As reported here in early May, British-based market research giant YouGov has entered the Australian federal polling game, in conjunction with Australian communications agency Fifty Acres. After reporting attitudinal polling on a fortnightly basis over recent months, the pollster has produced its first set of voting intention numbers, which are exclusively related below.
First though, a few points about methodology. The poll is conducted through an online panel, similar to Essential Research, and indeed an increasingly dominant share of public opinion polls internationally. The polling is conducted fortnightly from Thursday to Tuesday from a sample of a bit over 1000 respondents (1125 in the case of the latest survey), drawn from its pool of survey volunteers.
With respect to voting intention, respondents are presented with a mock ballot paper featuring (together with party logos) Coalition options that vary by state, Labor, the Greens, One Nation, Nick Xenophon Team, Katter’s Australian Party, a generic option for “Christian parties”, and “other/independent”. The results are weighted not just by age, gender and region, which is standard in Australian polling, but also by education and past vote. The latter two are common in Britain but, as far as I’m aware, unique in Australia. Needless to say, this leads to two-party preferred results based on respondent allocation, rather than results from previous elections.
The results for this week’s poll are distinctive in the narrowness of the two-party preferred, with Labor’s lead at 51-49, and low primary votes for both major parties, which come in at 34% for Labor and 33% for the Coalition. Results for the minor parties are Greens 12%, One Nation 7%, Christian parties 4%, Nick Xenophon Team 3%, Katter’s Australian Party 1% and other/independent 6%.
The first thing to be noted is that Labor would record a much stronger lead of 54-46 if preferences were distributed as per the 2016 result, rather than respondent allocation. However, such is the size of the non-major party vote that this would be heavily dependent on preference flows remaining stable despite some fairly dramatic changes in vote share. The second point is that the Greens are two to three points higher than the recent form of Newspoll and Essential Research, although not Ipsos. One Nation and the Nick Xenophon Team respectively come in at 7% and 3%, which would be fairly typical coming from Essential Research, but the combined vote of 11% for everyone else is around double the equivalent figure from Newspoll and Essential Research over the past two months.
For the regular attitudinal questions, this fortnight’s poll focuses on Donald Trump, with findings that 58% consider him “erratic” and a third “unhinged” (not sure if the one response here precludes the other, or if we should combine them to conclude that nearly everybody considers him unstable or worse); that 47% think his presidency threatens to destabilise the world; that 44% feel he won’t last long; and that 52% think his use of Twitter not suitable for a world leader. The poll also records 52% saying Australia is “ready to be fully powered by renewables”, 47% considering climate change a threat to the economy, and 51% supporting the inclusion of clean coal in a clean energy target.
NOTE: Separate to this one, I have a new post that takes a detailed look at the census results.
Norwester’s Q. Early this morning on Pell important –
There will be comments by politicians and, of course, loads of news generally about it but I hope that there will be minimal effect on domestic politics.
We elect politicians to represent us and their focus should be on their role on running this country not on matters to do with religion.
CTar1
Do we have numbers of the Catholics in the Senate and HoR?
Meanwhile, on Sydney Ratbag Radio….
LOL, I just heard Alan Jones refer to Cricket Aust as “the CFMEU of the sporting world”
Just on the Pell matter, the DPP has issued this statement
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDg-c3KUAAA9Bt6?format=jpg&name=large
must have arrived too late for the Murdoch running dogs Kelly and Devine to retract their claws
This has nothing to do with the current accusations, of course.
Lizzie
I don’t have an idea of catholic numbers in Federal Parliament.
Nor do I know numbers of other religions in our parliaments. There are horn blower ‘Christians’ of many varieties that I know about and another who is Muslim.
I don’t give a bugger about that part. Religion should play no part in politics.
Every news bulletin has items of news from overseas that demonstrates what happens when religion becomes a major element in politics.
Sprocket – Good on the Vic DPP for putting the media on notice.
CTar1
Sorry I asked 🙁
Good Morning Bludgers 🙂
Abuse has to stop, the sort that coarsens mankind, physical, emotional, verbal, sexual. Frankly, I blame John Howard. He enabled the Mens Rights Movement, from here in Australia, and it spread like a superbug throughout the world after he gave overt support to the vile Black Shirts. I trace all the garbage that has exploded since then back to that particular world leader at the time.
