There are two situations vacant currently in the federal parliament: member for Eden-Monaro, with Mike Kelly’s successor to be chosen at a by-election on a date to be determined, and Victorian Greens Senator, with Richard Di Natale’s vacancy to be filled by a party membership ballot following a timeline I’m not privy to. The latest developments on these fronts are as follows:
• With Andrew Constance now in the rear mirror, the Liberals are going through a preselection process that has brought them to the closure of nominations, with the candidates not yet formally announced. David Crowe of the Sydney Morning Herald reported three likely starters: the presumed front-runner, Fiona Kotvojs, who ran in 2019 and remains popular in local branches; Jerry Nockles, an international relations expert and former Navy seaman; and Pru Gordon, a manager at the National Farmers Federation. Canberra news magazine CityNews reported that names being tested in Liberal polling included Nichole Overall, a Queanbeyan freelance journalist. Please note that there’s a dedicated Eden-Monaro by-election thread below this one.
• The Victorian Greens have attracted nine nominees to fill Richard Di Natale’s Senate vacancy, and helpfully laid them out on their website. The highest profile is human rights lawyer Julian Burnside, who ran unsuccessfully for the party in the seat of Cooper at last year’s federal election. However, Noel Towell of The Age reported in March that Lidia Thorpe, who won Northcote in a by-election in November 2017 but failed to retain it at the general election a year later, is also rated highly. The report said the same of Huong Truong, who held an upper house seat in Western Metropolitan region in the nine months before the election, but she is not among the nominees.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. Not too much in today’s serving.
Now referees are considering strike action before the scheduled May 28 resumption of the NRL season in protest over plans to revert to one whistleblower per game.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/outrageous-one-referee-plan-for-nrl-sparks-strike-threat-20200509-p54re7.html
Here’s Peter FitzSimons’ weekly column.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/roll-out-the-barilaro-oh-what-a-barrel-of-funsters-20200508-p54r7t.html
Australians are about to bear witness to one of the more fascinating rollouts (and the consequences thereafter) of a public policy in our nation’s history writes Peter van Onselen.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/coronavirus-jobless-rate-will-determine-coalitions-success-or-failure/news-story/63daca4fe19a2cf9bead19f15d2554f4
The coronavirus tracing app has been downloaded more than 5 million times, while privacy concerns remain. Independent Telecommunications expert, Gary McLaren, argues that although the privacy concerns are valid, the marketing of the app should focus on the positives and not coercion by a government still struggling with trust.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/the-covidsafe-app-is-not-the-enemy-the-virus-is/
Anna Henderson explores what might happen if COVID-19 resurges.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/coronavirus/2020/05/09/australia-coronavirus-outbreak-restrictions/
The Reserve Bank thinks the recovery will look V-shaped. There are reasons to doubt it warns Peter Martin. He makes some fair points.
https://theconversation.com/the-reserve-bank-thinks-the-recovery-will-look-v-shaped-there-are-reasons-to-doubt-it-138213
It won’t be long until Australians are packing up their travel bags again and heading interstate, but industry experts are warning against planning any big trips just yet writes Cait Kelly.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/travel/2020/05/09/interstate-travel-coronavirus-australia/
Crispin Hull wonders if a national lottery could be used to fund the ABC.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6749587/time-to-take-a-gamble-on-the-abcs-future/?cs=14329
Intensive care doctors say easing our COVID lockdown won’t put the health system at risk.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/icu-doctors-say-risk-of-hospitals-being-overrun-has-passed-20200509-p54rf1.html
The response from our government during the pandemic has raised questions as to how to combat homelessness moving forward, writes Gerry Georgatos.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/australias-homeless-situation-we-need-to-do-better,13877
Dennis Atkins says Trump is using Australia to sell his crazy COVID-19 conspiracy theories.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2020/05/09/dennis-atkins-us-is-using-australian-media-to-air-its-dirty-laundry/
Melissa Davey describes how George Pell failed the children of Ballarat.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/09/why-didnt-he-help-those-little-boys-how-george-pell-failed-the-children-of-ballarat
Education Minister Dan Tehan has criticised Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for heeding medical advice and keeping schools closed, writes Peter Wicks who clearly scores Andrews as the winner.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/premier-andrews-victorious-in-the-battle-of-the-dans,13876
If you’ve been feeling uncertain, isolated, on edge, lethargic, pessimistic, and depressed lately you aren’t the only one. These are just some of the symptoms two thirds of Australians have reported as a result of the coronavirus crisis. And, for many thousands of us, these emotions can go far beyond being “down” or “blue”.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6749583/we-need-to-look-after-each-right-now/?cs=14258
Barack Obama has reportedly said the “rule of law is at risk” in the US, after the justice department said it would drop its case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/09/obama-leaked-conversation-us-rule-of-law-at-risk-flynn-case-dropped
The right cannot resist a culture war against the ‘liberal elite’, even now says Nick Cohen.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/09/the-right-cannot-resist-a-culture-war-against-the-liberal-elite-even-now
The idiot Trump continues to eschew key public health guidelines from his own administration, meeting with Republican representatives and World War II veterans last Friday without a face mask.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-flouts-protocols-as-virus-reaches-white-house-inner-circle-20200509-p54ret.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe






Matt Golding
Reg Lynch
From the US
That’s the style Rupert, get your orcs out leading from the rear.
