The addition of this week’s Newspoll to the BludgerTrack poll aggregate has prompted a solid increase in Labor’s already commanding lead, amounting to 0.6% on two-party preferred and three on the seat projection. The latter gains amount to one apiece in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Full results as always on the link below.
Holiday reading:
• Democracy 2025, a collaboration between the Museum of Australian Democracy, the University of Canberra and the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, has produced a report entitled Trust and Democracy in Australia, based on an online survey of 1000 respondents conducted by Ipsos in late July. It finds only 41% of respondents expressing satisfaction with the way democracy works in Australia, which presumably hasn’t improved any in the wake of Malcolm Turnbull’s demise. This is a remarkable 31% lower than in 2013, though not much different from when the previous result in 2016. The results were also fairly consistent across age cohorts, contrary to an expectation that it may have been driven by the young. Compared with the 2014 survey, respondents were a lot less likely to think the media had too much power, and more likely to complain that politicians didn’t deal with “the issues that really matter”. Presented with various reform options, far the most popular with campaign spending and donation caps.
• The Electoral Regulation Research Network has published a research paper on the implications of the dramatic increase of “convenience voting”, i.e. pre-poll and postal voting.
Whisper @ #1766 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 4:20 pm
Whisper, that means nothing unless you include IN YOUR QUOTE what your connection is (FTTC, FTTN, ADSL, fixed wireless, G4, whatever) AND what you are paying for.
Absque eo, you are wasting bandwidth.
dave
I was talking to a guy the other day who is very well-connected on the international finance side. He reckons that billions and billions are being put together to invest in distressed British projects.
On Brexit: ‘When there is blood on the streets, it is time to invest.’
WeWantPaul @ #1781 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 1:54 pm
I see no reason to assume that your assumption is correct.
Given that even mobs like the BCA, as well as progressive organisations, and even John Howard have said how Newstart is too low and needs to be raised, I’d say the country IS already there. They’re just waiting for a political party to catch up with them. Just like they did with same sex marriage, and a federal ICAC.
The country arrived at these were good ideas long before either of the 2 major parties. Is it any wonder that GetUp has more paying members than all the political parties put together.
Dan Gulberry @ #1800 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 5:11 pm
Chris Bowen talks about ‘inequality’.
Bill Shorten talks about ‘a fair go’.
poroti @ #1796 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 2:08 pm
Given that organisations as diverse as ACOSS and the BCA have called for a $75 a week increase based on their own research and consultations, I can’t see why any further review or consultation is necessary at all let alone why it’s going to take 18 months.
Dan Gullberry
“How can you write such rot . And written so emphatically.
Christianity was not a prescribed religion until the Council Of Nicea in 325 AD. Up until then it was an array of sects and cults.
It was not the “people” who appropriated the pagan festivals it was the institution you fucking nong.
That institution was not an institution until 325, almost 300 years after the alleged death of Jehoshuah. From 325 up to Martin Luther pinning a note of protest on the door of a church, that institution became the dominant power in Europe reserving for itself the right to appoint kings and queens.
It was during the church’s hegemony that all the pagan elements of Yule and Oestre were removed and the Christian legend superimposed on those festivals.”
——
Maybe you should look up the difference between proscribed and prescribed.
Apart from that, I cannot be bothered responding to this ahistorical, largely propaganda piece.
poroti @ #1265 Saturday, December 15th, 2018 – 10:28 pm
I find it interesting that NBN Co uses the term FTTC ie fibre to the CURB. Curb means to restrain or keep in check but here’s the web site definition of FTTC:
“With a Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) connection, an NBN fibre optic cable is laid directly to your property’s kerb or driveway, where it connects to the copper phone line that runs into your home.”
The definition does reference the kerb out on the street but Curb is probably more appropriate in relation to the botched NBN. Just saying.
Boromir makes a good point.
