Courtesy of The Australian, the latest Newspoll has the Coalition’s lead at 51-49, in from 52-48 at the last result four weeks ago (a longer than usual gap owing to the interuption of the Queensland election), from primary votes of Coalition 43% (down one), Labor 34% (up one), Greens 11% (steady) and One Nation 3% (steady). The report says Scott Morrison’s approval rating is at 64%, down one, but doesn’t provide disapproval (UPDATE: Up one to 32%). Anthony Albanese’s records better ratings after some weak results recently, at 43% approval (up four) and 39% disapproval (down four), but he continues to trail Morrison 58-29 as preferred prime minister, hardly changed from 57-28 last time. The poll was conducted Wednesday to Saturday from a sample of 1510.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Here we go! Rob Harris tells us that deep divisions within Labor over climate policy have triggered fresh unrest about Anthony Albanese’s leadership.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/listen-to-joel-fitzgibbon-albanese-facing-unrest-over-his-leadership-20201110-p56db0.html
The depth of the divisions within Labor over climate change and energy policy are now so great that the shadow cabinet almost descended into a fist fight between two senior frontbenchers on Monday night, writes Simon Benson.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/anthony-albanese-beware-labor-brawl-may-restart-killing-season/news-story/db15d1cf3f4c59d338d290f2f9d848a9
According to Phil Coorey, Monday night’s shadow cabinet meeting was the most explosive many had witnessed as Joel Fitzgibbon and Anthony Albanese traded blows over the US election and climate change.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/worst-i-ve-seen-albanese-fitzgibbon-go-at-it-hammer-and-tongs-20201110-p56dao
Joel Fitzgibbon’s resignation from Labor’s frontbench is another example of Australia’s continuing political brawls over climate changing policy. But the business community and the states are taking a different path, says Jennifer Hewett.
https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/rules-shift-on-the-climate-battlefield-20201110-p56da1
The resignation of Joel Fitzgibbon from Labor’s shadow cabinet has been quietly welcomed by some party colleagues, with hopes the opposition may finally be united on climate and energy policy, writes Josh Butler.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2020/11/11/fitzgibbon-labor-climate-circuit-breaker/
The public servant stood aside over a $33 million land purchase in Western Sydney is being investigated for hiding details including the price from superiors. Katina Curtis writes about what transpired at Estimates yesterday.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/bureaucrat-allegedly-hid-western-sydney-airport-land-deal-price-from-bosses-20201110-p56ddr.html
Trump may be gone but in Morrison, he lives opines Jennifer Wilson.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/trump-may-be-gone-but-in-morrison-he-lives,14499
For better or for worse, we are much like America, says John Lord.
https://theaimn.com/for-better-or-for-worse-we-are-much-like-america/
More than a million unemployed Australians will get a smaller but extended coronavirus supplement after Christmas but experts called on the government to lock in a permanent increase to JobSeeker to avoid a new fiscal cliff next year, writes Shane Wright and David Crowe.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/fears-of-fresh-fiscal-cliff-when-jobseeker-supplement-ends-in-march-20201110-p56dal.html
And Euan Black says that the ‘largely ideological’ JobSeeker cuts will actually create job losses.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/welfare/2020/11/10/further-jobseeker-cuts/
A former adviser to Population Minister Alan Tudge has lodged a formal complaint that alleges he engaged in workplace bullying and intimidation that left her “anxious and afraid”.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/very-humiliating-alan-tudge-s-staffer-says-he-was-a-bully-who-left-her-in-tears-20201110-p56db3.html
Jacqui Maley looks at the “bonk ban” and if the public have a right to know about Canberra’s culture.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/does-the-public-have-a-right-to-know-about-canberra-s-culture-20201110-p56d6h.html
Paula Matthewson says that the Porter and Tudge claims show that we should poke holes in Canberra love bubble.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/11/10/four-corners-porter-tudge-public-interest/
Senior female board directors say there are still serious problems of abuse of power and sexual misconduct in companies, but shareholders are driving change, writes Cara Waters.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/it-still-happens-sexism-inappropriate-conduct-rife-in-corporate-australia-despite-progress-20201110-p56d9m.html
The Guardian tells us that Scott Morrison won’t take action over Christian Porter and Alan Tudge inappropriate conduct allegations.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/nov/10/scott-morrison-wont-take-action-over-christian-porter-and-alan-tudge-inappropriate-conduct-allegations
Michelle Grattan says that overnight, Christian Porter had been reduced from high-flying attorney-general to a man forced to publicly confront a nightmare episode of “This is Your Life” delivered by Monday’s Four Corners.
