Before proceeding with the latest preselection news, I have a still-active post with daily updates on the progress of Tasmanian state election count; a live results feature that I can’t promote often enough, since it remains by some distance the most detailed source of results data available; and a lengthy plea for cash from Friday from which I’m still vaguely hopeful of squeezing another donation or two.
On with the show:
• The long-awaited Liberal National Party Senate preselection has allocated top position on the Queensland ticket to James McGrath while relegating Amanda Stoker to third, maintaining an impressive bipartisan run of preselectors never getting anything right. Michael McKenna of The Australian relates that McGrath secured a sweeping 212-101 win from the “biggest ever turnout for a State Council Senate vote”. The second position is designated to the Nationals, and is duly a lock for Matt Canavan.
• Paul Starick of The Advertiser reports that Leah Blyth, who has the backing of the South Australian Liberal Party’s conservative faction to replace the retiring Nicolle Flint in the Adelaide seat of Boothby, may be poleaxed by the Section 44 of the Constitution. Blyth’s efforts to renounce a dual British citizenship even this far out from the election could fall foul of extended processing times arising from COVID-19, although others quoted in the report express doubt that it will really be a problem. Rival contenders include Rachel Swift, moderate-aligned proprietor of a health consultancy firm, and Shaun Osborn, a police officer who ran in the seat of Adelaide in 2019. However, Osborn is hampered by the optics of putting a man forward to replace Flint, whose experiences have been a key element in Liberal efforts to parry suggestions that disrespect for women is particularly a problem on their own side of politics.
• John Ferguson of The Australian reports dissension within Victorian Labor over the likelihood that former state secretary Sam Rae will secure preselection for the new seat of Hawke on Melbourne’s north-western fringe. The report says a draft preselection agreement reserves the seat for the Right faction Transport Workers Union, which remains associated with party powerbroker and former Senator Stephen Conroy. While Conroy evidently backs Rae, “other parts” of the Right are said to favour the position going to a woman, specifically Natalie Hutchins, the Andrews government Corrections Minister and member for the seat of Sydenham.
• Matthew Denholm of The Australian reported last week that “wholesale ALP federal intervention” loomed for the party’s Tasmanian branch, “barring a shock win for the party” at Saturday’s state election – which, for those of you who have just joined us, didn’t happen. The concern is that Left unions use their excessive weight within the branch’s affairs to do foolish things like deny preselection to Dean Winter, who was able to achieve his thumping win in Franklin on Saturday only because the national executive intervened to give him a place on the ticket. This would appear to be relevant to Labor’s preselections for the federal seat of Bass and Braddon, which it lost at the 2019 election, and also to the fate of twice-defeated state leader Rebecca White. The aforesaid Left unions are apparently keen on replacing her with David O’Byrne, who was outpolled in Franklin on Saturday by the aforesaid Dean Winter.
• The Liberal Party has done tellingly extensive research for its submission opposing the registration of a party under the name New Liberals, which included CT Group polling indicating that 69% of respondents believed a party thus named sounded like it had a connection with the other Liberal Party.
Shenanigans in the NSW Upper House. GladysB put forward her double-bunger candidate McLaren-Jones, but a Liberal usurper double-bunger popped up has been voted in as President.
Following the Clerk’s call for nominations for the office of President and subsequent ballot in the House, votes have been cast as follows:
The Hon Natasha Maclaren-Jones (LIB): 18 votes
The Hon Matthew Mason-Cox (LIB): 23 votes
#NSWpol #NSWparliament #election #president
“Deploy the RAAF? SAS extraction? What do you want?”
I agree. Impossible. They’ll be tied up with China.
Morrison is a failure as PM. He really does not understand the first entry on the PM’s the duty statement, which is to keep us all safe. He’s never applied himself to this….not in relation to cruise ships or social distancing or movements within Australia. He failed in relation to the first round closure in early 2020 and at other times since. He has failed the Australian citizens now in peril in India. He is just such a thoughtless fucker. He is as thick as can be.
