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.
The world should also stop producing plastics unless they are recyclable (are there any?).
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/14/microplastics-found-at-profuse-levels-in-snow-from-arctic-to-alps-contamination
Barney in Makassar @ #395 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 10:05 am
And “short term” is all they will have.
adrian says:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 10:06 am
How does destroying Societies help to solve the issues?
Everything I have written is about now and how we manage the transition away from fossil fuels.
But it’s no surprise that you missed this.
a r says:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 10:12 am
Such compassion for others.
Hardly surprising after the recent election result.
However there’s clearly no entitlement to those things. Just look at the Middle East. A quarter million civilians killed by Western military forces since 2001, and at least two governments overthrown and replaced.
We can murder them, destroy their infrastructure, and topple their governments, but refusing to sell them coal is a step too far?
adrian @ #396 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 10:06 am
Yes. I am beginning to realize that many people simply lack the imagination to understand the scale and urgency of the problem. They seem to think we still have decades to solve it.
Here’s the reality: By the time the next IPCC report comes out, it probably should be printed in the “obituary” column.
Simon Katich @ #398 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 10:13 am
The emissions data that Angus The Bagman concealed demonstrated that we were on track with cap & trade carbon trading – but then came Gina the Hutt and lesser vermin (like The Crank’s Master, Twiggy) and the Murdorcs to enable their condoms (like the Cycling Smeagol, Turnbull and Scummo) to enable the Dominionist planet rapers.
Barney in Makassar @ #403 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 10:18 am
Coal. The “compassionate” solution?
Astonishing doublethink!
No. That is is incumbent on wealthy countries to save the world (and they are failing). You fail to understand just how impoverished parts of the world are. To expect them to stop using cheap energy that makes a real difference to life and wellbeing is disgracefully selfish when Australians cant countenance giving up utes or eating a little less cow meat.
Developing nations have growing economies. It is their pathway out of poverty. While their economies grow their role in saving the planet is; increasing the percentage of renewables in their mix and to reduce overall fossil fuels use in the near future. It is far more onerous on them than you think – far more onerous than what is asked of developed countries.
Player One says:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 10:13 am
No, burning coal is bad, but at this point in time much of the World could not function without burning it.
So coal is required now while establish new sources of power to replace it.
To do otherwise would create a bigger immediate problem.
Mavis Davis (AD) @ #278 Wednesday, August 14th, 2019 – 7:37 pm
Neither will Queensland.
If WA ever did secede from the Commonwealth, Queensland will follow within minutes.
No country should be able to offshore their contributions to reducing emissions. This should be part of a second commitment. That is, all developed nations should commit to reducing our onshore emissions to zero in very short timeframe. All developed nations should also commit to subsidising developing nations to reduce their emissions (either through forest protection or solar/wind farms) – subject to rigorous governance.
Simon,
I’m often glad that so few people travel to some of the places we have been fortunate to experience, the extra people would detract so much from that experience, but as a result there many who have no appreciation of these places and how the people live.
Barney in Makassar @ #402 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 10:15 am
I’m not surprised that you have failed to miss the broader point. I could wait for you to figure it out for yourself, of course…
Barney in Makassar @ #412 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 10:34 am
Erroneous assumption piled upon erroneous assumption. Is that all you got?
a r says:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 10:19 am
While I would never advocate for war, the effect of stopping coal supplies could well be like starting a major conflict as you describe in most Countries around the World at the same time such would be the impact on those Societies.
On another matter entirely…
Anne Summers
@SummersAnne
Simon Katich @ #408 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 10:25 am
Developing nations have no more right to kill the planet than we do. What is the point of a “pathway out of poverty” that kills the very people it is supposed to be helping? The consequences of global warming will fall fastest and hardest on the the poor.
Your arguments look a lot like an excuse for us to continue to export fossil fuels. You seem to believe you are not a denier. But when you find yourself agreeing with their conclusions, it is probably time to sit back and re-think your assumptions.
adrian says:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 10:41 am
So you’re aware, but don’t give a fuck!
A timely reminder of what a JOKE Australia’s original Kyoto targets were: an 8% increase. Other countries made *cuts*.
