The fortnightly Essential Research poll is out and, perhaps unsurprisingly for what will surely be its last survey for the year, it does not break its post-election habit of not publishing numbers on voting intention. What it does have is the monthly leadership ratings, which record little change for Scott Morrison (approval steady at 45%, disappoval up two to 43%) and favourable movement for Anthony Albanese (up two on approval to 39%, down six on disapproval to 28%). There is no preferred prime minister rating, but we do get evaluations on how the leaders have performed since the election: 11% say Scott Morrison has exceeded expectations, 41% that he has met them and 47% that he has fallen short of them, with Albanese’s respective ratings being 8%, 48% and 44%.
Also:
• The regular end-of-year question on for whom this has and hasn’t been a good year suggests people leaned positive about their own circumstances, albeit less so than last year; that it was a much better year for the government, which is hard to argue with on a purely political level; that it was a bad yet still much better year for “Australian politics in general”, the improvement presumably relating to the lack of a prime ministerial leadership coup; and that things were unambiguously positive only for large companies and the Australian cricket team.
• After two years of legalised same-sex marriage, 47% say it has had a positive impact, 15% negative and 38% neither.
• There remains negative sentiment towards unions, whom 49% say have too much power compared with 37% who disagreed. Fully 68% thought union officials should be disqualified merely for breaching administrative laws, with only 18% in disagreement, while 51% thought unions should be disqualified for taking unprotected industrial election, with 32% disagreeing. However, 62% agreed the government was “more concerned about the actions of union officials than the CEO’s of banks and other corporations”.
• Thirty-five per cent thought Scott Morrison should have stood Angus Taylor down from cabinet with 17% supporting his position, while 48% conceded they had not been following the issue.
• There was overwhelming support for the establishment of a federal ICAC, at 75% with only 8% opposed.
The poll was conducted Thursday to Sunday from a sample of 1035 respondents drawn from an online panel.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/coalition-changes-stance-on-renewable-energy-and-is-now-relying-on-50-target,13404
Think about how much easier it would be for Labor if the “low information” voter were to have read and understood articles such as this..
Low-information: just call them idiots like you really want to.
#winning
A couple of points on the UK election.
1. Adrian’s running analysis suggests that the Brexit Party taking a big chunk of votes in a number of seats enabled Labour to hang on, ie if the Brexit Party had stood down Labour would have had an even worse result. I think this is doubtful. Those ex-Tories who defected to the Brexit Party during the Theresa May Embarrassment , will have returned to the fold already, so the bulk of the Brexit Party voters in the North of England, and in Wales, will have been ex Labour voters.
The fact that they chose a “wasted” protest vote, rather than vote Conservative to “get Brexit done” implies that they weren’t that open to voting Conservative. Hatred of the Conservatives is a real thing in some – though not all – parts of the North, and if the Brexit Party had stood down, there’s no guarantee at all that the Tories would have benefitted. I suspect it was a wash, the Brexit Party probably blocked a few Tory gains, but probably enabled an equivalent number of others.
But the effect of the Brexit Party standing down in 2017 Tory seats – where hatred of the Conservatives is not a thing – was undoubtedly helpful to the Tories. The Tories only lost three seats in the whole of England and Wales, two of which were in London, where the Brexit Party is negligible. So TBO standing down may have saved 5-10 Tory seats in the South.
2. Corbyn has not been “smeared” as a commie by the press, that’s what he is, and traditional Labour voters know it. Labour will recover very quickly if and when they get rid of Corbyn and his far left cabal.
One more point. The Scottish Nationalists had a “stonking” win, getting 45% of the vote in Scotland and winning 48 out 0f 59 seats (81.3%) – and quite understandably they are trumpeting their overwhelming win as evidence that there must be a secong referendum on Scottish independence.
Meanwhile in England the Conservatives won 345 out of 533 seats (64.7%) – an impressive victory to be sure, but hardly on the same scale as the SNP in Scotland. But in fact the Conservatives got 47% of the vote in England – better than the SNP in Scotland.
The difference, of course, was that the SNP’s nearest rivals were 20% behind, while the Tories’ nearest rivals in England were only 13% behind. Which makes a big difference under First past The Post.
So dial down expectations of imminent Scottish independence. The Union is still supported by a (divided) majority. But Northern Ireland ? That may be heading for the exit sooner.