He’s also failing on that score in relation to China. He is putting the country into jeopardy in order to satisfy his own recklessness and dim-wit expediency. He is the least serious of leaders I’ve seen. Even Billy MacMahon had a higher sense of purpose than this useless excuse for a PM.
Australia should be closer ties after drug bust – thanks to China:
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/plot-to-import-heroin-into-nsw-foiled-after-tip-off-from-chinese-authorities-police-20210504-p57ovw.html
Federal police have foiled an international crime syndicate’s alleged attempt to import 74.5 kg of heroin into NSW and Western Australia after a tip-off from Chinese authorities.
In April, China’s National Narcotics Control Commission and the Guangdong Narcotics Control Board intercepted a number of suspicious packages destined for Australia.
They allegedly found 254 blocks Double UOGlobe-branded heroin that was vacuum sealed in foil bags, and notified the Australian Federal Police office in Guangzhou.
The drugs were removed and replaced with an inert substance before the packages were forwarded to their intended destinations – three in Newcastle and one to Perth.
On Tuesday, federal police arrested a 17-year-old girl after she allegedly picked up a package that was supposed to contain 22 kilograms of heroin.
Police searched her family’s home and allegedly found the package opened and in her bedroom wardrobe.
The 17-year-old was refused police bail and faced Perth Children’s Court on Tuesday, charged with one count of attempting to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.
On 22 April, a 23-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly collected one package sent to a home in the Newcastle suburb of Lambton.
I would like to make a comment, but Pork Barilaro is quick with the lawsuits…
‘Barnaby Joyce’s 22yo daughter Bridgette is now a senior parliamentary adviser for NSW Nationals Leader John Barilaro. A senior adviser, at 22. ?! #nswpol #auspol
Bucephelius
Acknowledge the systemic causes of sexism and sexual assault and identify ways to address it (hint might include not being defensive, listening not lecturing, including those impacted in solutions)
If you deny there are systemic causes sexual assaults will continue,
C@tMomma
Indian Weddings, even…
Morrison….the only time he had to do something singularly purposeful – stopping the boats – he did so under a veil of complete secrecy. We’ll never really know what happened while he was running Immigration. He was to all intents unaccountable.
When he is in the spotlight – when public scrutiny is inescapable – he’s just paralysed. He does nothing but hope for the best and attempt playtime politics.
He’s useless. He’s worse than useless. He does more harm than good.
Luckily enough for Morrison and his crew, the No Windmills Party will be doing their best to keep them in office, despite his own attempts to forfeit it.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/90-minute-presidency-upper-house-chaos-as-nsw-mps-bicker-over-plum-role-20210504-p57owt.html
90 minute presidency: Upper house chaos as NSW MPs bicker over plum role
By Alexandra Smith and Lucy Cormack
May 4, 2021 — 9.35pm
The NSW upper house descended into chaos on Tuesday night as Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s pick for president was overthrown in less than two hours and a back-up candidate was installed to the plum job.
Ms Berejiklian’s preferred candidate, Liberal MP Natasha Maclaren-Jones, claimed the seat after the house had been in deadlock for almost six weeks over who should replace departing president John Ajaka.
Labor and some of the crossbench MPs opposed her nomination, insisting Ms Maclaren-Jones would be beholden to Ms Berejiklian in the role of president.
In an act of defiance with the support of some Coalition colleagues, Ms Maclaren-Jones took the president’s seat.
Less than 90 minutes later, Ms Maclaren-Jones was removed from the chair with a vote of no confidence after being accused of “stealing the chair” and conducting a “mini coup”.
Her Liberal colleague Matthew Mason-Cox then nominated for the role.
His nomination was supported by Labor and most crossbenchers. Late on Tuesday night, Mr Mason-Cox was elected 23 votes to 18.
“ Pork Barilaro is quick with the lawsuits”
But is he really? Jordy has been smashing him since this time last year, the threatened lawsuit was only made on 22 December, and his promise to sue was only made in response to a direct question when Jordy’s team gate crashed the Mac uni Libs Bruz function. Still no lawsuit.
We shall see.
