Miscellaneous developments from the past week:
• The Toowoomba Chronicle reports eight candidates have nominated for Liberal National Party preselection for the Groom by-election, of whom the front-runners are Rebecca Vonhoff, a Toowoomba councillor; Garth Hamilton, a businessman; Sara Hales, former general manager of Wellcamp Airport; and Shane Charles, former Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise chief executive. Also in the field are “Elders Rural Services’ Andrew Meara … race car driver Daniel Cassidy, Australian Lot Feeders president Bryce Camm and Doctor David van Gend”, the latter being a firebrand social conservative whom the outgoing member, John McVeigh, defeated for preselection when he succeeded Ian Macfarlane in 2016. Notably absent from the list is Senator Matt Canavan, despite a decision by the state executive to leave it to the branch membership whether the seat should go to a Liberal, as it has since 1988, or a National. The date of the by-election is yet to be confirmed.
• Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said on Thursday that the government would introduce a bill that will ensure the Northern Territory retains its two seats in the House of Representatives, though by what mechanism is unclear. A Labor-sponsored bill currently before the Senate provides a crude guarantee of a second Northern Territory seat (without extending the courtesy to the Australian Capital Territory, albeit that its population is such that the question does not arise), but when the same issue emerged before the 2004 election, it was dealt with through a technical tweak to the population statistics used to determine seat entitlements. The bottom line is that the Labor-held seats of Solomon and Lingiari, created when the territory first became entitled to a second seat in 2001 and respectively covering Darwin and the rest of the territory, will continue to exist despite enrolments of less than two-thirds the national norm. It also means the House of Representatives
• The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is conducting an inquiry into the “future conduct of elections operating during times of emergency situations”, encompassing “restrictions arising from a health pandemic”, “access to polling places during times of natural disasters”, “other potential drivers of social restrictions, such as future civil unrest, or international conflict” and “alternative voting methods including early, remote and postal voting”.
• The West Australian has a Painted Dog Research poll of 932 respondents in WA showing 64% want the state’s hard border maintained beyond December, with 36% favouring a resumption of travel with the eastern states.Hou
[Now they have conceded there is nothing wrong with borrowing billions of dollars – to spend on top-end tax cuts or gas-fired power stations – how will the government persuade voters it’s irresponsible to spend borrowed money on free childcare or renewable energy instead?]
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2020/10/10/after-the-virus-debt-warranted/160224840010546?utm_medium=email?cb=1602272247
lizzie @ #1 Saturday, October 10th, 2020 – 6:40 am
Good question. From my recent viewing of commercial TV and occasional reading of The Australian, I suspect that a contrary view will be hard to find.
But great footie last night and what do you hear about our cricketers? ☕
KayJay
There was a pic in one of the papers of Scotty and Josh at PH, holding umbrellas and laughing as they bent towards each other and bumped elbows. It reminded me of Mary Poppins. Rather silly, I thought.
lizzie @ #3 Saturday, October 10th, 2020 – 7:11 am
I thought exactly the same and was reminded of the movie (picture) recently shown on TV “Saving Mr. Banks”.
Question to myself – which would I prefer – The movie or Scotty and Josh performing “Singing in the Rain”…..
Deleted norty comment. There’s wall to wall BS piled on BS in The Australian today. I doubt that BK will feature much of the offal in the Dawn Patrol.
From previous thread –
Steve @ #1854 Saturday, October 10th, 2020 – 1:37 am
Edna Carew’s book “Westpac – The bank that Broke the Bank” doesn’t do a bad job at telling the story of what went on including the ‘famous’ argument KP and his then henchman Al Dunlap had in the Westpac Board room when KP was laying down the law and trying to take over Westpac.
KP didn’t get Board approval to run Westpac and Dunlap told KP as they left the Board room wtte “that he had just behaved like a child” with KP replying GAGF’d.
RBA would have played a far bigger role in “saving Westpac and perhaps the whole Australian banking system” then KP anyway.
Every time I see people bumping elbows it reminds me of Morrison. I don’t like it.
