The tribes of Israel

The latest Essential Research poll turns up a mixed bag of views on the Israel Folau controversy. Also featured: prospects for an indigenous recognition referendum and yet more Section 44 eruptions.

The latest of Essential Research’s fortnightly polls, which continue to limit themselves to issue questions in the wake of the great pollster failure, focuses mostly on the Israel Folau controversy. Respondents registered high levels of recognition of the matter, with 22% saying they had been following it closely, 46% that they had “read or seen some news”, and another 17% saying they were at least “aware”.

Probing further, the poll records very strong support for what seem at first blush to be some rather illiberal propositions, including 64% agreement with the notion that people “should not be allowed to argue religious freedom to abuse others”. However, question wording would seem to be very important here, as other questions find an even split on whether Folau “has the right to voice his religious views, regardless of the hurt it could cause others” (34% agree, 36% disagree), and whether there should be “stronger laws to protect people who express their religious views in public” (38% agree, 38% disagree). Furthermore, 58% agreed that “employers should not have the right to dictate what their employees say outside work”, which would seem to encompass the Folau situation.

Respondents were also asked who would benefit and suffer from the federal government’s policies over the next three years, which, typically for a Coalition government, found large companies and corporations expected to do best (54% good, 11% bad). Other results were fairly evenly balanced, the most negative findings relating to the environment (26% good, 33% bad) and, funnily enough, “older Australians” (26% good, 38% bad). The economy came in at 33% good and 29% bad, and “Australia in general” at 36% good and 27% bad. The poll was conducted last Tuesday to Saturday from a sample of 1099.

Also of note:

• A referendum on indigenous recognition may be held before the next election, after Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt’s announcement on Wednesday that he would pursue a consensus option for a proposal to go before voters “during the current parliamentary term”. It is clear the government would not be willing to countenance anything that went further than recognition, contrary to the Uluru Statement from the Heart’s call for a “First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution” – a notion derided as a “third chamber of parliament” by critics, including Scott Morrison.

• A paper in the University of Western Australia Law Review keeps the Section 44 pot astir by suggesting 26 current members of federal parliament may fall foul by maintaining a “right of abode” in the United Kingdom – a status allowing “practically the same rights” as citizenship even where citizenship has been formally renounced. The status has only been available to British citizens since 1983, but is maintained by citizens of Commonwealth countries who held it before that time, which they could do through marriage or descent. This could potentially be interpreted as among “the rights or privileges of a subject or citizen of a foreign power”, as per the disqualifying clause in Section 44. Anyone concerned by this has until the end of the month to challenge an election result within the 40 day period that began with the return of the writs on June 21. Action beyond that point would require referral by the House of Representatives or the Senate, as appropriate.

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.

1,966 comments on “The tribes of Israel”

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  2. 2014
    Outsourcing company wins further five-year contract despite controversy over centres it runs, particularly on Christmas Island

    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/dec/10/serco-australian-immigration-detention-centres-contract-christmas-island

    2019
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/benefits-of-centrelink-s-serco-contract-unclear-auditor-20190221-p50zel.html

    2019
    https://www.serco.com/aspac/news/media-releases/2019/serco-signs-560m-contract-with-bupa-to-support-the-australian-defence-force

  3. Yes, lizzie, Serco had contracts under Labor to run immigration detention centres and the Coalition continued its contract when it became the government of the day.

    Both major parties held no care for the well-known controversies and issues swirling around Serco.

  4. 2012

    https://newmatilda.com/2012/08/14/gillard-and-bowen-sing-howards-songbook/

    Let’s not forget the private companies who run many of Australia’s detention centres. NM has been monitoring Serco in particular. Last year we were first to publish the contract between the federal government and Serco to run detention centres. We raised questions about the qualification of security staff, the treatment of mentally ill detainees, Serco’s liability and more.

  6. Peg

    If the Libs were half the “efficient, caring” rulers they like to pretend they are, they would have taken notice of the events in other countries and not extended the contract.