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-when-australias-first-law-officer-is-in-the-dock-of-public-opinion-149841
The Morrison Government has mastered the “photo op, no follow up” approach — this time the JobKeeper package threatens to leave a giant jobless hole in its wake, writes Tarric Brooker.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/joblessness-another-photo-op-no-follow-up-disaster,14498
Andrew Tillett reports that the Association of Market and Social Research Organisations’ final report, released on Wednesday, found polls were skewed towards gauging the thoughts of more politically engaged voters and were hence over-represented by Labor supporters.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/surveying-too-many-labor-voters-led-to-election-polling-fail-20201110-p56dax
The dramatic breakthrough in Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate has raised hopes for the end of the pandemic, boosting global markets and injecting confidence into the economy, but medical experts warn its use in Australia may not be widespread any time soon, advises the AFR.
https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/finally-proof-of-principle-that-covid-19-can-be-controlled-20201110-p56d5j
90% efficacy for Pfizer’s COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is striking. But we need to wait for the full data say three experts in The Conversation.
https://theconversation.com/90-efficacy-for-pfizers-covid-19-mrna-vaccine-is-striking-but-we-need-to-wait-for-the-full-data-149818
Alexandra Smith and Tom Rabe report that a second inquiry has been launched into revelations that the NSW Premier’s office shredded documents relating to the controversial approval of $250 million in council grants.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/premier-s-office-to-face-second-investigation-over-shredded-documents-20201110-p56d9n.html
Victoria is in the strong situation everyone wanted us to reach, namely 11 consecutive days with no new COVID-19 cases, and counting. How did we get here and, just as importantly, will it last, asks epidemiologist, Catharine Bennett. She concludes with, “The great news for us in Victoria now is that this success is sustainable as long as we all play our part. We can reap the benefits of suppressed, if not eliminated, local transmission and be protected by a stronger public health system that we have all helped build.”
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/what-is-behind-victoria-s-suppression-success-and-will-it-last-20201110-p56d8k.html
Chris Uhlmann writes about the end of the era of Trump’s vandalism and how now a significant point of interest to Australia is how the US will deal with China.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/hey-joe-once-you-settle-in-we-need-to-talk-about-china-20201110-p56d2p.html
Biden will place Asia back at the centre of foreign policy – but will his old-school diplomacy still work wonders Nick Bisley.
https://theconversation.com/biden-will-place-asia-back-at-the-centre-of-foreign-policy-but-will-his-old-school-diplomacy-still-work-148095
Zoe Samios explains how News Corp is attempting to defuse Malcolm Turnbull’s criticism after he locked horns with a senior editor on Q&A over coverage of the national bushfire crisis and climate change.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/murdoch-s-news-corp-defends-climate-coverage-in-escalating-turnbull-stoush-20201110-p56dat.html
The incoming Chief Scientist says that Australia should cut emissions quickly and lead world in renewable energy.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/11/australia-should-cut-emissions-quickly-and-lead-world-in-renewable-energy-incoming-chief-scientist-says
Mike Foley and Nick Toscano write that experts are warning the NSW government’s plan to underwrite the cost of new renewable energy projects could erode national efforts to improve the electrical grid and leave consumers bearing the risk of project price blowouts.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/perverse-signals-nsw-clean-power-push-clouds-grid-planning-prices-20201110-p56d98.html
The coronavirus pandemic has spurred a revival for regional Australian property as capital city prices now seen as less affordable, explains John Collett.
