Scattered accounts of opinion polling ahead of what looks like being a lean week for it, with both Newspoll and Essential Research entering an off-week in their respective cycles:
• Some seriously mixed signals coming out of Victoria, starting with Roy Morgan, who have published results of an SMS poll conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday from a sample of 2325 that records a 70-30 favourable split for Daniel Andrews’ performance as Premier. Respondents also split 63-37 against allowing restaurants, hotels and cafes to provide table service, 54-46 against ending the rule limiting travel to within 5 kilometres of a person’s home, 63-37 against an end to the 9pm curfew, although there is a 59-41 split in favour of allowing Melbourne residents to visit the homes of immediate family members, and a 76-24 split in favour of state government compensation for businesses forced to close.
• The contrast is provided by a Herald Sun report in Liberal internal polling by MediaReach of five marginal Victorian state seats, showing devastating swings against Labor. The Liberals are credited with leads of 70.6-29.4 in Bayswater (50.4-49.6 to Labor at the 2018 election), 68.0-32.0 in Hawthorn (50.4-49.6 to Labor), 54.5-45.5 in Monbulk (58.6-41.4), 54.9-45.1 in Mount Waverley (51.8-48.2) and 57.9-42.1 in South Barwon (54.6-45.4). Daniel Andrews is nonetheless said to have preferred premier leads over Michael O’Brien of 46-37 in South Barwon, 43-37 in Mount Waverley and 39-29 in Monbulk, with O’Brien leading 46-33 in Hawthorn and 37-33 in Bayswater. The polling was conducted on Tuesday from samples of between 523 and 694.
• Labor-linked firm Redbridge Group has published polling from three Labor-held federal seats, which collectively suggest Labor has gone backwards since last year’s election. Including results for a follow-up prompt for the initially undecided, and applying preference flows from the last election, I estimate the two-party results at 54-46 to the LNP in Lilley, where Labor’s margin is 0.6%; 54.7-45.3 to Liberal in Hunter, where the margin is 3.0%; but 53-47 to Labor in Corangamite, improving on their existing 1.1% margin. Whereas One Nation came close to making the final two-party preference count in Hunter last year, this poll has them a distant third with 9.5%. The poll also presented respondents in Hunter with Liberal as the Coalition response option, whereas the seat was contested by the Nationals at the election. The poll was conducted from August 20-22 from samples of 1000 to 1200 per electorate. Pollster Kos Samaras notes on Twitter that their state-level polling is “not reporting the same trends”, and suggests the firm will publish polling over the coming days casting doubt over the aforementioned MediaReach findings from Victoria.
• The West Australian published further results on Monday from last week’s Painted Dog Research poll, which credited Mark McGowan with a 91% approval rating, this time on Liberal leader Liza Harvey. Harvey was found to have an approval rating of just 10%, down nine since June, with disapproval unchanged at 37%. The balance included 36% neither satisifed nor dissatisfied and 10% for don’t know – I’m not sure where that leaves the 7% balance. The poll was conducted last week from a sample of 837.
• I took part in a podcast this week with Ben Raue at The Tally Room, together with former Australian Electoral Commission official Michael Maley, in which a highly wonk-ish discussion was had about electoral redistributions.
C@t:
The Greens staying away from trying to find a resolution to boat arrivals means they can keep flinging shit at the problem from the sidelines. If they get involved in a solution they own the outcome and it will take away from them being able to bleat about it.
Holdenhillbilly says:
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 10:00 pm
Australian police seized the communications of top Chinese diplomats and named a Chinese consular official in a warrant as part of an investigation into political interference, in the months before a crackdown on Australians in China.
The ABC has uncovered explosive details of the highly sensitive investigation that has privately infuriated the Chinese Government in recent months as the Australia-China relationship has deteriorated into its worst crisis since the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
Search warrants seen by the ABC reveal the Australian Federal Police (AFP) are investigating whether China’s Sydney consulate conspired with a New South Wales MP’s political adviser, John Zhisen Zhang, in a plot to infiltrate the Labor Party and influence voters.
The warrants identify Sydney Consul Sun Yantao, who is responsible for managing the city’s network of Chinese Australians.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-15/australian-police-seized-chinese-diplomat-communications/12665724
So there we have it, the Liberal party has put petty party political politics ahead of our diplomatic relations with China. The Liberal party are really is beyond pathetic.
What do we get now? Secret trials.
This really has got beyond a joke.
Oliver Yates taking one for the team and listening to Fran this morning….
