Essential Research: 53-47 to Labor

No change in voting intention from the latest Essential poll, which also finds respondents evenly split on the future of the Nauru detention centre.

The Guardian reports the latest fortnightly Essential Research poll has Labor’s two-party lead unchanged at 53-47. The poll also includes the monthly leadership ratings, which show Scott Morrison leading Bill Shorten 42-27 as preferred prime minister, out from 39-27 a month ago. We will have to wait for the full report later today to see primary votes and approval ratings. The poll also finds 40% in favour of transferring families and children on Nauru to Australia, with 39% opposed; 37% supporting the closure of the Nauru detention centre and transferring those remaining to Australia, with 42% opposed; and 35% in support of keeping them there indefinitely, with 43% opposed. The poll was conducted Thursday to Sunday from a sample of 1025.

UPDATE: Full report here. Both major parties are up a point on the primary vote, the Coalition to 38% and Labor to 37%, with the Greens reverting to 10% after a spike to 12% a fortnight ago, and One Nation up two to 7% after dropping three in the last poll. Scott Morrison is up six on approval to 43% and down three on disapproval to 28%, while Bill Shorten is respectively down three to 33% and down two to 45%.

The Guardian report focused on asylum seeker questions, but the other focus for the supplementary questions this week is the media. Thirty-six per cent offered that the government had too much influence on the ABC, 16% not enough, 17% about right and 31% don’t know, with Labor and Greens voters greatly more likely to offer the first response. Forty per cent felt ABC reporting was independent and unbiased and 34% the opposite – Labor and Greens supporters weighed more heavily towards the former, with Coalition supporters evenly split.

Also featured is an occasional “trust in media” question, along with a new question identifying specific news outlets. Despite all the fuss of late, results to both follow the usual patterns: public beats commercial, broadsheet beats tabloid, news beats tabloid, and there’s nothing lower than an “internet blog”. The Australian has a slight edge over the Fairfax papers, which I would hypothesise has something to do with the latter’s move to tabloid.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

2,060 comments on “Essential Research: 53-47 to Labor”

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  1. bc says:
    Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 1:07 am

    Hello from Helsinki. Anyone watched the new Doctor yet? I’m going to have to wait until I return to Australia in a few weeks.

    It was pretty good. If you want to watch it sooner BBC , hidester.
    Q and A was well worth a watch. Basically let the teachers do their dam job.

  2. I wonder how Shorten v Morrison debates will play out?
    I’m guessing Morrison will defy the orthodoxy, and as the
    incumbent, will be more enthusiastic about more debates
    and more free-flowing debates than the challenger Shorten.
    I suspect the debates may hold considerable danger for Shorten
    though it’s true he has tended to rise to the occasion when it
    comes to election campaigning. Still, a live debate is a somewhat
    different matter.

  3. Phew!

    The electorate are keeping their heads, when all about them in politics (well, on the Coalition side), are losing theirs. Proving that, in the 21st century, we are savvy to being marketed at. 🙂

  4. alias @ #2 Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 – 6:28 am

    I wonder how Shorten v Morrison debates will play out?
    I’m guessing Morrison will defy the orthodoxy, and as the
    incumbent, will be more enthusiastic about more debates
    and more free-flowing debates than the challenger Shorten.
    I suspect the debates may hold considerable danger for Shorten
    though it’s true he has tended to rise to the occasion when it
    comes to election campaigning. Still, a live debate is a somewhat
    different matter.

    You’ve been batting zero. This post means you’re still batting zero.

  5. NYT reporter warned FBI in 2016 of suspicious Trump Organization contacts with Russia — but editor blocked his reporting

    New York Times reporter alerted FBI investigators about suspicious computer communications between a Russian bank and a Trump Organization network — but the bureau appeared to lose interest and the newspaper buried his findings.

    https://www.rawstory.com/2018/10/nyt-reporter-warned-fbi-suspicious-trump-organization-contacts-russia-editor-blocked-reporting/

  6. DeVos company implicated in new report on fishy communications between Trump Organization and Russian bank

    Cybersecurity experts found evidence of suspicious communications between a Trump Organization computer and a Russian bank in the summer of 2016 — and they also noticed a link to Betsy DeVos and her family.