Remember that next to you hear some LNP goose claim we’re on track.
ScoMo currently impressing no one in the Pacific, just as we’re supposedly “Stepping up” to counter Chinese influence.
https://theconversation.com/australia-hit-its-kyoto-target-but-it-was-more-a-three-inch-putt-than-a-hole-in-one-44731
I’m not sure of the grammatical rules that cover this, but surely the title of the new ABC alleged comedy series ‘Diary of An Uber Driver’, should be Diary of A Uber Driver.
adrian says:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 10:47 am
How do you pronounce “Uber”?
Barney in Makassar @ #415 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 10:43 am
Yup. Coal is actually saving the planet.
Honestly. How much more of this nonsense can you generate?
What is killing the planet is cumulative emissions from 1800.
USA have emitted 10 times more CO2 than India with a vastly smaller population.
Insinuating that developing nations are killing the planet is out where the buses dont run.
Player One says:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 10:54 am
So, you think there is no need for coal at this moment in time and we can switch off the supply with zero consequences?
Don’t worry guys
Barney in Makassar @ #424 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 11:00 am
hahahahaha. Let’s keep going as we are with ‘zero consequences’.
Will be one of the shorter Live Streams if they come on and say Appeal dismissed
SK
Over a decade back, before the Koch bro. funded loons took over, the plan was that developed countries would largely fund the developing nations’ transition to renewables/low carbon. This would largely cut out their “fossil fuel boom” stage of development. The bonus for the developed nations was that there would be a market for their high tech gear and that they would have a continued advantage in the area as early adopters.
Sadly this became ,deliberately, construed as being part of the “One World Government?” etc etc plots to bring us down. Come on down the legions of swivel eyed Moncktons , Abbotts and the rest of the scurvy crew around the world.
I would be surprised if anyone could mount an argument that we stop all coal mining today with no plan to deal with the economic fall out………Back in the day when horses did all the work and the internal combustion engine came all the scene, nobody suggest workhorses be destroyed overnight. As well, nobody suggested that all steam trains be junked overnight for the same reason. The Germans seem to have sorted out – coal is going, but it will take time, money and innovation for the transition to take place. It seems the argument to hang on to coal at all costs, is akin to the Southern States of the US and others claiming that without slavery the world would come to an end. I suppose, in some respects it did for some in the South – kind of “Gone with the Wind” as it were?
Your posts are a curious blend of vituperative bluster and IPCC synopses. You would catch more flies with honey.
No one here (other than Buce Bigalow) is suggesting we keep going as we are.
Adrian,
Do you understand the word transition?
To actually deal with climate change we need a functioning Society. If you destroy the Society, you destroy our ability to build and develop the renewable sources of power we need, and the institutions that are required to develop the tools to combat the problem of global warming.
The cessation of coal mining and power plants will not stop the planet warming. They are an important step, but they are not the solution to the problem.
We need to reduce the CO2 levels in the atmosphere, first to slow the rate of warming and then to try and obtain some level of stability.
That is the problem.
Reading all the “Oh the horror” about Trump and their ‘illegal immigrants’ should leave us all a bit pot v kettle between Australia and the US. There was nothing there that we have not been doing for years . Done with cheering election winning voter support and egged on by the meeja peasants.
There was a comment about raids and a lack of them. Well we have them too, a quick sample.
——————————————-
Kids left after huge migrant worker raids
JEFF AMY and ROGELIO V. SOLIS
AAP
Friday, 9 August 2019 7:10 am
https://7news.com.au/business/kids-left-after-huge-migrant-worker-raids-c-390803
Illegal workers detained after Border Force raids on farms and brothel
Monday, 1 July 2019 1:29 pm
https://7news.com.au/news/crime/illegal-workers-detained-after-border-force-raids-on-farms-and-brothel-c-192945
Illegal farm workers arrested by Border Force in early morning immigration raid
Grant Taylor
The West Australian
Thursday, 2 March 2017 6:48AM
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/illegal-farm-workers-arrested-by-border-force-in-early-morning-immigration-raid-ng-b88401817z
More than 500 law enforcement agents raided a number of properties in Perth’s northern suburbs on Saturday.
