It’s not exactly news that I’ve got BludgerTrack going to the extent of running leadership trends, which I launched about a month ago, but under the circumstances (and for the want of much else to blog about, which I’ll get to shortly) I thought it worth drawing attention to again. Newspoll and Essential Research both provided new sets of numbers this week, and while some have questioned the value of polling in high summer while holidays are being had and fires are being fought, they were interesting in their consistency: Newspoll recorded a 19% drop in Scott Morrison’s net approval while Essential had it at 14%, and both found Anthony Albanese opening slight leads on preferred prime minister.
All of this comes through loud and clear in the trends you can see on the sidebar (or in closer detail at the link below). Morrison’s post-election bounce was already coming off before the fires, but the trend has now become a freefall he must hope will reverse in fairly short order. By my reckoning, out of 673 preferred prime minister results published by Newspoll as far back as 1987, the incumbent has led in 519 (77.2%) and the Opposition Leader in 140 (20.8%), with thirteen (1.9%) being tied. However, this hasn’t offered much of a guide for the leaders’ future prospects. Malcolm Turnbull had an unblemished record, as did Kevin Rudd in his first tenure (Tony Abbott took the lead in the first two polls before the 2013 election), while John Howard trailed in early 2001 and for much of the second half of his first term, as did Paul Keating more often than not before the 1993 election.
Jason Hope@JaseyHope
I love how amidst the latest @senbmckenzie ‘pork barrelling’ claims the media jumps straight to Ros Kelly @AustralianLabor & forgets all about the last National member to be pulled up for this very thing in 2004.
In a 51-minute spending spree in the hours before the government went into caretaker mode in 2004, the parliamentary secretary responsible for the program, De-Anne Kelly, approved 16 grants worth $3.349 million.
Smoko declares “war” on Norfolk I.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6580303/there-are-no-indigenous-peoples-of-norfolk-australia-plays-hardball-in-island-dispute/?cs=14225
Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
David Crowe reckons Australians are losing their patience with Morrison over climate change.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/australia-the-jalopy-nation-why-we-re-having-car-trouble-20200116-p53s3g.html
Former News Corp executive Bruce Dover writes about James Murdoch proving a “Prince Harry” moment for the Murdoch family. He concludes with, “If only James had prevailed in the dynastic competition with his eldest brother, the editorial line adopted by the myriad entities that still compromise the Murdoch empire might be very different.”
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/a-murdoch-does-a-prince-harry-james-and-the-climate-according-to-news-corp-20200116-p53ryw.html
Alexandra Smith reports that Bega MP Andrew Constance is pleading for cash donations and government hand-outs to start flowing to devastated bushfire communities. He says aid is coming too slowly.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/we-can-t-give-false-hope-constance-pleads-for-cash-to-start-flowing-20200116-p53s3p.html
Tony Akhurst opines that the fires could melt the PM’s anti-establishment vote back into the earth.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/fires-could-melt-pm-s-anti-establishment-vote-back-into-the-earth-20200115-p53rla.html
Financial counselling representative Elizabeth Minter tells us how some of the most predatory companies thrive in times of disaster. She singles out insurance claims management services (not the insurers) and payday loan companies.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/some-of-the-most-predatory-companies-thrive-in-times-of-disaster-20200116-p53s2l.html
In a long assessment Zoe Samios contends that while some readers may share the views of denialist columnists, businesses including advertising clients of News Corp are now being hurt financially by perceptions the company has not evolved with the times.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/inside-the-murdoch-family-climate-schism-20200116-p53ruu.html
Samantha Dick writes that as Australia burns, speculation is growing that the sheer scale of the disaster might be the push News Corp needs to renounce denialism and change its partisan coverage of climate change.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/01/16/rupert-murdoch-business-future/