‘Lead of the covid commission on RN just confirmed that they were “tasked with only looking at gas” .
“Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s department has been hiring pollsters to gauge voter ‘sentiment’ on COVID-19 restrictions”
_______________
So much for being prepared to lose the election rather than endanger the health of Queenslanders.
Another small step towards The Peoples Democratic Republic of ‘straya?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-16/government-draft-law-share-personal-data-between-agencies/12666792?section=politics
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
See what you think of this contribution from Chris Uhlmann.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/covid-19-has-hammered-home-some-uncomfortable-truths-about-us-as-a-people-20200915-p55vrb.html
This article by John Falzon goes to the heart of the government’s ideology when he says that the income inadequacy deliberately imposed on unemployed workers is an exercise in power. He does not speak highly of neoliberalism. It’s a long, interesting read.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6924886/unemployment-and-precarity-have-spread-through-the-community-like-a-secondary-infection/?cs=14258
According to Alexandra Smith, concerns raised by a major NSW property developer were the only stakeholder correspondence Planning Minister Rob Stokes received from John Barilaro about a contested policy aimed at preserving koala habitat.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/property-developer-the-only-stakeholder-to-raise-concerns-about-nsw-koala-policy-20200915-p55vyn.html
Shane Wright reckons there has been a surge in support for the government to use debt to build the nation out of recession, while businesses back a GST increase to pay down debt.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/treasurer-wins-support-to-use-debt-to-build-australia-out-of-recession-20200915-p55vqn.html
Rob Harris tells us that Anthony Albanese will push the Morrison government to offer more support for out-of-work Australians and struggling small businesses ahead of next month’s federal budget. The eight points anchoring Albo’s push are listed.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-flags-an-eight-point-economic-plan-as-key-to-covid-19-recovery-20200915-p55vyf.html
If we are to achieve economic recovery, we will need to address social infrastructure weaknesses in aged care, health and university education, writes Professor John Quiggin.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/to-get-the-economy-going-well-need-more-than-hard-hats,14312
According to Josh Butler, the government’s legislated income tax cuts will disproportionately help rich men and leave women further behind during the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2020/09/16/tax-cuts-entrench-gender-inequality/
Shane Wright reports that some of the nation’s most respected economists say Australia should attempt to effectively eliminate the coronavirus, warning opening up restrictions too early could damage the economic recovery.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/road-to-recovery-hinges-on-controlling-covid-19-rba-and-economists-20200915-p55vv1.html
David Crowe explains how Angus Taylor is staring down critics of the government’s gas plan.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/time-to-get-on-with-it-taylor-stares-down-gas-industry-complaints-20200915-p55vyi.html
In another op-ed Angus Taylor says that gas will help Australia bounce back better and stronger from the pandemic.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/gas-will-help-australia-bounce-back-better-and-stronger-from-the-pandemic-20200914-p55vly.html
But Nicks O”Malley and Toscano tell us that energy market experts are warning that the government’s plan to build a new gas-fired power station is not needed and will not stimulate the economy enough.
https://www.theage.com.au/environment/climate-change/we-don-t-need-it-critics-say-plan-for-new-gas-power-is-unnecessary-20200915-p55vyb.html
Scott Morrison’s power plan is nothing but a gas-fuelled calamity bemoans a fired-up Katharine Murphy.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/sep/15/scott-morrisons-power-plan-is-nothing-but-a-gas-fuelled-calamity
Phil Coorey writes that Scott Morrison’s threat to intervene in the energy market by building a gas-fired power station and underwriting pipelines has sparked a backlash from gas and energy suppliers, who say it will distort the market and demonstrates once more the need for a settled energy policy.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/pm-s-gas-plan-overkill-for-market-20200915-p55voq
And the AFR editorial says that the Prime Minister’s muscular push for government intervention to reduce the cost of gas may end up reducing supply by scaring off private investment.
https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/morrison-s-activism-no-guarantee-of-cheaper-gas-20200915-p55vnz
Angela Macdonald-Smith writes that the federal government’s deadline of April 2021 for private companies to commit to 1000MW of new dispatchable generation has come in for serious questioning.
https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/intervention-fears-grow-as-power-deadline-queried-20200915-p55vpe
Scott Morrison’s plan to focus on gas will upset environmentalists and the pro-coal enthusiasts in his party. But the PM insists the government must be ready to step up, says Jennifer Hewett.