And where has it got us?? To this point:
http://www.smh.com.au/world/donald-trump-lashes-out-at-tv-host-mika-brzezinski-says-she-was-bleeding-from-a-facelift-20170629-gx1moq.html
I thought Trump would take the world back to the 1950s. He’s taken us back to the Cave Man era!
Don’t responsible world leaders have the guts to call this out!?!
Women. Are. Not. Second. Class. Human. Beings!
So George Pell considers abortion to be worse than clergy child abuse.
I do not recall from my catholic education, ever hearing anything about grades of mortal sin.
Also noting that the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions simply refers to George Pell, no cardinal, his eminence or whatever.
While the Police have laid the charges, this is after review by the Vic DPP, so they must consider that, given the evidence, there is a genuine probability of a conviction.
Morning all
Not surprising that Trump as usual does or says something outrageous to distract from whatever other shitstorm is brewing!
Good Morning Dawn Patrollers.
Joanne McCarthy, who was the reporter that really got the action on child sexual abuse going, writes that it was a momentous day yesterday as George Pell now has a case to answer. Interestingly she tells us that Pell lives just outside of the diplomatically protected grounds of the Vatican.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/joanne-mccarthy-a-momentous-day-as-george-pell-now-has-a-case-to-answer-20170629-gx1h4k.html
Pontificating Paul Kelly, who railed against Julia Gillard’s announcement of the CA Royal Commission, says that it is not just Cardinal George Pell who is on trial — it is the integrity of Victoria Police, the justice system and our capacity to deliver a fair trial. Google.
/opinion/columnists/paul-kelly/george-pell-case-justice-system-on-trial-not-just-a-catholic-leader/news-story/553a2bcf5dab1f66879ce7aadb45d0dc
David Marr writes that Pell is now facing the fight of his life.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/29/george-pell-profile-the-popes-australian-hardman-faces-the-fight-of-his-life
Sexual assault charges against the pope’s adviser prolong a familiar, appalling story. No wonder people are turning their backs on the church writes Catherine Pepinster.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/29/cardinal-george-pell-catholic-church-sexual-abuse-scandal
I’m sure Pell thinks Abbott is a very fine man too.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-praises-fine-man-cardinal-george-pell-20170629-gx17uk.html
The Guardian lines up the odious Miranda Devine for accusing the Victorian police of all sorts of things with respect to Pell.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jun/29/news-corps-miranda-devine-says-police-are-hunting-catholics-after-george-pell-charges
John Hewson concludes that the Abbott/Turnbull government is as bad as the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd one.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/john-hewson-first-rule-of-politics-is-to-show-you-can-govern-yourselves-20170629-gx0xu8.html
Grattan on Friday: It’s a year since Turnbull won his first election, but what about a second?
https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-its-a-year-since-turnbull-won-his-first-election-but-what-about-a-second-80287
David Crowe with some straight talking says that we are witnessing the cowardice at the heart of Abbott’s campaign. He concludes by saying that the mystery is that Liberal MPs, as a group, saw a Labor government reduced to rubble but still have no idea what to do when the wrecking ball is swinging toward them. Google.
/opinion/we-are-witnessing-the-cowardice-at-the-heart-of-abbotts-campaign/news-story/5a58ebc3242f7aa10d17b1a28f17e598
Section 2 . . .
Alan Austin writes that the Murdoch media have gone the full Abbott this week with multiple articles spruiking a comeback for the disgraced former PM. In the spirit of Tony, they are riddled with hypocrisies, distortions and lies.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/news-corp-boosts-return-of-tony-abbott,10452
/opinion/we-are-witnessing-the-cowardice-at-the-heart-of-abbotts-campaign/news-story/5a58ebc3242f7aa10d17b1a28f17e598
At least Marise Payne has the guts to rebuke Abbott.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/marise-payne-rebukes-tony-abbott-as-former-pm-goes-nuclear-on-submarines-20170629-gx1bvn.html
Trump is a grub!
