The West Australian today reports that Human Services Minister Michael Keenan will be joining the exodus at the election, creating a vacancy in his northern suburbs Perth seat of Stirling. The seat was long highly marginal, but Keenan has held it on mostly comfortable margins since he gained the seat from Labor in 2004.
There is also a uComms/ReachTEL poll in The Australian from the scene of the week’s other big retirement announcements, the Melbourne seat of Higgins. Conducted on Thursday from a sample of 860 for interests who wish to bring about the return of Peter Costello, the poll finds Labor with a two-party lead of 52-48. This compares with a 10.7% margin for retiring Liberal member Kelly O’Dwyer in Liberals-versus-Labor terms, although it’s perfectly in line with how the electorate voted at the election. It was in fact the Greens who finished second in 2016, but the poll suggests that is unlikely to be repeated this time: after exclusion of the 8.4% undecided, the primary votes are Liberal 40.3%, Labor 27.1% and Greens 19.3%.
Mueller will soon indict ‘a significant number of names quite familiar to the average American’: Ex-CIA director
Former CIA director John Brennan predicted more indictments would be coming soon in special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe — and he suggested those could include members of President Donald Trump’s family.
“In the summer of 2016 we were watching what was happening in terms of what was being released by WikiLeaks and how the Russian hand was behind this,” Brennan said. “So the intermediary was something looked at very closely by the FBI and others, so again, this indictment is not surprising in any respect.”
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/01/mueller-will-soon-indict-significant-number-names-quite-familiar-average-american-ex-cia-director/
Australia Day whether we like it or not… either way, happy day peeps!
Steve Bannon implicated in Roger Stone indictment: report
Steve Bannon was one of the senior Trump campaign officials who reached out to Roger Stone, who was arrested Friday morning by FBI agents.
A 24-page indictment obtained by special counsel Robert Mueller details communications between Stone, a longtime associate of President Donald Trump, and high-ranking campaign officials, including Bannon, reported CNBC.
The indictment alleges that Stone communicated with top-ranking Trump campaign officials about his efforts to release emails stolen by Russian hackers and dumped online by WikiLeaks.
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/01/steve-bannon-implicated-roger-stone-indictment-report/
Here are 5 of the most stunning revelations in the Mueller probe’s Roger Stone indictment
Stone’s arrest was completely unannounced
Stone is accused of obstructing the House Intelligence Committee’s Russia investigation
Organization 1 in the indictment is believed to be WikiLeaks
Stone is accused of discussing WikiLeaks’ activities with ‘senior Trump campaign officials’ in 2016
The head of ‘Organization 1’ is believed to be Julian Assange
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/01/5-stunning-revelations-mueller-probes-roger-stone-indictment/
Roger Stone indictment should have the GOP terrified of sticking by Trump: conservative columnist
Reacting to the stunning dawn raid and arrest of Roger Stone, a longtime confidante of Donald Trump, conservative commentator Jennifer Rubin said the indictment — and what it contains — should have Republican lawmakers running for the hills and away from the embattled president.
Writing at the Washington Post, Rubin invoked (with a slight modification) the well known Watergate question asked of disgraced President Richard Nixon: “What did President Trump know, and when did he know it?”
“The indictment and arrest of Roger Stone were not unexpected, but the allegations should shake Republicans out of their slumber,” she wrote, before pointing out a key portion of the 7-count indictment. “A senior official was allegedly directed to inquire about stolen emails. Who directed him, and if not Trump himself, did Trump know what was being done on his behalf?”
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/01/roger-stone-indictment-gop-terrified-sticking-trump-conservative-columnist/
Trump caves to Democrats and accepts deal to re-open government without border wall funds: report
President Donald Trump is expected to announce Friday afternoon a plan to re-open the government for three weeks without getting the border wall funds that he has been demanding from the Democrats.
According to the Washington Post, “With Trump’s approval, the pact would reopen shuttered government departments for the three weeks while leaving the issue of $5.7 billion for the U.S.-Mexico border wall to further talks. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-leaders-continue-to-seek-a-deal-to-end-shutdown-that-will-satisfy-trump/2019/01/25/09c898dc-20ad-11e9-8e21-59a09ff1e2a1_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.cede006fc7ea
Trump tries to spin shutdown deal into a victory after getting no border wall funding
President Donald Trump’s three-week stopgap funding of the government includes no funding for a border wall — but he still spun it as a victory for himself.
“After 36 days of spirited debate and dialogue, I have seen and heard from enough Democrats and Republicans that they are willing to put partisanship aside,” the president said from the White House Rose Garden.
