Essential Research has not allowed the long weekend to interrupt the fortnightly schedule of its polling, which continues to be limited to attitudinal questions. Conducted last Tuesday to this Monday from a sample of 1080, the most interesting question from the latest poll relates to Bridget McKenzie, whom 51% felt should have been stood down by the Prime Minister. Only 15% felt he was right not to do so, while a further 34% said they had not been following the issue. The question included an explanation of what the issue involved, which is always best avoided, but the wording was suitably neutral (“it is claimed she allocated $100million to sporting organisations in marginal seats to favour the Coalition”).
The poll also finds overwhelming support for the establishment of a federal ICAC – or to be precise, of “an independent federal corruption body to monitor the behaviour of our politicians and public servants”. Fully 80% of respondents were in favour, including 49% strongly in favour, which is five points higher than when Angus Taylor’s troubles prompted the same question to be asked in December. Also featured are yet more findings on Australia Day, for which Essential accentuates the positive by framing the question around “a separate national day to recognise indigenous Australians”. Fifty per cent were in favour of such a thing, down two on last year, but only 18% of these believed it should be in place of, rather than supplementary to, Australia Day. Forty per cent did not support such a day at all, unchanged on last year.
Note that there are two threads below this one of hopefully ongoing interest: the latest guest post from Adrian Beaumont on Monday’s Democratic caucuses in Iowa, and other international concerns; and my review of looming elections in Queensland, where the Liberal National Party has now chosen its candidate for the looming Currumbin by-election, who has not proved to the liking of retiring member Jann Stuckey.
lizzie,
It just seems as though, due to a dearth of talent (and keeping Barnaby out 😀 ), The National Mining and Agribusiness Party gets to slot in their most captured by special interests MPs.
://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-29/scott-morrison-knows-his-weaknesses-but-wont-give-ground/11909328?section=politics
After reading another article about a NT gun club being given $500,000, it’s struck me again how, even if McKenzie acted appropriately, it seems unfair the amount of money and attention sports groups get.
I know many comminity bands that are on the brink of disbanding over losing their rehearsal facilities or having their minimal council funding removed, if they had any to begin with. Having been on the committee of bands, our whole budgets are much smaller than the grants handed out despite having hundreds of members. These musical and other groups are often the only social outlet for many of its members.
Not saying sports groups don’t do great things for the community but there is a lot more groups out there that deserve funding. Just my thoughts on the whole thing.
GladysB follows Dan Andrews in establishing a bushfire enquiry. NSW and Victoria underway.
Meanwhile Scott ‘a day late and dollar short” Morrison faffs around with a Royal,Commission stunt.
“An independent inquiry into NSW’s bushfire season will start within days, focusing on the impact of climate change, fuel loads and drought as well as the role of hazard reduction.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian will announce on Thursday that former NSW Police deputy commissioner Dave Owens and former NSW chief scientist Mary O’Kane will head the six-month inquiry.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/inquiry-into-nsw-bushfires-to-start-as-premier-prepares-for-more-threats-20200129-p53vuj.html
Bugler
It was said to be theorised by Morrison’s “strategists” that giving money to sports groups would buy votes in a large number of communities without appearing on the radar as a big policy that Labor might attack. It also helped to build Morrison’s image as sporty, likeable bloke, who cared for the quiet Australians.
All revealed as a cynical exercise now.
Michael Pascoe not impressed…
“For all but the most rusted on, Scott Morrison destroyed his credibility at the National Press Club on Wednesday – and even some of the rusted on would have to wince.
The Prime Minister may as well have opened his performance with: “How good are sports rorts? How good are political slush funds? How irrelevant are journalists asking questions?”
What he actually said was more astounding.”
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/01/30/michael-pascoe-scott-morrison/
@vanOnselenP tweets
I’m doing RN breakfast with @frankelly08 after 7:45 this morning. I have new information about the sports rorts saga, tune in… #auspol
@PSyvret tweets
LNP Currumbin by-election candidate appeared on Australia’s Worst Driver #qldpol http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/news-story/855ba61f74c8052d8446bbd7aced1b7e
@GretaThunberg tweets
“The Guardian will no longer accept advertising from oil and gas companies, becoming the first major global news organisation to institute an outright ban on taking money from companies that extract fossil fuels.”
A good start, who will take this further?
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/jan/29/guardian-to-ban-advertising-from-fossil-fuel-firms-climate-crisis?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Cud Chewer
Overnight I heard Rebecca Huntley’s talk on Big Ideas.