As for finding a wedge between borrowing for top end tax cuts & childcare, they’ll let media do most of it. Just insert the wedge proper between the two policies & keep bashing it with a bloody big sledgehammer. In a while there’ll be two entirely separate realities, one of which can be criticised.
Ain’t love grand ❓
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/palmers-united-bring-new-style-to-politics/news-story/d09a20f411a729f5fddc05259c93eea3
Interesting comment – the following my very, very favourite
Coffee for two please Muriel …..☕☕
BSA Bob
I agree about Morrison’s elbow trick. It reminds me too much of his insistence on shaking hands with people even when they are reluctant. I know it’s done in Europe/US, but I still don’t like it.
It’s OK to borrow billions (or trillions) to finance stuff the corporate plutocracy likes, for example tax cuts, fossil fuels, handouts to corporations. However, spending on stuff that doesn’t benefit the plutocracy, for example public hospitals, universities, public education, public anything, social housing, welfare, climate action, the environment, etc, is bad debt.
Simple.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
In another worthwhile contribution from George Megalogenis, he reckons voters are now getting the kind of contest they haven’t seen in decades.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/voters-are-getting-the-kind-of-contest-they-haven-t-seen-in-decades-20201009-p563ks.html
Peter Hartcher seems to agree. His article is headlined, “Political warfare is back as childcare makes Albanese relevant again”.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/political-warfare-is-back-as-childcare-makes-albanese-relevant-again-20201009-p563ku.html
The AFR’s Matthew Cranston says of the budget that it is the government’s big, bold confidence trick.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/the-government-s-big-bold-confidence-trick-20201008-p5637g
The battlelines for the next election are being clearly drawn. And such is the alarm in Liberal ranks about the scale and depth of the crisis that some even believe Scott Morrison won’t wait until next year to fire the starter’s gun on an election. Although how he would persuade the governor-general that parliament had become unworkable is as much of a mystery as the course of this pandemic, writes Paul Bongiorno.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2020/10/10/furiously-digging-deeper-hole-the-budget/160224840010547
Morrison had been telling us he wanted a private sector led Covid recovery. It turns out he wasn’t lying says Katharine Murphy. In the article she says of Albanese’s speech that Labor would not be proposing an outsourced recovery from Covid-19.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/oct/10/morrison-had-been-telling-us-he-wanted-a-private-sector-led-covid-recovery-turns-out-he-wasnt-lying
The Saturday Paper’s editorial says tha government has zero interest in the climate.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/editorial/2020/10/10/zero-interest-the-climate/160224840010543
David Crowe frames the corona-budget as being based on heroic assumptions and phantom fears.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-corona-budget-heroic-assumptions-and-phantom-fears-20201009-p563mv.html
Paul Kelly says this budget is the culminating event of the new Liberal order under Morrison-Frydenberg concord and pragmatism.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/budget-2020-pm-banks-on-a-new-liberal-order/news-story/47b685d8c555fd375db089f935e6f060
Dennis Atkins says that Albanese might not have hit every ball with the middle of his bat but he did find the missing centre of the Frydenberg Budget for 2020/21.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/10/10/dennis-atkins-albaneses-biggest-budget-flaw/
A few days after the “budget to beat all budgets” was announced, what is most noticeable is not the expected magnitude of spending, deficit and debt, but the consensus among commentators, analysts and economists. “Underwhelming”, “opportunity missed” and “hope and a prayer” have been the descriptions most used, writes Kim Wingerei.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/budget-2020-commentary-analysis/
Josh Frydenberg framed the 2020 budget as a plan for Australia’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, but it could also open the way for an election in the second half of next year, opines Karen Middleton.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2020/10/10/budget-primes-morrison-early-election/160224840010523
Richard Denniss thinks that this week’s budget marks a remarkable turning point in Australia’s economic and political debate. Fears of budget deficits and public debt have been replaced by fears of pandemic and mass unemployment.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2020/10/10/after-the-virus-debt-warranted/160224840010546
Andrew Leigh accuses the government of delivering a budget that set its sights low, but still asks too much of Australians.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6960644/this-budget-sets-its-sights-low-but-still-asks-too-much-of-australians/?cs=14258
Rick Morton believes that this year’s budget provides little support for those in greatest need, including the aged-care sector and people who are unemployed – with women over 40 bearing the heaviest burden.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/economy/2020/10/10/budget-2020-does-little-the-vulnerable/160224840010544