“I think and put the security of the American people first,” Trump said. “I do believe they are going to do that.”
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/01/trump-tries-spin-shutdown-deal-victory-getting-no-border-wall-funding/
Mueller has Roger Stone ‘in a vise’: MSNBC legal analyst explains why top Trump confidante could flip
Former federal prosecutor and MSNBC legal analyst Cynthia Alksne said Friday that President Donald Trump’s longtime confidante Roger Stone was “in a vise” and had some hard decisions to make as the 66-year old political dirty trickster faces potential prison time.
The special counsel’s office “didn’t get over their skis in this indictment. It is tight and controlled and provable, and it puts Roger Stone in a difficult position,” Alksne said. “He’s not in a place where he can say ‘those documents aren’t mine.’”
Alksne said that Stone would be sunk by his own texts and emails, which proved he had lied in television appearances and, worse, to Congress.
“They’ve got him in a vise,” she said. “He’s going to have make a decision what’s in his interest and his family’s best interest at this point in his life.”
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/01/mueller-has-roger-stone-in-a-vice-msnbc-legal-analyst-explains-why-top-trump-confidante-could-flip/
The Smoking Guns Are Sitting Out in the Open
Roger Stone’s indictment would have packed more of a wallop if his ties to WikiLeaks hadn’t been obvious since the 2016 campaign.
Make no mistake: Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s indictment of Roger Stone, released early Friday morning, is a big deal. It’s just that it would be a bigger deal if the Trump campaign hadn’t so brazenly conducted its dubious dealings for all the public to see in real time.
Stone, a longtime friend and associate of Trump’s, allegedly served as a conduit between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/01/roger-stone-trump-campaign-wikileaks-plain-sight/581269/?utm_content=edit-promo&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_medium=social&utm_term=2019-01-25T16%3A43%3A53
beguiledagain
Thank you for your excellent critique of the Morrison Show. After the heat of the day I fell asleep early and missed it, and now I’m glad I did.
Put them together. Close enough for Government work. ☕
Tea Pain @TeaPainUSA
Maybe Trump callin’ Steve Bannon “Sloppy Steve” wasn’t Trump’s best move?
Brian Krassenstein @krassenstein
We now officially have a direct link between The Russian Hacked emails, Wikileaks, Roger Stone & Senior Trump Campaign official (Steve Bannon).
The Missing link?
Steve Bannon’s communications with Trump.
Bannon is likely cooperating.
I’m not convinced.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2019/01/25/julie-bishop-wont-resign/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Saturday%20News%20-%2020190126
William
I’m sorry, statements like that need to contain at least one gratuitous insult, along the lines of “….only a mental pygmy would…’ or ‘…you brainwashed non-thinkers might…’ and at least two words in unnecessary caps.
The problem with the LNP isn’t a woman problem as such…
What they need is more kinder, gentler, sociopaths
to con the public into voting for their vicious agenda 😡
zoomster @ #15 Saturday, January 26th, 2019 – 7:14 am
Are we talking about DA BOSS or one of the Green’s trolls? 🙂
for the life of me, I can’t see Julie Bishop putting in the hard yards to build up a team. she is an individual. she has spent the last decade as a party animal, maybe there wasn’t any other role for her in the current Liberal party.
I am not sure she was a wonderful Foreign Minister, after a rocky start she was smart enough to read her briefs
I reckon the next to jump ship, if he can find a golden parachute is Victorian Micheal Sukkar
I am enjoying this next rat to jump the sinking ship game.
Craig Laundy stikes me as a goer.
billie
JulieB has a cruel streak, which she shows in her ‘humorous speeches’ to Party faithful. She may be a ‘moderate’ in Lib eyes, but not mine.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
One by one Trump’s spivvy associates are being picked off by Mueller.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-s-longtime-ally-roger-stone-arrested-in-russia-probe-20190126-p50trw.html
And one by one Coalition ministers and MPs are reading the tea leaves and quitting.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/major-blow-for-liberal-party-as-michael-keenan-announces-he-s-quitting-politics-20190125-p50trn.html
Trump has just capitulated to Democrats by agreeing to re-open the US government without securing any money for a wall on the border with Mexico.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/north-america/trump-surrenders-to-democrats-ends-government-shutdown-20190126-p50ts2.html
The Australian tells us that Morrison has spent two hours meeting Craig Laundy in a bid to convince him to recontest his seat, as Turnbull backer mulls his future.