https://www.smh.com.au/money/banking/worker-exodus-ignites-regional-house-prices-20201105-p56bxr.html
The Age reveals that the Victorian Health Department allowed workers at the Cedar Meats abattoir, site of the largest coronavirus outbreak of the state’s first wave, to return to work while waiting on COVID-19 tests during contact tracing efforts in May.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/emails-reveal-cedar-meats-contact-tracing-troubles-as-company-feuds-with-mikakos-20201110-p56d6j.html
Food delivery riders deserve better rights at work, urges the editorial in the SMH. It points out that the evidence is growing that many of these bicycle riders and car drivers, who are overwhelmingly non-permanent residents, are being poorly treated and underpaid.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/food-delivery-riders-deserve-better-rights-at-work-20201110-p56dbj.html
The voluntary assisted dying bill has been passed in the Tasmanian upper house.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/tas/2020/11/10/voluntary-assisted-dying-bill-tasmania/
Noel Towell reports that survivors of rape and sexual assault in Victoria will be able to publicly identify themselves after an emotional night in Parliament.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/mps-move-step-closer-to-reform-on-right-to-identify-sexual-assault-victims-20201110-p56dds.html
Former Jesuit brothers at two of Australia’s most prestigious Catholic schools have been charged with historical child sex offences after allegations against them emerged recently.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/senior-jesuits-charged-with-historic-sex-offences-at-sydney-s-st-ignatius-college-riverview-20201110-p56d94.html
Meanwhile, a Vatican report into disgraced ex-US cardinal Theodore McCarrick points to failings by popes, Vatican officials and senior US clerics who let him rise through the Catholic ranks despite repeated allegations of sexual misconduct.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/report-into-disgraced-ex-cardinal-shows-failings-by-popes-top-clerics-20201111-p56deu.html
And Fergus Hunter explains the good work being done by the AFP to combat child pornography and all that goes with it.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/global-online-paedophile-photo-and-video-network-allegedly-uncovered-after-nsw-child-sex-arrest-20201110-p56d6z.html
He partied hard, raised millions in ARC grants and corporate donations, moved from Monash Uni to the Middle East, UNSW to Sydney University. Luke Stacey investigates why nobody checked the man on a probity mission.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/centre-of-non-excellence-how-to-win-grants-and-influence-people-in-australias-universities/
Peter FitzSimons explores Australia’s evolving culture of remembrance.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/answering-the-recall-australia-s-evolving-culture-of-remembrance-20201109-p56cyb.html
Bevan Shields reports that former Tory prime minister John Major has delivered a bleak assessment of modern Britain, accusing Boris Johnson of presiding over a “wretched betrayal” of economic policy and warning Brexit may be “even more brutal” than feared.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/ex-tory-pm-john-major-attacks-boris-johnson-for-wretched-betrayal-20201110-p56d38.html
The New York Times explains how Trump’s refusal to concede affects Biden’s transition.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/how-trump-s-refusal-to-concede-affects-biden-s-transition-20201110-p56dac.html
Trump was always destined to lose – and he has only himself to blame, explains Walter Shapiro.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/10/trump-was-always-destined-to-lose-and-he-has-only-himself-to-blame
Black voters drove Joe Biden’s victory – and have offered this country a reboot, writes Cliff Albright.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/10/black-voters-drove-joe-biden-victory-reboot-2020
Trump’s decision to fire defence secretary Mark Esper yesterday has raised concerns that he may be planning far-reaching military moves in his final weeks in office – and is putting in place new leadership more inclined to go along.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-s-new-military-hire-raises-fears-of-last-minute-military-plans-os-20201110-p56d90.html
Doug Dingwall writes that Joe Hockey thinks Donald Trump will become the United States’ “opposition leader” following his defeat and has probably convinced himself he was robbed the presidential election, former ambassador to the US.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7006735/trump-will-become-us-opposition-leader-joe-hockey/?cs=14350
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
Cathy Wilcox
Alan Moir
David Rowe
John Shakespeare
Matt Golding
Mark David
Fiona Katauskas
Glen Le Lievre
A commission created by Johannes Leak
And Mark Knight
Simon Letch
From the US
Oh FFS!
Keating wasn’t ever someone who could bring people together. He ended up more hated than he was loved (I loved him). For a long time after he lost the election, it was well known that to have him support your campaign was a vote loser.
He was a great Treasurer, and particularly well teamed with Hawke; people could hate Keating and vote for Labor because they loved Hawke.
“Ingrid M
@iMusing
·
1m
as the Morrison government simultaneously demonstrates and brushes off its endemic and unfixable toxic misogyny, ABC radio AM is running a story on what opinion polls said about Bill Shorten two years ago.”
Bit churlish since ABC unearthed the story
I bet leak and Mark Knight work for Murdoch.
They don’t like a few home truths that is for sure.
