Together with the usual suite of questions on coronavirus, the latest weekly Essential Research survey offers findings on the government’s robodebt the recent disturbances in the United States. The former make grim reading for the government, or might do if Newspoll hadn’t suggested the debacle had made no difference on voting intention: 74% say the government should apologise to those negatively impacted, with only 11% disagreeing; 66% support interest and damages for those who wrongly repaid money, with 13% disagreeing; 55% supported a royal commission, with 23% disagreeing; and only 32% agreed the automated notifications were a good idea “even if it was poorly implemented”, with 43% disagreeing.
Regarding the protests in the United States, the propositions that “protesters are right to demand better protection and treatment of African Americans in society” and that “the protesters want to loot and cause property damage, more than they want social change” both received majority support, though far more emphatically in the former case, with 80% agreeing and 11% disagreeing, compared with 54% and 33% for the latter. There were likewise large majorities in favour of the notions that “authorities in America have been unwilling to deal with institutional racism” (78% to 10%) and that the death of George Floyd pointed to “wider discrimination against minority cultures in society” (72% to 16%), while only 33% considered Floyd’s death isolated and not illustrative of institutional police racism, compared with 54% who disagreed.
As for coronavirus, the number who are “very concerned” maintains a steady decline, down five to 27%, with quite concerned down one to 48%, not that concerned up six to 21% and not at all concerned up one to 5%. Approval of the government’s handling of the matter is little changed, with 70% rating it good (up two) and 12% poor (steady). Small-sample state breakdowns provide a further increment of support for the notion that the Western Australian government has done best out of the crisis, with the good rating at 84% and poor at 6%, with other states ranging from 67% to 79% on good and 8% to 13% on poor. Queensland respondents were most likely to say their government was moving too slowly in easing restrictions, although even here the result was only 23% compared with 63% for “about the right speed”. The poll was conducted online from Thursday to Sunday from a sample of 1073.
Elsewhere, yesterday’s declaration of candidates and ballot paper draw for the July 4 Eden-Monaro by-election revealed a field of 14 candidates. Along with Labor candidate Kristy McBain and Liberal candidate Fiona Kotvojs, there are starters for the Nationals (Trevor Hicks, who won a preselection vote on Saturday), the Greens, Shooters Fishers and Farmers, the Liberal Democrats, the Christian Democrats, Help End Marijuana Prohibition, the Science Party, Sustainable Australia, something called the Australian Federation Party and three independents.
Katie Burgess on yet another intemperate, ignorant outburst from Pauline Hanson.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6788591/where-is-the-outrage-for-white-people-pauline-hanson-hits-out-at-black-lives-matter-protesters/
Says a rich, White lady speaking from the most elite institution in the country. 🙄
Sally McManus highlights a very important point here:
The ACTU has argued that businesses that have survived the pandemic recession will face less competition and be better placed to digest a 4 per cent pay rise.
https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/workplace/less-competition-justifies-30-wage-hike-actu-20200610-p55190
That is that, if businesses are snapping back as well as Morrison and Frydenburg will no doubt crow, which also indicates that the business chaff has been separated from the wheat and the strong have survived, supported also by JobKeeper, then it should logically follow that they can afford an increase in the Minimum Wage for their employees.
Georgia shows what an omnishambles the US elections are heading for in November.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/voting-june-9-primaries/2020/06/09/df6b8aa2-a9e7-11ea-a9d9-a81c1a491c52_story.html?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJjb29raWVuYW1lIjoid3BfY3J0aWQiLCJpc3MiOiJDYXJ0YSIsImNvb2tpZXZhbHVlIjoiNWVhMjI3NzI5YmJjMGYzYTc4ZjdlZDEzIiwidGFnIjoiNWVlMTQ0YjdmZTFmZjY1NGMyZjZmZDYzIiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzL3ZvdGluZy1qdW5lLTktcHJpbWFyaWVzLzIwMjAvMDYvMDkvZGY2YjhhYTItYTllNy0xMWVhLWE5ZDktYTgxYzFhNDkxYzUyX3N0b3J5Lmh0bWw_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXdwX3RvX3lvdXJfaGVhbHRoJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJndwaXNyYz1ubF90eWgmd3Btaz0xIn0.XYTnxeq6WdzD8ETw5-SoTZ8mLxvjw6qn1kNlNXuYETc&utm_campaign=wp_to_your_health&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_tyh&wpmk=1
Mavis
“ Bucephalus is essentially an agent provocateur. In his defence, he does have a military background in the army reserve. In my experience, most former and serving members of the ADF tend to be law and order types, who have a condescending view of civilians,”
————-
I’d take more notice of the contemporary military types if they weren’t such slovenly dags.
They could start by reinstating smarter uniforms, say circa 18oo!