Barnaby’s 21 yo daughter has come along way since she was driving around Tamworth urging folk not to vote for dad back in the 2017 byelection …
“Barnaby’s 21 yo daughter has come along way since she was driving around Tamworth urging folk not to vote for dad back in the 2017 byelection …”
Driving around Tamworth in a government paid for vehicle that she wasn’t authorised to drive. But that’s how they roll. Literally. Apparently.
Thank you Leroy and Sprocket
Interesting to hear to leaks in the SMH. All is not well in NSW Labor. They had better get it together as there is much to oppose.
lizzie @ #506 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 9:40 am
Shocking perspective of India.
I was pleasantly amazed that they got through the first wave they way they did.
What we are seeing now is what was likely to happen back then, the huge population helps to produce numbers that are almost beyond imagination.
What the doctor is talking about is why it will be incredibly difficult to get under control.
The disparity between rich and poor is like no other place I have travelled to.
Is Scott Morrison the “R” word?
The Victorian Hotel Quarantine is a disaster with the Public Servants running it clearly arrogant gits based on the media reports of their continuing failures.
N ……. You’ve been quite accurate this evening.
Morrison is a useless ……. brightly packaged …… all spruced up gift …… heavily advertised …… ready to be trashed ………. PM.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/apr/29/after-16-covid-leaks-in-six-months-its-time-to-move-quarantine-out-of-australias-city-hotels
Not fit for purpose.
Howard Springs: 0 leaks
A reasonable request cud chewer.
Griff @ #813 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 10:24 pm
You must have missed the story about the NSW Liberals:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/90-minute-presidency-upper-house-chaos-as-nsw-mps-bicker-over-plum-role-20210504-p57owt.html
Now, THAT’S what I call party disunity.
This is interesting:
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/second-steele-dossier-on-donald-trump-s-sexual-exploits-produced-for-fbi-20210504-p57omg.html
Bevan Shields is not happy, Scott:
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/the-world-is-watching-and-it-is-wondering-what-this-draconian-decision-says-about-australia-s-character-20210503-p57okq.html
Geoffrey Robertson’s opinion:
“You have a Prime Minister who makes a public pitch for his brand of Christianity and yet he’s leaving these poor 9000 citizens on the side of the road and walking off. This seems to be not only uncompassionate but unchristian.”
And a good point made by Professor Greg Dore, Infectious Diseases physician and epidemiologist at UNSW:
Dore says the pandemic has held a mirror up to countries. On the health response he says Australia gets an A. But it has earned an F for humanism and globalism, he concludes. He also asks to imagine what the response might look like if 9000 Australians were all stranded on a cruise ship in distress.
“The symbolism of completely shutting off the border is pretty profound and it has implications for not only the people stuck in India but how we are seen as a humane society.”
Yes, just imagine if it was a cruise ship full of mainly rich white Australians, indeed.
Don’t reckon Morrison will lose votes due to his stance on India
Scout @ #698 Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 – 6:46 am
Yes, true, he has Liberal Party members who are Indian-Australians, working to help him out of the mess he got himself into.
This is the sort of comment that is popping up on social media on those stuck in India:
‘Sorry people, it’s hard enough to move around Australia. You chose to leave you take the risk.
Should of stayed home like most Australians.’
People like to be like ‘most’ Australians.
Morning all. Samantha Maiden raises an interesting question in this story and tweet:
“ Samantha Maiden
@samanthamaiden
14h
A MYSTERY: who is funding @cporterwa blockbuster defamation case against the ABC? Even for a bloke earning $370,000 a year it’s likely to gobble up his annual salary in a heartbeat. So are any mystery millionaires helping out?”
https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/mystery-surrounds-how-christian-porters-defamation-case-against-abc-will-be-funded/news-story/6eadc98ee0084bf15b97fe7d223a2a2d
A very good question. Though I wish she said his salary is $370,000 a year. Porter isn’t earning it right now.
Socrates
There is a mile between actually following through and a little bit of maneuvering.
Scott,
The only problem is the Feds gave them the approval to leave the country. You can only leave Australia with the approval of the Department of Home Affairs.