    Serco has been heavily reliant on profits from running Australia’s immigration detention centres, as it faces increased losses from other contracts it holds. Excluding the immigration services contract, group profits were flat between 2009 and 2013, it revealed last month when it issued yet another profit warning. A strategic review started after Rupert Soames took over as chief executive in June uncovered a raft of loss-making contracts.

    Serco expects to make £100m-£150m of revenues a year from the latest contract, which can be extended twice for up to two years each time. It relates to seven Australian states and territories, and includes accommodation, transport and escort, catering and facilities management.

    The news comes as a UK committee of MPs warned that five government departments continued to award Serco and G4S work while they were under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office for overcharging tens of millions of pounds for electronic tagging contracts. The Commons public accounts committee said: “It was not acceptable for government to give the impression that all business with Serco and G4S was halted whilst investigations took place, when in fact contracts were extended, new contracts were awarded and negotiations for new business continued.”

    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/dec/10/serco-australian-immigration-detention-centres-contract-christmas-island

  7. Steve777 @ #1443 Monday, July 15th, 2019 – 1:54 pm

    I wouldn’t believe anything published in The Australian about Bob Brown or anyone else the proprietors deem a class enemy.

    That’s a bit short-sighted, to say the least.

    I just make the observation that one of the journals of record in America, associated with the Murdoch family, The Wall Street Journal, has broken a number of very important stories about Donald Trump. Do not always reach for the gun to shoot the messenger.

  8. Serco in Victoria:

    https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/new-police-hotline-to-create-200-jobs-in-ballarat-take-load-off-triple-zero-20180717-p4zrzh.html

    The operator of Victoria’s first police assistance line has been confirmed, with 200 jobs to be created at a Ballarat call centre.

    Police Minister Lisa Neville said Serco Citizen Services would set up and run the $210 million hotline, which would allow triple zero to be reserved for crimes that require an urgent response.

    Ben Eltham on Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/beneltham/status/1019735097111588864

    “Has there ever been a scarier organisation name than ‘Serco Citizen Services Pty Ltd’?”

  12. adrian says: Monday, July 15, 2019 at 2:48 pm

    David Rowe may be giving Cassidy too much credit, but he is without doubt a brilliant artist.

    *******************************************************

    Totally Agree, Adrian – he is an absolute genius !!!!!!

    ( …… and how he can whip up such masterpieces in often such a short time frame )

  15. It seems when federal and state governments of either major party outsource or privatise public services, Serco is often the go to organisation.

    Big begets bigger.

  16. Just found this. It seems that Ruddock didn’t play the game according to Morrison’s rules.

    National Secular Lobby@SecularLobby
    3h3 hours ago

    The Morrison government will institute a Religious Freedom Commissioner despite the Ruddock Review stating it was “not necessary”. Ruddock rejected the argument that #ReligiousFreedom was in “imminent peril”. This is simply more taxpayer expense with no clear purpose. #auspol

  18. Cat

    You can’t help yourself can you about making some comment re what I am posting.

    Your defence of “don’t shoot the messenger” gave me a huge laugh though I doubt you will understand why.

    Gotta love the royal “we” here too.

    Dare I say, I get it about the Morrison government…..

  19. Australian journalism had come to this: two journalists were being treated the same way as someone suspected of breaking into a house.

    This was a chilling development — it’s believed to be the first time in Australia that journalists were being asked to provide fingerprints.

    But the request by the AFP sits at odds with recent public statements by federal Attorney-General Christian Porter that he would be “seriously disinclined to approve prosecutions except in the most exceptional circumstances and would pay particular attention to whether a journalist was simply operating according to the generally accepted principles of public interest journalism”.