    The researchers set out to find whether Russian hackers had also targeted Republicans after news broke about the Democratic National Committee hacks, and their investigation surprised them, reported The New Yorker.

    https://www.rawstory.com/2018/10/devos-company-implicated-new-report-fishy-communications-trump-organization-russian-bank/

  7. Feds seize $42 million mansion of Russian oligarch linked to Paul Manafort: report

    Federal officials “froze” a sprawling Upper East Side Manhattan mansion owned by Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, the New York Post reported Monday.

    For years, former Trump campaign manager and convicted felon Paul Manafort was on Deripaska’s payroll.

    The seizure is the result of the Russian oligarch being placed on the U.S. sanctions list after allegations he is “involved in murder, money-laundering, bribery and racketeering.”

    https://www.rawstory.com/2018/10/feds-seize-42-million-mansion-russian-oligarch-linked-paul-manafort-report/

  8. “Catholic Church’s plan for $161m CBD skyscraper evidence of ‘vast wealth’”

    The basic religious charities exemption has since been called into question, most recently under a five-year review of the ACNC Act, which recommended that it be retained.

    “This is perhaps not surprising given the significant political influence of churches, in particular the Catholic Church,” Professor O’Connell said.

    Professor O’Connell said that churches were originally granted tax concessions due to its work caring for the poor and underprivileged.

    “It could be argued that now the churches are simply accumulating vast wealth and should contribute to tax revenue,” she said.

    The development proposal is “incongruous” at a time when “Catholic education is demanding more funding from the Commonwealth and state governments for Catholic schools”, Professor O’Connell said.

    https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/property/2018/10/08/catholic-church-161-million-dollar-skyscraper/

  9. Trump Calls Allegations Against Kavanaugh ‘a Hoax’

    As he prepared to hold a ceremonial swearing-in of Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, President Trump dismissed sexual misconduct accusations as “fabricated.”

    Mr. Trump moved beyond simply questioning the credibility of his accusers to asserting that their stories were made up entirely.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/08/us/politics/trump-kavanaugh-accusations-hoax.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

  10. phoenixRED @ #10 Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 – 7:10 am

    Trump Calls Allegations Against Kavanaugh ‘a Hoax’

    As he prepared to hold a ceremonial swearing-in of Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, President Trump dismissed sexual misconduct accusations as “fabricated.”

    Mr. Trump moved beyond simply questioning the credibility of his accusers to asserting that their stories were made up entirely.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/08/us/politics/trump-kavanaugh-accusations-hoax.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

    What a bastard! What a toad! What an absolute slimeball of a human being! In fact, he’s not human, Donald Trump is a slug!

  11. [‘The poll also finds 40% in favour of transferring families and children on Nauru to Australia, with 39% opposed…’]

    These figures are disappointing to say the least. If only there had been bipartisan leadership in this area.

  12. And more (from previous thread) on the current premier of NSW…

    …And even worse for Berejiklian is the rumblings from her own people, those who were once her biggest supporters, that she is at the helm of a rudderless ship.

    She is now seen as a weak leader who caves in to pressure in a desperate, but ill-fated, attempt to keep everyone happy.

    The Coalition is beginning to resemble a government in its dying days.

    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/gladys-berejiklian-is-steering-a-rudderless-ship-20181008-p508fg.html

  13. I tell my boys, all the time, what a privilege it is that they have been born male and White in this day and age, but that they must use that privilege for good, not evil.

  14. The leadership change in the L/NP has not been accepted as a step forward by those questioning their lack of ability.

    All those RWNJs and after dark commentators (not journalists, we can interpret the mood of the community not report on it in an unbiased way) have been shown to be impotent.

    They wanted Dutton and got Scummo. The public wants neither. The PPM figures are rubbish.

  15. From The Australian:

    Tudge will today emphasise an unplanned population spike post-2007, reportedly driven by the Labor government’s lift in immigration and family reunion visas, and an alleged $25 billion a year lost in economic activity due to congestion.

    The cause of all pain in the world is the Labor govt, followed by Union Thugs.

  16. lizzie @ #16 Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 – 7:22 am

    From The Australian:

    Tudge will today emphasise an unplanned population spike post-2007, reportedly driven by the Labor government’s lift in immigration and family reunion visas, and an alleged $25 billion a year lost in economic activity due to congestion.

    The cause of all pain in the world is the Labor govt, followed by Union Thugs.