Professor of Politics John Keane has penned an essay on bushfires, Scott Morrison and the decline of democracy.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/out-of-luck-john-keane-on-bushfires-scott-morrison-and-the-decline-of-democracy/
And she writes that Australia’s media regulator has raised concerns about the disclosure of commercial deals on television and radio after finding eight out of 10 Australians are worried about the influence of advertisers on news.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/media-regulator-scrutinises-broadcasters-over-commercial-influence-20200116-p53s5v.html
Investment in large-scale clean energy projects plunged 56 per cent in Australia last year, dropping to their lowest level since 2016 amid renewed uncertainty over the industry’s future. Thanks for this go to the cabal of Coalition troglodytes wielding their influence.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/spending-on-large-scale-renewable-energy-in-australia-plunges-20200116-p53s4g.html
At least 80% of the Blue Mountains world heritage area and more than 50% of the Gondwana world heritage rainforests have burned in Australia’s ongoing bushfire crisis.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/17/its-heart-wrenching-80-of-blue-mountains-and-50-of-gondwana-rainforests-burn-in-bushfires
The hopeless Bridget McKenzie is still defending her sports cash splash in marginal seats.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/no-rules-were-broken-mckenzie-defends-sports-cash-splash-in-marginal-seats-20200116-p53ryy.html
The SMH editorial piles into McKenzie and her sports grants.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pork-barrelling-of-sports-fund-undermines-public-trust-20200116-p53s50.html
Katie Burgess reports that a former director of public prosecutions says McKenzie’s misuse of sports grants highlights the need for a federal integrity commission.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6583797/ex-dpp-blasts-sports-grants-as-pork-barrelling-of-the-worst-kind/?cs=14350
Labor MP Graham Perrett has complained about the politicisation of the Coalition’s controversial $100m community sport infrastructure grant program after he was excluded from the announcement of a local grant he’d lobbied for while his Liberal opponent was invited for a photo opportunity.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/17/labor-mp-who-lobbied-for-sports-grant-excluded-by-coalition-from-announcement
Michael Pascoe says that Minister McKenzie spits in the face of decency, ethics and every decent Australian. Ouch!
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/01/16/bridget-mckenzie-sports-grants/
Nine Media’s staff reporters have put together a piece explain what real action against climate change is.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/what-is-real-action-on-climate-change-20200115-p53rok.html
The Business Council of Australia is having trouble holding on to some of its big members as a result of its stance on climate change.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/mining-giant-rio-tinto-pressures-bca-on-climate-as-more-members-depart-20200116-p53ryr.html
According to Tony Burke arguing against the science of climate change is similar to not accepting the merit of vaccinations.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6583870/climate-deniers-like-anti-vaxxers-labor/?cs=14350
Peter Hannam writes that record levels of renewable energy have driven the first drop in Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions since 2015 but if maintained the rate of decline would mean the country’s Paris pledge would be met 68 years late.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/renewable-energy-s-advance-drives-australia-s-carbon-emissions-lower-20200116-p53s2i.html
Associate Professor in Disaster and Emergency Response Erin Smith explains why to improve firefighters’ mental health, we can’t wait for them to reach out – we need to ‘reach in’.
https://theconversation.com/to-improve-firefighters-mental-health-we-cant-wait-for-them-to-reach-out-we-need-to-reach-in-129900
Euan Black sees no end – and little hope – in sight for retailing’s massive bloodbath.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/consumer/2020/01/16/australia-retail-meltdown/
Adelaide’s In Daily reveals that when the State Government selected KordaMentha to overhaul Adelaide’s central health system, it chose the only tender applicant that offered no economic benefit to South Australia, InDaily can reveal.
https://indaily.com.au/news/2020/01/16/kordamentha-won-lucrative-health-contract-despite-nil-benefit-to-sa-economy/
The business model for most electricity suppliers is becoming outdated with advancements in smart technology, writes Paul Budde.