Ross Gittins thinks Frydenberg has changed his tune in a very Liberal way.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/frydenberg-has-changed-his-tune-in-a-very-liberal-way-20201009-p563kp.html
And Laura Tingle says the Budget’s grand ambitions come with some perplexing political choices.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-10/budget-2020-grand-ambitions-perplexing-political-choices/12748842
Katie Burgess explains how the budget favours the wealthy.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6961572/the-less-you-earn-the-less-you-gain-budget-favours-the-wealthy-analysis-shows/?cs=14350
Christopher Knaus posits that The federal budget is the most secretive ever produced, hiding a series of expenditures from the public, including the amount taxpayers are spending to secure an offshore floating oil platform abandoned by a resources corporation in the Timor Sea.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/oct/09/australian-federal-budget-found-to-be-the-most-secretive-ever-produced
Annabel Crabbe describes how the government has built itself a women problem.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-10/credible-women-can-a-budget-shaped-by-male-leaders-fix-the-urge/12747268
Andrew Norton writes that three flaws in the Job-Ready Graduates package will add to the turmoil in Australian higher education.
https://theconversation.com/3-flaws-in-job-ready-graduates-package-will-add-to-the-turmoil-in-australian-higher-education-147740
The philosophy of the cashless welfare card is the perfect marriage of neoliberal ideology and evangelical Christianity, both of which pathologise, criminalise and individualise poverty as a lifestyle choice opines Dr Jennifer Wilson.
https://theaimn.com/religious-profit-expanding-the-cashless-welfare-card-ties-in-with-morrisons-beliefs/
Anthony Albanese has accused the prime minister of hypocrisy for attacking Queensland’s border closure while states like Tasmania avoid the same level of criticism. The federal Labor leader said other states with hard border stances had not been subjected to the same level of scrutiny from the federal government as the Sunshine State.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/coronavirus/2020/10/10/coronavirus-queensland-border-scott-morrison/
In a concerning development, NSW Health has issued alerts for ten different train and bus services as well as venues across the city that were attended by positive cases.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/health-alerts-issues-for-trains-venues-across-sydney-visited-by-covid-19-cases-20201009-p563qp.html
Daniel Andrews has promised to hand over his phone records if asked to do so by the inquiry into Victoria’s botched hotel quarantine system as it attempts to determine who was responsible for the ill-fated decision to use private security guards.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/premier-willing-to-hand-phone-records-to-hotel-quarantine-inquiry-if-asked-20201009-p563qu.html
Dana McCauley and Katina Curtis write that healthcare unions have attacked Anthony Albanese’s budget reply speech as a missed opportunity.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/not-good-enough-albanese-s-budget-reply-angers-unions-over-aged-care-20201009-p563jw.html
Reform of aged care is hard, but we should have already started complains Stephen Duckett.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/reform-of-aged-care-is-hard-but-we-should-have-already-started-20201008-p563d3.html
Kate Aubusson and James Massola tell us that anxiety over diplomatic exemptions intensified after five family members of two Indonesian diplomats were diagnosed with COVID-19 after arriving in Sydney on September 30.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/diplomats-exempt-from-hotel-quarantine-test-positive-for-covid-19-20201009-p563pj.html
Aisha Daw reveals that staff working on a ward at Box Hill Hospital where a patient and a nurse could have been infectious with coronavirus have been told they are not allowed to use N95 masks as a precaution against the disease.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/melbourne-nurses-banned-from-wearing-their-own-n95-masks-20201009-p563pl.html
The Australian’s Ben Packham reveals that the toxic culture within the Australian Army’s elite Special Air Service is under renewed scrutiny as it emerges that an internal military investigation into the nation’s most decorated soldier Ben Roberts-Smith found that he may have threatened to shoot a fellow soldier in the back of the head after a battle with insurgents in Afghanistan.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/ben-robertssmith-i-will-shoot-you-in-the-head-sas-at-war/news-story/b32c06b4c7a6ea2d81e0a5b2e9527143
The Reserve Bank has warned both climate change and lowering emissions pose considerable risk to financial stability while regulators assessing the threat have been delayed by the nation’s worst recession since World War II, writes Jennifer Duke.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/financial-system-faces-considerable-risk-if-climate-change-not-tackled-rba-20201009-p563jy.html
Right-wing terrorists will not stand back – and Australia should not stand by, exhorts Elliott Brennan. Tell that to Spud, Elliott!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/right-wing-terrorists-will-not-stand-back-and-australia-should-not-stand-by-20201009-p563oi.html