That’s right nikolas – those tax cuts to the rich need to stop……we can not afford the spending
Terminator
“I find it interesting that NBN Co uses the term FTTC ie fibre to the CURB. Curb means to restrain or keep in check but here’s the web site definition of FTTC:”
——
Yes. I have just received Fibre to the transitative verb (to curb). Very odd 🙂
I’ve heard a few environmentalists say Hill was the best Environment Minister.
Rex Douglas @ #1801 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 5:16 pm
Of course. They both reference the same thing.
Your point is?
‘Diogenes says:
Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 5:30 pm
I’ve heard a few environmentalists say Hill was the best Environment Minister.’
I had a fair bit to do with Hill when he was minister. I have no doubt at all that he was Australia’s best environment minister.
Shocker of a clock to Harris
#cricketonPB
Is Jenny Macklin still shadow welfare? That may account for the lack of positive decision.
BW –
Sounds pretty right.
The thing though is always to have an exit strategy if things go the other way. In this instance it probably is to buy quality distressed assets/ businesses delist them (at least initially) if on the stock exchange and ride it out.
If they can ride it out, they could do very well.
It partly mirrors one of Warren Buffets strategys of buying sound businesses and taking them private – one that Industry Super Funds like the huge Australian Super are doing.
Getting even further from your original point, but interesting article in AFR on Saturday about Peter Costello “supporting” the idea of Nationalisation of Superannuation, with the unstated aim of getting it out of the hands of what they regard as “Union” Super Funds.
Just let the buggers try it on. Grrrr.
All very interesting.
I’m sorry, but the Kohli decision was about the worst decision I have ever seen. Blind freddie could see that one bounced. Unbelievable. 0.49 you can actually see the ball on the ground. And I’m not blaming the player. It’s often hard to know if you’ve grassed those sorts of catches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT4BGauoTEM
Why would Labor be so politically stupid as to announce an increase to Newstart so close to an election? It won’t win them a single vote they don’t already have and would give a massive free kick to a desperate government. It’s the quintessential policy you only ever announce once you’re in government.
Toby E
Toby Esterhase @ #1814 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 5:41 pm
The Greens Party policy is for a substantial increase to Newstart. They might harvest protest votes which could make a difference to the senate numbers if they put it front and centre in their campaigning along with Adani coal.
Dan Gulberry,
Actually, according to the narrative in Luke’s gospel, it is highly unlikely that the historical Jesus was born either on the 7th January or the 25th December. As the story is told the shepherds were in the fields with their flocks which means the time of year would have been closer to the northern hemisphere spring/summer any time between February and August – but most likely between May and July, rather than in the middle of winter when the animals would have been brought in for shelter.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/15/climate/cop24-katowice-climate-summit.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
antonbruckner11 @ #1811 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 1:39 pm
Looks good to me.
Where was the bounce? 🙂
Panel discussion:
an11
Plus 1
BW
PS – A bit more on distressed or possible distressed UK assets –
You may or may not be aware that Australian Super recently placed a 70% cap on its direct property option and added a rider that the property fund *Might* have withdrawals frozen for a time in exceptional circumstances.
Australian Super have a big property investment in the London Kings Cross redevelopment precinct. So a bit of housekeeping, just in case.
Members in the Balanced Fund wouldn’t be effected.
Rex
Harvest votes, the Greens will be lucky to get 70% of their previous national votes this time. An all time low is on the cards .
It’s death spiral time
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/malaysian-government-slams-australia-s-west-jerusalem-decision-20181216-p50mko.html
Barney – It doesn’t have to bounce. It just has to touch the ground. 0.49 show it has. The ball is on the ground with no fingers under it. I assume that the third umpire knew that, if he said it was not a fair catch, there would have been headlines around the world that Australia was cheating again (which would have been very unfair – the player often doens’t know if it’s touched the ground).
Toby Esterhase says:
Yep ,time to set up enquiry, runs 18 months , assess the report and hey ho what do you know deja vu all over again as”Why would Labor be so politically stupid as to announce an increase to Newstart so close to an election?”