    Because all the Quiver Full Christians pumping out babies in Australia is having no effect whatsoever. It’s the Muzzies wot dun it! *sigh*

  17. After resisting the royal commission for years, the Coalition now says the corporate regulators need to be stronger. That’s like saying the ransacked house should have been more secure and better prepared when you’re the one who removed the locks, broke the windows, and switched off the power in the first place.

    Since 2013 the Coalition government has strenuously resisted calls for a banking royal commission. They have cut funding to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and to the tax office, and undermined stable leadership of the regulators. When the former head of Asic Greg Medcraft had the temerity to describe Australia as a “paradise” for white collar crime while arguing for more powers and stronger penalties, he was rebuked by the finance minister, Mathias Cormann, and required to correct his statement.

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/08/red-tape-protects-us-this-dangerous-love-affair-with-deregulation-must-end

  18. For those who missed it on the previous thread.
    I received word last night that elements in the NSW Liberals have begun head counting to oust Berejiklian from the Premiership. The two contenders at the moment are Dominic Perrottet and Andrew Constance. That latter news will surprise no one.
    It is reported the catalyst for the move Is the Premiers capitulation to Alan Jones and resultant fallout.
    Berejiklian is seen as weakened and vulnerable.
    Will keep you posted as I hear more

  19. re Alan Jones
    He is a commentator on Radio 2GB, owned by Macquarie Networks which is itself part owned by Fairfax.
    Why not register you displeasure at Fairfax support of Alan Jones and his massive legal bills by cancelling your subscriptions to Fairfax

  20. lizzie

    In case you haven’t seen it, I assume some PR person called around yesterday defending the honour of ASIC, as the same theme is evident in the AFR today (though being the AFR, they are sure to put the ALP in the frame as well).

    …What it hasn’t done is to acknowledge its own role – and the role of previous Labor governments – in starving the regulator of the financial wherewithal that is essential to do battle with the deep-pocketed banks.

    There’s never been a shortage of senior executives within ASIC keen to take on the banks, but – as in any war – it’s unwise to enter a battle if you know you can’t pay for the bullets…

    https://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/canberras-breathtaking-hypocrisy-on-the-banking-royal-commission-20181008-h16cdr

  21. Robert Ball,
    But neither of those men have the balls to stand up to Alan Jones either!
    And Andrew Constance is the Transport Minister. ‘Nuff said.

  22. C@tmomma
    True, but that sort of stuff has never stopped challenges before and probably won’t again. Ego centric people are different.
    At any rate, you know how this works, others begin a process that is finished by someone else.

  23. I blame WB for all this Liberal NSW leadership speculation. Our WB thundered just after he became aware of the Berejelkian back down that she wasn’t up to the job and her leadership would come under pressure.

    It seems some NSW pollies were reading and listening and have actioned his instructions.

    WB is now the “Pseph Wisperer” of Australian politics. Alan Jones and 2GB have been surpassed.

  24. Mr Ed:

    [‘The PPM figures are rubbish.’]

    You’re not far off the mark. My guess is that even if Dutton had got up in lieu of Morrison, the PPM numbers would be similar. Labor should be happy with a status quo 2PP result, which if replicated in Sunday’s Newspoll is almost sufficient evidence to show that the change of leaders hasn’t worked out.

  25. Greensborough Growler

    I’ve kind of forgotten who you are GG, in the sense that having not been about these parts for a while, I tend to forget those posters who seem incapable of engaging with the topic, and rather attack the person. I had a notion that every now and again, you rise above attacking the person to engage in the issue being raised.

    When you say “batting zero” I assume that’s some kind of sporting reference that would indicate you disagree with the various propositions I put forward. Care to put forward any substance to that position?

    However, if you would rather continue to attack the person, go right ahead. It’s kind of amusing.

  26. @alias

    Scott Morrison really needs to work on his communication style in my opinion. Anyway personally with the amount of polarization in the electorate at the moment, plus compulsory voting. I honest believe the election will be reasonably close, If Labor wins they won’t win more than 85 seats.

    I do believe this is a good election for Labor to use, if they win and the housing market crashes. The voters will certainly blame Labor and their negative gearing policies for it.

  27. alias @ #29 Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 – 7:50 am

    Greensborough Growler

    I’ve kind of forgotten who you are GG, in the sense that having not been about these parts for a while, I tend to forget those posters who seem incapable of engaging with the topic, and rather attack the person. I had a notion that every now and again, you rise above attacking the person to engage in the issue being raised.