Unfortunately the edited version on the ABC page does not have examples of conversation with people in the various groups.
Take this one: “The Dismissive: This group is very sure that climate change is not happening, and often actively involved as opponents of a national effort to reduce emissions. Some of them are in significant positions of power in government, industry and the media.”
The opinion of one woman in this category, representative of the whole according to Rebecca, was stunning, as she had absorbed all the denialists’ negative labels, especially the alarmist one, rejected the advice of those stupid experts, and ridiculed the need for something to be done within ten years.
Listening to it, I could only conclude that the LNP have also carried out focus groups (as well as listening to the RWNJ rantings) as Morrison’s supposed ‘action’ on climate change absolutely jells with these beliefs. His words would have been a great comfort to her and confirmed her view that he was the right leader!
I don’t think any conversation would change the minds of people like this.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
John Hewson tells us how he hounded Ros Kelly until she resigned, but he says Bridget McKenzie’s sports rorts are worse. This is in the MUST READ category.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/i-hounded-ros-kelly-until-she-resigned-but-bridget-mckenzie-s-sports-rorts-are-worse-20200129-p53vsa.html
Michael Pascoe opines that for all but the most rusted on, Scott Morrison destroyed his credibility at the National Press Club on Wednesday – and even some of the rusted on would have to wince. Another good hit job!
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/01/30/michael-pascoe-scott-morrison/
An obviously angry and disillusioned Katharine Murphy writes that our government is choosing to fail on climate and trying to make a virtue of it.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/29/our-government-is-choosing-to-fail-on-climate-and-trying-to-make-a-virtue-of-it
Anthony Galloway writes that in her first major policy speech since taking over the shadow portfolio, Senator Keneally will declare Australia is changing from a nation built by permanent migrants to an economy relying on temporary visas. She will say that boats carrying asylum seekers cannot be allowed to restart, but the Morrison Government must now turn its attention in cracking down on the plane arrivals.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/kristina-keneally-sounds-alarm-on-temporary-migrants-20200129-p53vol.html
Rob Harris looks at the continued fallout and recovery attempts from the government on SportsRort. Morrison is reduced to using convoluted word constructs.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/mckenzie-saga-could-drag-on-to-weekend-as-morrison-manages-fall-out-20200129-p53vxh.html
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/29/sports-grants-pm-wont-concede-fault-but-says-clubs-may-get-a-second-chance
Michelle Grattan was bewildered by Morrison’s stance on SportsRort at the NPC yesterday.
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-politicians-not-bureaucrats-are-the-ones-in-touch-morrison-claims-in-sports-affair-130795
Mungo MacCallum writes that corruption is rife among Morrison’s minions.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/mungo-maccallum-corruption-is-rife-among-morrisons-minions,13538
Independent MPs and candidates have called out the federal government for targeting their electorates with sports grants in the lead-up to the 2019 election, with information showing grants worth around $1 million were showered on clubs in each of three fiercely contested seats.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6604136/independent-mps-call-out-sports-rorts/?cs=14350
By the day more and more of Bridget’s SportsRort largesse come to light. This time Christopher Knaus reveals that she gave a $500,000 grant to the Northern Territory shooting club of Nigel Scullion, her former Coalition colleague and fellow shooting enthusiast.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/30/bridget-mckenzie-granted-500000-to-coalition-colleagues-northern-territory-gun-club
Chip Le Grand reports that the Sport Australia executive who pushed back against political interference in the assessment of community sports grants quit the agency following concerns his own conflict of interest could have compromised the program.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/sport-australia-exec-s-tennis-link-serves-up-twist-in-grants-saga-20200129-p53vsy.html
The London Telegraph’s Tom Rees explains why coronavirus represents a ‘black swan’ risk for the global economy.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/virus-is-a-black-swan-risk-for-the-global-economy-20200128-p53v9v.html
An open letter from 81 Australian Research Council laureates says that the outlook for humans is dire without urgent action.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/the-outlook-for-humans-is-dire-without-urgent-action-81-laureates-letter-to-australia-20200129-p53vr8.html
Andrew Leigh in this op-ed writes that the time for denial and distraction is over. He says it’s time for climate action.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6604161/the-time-for-denial-and-distraction-is-over-its-time-for-climate-action/?cs=14258