Looking through a number of U.K politicians the SNP while having an advantage of being Scottish based with its pro-European history but looking at their campaign it was basically a modern day left wing platform – End austerity, protect the NHS and stop Boris from becoming PM.
Notice what is missing, there is no obvious class envy. Basically the SNP seems to be focused on policy outcomes which goes to my earlier point about the average person doesn’t care as long as the local community is looked after without the sideshow stuff. There is a slither of truth in the quiet ones not sitting around fussing about politics. It could be said that Dan Andrews does this really well and is why he won last November because he still does the progressive social policy stuff but is result driven.
It is suggested that this thread by a UK Labour voter might have some relevance here too. Not sure. It gives an excoriating view of Corbyn.
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1205249028637806592.html
Aagh, why is this no surprise…..not dissimilar to the Angus Taylor matters. AFP dragging their feet on corruption allegations?
https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahryan/nauroze-anees-visa-corruption-allegations-investigation?utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=bfsharetwitter
Bucephalus @ #1502 Saturday, December 14th, 2019 – 2:34 am
Not at all. My understanding of a ‘low information’ voter is someone who is time poor and has other things to occupy their time, such as study, family, work and/or sport, such that they get their politics from the 6PM News at night, or on the radio on the way to and from work or school.
Hardly, ‘idiots’, Buce, but that’s just how you roll when you think about Labor supporters, isn’t it? You detest us so much you think the worst of us. Sad.
#loser
This is what Labor is about when we speak of the future of Mining:
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/the-next-mining-boom-rare-earths-and-the-rise-of-australia-s-other-minerals-20191119-p53c48.html
And Metallurgical Coal to process them with, until such time as new technologies to do that come on line.
The Canberra Times. Using Chrome. Addon “Bypass Firewalls 1.5.9” and in addition cookie usage as shown below
Margaret Dumont and Groucho.
Good morning.
Newcastle 22℃ currently Wind N 7 KPH
Projected top temperature 27℃
☕☕
A quick glance at The Australian has me in full retreat although I am tempted to dip a figurative toe into the Mr. Kenny’s article which coyly start with⏬⏬⏬
Hard to resist – but no – I fall back to my start position to regroup while pondering suitable words* for another article where Mr. Dutton describes Facebook as morally bankrupt.
*
C@t,
Fake news.
Metallurgical Coal is not used for processing any of the minerals mentioned in the article.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. It’s an absolute monster today!
Laura Tingle reckons Morrison should have a good look at himself over the break.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-14/bushfire-emergency-reveals-scott-morrisons-leadership-failure/11797826
And Peter Hartcher says that when our nation was crying out for leadership it just got excuses from Scott Morrison.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/a-nation-crying-out-for-leadership-from-scott-morrison-got-excuses-20191213-p53jtn.html
Judith Ireland tells us where Morrison has largely ignored the recommendations coming from David Thoday’s extensive review of the APS.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/government-rejects-call-for-political-staffer-code-of-conduct-after-public-service-review-20191213-p53jpe.html
So does Michelle Grattan.
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-morrison-wont-have-a-bar-of-public-service-intrusions-on-governments-power-128880
Ross Gittins explains why the government’s forecasts are always way off.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/revealed-why-the-government-s-forecasts-are-always-way-off-20191212-p53ja3.html
Meanwhile the Morrison government has been warned the nation’s “incipient recovery” is at risk with the International Monetary Fund urging it to embrace stimulus measures including direct cash handouts to shoppers and tax breaks for business if the economy deteriorates any further.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/below-potential-imf-warns-of-downside-risks-for-australian-economy-20191213-p53jqs.html
We now have almost two years of evidence of the impact of the tax cuts signed into law by President Donald Trump in December 2017. The picture is grim. None of the touted benefits has eventuated. Alan Austin reports.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/trumps-tax-cuts-two-years-on-yes-we-have-a-verdict/
Bevan Shields writes that Boris Johnson will move to quash a new push for Scottish independence amid a surge in nationalism that poses a fresh threat to the United Kingdom just as it prepares to move on from Brexit.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/nicola-sturgeon-backs-new-scottish-independence-vote-after-election-landslide-20191213-p53jxa.html
And he says Britain will leave the European Union within weeks after Boris Johnson engineered a thumping election win that has reshaped the political landscape and triggered a civil war inside Labour following the demise of its polarising leader Jeremy Corbyn.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/britain-will-leave-eu-after-prime-minister-boris-johnson-s-thumping-election-win-20191213-p53jt0.html
David Scutt suggests that the win of Johnson and the latest US/China trade negotiation will lift a fog of uncertainty.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/boris-win-us-china-trade-deal-lifts-market-s-fog-of-uncertainty-20191213-p53juc.html
Campaigners have slammed Australia on the final day of a United Nations climate summit as its policy of using old carbon credits to count towards future emissions targets emerged as a major sticking point in negotiations.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/australia-s-climate-stance-sparks-anger-on-final-day-of-un-summit-20191214-p53jxq.html
Paul Bongiorno reckons Morrison just doesn’t get it when it comes to climate change.