https://outline.com/BEMTn3
The Saturday Paper editorial says that Morrison governs in a sitcom with too few writers.
https://outline.com/WCRJVV
Peter van Onselen writes that the PM can’t heal the ailing right. He says that while Bill Shorten has shown an adroitness in managing tensions within his factional ranks, the union movement and in negotiating with the Greens, the divisions on the conservative side are far more debilitating.
https://outline.com/qJzPvN
Martin McKenzie-Murray outlines how senior Liberals are fearing election chaos.
https://outline.com/uHdWSF
Michael Koziol says that Scott Morrison personally courted the Indigenous businessman for months, but he may have gotten more than he bargained for.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/asset-or-liability-liberals-gamble-on-wildcard-warren-mundine-in-gilmore-20190125-p50tlq.html
Laura Tingle thinks it’s beginning to feel a like it did in 2013.
https://outline.com/VtVZ67
Crispin Hull says Bill Shorten is playing good politics with National Hydrogen Innovation Hub.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/bill-shorten-plays-good-politics-with-national-hydrogen-innovation-hub-20190124-p50tim.html
Paul Bongiorno goes to town on Morrison’s endeavours.
https://outline.com/nUDbaL
Liberal values in Europe face a challenge “not seen since the 1930s”, leading intellectuals from 21 countries have said, as the UK lurches towards Brexit and nationalists look set to make sweeping gains in EU parliamentary elections.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/25/europe-coming-apart-before-our-eyes-say-30-top-intellectuals
The AFR outlines what bankers dread will come in Hayne’s final report.
https://outline.com/3HHbYD
But mortgage brokers and smaller lenders are set to escape a major government crackdown in response to the royal commission into financial services.
https://outline.com/5t7Ygz
Zoe Williams laments that the anti-vaccine message is now a staple of social media, dovetailing with climate-change denial and other right wing causes.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/25/anti-vaxxers-social-media-vaccine-climate-change
Eryk Bagshaw reports that more than 1 million Australians have had their name and address added to the electoral roll and then automatically passed to global marketing giants without their knowledge. FFS!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/details-of-1-million-australians-added-to-giant-marketing-database-without-their-knowledge-20190125-p50tnz.html
Jack Latimore writes that Scott Morrison’s costly James Cook project is a colonial wet dream.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/25/scott-morrisons-costly-james-cook-project-is-a-colonial-wet-dream
Nick O’Malley reviews what was said at the World Economic Forum and what it means to Australian politics.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/davos-global-disruption-inequality-and-the-australia-election-20190125-p50tph.html
Jess Irvine explains what a China slowdown means to the Australian economy.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/what-will-a-china-slowdown-mean-for-the-australian-economy-20190125-p50tlx.html
Chris Johnson writes about urban planning in NSW and says we need to rewrite the reasons for community participation to be about shaping the future local character rather than preserving the existing character.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/community-participation-could-stop-change-20190124-p50tfr.html
Stam Grant says his bit about Australia Day and what it means.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/in-our-land-not-yet-won-who-are-we-australians-20190124-p50ti8.html
Richard Glover poses some funny questions to consider on Australia Day.
https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/richard-glover-why-do-we-pretend-to-be-dopey-the-big-australia-day-questions-20190122-h1acke.html
Jack Waterford writes that Shorten should embrace moving ahead with a process to establish Australia as a republic.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/shorten-could-own-australia-day-20190125-p50tkx.html
The Australia Institute’s Ebony Bennett writes bout Australia Day, the hotter climate and eater woes.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/australia-we-have-bigger-issues-to-tackle-than-boardies-and-thongs-20190125-p50tpj.html
Karen Middleton explains how the death of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Murray-Darling Basin was unprecedented, but it was not without warning.
https://outline.com/hgp89K
News that the Morrison government is aiming a last minute “cash splash” for pensioners and low income earners in the run-up to the May election has been panned by economists and interest groups.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/finance-news/2019/01/25/government-budget-pensioner-vote/
The Guardian uncovers more problems with My Health Record.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/25/my-health-record-government-warned-of-significant-patient-data-glitch
Fashion police will not be inspecting the attire of Australia’s newest citizens on Saturday, despite the PM’s recent edict.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/dress-standards-won-t-be-enforced-at-australia-day-ceremonies-20190125-p50tl8.html
Jeff Kennett says an Australia Day law is a bad idea, we should instead focus on changing the date.
