Newspoll’s no-show this week suggests last fortnight’s poll may not have portended a return to the familiar schedule. Amid a general post-election psephological malaise, there is at least the following to relate:
• The great pollster failure was the subject of a two-parter by Bernard Keane in Crikey yesterday, one part examining the methodological nuts and bolts, the other the influence of polling on journalism and political culture.
• Richard Willingham of the ABC reports former Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson is having a harder-than-expected time securing Liberal preselection to replace Mitch Fifield in the Senate, despite backing from Scott Morrison, Josh Frydenberg and Michael Kroger. According to the report, some of Henderson’s backers concede that Greg Mirabella, former state party vice-president and the husband of Sophie Mirabella, may have the edge.
• The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has invited submissions for its regular inquiry into the 2019 election, which will be accepted until Friday, September 2019. Queensland LNP Senator James McGrath continues to chair the committee, which consists of five Coalition, two Labor and one Greens member.
• Daniella White of the Canberra Times reports Labor is struggling to find candidates for next October’s Australian Capital Territory election, said by “some insiders” to reflect pessimism about the government’s chances of extending its reign to a sixth term.
• The Federation Press has published a second edition of the most heavily thumbed tome in my psephological library, Graeme Orr’s The Law of Politics: Election, Parties and Money in Australia. A good deal of water has passed under the bridge since the first edition in 2010, most notably in relation to Section 44, which now accounts for the better part of half a chapter.
@DenbrotS tweets
Corruption Pays For #GOPElectionFraud
GOP rigs every state with electronic voting
Mitch McConnell Is Swimming In Voting Machine Lobbyist Cash
https://trofire.com/2019/08/17/mitch-mcconnell-is-swimming-in-voting-machine-lobbyist-cash/
@tylerwhat16 tweets
New survey shows 56% of respondents perceive Doug Ford’s Conservative government as being “corrupt,” while 62% believe “too many cronies” of the premier have jobs in government. #ONPoli
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/new-poll-suggests-voters-haven-t-forgotten-about-patronage-appointment-scandal-1.4553210
Canada.
Seems to be a theme with conservatives.
@GuardianAus tweets
Jean-Luc Brunel: three former models say they were sexually assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein friend https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/17/jean-luc-brunel-jeffrey-epstein-models-sexual-assault?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=soc_568&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1566073530
@guytaur
It seems as the memories of the Christchurch attack fade, the government is gradually resuming the racist rhetoric. Look at the recent comments by Michael McCormick, concerning Pacific Islanders.
Tristo
I disagree in that I think it was McCormack losing it over the backlash with putting coal before national security. Just a case of true colours coming through when under stress. There are a lot of farmers for climate change now. The Nationals and their coal loving ways are coming under electoral pressure and we will see more challenges to incumbent nationals by independents as reality hits home.
@LesStonehouse tweets
Which one are you guys?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ECMvAXAUwAA9vrP?format=jpg&name=900×900
The Courier Mail has a story on more attempts by right wing religious types to stack branches in the LNP.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. Slow Sunday again.