The main operation targeted a market garden compound at Carabooda, where more than 130 foreign nationals were taken into custody.
Acting Commissioner Craig
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-05/ten-charged-after-carabooda-raids-uncover-foreign-workers/5429852
Tricot says:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 11:13 am
In some parts of SE Asia water buffalo are still used to plow the fields.
@KayJay
I have hope that this government will do, although it might take a revolution to achieve it. Although it will take a lot to occur for this to happen.
I am envisioning a recession leading to housing market collapse, which will lead to the banks (since a lot of loans are in residential property) facing failure, which will be led to a bailout of the banks. While all this happening Australia goes into an economic depression, where official unemployment soars to 30%. Given the bank bailout the government will implement some very harsh austerity measures. So, hundreds of thousands of people will lose their homes, jobs, along with some living in cars or tents.
The government in response to an economic crisis, increased strikes and protests, will ramp up the authoritarianism to the nth degree. So, we will see offices of activists, activist organisations and unions raided by the police. Also, we will see protesters in the hundreds, if not thousands being tasered, tear gassed and then arrested by police. Then that will be the breaking point and then a revolution starts.
Simon Katich @ #423 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 10:58 am
You argue like a white man.
Barney in Makassar @ #431 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 11:21 am
Self-serving claptrap.
Tristo
Do you think that Australians will be fired up enough to start a real revolution?
Nicholas @ #429 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 11:17 am
You appear to know as much about global warming as you do about economics.
P1,
How so?
kaffeeklatscher @ #427 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 11:09 am
We seem to have quite a few of their dewy-eyed sympathisers right here on PB 🙁
@lizzie
Yes, although it would have to take the sort of circumstances I have described above.
It is no surprise that people such as Jeremy Corbyn and Bernie Sanders emerged in both Britain and America. After both countries had a considerably worse experience in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis than us. If we had for example had the banks face failure during the GFC and needing to be bailed out, along with a severe recession with unemployment rising to 12%.
I have no doubt in my mind some Australian Corbyn or Sanders would have emerged, the candidates in my opinion would have been either Scott Ludlam or Doug Cameron or Penny Wong.
Barney in Makassar @ #439 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 11:34 am
Your arguments are all long-winded ways of saying the same thing – i.e. let’s do nothing.
You retort like you are losing the argument.
Besides, I am not completely white (rather swarthy looking IMHO)…. and I have an X chromosome.
Simon Katich @ #445 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 11:45 am
When the best you can come up with is stuff like this …
… then I have to conclude that rational argument is wasted on you.
Just like Barney, you are arguing for doing nothing.
Player One says:
Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 11:42 am
You’ve developed Adrian’s comprehension skills then.
Everything I argue is about doing what’s required.
I just disagree with your course of action due to the global impact on Society and the way it would compromise our ability to deal the ultimate problem.
Tristo @ #434 Thursday, August 15th, 2019 – 11:26 am
You are seeing a very bleak near/future. I recall from the 1950 that the Military could not be used legally against the populace. Lotsa changes since then and the following is interesting.
http://www.defence.gov.au/adc/adfj/Documents/issue_202/Sutton_July_2017.pdf
and the question contained in this —
I’m too old to march on the Bastille so the revolution will probably have to start without me.
For lack of Cricket last night I watched one of the Air Crash Investigation items where a commercial jet was hijacked (pre 911) and the hijackers directed the aircraft captain to head to Australia over water. There was only enough fuel for a couple of hours and so the end result would be no engines and a glide to the ocean. A well know photographer and journalist tried to enlist the services of the passenger to tackle the three hijackers. Sadly nobody could make up their minds and the aircraft crashed.
I think Australia is much like the passengers on that aircraft. We’ll be watching Netflix and Youtube while the planet burns.
I have no idea why I’m not depressed about all this. I have a stress test app on my phone and it tells me my stress is so low I may be near death (not really death but very low stress and my pulse rate is low also).
In the meanwhile all proceeds in Orstraya as though the object is to ratify Einstein’s oft quoted
Question — Can the Gummint be trusted ❓