    When you say “batting zero” I assume that’s some kind of sporting reference that would indicate you disagree with the various propositions I put forward. Care to put forward any substance to that position?

    However, if you would rather continue to attack the person, go right ahead. It’s kind of amusing.

    You don’t have various propositions.

    Only the one.

  28. C@tmomma

    I reckon the idea of Andrew Constance as Premier of NSW would be just so ludicrous; it’s this potential that makes Jim Hacker so timeless!!

  29. Interesting Tristo. I believe the housing issue, negative gearing, CGT is going to be huge in this election, especially if the market falls much further – and it cuts two ways: home owners will be freaking out, as their sense of prosperity gets eroded; home hunters will be pleased as things are finally turning their way. Given that divide, it’s tricky territory for any party. Add to that the in escapable truth that an major correction (20 per cent plus) would significantly harm the wider economy.

  30. We thought less of Turnbull because he gave in too easily to the RWNJs in the govt., but now we have the Chief RWNJ in charge, with logo-ed baseball cap, and his little badge to remind him who he’s supposed to be barracking for.

  31. GG,
    I’m sure, if legally challenged for Defamation by Louise Herron, Alan Jones will use it to campaign even harder against her in the court of public opinion, and if he loses the case, again, his employers will underwrite the cost, but he will keep his job.

    The only way to effectively do something about Alan Jones is to take away his bully pulpit.

  32. Overhead a Liberal with How To Vote flyers outside Aldi at Prahran Market last Saturday morning

    “You look like the riiight type of people”

  33. C@tmomma @ #35 Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 – 8:00 am

    GG,
    I’m sure, if legally challenged for Defamation by Louise Herron, Alan Jones will use it to campaign even harder against her in the court of public opinion, and if he loses the case, again, his employers will underwrite the cost, but he will keep his job.

    The only way to effectively do something about Alan Jones is to take away his bully pulpit.

    As has been posted already, no one outside of Sydney gives a flying fig about Jones and his alleged influence. That this has become such a major story because of weak kneed Leadership and over exaggerated outrage over projecting some light on to a canvass on a building designed for performance art and built on the proceeds of gambling proves that NSW is as strange a planet as Queensland.

    The Everest is on this saturday at 3.30pm. I’ll be watching!

  34. GG:

    Propositions:

    1. Morrison will seek lots of debates, including free-flowing ones.
    2. Shorten may decide to resist this, and stick to fewer debates, in
    more controlled environments.
    3. A scenario where there are more debates, and some free-flowing ones (by that I mean that Rooty Hill, Town Hall type setting we saw at the last election) could spell danger for Shorten.

  35. alias @ #38 Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 – 8:07 am

    GG:

    Propositions:

    1. Morrison will seek lots of debates, including free-flowing ones.
    2. Shorten may decide to resist this, and stick to fewer debates, in
    more controlled environments.
    3. A scenario where there are more debates, and some free-flowing ones (by that I mean that Rooty Hill, Town Hall type setting we saw at the last election) could spell danger for Shorten.

    ALP continue to lead all polls with a commanding lead. Bill Shorten on target to become PM.

  36. Robert Ball @ #26 Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 – 7:46 am

    C&tmomma
    True, but that sort of stuff has never stopped challenges before and probably won’t again. Ego centric people are different.
    At any rate, you know how this works, others begin a process that is finished by someone else.

    I know, I know. 🙂

    That’s why I think Perrottet will prevail. Young, handsome, Catholic, patrician, family man of 5, but has shown he has a bit of the political mongrel in him.

    What’s not for Alan Jones to love!?! 😉

  37. “GG:

    Propositions:

    1. Morrison will seek lots of debates, including free-flowing ones.
    2. Shorten may decide to resist this, and stick to fewer debates, in
    more controlled environments.
    3. A scenario where there are more debates, and some free-flowing ones (by that I mean that Rooty Hill, Town Hall type setting we saw at the last election) could spell danger for Shorten.”

    Are you from a parallel universe? In our universe there is no way Shouty McShouty Face will look for free-flowing debates, let alone town halls. Whereas both of those are the formats that Shorten has proven form in excelling at. …

  38. GG: No argument with your latest. I take it therefore that you work as a professional spin doctor. Avoid the question. Make a statement of the obvious.