https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/broadband-driven-smart-energy-developments-will-change-the-market,13494
NSW’s ICAC has written to Berejiklian government ministers requiring them to disclose details about how they interact with paid political lobbyists. Stand by for some weasel words!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/icac-asks-ministers-to-disclose-details-on-how-they-deal-with-lobbyists-20200116-p53s59.html
According to Mike Foley Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are likely to rise if there is a break in the intense drought in eastern Australia, sinking the Morrison government’s goal of lowering emissions in the short term.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/drought-breaking-rain-likely-to-cause-greenhouse-emissions-to-rise-20200116-p53rze.html
Tennis Australia CEO and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has defended his decision to start qualifying rounds on Tuesday when Melbourne was blanketed with thick smoke.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/tiley-defends-call-to-play-qualifiers-in-smoke-haze-clarifies-open-policy-20200116-p53s77.html
Our government’s military spending and waste of money are under scrutiny at a time when our bushfire crisis requires financial resources, writes Tarric Brooker pointing at the EA-18G Growler as a prime example,
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/dear-donald-trump-australia-wants-its-125-million-back,13492
Hockey’s welcome to stay in Trump’s America AFAIAC!
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/this-is-the-modern-rome-joe-hockey-reveals-plans-for-a-future-in-the-us-20200116-p53s0c.html
Westpac has been linked to an international paedophilia case following the arrest of a notorious Australian sex offender who is suspected of using the bank’s transfer system to pay for live-streamed child abuse videos in south-east Asia.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/westpac-linked-to-international-paedophilia-case-after-australian-man-charged-20200116-p53s61.html
Washington: The White House violated federal law by withholding security aid approved by lawmakers for Ukraine, a nonpartisan congressional watchdog said yesterday, in a blow for US Trump as the Senate prepared to hold a trial on whether to remove him from office.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/white-house-broke-law-by-withholding-ukraine-aid-agency-says-20200117-p53s81.html
Right on cue as the impeachment proceedings kick off Ukrainian authorities have announced a probe into possible surveillance of US ambassador Marie Yovanovitch before she was dismissed from her post by the Trump administration.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/ukraine-opens-probe-into-possible-surveillance-of-us-ambassador-20200117-p53s7w.html
The Guardian says that the Republican campaign against Sanders would be gruesome. The likely result would look like Labour’s defeat under Corbyn.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/16/bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-donald-trump
Simply by defying the tabloids, Meghan has already beaten them writes Zoe Williams.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/15/meghan-markle-mail-on-sunday-courage-media
Cartoon Corner
Mark David
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EOW3G5FU0AAZEwgjpg
David Pope
Andrew Dyson
Matt Golding
Johannes Leak just won’t let up!
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/801116cc7ca8fe6f5fa5b21e08ceb058?width=1024
From the US
Thanks to the anti Labor parties, This is what the last election delivered.
Investment in large-scale clean energy projects plunged 56 per cent in Australia last year, dropping to their lowest level since 2016 amid renewed uncertainty in the industry’s future.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/markets/spending-on-large-scale-renewable-energy-in-australia-plunges-20200116-p53s4g.html
It’s the net approval chart I find more interesting.
Morrison’s loss of approval is dramatic, and he did it himself via the choices he made. They’d be called unforced errors if this was a sporting match.
Unlike J Gillard’s loss of support, which was a product of a vicious campaign run by Abbott with help from a partisan media, he owns it.
Can he turn it around?
Unlikely.
He genuinely lacks any ability to empathise with people’s circumstances. Like the ability to lead, which he also lacks, these can’t be learnt.
I seriously doubt he perceives the nature of the problem.
Recognising it’s terminal, Rupert will probably push for him to be replaced. But how, and by whom?
Tinman
What makes a population ‘indigenous’ and what makes them ‘pakeha’?
Norfolk was uninhabited when Cook arrived.
But there was a stone alter and other concrete evidence of prior polynesian habitation.
Norfolk has both Pitcairn and non-Pitcairn polynesian inhabitants.
Most Norfolk Island residents have no polynesian antecedants.
Many former Norfolk Island residents live on the mainland, New Zealand or elsewhere.