Miranda Devine probably didn’t envisage she would be forced to assure Americans she “didn’t want grandma to die” when she set off for her 18-month stint working at Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post and covering the US election, writes Amanda Meade in her weekly review of the media.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/commentisfree/2020/oct/09/devine-intervention-news-corp-columnist-forced-to-say-she-doesnt-want-grandma-to-die
Matt Wade reports that the NSW government will spend hundreds of millions of dollars on social housing to help stimulate the economy despite a $24 billion slump in revenue on the back of the coronavirus-induced recession.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nsw-to-spend-big-on-public-housing-to-get-out-of-the-covid-19-recession-20201009-p563pp.html
If ever a company didn’t deserve a social licence to operate it is Crown Resorts, writes Adele Ferguson as she unloads on the company’s board.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/director-says-we-talked-about-weight-as-crown-engulfed-in-scandal-20201009-p563px.html
At this week’s NSW inquiry into Crown Resorts, former executive chairman James Packer acknowledged some ‘shameful’ behaviour in his leadership of the company, but often claimed ignorance of – and blamed others for – the casino’s alleged links to organised crime, writes Mike Seccombe.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/law-crime/2020/10/10/james-packers-testimony-the-crown-inquiry/160224840010537
And the editorial in the SMH says regulators must not cut Packer any more slack over his casino responsibilities.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/regulators-must-not-cut-packer-more-slack-over-casino-responsibilities-20201009-p563p8.html
Tony Abbott has added himself to Australia’s register of foreign influence after the British government pressed ahead with his appointment to a trade position.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/oct/09/tony-abbott-registers-as-agent-of-foreign-influence-over-uk-trade-adviser-role
Margaret Simmons explains how more than 90 per cent of Australia’s medicines are imported, putting the country at risk of dangerous shortages. But while the government has announced plans to boost the sector’s manufacturing capabilities, industry experts warn that the problem runs far deeper.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/economy/2020/10/10/why-australia-runs-out-vital-medicines/160224840010541
Lucy Cormack writes that at the ICAC inquiry yesterday the NSW Premier’s office was forced to intervene to stop former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire from travelling to China when he made threats to visit the country at the same time as the trade minister in 2017.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/premier-s-office-stopped-china-trip-over-fears-mp-would-embarrass-nsw-icac-told-20201009-p563ig.html
No evidence has been released to support allegations reported in Italy that a large payment was made to Australia to damage George Pell.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/oct/10/claim-bribes-paid-to-frame-george-pell-as-sex-abuser-ludicrous-complainants-father-says
Meddling with Brexit, mulling a new leader – the Tories will do literally anything except reflect on their Covid response, laments Marina Hyde.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/09/learn-lessons-first-wave-boris-johnson-brexit-new-leader-tories-covid
According to The New York Times, the US economy is searching for a lifeline. It says a month before Election Day: Job growth is stalling. Layoffs are mounting. And no more help is coming, at least not right away.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/sink-or-swim-the-us-economy-is-searching-for-a-lifeline-20201008-p5634w.html
Matthew Knott explains why Trump’s case of COVID-19 may prove fatal to his campaign.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/downfall-time-why-trump-s-case-of-covid-19-may-prove-fatal-to-his-campaign-20201008-p5632c.html
Ouch! More than 1,600 faith leaders in the US have publicly backed Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate in next month’s presidential election, amid signs that some evangelical voters are turning away from Donald Trump.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/09/faith-leaders-back-biden-evangelicals-trump
Democrats provoked an angry tirade from Donald Trump on Friday by proposing a congressional commission to assess whether US presidents are capable of performing their duties or should be removed from office.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/09/donald-trump-fitness-to-serve-commission-democrats-nancy-pelosi
Since becoming infected with the deadly virus that has taken more than a million lives worldwide, U.S. President Donald Trump has recklessly downplayed the seriousness of the threat — to himself, to those who have come into contact with him and to his country, writes Clair McMullen.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/president-trump-is-a-clear-and-present-danger,14392
Jonathan Freedland says that Covid-19 has unmasked the true nature of Donald Trump and Trumpism and it has exposed the hollowness of this presidency – and senior Republicans suspect their party could pay the price
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/09/covid-19-unmasked-true-nature-donald-trump-trumpism
A week of chaos in Trump’s White House has catapulted Joe Biden to a commanding lead in the US presidential race as markets sniff the prospect of a Democrat clean sweep on November 3, writes the AFR’s Jacob Greber from Washington.