🙂
Surely this should be applied across the board, domestic and foreign.
I suppose if it was applied domestically, then a few Government members, if not the Government itself, would get flagged.
NZ punching above its weight again, with their Police to end armed response teams : https://www.watchme.co.nz/news/nz-herald-focus/8th-14th-june/focus-live-police-to-end-armed-response-teams/
Rakali @ #54 Thursday, June 11th, 2020 – 6:40 am
I’d take more notice of the contemporary military types if they were prepared to critic past actions, instead of blindly defending everything.
Thanks BK for the Dawn Patrol.
What is the car’s mascot shown in the Rowe Cartoon ❓
Could it be a golden goose ❓
KayJay
I think you might be on the money there.
BK @ #53 Thursday, June 11th, 2020 – 8:40 am
That link is an omnishambles, BK! 😆
C@tmomma @ #41 Thursday, June 11th, 2020 – 6:12 am
It is bad diplomacy to say it out loud, but this is just so obviously something that should have already been done, and desperately needed now.
KayJay @ #58 Thursday, June 11th, 2020 – 8:50 am
Nah, it’s a golden pig. As in Pork. As in Barrel. It’s got a curly tail and a snout.
C@t
But it worked! 🙂
A flying golden pig?
WeWantPaul @ #61 Thursday, June 11th, 2020 – 8:52 am
In saying that it is a necessary move, Australia, especially as it relates to dealing with India, shouldn’t overlook, excuse and remain silent on Modi’s Hindu Nationalism and suppression of India’s Muslims if he tries to go too far.
Ballet for breakfast!
The Perm Opera and Ballet streamed / put up a production of La Bayadere over night:
https://youtu.be/tBeH46piTvg
Thick fog shrouding Parliament House.
#WeatheronPB
Thanks, BK.
[“The president has spent the last 10 days quietly and diligently working on proposals to address the issues that the protesters raised across the country, legitimate issues,” McEnany said.]
McEanay is worse than her predecessors. Trump doesn’t do “quiet” and “diligence”, having the attention span of a post. Until immunity is lifted (a state matter), they’ll be no real reform; the obvious reason for her press release is the dire polling of Dear Leader.
https://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/trump-eyes-executive-order-on-us-policing/news-story/08c2a54659a4163024699ec8732ee329
The most corrupt government since Federation conflicted on fake news?
I don’t imagine Perm gets a lot of accidental tourism.
Nah, it’s a golden pig. As in Pork. As in Barrel. It’s got a curly tail and a snout.
———
It’s more like “pigs will fly”, i think
WeWantPaul @ #61 Thursday, June 11th, 2020 – 6:52 am
It’s also bad business practice.
Just look at producers that have had exclusive supplying deals with some of the major supermarkets.
The supermarkets change conditions to suit themselves and the producer suffers.
Yairs :
Thanks ladies and gennermun. A flying golden pig. Of course.
Another matter entirely – I’m not sure about our military and the proverbial punching out of a wet paper bag.
https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/new-twist-in-woolworths-paper-bag-made-in-china-controversy-c-1088533
Buy Australian ❓
Barney in Tanjung Bunga @ #73 Thursday, June 11th, 2020 – 7:05 am
Yeah when I worked for the big 4 the plan, didn’t come off all that often, but the plan was always to make the client learn to rely on you, then just open up all barrels and bill the life out of them.
Rakali:
[‘I’d take more notice of the contemporary military types if they weren’t such slovenly dags.
They could start by reinstating smarter uniforms, say circa 18oo!’]
Love the head-gear. Perhaps Bucephalus could post a pic of himself in dress uniform(?).
Whatever happened to the Public Interest Media Advocate?
Media shrills at proposed Gillard reforms
https://www.smh.com.au/business/media-shrills-at-proposed-gillard-reforms-20130313-2g0sq.html
If you are interested in Perm still one can stay near the theatre, in the only slightly distrubingly named ‘Garni Hotel Sibiria’ for as little as AUD$64 per night. Unfortunately there are incremental charges for *checks trip advisor* pretty much everything but breathing.
Rakali
That saddle would look divine on Buce. Although perhaps this would better suit,
Just had a radical thought.
How about the government declares that all Australians are equal?
It’s the myth we were told before emigrating. Not like Europe, they said. A free country.
Come on, Moses Morrison. Step up and take a lead.
poroti
That saddle would look divine on Buce. Although perhaps this would better suit,
———
That poor chap has no more space for medals!!
Mavis,
I did 9 years in the Australian Regular Army and 3 Years in the Army Reserve and quite a few on the Inactive List. If you wish to highlight my Reserve Service that’s fine.
Regards
B
You see, Morrison doesn’t believe in equality. Not for one second.