  39. The Everest is on this saturday at 3.30pm. I’ll be watching!

    I won’t. I’m no mug. Or punter. I also have a life uncontrolled by any connection to gambling of any kind. My life, and the life of my family, has been all the better for it.

    And don’t think I am unfamiliar with the life of the mug punter. My great grandmother was an SP Bookie and her son, a gambling addict. Says it all for me.

  40. Good morning Dawn Patrollers. Quite a big, mixed bag today.

    Peter Hannam reports that Australia’s mining industry and the Morrison government have rejected an international climate report that demands nations phase out all coal-fired power by mid-century and leave most fossil fuel reserves untapped to avoid dangerous global warming. What a national disgrace!
    https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/mining-sector-morrison-government-on-the-defensive-over-ipcc-report-20181008-p508ee.html
    David Crowe writes that the political will to prevent climate change is lacking, even as the cost climbs.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-political-will-to-prevent-climate-change-is-lacking-even-as-the-cost-climbs-20181008-p508g2.html
    Hannam and Hasham unpack the IPCC report – and it’s not pretty.
    https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/next-decade-critical-perils-mount-at-1-5-degrees-of-warming-says-ipcc-20181008-p508ci.html
    Paul Bongiorno says Morrison found himself in a very awkward spot on the day the world’s most authoritative climate science body released its latest report. He’s in political hot water, he says.
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2018/10/08/political-climate-hot-scott-morrison/
    World leaders have been told they have moral obligation to ramp up their action on the climate crisis in the wake of a new UN report that shows even half a degree of extra warming will affect hundreds of millions of people, decimate corals and intensify heat extremes. Mr Morrison, where in the bloody hell are you?
    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/world-leaders-have-moral-obligation-to-act-after-un-climate-report
    This one chart shows how terrifyingly urgent the climate situation is.
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2018/10/08/one-chart-climate-change-ipcc/
    Ben Potter thinks that Labor and the Coalition will square off in a Great Barrier Reef election.
    https://outline.com/LvRtFX
    Peter Hartcher tells us about the different designs Russia and China have on the West.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/stealth-doorway-china-s-stunning-server-hack-shows-its-true-hand-20181008-p508co.html
    Noel Towell explains that women are in the driving seat when it comes to the outcome of the Victorian election.
    https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/women-voters-in-poll-position-as-parties-court-the-female-vote-20181008-p508gg.html
    Alexandra Smith writes that Gladys Berejiklian is steering a rudderless ship. She says the Coalition is beginning to resemble a government in its dying days.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/gladys-berejiklian-is-steering-a-rudderless-ship-20181008-p508fg.html
    And Jenna Price, having praised Gladys a year ago, has gone right off her now.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/last-year-i-wrote-in-praise-of-the-premier-i-ve-changed-my-mind-20181008-p508fz.html
    According to Alan Tudge new migrants will be forced to live outside Sydney and Melbourne for up to five years under a federal government plan to ease congestion in the nation’s most populous cities.
    https://outline.com/HzPkZE
    Financial counsellor Elizabeth Minter explains how the Centrelink system is against people who are vulnerable – financially and emotionally. She says that delaying benefit payments is saving the government millions
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/delaying-benefit-payments-is-saving-the-government-millions-20181008-p508d0.html
    Paul Malone describes the secrecy, paranoia, suspicion and hostility within the /Home Affairs/Immigration department and why it should stop.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/immigration-secrecy-paranoia-suspicion-and-hostility-needs-to-stop-20181002-p5079d.html
    In a hard hitting contribution Karen Maley writes that both sides of politics are determined to ignore the key question of banker bonuses raised by Commssioner Hayne and both engaged in breath-taking hypocrisy by bashing ASIC after cutting funding.
    https://outline.com/NqP3qD
    Buried among the data in the latest ABS report is an even more frightening figure: the number of suicides of women of aged under 25 has increased by 76 per cent over the past 10 years.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/frightening-story-hidden-in-latest-suicide-statistics-20181007-p5089o.html
    Josh Wilson writes that it is time to bring the dangerous neoliberal love affair with deregulation to an end. The government’s so-called war on red tape has weakened the rules that protect Australians from the sharp end of the profit motive.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/08/red-tape-protects-us-this-dangerous-love-affair-with-deregulation-must-end
    The lovely Judith Sloan is in full bitter and twisted flight in The Australian today! Unbelievable stuff.
    https://www.outline.com/MpLus3
    https://outline.com/98V23n
    The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will be based in Adelaide after the Oakden scandal led to the city being declared “ground zero” in Australia’s nursing home crisis. I hope the commission is not too narrowly focussed.
    https://www.outline.com/b3JsfR
    Senator Rex Patrick has penned an op-ed in which he says Dutton’s airport ID checks are ripe for abuse and take us closer to a police state.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/09/duttons-airport-id-checks-are-ripe-for-abuse-and-take-us-closer-to-a-police-state
    Professor Kurt Iverson describes why the creeping sell-off of public space for private ads is so wrong.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/why-the-creeping-sell-off-of-public-space-for-private-ads-is-so-wrong-20181008-p508el.html
    Michael Lallo explores the influence of Alan Jones and concludes that it’s not as powerful as politicians think.
    https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/alan-jones-is-not-as-powerful-as-politicians-think-20181008-p508df.html