The shock-jock urging Scott Morrison to “shove a sock” down Jacinda Ardern’s throat exposes a delicate matter for our PM: his climate policy black hole says Jacqui Maley in a great spit.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/alan-jones-the-perfect-symbol-for-the-fragility-of-the-australian-ego-20190816-p52hvl.html
Four politicians have warned the Chinese Communist Party has too much sway at Australian universities.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/government-mps-sound-alarm-over-chinese-government-influence-at-australian-universities-20190817-p52i3i.html
John Pesutto writes that we must maintain goodwill but not be blind to China’s ambitions.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/china-we-must-maintain-goodwill-but-not-be-blind-to-their-ambitions-20190816-p52hs1.html
Investigative journalist and writer Lucie Morris-Marr outlines the possible outcomes for George Pell on Wednesday as the appeal judges hand down their decision.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/george-pell/2019/08/15/george-pell-catholic-jail-appeal/
Dana McCauley writes that GetUp has hit back at Morrison and what they describe as extraordinary claims.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/getup-hits-back-at-extraordinary-attack-by-the-pm-20190817-p52i2x.html
Issues relating to the protection of religious practices have arisen again while our Prime Minister dons floral headwear, writes John Wren in his weekly wrap.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/wrens-week-religious-protection-and-scomo-goes-troppo,13009
Julies Szego tells us why we should all ignore Trump’s toxic tweets.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/why-we-should-all-ignore-trump-s-toxic-tweets-20190816-p52hub.html
John Elder opines that Morrison stands accused of “hypocrisy” on matters of free speech and democracy – by defending free speech in Hong Kong, but curbing it at home.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2019/08/17/scott-morrison-hong-kong-hypocrisy/
Nick Bonyhady reports that Alan Jones’ new employer says his contract will be torn up if he repeats the like of his Ardern comments. What it really needs is more advertisers to pull their business from his spot.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/alan-jones-contract-will-be-torn-up-if-he-repeats-ardern-comments-employer-says-20190817-p52i54.html
Anote Tong, a former president of Kiribati, said Australia’s membership of the Pacific Island Forum should be “urgently reviewed” reports Peter Hannam.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/call-for-australia-s-pacific-membership-to-be-suspended-over-coal-20190817-p52i3b.html
Morrison’s ‘arrogance’ on climate has been blasted by Penny Wong as Australia accused of ‘trying to destroy’ Pacific islands.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/17/morrisons-arrogance-on-climate-has-trashed-australias-pacific-standing-labor-says
Australians could pick up two months’ worth of commonly prescribed medicines in a single trip to the chemist – and pay less for them – under a plan being considered by the federal government. A good move I’d say.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6333701/push-to-double-the-amount-of-medication-patients-can-pick-up/?cs=14350
In a typically petulant move the Trump administration has fired another shot in its war with the US press, suspending the credentials of Brian Karem, White House correspondent for Playboy and an analyst for CNN.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/17/trump-brian-karem-white-house-journalist-press
As Portland prepared for what was likely to be one of the biggest political demonstrations of the summer, which authorities expected would lead to violence, Donald Trump threw into the mix a characteristically explosive tweet.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/17/portland-oregon-far-right-rally-proud-boys-antifa
Cartoon Corner
From Matt Golding.
Matt Davidson’s view of what Trump is doing to America.
Reg Lynch and Morrison’s effort in the South Pacific.
Zanetti goes there too.
From the US
Coming up on #Insiders at 9am, @PatsKarvelas interviews @SenatorWong + @mpbowers talks pictures with @theheraldsun’s Mark Knight. On the couch are @GuardianAus’s @lenoretaylor, @Politics_SMHAGE’s @CroweDM + @10NewsFirst’s @vanOnselenP. Join us! #auspol https://twitter.com/InsidersABC/status/1162831798750998528/photo/1
https://www.theage.com.au/national/the-day-i-met-alan-jones-pity-i-didn-t-have-a-sock-handy-20190816-p52hxo.html
Bouncers should be banned.
They are an anachronistic throwback to the days when OH&S issues were regarded as for sissies only.
To a certain extent they are still regarded as such today. Batters should not be forced to regularly (and literally) defend themselves from instant, violent death.
Who is this creature on ABC News Breakfast.
Trotting out the tired old line that Australia cannot influence carbon emissions very much, so why should we try?
At the same time she says it’s “a global thing”.
What’s global unless it involves everyone?
Oh, OK… Anne Henderson… Gerard’s wife.
As would be expected with a Henderson, she hogged the microphone and talked dismissively over everyone, because she clearly thinks the other members of the panel are idiots who need to be put straight on a few things.
Bushfire
Turned on but missed it. Was it a guest or a presenter?
Edit: “Creature” is the right description. 🙂
Sorry, our posts crossed.
Guest. Anne Henderson. See post above.
Since yesterday I have been considering posting a picture of Morrison’s arrogant stance (hands on hips, looking down nose) when talking to PM Ardern. I found it on Twitter but have decided not to post it because I’m frankly sick of the sight of him and thought I wouldn’t impose it on the rest of you.