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/29/donald-trump-morning-joe-mika-brzezinski-joe-scarborough
Meanwhile the Trumpcare legislation limps into the summer recess with no vote in sight.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/29/senate-republican-healthcare-bill-changes-recess-vote
After eight months of grinding urban warfare, Iraqi government troops on Thursday captured the ruined mosque at the heart of Islamic State’s de facto capital Mosul, and the prime minister declared the group’s self-styled caliphate at an end. We shall see.
http://www.smh.com.au/world/their-fictitious-state-has-fallen-iraq-declares-end-of-islamic-state-caliphate-20170629-gx1m4t.html
Trump’s new Muslim travel ban rules explained – sort of.
http://www.smh.com.au/world/stepsister-yes-grandma-no-trumps-new-travel-ban-rules-20170629-gx1mxk.html
The traditionally community-owned before-and-after school care sector is under siege with an American private investment firm gobbling up more than a quarter of the national market as it targets profits from another heavily government subsidised sector. Here we go again!
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/parents-fear-price-rises-quality-cuts-as-bain-dominates-afterschool-care-20170629-gx1fea.html
Jeremy Corbyn has sacked three of his top team – and forced another to quit – after they defied his orders not to back a ‘soft Brexit’ in the Commons. Bang!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/06/29/jeremy-corbyn-sacks-shadow-ministers-who-voted-for-soft-brexit_a_23008884/?utm_hp_ref=au-homepage
Section 4 . . .
Matthew Knott says that The Turnbull government is prepared to significantly water down its plan to increase university fees and slash the HECS repayment threshold in a bid to pass higher education savings through Parliament.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australians-expect-pragmatism-turnbull-government-willing-to-make-major-concessions-on-university-funding-20170512-gw3ao4.html
Former prime minister Paul Keating has hit out at “bludger” international companies operating in Australia but not paying enough tax. Trust Keating to say it as it is!
http://www.smh.com.au/business/former-pm-paul-keating-blasts-bludger-international-companies-over-taxation-20170629-gx1hup.html
The ATO is going to have a field day with Uber drivers and the like this year by the looks of it.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/ato-writes-to-60000-uber-and-other-ridesharing-drivers-asking-them-to-register-for-gst-20170629-gx12xb.html
From out of the new census figures comes a number to show that the world might just have a chance. For the first time “no religion” is now the number one religion — with 30 per cent of us saying we don’t have an organised faith. Rejecting religion doesn’t mean we are becoming evil writes Justin Smith. I do like the last sentence! Google.
/news/opinion/census-figures-show-we-are-rejecting-religion-but-doesnt-mean-weve-become-evil/news-story/c381e97eda18601a93685faa3b727106
Australia’s energy future will be increasingly reliant on renewable energy sources, with the operator of the nation’s energy markets conceding that even with a forecast 30 per cent rise in population over the next two decades the amount of energy travelling across the grid will be little changed. This paints an interesting scenario that doesn’t add to any appetite to finance new coal fired power stations.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/surge-in-renewables-to-balance-australias-future-energy-equation-aemo-says-20170629-gx1css.html
The Financial Review covers Albo’s lament the Infrastructure Australia is being sidelined by Turnbull turf wars. Google.
/business/infrastructure-australia-sidelined-by-turnbull-turf-wars-says-albanese-20170629-gx10tv
Jacqui Maley writes that gay marriage is an argument even conservatives know they have lost, which is why it doesn’t appear anywhere in Tony Abbott’s alternative conservative manifesto.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/malcolm-turnbull-can-use-same-sex-marriage-the-ultimate-conservative-reform-20170629-gx19jj.html
Section 5 . . . Cartoon Corner
A chilling contribution from Cathy Wilcox on UK low cost housing.
Broelman and Turnbull’s Jaws of Hell.
Matt Golding and the next cover of TIME magazine.
David Rowe does it again!
Another crack at the banks from Ron Tandberg.
http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/ron-tandberg-20090910-fixc.html
Mark Knight and the businesslike announcement by Victorian police.
http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/d832a9c561509338ccf2eb2c574d7373?width=1024
Jon Kudelka contrasts the stabilities of the major political parties.
http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/3c2c6d2901bc0ad8c5ebb8fd45f1b337
Section 3a . . .