    George Williams contrasts the highest courts in Australia and the US and concludes that a “Kavanaugh” could not happen here.
    https://outline.com/Mam4Mq
    And Lee Duffield says that the clearance by the United States Senate of Brett Kavanaugh as a Supreme Court judge has further shown up angry divisions in American society.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/on-the-nose-brett-kavanaugh-squeezed-through-as-us-supreme-court-judge,11969
    Elizabeth Knight tells us that on the eve of bank chief executives fronting a gruelling parliamentary inquiry and only weeks before full-year results are posted, confession season has taken on a whole new dimension.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/banks-spooked-as-behavioural-ghosts-won-t-be-put-to-rest-easily-20181008-p508ff.html
    The fight over legal professional privilege has the big four accounting firms in the sights of the Tax Office, which is considering tax promoter penalties that could cost millions.
    https://outline.com/y9SVL9
    Bloomberg explains that for no other reason other than the outcome of the presidential election, Republicans bought more stocks, while Democrats shifted to bonds and cash. It says this serves as yet another reminder to avoid investing based on emotions and that the range of reason so many of us use to make investment decisions are impulsive, irrational and often costly.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/trump-s-election-shows-how-much-investors-have-to-learn-20181009-p508i9.html
    Sally Whyte reveals how PM&C has doubled the spend on consultants over 12 months.
    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/prime-minister-and-cabinet-doubles-consultant-spend-in-one-year-20181005-p5080v.html
    Stephen Bartholomeusz says that one of the more unusual and curious facets of Wesfarmers’ demerger of its Coles food and liquor businesses is that about $12 billion of assets will disappear in the process.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/wesfarmers-and-its-12-billion-vanishing-act-20181008-p508db.html
    The AFR tells us about the documents that Glencore wants to keep from the Tax Office – the emails, the board briefings, the step plans and PowerPoint presentations that detail how the Swiss trading group moved $30 billion of resource projects out of the Australian tax net after a $16 billion writedown.
    https://outline.com/BpJwAW
    Mungo MacCallum writes that the Morrison Government is unperturbed that Medecins Sans Frontieres has been ordered to cease treating Australia’s refugees on Nauru, despite the island being declared a humanitarian emergency by health professionals.
    https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/mungo-maccallum-mental-health-on-nauru-not-our-problem-says-pm,11974
    Mary Ward gives Melania Trump a serve saying that if she wants a focus on what she does, she should actually do something.
    https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/if-melania-wants-a-focus-on-what-she-does-she-should-do-something-20181008-p508bq.html
    Mark Latham has “sensibly” cut dozens of pages from his written defence in a defamation battle with journalist Osman Faruqi, a Federal Court judge has said, and the case should now proceed swiftly to trial. Michaela Whitbourn reports on progress of the case.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/mark-latham-s-ill-considered-defamation-defence-takes-a-cut-20181008-p508ca.html
    The validity of the safe-access-zone laws in Victoria and Tasmania that prevent anti-abortion protesters from harassing women seeking medical treatment will be challenged before the high court today.
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/09/abortion-clinic-safe-access-zones-face-challenge-in-australias-high-court
    Stephen Koukoulas explains how a crashing bond market will affect all of us.
    https://thekouk.com/item/637-the-bond-market-is-crashing-and-it-ll-affect-you.html
    The promise of an afterlife – to meet departed family and friends – appeals to many, but especially younger Australians. Are private religious schools playing a part? And why do they dismiss the evidence of physics, asks Brian Morris.
    https://newmatilda.com/2018/10/08/private-school-daze-heaven-millennials/
    Australia’s national recycling body has urged governments to address stagnating recycling rates and lagging energy capture from waste, warning the nation is “now at a crossroads”.
    https://www.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/call-to-action-as-australian-recycling-rates-stagnate-20181008-p508by.html
    A work order for annual preventative maintenance of the Thunder River Rapids Ride was entered into Dreamworld’s computer system the day after the 2016 tragedy that killed four people, and not by the park’s maintenance planner. There’s something fishy here methinks.
    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/queensland/ride-maintenance-was-entered-into-dreamworld-system-day-after-tragedy-20181008-p508ez.html
    Whether you were born in December, January, August or September can have a significant and long-lasting impact on your life. New research shows your birthday month may also contribute to shaping your personality. In particular, we found people’s self-confidence can significantly differ because of their month of birth.
    https://theconversation.com/how-your-birth-date-influences-how-well-you-do-in-school-and-later-in-life-102401
    Telstra has been ordered to audit its priority assistance systems after two seriously ill people died when their landlines failed. It follows an investigation by the communications watchdog which revealed Telstra was aware both customers needed a working landline due to their life-threatening, chronic health conditions.
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2018/10/08/telstra-faces-audit-health-call-fail/
    Now Trump is calling the Kavanaugh sexual assault claims a hoax.
    https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/trump-calls-kavanaugh-sexual-assault-claims-a-hoax-20181009-p508i7.html
    The limousine that crashed in upstate New York, killing 20 people, failed an inspection last month and its driver was not properly licensed, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has said.
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2018/10/09/deadly-limousine-failed-inspection-says-new-york-governor/
    And for today’s nomination for “Arseholes of the Week” . . . .
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-09/learn-and-churn-mcdonalds-accused-of-exploiting-young-workers/10342934