On covid the Indian flight ban should harm Morrison politically. There is good reason in terms of the risks, but it is only happening because of his joint failure on both vaccination and quarantine.
Looking at the numbers, the Indian data must be wrong, and the real situation far worse than reported. The infection and death rates both plateaued a few days ago. Yet the death rate should have lagged the infection rate by two weeks. The real death toll now should have kept climbing following the surge in infections two weeks ago. It has not, because they have run out of testing resources and are only reporting deaths associated with positive tests. It is a disaster for Indian public health.
Frednk
The ABC is due to file its defence today, so it will get to the pointy end soon.\
Have a good day all.
Promo should have consulted Jen on this India ban.
She would have said ‘What if it was our family members?’. This would have made Promo reflect..
Also, Mr Cricket Mike Hussey – batting coach for one of the IPL teams – diagnosed with Covid. Let’s see the response to this development…
Found this out yesterday when trying to book. Local GP is only doing above 70, no vaccine.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/05/australian-gps-grapple-with-vaccine-shortfalls-as-pleas-for-more-astrazeneca-doses-are-rejected
I challenge anyone to work out how to book for a state run vaccine center, even some information on how long the lines are? Looks like you have to go there and have a look and you really can’t book.
Will the ‘tough on borders’ Promo let this national hero (white) back into the country?
‘Former Australian cricketer Michael “Mr Cricket” Hussey has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 in India.
The 45-year-old has been working as a batting coach for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Super League, which was postponed on Tuesday night after a Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate of David Warner – India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha – returned a positive test.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-hussey-tests-positive-for-covid-19-in-india-reports-20210505-p57oy4.html
Promo’s grandstanding on Friday night, 5years jail and $66,000 fines for the Citizens – mostly brown skinned Indians – is in tatters. This is par for the course given his history of poor judgment calls arising from self-promotion and/or feathering of mates nests.
He was crabwalking away from the ‘tough on borders’ yesterday. How long before a backflip on the Aussie heroes cut up in his stupid rhetoric?
“Australia’s IPL cricketers have been left in limbo after the tournament was suspended in response to India’s Covid-19 crisis.
More than 30 players, coaches and staff in India are unable to fly home after the Australian government imposed a travel ban and threatened citizens who attempt to return with a hefty fine or even jail.
The travel ban runs until 15 May and – with the tournament originally slated to end on 30 May – Cricket Australia and the players’ union were hopeful those wishing to return home when the tournament concluded would be able to.
But Tuesday’s announcement to indefinitely suspend the competition – with no clear plan on how and when to reschedule it – leaves the Australian group facing an uncertain and anxious wait until alternative arrangements are made.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/may/04/australian-cricketers-in-limbo-after-ipl-suspended-amid-indias-deepening-covid-crisis
Some of the retired cricketer coaches in India, like Ponting and Hussey, are getting to an age where they would be at real risk of covid if they become infected, in a country with a health system running out of oxygen.
I’m booked in for an AZ shot next week via the SA Health website. getting it at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Website was confusing, but I made my way through it. It took patience.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Rachael Clun reports that a doctor who helped bring 3000 Australians back from India in just three weeks last year says the Indian-Australian community wants a concrete government plan for the repatriation of stranded citizens.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/bring-our-people-asap-indian-australian-community-steps-up-pressure-for-repatriation-plan-20210504-p57opl.html
On this subject Bevan Shields writes that the world is watching, and it is wondering what this draconian decision says about Australia’s character.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/the-world-is-watching-and-it-is-wondering-what-this-draconian-decision-says-about-australia-s-character-20210503-p57okq.html
Scott Morrison lectured the states against snap border closures – now he’s done exactly that, points out Katherine Murphy who says there is an irony here that won’t be lost on the premiers.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/04/scott-morrison-lectured-the-states-against-snap-border-closures-now-hes-done-exactly-that
Criminalising citizens returning from India signals some are more Australian than others, writes Tim Soutphommasane.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/04/criminalising-citizen-returns-from-india-signals-some-are-more-australian-than-others
The Prime Minister’s Indian flight ban could face a legal challenge as soon as today as Scott Morrison is confronted by a growing backlash from inside and outside Parliament.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2021/05/05/morrison-pressure/
The blanket and punitive travel ban for Australians returning from India is neither justified, nor does it make much sense in the efforts to curb the spreading of the virus. The Indian Coronavirus emergency is also raising many questions of the policies imposed around the world during the pandemic, explains Ramesh Thakur.