While Australia bleeds, corporate multi-nationals are ripping us off blind, none more so than the major accounting firms writes David Paull.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/unaccountable-accounting-firms-secure-lucrative-government-contracts,13535
The RBA is to blame for the weak economy when it does nothing. The RBA is also to blame when it does something writes Angela Jackson.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/rba-damned-if-it-does-damned-if-it-doesn-t-20200128-p53vgt.html
Dana McCauley says that Christian Porter is ‘absolutely committed’ to passing the government’s union-busting bill.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/porter-absolutely-committed-to-passing-union-busting-bill-20200129-p53vww.html
Judith Ireland reports that ACOSS is calling for a $95/week rise in Newstart.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/raise-newstart-by-95-a-week-acoss-20200128-p53vfr.html
Apparently NSW fire services spent 20 per cent less than Victorian organisations on staffing and capital costs but had to respond to nearly twice the number of fires last year.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/dropped-the-ball-nsw-fire-services-spending-80-per-cent-as-much-as-victoria-20200128-p53vgw.html
Nick Toscano tells us that one of Australia’s biggest batteries will be built in Queensland under a deal involving energy giant AGL, which backers say will strengthen the grid’s ability to shift from coal to renewable power generation by smoothing out the intermittent nature of wind and solar power.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/game-changer-agl-s-big-battery-deal-set-to-help-rise-of-renewables-20200129-p53vs7.html
Bevan Shields writes that former British prime minister David Cameron says conservative MPs around the world – including in Australia – must do more to lower emissions, arguing climate change policy is a “natural” issue for the right of politics to take ownership of. Not here it isn’t!
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/climate-change-should-be-a-natural-issue-for-conservative-mps-cameron-20200129-p53vy5.html
As with climate policy, Australia’s leadership is too close to America, too close to Rupert Murdoch and too weak to secure the country from future military threats. This is the second in the “Second Rate Leadership”, series by former public service chief Jon Stanford.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/second-rate-leadership-immense-defence-spend-unlikely-to-secure-australia-in-new-world-order/
Nicholas Stuart contends that at some point – not this year, probably not next, but certainly at some date between now and 2030 – a future government will finally, logically, and correctly abandon our attempt to build submarines.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6601930/the-best-bi-plane-in-the-sky-why-our-submarine-program-will-likely-be-scrapped/?cs=14258
After widespread outrage, Victoria’s Attorney-General has written to Governor-General David Hurley asking him to overturn the decision to award Bettina Arndt an Order of Australia. This will get the culture warriors going!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/gobsmacking-state-attorney-general-calls-for-bettina-arndt-to-be-stripped-of-honour-20200129-p53vyy.html
Sanders’ momentum has delighted the party’s left wing but alarmed Democratic centrists, who are scrambling to halt his rise before the Iowa caucuses writes Matthew Knott.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/easy-target-for-trump-centrist-democrats-alarmed-by-sanders-surge-20200129-p53vu9.html
Today’s “Arsehole of the Week” nomination goes to this creature.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-man-charged-with-transferring-money-for-child-sex-tourism-20200129-p53vw1.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Cathy Wilcox
Matt Golding
John Shakespeare
Mark David
Leak on Huawei.
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/3b2bd7711fc7caba4611869e159905f8?width=1024
From the US
You could have 99% of people wanting a federal ICAC but it just isn’t going to ocurr while Saponaceous “The Fungus” from Marketing is in charge. They’re scared faecaelless at the thought of having their corruption and dirty dealings get out into the public arena. Sorry, it just ain’t gonna happen.
Sean, The Donald’s vibrating anal exciter, Hannity is at it again.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/01/29/hannitys-ugly-meltdown-romney-wanting-truth-is-trump-hatred/
Morning bludgers
Much thanks BK.
Hope Boerwar and others are doing 0kay in light of fires in Canberra region.
In my part of world, next few days are going to be very hot with thunderstorms due on Saturday.
WeatheronPB#
@QuentinDempster tweets
@vanOnselenP tells @frankelly08 he has “written evidence” of the prime minister’s office involvement in sports grants allocations which may indicate a more hands-on role than mere passing on representations as @ScottMorrisonMP told NPC yesterday. @10NewsFirst = We need an ICAC.
They must have forgotten all about balance.
But Jim Molan? Why give him so much publicity?
Thanks BK. Sounds like only rusted on LNPers were impressed with Scotty’s efforts yesterday.