https://outline.com/bCvvTB
Peter Hannam describes the extent and severity of the heatwave about to engulf the nation.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/like-a-furnace-massive-heatwave-could-roast-australian-records-20191213-p53jps.html
Katharine Murphy says that the only party of government in Australia that is halfway serious about climate action, the only party with the capacity to deliver tangible action, remains out of power, unable to move the dial.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/14/australias-democracy-has-faceplanted-and-labor-is-staring-down-some-disturbing-truths
Mike Foley reports that when Angus Taylor took the stage in Madrid for an official address to the United Nations climate conference this week, he made no mention of the bushfires ravaging Australia. It did not go unnoticed.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-big-smoke-morrison-under-increasing-pressure-to-change-with-the-climate-20191212-p53jg8.html
Phil Coorey writs that a growing number of Liberal MPs believe a policy change and shifting Angus Taylor from the emissions reduction and energy portfolio are vital if the Coalition is going to deal with escalating public anxiety over climate change. (You will have to use the quick click and stop trick to get to this).
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/angus-taylor-under-pressure-as-fires-blaze-20191213-p53jml
Michelle Obama is standing up for 16-year-old environmental activist Greta Thunberg after US President Donald Trump mocked the teen for being named Time magazine’s Person of The Year.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/michelle-obama-tells-greta-thunberg-to-ignore-the-doubters-after-trump-attack-20191214-p53jxt.html
NSW National Party MP Melinda Pavey says her country community wants practical talk not debates about climate. It’s a “now is not the time to talk about . . . “ contribution.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/my-country-community-wants-practical-talk-not-debates-about-climate-20191213-p53jvc.html
Alexandra Smith chronicles the rise and rise of NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/a-young-man-in-a-hurry-the-rise-of-matt-kean-20191213-p53jn0.html
Bushfires have incinerated most of the forests in Sydney’s main catchment, leaving water reserves exposed to contamination in the event of a downpour.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-s-water-supply-faces-contamination-if-heavy-rainfall-arrives-20191213-p53jkv.html
Karen Middleton outlines how Labor is changing its message on coal.
https://outline.com/RcmzUY
The author of the report ranking Australia worst on climate policy has hit back at Morrison’s claim that it’s not ‘credible’.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/13/author-of-report-ranking-australia-worst-on-climate-policy-hits-back-at-pms-claim-its-not-credible
This volunteer firefighter gives Morrison some home truths.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/13/i-am-a-volunteer-firefighter-yes-we-want-to-be-here-scott-morrison-but-there-are-limits
A government’s primary duty is to keep its citizens safe but the bushfire crisis shows past and present leaders have not lived up to that duty says David Ritter.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/13/australias-politicians-face-a-crisis-of-legitimacy-as-fire-and-smoke-chokes-the-country
The millennium drought led to the realisation Australia’s major river system would die unless there was united action to save it; the latest drought is threatening to undo the Murray-Darling Basin plan writes Anne Davies.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/14/water-wars-will-politics-destroy-the-murray-darling-basin-plan-and-the-river-system-itself
The Saturday Paper’s editorial says that Morrison’s only real interest is comfort, which is why he can’t understand emergency.
https://outline.com/VfM7pq
Australia has a chance to lead the way towards repairing the damage done to our planet through climate change, writes Dr Steven Hail.