https://outline.com/ntbvrG
The agency in charge of Australia’s most important and complex river system should be broken up as part of a major overhaul to protect the Murray-Darling basin and save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, the Productivity Commission says.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/25/murray-darling-basin-authority-should-be-broken-up-to-protect-system-review-finds
Patrick Hatch explains how Apple’s Aussie profits grew but its tax bill went down.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/apple-s-aussie-profits-grew-but-its-tax-bill-went-down-20190125-p50tnx.html
French businesses working with British contractors or suppliers should now be actively seeking out alternatives, the French government has said, as it further ramped up preparations for a no-deal Brexit that it sees as increasingly likely.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/25/france-advises-firms-with-uk-ties-to-prepare-for-no-deal-brexit
The newly-appointed Mining Council CEO Tania Constable has been championing nuclear power at a time when we should be discussing renewables, writes Noel Wauchope.
https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/australias-coal-and-nuclear-lobbies-have-just-recruited-a-new-puppet,12313
AMP’s profit downgrade and slashing of its final dividend sparked swift investor backlash on Friday but analysts warn the situation is likely to worsen for the wealth giant before it gets better.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/troubles-far-from-over-for-amp-warn-analysts-20190125-p50tpr.html
Alex McKinnon reports that indigenous women are being jailed over small fines at alarming rates. In Western Australia, one charity has crowdfunded hundreds of thousands of dollars in just weeks to secure their release.
https://outline.com/ZZPSZf
Adam Carey reports on how Victoria’s frail energy grid was exposed on a day of record heat and demand.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/victoria-s-frail-energy-grid-exposed-on-day-of-record-heat-and-demand-20190125-p50tqr.html
The corporate watchdog ASIC says asset valuation is a trouble spot after reviewing the books of 215 key companies and public entities.
https://outline.com/xDh8Lh
Farmer and firefighter Vivien Thomson compellingly writes about the invisible cost of Australia’s bushfires.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-invisible-cost-of-australia-s-bushfires-20190123-p50t47.html
Sally Whyte reports that federal public servants who wish to give evidence to the national workplace sexual harassment inquiry are faced with an extra barrier imposed by the Secretaries Board, against the advice of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/public-servants-must-clear-extra-hurdle-to-speak-to-sex-harassment-inquiry-20190124-p50tbz.html
Mike Seccombe writes on how companies are increasingly using advertising to persuade consumers of their social responsibility as much as to spruik their products, in a high-risk strategy known as ‘purposeful marketing’. The yearly lamb ads are a prime example.
https://outline.com/UX2jTt
Ford announced on Thursday that 40 salaried employees, 75 hourly workers and 90 contractors will cease to be employed by the company as of April this year.
https://outline.com/sAgnXY
Dean Jones hits the nail on the head in saying that selectors are the biggest problem in Australian cricket.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/selectors-are-the-biggest-problem-in-australian-cricket-20190124-p50tfk.html
Cartoon Corner
Another Trump shocker from David Rowe.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DxvJafxVsAENrmB/jpg
From Matt Golding.
Alan Moir with Trump’s STOTO address.
Mark David outfits Morrison for Australia Day.
Peter Broelman and circumnavigation.
A rare even-handed effort from Zanetti.
From Sean Leahy.
From the US
William Bowe @ #13 Saturday, January 26th, 2019 – 4:06 am
I agree. An organisation that has it’s leader in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London could refer to any number of organisations.
William from previous thread:
“Michael Keenan to quit politics. A shame, as I was hoping to see him lose.”
I too am unhappy at the looming mass retirements of RWNJs. It lacks a certain resolution , even if following election loses by the LNP partly make up for it. Personally, I’m with the Big Boy Caprice approach to problem resolution:
https://youtu.be/wV-Z2hEQV7Q
Has this rumor been noticed yet ?
“Scott Morrison and Michael McCormack will be having a press conference at 10:30AM tues the 29th,Likely election announcement.”, speculation from a staffer (on progressive side) i think.
Calling it around Australia Day has been speculated as a possible day before.
Would make election 9th March i think, that would be a bit short of 6 weeks campaign (not sure what the minimum is), 2 weeks before NSW election, past February (fire danger).
Its before the budget though.
Meanwhile over at the Liberal Party HQ.
Dan Gulberry
Some dynamite revelations alright 🙂
Thanks as always BK. You are the best!
Outline is not working for me any more.
I got the Laura Tingle article by putting this into an incognito window, though:
https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-26/scott-morrisons-cunning-plan-in-gilmore/10751088?pfm=sm
The Rowe cartoon:
BK
Thank you.
There is no link between Wikileaks and Stone, it has been comprehensibly refuted.