Grenfell Tower survivors are banned from attending the first meeting of Kensington Council’s cabinet since the fatal blaze because of fears of violence. Council leaders have taken the decision to hold tonight’s meeting (Thursday June 29) behind closed doors – with all public and press banned from attending.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/06/29/grenfell-survivors-banned-from-council-meeting-over-fears-of-vio_a_23007599/?utm_hp_ref=au-homepage
A new exposé by acclaimed U.S. investigative journalist Seymour Hersh throws into more doubt U.S. claims that Syria’s Assad regime gassed its own people.
https://independentaustralia.net/article-display/fresh-evidence-on-alleged-syrian-gas-attacks-concealed-from-australian-public,10454
Luke Foley is promising the impossible writes James Robertson.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/foleys-power-promise-a-flagrant-test-of-voters-credulity-his-own-credibility-20170629-gx0wld.html
In the party that says it does not have factions factional warfare in the Victorian Liberal Party has intensified after a senior official was accused of being involved in a Catholic schools campaign against the Turnbull government’s Gonski 2.0 education funding reforms.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/factional-warfare-reignites-over-liberal-link-to-gonski-campaign-20170629-gx14sd.html
Section 3b . . .
A destructive wave of energy bill hikes is poised to sweep across businesses and households from July 1, with some commercial customers to be hit by a tripling in electricity prices after the closure of the Hazelwood coal generator. Google.
/business/energy/electricity/destructive-wave-of-energy-price-hikes-about-to-hit-20170629-gx1bol
Does your heart bleed? Mine doesn’t!
http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/major-setback-for-rupert-murdoch-in-19-billion-sky-takeover-20170629-gx1n3d.html
Michaela Whitbourn tells us about the grilling Mehajer got in court yesterday.
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/salim-mehajer-denies-lying-about-530am-meeting-in-faceoff-with-administrators-20170629-gx1099.html
Richo says that even when the Liberals win they lose, given the deep rifts within their party. Google.
/opinion/columnists/graham-richardson/even-when-they-win-these-liberals-find-a-way-to-lose/news-story/d2499c75849d397ef94ae186a7f87cdb
House panel presses White House for fuller response to Comey tape request
The leaders of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee’s Russia probe on Thursday called on the White House to respond more fully to their request for any records on President Donald Trump’s conversations with fired FBI Director James Comey.
In a joint statement on Thursday, Republican Representative Mike Conaway and Democratic Representative Adam Schiff said they had written the White House to press it to comply fully with their request.
“Today’s letter from the committee makes clear that should the White House not respond fully, the committee will consider using compulsory process to ensure a satisfactory response,” they said.
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/29/house-panel-presses-white-house-fuller-response-comey-tape-request.html
Lizzie
Don’t be.
This somewhat poorly worded but maybe I’m different to most.
I don’t generally assess or place a value on people I meet based on sex, sexuality or religion unless one or more of those things appears to me to dominate them.
I’m more interested in peoples abilities and if they are congenial and a little entertaining and have some, but not necessarily all, shared values and opinions.
Donald Trump’s myth is coming unglued: How did the supposed master dealmaker become a spectacularly incompetent president?
As a media celebrity, Trump constructed a masterful persona. It was never real, and now it’s deeply dangerous
Tony Schwartz, Trump’s ghostwriter on “The Art of the Deal,” came forward during the campaign to confess that most of what he’d written in that book, which is the basis for the Trump myth, is just that — a myth.
Trump’s particular problem in politics is that he has an extremely short attention span, which means that the learning curve for the presidency, which is steep for anyone, may just be too much for him to master. Schwartz told the New Yorker’s Jane Mayer that this problem has left Trump with “a stunning level of superficial knowledge and plain ignorance,” explaining, “that’s why he so prefers TV as his first news source — information comes in easily digestible sound bites.”
