The Guardian reports on yet another fortnightly Essential Research poll with no voting intention numbers, but we does at least get the monthly leadership ratings. These show Scott Morrison down a point on approval to 39% and steady on disapproval at 52%, after the previous poll respectively had him down five and up nine. Anthony Albanese is respectively down two to 41% and up one to 31%, and he has lost his 39-36 lead as preferred prime minister, with the two now tied on 36%. The BludgerTrack trends on the sidebar have now been updated with these results.
Further questions on bushfire recovery, sports rorts and coronavirus don’t seem to have turned up anything too mindblowing, but the publication of the full report may turn up something hopefully later today.
UPDATE: Full report here. The most interesting of the supplementary findings for mine relate to the budget surplus, the consistent theme of which is that respondents aren’t that fussed about it: 79% agree spending on bushfire recovery is more important than maintaining it, with 11% disagreeing; 65% say it would be understandable if the coronavirus impact meant it wasn’t achieved, with 18% disagreeing; and 57% agree it was wrong for the government to discuss the surplus in the present tense before the election, with 24% disagreeing.
As we have friends and relatives living in Werribee and its neighbouring suburb, Hoppers Crossing, we are often over there. It is a burgeoning growth corridor with all the attendant problems you would expect in such outer suburban areas.
I have toured the Western Treatment Plant (very interesting) and have also done some bird-watching there. The area was declared an internationally significant wetland for waterfowl in 1983 under the Ramsar Convention.
Spontaneously combusting drop bears..
nath
May I ask how do you post an image?
Pegasus
says:
I have toured the Western Treatment Plant (very interesting)
_______________
Pegasus you are being too polite. You know what we call it…..:)
nath @ #1487 Thursday, February 13th, 2020 – 10:39 pm
You’re not in Karingal, Toto!
CC
Breath vapour saturates the material and destroys the absorption of cloth and paper masks in (i thought it was 15 minutes) less than an hour.
When I was first a surgical registrar I worked in a hospital where the surgeons did not wear masks – which made life much easier – no discomfort, no fogged glasses. This would now be a cause for disciplinary action and the masks protect you from a mouth full of blood/urine/faeces (not your own)
Pegasus
says:
Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 11:17 pm
nath
May I ask how do you post an image?
_________________
well I’m pretty hit and miss at it. I go to google images, type in what kind of image I want. Click into that image and grab the link.
I tend to find that the images with .jpg and .jpeg work best for me.
I have had less luck with images.
Johnson’s treasurer resigns.That didn’t take long!
https://www.ft.com/content/a15c78ec-4e3f-11ea-95a0-43d18ec715f5
Greensborough Growler
says:
Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 11:18 pm
nath @ #1487 Thursday, February 13th, 2020 – 10:39 pm
Werribee is actually a nice place. However it will always be associated in the Melbourne imagination with the ‘Werribee shit farm’. The locals are touchy about that and clearly worried about the long term effects on their real estate prices should any more negativity develop. Looking at the last state election results there is clearly some sentiment for a revolt.
You’re not in Karingal, Toto!
______________
Not to be too much of a snob but I live in a much nicer place than Greensborough. The last time I was there I noticed two things. 1. the wretchedness of Greensborough Plaza and 2. the mass construction of multiple units on a single block. Enjoy!
Ta, nath.
Pegasus
says:
Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 11:25 pm
Ta, nath.
__________
Oh yes then I just paste the link in the post. sometimes it doesn’t work.
nath @ #1512 Thursday, February 13th, 2020 – 11:22 pm
If that all you’ve got, then just keep dancing.
Weak as.
Test
Actually Greensborough is alright. The hillier areas away from the Plaza are quite nice. The biggest drawback is a certain neighbourhood grouch who throws stones at anyone who walks past his house.
nath @ #1517 Thursday, February 13th, 2020 – 11:37 pm
I have a house, a family a business and respect from my local Community.
You have a mouth and a mail order bride.
Cheers.
GG
My Dog Won’t Stop Yapping: How To Put an End to Endless Barking!:
https://www.petbucket.com/blog/63164/my-dog-wont-stop-yapping-how-to-put-an-end-to-endless-barking-.html
“If your dog thinks it needs to bark to keep the home, you and itself safe, then the fundamental problem is a sense of insecurity pervading your dog’s mind. Introducing new, calming elements to the environment can, in this scenario, be a likely solution.