Kevin Rudd doing his best slapdown in ages:
Brian Houston
@BrianCHouston
· Jun 9
Replying to @MrKRudd
Hello Mr Rudd. It’s been a while since we have caught up. Have you also noticed that we postponed the Hillsong Conference for 12 months back in March. A little research goes a long way. Many blessings.
Kevin Rudd
@MrKRudd
·
16h
Dear Pastor Houston. Being truthful is important, especially among Christians. The truth is Morrison did sanction this Hillsong Conference, involving thousands, in March when COVID was erupting. It wasn’t postponed. Morrison now attacks peaceful BLM protests. A double standard.
Nearby Sullivan cafe:
Mavis
While I did serve in a couple of Cavalry Regiments their dress uniforms are no match for that magnificent rig.
C@t
There was a conference back in March. Is Brian Houston lying?
Victoria @ #88 Thursday, June 11th, 2020 – 9:22 am
It looks like the Youth Conference. So, postponed the Adult Conference but allowed the other one to go ahead. Allowing Houston to craft his response to Rudd, but Rudd wasn’t having any of it.
Lots of pacifists in western democracies despised their militaries during the thirties.
Probably the most extreme popular cultural expression of this was the Colonel Blimp meme.
But most pacifists suddenly had their minds changed for them in 1939.
The rest had their minds changed for them when Germany invaded Soviet Russia.
Disarmamenteers suddenly wanted more planes, tanks and warships in 1939.
They learned to dote on the men they had despised mere months before.
As will, one day in Australia, the proponents of national security being underpinned by peace studies and a Light Mobile Force.
‘The Caine Mutiny’ by Wouk is a nuanced examination of this theme.
Well taking a google maps walk down Sovetskaya Ulitsa in the sun after a rain shower one suspects Perm does not get a lot of deliberate tourism either.
Morrison says that Australia isn’t a racist country. He could have said so much more about improving in the future.
The lies and back flips and feet in mouth and more lies just keep coming –
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-10/cormann-says-no-more-changes-to-jobkeeper-before-review/12339698?section=business
C@t
Yes it appears Brian Houston was attempting to be too clever by half.
They really are not decent people.
Hitler and his henchmen acted because they honestly believed in what they were doing as evil and repugnant as it was. At the end, hiding in his bunker, Hitler chose to blame the Jews and a world conspiracy rather than himself.
I know this might be contentious but coming from the only country that has actually successfully committed genocide (Tasmanian Aboriginals) Hitler’s main problem was a lack of long term planning. Whereas he tried to destroy a few minorities in a 12 year period, here we’ve been busy destroying the first nations over 250 years and doing a rather good job. To the point where 70% of all Australians blame the Aboriginals rather than the fact that we’ve systematically disadvantaged them over 250 years, only 50 years ago they were not considered humans, had their children stolen and were still being taken from their ancestral lands. As little as 15 years ago legislation was enacted based on their RACE. I have personally met people who used to shoot at them, I heard the likes of Lang Hancock talk about poisoning them, we destroyed an archaeological site that was 40 thousand years old that contained evidence of farming practices 33k years before it occured in the fertile crescent and just today we learn BHP plan to destroy more than 40 more sites.
The kicker? Nothing ever done to the Aboriginals from the 250 years ago to today has any legal basis because the fundamental premise the English used to colonise and Australia used to Federalise was proven to be false in the 1990’s.
Mavis: “Bucephalus is essentially an agent provocateur. In his defence, he does have a military background in the army reserve. In my experience, most former and serving members of the ADF tend to be law and order types, who have a condescending view of civilians, especially progressives, more pronounced in the US & the UK but nevertheless not dissimilar to here.”
As far as I can tell, he mostly just posts what he thinks: unlike many on here he doesn’t go in all that much for name-calling or ad hominen attacks, unless he is provoked.
Any political blog – right or left – always features a group who considers that anyone posting something they don’t agree with is “trolling”.
I fear that the future of PB is that it is eventually going to become exclusively a platform for Greens and Laborites who are only interested in arguing with, and provoking, each other. Personally, I’d like to see more posters expressing right-wing views on here, and there being a genuine debate on policy issues.
Yes it appears Brian Houston was attempting to be too clever by half.
They really are not decent people.
______
Exhibit 1 – Stuart Robert.
I think they’re talking about different conferences.
Rudd is referring to the “Colour Conference” in March that went ahead – the group ban started on the Monday afterwards.
Houston is referring to the “Breathe Again” conference in July (postponed until 2021.)
boerwar
says:
They learned to dote on the men they had despised mere months before.
_____________
How typical to assume that pacifists despise soldiers. I’ve met a few self declared pacifists and to me they seemed to be formerly quite violent people who through some traumatic experience attempt to change an inevitably terrible future.
BK
Indeed