shall see.
[Kieran Gilbert
Kieran Gilbert – Verified account @Kieran_Gilbert
Abetz says @vanOnselenP story that Julie Bishop’s Chief of Staff was at pre coup meeting is “disappointing” and “raises a lot of questions”]
[Kieran Gilbert
Kieran Gilbert – Verified account @Kieran_Gilbert
Abetz says “colleagues are entitled to know what was going on” following reports Julie Bishop’s chief of staff was at pre coup meeting]
[Eric Abetz says Julie Bishop has questions to answer over where her COS was on “plotter’s eve”]
Nice to see someone else have questions to answer, particularly Bishop, after the way she went after Julia Gillard for two straight weeks in QT.
Wearing a different outfit each and every day.
I am kinda surprised that it is the Oz and Sky leading with the alleged JBishop betrayal
Morning all.
[Abetz says “colleagues are entitled to know what was going on” following reports Julie Bishop’s chief of staff was at pre coup meeting]
They know what was going on. Abbott was a failed leader and totally incompetent at governing, not to mention deeply unpopular with voters. JBishop did the sensible thing in assisting his removal from the leadership.
[Nice to see someone else have questions to answer, particularly Bishop, after the way she went after Julia Gillard for two straight weeks in QT]
Doesn’t it seem a bit sexist to be going for Bishop (and ignoring utegate boy) much the way we had a go at Julia?
Poroti
I am not expecting any change in the polling until after Turnbull actually presents a budget or a tax reform strategy. Paris might dint his a bit – some of the greener voters may desert him if he looks particularly weak.
I dont know what happened to my first post of the day.
Thanks Lizzie, Douglas, Sceptic and ors for today’s reading.
Zoomster
Welcome back. Hope your uncle only needs antibiotics
[Doesn’t it seem a bit sexist to be going for Bishop]
Men are supposed to be ambitious, women not so much. The JBishop angle just plays into this stereotype.
WWP
I suspect that that attack by JB in QT was the only time that she was working closely with Peta 😉
I reckon JBishop has come in for criticism, not cos she is a woman but that she was Abbott’s Deputy
Victoria
The OZ and Murdoch rags are still hostile to Turnbull. They have Abbott on ice, awaiting the second coming. This is just spreading a little trouble. They are probably angling for Morrison, so need to destroy Bishop.
It might also be pay back from the RWNJ for her recent gay marriage stand.
dtt
Peter Van Onselen was one of the rare commentators that was very criticial of Abbott for ages. Yet he is the one involved in this book making these revelations. Doesnt fly
[I reckon JBishop has come in for criticism, not cos she is a woman but that she was Abbott’s Deputy]
Wasn’t Julia deputy as well? It smells bad to me.
Hey just out of interest apart from PB who else regularly uses the term RW Nut Job for the liberal loonies? Rudd has made it main stream.
Is he perhaps a secrret lurker here on PB?
‘fess
[JBishop did the sensible thing in assisting his removal from the leadership.]
BishJnr covering her ar#e by not being there herself.
dtt
[ They are probably angling for Morrison]
I reckon you are on the mark there.
[Doesn’t it seem a bit sexist to be going for Bishop (and ignoring utegate boy) much the way we had a go at Julia?]
Are you slow, or something?
It’s not sexist. Bishop took to Gillard like a bull terrier with insinuations, even allegations of criminality, all under parliamentary privilege.
As you may recall, even Dyson Heydon and Jeremy Stoljar didn’t think she was guilty of anything, and they had a Royal Commission created for them, specifically set up to investigate Gillard under oath.
It has nothing to do with Bishop’s gender. It has everything to do with her extremely nasty nature.
CTar:
Sensible though when you think about it.
CTar1
Yep arse covering by JBishop. Either COS was at meeting of his own accord, or as her proxy. She needs to tell the party which one
I might add that Abbott, like the true gutless wonder that he was, is and always will be, let Bishop run the whole disgraceful witch hunt.
Bill Leak on the tax debate.
Has Abbott been in QT since parliament resumed?
It seems he thinks he doesn’t have to work for his well paid backbench salary.
Fess –
[ JBishop did the sensible thing in assisting his removal from the leadership. ]
Its interesting –
– Mesma has previously said she didn’t know about it until almost the last moment. She made repeated claims of loyal deputy.
Which is it?
– Division and bitterness is alive and thriving amongst the tories. It wont take too much to bring it to the boil – just in time for the election.
A house divided cannot stand.
And another one.
has Truffles already left the country and headed to Indonesia? If so, this could be while cat away mice will play. 😀
Fess
Abbott has shown up for QT
This time with a link !
Malcolm Turnbull heads to Jakarta at start of five-nation tour http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-12/malcolm-turnbull-embarks-on-his-first-major-overseas-trip/6931842 … via @ABCNews
ABC News
[ABC News
Malcolm Turnbull embarks on five-nation tour
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull leaves today for his first major overseas trip – an introduction to more than 20 of the world’s most powerful leaders.
View on web
1:41 PM – 11 Nov 2015]
Snow white Lol!
[Gabrielle Chan
Gabrielle Chan – Verified account @gabriellechan
Eric Abetz demands hitherto snow white Bishop explain staffer’s presence at coup meeting #politicslive http://gu.com/p/4e5z6/stw #libspill]
Bishop as deputy leader is expected to be aware of the mood of the Party.
The Party room gave Abbott six months to get his act together. Having her COS attend a meeting is a very good way to collect intelligence about what the prime movers were on about and if a challenge was imminent.
It’s only when people outside the group that attended that meeting changed their position that the challenge was on.
Abbott would have known that Turnbull was plotting against him. He would not have considered people like Bronwyn Bishop changing sides. That’s what undid him.