And…
http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/energy/province-sedimentary-basin-geology/petroleum/offshore-eastern-australia/fairway-new-caledonia-norfolk#heading-5
Norfolk would be an interesting and very useful geo strategic addition to the Chinese Sphere of Pacific Influence.
Hockey: “This is the modern Rome” circa 380.
Senate trial opens with ‘Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye’
‘Impeaching Donald John Trump for High Crimes and Misdemeanors’
Senator Chuck Grassley, opened the session, and lead impeachment manager, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff read the Resolution declaring the managers and authorizing the conveyance of the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.
“President Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States,” Chairman Schiff read.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/01/impeaching-donald-john-trump-for-high-crimes-and-misdemeanors-watch-as-senate-trial-opens-with-hear-ye-hear-ye-hear-ye/
Tinman
I suppose we can say that the cigar smoking Hockey was the ideal Australian Ambassador in the time of Trump, because he has fitted so easily into that glittering artificial scene that only cares for the rich.
The drip-drip-drip of incriminating Trump evidence is torture for Senate Republicans
It was not known before the president was impeached whether he knowingly broke the law by withholding $400 million in aid to Ukraine. The White House claimed to be withholding the money to encourage Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts. But thanks to lawsuits by the Center for Public Integrity and Just Security, we know—after Trump’s impeachment—he did break the law and he knew at the time.
The US Government Accountability Office confirmed this morning that’s what the president did.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/01/the-drip-drip-drip-of-incriminating-trump-evidence-is-torture-for-senate-republicans/
Bill Barr urged to ‘retain a criminal defense attorney’ after Lev Parnas bombshells
Parnas has not only discussed President Donald Trump and Giuliani’s roles in the Ukraine scandal, but also, Attorney General William Barr’s. And according to former federal prosecutor Gene Rossi, Barr would do well to consult a defense attorney.
On Twitter, Rossi posted, “Based on the allegation of Lev Parnas, our esteemed Attorney General should probably retain a criminal defense attorney. What a conspiracy to bribe mess. Is our country’s AG the second coming of disgraced former AG John Mitchell? Crazy times.”
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/01/bill-barr-urged-to-retain-a-criminal-defense-attorney-after-lev-parnas-bombshells/
‘They’re going to go down’: Rick Wilson hilariously torches McConnell’s attempt to save vulnerable Republicans
The ex-Republican compared the GOP majority’s attempt to cover for President Donald Trump to a weekend bender gone horribly wrong.
“On Friday night, it’s a lot of fun and you’re having a great time,” Wilson said. “On Saturday, you’re starting to feel it, and on Sunday there’s a dead hooker in the trunk.”
Wilson said the majority leader was tossing campaign cash to wobbly senators to ensure their loyalty to the president, but he said that scheme wouldn’t work forever — and might doom everyone who takes part in it.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/01/theyre-going-to-go-down-rick-wilson-hilariously-torches-mcconnells-attempt-to-save-vulnerable-republicans/
Okay, I’ll admit it, as someone who doesn’t do empathy very well (the product of early life trauma which emotionally scarred me for life due to my empathy tendrils being burnt horrifically), I think I can empathise ( 😀 ) with Scott Morrison’s condition and say that he finds it almost impossible to ‘do’ empathy because to do so is kind of like regrowing an arm and we all know it might be possible for some lower order animals but it hasn’t been done yet by humans.
I admit, I have taught myself how to feel for people, and I can genuinely do it if I put my mind to it and can naturally empathise in real time if I try really, really hard. But sometimes it kind of switches off mid stream and it disappears again.
Of course I love my children more than anything on earth, but I will admit that expressing it warmly is a struggle. They understand.
I say all this, not by way of wanting sympathy, but as a way of explaining to you what I think is also going on in Scott Morrison’s head and why he has hired an ‘Empathy Coach’. For whatever reason, he just can’t do empathy naturally, and like the former child actor he is, his first thoughts go to learning how to fake it.