https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/voters-desert-desperate-trump-20201009-p563oy
Trump’s response to the pandemic has always been dishonest and cruel writes Rebecca Solnit.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/08/trump-coronavirus-pandemic-dishonest-cruel
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
David Pope
Alan Moir
Matt Davidson
Jon Kudelka
Andrew Dyson
Dionne Gain
Matt Golding
Mark David
Johannes Leak
Mark Knight
Jim Pavlidis
From the US
Thanks BK.
Labor have handled the coronavirus stuff very well. They’ve held to their position on JobKeeper and JobSeeker, and are now carving out a niche on supporting our essential workers when the govt has given up and is throwing in the towel.
Yeah, for months I’ve been saying “Patience, grasshopper” – the Labor party has a program it follows and it’s sticking to it.
Far too early in the piece to start writing off the next election because they haven’t come out with a position on X, Y or Z by now.
US election geeks might like this Early Voting statistics site…
https://electproject.github.io/Early-Vote-2020G/index.html
Listening to 538 Politics podcast on the latest model which has Biden at 85% chance of winning the election at 25 days to go until the election.
And Australia’s high voter turnout rate features in a listener question. The team neglect to mention that voting is compulsory here.
From BK.
On song for the secretive Morrison.
Trump’s law-and-order mantra goes missing in wake of domestic terror plot against Democratic governor
(CNN)Over the summer, as racial justice demonstrations swept through American cities, President Donald Trump warned he would wield the powers of government to suppress violence. Embracing a “law and order” mantle, Trump himself announced from the East Room a surge of federal agents and castigated groups such as Black Lives Matter as cultivating “hate.”
“My first duty as President is to protect the American people, and today I’m taking action to fulfill that sacred obligation,” he declared.
A few months later, Trump’s only acknowledgment of his government taking down an alleged domestic terrorism plot to kidnap the Democratic governor of Michigan was to wonder why he hadn’t been thanked.
How Trump chooses to promote his administration’s efforts to enforce “law and order” follow a clear pattern of political calculation; in instances when the Justice Department finds cases that bolster his claims of fraudulent voting, rampant urban crime or deep state corruption, Trump is eager to participate.
But when the government has worked to combat extremist anti-government groups — which even his own FBI says present the most pressing threat to the nation — Trump has at best ignored the efforts and at worst used them to fan the very resentments held by the groups’ followers.
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/09/politics/trump-gretchen-whitmer-law-and-order/index.html
Did not know there was a new thread… But Meh.
The Spectator Index
@spectatorindex
·
1h
POLL: US Presidential Election, nationwide.
Biden: 45
Trump: 40
(The Hill/HarrisX)
The Spectator Index
@spectatorindex
·
1h
UNITED STATES: The country’s 50 richest people now own as much wealth as the poorest 165 million.
(Via Bloomberg)
Rick Wilson hilariously explains why Trump got COVID –and hints how he can make his campaign even worse
Prompted by his “New Abnormal” co-host Molly Jong-Fast, who said the president “shouldn’t have gotten COVID,” Wilson dug right in on Trump’s travails.
“No, he shouldn’t have gotten COVID, but he’s a f*cking dipsh*t,” Wilson explained. “So he got COVID. He’s a dumbass, Donald Trump has no one to blame but himself. Oh wait, hold on, who did Donald Trump go on to blame today? He said maybe the Gold Star families gave him COVID.”