I have a cunning plan, thought Scooty from Marketing, I’ll throw money at all the clubs that weren’t part of the previous cunning plan for propping up the marginal LNP seats. Then everybody will forget until my next cunning plan for something or other to help the LNP blows up in my face.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/29/sports-grants-pm-wont-concede-fault-but-says-clubs-may-get-a-second-chance
…’while a further 34% said they had not been following the issue.’
Now that’s depressing.
lizzie @ #15 Thursday, January 30th, 2020 – 8:09 am
I think the the Australian Quiet Party has been so quiet lately the meeja forgot there was actually an opposition.
sprocket
He probably did not need to ask that. He already made sure of the answer.
—————————————————–
Dedicated Accuracy – just call me Obee.
@ObeeWhen
The #NationalPressClub agrees to have Scott Morrison come on his terms. Single question only from journo’s with no follow ups coordinated lest someone misses out on asking their question.
That’s not journalism, that’s enabling lies, a total waste and a sham. SHAME ON YOU NPC
5:04 PM · Jan 29, 2020·Twitter Web App
70
Retweets
https://twitter.com/ObeeWhen/status/1222445470372352000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1222445470372352000&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpbxmastragics.com%2F2020%2F01%2F25%2Fa-vertical-triptych%2F
@CNBC tweets
Elizabeth Warren proposes criminal penalties for spreading disinformation online https://cnb.cx/37DH0z2
On a completely unrelated political note, this is neat and shows what science and engineering can achieve.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jan/29/solar-telescope-captures-most-detailed-pictures-yet-the-sun
‘John Hewson tells us how he hounded Ros Kelly until she resigned, but he says Bridget McKenzie’s sports rorts are worse. ‘
It’s much easier to spook Labor than the coalition.
It’s a cream puffs vs hard heads thing.
mundo
I was having a discussion yesterday with an ex-ABC producer who said that part of the problem now with the quality of interviews (and the choice of guests, I imagine) is the dearth of experienced (?) producers. The presenters are not always to blame.
@LaTrioli tweets
TUNE IN – at 8.30am Vic AG Jill Hennessy and Bettina Arndt join me to discuss the controversial sex therapists Order of Australia: @JillHennessyMP wants the Order rescinded: @thebettinaarndt is furious. @abcmelbourne
@BernardKeane tweets
Climate change to put NSW’s triple-A credit rating at risk.
Waiting for the News Corp clowns who screamed “what’s the cost of your climate policies” at Shorten during the election campaign to cover this… https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-30/sydney-morning-briefing-thursday-january-30/11911614
John Hewson tells us how he hounded Ros Kelly until she resigned, but he says Bridget McKenzie’s sports rorts are worse. This is in the MUST READ category.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/i-hounded-ros-kelly-until-she-resigned-but-bridget-mckenzie-s-sports-rorts-are-worse-20200129-p53vsa.html
From William’s notes above – 34% of respondents have not been following the issue. Add 15% who advocated not standing down Ms. McKenzie plus the possibility that the average voter only gets exercised about his non existent franking credit cash backs (I’m still waiting for my $30,000). Using data from the “Mythbusters” goldfish memory investigation I estimate that of the 51% – 27% of those will have forgotten the whole sad saga by the time of the tennis finals. The rest will sort of grumble and rant until the next stuffup comes along (expect a minor stuffup today as a water tester).
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/sports-rorts-triggered-alarm-from-the-start/news-story/a435cbf57f38bf300974136bb80ebdb2
Advanced players may be wondering who or what caused the “new improved” model requiring ministerial approval. An accident perhaps, a miracle, mayhap a typographical error. The backroom filled with slave monkeys and their typewriters can’t be expected to always get everything right.☮☕
poroti
It has always been the general rule that journos are only allowed one question at NPC. Occasionally they get away with a follow-up.
For me, some of them mucked up yesterday by not confining their questions to a single point, but gave a preamble covering too much extra. Probably gave Morrison too much leeway. A bit like some Opp Q’s in QT which fail. (Always with the concession that Mr Weasel is the master of avoidance.)
Thank you once again BK.
——
Smokey skies and an orange Sun have returned to Sydney. The satellite image shows a plume of smoke extending from the SW to cover Sydney – from the Canberra fires perhaps. Smoke covers the ACT, SE NSW and NE Victoria.
At least there’s no smoke at ground level here.
Well, here’s some meat for you all to chew on.
