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.
The bunch of muppets running the place have a weekly show, starring Bridget,Scomo and by the looks a special guest appearance by John Howard.
I may have to add ‘Give up using hardwood’ to the Greens Greens New Deal CO2 Emissions Strike Pledge.
After all, this Pledge is not only about practical efforts to fight climate change, and practical efforts to enact social justice, but must also take into account animal rights, including the rights of koalas to eat whatever blue gums they fancy.
poroti
Is Bridget Miss Porky?
Boerwar
says:
There is no particular reason to assign the various pleasures of shooting to the Right.
Unless you are particularly woke, I suppose.
___________________
What is it like to define your every action and thought by comparison with an inner city hipster?
Must be exhausting.
“Unelected bureaucrats engaged in ‘political hit job’ at Labor’s request: IPA”
by Institute of Public Affairs Director of Research Daniel Wild
https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6128954652001
‘JimmyD says:
Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 1:22 pm
Boerwar
I support the system changes that will deliver on energy and transport zero. No brainer.</em
No you don’t. You vehemently opposed the ACT’s light rail project because you resented paying tax to fund something you were adamant you would never use.'
You do jump to illogical conclusions. Of course I oppose the light rail! That does not mean I oppose zero energy and transport zero.
Thousands more fish killed:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/02/murray-darling-thousands-of-fish-have-died-in-nsw-in-past-two-weeks
steve davis @ #1778 Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 – 2:55 pm
Any minute now.
It’s gonna happen today.
Absolutely.
No risk.
Bridget’s gorn.
Gorn I tells ya!
Was gonna be yesterday, but now it’s today.
Bet ya house on it.
GORN!
LOL
E. G. Theodoresays:
Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 3:22 pm
Bellwether:
Concerning Biden, can you not tell that he is a fake. His Dulux brilliant white teeth are a clue (not genuine). I could pick him as a fake from 2 klms away in thick bushfire smoke but we all have different radar.
Being fake is part of the Presidential job description with very few exceptions. There have been no non-fake presidents since Truman (aptly named). There have been a few non-fakes since the civil war: Lincoln, US Grant, possibly Grover Cleveland, possibly Teddy Roosevelt, and Truman.
—————————————-
Aren’t you forgetting Jimmy Carter, perhaps the most decent and honorable Presidents of recent times. I can’t imagine what was fake about him.
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/habitat/threats/fish-kills
The ANAO has always been free to investigate whatever programs it chooses so to do.
But it does not have the resources to investigate all funding programs.
If someone provides a hint that something crooked is going on the ANAO may choose to boost that program as a priority.
Good practice, in fact.
Smarter senior bureaucrats would opt to have their programs audited with a view to getting a high quality outside view on administrative processes. If Reports were qualified such bureaucrats would rapidly opt to adopt the recommendations.
Win win.
But, if one left the prioritization of the workload of the ANAO to government politicians then sports rorts and such like would never be investigated.
No brainer.
Some random 2019-nCov news…
The first known death from coronavirus outside China has been recorded in the Philippines – a 44 year old man from Wuhan. His 38 year old female companion has also tested positive, and is in an isolation ward in Manila
#China-based smartphone manufacturers suspend shipments to #Russia as first two cases of #coronavirus confirmed in Siberia and Far East:
– Huawei
– Xiaomi
– ZTE
– Vivo
– Realme
– Lenovo
Vietnam bans all flights to and from China over coronavirus reut.rs/2UsV9vl
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-vietnam-flights-idUSKBN1ZW03X?taid=5e364e1fecb7110001ba3413&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter
Can tell me why McKenzie’s sexuality is an issue.
She has many questions to answer and her rorting of the system over a long peiod is nothing new. But, call that for what it is and please don’t go to this shaming because of personal issues.
GG
+1
BK
Indeed, both well endowed in the excessive pork department.
who is talking about her sexuality. The DLP faction is getting worked up about sex as per usual.
Perhaps she has been reassigned to border patrol duties meeting flights out of China.
“Which electorate do you live in? Oh, that one? No need to worry about two weeks’ quarantine. Here’s $1,000 for your trouble.”
OR
“Which electorate do you live in? Oh, that one? Two weeks’ quarantine for you and the charge is $2,000”.