It’s impossible, Schwartz said, “to keep [Trump] focussed on any topic, other than his own self-aggrandizement, for more than a few minutes, and even then … if he had to be briefed on a crisis in the Situation Room, it’s impossible to imagine him paying attention over a long period of time.” Schwartz described Trump as not a dealmaker at all but merely a self-promoter who craves “money, praise, and celebrity” and never gets enough of it. These are not unusual traits among leaders, but they are not sufficient or even necessary for the job he has now.
http://www.salon.com/2017/06/29/donald-trumps-myth-is-coming-unglued-how-did-the-supposed-master-dealmaker-become-a-spectacularly-incompetent-president/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/06/29/jeremy-corbyn-sacks-shadow-ministers-who-voted-for-soft-brexit_a_23008884/?utm_hp_ref=au-homepage
Corbyn is Europhobic too…on a unity ticket with the contemptible Teresa May…
https://www.good.is/articles/president-trump-attack-on-mika-brzezinski
Yep. Once a misogynistic asshole, always a misogynistic asshole.
CTar1
Neither do I. In fact, I’d rather not know, just take them as they are.
However, I am feeling a little sorry for lay Catholics, who must feel as if the structure they have trusted is melting away.
Thanks BK
Cathy Wilcox’s take on the UK housing crisis
looks a bit too much like Brett Whitely’s famous ‘Almost once’ at the Art Gallery of NSW, on the lawn sloping down to Woolloomooloo.
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/339.1991/
confessions Friday, June 30, 2017 at 8:29 am
“It’s truly unbelievable that President Donald Trump — a man with, arguably, the largest mouthpiece in the world — uses it to air petty grievances, push blatantly false conspiracies, and bully people. To anyone who thought his sophomoric behavior would end and he’d become presidential, it isn’t going to happen. ”
https://www.good.is/articles/president-trump-attack-on-mika-brzezinski
Yep. Once a misogynistic asshole, always a misogynistic asshole.
**************************************************************
‘How’s that anti-cyberbullying campaign going?’: CNN’s Tapper blasts Trumps over ‘facelift’ tweets
CNN’s Jake Tapper began Thursday’s edition of the “The Lead” with a broadside against President Donald and First Lady Melania Trump in the wake of Pres. Trump’s vile personal Twitter attack on MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski.
“How’s that First Lady anti-cyberbullying campaign going, good?” he asked, before launching into a blistering takedown of the president’s behavior.
“President Trump taking to Twitter to address an issue of importance to him,” said Tapper. “Veterans, jobs, North Korea? Syria? No, he personally attacked cable news hosts, including a nasty comment about the physical appearance of a female host. Now, he’s facing bipartisan backlash.”
http://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/hows-that-anti-cyberbullying-campaign-going-cnns-tapper-blasts-trumps-over-facelift-tweets/
Murdoch’ Oz has delegated Kelly to boost Pell and attack the Victorian police and court system as well as (Shanahan and Sheridan don’t seem to appear today – maybe they’re still in shock). Kelly’s talk of a Pell “show trial” must be verging on the sort of statements that got the three ministerial clowns in trouble for contempt.
PhoenixRed:
Mika’s response was so classy. No words needed.
https://twitter.com/morningmika/status/880415526371176448
Liberals’ private investment fund????
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/30/federal-loan-bodys-denial-of-foi-request-most-secretive-says-legal-expert?CMP=share_btn_tw
Lizzie
However, I am feeling a little sorry for lay Catholics, who must feel as if the structure they have trusted is melting away
Lizzie, I think it’s a good thing. They need to see the structure and its false hopes for what it is, as painful as that might be, and the sooner the better. It’s one of the greatest male con jobs, if not the greatest, ever to be perpetuated, and about as far from the message of the (M)man they hold themselves accountable to as possible.
The Vic DPP stuff is just silly. Anyone who cares knows what his or her job is and what it entails without needing to be reminded.
What does fair mean? Who is the media outlet to which it is addressed? Is Crikey subject to this? Does fair mean silence about the Royal Commission. If Broken Rites wants to say something should it go unreported? What about the Foster family? If someone in authority wants to say Cardinal Pell is a good bloke, should there be no reporting of this?