Good to see SAHealth have acquiesced to me and my lobbying skills and changed their advice on school students returning from Wuhan.
However, this advice has not yet filtered through to the ‘school to parent’ communications system SkoolBag, nor via email or any other forms of communications. So, if you are a parent of such children you may be either unaware or confused by the mixed messages.
Strange the Feds have gone feral on this, requiring ALL people returning from Hubei province to be quarantined for 14 days, only a day after Tehan ridiculed some schools for bucking his advice and wisely asking some students to stay home (preschools and primary schools are the highest risk potential considering – the close proximity of large groups, low level of personal hygiene, young people are more likely to die from the virus). Have the media picked up on yet another mess up by these incompetents? They are a walking, talking permanent cluster F.
”From William’s notes above – 34% of respondents have not been following the issue..” [Sports Rorts]
Might that be something to do with media coverage? I’ve been exposed to little or no news from commercial radio or TV or from Newscrap. Are these sources downplaying the issue in favour of Coronavirus, Kobe Bryant, Tennis, boosting Scumo’s press conference or anyone or anything else?
lizzie
Thanks for that observation. Gives the pollies a real chance to wander all over the place except the actual question.
Steve777 @ #32 Thursday, January 30th, 2020 – 5:45 am
I think it’s more to do with it being school holidays, Australia Day long weekend and people getting ready to go back to work/school.
Yep. The local ABC radio presenter, who I often accuse of being very supportive of the Right, did well yesterday interviewing the SA Health Minister. He smelled blood on an issue and quickly honed in on one very short and simple question that he then repeated after every attempt the minister made to talk around it.
I am with Steve747. In some areas and demographics, there is almost never any news that is detrimental to the Morrison Government.
The Brisbane Times sending a subtle message to Minister Sportarorta ? 🙂
The most popular day of the year to quit is tomorrow – but don’t rush
‘Quitting really is the last resort’
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/the-most-popular-day-of-the-year-to-quit-is-tomorrow-but-don-t-rush-20200128-p53vfd.html
I wish one of PvO’s you beaut predictions would hurry up and come true.
‘Senseless cruelty’: peak welfare body pushes for $95-a-week increase to Newstart
Acoss says the Newstart unemployment benefit now covers only three-quarters of recipients’ basic needs
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/30/senseless-cruelty-peak-welfare-body-pushes-for-95-a-week-increase-to-newstart
CPG journos love the opportunity to ask the PM questions.
Morrison loves the opportunity not to answer them.
poroti
Some journos/presenters/radio personalities just love the sound of their own voice too much. The good ones lead the subject on with short questions and murmurs of approval until they drop themselves right in it.
Steve777 @ #33 Thursday, January 30th, 2020 – 8:45 am
Short answer – “I dunno”. If I didn’t read “Poll Bludger” I would be as remote as the “man in the moon”. One section of my family get their news from the “Sunrise” program (you can win a house). Another gets information from an online source and another section is so occupied with work and family illness that the “rorts” are just background noise (they all do it anyway).
The notes from William are more interesting with 80% (49% strongly) in favour of a Federal ICAC which with an all encompassing reach and punitive measures may see the end of the little peccadillo entertained by Ms. McKenzie (sole suspect – forget the grassy knoll and a second gunman – forget the MAFIA) acting alone but wearing gloves and a mask (come and get me Copper).
Big day out today. Couple of hours day release. 😎
Spot on, GG!
Climate breakdown ‘is increasing violence against women’
Exclusive: attempts to tackle crisis fail because gender issues are not addressed, report finds
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/29/climate-breakdown-is-increasing-violence-against-women
Former WH CoS during the Obama years reckons Democrats have a shot at taking control of the Senate because of Trump’s impeachment. This also gives an indication of why Lincoln Project is targeting those vulnerable Republicans. So far Collins, Gardner and McSally all have ads targeting them.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/01/29/rahm-emanuel-oped-impeachment-senate/?itid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-g%3Ahomepage%2Fstory-ans
Bugler – band funding is colour coded red…
Greensborough Growler @ #40 Thursday, January 30th, 2020 – 8:59 am
CPG journos love the opportunity to ask the PM questions.
Morrison loves the opportunity not to answer them.
CPG journos love the opportunity to marvel at how Morrison doesn’t answer them because they think it’s sooo clever.
The merchants of death.Selling arms with impunity
https://johnmenadue.com/michelle-fahy-the-merchants-of-death-selling-arms-with-impunity/