“Let’s see, let’s see who I should attack now?” Wilson replied, mimicking the president. “I’m sure these guts like [campaign manager Bill] Stepien and these guys are like, ‘Oh man, that’s a great hit, Mr. President,’ while they are actually sinking their heads into their elbows saying, “Oh dear God, he attacked the veterans’ wives. F****ck!’”
“How can he do worse than that,” Wilson’s co-host asked.
“What he could do next is go to an animal shelter and, for each paragraph of his speech, walk to a cage and snap a kitten’s neck,” Wilson suggested. “The guy is just so tone-deaf —”
“But he would never get that close to an animal,” Jong-Fast quipped.
“No,” Wilson shot back. “That’s true too. Well, he would have Miller do it. At every third one, he’d say ‘where are you Stephen?’ and he’d look back and Miller would be draining the blood from a cat or something.”
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/10/rick-wilson-hilariously-explains-why-trump-got-and-hints-how-he-can-make-his-campaign-even-worse/
One thing Morrison said offers a big opportunity for Labor. He wants government to get out of the way of private enterprise. During the last six months I reckon we’ve seen trust in governments increase and people realise that in Australia, only governments can offer equitable solutions. Private failings like the lapse in security that started Victoria’s 2nd outbreak reinforced how profit,survival of the fittest/luckiest and self interest which is the defining aspect of free enterprise, is not the be all and end all of life ( despite it being the cornerstone of LNP ideology) Government has retreated from too many areas and with it reasonable working conditions and a fairer share for all. Unionism has been almost criminalised and certainly stigmatized by successive LNP regimes ( and a stridently right wing media) and part time, week to week subsistence living has replaced a decent lifestyle.ALP needs to stress government as an active participant in life without it being overbearing or controlling. LNP has successfully weaponised terms such as redtape,fatcat and bureaucracy when often these things involve decent building standards,protecting our health and the environment from profit driven interests. Corona virus has made us realise that governments although not perfect are more benevolent than free markets.
Spot on, PrincePlanet!
Our tories copy the UK tories and vise versa –
One of World’s Least Generous Safety Nets Awaits U.K. Unemployed
Millions of Britons at risk of losing their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic face one of the most dramatic losses of income in the developed world, increasing pressure on the government not to scale back emergency welfare next year.
Analysis published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies Friday highlighted the perils of the shift from preserving jobs to allowing the welfare system to take the strain of protecting incomes. Many families will fall into the safety net for the first time as companies adjust to the new reality of the pandemic.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak’s decision to end blanket aid for jobs in favor of a policy that supports only viable roles has sharpened the issue, leaving economists predicting the total level of unemployment could soon soar past 3 million.
More –
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-08/one-of-world-s-least-generous-safety-nets-awaits-u-k-unemployed?srnd=premium-asia
I know that Labor (via Jenny Macklin) backed the early rollout of the Indue card, but I beg them to reverse this policy.
https://theaimn.com/religious-profit-expanding-the-cashless-welfare-card-ties-in-with-morrisons-beliefs/
I wonder how this will go?
“US President Donald Trump will appear on an American political talkshow – and undergo a live televised medical evaluation.
Fox News has announced Trump will give his first on-camera interview since testing positive for Covid-19. He is scheduled to appear on Tucker Carlson Tonight at 1pm NZ time today.
The broadcaster said medical contributor Dr Marc Siegel would “conduct a medical evaluation and interview during the program”. It comes amid persistent speculation about the president’s state of health – and after a phone interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity in which he repeatedly stopped to cough and catch his breath.”
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/us-president-will-give-his-first-on-camera-interview-since-covid-19-infection/FORPFUZCSD26VRF257HYK7H3Z4/
Meet the Americans ‘standing by’ for possible election violence
(Reuters) – Some Americans worried about possible violence after the U.S. presidential election are forming community watch groups, others are working on conflict de-escalation and still others are purchasing guns, according to two dozen voters, online groups and data surveyed by Reuters.