https://johnmenadue.com/indias-coronavirus-emergency-tells-a-story-poorly-understood/
The Morrison Government’s botched and controversial ban on Australians returning from India shows just how error-prone it can be when it makes Covid-19 related decisions without the help of State and Territory leaders, writes David Solomon.
https://johnmenadue.com/morrison-fails-leadership-test-again/
Anthony Galloway has a good look at what makes Peter Dutton tick when it comes to his position as Minister for Defence.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/playing-it-frank-is-dutton-in-defence-for-the-long-haul-20210502-p57o8j.html
The economy is growing but the pandemic will affect us for some time, writes Shaun Carney who says that contrary to last year’s expectations that we’d face horror deficits in future, next week’s federal budget will include some big spending.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/economy-is-growing-but-the-pandemic-will-affect-us-for-some-time-20210504-p57omv.html
Paul Bongiorno says that the government is a Liberal in Labor’s clothing with this budget.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2021/05/04/federal-budget-2021-paul-bongiorno/
The Reserve Bank of Australia has failed to achieve its inflation targets on a sustainable basis since the Global Financial Crisis, however, it should not solely be blamed says economist Alex Joiner who calls for a better fiscal policy.
https://www.smh.com.au/money/banking/central-bank-failures-highlight-need-for-better-fiscal-policy-20210503-p57oj7.html
The budget is a window into the Treasurer’s soul. Peter Martin tells us what to look for on Tuesday night.
https://theconversation.com/the-budget-is-a-window-into-the-treasurers-soul-heres-what-to-look-for-tuesday-night-160086
Ross Gittins explains how on budget night, we’ll know if Scott Morrison really does care about women.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/on-budget-night-here-s-how-we-ll-know-if-scott-morrison-really-cares-about-women-20210504-p57ons.html
The Reserve Bank of Australia upgraded its economic growth forecast to hit 4.75 per cent over this year, up from 3.5 per cent in its February statement.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/rba-holds-rates-lifts-key-economic-forecasts-20210504-p57osp
Sooner or later it was bound to happen. Scott Morrison in two recent speeches not only has explained his religious faith but also has drawn the battlelines for the contest of values that will shape the election next year, writes Paul Kelly who pontificates that mainstream voters are more concerned about progressive ideology than if the PM believes in god.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/scott-morrisons-faith-in-power-to-rally-quiet-australians/news-story/8a4b30b29b8294ed7a567e513bf68522
Scott Morrison’s sermon was a carefully planned speech, not a moment of unguarded sincerity argues Jane Gilmore.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2021/05/05/scott-morrison-sermon-speech/
Having kept a low profile during the pandemic, investors are now returning to the market with gusto. And that means home prices will continue to be pushed higher, warns Elizabeth Knight.