.
Fox News Host Implored the Public to Be Brave and Defy Stay-at-Home Orders. Via Video Chat. From His Home.
.
‘Now that we are learning more, herd immunity is our friend. Healthy people getting out there — they are going to have to have some courage.
https://twitter.com/justinbaragona/status/1258430817598046210
The sort of headlines we will be getting here next week ?
………………………………………………………………………………
Reopenings bring new cases in South Korea, virus fears in Italy
…………..The mayor said gains made against the virus are now threatened “because of a few careless people.”
South Korea’s capital closed down more than 2100 bars and other nightspots on Saturday because of a new cluster of coronavirus infections, Germany scrambled to contain fresh outbreaks at slaughterhouses, and Italian authorities worried that people were getting too friendly at cocktail hour during the country’s first weekend of eased restrictions.
The new flare-ups — and fears of a second wave of contagion
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12330795
Just when I was feeling sorry for Mike Kelly, he pops up with a new job with a US security contractor. Should I have been surprised by this?
goudreau’s venezuela folly was a classic *filibuster*. -a.v.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filibuster_(military)
Stuart
Hmmm.
Do the Greens normally hold preselections for their Senate seats? I suppose they have to run a preselection this time given the vote on allowing members a say in the leadership.
Great cartoon. Rampant right wing capitalists care far more about their profits than they do about people’s health.
Stuart @ #4 Sunday, May 10th, 2020 – 7:01 am
If you were being fair, and you knew what went into the job of being a Member of Parliament and Local Member, you’d have to say that the new job is going to be a lot less onerous on Mike Kelly’s health and will allow him to attend hospital when he needs to.
However, there will always be people who want to put a negative spin on things.
To all the mothers and their families out there. 🙂
I got a pair of Fiskars secateurs and a bottle of french perfume. 😯
Little Richard has passed away.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/little-richard-appreciation/2020/05/09/8a30e116-9229-11ea-9e23-6914ee410a5f_story.html
Firefox: Great cartoon. Rampant right wing capitalists care far more about their profits than they do about people’s health.
————————
Yes… and the sky is blue… In fact this seems to be the position of your common or garden moderate/right wing capitalist, if you assess their actions and preferences, and though they would rarely be caught out actually saying that and would not admit it to themselves.
“Do the Greens normally hold preselections for their Senate seats? I suppose they have to run a preselection this time given the vote on allowing members a say in the leadership.”
***
Honestly have no idea what processes the Vic Greens follow but here in the NSW Greens we did have a preselection vote for our Senate spot. The awesome Senator Faruqi is the result of that vote.
Exciting times for the Vic Greens for sure! Such a talented field of candidates.
Australia doing Israel’s bidding now!
“ The Australian government has told the International Criminal Court it should not investigate alleged war crimes in Palestine because Palestine is “not a state”, arguing the court prosecutor’s investigation into alleged attacks on civilians, torture, attacks on hospitals, and the use of human shields, should be halted on jurisdictional grounds.
Australia was lobbied to make the submission to the court by Israel, which is not a party to the court.”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/10/australian-government-tells-icc-it-should-not-investigate-alleged-war-crimes-in-palestine
Excellent news re “asymptomatic” covid19 if one of the possible explanations as to “why is it so?” is correct.