https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/forget-the-coal-wars-now-it-s-gas-20200915-p55vwj
Closing Liddell power station would lift NSW wholesale power prices by more than a quarter but the effects would decline as more capacity entered the market, according to a leaked report that Peter Hannam goes into/
https://www.smh.com.au/national/closing-liddell-power-plant-to-have-only-short-term-effects-report-20200915-p55vx1.html
No, Prime Minister, gas doesn’t ‘work for all Australians’ and your scare tactics ignore modern energy problems, writes Samantha Hepburn.
https://theconversation.com/no-prime-minister-gas-doesnt-work-for-all-australians-and-your-scare-tactics-ignore-modern-energy-problems-146196
COVID-19, risk and rights. Professor Sarah Joseph looks a the wicked’ balancing act for governments.
https://theconversation.com/covid-19-risk-and-rights-the-wicked-balancing-act-for-governments-146014
Our China relationship needs help before it’s too late says Paul Kelly.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/our-china-relationship-needs-help-before-its-too-late/news-story/0c37e5bb3480b0d48f55fc935491103b
Katina Curtis writes about the way the unemployed are being managed by Centrelink.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/job-seekers-shifted-into-trial-online-service-without-extra-funding-20200915-p55vsv.html
Seven times as many Australians could have been infected with the coronavirus than official figures suggest, according to a new antibody study by some of the nation’s most senior scientists.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/half-of-nsw-teachers-say-they-were-poorly-trained-to-teach-writing-20200915-p55vt0.html
Recordings of meetings that set up Victoria’s failed hotel quarantine program reveal ADF troops were on offer to the state government from the outset.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/troops-offered-from-start-of-hotel-quarantine-scheme-but-never-taken-up-20200915-p55vyg.html
Kate Aubusson tells us that NSW’s elective surgery waiting list has blown out to more than 100,000 patients that will take at least six months to clear after national cabinet’s moratorium on non-urgent operations triggered an unprecedented backlog.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/covid-19-a-plague-on-elective-surgery-wait-lists-20200915-p55vwk.html
“Why is Morrison like the 3 monkeys?”, asks the AIMN’s Rosemary J36.
https://theaimn.com/why-is-morrison-like-the-3-monkeys/
Lisa Cox explains how it was revealed yesterday that the Morrison government started preparing controversial legislation to amend Australia’s environmental laws before it had received a report from a formal review into whether the act was working. Such arrogance!
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/16/coalition-began-writing-landmark-environment-bill-before-receiving-review-it-had-ordered
A Victorian aged-care home run by Estia failed to isolate a resident who contracted COVID-19 during a hospital stay, with health officials now battling a second outbreak at the facility.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/coronavirus/2020/09/16/eight-infected-in-aged-care-home-outbreak/
There is no doubt that the PM saw a political opportunity in the case of Caisip but this does not excuse blaming the victim, writes Dr Jennifer Wilson.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/morrison-and-the-border-closure-distress-opportunity,14308
Elizabeth Knight tells us how Alan Joyce is looking to pit state against state for juicy prize of a Qantas HQ.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/joyce-looks-to-pit-state-against-state-for-juicy-prize-of-qantas-hq-20200915-p55vv6.html
Under the foreign interference legislation, Ian Cunliffe, a lawyer with 50 years’ experience, faces many decades in jail for daring to influence public policy with his campaigning. His fate now rests in the hands of Attorney General Christian Porter.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/guilty-your-honour-of-fighting-for-democracy-and-transparency/
From Pauline Hanson stubby holders to coronavirus service cuts and delivery delays, Australia Post continues to find itself at the centre of controversy despite making millions in pandemic profits says Isabelle Lane.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/consumer/2020/09/16/australia-post-double-standard/
Charlotte Grieve describes how a coalition of current and former AMP financial advisers have sent a letter to federal government MPs demanding a public investigation into the wealth giant over allegations of fraud and deception within its advisory network.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/amp-advisers-call-for-government-inquiry-over-alleged-fraud-deception-20200915-p55vva.html
Trouble with the design risks impeding delivery of the navy’s new frigates, potentially triggering another so-called ‘valley of death’ for Adelaide’s shipbuilding workforce.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/navy-s-new-45b-warships-face-two-year-delay-20200915-p55vpq
Most plastic will never be recycled – and the manufacturers couldn’t care less, writes Arwa Mahdawi.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/15/most-plastic-will-never-be-recycled-and-the-manufacturers-couldnt-care-less
In the US and UK, large numbers of people – at least 30 per cent – have said in recent surveys that they would hesitate to take or refuse a vaccine. This is going to be a big challenge!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-next-challenge-will-be-persuading-people-to-get-vaccinated-20200915-p55vr0.html
Matthew Knott reports that Australians’ perceptions of the United States have plummeted over the past year, with three in four Australians saying they have no confidence Donald Trump will do the right thing for the world. In fact the ratings for Trump and the US have plummeted all around the world. Not hard to believe!