https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/adelaide-2020-a-just-transition-for-australia,13407
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is prioritising his religious freedom bills over the environmental catastrophes destroying our country, writes Noely Neate.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/scott-morrisons-religious-freedom-is-damning-the-nation,13405
Sean Kelly opines that in Trump and Johnson new lows have been set for what voters are willing to accept. The two men are clowns. We can take them neither literally nor seriously. Language means nothing, promises mean nothing, anything might happen.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/cross-your-fingers-and-hope-it-doesn-t-get-quite-this-bad-in-australia-20191213-p53jol.html
Paul Karp reports that Annika Smethurst and News Corp will have to wait until the new year to find out whether their high court attempt to protect the source of her story about expanded spying powers has succeeded.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/dec/14/annika-smethurst-faces-long-wait-to-hear-if-court-backs-attempt-to-protect-spying-source
Adele Ferguson explains how wage scandals are becoming the dark underbelly of the labour market. She wonders what the workplace regulator and the government are actually doing about it.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/wage-scandals-becoming-the-dark-underbelly-of-the-labour-market-20191213-p53ju4.html
Some dramatic aspects of Victorian policing were brought into the light at yesterday’s Lawyer X inquiry.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/very-dark-corners-former-top-cop-makes-dramatic-claims-about-police-20191213-p53jvo.html
Pauls Matthewson takes us inside the mind of the average Aussie voter.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2019/12/13/paula-matthewson-angus-taylor/
What this country really needs is freedom FROM religion asserts Judith Ireland. She’s plainly had enough!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/what-this-country-really-needs-is-freedom-from-religion-20191212-p53jex.html
Paul Karp explains what Australians will be allowed to say and do if the religious freedom bill in its current form passes. This is SO perplexing!
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/14/religious-discrimination-bill-what-will-australians-be-allowed-to-say-and-do-if-it-passes
Jane Caro explains how six women are campaigning to raise the Newstart rate,
https://outline.com/VtH9aZ
Contemporaneous Rhodes Scholar Denise Myer has written an open letter to Angus Taylor. Ouch!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/dear-angus-taylor-let-me-remind-you-of-our-encounter-at-oxford-and-why-it-matters-20191212-p53jkl.html
Dairy farmers will be told that from January 1st what they will be paid over the life of their contracts under the new code, and processors will be barred from changing the contract price or conditions.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/historic-day-new-dairy-code-of-conduct-to-help-farmers-on-milk-prices-20191213-p53jp6.html
And Elizabeth Farrelly tells us why the days of ultra-cheap milk are – and should be – numbered.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/why-the-days-of-ultra-cheap-milk-are-and-should-be-numbered-20191212-p53jih.html
Peter Khalil assets that Australia should lead the way on refugees.
https://outline.com/fcyNdJ
Crispin Hull declares that Tehan’s response to PISA results is to cook the books. He concludes by saying, “Thoughts and prayers do not cut the mustard. We need education, science and evidence-based policy.”
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6540724/tehans-response-to-pisa-results-is-to-cook-the-books/?cs=14258
Rick Morton tells us that while Brian Houston celebrates Hillsong’s new multimillion-dollar church in New York, a victim of his father’s sexual abuse crowdfunds to pay for cancer treatment.
https://outline.com/f7Gmgf
Fergus Hunter reports that Peter Dutton has accused tech executives of being “morally bankrupt” on the issue of child sexual exploitation, dismissing Facebook’s claims the safety of its users is a top priority as it moves towards encrypting all its messaging services.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-labels-tech-chiefs-morally-bankrupt-on-child-safety-20191213-p53jou.html
In congratulating Johnson Morrison childishly said, “say g’day to the quiet Britons for us”. He just can’t help politicising everything.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/say-g-day-to-the-quiet-britons-for-us-morrison-20191213-p53jv5.html
It’s not over for Israel Falau as the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW has accepted a complaint from a gay rights activist who has accused him of “homosexuality vilification”.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/nsw-board-accepts-complaint-against-folau-20191213-p53jwj.html
In a continuation of her articles on Grill’d Adele Ferguson writes that now the hamburger chain has turned to a global food auditor to review work practices at its 137 restaurants in the wake of the growing food safety and worker exploitation scandal.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/of-mice-and-mould-grill-d-hires-food-auditor-as-new-issues-emerge-20191213-p53jqa.html
Nick Bonyhady explores the past and future of class actions in Australia.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/different-class-the-fight-for-the-future-of-litigation-funding-20191210-p53ii2.html
The editorial in the Canberra Times says that the hard work is just starting for Boris Johnson and the British Conservative Party which is still coming to terms with the internal turmoil of the past year which cost it many high profile parliamentarians.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6542690/the-hard-work-is-just-beginning-for-boris-johnson/?cs=14258
Marina Hyde opines that Boris Johnson is world king now and she wonders what happens next.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/13/victory-boris-johnson-election-jeremy-corbyn
“What kind of Brexit will Britain now ‘get done’ after Boris Johnson’s thumping election win?”, asks Tom Quinn.
https://theconversation.com/what-kind-of-brexit-will-britain-now-get-done-after-boris-johnsons-thumping-election-win-128719
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe’s weekend work.