……………………………………………………………………….
2.2 percent of NZ Covid-19 cases asymptomatic
……………”If there’s a manageable number, you’re going to get better data. …………….because of the sheer number of cases, it just can’t be as reliable.”
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/05/09/1161521/22-of-new-zealand-covid-19-cases-asymptomatic
I was looking for more details of Mike Kelly’s new position, and here it is.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-10/outgoing-labor-mp-mike-kelly-takes-new-job-security-company/12229842
Confessions @ #11 Sunday, May 10th, 2020 – 7:46 am
So did Roy, of Siegfreid and Roy. From COVID-19.
This goes for Labor as well.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/democrats-always-appeal-to-the-mind-now-they-must-go-for-the-gut/2020/05/07/887fed66-9090-11ea-9e23-6914ee410a5f_story.html
C@t:
I do not know who Roy is, but my dad had Little Richard records.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/08/obituaries/roy-horn-dead-covid.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Obituaries
Coronavirus losses may force Newscorp and Rupert Murdoch to rethink Foxtel business model
News Corporation is the latest international media company to reveal that it has been hit hard by COVID-19, with third-quarter accounts showing a $US1 billion ($1.5 billion) loss.
It is a setback that spurred Rupert Murdoch to join the growing list of senior executives forgoing their bonuses for this year.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-10/coronavirus-challenges-may-force-foxtel-murdoch-to-rethink-model/12231094
Couldn’t think of a more deserving company…
Confessions @ #7 Sunday, May 10th, 2020 – 5:26 am
Yep, that’s why Lee R and Andrew B left the last Parliament, she lost preselection and he didn’t stand, choosing to contest a House seat.
I find it rather difficult to say what I think about this revolting travesty without swearing and cursing at Scotty from Marketing and Crony Co. Inc.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/10/australian-government-tells-icc-it-should-not-investigate-alleged-war-crimes-in-palestine
Regarding the preselection fist fight for Eden-Monaro I get the feeling that Jerry Nockles will get the nod.
I am so tired of this argument.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/10/time-to-click-reset-coronavirus-offers-chance-to-end-australias-welfare-wars?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Kronomex
Would that be the same scum government who lectured China it has to be more transparent and allow in inspectors with “weapons inspector” level access to investigate ?
Barney:
I can’t say I’ve ever paid much attention.
That said, I hope Lidia Thorpe wins the preselection.
To Confessions who has me blocked by all accounts and will remain ignorant…
Mr Bowe’s intro at the beginning of this thread:
Victorian Greens participate in every preselection ballot in their electorates/wards, federally, state and local. Every time.
Grassroots democracy at its best.
Bin…
Beat me by that much.
——–
Confessions
For someone who professes to
you spend a lot of your time focused on the Greens.
Perhaps the reason for his recent unhingement. That is the greater unhingement than his usual unhingement. Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Florida all have large older populations, and Trump won seniors in 2016 by a not insignificant margin.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/09/us/politics/trump-older-voters-2020.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
“Beating coronavirus needs return to health surveillance, says WHO”
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/beating-coronavirus-return-health-surveillance-200508192312573.html?taid=5eb5e0fc63ff070001872539&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter
Well, if your President was saying effectively, hey guys, you gotta take one for the economic team, you wouldn’t want to vote for him, would you?
WA’s decision to keep its mines open amid coronavirus may have saved Australia’s economy
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-10/keeping-wa-mines-open-in-coronavirus-may-save-australian-economy/12227448
Children aren’t immune to racism. Here’s how you can talk to your children about it
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-10/how-to-talk-to-your-children-about-racism-during-coronavirus/12216354?nw=0
Shakespeare lived his entire life in the shadow of bubonic plague.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/what-shakespeare-actually-wrote-about-the-plague?utm_campaign=likeshopme&client_service_id=31202&utm_social_type=owned&utm_brand=tny&service_user_id=1.78e+16&utm_content=instagram-bio-link&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&client_service_name=the%20new%20yorker&supported_service_name=instagram_publishing
Corruption investigation into Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has potential to unravel Labor Government’s five-year reign
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-10/jackie-trad-investigation-potential-unravel-qld-labor-government/12231828
“To Confessions who has me blocked by all accounts and will remain ignorant…”
***
I sense I may have been blocked by some on here too lol. Ah well.