As I commented above, I also think that with all the best training in the world this new ‘ability’ will abandon him at certain times in the future, when he least expects it or wants it. A leopard can’t change his spots, they can only be painted over to make him look like a pussycat to unwary prey. 🙂
Morning all. Thanks BK. Despite all the money donated and promised by government, the actual amounts getting through to people are small, slow and requiring separate applications to multiple agencies. This couple got $1280 eight weeks after losing their home. At $150 per week that is less than Newstart.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-17/bushfire-recovery-financial-aid-too-little-too-late/11869252
So the assistance and recovery are being managed just as badly as the fire fighting. Why did anyone expect any better of Scomo? He should give them all caps and let someone competent sort it out. Lying is his only talent.
Tom NicholsVerified account @RadioFreeTom
All of this, because 63 million Americans thought it would be a hoot to elect a reality TV star
‘lizzie says:
Friday, January 17, 2020 at 7:57 am
Tinman
I suppose we can say that the cigar smoking Hockey was the ideal Australian Ambassador in the time of Trump, because he has fitted so easily into that glittering artificial scene that only cares for the rich.’
He had some important wins, including getting an exemption from Trump’s swingeing tariffs on steel imports.
Anothery is that Australia was largely exempted from Trump’s sweeping attacks on US allies. In the context of Indo-Pacific security and Australia’s ongoing security dependence on the US, this matters.
His big loss what the US/China deal which will do Australia some real economic damage.
As is normal with the Coalition hypocrites, this ideological anti-leaner used a mountain of taxpayer money to fund his childcare costs.
Morrison would have us believe that it is just hysterical greenies, schoolchildren and silly lefties who are protesting against his actions. Here is a retired landscape architect who has been protesting for years.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6580719/i-lost-my-home-in-the-south-coast-bushfires-heres-what-id-say-to-the-pm/?cs=14246
Test
Okay, can someone out there tell me why a short post gets through but a slightly longer one doesn’t?
Frednk: ‘Thanks to the anti Labor parties, This is what the last election delivered.
Investment in large-scale clean energy projects plunged 56 per cent in Australia last year, dropping to their lowest level since 2016 amid renewed uncertainty in the industry’s future.’
I guess we will have another day of antiLabor posters blaming Labor for that uncertainty.
What gets me, is they profess a care for the environment, yet spend all their time attacking Labor and giving the LNP a free ride to wreck the environment.
C@t
PB started playing up before the end of the last thread. I feel gagged!!
PeeBee
If ever there was a time for everyone to work together against Morrison and the conservatives, it’s now.
Me too, lizzie! 😡
Clive back to his favourite pastime – litigation.
From Lawyerly:
Clive Palmer sues to block funding for resort timeshare class action
A company owned by Clive Palmer has filed a lawsuit seeking to thwart a class action brought by villa owners in the billionaire’s now abandoned Palmer Coolum Resort.
Boerwar
Hockey ‘wins’ . I think those successes is down to Australia’s policy of “yes sir ,no sir, three bags full sir” to the US .
Dutton must be having trouble rounding up a few leaky fishing boats to be “intercepted” by the border force, otherwise he would be pulling this trick to take attention away from Morrison’s ineptitude.
On the other hand of course he may be quite happy to see Morrison self immolate in a political sense.
FYI William, the graphical link to Bludgertracker in this blog post links to the old 2019 Blugertracker which shows voting intention (this: https://www.pollbludger.net/bludgertrack2019), not your new preferred PM only tracker (this: https://www.pollbludger.net/bludgertrack2022/leaders.htm).
C@tmomma @ #16 Friday, January 17th, 2020 – 8:18 am
Occasionally, after assembling an item from disparate sources and clicking “SUBMIT” then trundling off to make fresh coffee, I return to find that I have been logged out and the post has disappeared. 😵
That then becomes a reminder to “CTL A – CTL C” prior to “Submit” but unfortunately one tends to forget. Windows 10 has a multiple clipboard function which may need to be turned on. I use “Comfort Clipboard Manager” instead which performs the same function but looks prettier.
Toward the end of the last thread there were some problems – very slow refresh – and I believe the thread threw back to a previous thread (just an opinion).