More time spent with you playing or being petted can reinforce the dog is not alone in the world and does not need to take on the burden of defending his or her territory alone, decreasing the drive to bark. The addition of a kennel or hideout with comfortable bedding that functions as a ‘den’ to retreat from the fears of the outside world can also minimise canine stress. Increased exercise, which improves mental and physical health, can further reduce pup nerves. Your dog is more likely to spend hours snoring rather than barking after a long run!
If your dog is barking for attention, toys and increased play are the most likely solutions. Beware of shouting at your dog if you suspect this motivation as they may perceive any attention from you, even if you are yelling, as a sort of reward – or they may even think you are joining in! Waiting out the noise and only interacting when your dog is silent is a better way to encourage peace and quiet.”
Greensborough Growler
says:
I have a house, a family a business and respect from my local Community.
You have a mouth and a mail order bride.
Cheers.
__________________
I assume you are referring to my wife who is of Chinese descent. Stay classy GG.
The N95 masks work pretty well but I’ve never seen one worn outside of an ICU.
A belated note of appreciation to Kambah Mick. You are one of Nature’s gentlemen.
GG:
Here We Go, Here We Go, Here We Go!
GG:
As the Telstra ad says – Don’t be “that” dickhead!
Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
I am stranded here at home with no broadband and an extremely patchy and slow mobile data service. I have tried valiantly to pull the patrol together but it’s not going to happen this morning. I am declaring a force majeure.
Brian Boyd’s (from the audit office) response to a question from Erica Betz on ABC tv this AM is absolutely brilliant
Good morning BK and everyone.
I’ve only just woken after a bad night, but I’ll collect a few articles for you.
Good morning BK. Enforced rest for you today.
Good Morning Lizzie. One from me.
The SportsRorts will not go away soon.
“Some 43% of projects funded under the controversial $100m sports grant program overseen by Bridget McKenzie – 290 in total – were ineligible, according to officials from the Australian National Audit Office.
The evidence from the ANAO to the Senate inquiry on Thursday contrasts with the defence of the program employed by Scott Morrison and the former sports minister, who had claimed that “no ineligible projects” were funded under the scheme”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/feb/13/government-could-fail-surplus-test-says-labor-politics-live
In haste.
As the number of COVID-19 cases jumps dramatically in China, a top infectious-disease scientist warns that things could get far worse: two-thirds of the world’s population could catch it.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/coronavirus-could-infect-two-thirds-of-globe-top-scientist-says-20200214-p540pc.html
A temporary travel ban on all non-Australians travelling from China has been extended for another week as the number of coronavirus deaths surged and infections climbed by almost 15,000.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/coronavirus-death-rate-surges-as-infections-climb-by-14-000-20200213-p540fr.html
ANAO executive director Brian Boyd told a Senate inquiry on Thursday night that 43 per cent of the approved grants, or 294 projects, were ineligible by the time they received funding, often because of delays in the ministerial oversight of the scheme.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/more-than-40-per-cent-of-sports-rorts-projects-were-ineligible-20200213-p540n9.html
Australia’s Education Minister says the Chinese government has agreed to ease some internet restrictions for university students stranded in China due to the coronavirus outbreak.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/china-eases-great-firewall-for-stranded-australian-university-students-20200213-p540nb.html
A regional grants program that lavished $187 million on Coalition targeted seats in the six months before the election is facing a push from crossbench MPs for an Auditor-General’s investigation. Analysis by this masthead and Nine News of the Community Development Grants from December 2018 to May 2019 shows 84 per cent of the cash went to seats the government was aiming to win.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/more-regional-grants-splashed-on-coalition-targeted-seats-20200213-p540lr.html
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has rejected criticisms of the Closing the Gap program which his government introduced along with the formal apology to the Stolen Generation in 2008, saying that those striving towards reconciliation have always been criticised by “petty naysayers”.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/rudd-strongly-rejects-pm-s-criticism-of-closing-the-gap-20200213-p540if.html
Barnaby Joyce says the prospect of more Queensland MPs defecting from the Nationals to sit as Queensland LNP members would be “chaotic” and he will fight to stop it happening.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/very-chaotic-barnaby-joyce-wants-to-keep-the-nationals-together-20200213-p540mg.html
Today I am proposing a six-point clean-up of politics and government in Australia.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/how-to-clean-up-politics-six-rules-of-engagement-20200212-p5402w.html
The broader health gap in Australia is the city-rural divide. It effectively condemns those who live outside cities to an earlier death. And the Indigenous health gap, which is a part of that city-country divide, will not be closed unless we address the broader challenge.