It looks like you can’t just pray the gay away 🙁
Man who worked as top ‘conversion therapist’ comes out as gay
Good Morning Bludgers 🙂
I ache all over! But in a good way.
I wonder how the Russian media has reported Roger Stone’s indictment? If I were Vladimir Putin, no matter the amount of chutzpah I would publicly summon up, I would inwardly be thinking that the jig was up. Just as well Russia isn’t a signatory to the International Criminal Court. They could have made life very difficult for Vlad, once the full story of his aiding and abetting Treason in America sees the light of day. Plus a myriad of other things I can think of.
Still, if not actual imprisonment, he will now be suffering the virtual imprisonment of having the world watch his every move. And I don’t think even Donald Trump would be stupid enough to willingly facilitate his malign intent any more.
And how would the government of Ecuador be feeling today? Not harbouring a Freedom Fighter but an international criminal?
BREAKING NEWS:
DanG,
The Nationals would surely have to be about to put up Fiona Simson to run against Barnaby Joyce, wouldn’t they? I can’t see how Morrison’s tricky move to endorse all Sitting Liberal Members would cover Joyce and prevent the Nats running a candidate in that seat?
C@tmomma @ #32 Saturday, January 26th, 2019 – 7:11 am
Now Cat
I have bee waiting and waiting but not a single one of you formn the russia eeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkk! brigade have made even a whisker of a comment.
Now Russia may or may not have interfered in US democracy and I think we can all agree that that was wrong and the US has the right tpo stop it.
Okay. But now there is that little matter of Venezuela. USA is not just interfering but publicly supporting the opposition who LOST the election. You know supporting the guy loved by the rich exploiters against the darling of the poor.
I am awaiting the loud and furious condemnation by you cat, by Phoenic, Victoria, Barney Guytaur and the rest of the mob. How dare the US interfere in another countries democratic processes. After all it makes a few internet posts seem just a tad mild eh what.
“Would make election 9th March i think, that would be a bit short of 6 weeks campaign (not sure what the minimum is), 2 weeks before NSW election, past February (fire danger).”
Most likely March 2, the earliest possible date. Minimum campaign is 33 days. A poster here pointed out that the following weekend is a long weekend in Victoria.
Outline is not working for me any more.
______
Don
Outline can be a bit fractious at times. I had trouble this morning but I found that if you start it from scratch again and retry with the link it usually does the trick.
William Bowe says:
Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 7:06 am
Organization 1 in the indictment is believed to be WikiLeaks
I’m not convinced.
Wayne has pinched gods account.
C@tmomma @ #34 Saturday, January 26th, 2019 – 5:17 am
Your guess is as good as mine. Watch this space as they say.
New England vote National not those city slicker Liberals. Morrison really is not that smart.
Perhaps that announcment scheduled for Tuesday is about Barnaby (which is disappointing for those wanting it to be about election)
BK @ #37 Saturday, January 26th, 2019 – 8:21 am
Thanks BK, I’ll give that a go.
Lizzie @7.29am
Quite right about Ms Bishop
1. Hard worker who will put in Coalition “restoration” work? No
2. Talented leader and policy developer? No
3. Moderate capable of peacemaking in and out of party? No (claws expert)
So I hope she becomes LOTO because she is useless.
Im sceptical about this Joyce as a Liberal for New England plan. This would totally upset the Coalition agreement to not run against each other. I call baloney.
if Joyce doesn’t run at the national party candidate for new england
I am not saying this is going to happen but , if the nsw state election is held before the federal election . the nsw libs/nat coalition lose office , the northern Tablelands member Adam Marshall who is national party but has more green allegiance than the national party , could then run as the federal national party candidate ?
Richard Ojeda has pulled out of his campaign for US President after he resigned his state senate seat.
Link to barnaby tweet
https://twitter.com/WG_THOMPSON/status/1088686547749105665
daretotread,
Could you stop being a smart arse, just for one day!?!
Now, if you really knew your stuff about Russia, and Venezuela, you would know that Russia are supporting Maduro, and own all of Venezuela’s Oil assets. America are supporting the Opposition Leader in Venezuela. So I’d just watch this space if I were you, instead of issuing your usual and predictable Putin apologia. With a side-serving of snark at those of us who haven’t been bewitched by Putin’s pecs as you appear to have been. 🙂
IoM @ #45 Saturday, January 26th, 2019 – 8:41 am
Bugger! Was it for a particular reason other than lack of enthusiasm for his POTUS candidacy?
Chorus of voices in reply on Twitter.
“idiot”.