Guest with an ex Labor party rep. Being Gerard’s wife explains a lot – the patronising tone was evident
Why do we continue to have the flag of the United Kingdom representing the British Empire misrepresenting the Australia identity at every sporting and official occasion?
lizzie says:
Sounds like the embodiment of his church’s position on the power relationship between chaps and lady chaps in marriage and elsewhere, master and helpmate.
Why is Anne Henderson allowed to misrepresent Australia?
poroti
And Ardern was very sensibly holding her hands clasped low on her abdomen in a gesture which body language experts say is genital protection.
How many other PMs march up to female leaders and feel they have to prove their superior masculinity? Very telling.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2019/aug/18/accepting-anecdotes-more-readily-than-climate-science-is-wilful-ignorance?CMP=share_btn_tw
lizzie @ #1424 Sunday, August 18th, 2019 – 9:00 am
The tail wagging the dog. Ably assisted by Bevan ‘Liberal’ Shields
It’s not ‘Climate Adaptation and Climate Resilience’ that Pacific Island nations are concerned about, Alex Hawke! It’s the deleterious effects on their nations of Global heating and Climate Change! 😡
“We showed up, we stepped up and we’re gettin’ on!”
What a pathetic prime minister we have.
Bushfire Bill says:
Sunday, August 18, 2019 at 8:15 am
What a load of overdramatic twaddle.
While it’s never good to see someone get hit, ultimately Smith played the ball poorly.
lizzie
Scrott banged on many times about the Pacific countries being “a family” . So you can guess who he sees as the ‘head of the household’ and what the role of everyone else is 🙁
The IPA are hyenas in hyenas’ clothing.
lizzie says:
Sunday, August 18, 2019 at 8:40 am
Now there’s true compassion, something Morrison could learn from you. 🙂
I’m proud to help fund GetUp!
Ah yes, ‘Advance Australia’, the RW GetUp! 😆
Patricia Karvelas should be the permanent Insiders host in my opinion.
Barney wrote:
While it’s never good to see someone get hit, ultimately Smith played the ball poorly.
If Smith had been killed, as others have been, I can see those words chiselled on his gravestone:
Here lies Steve Smith, dead at 30.
He played the ball poorly.
I dislike Karvelas method of interrupting all the time. Very argumentative. Penny Wong is battling to finish her sentences.
Karvelas is playing to a more critical audience than us, Lizzie.
lizzie @ #1427 Sunday, August 18th, 2019 – 9:00 am
That’s a staggering comment from Turnbull.
How on earth is his mob still in Govt …??
…oh yeah, the Shorten-Bowen effect.
Interruptions? I don’t know what show you’re watching lizzie, but Wong is doing just fine getting her responses out.
C@tmomma @ #1435 Sunday, August 18th, 2019 – 9:13 am
So am I .
We’re on a unity ticket !
Fess
I watch Karvelas a lot, and her technique is always the same.
What sort of question is that, asking Wong if she’s serving her term.
Karvelas is a terrier by nature. She’s #1 in my book.
Bushfire Bill says:
Sunday, August 18, 2019 at 9:21 am
Don’t worry we’ll have robots soon to play cricket for us and any other activity that contains some risk.
Bushfire Bill’s brave New World.
Devoid of all risk!
Confessions @ #1445 Sunday, August 18th, 2019 – 9:30 am
Nothing wrong with seeking clarification on Wongs ambitions.
Yes Rex – expect Di Natale will be asked the same thing.
Once CUMULATIVE emissions from countries comes into the frame the argument changes.
Loving this Insiders discussion about GHGEs. Lenore Taylor is the one journalist who is fully across the issue.
Rex…
Turnbull says people need to cut Scott Morrison slack on climate. “You have to manage the political realities in your own party. He’s got to operate in the real world.” #auspol”
That’s a staggering comment from Turnbull.
How on earth is his mob still in Govt …??
…oh yeah, the Shorten-Bowen effect.
Lib-kin games….the Lib-Libs will always win in Lib-kin Garden. We’re fucked.
Morrison: “Emissions don’t have a nationality”.
Too right! And the emissions that come from the sale of Australian coal from our mines contribute to other nationalities emissions!