https://www.theage.com.au/healthcare/the-other-shameful-gap-australia-needs-to-close-the-city-country-health-divide-20200212-p54014.html
Bridget McKenzie chose to use spare federal money to fund a $150,000 study into the benefits of shooting instead of supporting a major event for 1,000 intellectually impaired athletes, documents show.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/14/bridget-mckenzie-gave-spare-150000-to-shooting-study-rather-than-major-games-for-intellectually-impaired
The big reason the surplus is toast is the reliance the budget has on company tax. Already the level of company tax for the first six months of this financial year is $500m down on what was predicted. That is going to go down more, and the budget has less room to adjust than it did in the past.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/13/coalitions-fervour-for-a-budget-surplus-cools-as-prospects-turn-to-toast
Medicare’s recent warning is a slap in the face for those of us trying to provide quality, whole-person care
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/13/my-patients-dont-separate-their-physical-and-mental-health-medicare-must-stop-asking-us-to
This fire season, areas of Australia have burnt that used to be too wet to burn
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2020/feb/12/living-in-the-climate-emergency-australias-new-fire-zone
You might think that with the great public service provided by the ABC fresh in people’s minds, it would be an excellent time for a savvy chair to be pounding government corridors seeking to at least reverse the announced cuts in the ABC’s budget. Maybe that’s why a sworn enemy of the ABC, Senator James McGrath (LNP, Qld), decided the best contribution he could make to the nation this week, the best thing he could find about himself to self-promote on Twitter, was to attack the reduced amount the ABC already receives.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/02/13/senator-mcgrath-abc-rorts/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Morning%20News%20-%2020200214
Rise of the gig economy spells bad news for retirement incomes
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/superannuation/2020/02/13/gig-economy-super/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Morning%20News%20-%2020200214
nice one Lizzie, thanks.
It is an excoriating article by Pascoe on James McGrath. He seems to against anything decent, yet has “fed off the public/political/lobbyist teat since he was 25.”
“A senator since 2014, it seems from Google that James McGrath’s biggest claims to fame outside the Liberal Party machine are being sacked in 2008 from Boris Johnson’s campaign to become London Mayor and bragging about his car killing a cockatoo last year.”
Good stuff, Lizzie.
That New Daily article by Pascoe about the McGrath oxygen thief is especially good
lizzie @ #1531 Friday, February 14th, 2020 – 7:18 am
None of them have the integrity or a backbone, like Tony Windsor had.
How unexpected –
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/14/bridget-mckenzie-gave-spare-150000-to-shooting-study-rather-than-major-games-for-intellectually-impaired
Morrison is a more blatant liar than we could have imagined. The coloured spreadsheets Probyn waved at him in the CPG, which he called “your editorial”, were part of his own engagement in the sportsrorts. Yet he says.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-13/sports-grants-senate-auditor-general-bridget-mckenzie/11962104
BK @ #1524 Friday, February 14th, 2020 – 6:34 am
After 2 days this week with only a Personal Hotspot (thanks again, ‘fess, it’s a lifesaver), I know how frustrating it feels. If only we had a PROPER NBN! Grrr!
I’ll go get some light relief (and anger inducers), ie the cartoons. 🙂
But before I do, can I just say that the sooner this man departs this earth, the better:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/obeid-family-negotiated-a-60m-windfall-20200213-p540ld.html
It’s worth remembering that the only reason MacDonald and the Obeids are being prosecuted is we had (past tense) a ruthless ICAC in NSW.
A similar Federal ICAC would hang Morrison and his cronies out to dry.
Hopefully after the next election …..
John Kelly just made these 4 incredible assertions about Trump — and it’s already getting under his skin
Like Bolton, Tillerson and Mattis, Kelly grew incredibly frustrated with Trump; nonetheless, Kelly mostly held his tongue after leaving the White House. But the retired Marine Corps general, during a 75-minute speech and Q&A session at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey on Wednesday night, February 12, spoke candidly and frankly about Trump. And Kelly wasn’t shy about criticizing the president, who is angrily lashing out at him on Twitter.
Here are some of the most riveting moments from the event, which was presented by New Jersey’s Drew University.