Greensborough Growler @ #2656 Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 – 3:33 pm
I wasn’t aware that her sexuality was an issue. Her personal and tribal hypocrisy on issues other than
runningsupervising the LNP public funding rorts are.JimmyD
What mitigates against nation building policy is in part laziness. It requires a lot of detailed work. Its easier to go with what you know.
Its also the fact that there is a very small circle of real decision makers and trusted advisers. Good policy means drawing in experts.
Boerwar @ #1796 Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 – 3:18 pm
Mind you, they taste like shit in a pie. But not a bad use of a killing stick.
Morrison and McCormack seem too thick to realise that every day they don’t act on McKenzie is another nail in their coffin.
nath says:
Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 3:37 pm
…”who is talking about her sexuality. The DLP faction is getting worked up about sex as per usual”…
………………………..
Nobody did.
His dirty mind made it all up.
rhwombat @ #1818 Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 – 3:39 pm
nath the slug!
See 3.02pm. Why is the fact she went to a Gay pride event worth commenting upon?
It would be interesting to know how many referrals to the “ unelected burecratic National Aufit office “ were made by the coalition opposition during the Rudd/ Gillard years.
https://www.vox.com/2020/1/31/21113780/bernie-sanders-socialism-electability-primaries
Zoomster.
Koalas love blue gums. It is why they are in plague numbers in the south west. They walk into shops in Portland’s main street.
Will be interesting to find out the logging contractor involved as reputable companies only use FSC approved contractors and employing koala spotters before harvesting is a key requirement.
Greensborough Growler
says:
nath the slug!
See 3.02pm. Why is the fact she went to a Gay pride event worth commenting upon?
______________________________
Because she’s opposed to SSM. Sorry to mention anything gay related. You get so upset.
lizzie @ #1804 Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 – 3:25 pm
1. I didn’t know that Bridget Mackenzie was a politician for life?
2. Daniel better be careful what he writes or else it will be used against his favoured party when Labor are in government next.
3. I thought it was the Opposition’s job to hold the government to account?
doyley @ #1824 Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 – 3:47 pm
That’s different, doyley, and you know it! 😆
Greensborough Growler
says:
nath the slug!
_________________
Perhaps its all the talk of pork swords getting you all hot and bothered. 🙂
Hmm, a Liberal refers to Koalas as a ‘plague’.
Puffytmd @ #1684 Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 – 12:34 pm
I wrote the software to automate the processing of the aluminium can container deposit process for Visy in SA in 1986. The scheme started in 1977. There were multiple collection sites associated with schools, scout troops etc. I can’t remember the details, but I could dig out the system from one of my backup archives. Not going to, though. It was written in Dataflex, running under MSDOS, and automated from the weighbridge through to calculating all of the payments, and generating all of the debtor generated invoices in a CBA accounting package. Memories!
Greensborough Growler @ #2666 Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 – 3:45 pm
OK, fair enough. In my defence, I don’t nath. Nathing is a health hazard.
nath @ #1827 Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 – 3:48 pm
You raised it as an issue in the contest of the Sportsrort matter. It’s actually you with the problem.
Greensborough Growler says:
Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 3:45 pm
…”See 3.02pm. Why is the fact she went to a Gay pride event worth commenting upon?”…
…………………………..
This was a comment on the contrast between her public position on marriage equality and her private attendance at a gay club and had nothing to do with personal sexual orientation.
This may come as a shock to you, but straight people go to gay clubs too, and they don’t have people at the front door checking if you have a valid gay certification.
Maybe the Nats are furiously trying to find somebody (anybody!) other than Barnaby who could justifiably replace her.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-02/fda-approves-first-peanut-allergy-drug-palforzia/11921822
Greensborough Growler
says:
Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 3:54 pm
nath @ #1827 Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 – 3:48 pm
Greensborough Growler
says:
nath the slug!
See 3.02pm. Why is the fact she went to a Gay pride event worth commenting upon?
______________________________
Because she’s opposed to SSM. Sorry to mention anything gay related. You get so upset.
You raised it as an issue in the contest of the Sportsrort matter.
_____________________________________
I raised it in the (context) of an inner city Nat apparently living one way and politicking another way. But your sensitivities on anything gay related are well known so perhaps you were triggered in some way. I forgive you.
I dont see Joe Biden as a fake. Yes he has had cosmetic surgery and a hair transplant but so what? He’s a lifelong moderate Democrat pol. Never going to be particularly radical or dangerous. Changes his views with the times but stays somewhere in the mainstream of Democratic thinking. Hes not particuularly pretending to be anything else.