    Oakes and Clark were indeed being targeted.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-15/abc-raids-australian-federal-police-press-freedom/11309810

    AFP raid on ABC reveals investigative journalism being put in same category as criminality

  20. Mungo Maccallum on Labor and Setka:

    https://johnmenadue.com/mungo-maccallum-supreme-court-sets-albanese-a-real-test/

    But the mere idea that the Setka case could drag on for years – perhaps to the High Court, Riordan noted – was just what the Tories wanted to hear. Take your time, Judge, you could imagine them whispering. Spend just along as you like, and then take some more.
    :::
    And initially at least, Labor has buckled – not that it really had any choice. This week’s national executive meeting has shelved the dispute, presumably indefinitely.

    This is more than just knockback – it risks becoming a humiliation, and an ongoing one. Albanese, flushed with his unanimous elevation to the leadership, obviously thought he had the clout and prestige for a decisive strike – a quick, clean kill to demonstrate the Labor was under new management, that unacceptable conduct would not be tolerated.
    :::
    The prospect of an endless legal wrangle is the last thing both he ALP and the ACTU want, but one appears unavoidable. Setka has no intention of backing down, and Albanese cannot now afford to; having declared an ultimatum, he has to stick to it.

    But there is already a political cost, and Morrison and his government intend to squeeze every last drop of blood out of it. The right is constantly devising what it calls tests for the new opposition leader. Most of them are confected and self-serving. But the Supreme Court has set him a real one. How he manages it in the months – perhaps years – ahead will be both a challenge and a distraction. Perhaps he should have spent more time on his listening tour before he acted.

  21. Well, what do you know, Pegasus has found an article with the words, ‘Setka, Labor and humiliation’ in it. 😐

  22. Pegasus @ #1468 Monday, July 15th, 2019 – 3:21 pm

    Cat

    You can’t help yourself can you about making some comment re what I am posting.

    Your defence of “don’t shoot the messenger” gave me a huge laugh though I doubt you will understand why.

    Gotta love the royal “we” here too.

    Dare I say, I get it about the Morrison government…..

    You’ve got to make some kind of snarky reply to me, just as predictably, don’t you, Pegasus? Did I touch a raw nerve about Saint Bob Brown?

  23. Cat

    You really are a hoot. Projection is your strength.

    Re BB – No. If you had read my reply to a r you will see I said, as I have already commented on PB several times in the past, I was happy when he retired from parliament.

  25. And as far as the Setka matter going on for longer than anyone initially thought, I can’t see that it’s a problem.

    Let me see, a convicted Domestic Violence perpetrator and abuser versus the guy who wants to expel him from the Labor Party.

    Which will only continue to serve to remind people that Albanese is on the side of the angels, and Rosie Batty.

    However, the barely-concealed glee with which Pegasus put up the Mungo Maccallum opinion piece leads me to think that, as a representative of The Greens here, she supports Setka winning his case and embarrassing Labor and Anthony Albanese.

  26. Um, Pegasus, who projected this ‘the royal we’ assumption onto me? It’s a colloquialism, as opposed to the high-handed projection you claimed it to be.

  27. [‘The prospect of an endless legal wrangle is the last thing both he ALP and the ACTU want…’]

    I think Mungo’s over-egging it here. Albanese has done all he could, and can’t be blamed for Setka seeking remedies in the courts.

  28. Cat

    Par for the course is you making assumptions about what I think, what I feel, what emotion I am expressing…misrepresentation, inuendo and deliberate untruths, ott invective and hyperbole…. is, unfortunately your tiringly distasteful and consistent MO.

    Have an enjoyable day.

  29. With Serco, they would be seen as bringing experience, most MO staffers are usually less than 30 so they are light on experience and they tend to focus on whatever the minister thinks they should be focused on. Some ministers are actively engaged with their departments, while other ministers are practically hands off.

  30. BK
    Sort of…
    … but only in the domain of what might be regarded as being ‘sacred’.

    The War Memorial is publicly owned.
    Uluru is privately owned.

    Hanson treating Uluru as if it is publicly owned is essentially another round of stealing property from Indigenous owners.
    In some variations there are/have been four rounds of Uluru theft.