    Cartoon Corner

    Mark David has Morrison coming to the aid of a struggling Gladys.

    Some beauties from Matt Golding.



    A big Sean Leahy catch up.





    David Pope adorns the Opera House.
    https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_828/t_resize_width/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/6d2f961f21687eadc497fd3a3500924c0add1d73
    A nice little gif from Glen Le Lievre.
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1049228000145768450

  41. Andrew Earlwood

    On the matter of parallel universes, I’ll leave those questions to experts such as Professor Brian Greene of Columbia University (he has written extensively on the multi-verse and so forth. Suffice it to say, he speculates that you and I might be engaged in an infinite number of variations of this Poll Bludger thread, with an infinite number of variations of each post each poster has submitted.. but I digress).

    On your main point, I will acknowledge that my recollection of the last campaign was somewhat affected by the fact we were on holidays in FNQ for much of the time, so could you please direct me to reports of such free-flowing events where Shorten was seen to have performed strongly? I don’t doubt you, I’d just like to check ’em out.

    Having said that, I suspect Morrison is a very different proposition to Abbott.

  42. Just heard an interview with Melissa Price on AM. Even Sabra Lane couldn’t help her.

    Price was blustering, sarcastic, defensive, shrill, uninformed, deceptive and stupid. And she blamed Bill Shorten for the failure of Coalition policy. Even Sabra couldn’t stomach it, and took to her with a stick.

    As far as Environment ministers are concerned, can it be at last said that we have reached the bottom of the barrel?

  43. alias @ #29 Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 – 7:50 am

    Greensborough Growler

    I had a notion that every now and again, you rise above attacking the person to engage in the issue being raised.

    Care to put forward any substance to that position?

    However, if you would rather continue to attack the person, go right ahead. It’s kind of amusing.

    Lets see…you’ve called Shorten a dud full of inadequacies, posted quotes that doesn’t have the body to wear a suit well, has a receding hairline, had a go at him over his word choice and the tone of his voice, over what you see as bulging eyeballs, his “grievous shortcomings” and called his name “Shorten” as having negative connotations.

    Looks like attacking the person.

    No mention of Policy……etc

  44. ‘3. A scenario where there are more debates, and some free-flowing ones (by that I mean that Rooty Hill, Town Hall type setting we saw at the last election) could spell danger for Shorten.’

    Um, no. This is literally Shorten’s day job. He excels at it.

    From memory, whenever he did this in a televised format, he switched significant numbers of the audience.

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