I actually like reading differing points of view and having debates with people. I think it would be incredibly boring to live in a filtered “bubble” where you only read things that align with your own world view. Besides, reading the opinions of right wingers often reminds me of why I am proud to be a lefty lol.
David Speers – We don’t know what the coronavirus new normal will be — and that’s Morrison’s ongoing challenge
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-10/coronavirus-challenge-economy-ease-restrictions-unemployment/12229938
Firefox
That’s why I am here on PB. It appears though that some would prefer their own echo-chamber and woe betide anyone who pricks their bubble.
Diversity rules!
Looks like a great time to cancel your Foxtel subscription.
It all started with Scotty from Marketing and will end with some other patsy being thrown under the bus.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-09/pm-involved-in-sports-grants-funding-scandal-labor-says/12231342?section=politics
What’s the bet that The Rupert will lean, just a little bit, on his bicycle racks in Canberra to help an old mmaattee out.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-10/coronavirus-challenges-may-force-foxtel-murdoch-to-rethink-model/12231094?section=business
Good to see Peggy fighting hard to get out of that wet paper bag again.
Maybe she might succeed today.
Just finished watching The Loudest Voice on Stan, about the establishment of FoxNews – Russell Crowe is great as the odious Roger Ailes.
The whole divide and rule, narrowcasting, talk to the viewer prejudices whilst titillating with bimbos and himbos found its summit in the Trump candidacy. We now get to see the unravelling in real life.
Stuart @ https://www.pollbludger.net/2020/05/10/preselection-news-x-2/#comment-3403211
EM is large electorate requiring a lot of travel and Dr Kelly stated he could no longer do the miles required I assume mostly by car. I wish him well and no doubt his experience and knowledge will be very valuable to Palantir software .
Pegasus @ #37 Sunday, May 10th, 2020 – 8:41 am
FFS, the ‘new’ normal will be exactly like the old normal.
People don’t change in 6 weeks.
‘Time to click reset’: coronavirus offers chance to end Australia’s welfare wars
The doubling of jobseeker was the biggest change to social security in decades. Now experts want the government to push aside ideology and establish a permanent equitable safety net
This is the third in our series on Life after lockdown, which looks at how the Covid-19 pandemic could change Australia for good
by Gay Alcorn
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/10/time-to-click-reset-coronavirus-offers-chance-to-end-australias-welfare-wars
I don’t see the Kelly move in taking his Committee on Intelligence and Security “background” to a US security company that wanted to increase its activities in Australia being any different from Christopher Pine taking his Defence Dept. “background” to EY, a company that wanted to expand its footprint in defence contracting in Australia.
Anyway, isn’t Kelly cashed up from being in one of the best super schemes in Australia?
‘Life in isolation for Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s wife Jenny has been “challenging” but at least one good thing came out of it for her family.
“I haven’t seen Scott as much as I have in past six weeks for 13 years really,” she said.’
That’s nice.
Now fuck off.
Stuart
I thought there was some rule about not taking a position within a certain time in the same area, but as Pyne and others have got away with it, I suppose it’s a case of Who cares?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-10/outgoing-labor-mp-mike-kelly-takes-new-job-security-company/12229842
“Founded in 2004, Palantir specialises in the shadowy practice of data mining, and in January its growing global business was privately valued at $US20 billion ($30.61 billion).
:::
American spies are known to use Palantir software to link together the huge cache of data gathered by security agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and National Security Agency (NSA).
Palantir software has been used by Australia’s Defence Department since 2011, and the company has secured millions of dollars in contracts with security agencies such as the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).”
————-
How Palantir Falls Short of Responsible Corporate Conduct:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelposner/2019/09/12/what-companies-can-learn-from-palantir/#24ec4f4216e0
How Peter Thiel’s Palantir helped the NSA spy on the whole world:
https://theintercept.com/2017/02/22/how-peter-thiels-palantir-helped-the-nsa-spy-on-the-whole-world/
Stuart
Yet Pyne was hammered by Labor partisans. Kelly, undoubtedly not so much as is already obvious.