Another ripper from Alan Moir.
More from Moir.
From Matt Golding.
Two more from Mark David.
Jon Kudelka with Morrison in the smoke.
Andrew Dyson and Johnson’s victory.
John Shakespeare and Morrison’s bushfire stance.
David Pope and a Brexit advice warning.
Zanetti and the spectre of Facebook.
Johannes Leak puts the Semitic boot into Corbyn.
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/11349c9e549459f673fff352142da85f?width=1024
From the US
Firefox
Yes, the numbers went up but the percentage didn’t.
Every election, a new cohort of voters enter the lists. By definition, these are generally young.
Every election, as well, the number of voters rise, due to population growth.
For your boast to be worth anything, the percentage needs to rise, to keep pace with population growth.
The fact that it’s basically (o.14’s the percentage, isn’t it?) means the Greens aren’t attracting new voters to the extent one would expect.
But, as someone said upthread, although Labor types here are continually being told that they’re party needs fixing, the Greens are perfect as they are. Their failure to significantly grow their vote, in an era where the headwinds should be in their favour, is thus irrelevant, because of their innate gorgeousness (or something).
Bucephallus @ 2:34 “Low-information: just call them idiots like you really want to.”
No, I think that “low information” is a good term. It refers to people who aren’t interested in the topic being discussed, politics in this case. They don’t seek information on it. They do hear/read snippets about it on the mainstream news outlets and increasingly social media. Traditionally they may have been aligned to a mainstream party on the basis of family background or occupation, but this is increasingly less true.
I would be considered “low information” with regard to sport, for example.
“Low information” says nothing about how smart the voter may or may not be. The thing is their attention is focused elsewhere – likely family, job, paying the bills, possibly studies, possibly hobbies or social (especially if young).
Cud Chewer says:
Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 1:08 am
….
Labor’s real enemy is ignorance in the community
The bandwidth for information is limited. The very reason the Greens are causing so much trouble and why ignoring their nonsense is not a solution.
I think England have given a pretty good indication as to why the bleats ” Labor should because the Greens can’t” have less than no value.
Steve777
You do not have to be busy getting on with life to be “low information”. Read the Daily Telegraph each day while you listen to 2GB before settling in to watch some Sky News and you will consume a lot of media but have SFA information. Bullshit rich fact poor as it were.
Morning all and thanks BK for the excellent coverage. Lovely to finally hear in the MSM stories of how Pauline Hanson works to help the little people.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pauline-hanson-political-lobbyists-and-a-row-over-an-unpaid-bill-claim-20191212-p53jhq.html
Thanks BK for today’s bumper edition.
Boris Johnson won handsomely due to people disliking Corbyn much more. What did team Labour expect. Unless they were actually working towards this outcome. Sheesh
Wake up, Australia: deceit and post-truth politics will not save you from the flames
With the country facing water and climate emergencies, the last thing we need is more spin from leaders in thrall to the big end of town
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/14/wake-up-australia-deceit-and-post-truth-politics-will-not-save-you-from-the-flames
Good Morning
I see the blairites are out and about writing how it was the platform not Jeremy Corbyn’s unpopularity that was the problem.
The very same people who contributed to his unpopularity. Many of them ex members of the Labour party having been kicked out due to disloyalty to the party.
Be very aware we are going to get wild claims from both sides. Also be very aware the blairites will lose the party is in control by the members now. Not the old politics as usual crowd many of whom have been expelled for disloyalty. I repeat that again. Expelled for disloyalty.
As for the media you have to deal with what you have. That includes calling out the reality. The media does politics by character assassination not by policy. Its why we have the low information voter.
Its not made easy for people who are casual observers of politics to see what is going on.
The right has taken full advantage of this. Its going to get worse with dark campaigns as well.