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/australians-support-for-us-plunges-to-record-lows-under-trump-20200915-p55vmi.html
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
Cathy Wilcox
Matt Golding
From The Shovel
Fiona Katauskas
Glen Le Lievre
Johannes Leak
Paul Dorin
Mark Knight
John Shakespeare
Andrew Dyson
From the US
C@tmommasays:
Notice who’s missing? The fantastically ineffectual bleeding hearts in The Greens.
_______________________
I’m pleased the Greens will not agree to stand over insecure refugees and demand they do such labor intensive work or risk deportation.
Taylormade says:
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 7:48 am
“Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s department has been hiring pollsters to gauge voter ‘sentiment’ on COVID-19 restrictions”
_______________
So much for being prepared to lose the election rather than endanger the health of Queenslanders.
An important part of combating COVID-19 is community acceptance. I think any person with 2 neurons to rub together will have noted the Liberals (federal and states) attempts to undermine that acceptance.
The behavior of the Liberal party is beyond unacceptable.
For a lot of backpackers, fruit picking for 88 days in return for another 1year visa is ok. For some, especially girls, it’s a terrifying experience. Clearly they do it for the visa, not the money.
Two reports of how bad it is:
2018
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-02/backpackers-share-their-australian-horror-stories-farm-work/10317784
And now, still not fixed by our government:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-15/backpacker-farm-workers-speak-of-wage-exploitation/12545294?nw=0
What Morrison “ announced” yesterday was nothing more than smoke and wind. Nothing definite but simply a hog pog of “ we may do this if that does not happen”, establishment of gas hubs that already exist and reannouncement of previous announceables. Nothing more.
Why should labor get its knickers in a knot over nothing more than bullshit ?
Morrison is looking for a fight over this with labor simply to divert attention from his own failings with aged care, Australians trapped overseas, rising unemployment and the cutting of jobkeeper and jobseeker. Why should labor oblige him over what, in reality, is a nothing argument at this time ? A argument over nothing. Let Morrison rant.
Labor is still going through its internals atm regarding policy. The draft platform was “ leaked” yesterday covering a broad range of issues. Work through that. Let Morrison rant and ignore his obvious attempts at distraction.
24 hours ago there was not a peep out of Laura Tingle and others over climate change action. It was all about how bad the labor governments in Victoria and Queensland are. Now, just hours after Morrison announced nothing of any worth it is all about labor. Nothing about how little Morrison has actually offered. Just some bullshit about Albanese and labor.
Labor should let Morrison rant. Let industry argue with his government. Let the Nationals scream and shout about Morrison ignoring coal and simply get on with business and hold the government to account over real failures in the real world.
I am not a great fan of Albanese and Butler but I believe they did what they had to yesterday. Respond to questions about the Morrison brain fart. Point out the lack of any detail and depth and the obvious reannouncement of already announced promises. Nothing more they need to do.Then move on to a real argument.
Jumping up and down and fighting over noth8ng is just what Morrison wants.
A great day to all.
The GAS thing is nothing more than an attempt to win the Queensland election. The Liberal/Green wedge has formed with almost military precision. Very sad for environmental policy, but very impressive political activity by any other measure than actual environmental results..
Fran took a hammering this morning from all sides…and not a pollie in sight…who needs an opposition when there’s Mike Canon-Brookes….
Maude Lynne
If having refugees picking fruit is a step to bring this nonsense to end end, why the bullshit.
Decent people should be arguing for decent wages and conditions not trying to stop it.
Maude Lynne @ #2258 Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 – 7:54 am
And involving Labor in the development of the new policy will hopefully see those things rectified.
…we were shocked (to put it mildly: we threw words like ‘slavery’ around…) to find, on visiting Greens friends, to find that they had backpackers working for them for nothing other than board and lodging (good board and lodging, admittedly).
It’s part of an international scheme whereby you get ‘training’ in return for your labour.
‘As a volunteer (or WWOOFer as we call them) you will live alongside your host helping with daily tasks and experiencing life as a farmer….’
https://wwoof.net/
Chris Uhlmann needs to submit his stuff to his tutor first. Get some feedback then resubmit.