D & M offered some thoughts to the effect that posts were appearing, disappearing and some were out of time order. I have not noticed this but others may have done.
Currently all is well chez KayJay after having my NBN non functional for some hours during the night. ☮ ☕milk and 4 sugar thanks Muriel. 😍
‘poroti says:
Friday, January 17, 2020 at 8:33 am
Boerwar
Hockey ‘wins’ . I think those successes is down to Australia’s policy of “yes sir ,no sir, three bags full sir” to the US .’
Apart from the (serious) losses we are going to incur as a direct result of the US/China Trade Agreement, Hockey was doing what ambassadors are supposed to do: get done what their democratically-elected governments want them to get done.
By that measure, Ambassador Hockey was an effective ambassador.
I don’t like him. I don’t admire him. I don’t respect the policies he was delivering on. But he was an effective ambassador. Part of the ambassadorial technique involved schmoozing sleazebags. Hockey appears to have been a natural at this.
Thanks you BK for the Dawn Patrol.
KayJay,
Having Copied my post (smart thinking after first cup of tea 🙂 ), then resubmitted it about 5 times now, still nada. Short posts, not a problem. I have even logged out then in again. Attempted to post longer screed. Nyet.
Incredibly frustrating.
C@t
I did all that first thing, and couldn’t even post a short note. Meanwhile, as the page refreshes, I am glimpsing other people’s posts which are not appearing when it settles.
It isn’t just our government that is having accountability issues when it comes to government funding.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/white-house-hold-on-ukraine-aid-violated-federal-law-congressional-watchdog-says/2020/01/16/060ea7aa-37a3-11ea-9c01-d674772db96b_story.html
Morning all
from what I gleaned on CFA app. Zoomsters part of world is now on watch and act. After having emergency warning to leave last night.
Does this system train people to be ignorant bullies? In the style of our unfeeling PM?
Has anyone heard from Zoomster?
The fires near her were flaring up again last night. She thought she might have to leave.
Oooops! Another post disappeared.
Test
#WeatheronPB. Bucketing down on Sydney’s North Shore.
I think the German heritage defence is looking a bit off
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/foul-mouthed-couple-refuse-to-take-down-nazi-flag-flying-above-their-home-despite-living-across-the-road-from-an-83-year-old-holocaust-survivor-and-theres-nothing-the-police-can-do-about-it/ar-BBZ0KZs?ocid=spartanntp
Pissing down in Sydney town
C@tmomma (Block)
Friday, January 17th, 2020 – 8:50 am
Comment #34
lizzie (Block)
Friday, January 17th, 2020 – 8:55 am
Comment #35
BUM. Maybe clearing browsing data will help – don’t hold breath.
Chrome seems to be working OK for me. Good luck.
Good news indeed – “An army of conservation experts and firefighters helped save the trees, often described as ‘living fossils’ or ‘dinosaur trees’.” https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/science/environment/2020/01/16/wollemi-pine-dino-trees/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Morning%20News%20-%2020200117
C@tmomma (Block)
Friday, January 17th, 2020 – 8:50 am
Comment #34
lizzie (Block)
Friday, January 17th, 2020 – 8:55 am
Comment #35
BUM. Maybe clearing browsing data will help – don’t hold breath.
This is the second attempt at posting this item. Damn. The first one disappeared.
Out of luck: John Keane on bushfires, Scott Morrison and the decline of democracy
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/out-of-luck-john-keane-on-bushfires-scott-morrison-and-the-decline-of-democracy/
It’s hilarious the same-same shit that was being sprouted yesterday by Green’s supporters basically defending McKenzie.
With Kelly, the perception was that she hadn’t done the right thing.
What happened?
She lost her position as a Minister.
Now we have McKenzie, where there is a suggestion of illegality and some how she should maintain her position.
It’s amazing how far Ministerial Standards have fallen.
C@tmomma & Lizzie
We are in the same boat. My post are disappearing also.