Deep Fakes will soon make an appearance. It won’t be fake tweets pretending to be Jeremy Corbyn alone it will be fake speeches of leaders of political parties.
Much much more is going to be coming out of the Labour infighting but be in no doubt you will hear the media in the UK attack Labour policies as they want neo liberalism to rule. They are owned by billionaires and the BBC is populated by the elite graduates of the likes of Eton.
Recognising this and calling it out is not blame shifting its the first step in making people aware of the problem. You can’t deal with a problem if you pretend it doesn’t exist.
Thanks indeed BK for your excellent monster coverage today.
I do wonder however if some of the journalists are being fair to Mr. Morrison – whether he is being treated with the respect he deserves.
Sadly we are living in
and sitting by the river expecting the bodies of our enemies to float by just ain’t gonna happen. 🌊 (that’s a water wave) and 🍉 (that’s water melon).
Wow BK, great effort. Thanks for that.
caf:
[‘Bloomberg’s favourability ratings are terrible ( https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-democratic-presidential-candidates-are-becoming-less-popular/ ).
This is likely driven by the fact he’s not viewed favourably even among Democrats. I can’t see him troubling the scorers on Super Tuesday.’]
Yes, I know that but I still think he’s the best candidate to tone down the rhetoric and repair some of the damage to the polity that Trump has caused.
Victoria
Corbyn had his problems. However he did transform the party. The blairites are in full on attack mode thinking by smearing Corbyn they can return the party to the old neo liberal agenda.
We have an example of it here. Corbyn referred to as a communist. He was not. He was just a socialist.
The media called him a terrorist. They inflated antisemitism in the Labour party while ignoring islamaphobia in the Tories.
The same blairites by the way who were all for Remain being the way forward. Politically they were dead wrong. They did not read the room. The centrist position was held by the Liberal Democrats. Look at how well they did.
@georgeeaton tweeted
A truly stunning age divide: 57% of 18-24-year-olds voted Labour, only 18% of over-65s did. https://twitter.com/georgeeaton/status/1205535498065846272/photo/1
The future is very clear.
Ye dogs, yet another “It’s great, it’s wonderful, everybody wins.” trade deal with China until the next time The Orange Looney has another tantrum about something and scuppers it. Again.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/us-and-china-reach-agreement-on-phase-one-trade-deal-20191214-p53jxs.html
I should add. The very same tactics were used by the media and the Tories against Labor under Bill Shorten. Just so you know I am not equating the policy platform with the attacks by the right. Its the same no matter the policy platform.
Here its scream extreme Greens. While an extreme reactionary climate denial government is in place.
@jilevin tweets
U.S. Supreme Court takes up Trump bid to shield financial records http://bit.ly/2RL6Fke
@MayneReport tweets
“Siobhan McKenna is Group Director – Broadcasting for News Corp Aust & is also a Director of Illyria Pty Ltd, Nova, Woolworths, AMCIL, Foxtel, Australian News Channel and FOX SPORTS and, a Trustee of the MCG Trust.”
Woolies misses half of this: https://www.newscorpaustralia.com/team/siobhan-mckenna/
The ASA has a firm 5 point rule on professional directors where a director role is worth 2 points. Siobhan McKenna is clearly in breach even before considering she’s a News Corp executive. Will be raising this at Woolies AGM on Monday https://www.newscorpaustralia.com/team/siobhan-mckenna/
Interesting table Guytaur.
A few things that is says:
* 55% of the electorate did not vote for the Tories.
* The right wing plurality was 48% – Tory + Brexit. Maybe 49% if you include half of “other”.
* If Britain had used proportional representation like most European democracies, a broad centre-left Coalition might have been possible on those numbers: Labout + SNP + Green = 40%. It would depend upon who the Lib Dems supported – given their Opposition to Brexit, likely Labour, who would have had a second referendum.
Single-member electorates, especially with First Past the Post – is a terrible voting system.
So Giuliani returns from Ukraine. First stop? The White House.
Jason Falinski on abc 24 arguing that because renewables are rising, there’s no need for gov to do anything more about “climate change” and Oz may not even need to use the Kyoto credits anyway, because we will reach our target.
The nearest to a do-nothing approach by a smug gov. It’s all happening while ScoMo relaxes in an armchair and thinks soothing thoughts, apparently.
What’s Behind the GOP’s Disinformation Machine?
