Yesterday was the day on which candidate nominations declared and ballot paper draws conducted. The electorate pages in the Poll Bludger election guide now feature full lists of candidates in ballot paper order, though the job is still half finished for the Senate guide. House of Representatives nominations are up, with the average number per electorate being almost exactly seven, compared with 6.6 in 2016. However, there are fewer Senate nominations, presumably because a half-Senate election offers small players less prospect for success than a double dissolution.
To my eye, the two points worth noting about the ballot paper draws is that the Liberals and One Nation have both enjoyed good fortune in the Senate (I don’t think the fabled “donkey vote” in the House of Representatives worth dwelling on, as it really doesn’t amount to very much). The Liberals (taken to include the Liberal National Party in Queensland) has drawn a more leftward column than the Liberal Democrats in all six states, reducing their chances of voters confusing the two. One Nation have drawn second column in Queensland and the first column in Western Australia, although the advantage in the former case is diminished by the fact that the United Australia Party, who would seem to me to be fighting over the same turf, are right next to them in the third column.
Over the fold are presentations of House of Representatives candidate numbers for each party; the number of groups and candidates in the Senate; and how they have changed from 2016.
Seems like there is a National candidate in Whitlam but no Liberal.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
According to Niki Savva Morrison should share his plans, not just prayers. She says voters need to hear more from the Prime Minister about his plans if elected, other than a perfunctory collection of three-word slogans. You’ll have to Google trick this one.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/morrison-should-share-his-plans-not-just-prayers/news-story/87e5cb0fb6582423184b74258af14524
Underwhelmed by the election campaigns so far John Hewson provides another snappy insight.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/far-from-a-contest-of-ideas-this-campaign-withers-to-irrelevance-20190424-p51gr0.html
Greg Jericho says that the economy is struggling, and the election campaign needs to start facing up to it. There are a several worrying indicators in the article.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2019/apr/24/the-economy-is-struggling-and-the-election-campaign-needs-to-start-facing-up-to-it
Jess Irvine on the cyclical outbreaks of pork barrelling.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/you-get-a-car-park-australian-politics-goes-full-oprah-20190424-p51gwv.html
Elizabeth Knight says it was a sharp increase in the cost of vegetables, medical expenses, cars and education that saved the March quarter inflation rate from moving into negative territory. But that’s cold comfort for consumers.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/vegie-price-increase-is-more-bitter-news-for-consumers-to-stomach-20190424-p51gw7.html
Discussion of case for interest rate cuts is likely to dominate the next meeting of the Reserve Bank’s board says Jess Irvine.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/weak-inflation-report-the-case-for-an-interest-rate-cut-20190424-p51gxx.html
Michael Pascoe says that the fixation with auction clearance levels overshadows other important aspects of residential real estate markets. Rather than the disastrous ‘crashing’ housing story pushed by the usual headline-seeking doom-and-gloom brigade, the picture that’s emerging is actually of a healthier housing market.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/property/2019/04/24/housing-auction-clearance-fixation/
Australia’s top union leader has hedged on whether the Adani coal mine should be approved, putting her at odds with Queensland workers campaigning for the controversial project to go ahead.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/sally-mcmanus-refuses-to-back-adani-coal-mine-20190424-p51gsh.html
Independent Australia’s media editor Lee Duffield reports from the reputed “mad-lands” of Right-wing backwoods politics in North Queensland, asking if the vote really might turn on provincial passions and demands of the coal lobby.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/election-2019-sorting-out-balderdash,12606
Do clubs really return their pokies millions to the community? The ABC’s 7.30 Report ran a good story this week about the contributions to the community by the Victorian RSL. There is some merit to the club lobby claims but the truth lies in the numbers. A michaelwest.com.au investigation of clubs in NSW and their opening hours shows the community rhetoric is greatly exaggerated.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/dracula-time-new-pokies-stats-show-community-benefits-are-a-mirage/
A veteran who assaulted a police officer and choked an RSPCA inspector in 2015 is the lead Senate candidate for Fraser Anning’s Conservative National Party in the ACT. Natural attraction?
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6088977/fraser-annings-candidates-criminal-history-revealed/?cs=14329
This Liberal candidate is SO easy to intensely dislike.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/private-schools-are-far-superior-liberal-candidate-claims-20190423-p51gbm.html
A #watergate update from Nicole Hasham.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/water-buyback-criticism-a-joke-says-company-at-centre-of-scandal-20190424-p51gu1.html
More from Anne Davies as she tells us that new questions have arisen over the calculations of the volume of water bought by the federal government for $80m from Eastern Australia Agriculture as the department of agriculture and water used data which ended in 1995 and failed to take account of climate change.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/25/new-questions-raised-over-calculations-behind-80m-water-buyback
Tuesday saw yet another record broken by the Trump White House: the longest run without an official news media briefing. At 43 days and counting, this information drought supplants the previous record of 42 days without a briefing, set in March – which broke the 41-day record set in January.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/meet-the-press-don-t-bother-white-house-sets-a-new-record-20190425-p51h06.html
The AFR says that with interest rates stuck at historic lows, investors are being tempted by high-yielding but more risky bonds.
https://www.outline.com/5VVb8J
Nicola Sturgeon’s pledge of a new Scotland independence vote by 2021 underlines how Brexit is fraying the United Kingdom from within.
https://www.outline.com/NJk9AF
The ubiquitous Rod Culleton is in trouble again. Pauline can really pick ‘em!