https://www.smh.com.au/money/borrowing/speculators-back-in-the-game-to-push-up-property-prices-20210504-p57ots.html
Australia risks becoming the world’s laughing stock if state governments impose electric vehicle taxes too early, according to NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/laughing-stock-of-the-world-minister-s-warning-over-electric-car-tax-20210504-p57osw.html
And the SMH editorial says he’s on the right track.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/andrew-constance-shows-much-needed-leadership-on-electric-vehicles-20210504-p57ouz.html
Rob Harris tells us that car makers want to replace licence fees, rego and fuel excise with a tax on how far you drive.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/car-makers-want-to-replace-licence-fees-rego-and-fuel-excise-with-a-tax-on-how-far-you-drive-20210502-p57o3x.html
Tom Cowie and Nick O’Malley write that gas appliances including heaters, hot water services and cooktops would be phased out under a proposed moratorium on new gas connections to households in a Victorian council jurisdiction.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/push-to-turn-off-gas-to-help-reach-state-s-climate-goal-20210504-p57oof.html
Mike Foley and Peter Hannam tell us that Government intervention in the energy market is making the breakneck transition from fossil fuels to renewables even more challenging as investors warn that taxpayer subsidies for new gas power projects are squeezing out private industry.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/government-intervention-is-complicating-renewable-energy-revolution-20210504-p57ost.html
The Australian has an exposé on “the shocking secrets in Covid hotels”.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/hotel-quarantine-top-official-matiu-bush-caught-breaching-covid19-protocols/news-story/3cf2767dcb9b3046f35bcc587720fc44
General practitioners in Australia grappling with major vaccine supply shortfalls are being refused more AstraZeneca doses, despite 1m per week now being manufactured onshore, reports Christopher Knaus.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/05/australian-gps-grapple-with-vaccine-shortfalls-as-pleas-for-more-astrazeneca-doses-are-rejected
Paul Karp tells us that almost two-thirds of Australians believe the Covid-19 vaccine rollout is not going well, with even a majority of Coalition voters declining to give the program a tick of approval.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/05/almost-two-thirds-of-australians-think-covid-vaccine-rollout-is-not-going-well-survey-suggests
Jewel Topsfield writes about haw the NDIS chief ‘deeply regrets’ anxiety over independent assessments.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/that-s-not-dignity-ndis-chief-wants-red-tape-cut-so-people-with-a-disability-have-funding-say-20210504-p57oou.html
According to Alexandra Smith, the NSW government will urge the private sector to come up with new development ideas for its extensive public property portfolio as part of a new 20-year plan for housing.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/government-wants-housing-plan-to-include-private-investment-on-public-land-20210504-p57otj.html
According to Bloomberg, Pfizer has laid out a plan to turn its vaccine into a long-term business as its boss bets COVID-19 will become endemic, requiring people to get regular shots for years to come.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/pfizer-eyes-34b-in-covid-19-sales-in-2021-sees-demand-lasting-for-years-20210505-p57oxk.html
The Australian tells us about the legal showdown looming for Australia Post over Christine Holgate’s ousting.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/very-cute-christine-holgates-team-chided-over-tactics-as-legal-showdown-looms/news-story/61e9d7f1db25d222f4410a848d7782e5
Richard Mulgan explains how public outrage still holds the key to politicians’ accountability.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7230664/public-outrage-still-holds-politicians-to-account/?cs=14329
“The Tasmanian Election — everyone’s a loser!”, exclaims Andrew P Street.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/andrew-p-street-the-tasmanian-election–everyones-a-loser,15050
After briefly showing signs of life in March the US dollar is on the nose again, and while that says something positive about the outlook for the rest of the world, it isn’t such good news for the US, or the Reserve Bank, says Stephen Bartholomeusz.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/the-us-dollar-is-on-the-nose-again-and-that-spells-trouble-for-the-rba-20210504-p57opv.html
Australians don’t want a war with China. It’s time to raise voices against it, urges Dr David Brophy. He says we need to puncture these ideological pretensions too. Self-determination for Taiwan, and justice for the Uighurs – these are worthy causes, but not causes that anyone can advance by waging war against China.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australians-don-t-want-a-war-with-china-it-s-time-to-raise-voices-against-it-20210504-p57oqo.html
How hard is Scott Morrison willing to poke the panda? That’s a question posed by the government’s review of the Chinese company Landbridge’s 99-year lease of the Port of Darwin, writes Michelle Grattan.