Are Trump’s Republican defenders Russian assets—or just useful idiots? Veteran intelligence officials weigh in.
Prominent Republicans who publicly regurgitate the Kremlin line include Congressmen David Nunes and Jim Jordan and Senators Ron Johnson, Lindsey Graham, Rand Paul and Mark Meadows. Are they afflicted with Fever Swamp Syndrome, or is it something perhaps even more insidious?
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2019/12/13/whats-behind-the-gops-disinformation-machine/#.XfPrTrBj568.twitter
phoenixRed:
Did you see Moscow Mitch saying he would work with Trump’s lawyers on the Senate trial, categorically stating the trial would be shaped to suit Trump’s defence? He is essentially saying that he is going to game the trial process in advance. How is this legal?
Lizzie, you missed the bit about lieing about emissions going down under this government.
Confessions says: Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 9:56 am
phoenixRed:
Did you see Moscow Mitch saying he would work with Trump’s lawyers on the Senate trial, categorically stating the trial would be shaped to suit Trump’s defence? He is essentially saying that he is going to game the trial process in advance. How is this legal?
******************************************************************
Just reading this Confessions
McConnell faces calls to recuse himself from impeachment trial after saying ‘no chance’ Trump will be removed
“No court in the country would allow a member of the jury to also serve as the accused’s defense attorney.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Friday faced calls to recuse himself from President Donald Trump’s expected impeachment trial less than 24 hours after the Kentucky Republican said “there’s no chance the president’s going to be removed from office.”
Karen Hobert Flynn, president of progressive watchdog group Common Cause, said McConnell’s remarks during a Fox News interview Thursday night “show that he is not suited to lead the Senate impeachment trial.”
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/12/mcconnell-faces-calls-to-recuse-himself-from-impeachment-trial-after-saying-no-chance-trump-will-be-removed/
PeeBee
So did Falinski. He was all about “Don’t worry, its already happening.” It was a very lawyerly performance, skating lightly over the facts to reach his desired conclusion.
phoenixRed:
The interview could only happen on Fox News, the biggest enabler of all of Trump’s enablers. He absolutely should recuse himself, and all his opponents in Kentucky should be using this to demonstrate how unfit for office he is, and how he isn’t representing the interests of his state or upholding the constitution, but is a mere spear carrier for the toddler in chief.
…
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/12/13/mcconnells-awful-hannity-interview-shows-power-fox-news-disinformation/
Young voters grow up.
And when they do, they tend to become more conservative.
lizzie @ #1534 Saturday, December 14th, 2019 – 9:49 am
“Aha” he said adopting a sardonic pose (see picture below), “I believe I have heard that name before. A hero of the nation, a getter of the go variety”. “He has had a song written about him and while you sit yourself down and relax thinking kind and comforting thoughts I will sing it for you complete with banjo, cymbals and bass drum accompaniment”.
♫ Now the heroes were ♪ plenty and well known to ♫ fame
♪ In the troops ♫ that were led ♪ by the ♫ Tsar.
♫ And the bravest of ♫ these was a man by ♪ the ♫ name
♪ Of Jason ♫ Falinsky ♪Skavar.
I understand that Mr Skavinsky has or had a company engaged designing and manufacturing health care equipment and furniture for age care homes and hospitals. Perhaps Mr. Morrison is busy relaxing in a suitable armchair designed specifically for him. This chair would, of course, be elevated so that journalist of the fawning variety could approach, crouching low and tugging furiously on forelocks to ask “just how good is the wonderful Gummint wot you lead, yer excellency?”
Mr. Skavar is well qualified to speak on matter scientific because:-
P.S. I understand that Maccas has refused to allow them there Kyoto credits be used to purchase their highly neutritious merchandise.
Boerwar
OTOH, some of us go through several stages and end up less conservative. 🙂
@AP tweets
“Civility is out. Compromise is out. All or nothing is in.” Among members of Congress, the wear-and-tear of the protracted impeachment process is becoming clear in the emotional exchanges and frayed relationships left in its wake, @APLaurieKellman reports. http://apne.ws/apeTj7u
Pencil Neck Hartcher calls for Morrison to do a policy pivot on Climate Change.
Rather than persisting with the dead-end dichotomy of “cheap electricity versus climate action”, he can take the lead in enlarging an existing investment boom, creating a strong economy, with the cheapest electricity, and dramatically cutting carbon output as a result. He would be able to pledge “the safety of our children at the same time as realising the benefits to our economy that comes from these renewable technologies”.