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/disqualified-once-rod-culleton-referred-to-police-over-false-declaration-for-senate-20190424-p51gwz.html
Trump suggested yesterday that he would ask the Supreme Court to intervene if Democrats move to impeach him – a notion that legal experts said showed a misunderstanding of the Constitution.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-says-he-would-ask-supreme-court-to-intervene-if-democrats-move-to-impeach-him-20190425-p51h08.html
This US professor of law writes that Donald Trump is no Nixon – he’s worse!
https://www.outline.com/3mGjTA
The crimes of an Adelaide sex tourist are the most serious case of sex offending in Australia, a court has heard.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/24/adelaide-tourist-committed-most-serious-child-sex-crimes-in-australian-history
Today’s nomination for “Arsehole of the Week” goes to . . .
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-says-he-would-ask-supreme-court-to-intervene-if-democrats-move-to-impeach-him-20190425-p51h08.html
Cartoon Corner
David Pope and an Anzac Day truce.
Cathy Wilcox on Palmer’s return.
Andrew Dyson also features Palmer.
Matt Davison’s summary of the campaigns.
Jon Kudelka and modern campaigning.
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/3cd7546cb26bee06073368098649b7a3?width=1024
From the US
This answers a question I asked yesterday, I think.
https://medium.com/@futurework/non-employing-businesses-scomos-engine-room-for-economic-growth-dbdc60d62c90
BK
That candidate you mention in today’s DP is running for the seat of Macnamara and is not a very nice person … a typical Liberal born to rule type.
Almost on par in terms of performance with the Liberal candidate for Chisholm Gladys Liu who appears still MIA
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2019/04/23/anzac-push-nation-forgets/
lizzie,
I would say it more represents people using legal business structures to avoid PAYG tax rates.
slackboy72
I’m sure you’re right.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/election-2019/2019/04/24/clive-palmer-pauline-hanson/
BK
Niki Savva gets it right – and “What is the point of this government?” is a question being asked not just by Coalition MPs but by the general public.
Morrison projects no vision because he has no vision – has he ever had an original policy idea?
He truly is an ad-man – just seeking the next sound-bite to get him through. This is why he essentially stopped Parliament sitting after his cleverly orchestrated coup to become Prime Minister eight months ago – there was no agenda to push, no policy to roll out, just ads.
Sgh1969
Gladys Liu (Chisholm) and Michael Sukkar (Deakin) must be hiding in a bunker somewhere, in commemoration of trench warfare!
The RW Press setting the agenda in Herbert.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/election-2019-sorting-out-balderdash,12606
Morning all, thanks BK for today’s reading and viewing.
Savva would be right except the Morrison don’t have any plans. That’s what happens when your party doesn’t do any policy development for over a decade.
Meanwhile I’m about to watch our local dawn service being livestreamed over the internet for the first time. I’ve never been because it’s a logistical nightmare to attend in person, but this way is much more accessible. Plus you don’t have to brave the elements.
Greg Jericho
Verified account
@GrogsGamut
9h9 hours ago
:large
lizzie
Hmm. Grog does not seem to be happy.
BK
He has a long Twitter thread abusing the media for not doing their ‘proper job’ and for ‘making stuff up’.
Of course, the Daily Tele is a leader with the muck.
I was also disturbed to see Ellen Fanning on The Drum last night announce ‘Nobody likes Bill Shorten.’
She has deduced this from the PPM figures, apparently. I thought she was a better journo than that, but is kowtowing to her bosses, I suppose.
From Dawn Patrol.
“According to Niki Savva Morrison should share his plans, not just prayers. She says voters need to hear more from the Prime Minister about his plans if elected, other than a perfunctory collection of three-word slogans.”
The Government does have plans, but they would be ballot box poison, so can’t be disclosed before the election. They’re the usual stuff Coalition Governments do – see the IPA site for details. More cuts, more privatisations, eventual dismantlement of Medicare, replacing welfare with cashless cards and ‘mutual obligation’, the modern equivalent of the workhouse, more lucrative contracts to mates, a determination to resist taking any effective action on climate change…
Steve777
According to Madonna King, ScoMo is a good bloke, just like us, because he wears baseball caps, has a beer, and goes to church.
Balmain dawn service was wonderful. Speech by Sir James Martin’s som was incredible.
An opinion piece by Hillary Clinton:
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/how-we-should-respond-to-mueller-report-20190425-p51h0y.html
The media is discrediting itself for sure, Murdoch seems to have decided to burn the Australian in an attempt to get the Liberals reelected. The daily telegraph above, god all mighty what crap.
It is a problem, we have seen what takes it’s place and it is not good.