Victoria records no new cases or deaths – 12th day in a row
VicGovDHHS@VicGovDHHS
Yesterday there were 0 new cases and 0 lives lost reported. There are 4 active cases, 1 with unknown source. 19,986 tests results were received
Clearly, the News Limited cartoonists have got the message from The (God)Father!
frednk
As I alluded, Leak and Knight were obvious working on commissions from their employer, News Ltd.
Look, basically it came down to the fact that Joel Fitzgibbon came from a family where his dad had been the talented one and Joel just surfed his coat-tails into politics after him. He was never as talented as his father and the party just felt obligated to make space for him. They are now going to be better off without him in a prominent role. He can try and undermine all he likes but, like, who really cares WHAT he thinks? Ed Husic has already got a better grasp on things and way of putting it to the electorate than Joel ever had. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
phylactella @ #1257 Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 – 8:39 am
Media wh****, pure and simple.
zoomster @ #1253 Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 – 7:15 am
I could never stand his arrogance. Confidence and assertiveness is one thing, the disregard of others (even when warranted) was not something I was brought up to admire.
$10 says Fitzgibbon will do a Latham and be running for One Nation next federal election.
We all already know this, right?
Morning all and thanks BK for today’s wrap.
In the furore with the election I’d forgotten about this Scotus hearing.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/10/scotus-hearing-aca-live-updates/
The stories about “Bill Shorten in the polls two years ago” are actually about the long-awaited report of the review into the performance (or lack thereof) of opinion polls at the last federal election – presumably of considerable interest to some here. Haven’t seen a link to the report yet but should be out sometime today. (Disclosure – a family member was involved with this).
Heard Anne Ruston saying that we need to cut back unemployment allowance to “Provide an incentive ” for jobseekers to look for (invisible) jobs.
OTOH, we hear of executives who “would not get out of bed” for less than $5 million pa plus benefits!
AAaaah – but they are the “deserving rich!
I do wish we had some ethical journalists!!
Michael O’Brien running ads on radio for his plans for opening up the Victorian economy for more jobs and to get business back on it’s feet and he has got a website.
https://www.michaelobrien.com.au/back-to-work-and-back-in-business/
Who would ever go to this idiot for advice in anything ever after his teams constant carping against scientific and medical evidence has got me flummoxed…
The fact that he needs to get on the radio and voice his own ads suggests a huge brand recognition failure and that the Daily Dan managed not just the outbreak but the politics very well.
Expat
The bloke who ran for One Nation in 2019 was a Unionist. He had support from the miners.
I don’t think he’ll stand aside for Fitzgibbon.
JF looked very angry on Sky this am. Glad I switched over and caught it. Next step – move right out, Joel.
‘“History has to be told over and over again.”
From the first couple of minutes of the film Brazen Hussies.
.
Labor must learn this lesson.
It’s achievements in establishing modern Australia must be told and re-told.
.
Anyway, maintain the rage, comrades. 11/11/75
Fitzy is going to cause serious trouble for the ALP that can’t be swatted away.
Albo will have to move quickly to shut him down.
BH @ #1265 Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 – 9:21 am
Maybe Joel and Richo could host their own show?
D
But – but – he and Albo have always been good friends – so he says.
ajm @ #1259 Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 – 9:00 am
I found his arrogance towards tories reassuring.
It’s the headlines in Fairfax that are betraying them. Probably the journos are trying to be fair.
Pompeo like Kalyleigh McEnany is speaking to that audience of one.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/10/us/joe-biden-trump?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage#pompeo-backs-trumps-actions-to-contest-election-results-and-biden-calls-them-an-embarrassment
ALP should cut Joel Fitzgibbon adrift and get former unionist PHON candidate to run for Hunter
PHON candidate has large personal following and was frustrated with Fitzgibbon grip on the seat
But is Frydenberg another Peter Costello? I really doubt it.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/wounded-impotent-but-liberals-could-still-reinvent-themselves-20201110-p56dbd.html?btis
Back when Peter Costello was deputy federal leader and treasurer, he played a substantial role in the Victorian party. There are more than a few Liberals in Melbourne who would like to see Josh Frydenberg, who now holds the same roles, assert his authority similarly.
That last bit made me chuckle.
It appears Dotard has been busy..