A common fear is that the Nov. 3 contest between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden remains undecided, leading to protests that could escalate into civil unrest, or even sectarian conflict.
An illustration of those concerns came in Michigan on Thursday, with the announcement that 13 people had been arrested in alleged plots to kidnap the state’s governor and attack the state capitol building.
For Americans like financial adviser David Powell, the greatest worry is that they could be forced to take sides to protect civil rights, private property and even lives.
“I’m not part of any group, don’t want to be part of a group, I’m your regular guy who is watching the news and is getting really concerned,” said Powell, 64, of Raleigh, North Carolina. He said he worries about “antifa thugs,” a term U.S. conservatives use to describe left-wing anti-fascist activists. He said he is prepared to “stand guard” in his community, if necessary.
Some people are planning foreign vacations around Election Day or heading to rural retreats. Others have bought guns for defense. Firearm sales hit a monthly record of 3.9 million in June, according to FBI data. Ammunition for AR-15-style rifles is on back order in states like Washington and Colorado.
“I bought an AK-47,” said a Denver-based lawyer who identified himself as Ewing, and asked that his full name not be used. “The ammo is inexpensive and I can still get it.”
More –
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-violence/meet-the-americans-standing-by-for-possible-election-violence-idUSKBN26U15I
citizen:
He just can’t get away from reality TV land!
…wait what? Let’s check that…
Ok so now that we’ve established that Biden doesn’t take climate change even remotely seriously and plans to allow environmental vandalism to continue under his watch.
But wait! Look over there! A fly just landed on someone’s head! This truly unprecedented event must be given precedence over all other issues!
Seriously, it’s going to be so nice when Trump Watch is over and we can all get back to focusing on the real problems facing the world like climate change and economic inequality. One does wonder how on Earth the Blue/Red MAGA cultists are going to fill their days once the object of their obsession is removed though.
Firefox
A momentous morning. You have written something that I fully agree with. I am so tired of the years-long daily analysis of Trump, mostly by people who can’t vote in America..
‘ One does wonder how on Earth the Blue/Red MAGA cultists are going to fill their days once the object of their obsession is removed though.’
From a poster who posts at least as much on the American election as anyone else here!
If you don’t want certain issues discussed, don’t raise them.
Victoria records 14 more coronavirus cases, no new deaths
Victoria has recorded 14 new virus cases and no new deaths on Saturday, with fears lockdown could now be extended as figures remain in the double-digits.
Melbourne‘s all-important 14-day virus average increased by 0.1 to 9.5, and is still hovering too far above the safe threshold.
Health authorities have implored the 14-day average must be around five for the Government to consider easing restrictions on October 19.
Regional Victoria‘s 14-day average is 0.4.
Polling is muy bad for Trump but remember the voters’ most sensitive nerve, the hip pocket nerve.
https://www.newsweek.com/more-voters-better-off-donald-trump-first-term-obama-bush-1537759
https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/10/09/trump-biden-live-updates/#link-J5K6XSR575DIZHPC6PYRN2FIZ4
When I said the contact tracing would be a nightmare I didn’t envision it would be a nightmare of the WH’s own making for deliberately withholding information from state authorities!
phoenixRED
The whingers about the lockdown (of which I regard Pats Karvelas as one of the leaders – she pursues it daily) do not seem to have realised that many European cities are moving back again, towards tighter restrictions because of riding infections. We are not unique.
“From a poster who posts at least as much on the American election as anyone else here!
If you don’t want certain issues discussed, don’t raise them.”
***
Yeah nah lol. Not even close. Unlike some, I don’t spend every hour of every day on this blog regurgitating the establishment’s narrative and obsessing over every little thing Trump does.
Climate change must be discussed and addressed, which is why people like me who care about the environment will continue raising it.
lizzie @ #23 Saturday, October 10th, 2020 – 8:46 am
If this is rolled out to all Jobseekers it will be a death knell for ScoMo
a) It will cost the Govt millions above the cost of the welfare itself around $7000 per card.
b) It will put those receiving it and their familes further away from the LNP.
It is so limiting on what you can do with the it. Can only shop in certain stores, can’t shop at markets or Op Shops to get a better deal. That’s only one example.