It would be less embarrassing for him.
C@tmomma says:
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 8:09 am
Maude Lynne @ #2258 Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 – 7:54 am
For a lot of backpackers, fruit picking for 88 days in return for another 1year visa is ok. For some, especially girls, it’s a terrifying experience. Clearly they do it for the visa, not the money.
Two reports of how bad it is:
2018
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-02/backpackers-share-their-australian-horror-stories-farm-work/10317784
And now, still not fixed by our government:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-15/backpacker-farm-workers-speak-of-wage-exploitation/12545294?nw=0
And involving Labor in the development of the new policy will hopefully see those things rectified.
_____________________________________________________
Modern Labor is more likely to take donations and contributions from the cocky than to help the farm worker c@t!
Thanks once again 😎 BK 😎 for some good work with the Dawn Patrol.
From the BK Files. 👇
See what you think of this contribution from Chris Uhlmann.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/covid-19-has-hammered-home-some-uncomfortable-truths-about-us-as-a-people-20200915-p55vrb.html
I expect that open slather when the genie was out of the bottle sounds good in the land of the Uhlmann.
The cases in Victoria were approaching 700 per day and the rate was accelerating. So a quick glance at US figures —
Puts Mr. C. Uhlmann in serious risk of being a statistic with the cases approaching 10,000 per day – accelerating – hospitals and ICU overwhelmed – “my kingdom for a ventilator”.
Of course now that the heavy lifting has been done and blame sheeted home – the expendables no longer a burden and great savings to the Gummint and the Public Purse.
Verily, verily I say to you Mr. Uhlmann – you will never get through the Eye of the Needle.
Back to the Dawn Patrol.
sprocket_ @ #2253 Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 – 7:47 am
Well, I guess Fran Kelly has been useful for something this week. She got that admission.
Lars Von Trier @ #2266 Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 – 8:22 am
Just informing you, I’m not going to respond to your self-serving provocations, LvT.
C@t I’m ok either way if thats honestly how you feel, I just hope your not feeling pressured to follow BB in all this.
I agree with most of what has been said here about fixing the fruit picking problem.
Frednk summarised it nicely: ” Decent people should be arguing for decent pay and conditions…”
Good farmers looking after their staff should not be disadvantaged by the unregulated exploiters driving down pay and conditions.
Morrison has a chance to demonstrate his newly-declared humanity by enforcing existing regulations. ( yes, I know, last sentence was a joke)
zoomster,
Your comments suggest that you are looking in the rear view mirror. Which also tends to suggest you have no confidence in Julian Hill.
Honestly, is it beyond you to imagine that a building program could be developed to house refugee families who go to the agricultural areas for 2 years to gain a pathway to Permanent Residency? Houses which, after they have moved on to start their new lives in Australia, could then be used to safely and decently house backpackers, Pacific Islanders and the Unemployed to live in when they return to doing those jobs? Not to mention that I doubt the involvement of Julian Hill and Labor would see them acquiesce to the continuation of ‘slave labour’ conditions.
It just seems to me that you doubt the effectiveness of the party you are a member of to approach this issue compassionately and usefully.
Lars Von Trier @ #2270 Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 – 8:28 am
Nope. All my own decision. You lost me when you tried to imply I was a hoarder and lived among clutter. Casting personal aspersions is never helpful when it comes to building a relationship of trust.
KayJay
Help!
I’ve been trying to place an order with Woolies online. I’ve registered with them, and they seem to have accepted everything and I’ve got to Checkout and paid, but at the bottom where it says “Place an order” I can’t tick the box. Does this mean I won’t get the delivery? (And they don’t have a help!)
sprocket_ @ #2252 Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 – 5:47 am
So how much has it cost to reach this preordained result?
Neil Mitchell wanting people to ring in and act as checkpoint charlies in order to monitor the ring of steel around Melbourne.
Not much change from previous weeks thus far according to commuters.
Maybe the ramping up will start tomorrow.
Lizzie
Check you haven’t missed a box that needs your tick. Scroll down maybe.
It might be a T&C box or similar
It could be anywhere on the page. Woolies’ site can be frustrating.
Lizzie
It may mean they don’t offer a delivery service in your area.
KayJay &Vic
I can’t find a box to tick even after I’ve read their conditions.
Train from Southern Cross to Bendigo not checked at all.
Has just been described as the ring of balsa wood from one caller.