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-port-of-darwin-review-opens-a-pandoras-box-160288
After a long-awaited report from the Human Rights Commission, Alison Quigly says that Gymnastics Australia should say sorry to abused athletes and back it up with cash.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/gymnastics-australia-should-say-sorry-to-abused-athletes-and-back-it-up-with-cash-20210504-p57oqa.html
A billion-dollar investment gap in the upkeep of Australia’s electricity grid could undermine our ability to keep the lights on during natural disasters. That’s the warning from a new report into the state of our poles and wires by progressive think tank The Australia Institute, reports Matthew Elmas.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2021/05/05/electricity-grid-decay/
COVID-19 appears to have accelerated the shift away from credit card debt. That’s good news for customers, if it lasts, writes Clancy Yeates.
https://www.smh.com.au/money/borrowing/bad-debt-shunned-as-credit-card-balances-plunge-20210428-p57n8w.html
Germany’s interior minister has said that a dramatic rise in rightwing extremist crime demonstrates a “brutalisation” of society and poses the biggest threat to the country’s stability.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/04/rightwing-extremism-germany-stability-interior-minister-says
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
Andrew Dyson
David Rowe
John Shakespeare
Cathy Wilcox
Matt Golding
Peter Broelman
Mark Knight
John Spooner
Glen Le Lievre
Alan Moir
From the US
C@t
Steele is still dodgy as fuck.
.
.
The FBI’s Dossier Deceit
New evidence that the bureau knew the Russia info was phony in 2017.
………..The latest evidence comes from Friday’s declassification via the Senate Judiciary Committee of the FBI’s interviews, over three days in January 2017, with the primary source for the infamous Steele dossier. …………………. based nearly all of his dossier allegations on information from one unidentified “primary subsource.” The FBI didn’t corroborate the Steele dossier’s claims prior to its first application to surveil Mr. Page in October 2016, and it didn’t get around to interviewing the source until nearly four months later……..When agents finally got around to it, the source made clear that there was no factual basis to the dossier’s claims…
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-fbis-dossier-deceit-11595027626
The Steele dossier just sustained another body blow. What do CNN and MSNBC have to say?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/18/steele-dossier-just-sustained-another-body-blow-wheres-media/
Christopher Steele’s Firm Ordered in U.K. to Pay Damages to Russian Bankers
Judge finds ex-spy falsely alleged in dossier on Trump that pair arranged payoffs to Putin during 1990s
https://www.wsj.com/articles/christopher-steeles-firm-ordered-in-u-k-to-pay-damages-to-russian-bankers-11594247095
Shit yeah the Steele dossier is dodgy!
Cos Trump, Guiliani, Bannon, Manafort, Stone, Flynn and the list goes on, are all frickin Patriots.
And I’ll say it again. The day will come.
It may take a few years, but an asterisk will appear next to the name Trump. His name will be mud and deservedly so.
Victoria @ #839 Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 – 5:51 am
Vic
You’re discounting the possibility that both of those sentences are true.
There have been a number of comparisons between state border closures and India.
As far as I’m aware, residents of a state returning to their state were exempted.
I’m giving up reading political claptrap and will be chilling out until the only time that matters arrives. I will be casting my vote (and if I thought I could get away with it, hundreds more) to vote Morrison and his corrupt mates in to oblivion. Yes, I would, against all my principles be prepared to cheat. I think a party of chimpanzees could do a far better job than this mob of LNP dopes, spivs and losers
I must have missed something.
I travel to the SA wilderness for a week, and come back to find:
● Generals, public servants and ministers are softening us up for an actual shooting war against China, trying to make it sound like no big deal and just something we need to get used to?
Are these morons aware that you could slaughter enough Chinese to cover the equivalent of the combined populations of the Five Eyes nations and still have a billion Chinese left to take over what remains?
● ScoMo announces that he’s going to jail Australian returnees from India (and fine them up to $66,000), and then says, “Just kidding”? And then refuses to formally rule it out by legislation or regulation?
I have no trouble with isolating/quarantining returnees from anywhere, if they are coming from a boiling cauldron of COVID infections. But why jail then? Why fine them? Where are the quarantine camps we should have built a year ago?
● Vaccines are still as rare as hen’s teeth, despite one million doses per week being manufactured domestically?
● As a result of the above a lynch mob has not appeared to publicly hang Morrison from the nearest Macca’s billboard?
Danama papers
My point is precisely that.
Doesnt change anything if the Steele dossier is dodgy.
Cos Trump and co are bona fide traitors.
The Steele dossier has always been a red herring
BB
That’s why you can’t turn your back, even for a second.
Thanks BK for the Dawn Patrol.