The modern trend of press conferences and releases by police or the DPP (and arrest videos), mostly seen in terrorist type matters is superfluous, self-serving and more prejudicial than anything else attaching to criminal trials. The grossest example of prejudice is when these organisations start self-congratulating. When these groups show some restraint, others can be expected to follow suit.
For as long as matters the trials in Australia which have been unfair have been so because of, mainly:
(a) conduct of crown;
(b) incompetence of defence counsel;
(c) judicial mismanagement of the trial.
There are not many pre-trial publicity cases which have caused an unfair trial and only one or two reporting fuck ups during a trial which have seen a miscarriage.
Thanks KB,
You are right, there is probably very little difference.
My own (obviously anecdotal) experience is that my willingness to respond to a call is affected by things like if I’m in the middle of serving up dinner. If an email request is sitting there I’m more likely to get back to it if I’m fired up about something, like the way they are smearing poor Pauline about her plane (sarcasm). And I’m more likely to get back to it quickly, before their quota of my demographic is filled.
Shellbell
what part of the DPP Statement is silly?
Feel free to give us the heads up on PB.
ItzaDream
“male con jobs”
You open a window into a philosophical/metaphysical discussion which unfortunately cannot be pursued here. 🙂
Itzadream
I am from a catholic upbringing. Most of my extended friends and family are catholic. They see it like most organisations. Corrupted by flawed people.
And interestingly most thought for many years that George Pell was odious and didn’t appreciate him in any leadership role.
briefly @ #426 Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 11:42 pm
They don’t.
Discrimination on the basis of sexuality is already unlawful.
Lizzie
I am agnostic at best. But even for those within my circle who still believe in this religious mumbo jumbo, know that it is patriachal and not reflecting the 21st century in any shape or form. Of course, other religious organisations are even worse in this regard.
It’s about time the locals got heated up about Adani, but as usual with the hayseeds, it’s mainly the NIMBY thing, fair enough I suppose, but only scant reference to climate or to big picture planet issue betrays their narrow world view. And they’re heading off to confront Palaszczuk, fair enough I suppose, but any action at a federal level?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/30/farmers-join-fight-against-adani-coalmine-over-environmental-concerns
briefly @ #428 Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 11:57 pm
Those examples of discrimination were backed by force of law and local institutions.
Discrimination on the basis of any of those matters or sexuality is now unlawful.
Entirely different situation.
It’s starting to get to the point were the Media must expect Michael Keenan, accompanied by lots of cops, to be holding a press conf at 9AM at least twice a week on either drugs or terrorism.
Trying to rise above the hoipolloi? Won’t work, Malcolm.
Victoria:
Most of the people I know who identify as catholic are appalled by what the church has done re child abuse. Has it changed their faith? No. But what it has done is cause them to lose faith in the church institutions.
Lizzie
That is definitely the vibe. I’ve had it said outright to me by more than one person.
From Crikey
Good Morning
For those of you who missed it.
http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/christopher-pyne-blows-up-over-political-donations-on-today-show/news-story/8bdf446c4af4ece1f9b40e118ef1c13d
Lizzie and Victoria
I’m from an Irish Catholic upbringing, Christian Brothers school, the whole shebang, altar boy, confessional and fortunately smart enough to see the grooming coming, yes from the confessional, and on and on it went. My homosexuality was/is my release. Without it I would well have lesser reason to question and think outside their fear box.
For those still trapped, anything that gives them insight is welcome. Look at Ireland, where the authority of the Church has been shot to pieces by the sex scandals, and never to recover. They now have SSM, and gay PM.
Fess
Agreed. I see how it gives comfort to some to believe in a higher force etc.
For eg. My mother believes in prayer. Whereas my dad thinks it is all a big fat joke.
What is really ironic in my circle, is that most of us have been raised as catholics and sent our offspring to the local catholic schools. It seems that the exposure to religious education, has made them all atheists!, too funny.
Bill Shorten presser now
Gt
LoL.
Pyne doesn’t think his party getting a $65,000 donation from someone around the time a govt decision in the persons favour is made looks like and could be corrupt!
Itzadream
I am of the view that many choose to remain trapped, because they want to have faith in something. It just helps them function better. Heck. I sometimes wish I could too. It would make it easier to cope with all the crap going on in the world!!