I wonder if Neil Mitchell is all riled up about an ADF officer in hotel quarantine, having a non quarantine woman stay overnight in his room.
Surely he is so upset about this breach.
And heads must roll.
Lol!
It happened in Sydney and the state govt is a liberal one. So I guess it’s no biggie. Cos blame cant be sheeted to Dan Andrews.
lizzie,
Try Coles.
Lizzie
You can call a 1800 000 610 number for help.
What would Melbourne do without Neil Mitchell. Sheesh
42 cases in Vic.
93 Same time last week.
Rolling 14 day avg below 50. Preps and Yr 12s back to school after the hols.
lizzie @ #2244 Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 – 8:38 am
Sorry, I’ve been vacuuming.
It may means that you have to tick accept contactless delivery or there may be items not available to be deleted. I have had this problem – it needed something to come off the order.
Please advise.
Vic
Now the b—dy phone’s dead!
It would seem to me that the whole idea of effectively creating separate classes of workers for fruit picking etc can only lead to exploitation opportunities that will be abused by the unscrupulous who are always around.
It seems structural to me.
Making visas contingent on immigrants/travellers submitting to the whims of any employer is a recipe for abuse because it’s inherently stacking up more power on the employer’s side – do *this* or I will report you to the authorities/won’t tick the boxes you need to stay in the country/subject you to the mercy of the immigration dept/minister. Don’t cause trouble or … etc etc.
If pay and conditions aren’t good enough to attract people to do the jobs, then those jobs need better pay and conditions; relying on bringing in overseas workers of whatever stripe is clearly just a way of suppressing wages and ensuring a ‘compliant’ workforce. Again, it seems structural to me. No amount of window dressing can fix that.
Of course because this has been going on for decades the agriculture sector has these practices baked in to their cost structures, so there is restructuring pain associated with real reform, and undoubtedly some higher prices for these products for Australian consumers. But again if lower prices for strawberries or whatever is built on suppression of wages and abusing workers then that should be simply unacceptable.
Lizzie
Make yourself a cuppa.
Lizzie
I’m having a cuppa too in solidarity!
Someone close to me is challenging a decision of a local coroner refusing an inquiry into the death of an overseas farmworker who somehow fell out of a car on the way to being driven to the airport by his sponsor.
Jackol – Your analysis of fruit picking labour is spot on (could also be applied to a couple of other worker types). However the majority of Aus consumers will simply choose the cheaper option – lots of people will say they would pay more for items without the stench of child/slave/forced labour, but when it comes to handing over their money will find some rationale to excuse their purchase of the item using these forms of labour.
Anti-maskers in Indonesia have been forced to dig graves for coronavirus victims as punishment
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/anti-maskers-in-indonesia-have-been-forced-to-dig-graves-for-coronavirus-victims-as-punishment
Victoria @ #2281 Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 – 8:52 am
‘Cos blame cant be sheeted to Dan Andrews.’
Give it time.
Watch the economic dunce brigade of the Federal LNP lead us into this massacre:
“The planned reduction to the supplement in two weeks – before it’s removed entirely after Christmas – would reduce the size of the economy by $31.3bn and cost the equivalent of 145,000 full-time jobs over two years, Deloitte said.”
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/sep/15/cut-to-jobseeker-payment-estimated-to-cost-australian-economy-31bn
Quoll says:
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 7:43 am
Suddenly the bastards who have spent years demonising refugees
Labor have never demonised refugees. The Greens and the Liberals have exploited them politically and continue to do so. Just remember, Everything The Greens Touch Dies. They are the RoundUp of Australian politics.
From the Crikey Worm:
Scientific American has never endorsed a presidential candidate in our 175-year history — until now. The 2020 election is literally a matter of life and death. We urge you to vote for health, science and Joe Biden for President.
— Scientific American
Scientists are usually assiduously apolitical in public, because you do not want science to become a political football.
However, in the case of the USA, Trump is dismantling scientific institutions and trust in science to the stage where four more years of Trump will see the teachings of Lysenko resurrected if it suits Trump and his troupe of morons.
Vic & KayJay
Well, that was amusing. The gentleman who answered the help line had a thick accent and a sniff (should I have suggested he got a covid test?) but it turned out I hadn’t ticked a box called “save details” and he’s put the order through for me. (My landline is still dead)
Hmmm… Now what does this remind me of…?
Whether it be the far-right or the right wing establishment, denying the truth is something the right do on a daily basis…