‘ Pentagon finally confirms near total decapitation of civilian leadership in the last 24 hours. Secretary of Defense Esper fired Monday, the top Pentagon Policy official, top Defense Department intelligence official, and chief of staff to the Defense Secretary all out today’
We know the kind of example that Morrison sets for his ministers.
BT
Had a LOL moment when the ABC said the problem with the polls was that they tended to over report ‘educated and politically engaged voters’ and that meant Labor’s vote was reported as being higher than it was actually…
‘RECANTED’: Republicans’ star witness alleging voter fraud in Pennsylvania disowns his accusations
Republican efforts to keep President Donald Trump in office despite losing the 2020 presidential race ran into another issue with reality on Tuesday.
“Erie, Pa. USPS whistleblower completely RECANTED his allegations of a supervisor tampering with mail-in ballots after being questioned by investigators, according to IG,” the House Oversight Committee tweeted Tuesday, referring to the Inspector General.
“Here are the facts: Richard Hopkins is a USPS employee in Erie, Pa. He signed a sworn affidavit with allegations of ballot tampering/fraud and went public through Project Veritas. USPS IG began investigating last week,” the committee explained. “USPS IG investigators informed Committee staff today that they interviewed Hopkins on Friday, but that Hopkins RECANTED HIS ALLEGATIONS yesterday and did not explain why he signed a false affidavit.”
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/11/recanted-republicans-star-witness-alleging-voter-fraud-pennsylvania-disowns-his-accusations/
zoomster
Yes, I did muse over what the corollary would be.
Surely signing a false affidavit is a crime? These people who think they can arbitrarily allege fraud simply because Trump lost need to face consequences. Like being charged with fraud. Maybe then they’ll learn to knock it off.
lizzie @ #1282 Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 – 10:05 am
*THIS*
LNP would rather spend money on lawyers and private corps to prevent welfare payments of any kind, so they can lavish bribes on their own electorates.
Link:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/nov/11/government-called-in-private-law-firms-to-fight-a-third-of-ndis-cases-figures-show?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Typical “let’s not be hasty” from Gladys. Response from Kudelka.
‘Maybe Joel and Richo could host their own show?’
Mundo – Wouldn’t be at all surprised. Sky were great beneficiaries of Joel’s leaks during PMJG’s years. So busy leaking that he didn’t have time for his electorate.
ItzaDream,
THIS ** will not be effectively followed up by labor. Poor people have bad outcomes because it’s their fault they”re poor.
Be in no doubt, Jim Chalmers will change his mind and decide he is ready to take on the role of Opposition Leader.
He is the most impressive of the ALP front benchers. He is a new generation, and from Queensland – a key “battleground” State in Australian politics.
It will not happen this year. But Chalmers will increase his profile over the next four months, and be ready from March next year.
If I am right, he will contest the ALP parliamentary leadership declared vacant by Albo, and win – convincingly.
lizziesays:
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 10:03 am
We know the kind of example that Morrison sets for his ministers
This needs to be hammered out AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN.
I have the 3 word slogan: Liberals Hate Women.
Al Pal @ #1291 Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 – 10:44 am
You’ve been chatting with Dr Blind Freddie, n’est-ce pas?
It is so typical of Fitzgibbon’s “look at me” selfishness, that he waited until there was a genuine opening for Labor to attack Morrison’s gov, before starting a fight in Caucus and “declaring his hand”, when he then gave the excuse (lied?) that he had made the decision in 2019.
OK, so I’ve never liked him but nothing I have ever learned has changed my mind.
Looks like there will be a fairly cool relationship between Biden and Johnson (a Trump admirer) , complicating the US/UK ‘special relationship’.
How about the US and Australia relationship while Morrison is PM?
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/10/world/biden-boris-uk-us-relationship-gbr-intl/index.html
Former spy chief Dennis Richardson says he expects Australia’s relationship with China to be strained for at least the next two years and warns bitter domestic politics is further inflaming the nation’s deteriorating relationship with Beijing.
The one-time ASIO director-general also says federal MPs must avoid calling into question the loyalty of Chinese-Australians, in comments echoed by former Howard government minister Warwick Smith, who called it “offensive”.
Dotard watch….
Trump:
—No public appearances since Thursday.
—No public events last five days.
—Last intelligence briefing Oct. 1.
—Last call with a foreign leader on Oct. 29.
—Hasn’t met with coronavirus task force in months.
Hasn’t conceded, either. 🙁