Nath
There is no city country divide on sexuality.
The Marriage Equality survey was clear. The divide is in some marginal electorates.
History
Biden is the authentic Corporate Democrat.
You have that right.
From McKenzie’s Wikipedia entry..
McKenzie is a shooting enthusiast, and is chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Shooting.[9] She is opposed to same-sex marriage, and publicly campaigned for the “No” vote in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.[10] McKenzie’s gay younger brother confronted her on her views in a letter to the Bendigo Advertiser and on the panel discussion program Q&A.[11][12]
McKenzie has four children from her first marriage, which ended in divorce.[32] She was subsequently in a long-distance relationship with David Bennett, a member of the New Zealand Parliament.[33][34]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_McKenzie
Guytaur, I think you’d find that the closer you are to inner cities the higher the Yes vote was. Green Melbourne topping the poll at 84% Yes.
Nath
I don’t dispute that. My point was that the Yes vote was higher in George Christensen’s seat than Western Sydney.
It’s not a city country divide.
Edit: Christensen’s voters seem to be “Woke”.
nath @ #1837 Sunday, February 2nd, 2020 – 4:01 pm
Only a complete closet homophobe would could come up with the sort of crap you injected in to the discussion..
You’re really struggling now your anti homosexual feelings have been exposed for all to see.
Using attendance at a Gay event as a point scoring political exercise is disgraceful. But, you ive on knowing what you are.
Cheers.
a r:
Because students in Australia are not in fact drowning in debt, unlike students in the US of A.
Centrists follow the evidence, which varies with circumstances. The extremes follow ideology, which evolves via a completely different process.
People are entitled to their own arguments but not their own facts/evidence.
FDR ran with a slightly conservative ideology, but it was a very minor component, used mainly as part of his pointing out the failures of the Coolidge and Hoover. His policy was completely experimentalist and non-idealolgical (try stuff from anywhere, keep what works, discard what doesn’t). He consequently had both more mistakes and more successes (per annum,. as well as over his long tenure) than any head of government in history.
The only subsequent analogues for FDR are our own Messrs. Hawke and Keating, and it is ludicrous to compare Mr. Sanders with FDR. Mr Obama would beat Mr Trump easily; FDR running against Mr. Trump would be an absolute landslide to FDR. Ms. Clinton was not a terrible candidate but instead ran a terrible and incompetent campaign, based very poor information, originating from a combination of bad intelligence and hangers on who just made things up. If she had stayed out of the Florida lottery and spent (a fraction of) that money in the states where she lost she would have retired the entirely predicted risk (which was predicted as the only way she could reasonably have lost, and of course the way she did lose). If she had even managed the Weiner risk competently her campaign would not have suffered a critical loss of risk management in the last week and would probably have won the College anyway.
Bad risk management results in bridges that fall down, and political campaigns that lose, inter alia.
guytaur
says:
Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Nath
I don’t dispute that. My point was that the Yes vote was higher in George Christensen’s seat than Western Sydney.
It’s not a city country divide.
____________________
I would say there is a city country divide but there were other divides that were more apparent. But I agree that many rural areas voted pretty strongly for ME.
Greensborough Growler
says:
Only a complete closet homophobe would could come up with the sort of crap you injected in to the discussion..
You’re really struggling now your anti homosexual feelings have been exposed for all to see.
Using attendance at a Gay event as a point scoring political exercise is disgraceful. But, you ive on knowing what you are.
Cheers.
_____________________________
I don’t know what you are on about but it seems quite hysterical.
A study on koalas in plantations —
https://www.savethekoala.com/sites/savethekoala.com/files/uploads/docs/conserve/BGKoalaReportFinaL08.pdf
Anyway, this does highlight some of the issues around sustainable practices. We’re told to use renewable sources. Timber is a renewable source. We’re told not to log native forest, and use plantation timber instead. But planting trees for harvest inevitably raises questions about (i) best use of land – cue countless local communities complaining that ‘good farmland’ is being used for timber production; (ii) watering; and (iii) – of course – what happens when these artificial groves of trees, planted solely to be harvested, become havens for local wildlife.
So what’s the solution?
Of course, the ultimate cop out one is to source our timber from overseas, where we don’t get to see what’s happening.