Greensborough Growler @ #1 Thursday, April 25th, 2019 – 6:22 am
That’s one way to get around the stanky Liberal brand. 🙂
lizzie @ #17 Thursday, April 25th, 2019 – 7:50 am
Well then, every man, in every suburb in Australia who is like that is well-qualified to be Prime Minister.
Except that’s not what should qualify you at all.
C@tmomma
Did you sort out the picture posting from you camera ❓ ☕
C@t
Laughable.
Returning Saturday!
:large
Kim Jong un and Putin are apparently going to hold a summit. Trump’s response:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzQKECQgjW8
Steve777 – true, imagine if like that ?Jim Carrey film that for one day Morrison and his senior ministers found themselves unable to say anything but the truth concerning what they really wanted to do in Australia!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/25/new-questions-raised-over-calculations-behind-80m-water-buyback
I wear baseball caps (sun protection), have a beer but don’t go to church. Can I still be PM?
The right wing agenda of austerity resulting in confidence does not attract any comment – despite the savaging of the economy with the latest indicator of impact being the inflation figure of zero and the data resulting in that figure including the increases in health care and education costs
As Bowen very correctly addressed, the danger to our well being is the sheer size of our home mortgage debt and where the 10 Year Bond Yield is
And as Lowe from the RBA correctly addresses the danger to our well being is the absence of wages growth
These are data based concerns
The next meaningful plank of data will be the quarterly GDP, last at 0.2% being negative
The lead indicators of retail sales, collapse of media organisations and falling house prices have once again proven a correct lead indicator of the malaise of an economy
And never be fooled that any increase in the registration of ABN’s is the remedy – it is an indicator of employment prospects and subsistence survival not of job creation
Can someone in Labor Party find out what’s the go with the gas line?
The West’s Lanai Scarr is one of those hosting the first leaders’ debate in Perth. Here’s some stellar reporting by her, a ‘scoop’ of which everyone else who has been watching the campaign cottoned onto ages ago.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/federal-election-2019/federal-election-2019-bill-shorten-calls-in-the-ultimate-headkicker-kristina-keneally-ng-b881178373z
Steve777 @ #29 Thursday, April 25th, 2019 – 8:21 am
You are MUCH better qualified than Scott Morrison, Steve777. 🙂
Zoidlord @ #31 Thursday, April 25th, 2019 – 8:22 am
*It’s better than a Coal Mine.
*Industry needs power.
Steve
Can you scull a glass of beer and place it on your head?
@Terry Australis
My Dad is dead now. No thanks to Centrelink who cut off his pension 6weeks ago as they “lost” paperwork he had correctly submitted about income. A very sick 87 year old spent 6 hours on the phone getting their computer mistake fixed. 6 hours @Centrelink robbed from him #auspol
Morning all
Fess
I see Adam Schiff is a guest on Real time this week.
He hasn’t nominated as candidate for president. But he is by far the most suitable person. He is calm and considered. And gives a real sense of understanding.
William, you may want to look at your 2 party preferred re 2016 on Cowper. You have called Oakeshotts a National.
KayJay @ #23 Thursday, April 25th, 2019 – 8:05 am
I’ve been trying, KayJay. I must admit that I had to go out for 6 hours the other night just as I was about to figure it out with the helpful advice of your good self and Firefox, so had to abandon the plan, to the extent that all I remembered by last night when I had some spare time to give it a go was…something, something image hosting site. So imgur was the only one I knew and I went there and promptly got lost in the thicket of drag and drop images and copy and paste…something, something. In the end I managed to post one image which ended up on the last thread about 10pm last night. I honestly don’t know how I did it though. Magic? 😆
Wth is the difference between an ‘Unaffiliated’ and an Independent candidate!?!
Victoria:
True but he has important work to do in the House. I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to say on impeachment, plus the fact that Mnuchin continues to stall with releasing Trump’s tax returns.
Baseball caps are fashion accessories not sun protection. They’re cheaper than cochineal for lack of virtue signaling on the back of one’s neck.
I listened to Sam Dastyari, Joe Hildebrande and another person (whose name escapes me) podcast.
Dastyari stated wtte that he has spoken to those within department regarding watergate.
He said that this waterbuyback is just the tip of the iceberg.
He suggests to those in the department to do the right thing and tell the public what has been going 0n.
Fess
Agree with that. But the country needs a considered figure, and he fits the bill.
What has been going on is that grubby Coalition politicians and their mates in Agribusiness and business in general, have been selling what nature provides so that all of us may survive.
Is Kate Ashmor anyway related to one of the PB posters, who spews venom on Shorten? Calling Chloe Shorten ‘a pig’ is a new low even for our political standards which are pretty low.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/private-schools-are-far-superior-liberal-candidate-claims-20190423-p51gbm.html
Someone should call the vet
The blue green dog on the moon has lost it. Frantically spinning, chasing it’s tail, yapping Bill, Bill, Bill.
Interesting choices for Anzac Day
Scotty was in Darwin, now in Townsville
Bill was in Townsville, now in Darwin
Well, Palmer made good on his promise to nominate candidates in every seat. Should add a fairy whack to his unpaid wages bill.