1. Kelly defended Alexander Vindman’s actions in Ukraine scandal
2. Kelly asserted that Vindman was right to disobey ‘an illegal order’
3. Kelly stressed that Trump will never convince Kim Jong Un to ‘give his nuclear weapons up’
4. Kelly criticized Trump for intervening in Eddie Gallagher case
Trump :
When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn’t do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head. Being Chief of Staff just wasn’t for him. He came in with a bang, went out with a whimper, but like so many X’s, he misses the action & just can’t keep his mouth shut,.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/02/john-kelly-just-made-these-4-incredible-assertions-about-trump-and-its-already-getting-under-his-skin/
Ex-US Attorney under Bill Barr chokes up as he calls out the ‘conspiracy in plain view’ between DOJ and Trump
Former US Attorney Patrick Cotter once had Bill Barr’s picture hanging on his wall — but not anymore.
“I will tell you the attorney general is appointed to administer the law fairly and impartially, and that’s the line that I see has been rolled over like a tank by the president who has clearly, clearly applied enormous pressure to the DOJ in favor of a personal friend of his,” said Cotter.
“Bill Barr doesn’t have to read the Donald Trump mind, Donald Trump tweets exactly what he wants,” Cotter explained. “And within hours William Barr does it.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/02/ex-us-attorney-under-bill-barr-chokes-up-as-he-calls-out-the-conspiracy-in-plain-view-between-doj-and-trump/
‘Quid pro quo right before our eyes!’ Trump’s threat against New York seen as ‘exact same crime’ he was impeached over
President Donald Trump pressed New York’s governor to end the state’s lawsuits against him ahead of their meeting — and many saw that as more than just a request.
The Trump administration moved to block New York residents from the expedited Global Entry process at the border, and the president called for the state to drop its investigations of his businesses before meeting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo to discuss the travel policy.
“I’m seeing Governor Cuomo today at The White House,” Trump tweeted. “He must understand that National Security far exceeds politics. New York must stop all of its unnecessary lawsuits & harrassment, start cleaning itself up, and lowering taxes
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/02/quid-pro-quo-right-before-our-eyes-trumps-threat-against-new-york-seen-as-exact-same-crime-he-was-impeached-over/
Waleed Aly
It feels like an upheaval, but precious little has changed
https://www.theage.com.au/national/it-feels-like-an-upheaval-but-precious-little-has-changed-20200213-p540e9.html
Morning all. Thanks LIzzie for the fine job as BK stand-in. You are right about Morrison’s brazen lying – he does it reflexively when pressured. Likewise Bridget McKenzie, thanks for putting another round into her feet. Laugable to think that McCormack can only cling to office by keeping her around.
The Obeid trials are actually best to be gotten over with now, well away from the next election. Once they are, Labor can easily point to the many examples of allegedly fraudulent conduct by sitting ministers that have not been investigated or quietly resolved by paying back the ill-gotten gains. Obeid was a disaster for NSW Labor, but they have paid for it. Meanwhile his trial and various Liberals being still at large is a massive double standard.
Another great Real Time panel tomorrow.
This could be a train wreck interview…
phoenixRed:
What do you make of this?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/barr-pushes-back-against-trumps-criticism-of-justice-dept-says-tweets-make-it-impossible-for-me-to-do-my-job/2020/02/13/7ff5f308-4e7c-11ea-9b5c-eac5b16dafaa_story.html
Great work Lizzie.
We Got to have Cartoons – from the US:
Morning all
I see Morrison and co are continuing on their merry way to be the worst govt ever. Sigh
This is a lovely one by Mat Davidson. ‘People are like teabags, you discover what they are like when they are in hot water’:
Another from Mat Davidson. ‘Economic buzzword Tarot Cards’:
This one by Andrew Dyson is called, ‘Frydenburg’s Budget’:
This one by Andrew Dyson is a reflection of the sides that have been opened like a chasm wrt Closing the Gap. More like Opening A Divide:
Very true by Oslo Davis:
What more can you say about this cartoon by Cathy Wilcox. If I do, someone might get outraged :
I hope Jacqui Lambie sees this one by Matt Golding (and realises how cheaply she has been bought off by Morrison):
More like this, please, Simon Letch:
Gee, Hosier Lane in Melbourne has been a hot topic this week. This comment by Jim Pavlidis:
The problems for Dan Andrews of what to do with dirty spoil by Matt Golding:
Heh heh. Matt Golding:
Albanese wanting to put a few people on the menu, by Matt Golding:
Sorry, I can’t (yay), do Murdoch media cartoons.
This from Britain’s The Guardian after Boris Johnson (aka Dominic Cummings), sacked Chancellor, Sajid Javid:
Steve Bell does not like Dominic Cummings or Boris Johnson:
I don’t know where this guy comes from but this is very good:
The worst job the Queen has:
There, I hope that helps lighten up your day. 🙂