Ronzy @ #1822 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 2:48 pm
Since all of the gospels were written by people who had no direct contact with Jehoshuah and were written decades after his alleged death, I would hardly regard them as definitive sources, especially since they contradict each other.
Ultimately, who gives a toss anyway. We all get a public holiday to celebrate the northern hemisphere winter solstice. If you chooose to use the occasion to commemorate the birth of a Jewish freedom fighter, go for it. That’s your religious freedom. Mine is to not have that story rammed down my throat.
I am of course using the words you and your in the general sense, and not specifically to you Ronzy.
Ronzy @ #1822 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 5:48 pm
They would have been watching their flocks carefully in the spring/early summer period because of helping with the lambing, and in any case the flocks would have been out in the fields taking advantage of the fresh grass.
The rams would have been put with the ewes to ensure a spring lambing. Lots to do for shepherds at lambing time, spring/early summer, not so much in winter, when the sheep would have been in pens or caves if available, fed on stored hay.
ab11
Agree with this analysis. I was very, very surprised that Kohli was given out. So was he. He took it well.
Sceptic @ #1823 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 5:53 pm
Well, Labor are doing their best to resuscitate them with their positions re Adani coal and Newstart.
don says:
.
Chris Bowen talks about ‘inequality’.
Bill Shorten talks about ‘a fair go’.
Of course. They both reference the same thing.
Your point is?
Albanese made a speech; read about it in the Australian tomorrow
don @ #1834 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 2:58 pm
Where they would still need to be watched over, especially at night.
lizzie
That is interesting. Indigenous communities have looked after both for 60,000 years. Framing it the way Sea Shepherd has done is, IMO, a false framing. The obvious solution is that the Government pays Indigenous communities to care for Dugong and Green Turtle habitat and for the population maintenance of both. Programs such as the Indigenous Protected Areas and Indigenous Ranger programs are ready and available for this purpose.
Of course it is raining and overcast here today and highly likely into tonight.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/15/science/green-comet-46p-wirtanen.html?action=click&module=News&pgtype=Homepage
Dan Gulberry @ #1833 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 5:58 pm
Please tell me you are not serious.
We are talking about logic here, not religion per se.
It is interesting, goddammit. Wouldn’t matter if we were talking about flies crawling up a wall, the usefulness or truth of the matter has absolutely nothing to do with it.
dave
Yep.
@Toby Esterhase
If you look at who is calling for an increase you might get an idea.
This is coming from businesses who want retail spending to increase.
Nicholas @ #1654 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 1:02 pm
He should ditch the hyperbole and simply say “this terribly misconceived project will not proceed, because coal has no future in Australia or anywhere else”.
Dan Gulberry @ #1838 Sunday, December 16th, 2018 – 6:02 pm
Don’t be stupider than you can help.
If the sheep were in a rock walled pen of sufficient height (and I would ensure, as a shepherd, that it was of sufficient height) and that that rock wall was piled up to two or three metres or more with thorn bushes, or the sheep were in a cave with a stone wall in front of it three metres high, I would catch a few zzzzzzs instead of constantly looking over my shoulder wondering when the next tyrannosaurus rex was going to appear.
You underestimate the ability of humans to make a simple sheep pen wolf proof. I have built a lot of rock walls, it is not rocket science.
Boerwar
Tony Burke has also promised to bring back the protection areas around the coast.
Here is a comprehensive poll of the top 20 Democrat contenders to run for President 2020
http://cdn.cnn.com/cnn/2018/images/12/15/rel1iademocrats.pdf
A still from the ‘catch’ . You be the judge.
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/f858a11878447b5cd9cebc399036cc0f?width=1024
lizzie
When we lived in Darwin we initially worried about this. But I think the relatively few animals which the small aboriginal populations take for food is not going to be the cause of extinctions.
Poroti. Funnily enough, I don’t think the player knew it hit the ground. It is very hard in that situation. But the third umpire obviously knew he would be accused of cheating if he ruled it an unfair catch. This was a political decision.