Most people on welfare can manage their money fairly well. They do NOT need this paternalistic rubbish and money maker for the Nats.
zoomster @ #12 Saturday, October 10th, 2020 – 8:07 am
By dropping a budget that was clearly misogynistic by omission (which is not even that unexpected, given that this is a particular blind spot for most Conservatives, especially the evangelical ones) the government handed Labor a golden opportunity, which Labor picked up and ran with.
Good on ’em.
However, relying on such luck is not a particularly reliable ongoing strategy. There are bigger issues on the horizon, and Labor is dithering as usual.
Thanks BK for a fulsome Saturday Edition of the Dawn Patrol.
BK
Much appreciation for todays news
poroti:
There are several things that could happen in the next 25 days that could tip the race in Trump’s favour.
– Biden could get sick
– The Ukraine nonsense could unearth something actually momentous
– Harris could say something that scares the pants off Republicans swaying towards Biden
lizzie
Kervalia should get her arse over to the BBC and check some of the headlines.
.
Madrid back in lockdown as Europe virus cases up 28% over week
Spain: State of emergency in Madrid
France: Bars and restaurants close in some cities
Netherlands: Restrictions in major cities
Italy: Face masks compulsory outdoors
Republic of Ireland: No indoor dining in Dublin
Seems like the Greens have potty mouth Quoll running their South Brisbane campaign.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/politics-gets-dirty-in-south-brisbane-in-week-one-as-greens-taunt-alp-20201008-p563e5.html?fbclid=IwAR3CgAPgb2Hz-zPPEwgIFnXj8PRF_UC2X865UQspfx8CnFdc1zuUZpd8Y88
Lizzie
The UK have reported nearly 18,000 cases yesterday.
They are in strife. France and Spain are also struggling.
poroti
Exactly.
All going swimmingly in Europaland
.
.
For the first time, France recorded more than 20,000 positive tests within 24 hours. The authorities are also reporting record values in other neighboring countries. An overview in graphics and numbers.
Not only Germany, other European countries are also suffering from the second wave of the coronavirus. In several neighboring countries, the health authorities reported record levels of new infections
https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article206504969/Corona-Erstmals-mehr-als-20-000-Neuinfektionen-in-Frankreich.html
lizziesays: Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 9:07 am
phoenixRED
The whingers about the lockdown (of which I regard Pats Karvelas as one of the leaders – she pursues it daily) do not seem to have realised that many European cities are moving back again, towards tighter restrictions because of riding infections. We are not unique.
**************************************************************
Totally agree Lizzie !!! No matter the biased criticism of the Murdoch right wing media – Dan and Victoria have done remarkably well to stem what was a bad start to this pandemic- and we would be in even better shape if those few selfish individuals were more thoughtful of their actions in spreading it still
KayJay
That is a very naughty use of the word “fulsome”. But you are not alone. It’s trending. :sigh:
Thanks BK, for the tip of the hat. especially coming from such esteemed PB royalty, I’m chuffed.
Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1
Disclaimer for Trump’s rally in Florida: “You and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19, and waive, release, and discharge Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; the host venue; or any of their affiliates … from any and all liability.”
Dena Grayson, MD, PhD@DrDenaGrayson
Anyone who attends Trump’s #SuperSpreader rally has a DEATH WISH
phoenixRED
I feel that no matter who is ‘responsible’ for the second wave, it has been an opportunity for a revision and improvement in strategies to deal with the virus, because it’s going to be with us for a while.
However, the reports about Eastern Health in Vic are not very cheering. I understand there have to be rules on masks, but nurses are nor being allowed to protect themselves.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/melbourne-nurses-banned-from-wearing-their-own-n95-masks-20201009-p563pl.html
This study suggests that using hand sanitizer 80% alcohol is far more effective than soap and water.
“Washed your hands? Researchers find coronavirus can live on human skin for nine hours”
https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2020/10/09/covid-viable-on-human-skin-nine-hours/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Saturday%20News%20-%2020201010
For the first time, France recorded more than 20,000 positive tests within 24 hours.
On a per capita basis over three times worse than Victoria’s worst few days.