    The first was the outright theft pursuant to the invasion.
    The second was the Intervention, complete with unformed members of the ADF.
    The third consists of IP theft.
    The fourth has been the attempt by the Right create a public ‘debate’ which essentially assumes the right to steal property rights from the Uluru owners.

  32. Morrison, of course, wants immediate solutions to ‘the suicide problem’. Stop the deaths?

    I can think of a couple of steps he might take wrt Indigenous deaths, but they probably go against his philosophy of have a go to get a go.

    “We have to look further upstream, right away from the immediate suicide crisis. Are there things happening to people that we can work on that might stop them?” Morgan tells The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

    “Let’s take ourselves outside health and look at some of the other risk factors and see if by addressing those we get some change.”

    For the next two months, Morgan has been told she should report back to the Prime Minister on anything the government can immediately do, ahead of an interim report this time next year and the final report in 18 months.

    Morrison declared suicide prevention a key priority for his government this month after record funds were pledged in the pre-election budget.

    The Prime Minister has an ambitious hope of reaching zero suicides despite a steady rise over the past decade.

    https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/meet-the-woman-tasked-with-cutting-australia-s-shocking-suicide-rate-20190712-p526ou.html

  33. lizzie @ #1482 Monday, July 15th, 2019 – 4:31 pm

    Morrison, of course, wants immediate solutions to ‘the suicide problem’. Stop the deaths?

    I can think of a couple of steps he might take wrt Indigenous deaths, but they probably go against his philosophy of have a go to get a go.

    “We have to look further upstream, right away from the immediate suicide crisis. Are there things happening to people that we can work on that might stop them?” Morgan tells The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

    “Let’s take ourselves outside health and look at some of the other risk factors and see if by addressing those we get some change.”

    For the next two months, Morgan has been told she should report back to the Prime Minister on anything the government can immediately do, ahead of an interim report this time next year and the final report in 18 months.

    Morrison declared suicide prevention a key priority for his government this month after record funds were pledged in the pre-election budget.

    The Prime Minister has an ambitious hope of reaching zero suicides despite a steady rise over the past decade.

    https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/meet-the-woman-tasked-with-cutting-australia-s-shocking-suicide-rate-20190712-p526ou.html

    Got his sights on the voluntary assisted dying legislation too, I reckon.

  38. Scrott loves to tell you “if you have a go you get a go” but think of what that that also means. If you don’t get a go then it must be your fault for not having a go…………….. ya bludger.

  40. shellbell

    National workplace deaths seem to be running at between 200 and 300 per year.

    These seem to be quite different OH&S cases from those OD deaths at a Rave Party where taking drugs seems to be a core part of the fun.

  41. Morrison’s visit to Washington to be given his latest riding instructions by Trump should be a hoot. The two have so much in common.

    Donald Trump tells US congresswomen to go back to where they came from

    United States President Donald Trump has attacked a group of Democratic congresswomen, telling them to go back to the “broken and crime infested places from which they came,” ignoring the fact the women are American citizens and all but one was born in the US.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-15/trump-tells-us-born-congresswomen-to-go-back-to-home-countries/11308368

  42. Apparently there will be an anti-windfarm convoy with Bob (kamikaze) Brown piloting the first truck and Dick (do or die) Di Natale doing tail gunner in the last truck.

    Should be a hoot?

  46. Scott Morrison better not try the ‘Go back to where you came from!’ trick in Australia. How many of his government are first generation Australians and naturalised Australian citizens again?

  47. Herr Donald Drumpf wants people to go back where they came from.
    He has a point.

    He would no longer fit down the manhole.

    The hypocrisy is dizzying. Mother a Scot. Grandfather a Bavarian.

    How many US citizens would either have been born outside the US or have a parent or Grandparent born outside the US?

  48. Josh Bornstein@JoshBBornstein
    3m3 minutes ago

    I’m so pissed off i can’t climb all over the Shrine of Remembrance . I’m so sick of being kicked in the guts.

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