If he were to move early, he could secure economic and climate advantage for Australia and shut out Labor, depriving it of one of its major campaign strengths.
The politics of complacency can succeed against the realities of intensifying fires, drought, water shortages and climate change for a while. But not forever. Fire season began in winter this year. This is not business as usual.
Yep, action on Climate Change might be good for the economy, but it’d take the wind out of Labor’s sails too. I know I’ve been banging on about this lately, but today’s Hartcher column shows that it’s not just me who sees the opportunity.
Hartcher gives zero indication that Morrison would be (or even should be) punished by media commentators for all the damage done as he fiddled while Australia burned and drowned.
Instead, I get the impression that he would be praised for “standing up to the Climate Deniers” in his Coalition parties.
If you think Morrison wouldn’t have the gall to switch Climate horses, gallop in the opposite direction, and then claim that not only was he the Climate’s greatest friend, but that he had been its champion before anyone else even thought of the idea, you haven’t been paying attention.
And if you don’t see that a grateful media would forgive Morrison instantly, then back him to the hilt – perhaps even condemning Labor and the Greens for being too politically ineffectual and distrusted to handle such a serious matter requiring the national consensus and political capital that only Morrison can bring to the table – then you’ve been on another planet.
Behind closed doors Morrison is being urged to do this right now: by Business, by many in his own party, by farmers, scientists and choking Sydneysiders. He’s got Labor already hugging Coal ever closer, right where he needs them, tacking so far to the Right they’re mixing with the spectator fleet.
All it takes to trigger off such a Morrison Epiphany is one more major climate disaster: a regional city burnt to the ground, mass bushfire casualties, a bad cyclone in Queensland… it’ll have to be something punchy and immediate, not the slow burn we’ve been seeing so far. And it’s sure to happen sooner or later. This Lucky Country is running out of luck.
The media will cheer him all the way. Labor may get a pat on the head for past efforts, but probably not. They couldn’t manage “The Politics”, you see? It’ll take 5 minutes on Insiders to deal with that, before the heckling and giggling resumes. Labor’s union base is a stranded asset: still somewhat cadhed-up, but unable to inspire voters. Labor (or at least the more nostalgic among them) and its tragic supporters are the only ones who don’t realise that yet.
Conservative voters of the type that couldn’t stomach Abbott in Warringah and mourned Turnbull in Wentworth – but who still then voted in Steggall and Sharma so they could repeal Medevac – will also cheer the Clean Green ScoMo.
Business will see another boondoggle in the offing: grants, tax holidays, national consultative summits, maybe even some profits down the track – all without Labor, still trying to hold onto a few votes from overpaid Working Class Tories in mining seats. Both Labor and their worker mates will be surplus to requirements in the New Economy anyway, once automation really kicks in.
If you don’t think pretending to be a Climate Convert works for conservatives, just check out Boris Johnson’s Britain. It’s doable. It just requires a hide thicker than Jesse The Elephant’s.
That’s exactly what ad men are for.
BW
You can thank the Thatcherism Reaganism of Austerity. There is no society for the young to embrace socialism. Of course its not hurt Europe too much.
I exclude dictatorship precisely because that happens under capitalism too.
Avoid extremes
@ewarren tweets
.@UniteHere11 is fighting for better wages and benefits—and I stand with them. The DNC should find a solution that lives up to our party’s commitment to fight for working people. I will not cross the union’s picket line even if it means missing the debate.
I’d rather be low information than get my info from Independent Australia.
The Dark Ages were bad because rich people and christian zealots ran the world?
It was zealous christians in monasteries who kept learning (including such basics as reading and writing skills) alive in the West during this period.
As for ‘rich people’, there were not a lot of them at all. There were various assortments of robber barons, petty war lords, viking raiding parties, and the like. The ‘rich’ life included mass sleeping arrangements on rush-covered stone floors with no central heating but with plenty of endo- and ecto-parasites, maladorous piss, shit and garbage smells to keep them all on the qui vive. Life expectancy for the ‘rich’ was around 40.
Someone in a share house on Newstart today is wealthier in material terms and in terms of living conditions, access to high quality food, education, health, housing, public safety, and environmental amenity and than 99% of ‘Dark Age’ folk.